"Expectation is the Root of All Heartache."

3

What's been said has been said. It can't be taken back. It can't be forgotten.

It's a Wednesday afternoon and rehearsal for the play starts at 4:30. Gabriel set his bag in the theatre room and set off to get a burrito from the food truck that sits outside of the school.
He'll be there. He'll talk to me. Dammit I shouldn't have said anything.

Gabriel thought as he turned to return to the room. He walked slowly, one foot after another focused on the cracks of the sidewalk and poorly paved road. The cold air made it's way into his sweater and he slid his hands into his varsity jacket pockets in an attempt to retain some of his warmth.
Across the way, he saw Armando walking the opposite direction down the sidewalk. They made quick eye contact but Gabriel quickly looked down, embarrassed.
        Gabriel really liked Armando, and he liked him in a way he had never liked anyone before. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know what to say.
        Steps away from the theatre, Gabriel pulled out his phone and opened his text messages. He opened his text messages to Jade.

      >Hey jade?
                                                Yeah?<
      >Come sit by me,
       I'm conflicted.
                                        Okay, sure.<

        Gabriel entered the theatre and sat atop the edge of the stage. He ate his food and patiently waited for Jade to show up. The door swung open, but it was not Jade who entered. Instead, it was the one he was trying to avoid.

        Armando walked up to Gabriel and handed him a candy bar. Gabriel immediately returned it to him and moved back. "I don't like sugary stuff." Said Gabriel, who kept his head down.
"Oh okay,..whatever I don't care." And Armando threw the treat behind him. He crossed his arms and faced away from Gabriel.
"Oh no, it's not,..dammit.." Gabriel picked up the candy and said he would eat it.
"Suuuure, sure. No you won't. Whatever." Announced Armando. He walked to the other side of the theatre.
        Gabriel opened the candy and looked at it in disgust.

I just don't like sugary foods.

        He took a bite and winced. Jade walked in from the side door and examined Gabriel's face. "Dude...what are you doing?" She asked, still in confusion.
        He looked down at the treat then back up at Jade. "....Do you want this?" He asked. "Oh uhh..sure." And she took the treat from him.

"Thanks, I just don't like sugary treats."

"Yeah no problem. So what did you need to talk to me about?"

Armando walked past Gabriel and flashed a flirtatious smile.

"That."