Sunny days 9 (mostly college)

Aaron sits in the dining hall and plants a fake smile on his face as Brett sits down with their food.

“Funny that I’m watching what I eat and you can eat everything.” Brett says placing a burger with everything in front of Aaron and a thick banana milkshake.

“I feel like a slug. The big meals just slow me down further. Thanks for this though, love that you automatically get given extra bacon and cheese. If I am going to eat three thousand calories a day, they might as well be tasty.” Aaron grins.

“I don’t know how you ate these salads all the time.” Brett says.

“I liked them, and you liked the result.” Aaron says.

“You’re still perfect.” Brett says looking at his ex as if he is the burger Aaron is eating.

“You don’t need to lose any weight and I thought Spence was working you harder than coach.” Aaron says.

“He is. He’s also changed our diet up, just what we eat when. I actually feel amazing and I’m not actually deprived. Evan and I want our bodyfat to be perfect. Just everything in our control to be perfect really. Give ourselves the best chance to get picked early.” Brett says.

“And then we drift apart due to distance, no harm.” Aaron says.

“Like we might have anyway. I’ll be honest, I like that we get to spend more time together before I go. Your boyfriend is pretty amazing letting us do this.” Brett says.

“I know. He hates it though.” Aaron says.

“I would too. And I’m not mad at him for threatening me. I’d do the same.” Brett says.

“People are taking pictures, kiss me.” Aaron says and Brett grins, ruffles Aaron’s hair and kisses his cheek. Aaron smiles and kisses Brett’s neck. The pair are going full out, by day they are together, driving in together and meeting up when they can. In part to make things look real and in par for Aaron’s safety.

“No one is going to believe nasty rumors with that kind of display. It’s like old times.” Paulie says sitting down.

“Totally vomit inducing.” Liam says joining them.

“Thanks for joining us guys. It helps.” Aaron says.

“We need to. People get the three of us mixed up, despite the fact you’re way taller than us, skinny gay guy, must be Brett’s cheating man.” Liam says rolling his eyes.

“You two have been getting shit? Why didn’t you tell me?” Aaron asks.

“We haven’t had it as bad as you and we didn’t want to pressure you into doing this.” Paulie says.

“And Paulie’s professor came out and gave a group of mouth breathers what for, it was awesome.” Liam says.

“That professor?” Aaron asks and Paulie blushes.

“I wasn’t taking his class this semester and oh boy was the punishment good. I’m in his seminar now for Norwegian lit and I am loving it. I’m in Santa’s Scandinavian history class too.” Paulie smiles.

“Your ass will be shredded.” Liam smiles.

“So what is your major going to be?” Brett asks.

“I know, I know. I’m setting myself up for a useless degree but I am going to work for Blue’s charity after I graduate and so I can study what I want. I am aiming for a double major in lit and psychology. Since Clara’s inheritance I can take an extra year if I need. I mean I’m kind of sunk if Blue folds the charity but no doubt you’ll take pity on me and put me to work.” Paulie says.

“Sounds amazing actually. You have found what you love, getting special attention by two specialist professors and you’re studying what you need on the side. I am getting a totally basic communications degree that couldn’t scream loser dumb jock louder. I wish I had had you guys here from the start or had listened to Evan more freshman year.” Brett sighs.

“You are going to graduate, if not this quarter then soon after as I will be on your ass to finish off those last credits online. You didn’t even expect that and you can come back and do a masters when you retire.” Aaron says.

“Maybe. I really like what Spence is doing with us. I never wanted to go the personal trainer route but I kind of like the idea of doing specific boot camps. Maybe rolling out some sort of summer program for high school kids. I don’t know. You should see how much the kids love Evan at the gym though, he’s amazing with all of them. He loves coaching. He’ll be an amazing doctor you can see it.” Brett says.

“I really admire what he’s done. His grades while keeping in shape and competing so well and doing more volunteer hours than required. All the while dealing with nightmare parents and being closeted. It is no wonder he was a ball of anger with us all for so long.” Aaron says.

“We should throw him a big graduation party, given his parents aren’t coming.” Paulie says.

“Let’s ask Blue if we can have it after the jazz tea, then the room will all be decorated nicely and we can use the leftovers and make bigger batches of some items.” Aaron says.

“That sounds great, I’ll work on the guest list.” Brett says.

“Blue wants a meeting with me when he gets back, he’ll be in the city for a day or two. Says he has big plans for me and not to book up my summer.” Liam grins.

“That sounds promising. I’ve not asked him about the summer yet, if he wants me to do farmers markets and stuff.” Aaron says.

“You’re not going to work for one of the gaming companies or anything?” Paulie asks.

“No, I need to focus on my health and not work too hard. Clara really gave us some freedom covering college.” Aaron says.

“Good. You did too much last summer and you don’t need to. You’re all set for the future.” Brett says.

“I don’t know if I want to do events forever.” Aaron says.

“You’ll be fine whatever you decide. I can see you and Chris running an animal sanctuary, him doing the animal stuff you doing the fundraising.” Paulie says.

“Come on Aaron could do that in his sleep now. I see much bigger things for him, running the Grammys or Oscars. Flying around the world to supervise all the big events.” Brett says.

“In his dreams.” Liam says though secretly he thinks Brett could be right.

“Can I just be a student for now please?” Aaron asks laughing.

Later in the week Liam and Aaron meet with Blue to go through the final details of the tea.

“We hoped we could use the room straight after for a party for Evan, as his parents are not coming to graduation and he’s worked so hard.” Liam says.

“That sounds good. I always worry about the waste when we decorate for a single event.” Blue says.

“It’s hard when you want unique events. We should sort out storage though for everything though and catalogue it for reuse. I mean we have all the china obviously but we could have kept more of the winter things.” Aaron says.

“Okay, let me think about what space to use. That leads me nicely to what I want to talk to Liam about, and Aaron you should stay too.” Blue says.

“Sounds mysterious.” Liam says.

“You know we have 2 floors mostly converted to apartments and office space on two floors. We still have a lot of hotel room shells doing nothing. Neither Spence or I enjoy having the office space here, with all of us moving to the country supporting startups isn’t something we want to be doing. Most have gone under already and the charity has taken on more space.

I want to convert 2 more floors into apartments, slowly, I don’t want huge disruption and to make the empty office spaces into study rooms and games rooms, student friendly meeting places really.

Liam, I want you to do the interior design work. We’ll convert in the same manor we have the basic apartments, although I have ideas for small changes. We might make a laundry room rather than having machines in apartments. A few other things, more basic kitchens.

Liam how do you feel about it? You’d have a budget and a few must haves but mostly a free hand for the summer, designing and dealing with the decorating teams. It could be a great calling card for you, build up a portfolio, I adore your plans for DeShawn’s place.” Blue says.

“Holy shit.” Aaron says blinking rapidly.

“Yes please. I mean, really? I could design each one differently? Or implement a bunch of designs and repeat them as I please? Seriously? And a games room and study rooms? I could get Birch to design murals like downstairs. You mean it? Seriously?” Liam asks.

“Yes and you’ll be paid too of course. Not a massive wage as you already live here rent free.” Blue says winking at Aaron.

“I’d do it for free given your mom paid for school and it really will give me a decent portfolio. I suppose I need to keep it reined in though, if these are to be cheap rooms for students.” Liam says.

“Actually I’d like you to not go wild with accessories as they’ll only get broken or stolen but with the décor, I’d like you to push the limits. I hated living in blank boxes at school, it stunted me.” Blue says.

“Amazing. Wow of course it is a yes.” Liam grins.

“Phew. I was worried you might be evasive like you were on the fashion line.” Blue says.

“No, fashion is my hobby, I adore it, I love my line but it is a one off to see if I can pull it off and I will always makeover my friends but interiors are where I want to work.” Liam says.

“He’s always wanted to, since he was tiny. Other kids did finger painting, Liam would paint and repaint every room in his dolls house.” Aaron says.

“You remember that?” Liam asks.

“Of course I remember. I might have hated you but I wasn’t oblivious.” Aaron says.

“That is so cute that you’ve known each other so long.” Blue says.

“My protector and bully.” Liam grins.

“I was a cuntwaffle and you are still impossible.” Aaron says.

“Where does Aaron come in to this? Are you wanting him to project manage? Because he was going to have a quiet summer and focus on his health.” Liam says.

“I’d still run the markets and food events here but wasn’t planning anything else.” Aaron says.

“I will be in the country as much as possible going forward. I was thinking Aaron could be my eyes, sort of your editor, rein you in when things are too ott and push you if you’re slow. Not micro manage, and certainly not managing the builders or decorators, at most being a buffer between Liam and the project manager. I mean I trust you and Liam trusts you.” Blue says.

“Sounds like a recipe for another summer of rows and Liam and Birch ganging up on me. I’ll pass. But thanks for thinking of me. Maybe Paulie would be a better choice and I know you don’t know her but my bestie Carla is looking for a summer internship and she would be a kick ass project manager, editor and have no problem keeping this one in line.” Aaron says.

“Ooo good shout, Carla has impeccable taste and is a brilliant organizer.” Liam says.

“I will need to meet her, though I think I love her already.” Blue grins.

“What’s up babe?” Chris asks as Aaron stomps about the apartment.

“Blue made Liam an amazing offer today and I’m jealous. Everyone seems to know what they want to do after graduation and I’m stuck. Everyone expects me to do events and I don’t know that I want to. I mean we all started them together in high school, it was something that was fun with my friends, got us laid and made us money. I don’t enjoy it alone; the gaming events are lucrative but not fun or even challenging.” Aaron says.

“You don’t need to know now. I didn’t think about being a vet at your age. I didn’t think I was anywhere near smart enough. What did Blue offer Liam?” Chris asks curiously.

Aaron explains everything.

“Wow I can see why you turned down the job of babysitting Liam for the summer, that blows and I will be talking to Blue about that.” Chris says.

“I handled it, you don’t need to.” Aaron says.

“I want to. I’m mad at him for suggesting it. I’m all round mad at Blue right now. I think Jackson had a good idea with the wedding business and Blue was so far up DeShawn’s ass that he didn’t even listen. Then Jackson suggests he takes on the store project and my bro gets his panties in a twist again. Jackson and Robin are trying their hardest to muck in and Blue won’t hear of it. He’s getting arrogant again. Offering my place to Ollie not seeing how that makes things awkward with Paulie. Ugh my brother.” Chris sighs.