GAME ON

25

"Remember to smile."

I want to go to the theme park with George, but I can't miss another practice after my stunt last week, so we compromised. Meaning that I went to practice, and we are now at the theme park, at 10 pm. I don't know how, but George had somehow managed to talk to someone working here and getting them to stay open longer. And the best thing about being here late in the evening? No lines to the roller coasters.

We've already been on about ten rides and I've almost puked a couple of times, but it's worth the nausea. I haven't had this fun since... since Aron was alive. I shake the thought away to not ruin the mood.

I'm happy right now. And yes, I still miss my brother like hell, but I've decided that that's not going to stop me from being happy anymore. Aron would have wanted me to be happy.

"So, how's it going with Jay?" I ask to lose the thoughts of Aron.

George blushes, as always when I bring it up, but I can't help myself from prying. I did kind off play matchmaker and was their wingman without them even knowing, so I'd like to think that I'm entitled to some information.

"Well... we haven't talked a lot since our date, but he asked me to come watch your game this weekend. I mean, of course I was going to watch it anyway, but I guess that means something?"

We have a home game this weekend, and it's a quite a big and important game, so pretty much the whole school will be watching. I still don't know if I will keep staying on the defensive line or if I will actually get to play on the fronts this time.

"Of course it means something, that he wants you there! I heard from Alex that they usually have a frat party after all of their home games, are you coming to that as well?" I ask.

"I'm not really a party guy, so we'll see..."

"We'll see if Jay being there is enough to persuade you," I wink.

We approach the cotton candy stand and George hands the guy a five dollar bill, more than enough for two sticks.

"Keep the change," he says to the cotton candy guy, and then to me, "my treat".

"I do am able to pay two dollars for my own," I say.

"I know, but I'm the one that dragged you here and promised cotton candy, so my treat," he grins.

Fine. Not that two dollars are much, but it's always nice to get stuff for free.

"Ferris wheel?" I suggest.

"Sure."

When we sit down, we stay silent for a while, just enjoying the view and the sweet taste of sugar. After while, we get up high enough to see the university in the distance.

"You're not at all as I first believed when I saw you in class the first day," I tell him.

"Oh, really. Please tell me, what were your prejudices towards me," he grins.

"Well, with your blond hair, pretty face and button up shirt, I thought you were the regular stuck-up-in-his-ass-frat-boy with an ego too huge for his dick," I admit.

George throws his head back and laughs. "Sorry i disappointed you," he says sarcastically.

"Oh, not at all. The 'gay author that can never get past writing ten pages and has a soft spot for theme parks and candy' version is much better!"

"Well, I do prefer the 'ice hockey poet being a feminist activist' over the 'stupid blond who reads smut and majors in English Lit because of the hot professors'," he grins.

I gasp dramatically. "Was that your first impression of me?" He nods and i continue, "firstly, I can't believe that you thought i was stupid. Secondly, i do read smut on special occasions. Which, to be honest, are quite frequent occasions. And thirdly, you think our professors are hot?"

I deep red flush covers George's cheeks. "They're alright," he tries to shrug nonchalantly but fails miserably.

"Well, i at least hope it's not the creative writing professor you talk about."

At the idea of being attracted to that miserable old man, we both burst out laughing. Laughing, as in being happy and making obnoxious noises and getting stomach cramps. A real laugh, not just the occasional chuckle. I don't think I've laughed like this in a very long time, and I realize that I've missed the joyous feeling.

"Everything alright?" George asked with concern written between his furrowed eyebrows.

"Yeah, of course," i blurt. I must have suddenly stopped laughing when my train of thoughts started on the path to Aron.

The ferris wheel has done a full circle now and we're back at ground level, and i suddenly feel extremely tired. "But I'm awfully tired, maybe it's time to go home and get some sleep?"