*Henry’s POV*
My hands in my pocket, touching the butterfly clip. Ollie skipped our one and only class together. I run my thumb along the bumby texture. Replay what it felt like to take it out of his hair in my mind, try not to get confused by the pleasant tingles. “Henry!! Pass!”
Oh that’s right. I’m in the middle of a basketball game. I’m about to pass to Ashley as per requested, but suddenly Riley is stealing the ball away, shooting it easily into the hoop and scoring his team a point. I was surprised when he suggested a little two on two with Ashley and Maya. Not our usual type of girls. Both pretty, yes, but smart also, and not either popular or unpopular.
“Come on man, your not even trying!” Ashley ribs good naturedly. I think she has a thing for Riley.
“Nah, he just sucks!” Maya joins in the teasing. I smile at them half heartedly, hand still in pocket.
“Are you okay?” Riley asks, for real. He’s sensed something off about me as much as I have. I can’t.. concentrate. Every time I try to do math or play a sport, my mind stops working. I start seeing Ollie’s smile, or something much worse, his arms. My fingers knot protectively around the butterfly.
“Yeah, my head just hurts” I mutter. Ashley and Maya shot me apoligetic looks.
“Want to sit out? I can take thease two by myself” he offers. I shake my head.
“I think I’m going to go home altogether” I needed to think.
Riley strolls up to me, puts a hand on my shoulder, and guids me away a little. Once we’re out of hearing range, he clears his throat. “You really are out of it man. Can’t you see I’m trying to hook us up with those two lovely ladies? Ashley’s a sweet girl, for me, and Maya’s a babe, for you”
I sigh “Sorry. I just….Can’t. not now”
He gives me a peculier look. “You probably wouldn’t believe me if I said I knew how you felt”
He looks over his shoulder at Ashley. Smiles. But when he looks back he looks kind of politely deflated, like she was a let down compared to something else. Katy? I thought they were more exclusive friends with benefits then lovers. Might as well voice some sympathy. “Upset about Katy?” I ask.
He bursts into laughter. Genuine laughter. I guess my theory was off…
“No man, she’s a bimbo. I have a lot on my mind though. Anyways, feel better, I’ll see you tomorrow” he punches my shoulder and turns back tpo the girls, scooping the ball from the groudn where he dropped it and starting to dribble “Come on suckers! Come at me!” he taunts.
I watch for a moment. Then turn away and start for home.
*Flash Back*
I was a little threatened. My best friend had started dating-Katy no less. Katy who was a horrible person, a horrible girlfriend. A wonderful fuck buddy. Me and Riley were kings of the school though, so he was determined to get me a girlfriendas well. We stood in the café, looking for someone suitable.
“Katia?” he suggets, refering to the quiet but popular girl who was on student concil.
“To busy.” I grunt, not intreasted.
“Okay… how bout someone althletic? Opal is on the volley ball team” he winks.
I examine Opal briefly. Gorgeous. Not my type. “Nah”
