Kevin van Whye - Nate Plus One

Date Me, Bryson Keller

Jai Patel looks sexy when he is onstage.

Or in this case, standing in Lauren Halls living room and plucking the strings of his guitar to one of the Weeknds songs. Its Saturday night, and were at Laurens house for her birthday party, which is always the event of the year.

Jais band, Infinite Sorrow, gathers around him as the lead singer, Ross Sherman, belts out the song that has been overplayed on the radio these past few months. Infinite Sorrow is great, as always, but tonight my eyes are only on Jai.

His black, shoulder-length hair is down, and hes wearing a T-shirt with ripped sleeves and skinny black jeans, also ripped. Sweat coats his warm brown skin as he sways to the rhythm of the song.

If you stare any harder, Nate, Jai will be permanently burned into your retinas, whispers Gemma Roth, one of my two best friends. She is an aspiring fashion designer, and this party has provided her with the perfect opportunity to showcase her work. Shes wearing a two-color jumpsuit that stands out against her pale skin. The front is red, the back black. Her ink-black hair is tied into a bun, revealing her ears and eight piercingsfive in her right, three in her left.

My jeans and Final Fantasy T-shirt pale in comparison to Gemmas well-thought-out, flashy outfit. Some people are born for the spotlight, like Gemma and Jai, whereas Im more of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy. Its why I dream of being a songwriter instead of a singer.

This is me just supporting my best friend and his band, I whisper back with a wink. Its totally innocent staring.

Maybe in the past Gemma would have believed me, but we both know that Jai also happens to be a boy who, more and more, is starting to make me feel certain things. It wasnt always like this. At first he was simply a frienda close one. But over time my feelings have grown into something more.

I can say with certainty that I have a crush on Jai.

Sure, Gemma says. And Im secretly a princess who will be swept off to a fictional European country by my posh estranged grandmother. Gemma made me binge-watch most of Anne Hathaways filmography over one weekend last summer, which of course included The Princess Diaries. Ever since Gemma discovered the old but never-out-of-style masterpiece that is The Devil Wears Prada, Anne Hathaway has become her favorite actor. She has seen the movie more times than I can count. It should be noted that Annes very unsupportive boyfriend was and will always be trash. Gemmas words, not mine.

Here, Gemma says. She hands me one of the two red Solo cups that shes holding. I take a sip. The beer is warm and sour. Ive never been much of a drinker, and I skipped Laurens party last year because hed been too busy to go.

I take a large gulp of beer to chase away the bitter memories. I would rather not spend my night thinking of him. In my haste, I swallow hard and end up choking.

Easy there, tiger. Gemma pats me on the back. We have work tomorrow, remember?

I shoot her a death glare. I was all for skipping tonight, I remind her. You wanted to come.

And arent you happy you did? Gemma says. She tilts her head toward Jai, in the throes of the song hes playing. You would have missed this.

Touch.

Gemma rests a hand on my shoulder. You know, a crush stays a crush unless you actively do something about it.

I cant say anything to that. And I dont need to, because judging by the knowing smirk on Gemmas crimson lips, she understands shes won. Sometimes best friends are insufferable.

Just after midnight, Infinite Sorrow finishes their set, and they leave the makeshift stage behind. Im standing alone with my still-half-full cup (or is it half-empty?) of even warmer beer. Gemma has disappeared to be the social butterfly that she is, leaving me to peacefully ogle Jai.

I mean, the band. I was totally listening to the music.

Jai walks up to me. He runs a hand through his sweat-dampened hair and smiles.

How are we? he asks. He sounds so happy, so satisfied, that it makes me smile too.

Fantastic, I say. As always.

Youre biased, Jai teases. Its true, but not for the reasons hes thinking. Of course, Im still a massive fan of the band. But now Im an even bigger fan of Jai Patel.

Jai peers down at my cup. Are you going to finish that? I hold it out to him. Thanks, he says.

I watch as he brings the cup to his lips and takes a slow sip. The fact that my lips touched that very cup moments ago is almost too much for me to handle.

God, teenage hormones are wild AF.

Ross comes over to us, holding his own Solo cup. Hes rolled up the sleeves of his T-shirt and is showing off his toned arms. According to some fans of Infinite Sorrow, Ross should be the sole object of fangirl desire. I mean, I cant argue with that. With his curly black hair and piercing blue eyes, he is attractive.

But he still does not compare to Jai Patel. And I will be hearing no further arguments on that matterlooking at you, @IloveRoss1thank you very much.

Ross pulls Jai into a hushed conversation, and I check my phone to avoid eavesdropping. Mom sent a text telling me shes on her way to pick me up. We agreed that I would stay until she punched out at midnight. With Jais performance over, I cant say that I have any desire to linger at the party.

Jai laughs at something Ross says, which draws my attention to them. Theyre standing close together. Very buddy-buddy. Sometimesand I know this is really petty of meIm jealous of Ross, that he shares something with Jai that I dont. As a fan and not a member of Infinite Sorrow, I will always be on the outside looking in.