"I know what you're thinking, but I promise, everyone's doing it." Tommy implored.
"I dunno, it just seems weird." Tommy was always the coolest person in school, and since he graduated, he had just gotten cooler. He had opened a jet ski rental business at The Lido, the coolest place to hang out all summer long. He had a fire red Mustang. All the girls swooned over him. And he was dating Jackson's sister, Kate; Former Prom Queen and National winning cheer captain. Usually, Jackson would follow Tommy's advice without question, but this piece of advice was something he hadn't expected.
"I was weirded out at first, too."
"Oh, so you've done this already?" Jackson said, buoyed that someone as cool as Tommy had already done it.
"Hell no... I mean, Hell, no reason why I wouldn't, but I'm cool already." Tommy rubbed his forehead, trying not to look suspicious. "It's my responsibility to share the cool with kids like you."
"I guess." Jackson slumped down in his chair, trying to decide. "Do you think people will consider me cool if I do it?"
"Totally," Jackson smirked to himself and rubbed his hands together, stepping closer to the sofa. "Besides, Kate wouldn't have suggested you if she didn't think it would help."
"Kate said it would help?" Jackson had always looked up to his big sister. She was only five years older, but she was the epitome of mature common sense; What Kate said, Jackson followed. "I'm still not sure."
"Look, Jackson, I didn't mean to spring this on you. You're eighteen; you're young; you can still develop coolness without my help. Maybe" Tommy edged towards the living room door. "Derek Taylor called, and I told him that if you said no, then he can be next, I know you won't' mind. If I remember, you two were always together in scho--"
"No way! Derek Taylor has bullied me my entire life. He's nothing but a mean jackass. He doesn't deserve to be cool." Jackson surprised himself by his outburst. His timid nature, the main reason why people bullied him all the time, didn't afford him too much confidence in confrontations. It was also why Jackson believed Tommy was offering him this opportunity. "There's no way I'll let you make Derek cool before me. I'll do it."
Tommy spun on his heels and smiled broadly. "Awesome. On your knees."
"Here?" Tommy didn't answer; he just pointed to the floor in front of him. "Good boy, right there." He added as Jackson slipped off the sofa and knelt in front of him.
"So, how do we...? You know?"
Tommy used both hands and gestured for Jackson to lift his arms. Jackson placed both of his hands in Tommy's, and Tommy put them both on this belt buckle. "You know how to undo one of these, right?" Jackson flushed red and nodded.
His first attempt to unbuckle Tommy's belt was unsuccessful. "Sorry. I'll get it."
"Calm down. We can go slow. I don't mind. I'm doing this all for you, remember that." Jackson didn't lookup. He was concentrating on the buckle intently, which made Tommy very glad. His grin had gotten far too broad, and it might have put Jackon off at the crucial moment.
"There!" Jackson said triumphantly. He pulled the leather from the metal loop and pulled each part out sideways, causing the top button to pop open. "Oh, one down."