But You Love Her (Alexheed)

Chapter 9

For a split second, it was just like before.

It was hard to find just time for Alex and Samheed. Their schedules barely combined, Samheed lived across town, Alex had duties with student council and Samheed had obligations with the basketball team. After a month of having Samheed around, the two were almost just like how they were before. As if, there was never any gap in between them.

They were sitting on the bleachers outside during their study hall, the only period they ever had together. Alex typed away on a paper, the make or break to his English final while Samheed read over something. But, the paper was extremely boring and not even ten minutes into the period, Alex shut his computer and leaned back.

"Why do teachers assign papers? They're the ones giving themselves a hundred and four assignments to read," He complained. The wind responded with a leaf blowing straight between Alex's eyes. He peeled off the leaf and shook it away from his grip. Samheed was rather still intently reading. "This is where you start agreeing with me, Sam."

"Oh right, right," Samheed said, distracted. He didn't lift his eyes. "Totally. Agreed." Alex rolled his eyes, and sat back up. He glanced at Samheed's sheet, the title reading:

SPRING MUSICAL, CASTING ROLL SCRIPT

Alex lit up. "Wait, what role are you trying for?"

Samheed flipped the packet shut. "Oh, no, no. I'm not joining. Just looking through 'cause I was curious."

"No one just looks through the casting roles if they're not auditioning. Dude, theatre would be perfect for you." Alex tilted his head, reading Samheed's expression. "You definitely want to join."

Samheed sighed, knowing Alex defeated him. "I can't do theatre with basketball. It's too much commitment and I know both extracurriculars overlap. It's not like I can quit basketball for theatre."

"Because you like both the basketball team and theatre?"

Samheed paused for a minute, tugging a bit with the bottom of his sports jacket. "Yeah, I guess."

"Sam, you don't have to play basketball on a team, right? You can enjoy basketball on your own and be a part of theatre. I think you would like that."

"I don't think my father's going to approve of that. Theatre isn't really that, um, respected." Samheed recited what his father said about theatre. His father didn't approve of a lot of his interests, and in the past Samheed didn't care. He still saved up money when he was little to get himself the guitar, that guitar that probably started his friendship with Alex. But now, he didn't have it in him to go against his father.

Alex grew thoughtful for a moment. "I have an idea. Go to auditions, get the role you want, okay? Keep playing basketball until roles come out, and then when you see the role you get, decide whether you want to stick with theatre. You can feign a reason you may have to quit basketball."

It was surprising to Sam for Alex to suggest a thing. Alex never really promoted lying and was usually very honest himself. A quality Samheed liked of him. Ever since he came back, there was always something new to his friend. "Okay," Samheed replied. He breathed in. "I'll go for auditions."

Alex smiled. "Knew I could convince you. I can't wait to see you up there on stage."

Samheed jabbed Alex's side. "I didn't get the role yet, Stowe."

"Ah, but I know you will."

Samheed wished he saw Alex more often. Sometimes he'd take the original path he used to take just to remember how it felt talking about the simple things back then with him. But, thing's could have been worse. So, he accepted the way things were.