What's there to know

 

Mick was certain of it now. Jools was seeing someone.

It was only an accident that he found out. He'd gone to the University to drop off something from home for his sister and while he was there he saw this guy and he was with Jools. Granted, they were just talking, but then they went off to the coffee shop and even talked longer.

Honestly, Mick never remembered Jools ever talking to him that much. And he hated this feeling of envy. He didn't like feeling so alone now. It was as if he knew now he wasn't good enough. Especially, for Jools. 

Although, they did most things together at home, like cooking and cleaning. Everyday things.  Occasionally, they went out, but it was usually grocery shopping. They were going to do something on  Halloween but when they showed up at the Pumpkin Patch there was a huge line to get in, and it was over twenty dollars for each of them.

"And you know, we've already spent our extra twenty on a bag of Boy Scout popcorn," Jools was matter of fact about it that day when they got back in the car. Each had somehow gotten swindled by a Scout on different occasions. They went home and watched Halloween on TV and ate popcorn. Of course, Jools had his bag and Mick had his. It was an ongoing joke with them, perhaps. Sure it was great to help the Boy Scouts out, but they were certain they'd get more for their money in Girl Scout cookies.

Mick thought back now they were pretty boring if that's all they had to talk about. While Mick was contemplating this on campus again (wondering if they'd survive through winter on their meager friendship) he bumped into that guy.

"I think I know you," he said with a grin.

"No, you don't." Mick shook his head, no. He suddenly felt stilted. What could this mean? Was he coming on to him? Mick tried his best not to look horrified.

The guy laughed more. "You're just like Jools said."

"Huh?" Mick winced at the thought that Jools might be talking about him. How could that be true?

"He showed me a picture of the two of you." He introduced himself. "I'm Chevy. I've known Jools for some time. Um, he's just a friend."

"Oh." Mick guessed he could say Jools was just a friend too, but that didn't feel right. Still, it was a relief to know Jools wasn't seeing someone behind his back. Before Mick knew it, he was having coffee with Chevy. Honestly, Chevy was easy to talk too and it made Mick ridiculously happy to know Jools was talking about him to Chevy. But he felt a little hurt. Why couldn't Jools say all this to him?

And then Chevy mentioned he'd accidentally inherited a house. "I don't know what to do." He said when he'd arrived in the states a friend of his mother's helped him. He'd even stayed with her for a while. He'd never met his dad and was originally from Seoul, but his mother had worked for the  woman. "You'd think the way my mom talked about her she'd have a fortune, but she and her husband never had any kids and well, after he passed away..she just let the house go."

Mick could see Chevy was a little unsure about this so-called gift. "If..I was to actually live there. It would be so much work. The pipes are bad." He sighed in anguish. "It's a real fixer-upper."

Mick nodded. "Well, I could take a look." He was certain Jools would want to help too. He told him then that he and Jools would help. Although, he could tell Chevy was certain it was a lost cause.