changing my major

Caption: Kyle was exhausted, and Stan was not.

The two made their way out of the aquarium, with Kyle resting in Stan’s arms. Stan had known that Kyle was introverted and couldn’t be around people for so long but damn, he seemed exhausted. His eyes were closed, fading in and out of what appeared to be a light sleep.

They’d practically spent all day at the aquarium. By the time they left, the workers were familiar - and quite annoyed - with the two of them. They hadn’t really done anything wrong, but they had the outward appearance and demeanor of two college kids looking for something to do, ready to disrupt the peace with their mere presence. Well, Stan had that appearance - Kyle really didn’t look the part at all. He just looked like some kid with his best friend, following along with whatever shit Stan had planned. Or, at least, that’s the impression he got from the facial expressions of the workers at the aquarium today.

“How much longer?” Kyle mumbled sleepily. Stan was trying to recount exactly what had happened at the aquarium, head racing with a million different thoughts all at once, mind a catalog of disaster. The weight on his back - a backpack they bought at the little shop to carry everything, which had cotton candy, a whale plush, and a few pamphlets tucked into the largest pocket - reminded him of the times he’d carry Kyle on his back, but then scooping Kyle up just became easier.

“Few minutes,” Stan replied curtly, fixing his grip on Kyle. It was late - maybe around 9:15? - and Stan really couldn’t remember his way back to the parking garage. At that point, he was just trying to guess the way by buildings and signs he’d seen on his way up.

The rain wasn’t nearly as heavy as it had been. Misty night air surrounded them, an occasional drop of water falling down from a building or wire above. Neither seemed to mind the sudden change in atmosphere, though it provided the perfect scenery for Kyle’s impromptu nap. Stan took the time to admire his sleeping friend - the way his curls framed his face, how his eyelids were lightly closed, how the street lights streamed gentle rays of light on his porcelain, freckled skin. He knew it was probably wrong to stare so lovingly at someone he had only considered a best friend, but he really couldn’t help himself. Kyle always looked so gentle, so at peace when he had fallen asleep - a nice contrast to his headstrong, fiery personality in the daytime.

Was staring wrong, especially now? Stan felt that tightness in his chest - the same feeling from the car ride - returning out of nowhere. He fixed his hold on Kyle as he continued to walk, trying to focus on anything else. Nothing caught his interest - his mind, when it wandered, found its way right back to Kyle, sleeping in his arms like a baby animal.

As the parking garage approached, Stan couldn’t help but let out a heavy, relieved sigh. Another group - three girls that looked to be the same age as Kyle and Stan - started to approach the building as well. The sight was even more relieving, because Stan could ask them to press the elevator button instead of having to let Kyle out of his arms. A taller girl held the door for the other two, and Stan began to speed walk towards them, trying to make sure Kyle was still asleep. The girl saw him rushing and decided to hold the door, with a concerned yet amused look on her face.

“Boyfriend fall asleep on you?” the tall girl chuckled.

“No, he’s not, uh- We’re not dating,” Stan shrugged, looking down at Kyle again, “but yeah. He fell asleep.”

“Oh, damn. Sorry about that. I was just- I mean, you two look like you’d be a cute couple so I just assumed.”

“Thanks…?” He wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be a compliment.

“Me and my girlfriends - we’re poly? - were just getting back from dinner and I just, y’know, assumed,” she shrugged, seeming almost disappointed that her assumption was incorrect. “I’m Rachael, by the way.”