Milton : A BxB Story

9: Third Wheels, Pars Una

Chapter Nine: Third Wheels, Pars Una

Their high school had a few truly choice places to eat lunch, if you didn't want to hassle with the noise and posturing in the cafeteria. Lots of kids liked it, eating inside, the energy and opportunity to see and be seen by peers they'd forget existed once they left this small town. Loved the chance to eavesdrop on conversations and spill it to everyone they possibly could before the bell rang.

A few loners or losers or lovers opted to eat outside when the weather permitted. The weather today was perfect. Early October, the grounds looked like a photo from a calendar hanging in a grandma's kitchen. The school itself was modern enough, large windows, updated classrooms, but it could have been set back in the days of early America. In a large plot of land, surrounded on one side by a rolling hill, the slopes teeming with a herd of teenager trees all experimenting with new hair dye. Different shades of red and orange, dark gold and bright yellow, light brown and mottled green. The other side of campus, that faced the road, was primarily a lawn, kept short, but not overly manicured, with low stone walls that bordered the paths, spotted with maple, birch and beech. The school was nestled at the far end of the community, where the houses were spread apart, a neighbor had to walk a good couple of minutes to share a cup of sugar.

Case sat with Reese in a spot behind the school, not quite off school grounds. A large red oak tree spread its canopy over their nook, giving them shelter and a touch of privacy, not that there really was anyone around. Most kids who sat outside preferred concrete to dirt under their asses.

Reese wondered if he'd died and gone to Heaven. Today Case was wearing dark brown corduroy pants, a burnt orange sweater over a maroon tie. His  red hair looked almost gold in this light, or almost like his hair mimicked the Autumn leaves, caught in that in between stages of shifting color. He sat with his back to the tree, criss cross, while Reese sat on a flat stone jutting from the ground like an irregular molar in the mouth of life.

This was exactly like a scene from a movie. The couple together, eating lunch, surrounded by beautiful nature, no need at all to speak. Comfortable and companionable in their silence, knowing that what was growing between them didn't need to be labeled in any way or marred by idle chit chat.

It was...nice. Quiet. Peaceful.

Without thinking, Reese pulled the coin from his pocket, rubbing it absently. A little bashful when it caught Case's eyes.

"I always have it with me. I think it might be the nicest gift I've ever gotten."

Case nodded and took a bite of an apple slice. "I'm glad you like it."

"I love it. I love it. Last night, I slept with it next to me. On my dresser. I couldn't help staring at it. I put it on my chest. It was a little cold, but it warmed up. I like the way it feels between my fingers."

Reese hoped he wasn't spreading it on too thick. But he tried to paint a picture for the new kid, of himself lying in bed, naked, thinking of Case. Girls he'd spent time with loved that kind of word porn, and he wasn't sure if a guy would or not. It didn't really seem to be working because Case kept nibbling on his apples, mostly avoiding eye contact.

But maybe this was his first time with a boy who liked him. Maybe he'd fantasized about guys before but never had someone like him. Especially not someone like the captain of the hockey team. Maybe he'd never been kissed. Maybe he was shy for the first time in his life because this was real, and not a daydream. That they were here together and ...

The moment was shattered completely when Reese spotted bad news striding towards them. He'd do anything to avoid this, but it would look so bad if he sheparded Case away literally in front of his teammate.