How Strange is it to be Anything at all

Chapter 11

(3rd Person | Centered around Peter)

Peter walked up the steps of his dorm building and swiped into the dormitory building. His heart was still racing from what just happened minutes prior. Peter couldn't believe that he had kissed Samuel. It was something that was always on his mind. Peter had gotten into the habit of watching Samuel's lips when he talked, wanting to know how they would feel. Samuel's lips always seemed to be a little chapped, as if he was always chewing on his lips. Peter wanted to know if they would still feel soft, or if there would be a slight roughness from the chapedness. However, it wasn't just Samuel's lips that drew Peter in. It was his hair that was always slightly messy, curls out of place, and a different level of frizz depending on what products he used that day. And talking about products, Samuel always smelled good and clean. Peter couldn't pick up on any specific notes but would describe his smell as savory.

Peter found Samuel's physical appearance appealing as well. Samuel was tall, while not quite meeting his own six foot four inches, he was still tall, at least over six feet. What intrigued Peter the most, however, was the mystery of Samuel's body. Samuel was always wearing baggy clothes and never wore anything that gave the slightest inclination of what could be under them. Peter wanted to get closer to Samuel, and one day explore what was underneath the layers of oversized clothes that he wore. Peter shook his head clearing these thoughts and tried to think rationally. Yes, Samuel was gay, but that didn't mean he was attracted to him, and even if Samuel did have any type of feelings for him, he might not even say anything because he was so shy.

"Ugh," Peter moaned as he reached his room. Why did getting into relationships have to be so hard when he was the one initiating it? It was always other girls who had asked Peter out, both in high school and now at Redwood. It wasn't that he thought he was better than anyone else, there just wasn't a girl that had caught his attention. Even his ex, Maeve, had been the one to ask him to a formal at the beginning of his sophomore year.

"Dude, where have you been, and why are you soaked," came a familiar voice, belonging to Thomas.

"Yeah, I thought we had all agreed to meet up back here tonight so we could celebrate our win with video games and snacks. We planned our guy's night in like a week ago," Nathan added, looking up at him from the couch in their living room.

"What, oh shit," Peter said. He had forgotten about their plans in his worry for Samuel, "I'm so sorry, is it too late to start," Peter added, checking his phone for the time. It was forty-five minutes passed the planned time, but it was only nine-thirty.

"Of course not, but we did get hungry and started to munch down on some of the snacks already. Nathan has already gone through half the pack of Oreos," Thomas said pointing over towards the table, which Peter now saw was covered in chips and treats.

"You know I can't help myself, especially when they're double stuffed," Nathan said in a whiny tone. "Anyways, why are you so late Peter, you're like, never late?" Peter quickly tried to think of a lie, but he knew that both of his friends would see right through it. In the same second, Peter started to get anxious and could feel his palms getting sweaty. A few seconds had passed and he still hadn't said anything. Peter didn't know what they would say or how they would react to his feelings toward Samuel.

"Are you okay," Thomas asked slowly, "You're frowning, is it bad news."

"I, uhh," Peter put his hand in his hair and spoke the next few words slowly. "I kissed someone."

"Fuck yeah," Nathan cheered, his hands in the air and an Oreo flying across the room. "In your redemption arc, I see, who was it?"

"Wait, but why were you frowning," Thomas asked, "Are you okay, did something happen?"