"Expectation is the Root of All Heartache."

2

        Gabriel was startled by the opening of the door beside the booth. Fearing that his theatre teacher had arrived, he immediately sat up and shut off the music. The booth door swung open.

        "What did you do that for? I love that song." Armando stood in the doorway with a bright smile on his face.

        "Well, I,...Uh.." Gabriel paused and sat up. "Good to see you Armando."

Armando chuckled. "You too man."

       They both got out of the booth and sat in the front row seats, resting their feet on the black box in front of the stage. Class went on, but Gabriel's eyes stayed fixed on his friend. He focused on every aspect of him. His jawline, his hair, his stubbled facial hair. Before he knew it the bell had rang and he watched Armando leave the room along with everyone else.

        Gabriel had always had some sort of infatuation with Armando, but it wasn't until now that the reality of it really set in.

I have to say something, thought Gabriel.

He got up and trotted up to Armando. Armando looked at him, a gentle smile of wonder and generosity.
"What's up? Wait, isn't your class the other way?" Armando now held a face of confusion.
"Yeah, I just wanted to say something." Replied Gabriel in a much quieter voice than his normal.

They both stopped.

Gabriel looked at Armando, who was checking his phone, waiting for Gabriel to tell some ridiculous story or blurt out a terrible pick up line. Gabriel took in a deep breath and cleared his throat to call Armando's attention.

"Hm?" He asked, looking up from his phone.

"...I like you." Said Gabriel in one breath.

"Aw, I like you to son." Replied Armando. He ruffled Gabriel's hair and began to walk once more.
Gabriel chased after him. "No, you don't understand." He grabbed Armando's arm to make him stop walking. "I'm not kidding this time. It's not a joke. I'm being serious." Gabriel noticed he was still holding his arm and awkwardly removed his hand.
A sudden flash a realization crossed Armando's face and his cheeks lit up with a light glow of red. "Oh...well uh...shit I don't know what to say..." Armando looked down for a moment and raised to the calling of Carlos and Miguel.
"Come on man, I have an idea for the next shirt. Instead of a bike....pie! But like, 3.14, get it?" Cried Carlos from the hallway in front of the young men. Armando looked at Gabriel. Gabriel's heart skipped a beat.

"Look I...I just need to think about this."
He turned to join his friends and walked off.