Homework (Stony highschool AU)

Chapter Twenty-two

Tony

A large clap of lightning erupts from outside, and my friend, Stephen, flinches.

"The weather is shit out there," he says, stating the obvious.

"Yeah," I reply.

Us and several other people in our journalism class are sprawled out on the gym floor making posters for the school.

As I paint in the blue to the phrase GO EAGLES, a bit of paint leaves the lines.

"Dammit," I say as I grab a napkin to clean the mess.

"You okay? You seem kind of out of it," Stephen asks while helping me clean the smudge.

"Yeah, just tired I guess."

That is actually kind of true, I haven't slept all weekend. I can't stop thinking about Steve. After he kissed me I stayed in my parent's bathroom for the rest of the night, too shaken to talk to anyone. But everyone has complimented me on how amazing the party was. Even though I didn't exactly experience it myself.

I dip my brush back into the dark blue paint, ready to start again, until our teacher interrupts the class.

"Everyone needs to clean up and go sit on the bleachers. Hurry, hurry," she says while motioning her hands in a distressed manner.

"Why?" I ask.

"The football team needs to practice in here because the weather outside is terrible."

Steve.

"I thought they practiced after school," I state, a bit angered that they are cutting into what my time is.

"They do, but we play our county rivals tonight. They need as much practice as they can get! Now clean up."

Stephen and I begin putting lids on the paint as quickly as possible.

"I've got the paint, you go put the poster on a table outside the gym to dry," he commands.

I nod my head and delicately pick up the poster, making sure none of the paint runs. I exit the gym and see all of the school's varsity football players waiting outside of the doors. Steve is at the front of the crowd, and our eyes lock for a moment. I pull mine away first to place the poster on a fold out table.

Once the task is done, I rush back into the gym to sit with Stephen at the top of the bleachers. I avoid any and all contact with Rogers.

"Hey Tony, I didn't know you did any sports," he says, referring to Steve's jacket that I'm still wearing.

The inside is so soft as it rubs against my skin. The arms are too large, so the cuffs sag a bit lower than my finger tips. And the best part is that it smells like Steve.

"Oh, I just uh... found it."

"Found it maybe you should ask someone to see if it's their's? Or-"

"Drop it, Strange. I found a jacket, and now I'm wearing it. Is that such a bad thing?"

His face softens, "Gee, sorry."

I sigh, "No, I'm sorry. You know how last period is on a Monday, you just want to kill everyone."

He exhales through his nose, "Yeah, I know how it is."

Before I can continue to talk, the sounds of several energetic football players emerging through the gym ring in my ears. They all gather at the bleachers on the other side of the wall and plop down some of their belongings.