Milton : A BxB Story

6: Evens or Odds Part 1

Chapter Six: Evens or Odds

Reese relaxed back in the seat of his desk. Legs spread wide. His size 14 Air Jordan knock offs in front of him. Mrs. Listenbaum lectured near the screen, prepping the class for tomorrow's test on local government as compared to state and federal government. He took notes, but less than he should. Tonight AI would give him what he needed anyway.

It felt good. To sit here. He felt good. Relaxed. Chill. Calm af. It was great. Like...not like sitting in a hot tub. Not like that. More like. Sitting on a mountain, just ...doing nothing, looking over the meadows or whatever below. Like Luke Skywalker (spoiler) right before he died.

He hadn't felt like this in...almost forever. All his stress and anger and frustration about this Friday's game...gone. He actually almost looked forward to it. Skating always was his passion. Loved it. Really, truly loved it. When he was a kid, his parents had photos of him out on the ice, smiling wider than Pennywise with his red balloon. But a happy smile. Because he felt like a million bucks wearing his skates and the feel of the ice under him.

The kid next to him. Such a... strange kid, really. His hair was so lightly red, like someone took blonde hair and ... sprinkled strawberry dust or something on it. Wearing a tie again. Every day he wore one. Every day. With ironed pants and a long sleeve shirt, sleeves buttoned at the wrists.

Because Reese couldn't help but notice.

Everything about this new kid.

Case.

Something about him. The kid sat in class attentively. Took notes. Didn't talk to anyone really. But didn't seem shy. Had no problem making eye contact with any other student who was talking.

Like now, when Reese was caught staring, feeling his face take on the same colors as Case's hair, the kid didn't look away.

He had the... best... eyes. Like butterscotch.

Butterscotch was Reese's favorite candy.

"Would you like to eat lunch with me?" Case said, placing his laptop carefully in his pristine faux leather shoulder bag, at the end of class.

"Yes." Reese didn't even hesitate.

=

Today was tater tots, a cheeseburger and celery sticks. Not horrible. Edible at least.

Reese sat his tray down at the table, always hating how he had to wedge his athletic body in these school torture devices. Never enough room for his legs. His arms and his shoulders, taking up more than his allotted space.

The room was loud. Not as loud as a game. But loud.

"Next time, let's find a spot outside." Reese said, then shoved the cheeseburger in his mouth, wishing he'd done that before speaking.

Case shrugged and took out his own lunch, a large rectangular stainless steel deal, with two layers that clipped together. A small thermos.

Reese was strangely interested to see what was inside.

Everything about Case was interesting.

"Who the fuck is this?"

Great.

Fantastic.

Wyatt sat down next to his hockey Captain, and Carson actually shook the table sitting down ungracefully next to Reese's new....friend.

Maybe his friend?

Maybe?

Hopefully?

Carson glared at him, but Reese tried to ignore his surly teammate, dipping his tots in ketchup and popping them in his mouth.