A/N: Disclaimer: I own nothing. All of Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda Characters belong to Becky Albertalli, and Elements from the Love, Simon movie belong to the screenplay by Isaac Aptaker, and Elizabeth Berger. Jenson is the only original character from my own work. Thank you, and enjoy!
Simon vs. The Reunion is based 10 years into the future where we get a look at Simon's life, and how it's different from not meeting Blue at the carnival. For those that read the book/saw the movie- we all know who Blue is, so it's not a surprise, I just like calling him Blue. Enjoy guys, and please review if you can!
Simon vs. The Reunion
Chapter 1
I woke to the sound of my alarm. My hand came down like a mallet on top of the snooze button, missing completely and shutting off the alarm.
"Shit," I mumbled. I lifted my head to look at the time, and let my face crash back down into the warm crease of my pillow.
"What's wrong?" I heard from beside me. I turned my head, still resting it against the pillow and smiled at my boyfriend. He stared back at me with a lazy smile and placed his hand to my back.
"I have to get up, and I don't want to," I explained, closing my eyes again.
"Work is calling you, babe, you have to go," he laughed. I brought the corner of my mouth up, but it slumped the second I began drifting off again.
"Simon, get up cause I'm not going to listen to you bitch later when you're late to work," he sighed, turning onto his back. I growled, opening my eyes again to see the sunlight peering into the windows. Eventually I got up and started to get my self together. I went into the kitchen to find a fresh pot of coffee already made up, and the at-home barista seated at the table with a tablet in his hands.
"This smells amazing," I moaned happily as I poured the first of several cups of coffee.
"Hmm? Oh yeah, it's that Columbian roast you like. I picked up more before I got home last night," he explained, still engrossed in his tablet.
"Is that what took you so long in getting home?" I questioned, leaning softly with the small of my back pressed into the beige, Formica counter top.
"Yeah, that and I hit traffic," he shrugged, swiping the screen with his finger.
"At eight thirty on a Monday?" I questioned, sipping my coffee. He glanced up at me with only his eyes and slowly narrowed them.
"You don't believe me?" he asked.
"No, it's not that-"
"Babe, I'm kidding," he chuckled, throwing his head back as he laughed. I let a breathy laugh escape my lips, tensing at his reaction. I sipped my warm beverage again and sighed.
"I'm gonna sneak into the shower before you, I'll be sure to leave plenty of warm water," he smiled, standing from his seat and walking over to me. Once close enough, he towered over me slightly and bent forward to trap my lips under his. He inched his fingers around my waist, pulling my hips forward into his.
"Thanks," I managed a small smile before he let me go, and headed for the hallway back to the bedroom. He turned around under the archway and pointed to the tablet on the table.
"By the way, you have a new email," he slapped the wall before disappearing. I took a deep breath before sitting at the table and collected the tablet. I opened up my email and saw the address: creekwoodalumni
"Dear Simon Spier,
Class of 2015 is ready to celebrate 10 years since you have graduated! Your fellow classmates look forward to seeing you and many others during our weekend long celebration of this momentous occasion. Please feel free to RSVP to this email, and state whether or not you will be bringing along a plus one to the events listed below. We look forward to seeing you in a month!"
"Weekend long?" I raised my eyebrows at the thought of being with those people for more than one night- even with alcohol involved I don't think I could do it. I am definitely looking forward to seeing Abby, Nick, and Leah and maybe some others, but the rest is questionable. It's not like senior year sucked, but…no, no it sucked. The night I made it publicly known that I'd be at the carnival waiting for Blue to show up was the worst night of my life. All of senior year was spent being mocked and made fun of for it. He never showed… and it left room for people to either feel bad for me or make fun of me.
I went the rest of my high school career pretty lonely, and mostly embarrassed. The worst part is Blue existed still, and was out there somewhere, but didn't have the heart to come out to me. Made me feel like I wasn't worth it- like I was nothing. Thankfully with the help of my friends I was able to get over him…or so I made myself believe. I was crushed for a good few years until I moved on, and started living my life normally again. Leah and I still talk everyday, but I only hear from Abby and Nick every so often. Leah talks to Abby, and she usually gives me the scoop of what is going on. We all live such busy lives, and honestly the last time I saw all three of them together was Nick and Abby's wedding three years ago.
Now I'm living with a guy I met only this past year. It's true when they say you learn a lot about someone when you start living together. Some days are unbearable with him, and some days are great. Today…well I can already tell it's one of those in-between days.
I read through the events and sighed deeply at the list:
Friday 6PM- McDougal's Bar for Happy Hour
Saturday 11AM- Field Day Events, Picnic
Saturday 7PM- Carnival on High School Grounds
Sunday 7PM- Class Reunion at The Fire Hall
Really though…a carnival? I wonder who put all of this together…
I rolled my eyes before flipping the tablet back on the table. I got ready for work and left for the day. On the way to work, I made a phone call so I wouldn't have to be subjected to awful music on the radio.
"Hey, on your way to work?" Leah's voice filled my car speakers.
"You know it," I smiled, gripping the steering wheel firmly.
"…So, how did it go last night?" she hesitantly spoke up.
"Uh, well it didn't exactly," I sighed, licking my lips slowly.
"Simon! You were supposed to do it!"
"I couldn't because by time he got home I was already in bed," I tried to justify.
"Oh my god, you have to tell him," she sighed.
"Can't I just-"
"-Simon."
Leah's voice was stern. She's right, I should have done it last night, and I was going to, but how was I supposed to know he was going to be late?
"I know, okay…I know," I shook my head, keeping my eyes focused on the road.
"Then do it already. Why are you being such a little chicken shit about this?"
"Hey! I'm not being chicken shit, I just don't want to have to deal with the pain of a break up."
"You won't have to- this is long over due and you hate him anyway."
"Leah, it's hard to explain. We've been together for a year…or something like that and we have a lot of emotional connection."
"Bullshit, Simon. You hate his guts- you've told me on multiple occasions." I could hear the roll of her eyes through her words.
"Did you get the email about the reunion?" I asked.
"Do not change the subject, Simon Spier," she sighed.
"Did you?" I pressed.
"Ugh, yeah I saw it this morning, why?"
"Look... you and I both know that if I show up to this reunion without a plus one- and Blue is there-"
"Simon…enough about Blue. You're over him, and besides, using that jackass as a reason to feel bad about not having a plus one isn't a good enough reason to use Jenson as your plus one."
"I didn't say that!"
"You're thinking it- and you were leading up to that."
I hate how she's able to read me like a book. I could be completely silent on the phone, and she knows exactly what I'm about to say without having to utter one word.
"Fine…but it's the truth. I can't show up to this without a plus one."
"Who said? I'd be showing up without one," she said, seeming annoyed I would even say something like that.
"Okay, well…look I'm over Blue, but I still need to show him I did better once I left and that he missed out on something incredible."
"So you're going to use Jenson to do that?" I could hear the raise of her eyebrows at the thought of us in the same room acting like we love each other still. It's the truth that we haven't been the same since we decided to move in together, but we still get along, and have sort of moments of love…it's okay, it may not be ideal, but it's okay.
"He's not all bad," I protested.
"Whatever Simon, bring your shit boyfriend to the reunion, but you better break it off right when you get back."
"Fine, if that makes you happy," I sighed.
"It will make me happy to know you're happy for once," she justified. "I love you, Simon, and you deserve someone who treats you right."
"I know, I know," I nodded to myself. "I'm at work, I love you. I'll call you later if I have the chance."
"Okay, love you too," she said before her voice cut out through my radio.
I spent the day working like usual- meeting with clients, and once the day was over I picked up dinner for Jenson and I. I got home, set the table and started eating. I knew he'd be late again, which didn't bother me too much. I was already finished, and seated in the living room before I even heard the front door to our apartment open. I heard the clank of his keys in the bowl on the hallway table and the sound of his shoes tapping the hardwood floor, as he got closer to the couch.
"Hey babe," he sighed, kissing the top of my head.
"Hey, food is in the kitchen. All you have to do is hit the start on the microwave."
"Thanks," he mumbled. I got up from the couch and walked myself into the kitchen. Jenson opened a beer and took a swig from it.
"How was work?" I asked, sitting at the table with my arms folded over my chest.
"It was okay," he shrugged. He leaned into the counter as I was earlier this morning and stared at me.
"Just okay?" I asked.
"Eh, nothing special if that's what you're looking for," he said, taking a sip again.
"…Work was okay for me too," I added, knowing he'd never ask.
"Good," he nodded. He placed his beer on the counter when the microwave beeped. He retrieved his food and brought it out with him into the living room. I sat at the table in defeat. Just once he could choose to eat at the table, and talk to me- just once. I got up and went to find him. He switched the TV to some game, and watched as he shoveled food into his mouth. I cringed at the sight of his eating habits, and took a seat beside him.
"So, the email from this morning was a reminder for my high school reunion."
"Mm-hmm," he hummed loudly, and kept his attention on the TV.
"And it asks about a plus one. I was hoping maybe you'd want to come with me?"
For a second he glanced over at me, but went back to eating.
"When is it?" he asked.
"In a month."
"I think I'll be busy," he furrowed his brow, digging through the rice on his plate.
"In a month?" I questioned, easily getting annoyed with his response.
"Yeah, I think I have something coming up in a month."
"That's such a stupid way of saying no."
"No it's not, it's true," he shrugged.
"You know what, Jenson. You're an asshole!" I stood from the couch and looked down on him.
"I'm an asshole?" he glared up at me, pointing to his chest with his fork.
"Yeah you're an asshole, and I should have done this last night, but you got home late. I don't think we should date anymore."
"Date? We're living together, Simon, we're past the dating phase," he laughed, going back to eating.
"Is that why you treat me like a piece of shit? You don't see this being anything other than a living arrangement?" I argued.
"Excuse me, I treat you very well! Did I not just buy you a watch for your birthday?"
"Yeah…back in November? It's fucking May- and a relationship isn't based on gifts, Jenson! We haven't had sex in months, nor have we said I love you in months!" I hollered.
"Maybe I haven't been feeling sexy, okay?"
"No, cause maybe you've been having sex elsewhere!" I spat.
"Ha- okay, now you've lost your mind," he cackled, shaking his head.
"Really? I've lost my mind? Who's Jason?" I said, and instantly he tensed. He looked up at me slowly, and blinked a few times.
"Jason?" he questioned.
"Yeah, Jason- what the fuck are you doing on Grinder? You left the app open on the damn tablet the other day, you moron. You like to fuck around- be my guest, but you can't live here anymore if you want to do that. Go live with one of your sluts," I growled, storming out of the room.
"Si! Simon, wait!" Jenson called after me. He ran after me into our bedroom, and grabbed my arm.
"Get off of me," I yelled, pushing back at him.
"Si, I'm sorry. Okay? I just…I don't know, I just needed to see what else was out there…it wasn't meant to hurt you."
"Wasn't meant to hurt me? See what else is out there? What the hell did you think you were doing? This hurts, Jenson- this hurts a lot. I can't even believe you'd say such a thing to me!"
"Si…" he frowned, stepping towards me.
"Don't call me Si," I shook my head, and walked into the bathroom and closed the door.
"I'm sorry, okay? What do you want from me?" he begged at the door like a dog. I opened the door, and stared him in the eye.
"Tell me you love me, delete the app, and make up for all the emotion stress you've put me through these last few months," I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at him.
"I…I-" he stuttered.
"Jenson…did you ever stop to think that maybe it's a bad sign if you've lost the ability to tell someone you love them?" my arms fell to my side, looking into his broken eyes.
"…Simon, I just-"
"Get out…and don't come back," I warned. I stood my ground when he tried to fight me on it, and locked the door behind him after he left. I leaned against the door, and slid down until I was on the floor. My legs stretched out in front of me, and I felt drained, but like I just gained a sense of control. Leah will be happy at least…
I got up and made my way back to the couch. I sat down and pulled my laptop into my lap. I opened my Gmail and started my message to the alumni committee. I made it clear there will be no plus one, but to expect me. I sent the email, and then went to close my account, but before I could do that I looked at my icon and furrowed my brows. I hovered over it, and clicked once. The drop down menu brought up my other accounts, and just for a second my heart fluttered rapidly as I fixated on Jacques' account. I clicked and when it opened, all the emails were still there. I forced myself to read through them, bringing back all the memories I had with Blue. I cringed at a few, wondering what the hell I was on when I wrote them, but they still brought a smile to my face. Then the feeling of betrayal filtered through when I read the emails closer to when Martin, fucking Addison posted everything on the schools' Tumblr page. I read the bitter words from Blue, saying how he couldn't do it…how he'd never be able to show himself to me. Then his account disappeared. I've tried emailing it before a long time ago, but the same message comes up saying inactive account and all that stuff.
Blue…Blue is going to be at this reunion- I assume. He's going to see me, single and miserable. He's going to know he didn't miss out on anything amazing…he's going to be happy that he never came out to me. I expect many people to be open about themselves ten years later, but you never know. Maybe he doesn't even expect me to be there due to missing the five-year reunion. Who could blame me? I was mortified that day at the carnival, and the remaining part of senior year. Martin really tried to become my friend, and I pushed him away so hard that I even got a little too mean about it, but he ruined my relationship with Blue. It was going so well and then that- that awful post that scared him away.
What bothers me most is that ten years has gone by and I still haven't figured out who Blue could be. I had my assumptions, but they all proved wrong when I saw their Facebook posts about becoming engaged to women. Cal went on to marry a guy though, but I know it wasn't him. Then there was Spencer, one of the guys from the cafeteria the day they embarrassed both Ethan and I. He came out publicly around three years after graduation, and what do you know- so did Aaron…the other guy. They had been having a secret relationship for years, and they just married as well. Ethan moved away to California after it seemed like things with his family became really heated. He's been doing incredible things out there for fashion, and even got to meet RuPaul- actually, he guest stared on an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race, so I guess he's been doing more than good for himself.
Then there is Martin- he's single I presume, but definitely not one of the possible Blue candidates. I prayed that would leave my mind the minute it entered my thoughts. I pulled up Facebook and had a few notifications waiting for me. There were two messages about friends sharing posts, and one inviting me to the reunion event. I clicked the invite and started filtering through the posts. I checked the attendance list and read the names. I found Nick's name, Abby's, and Leah's. I also noticed a lot of guys who used to play soccer with Nick were going- one of the guys being the still very cute Bram Greenfeld. Hot could even describe him at this point. He took very good care of himself these past ten years. I've been watching his life for a while, and after college he went on to do real estate and I think financial advising or something in a similar field. He no longer sports his curls due to having a neat buzz cut. It still works for him regardless. I think he got even more handsome as the years passed. I don't know if I can say the same for myself, but I did start working out a little. I eat okay, and I don't stay up past ten, so in my mothers eyes I'm the perfect adult male…I think.
I so don't want to go to this reunion, but I will. Part of me also really wants to find out who Blue is after all these years…and honestly, what can it hurt at this point, right?