Basketballs and Guitars (BOYxBOY)

Chapter 16

July's POV

"You're really great at playing every instrument in the world Jam, you're such a lucky guy Kyle for having a boyfriend like him" I said, trying to make my voice as loud as possible, hoping that someone would hear it and question Kyle and he'll crumble down like the loser he is and break up with Jam.

Kyle glared at me and Jam looked at me with a questioning look. "If you don't mind July, will you please keep your voice low? How many times do I have to tell you that Jam and I haven't come out yet?" Kyle said with pure irritation in his voice.

"Oh I'm sorry" I said, trying to act innocent.

"Can you just please lower your volume?" Jam said as he stopped playing the flute to talk to me "We're not yet prepared and we don't want people to know about us second hand" 

"Okay, okay" I said as I watched him continue playing the flute. I looked at Kyle and realized he was watching Jam the same way I am, deep down I suddenly realize that maybe breaking them up is the wrong thing.

I look at Jam one more time and absorb how perfect he is. I wonder what it would feel like if he was mine, having his hand in mine, my heart beating against his....maybe we could even go on double dates with Ryan and Kyle.

My thoughts were interrupted by Kyle shouting Ryan's name "Ry! Hey Ry! Oh is that you Jo?"

Ryan walked towards us with a girl who looked younger than us trudging behind him. "Hey Kyle" was all he said, not acknowledging any of us.

"Who is she? She looks adorable!" Natasha squealed looking at the timid girl behind Ryan.

"This is my sister, Jo. She's new here. Jo, this is July, another transferee student. You guys can be good friends" Ryan said in a bored tone.

"But you guys are all older!" Jo said.

"It's fine, we don't mind" Kyle said, smiling fondly at Ryan's little sister,  I hate Kyle with every bone in my body, but seeing him look fondly at his best friend's sister is adorable.

Jam looked at Jo for a while and I could see the jealousy in his face, and I could see the jealousy in Ryan's face too.

I couldn't help but feel bad for Ryan. Who wouldn't be jealous when the boy you love is staring fondly at your little sister?

"Thanks Kyle" Jo blushed a bit before her eyes landed on meand back to her older brother and I just looked away because it was making me feel really uncomfortable, I barely know her and she looks like she's already planning something.

Jo wasn't as bad as I thought even though she's a year younger than all of us, she's actually helping me somehow because since Kyle is so affectionate of her, he spends more time talking to her than Jam and leaving Jam to talk to me since Mike and the five girls are always together. Plus Ryan never really hangs out with us so it's Jam and July alone time almost all the time. 

I heard Jam sigh beside me as he watched Kyle pinch Jo's cheeks. "She's 13 for god's sakes! He doesn't need to pinch her cheek!" he muttered under his breath as he glared at the two in front of us.

"Don't worry Jam, maybe he just misses Ryan since they don't talk that much anymore and is just using Jo" I said, moving slightly closer to him.

"exactly, I know that Ryan has a thing for Kyle but what if Kyle also has a thing for Ryan? Or Jo?" he said looking worried.

"You could always date me" I said, trying to make it come out as a joke but deep inside I really wanted him to.

Jam just chuckled at me but his eyes remained on Kyle. "Fine, if he's not gonna mind me, I'm not gonna mind him" he said and it actually gave me hope.

"Yeah maybe" I said, trying to hide my excitement, but as if on bad timing, Kyle chose the wring time for me to turn around and look at Jam "hey Jam, I was wondering if you're free later night"

"Why? You can just invite Ryan or Jo or Ryan AND Jo" Jam said, glaring at him. Kyle just looked at him in confusion "because my parents and brother aren't home and I was wondering if you'd like to stay over at my house and teach me how to play the guitar"

Jam looked away, obviously trying to give in to the temptation to say yes so I decided to defend him and maybe he'll see how much he means to me "Jam obviously doesn't want to go"

"I want to personally hear Jam's answer" Kyle said.

I looked at Jam and he looked back at me, please let him say no, please let him say no. I said to myself.

"Alright, I can teach a few chords but you have to treat me dinner" Jam said, grinning at Kyle and giving up on his plan to ignore Kyle.

I sighed as Jo looked at me. She went beside me as soon as Jam and Kyle started acting back to their usual selves and talking to each other.

"You like him don't you?" I small voice said beside me. I looked at Jo and asked "how'd you know?"

But she just shrugged "I can tell by how you look at him"

I sighed. "Sadly, he's too preoccupied with someone else" 

"That's pretty sad, you're like my brother, He's hopelessly hoping for Kyle but he doesn't even have a chance. You and my brother should just end up together" Jo said in a matter-of-factly way.

"You know that Ryan's gay? And no way. Ryan's not my type. No offense" I said.

"Of course I knew. I knew it from the moment he came home really pissed because Khalil made Kyle really depressed and the next days, weeks, months after that, I noticed the way my brother looks at Kyle. The way his eyes sparkle whenever Kyle eats over at our house. I can also see the jealousy when Kyle talks to me instead of him. it's pretty obvious to be honest" Jo said "Oh no worries. None taken"

"why haven't you helped him out yet?" I asked, making sure to keep my voice low this time.

"Because I knew he didn't have a chance plus he was in denial. He was falling in love but at the same time falling apart. He knew Kyle was smart so he made sure to always ask Kyle questions just for the sake of hearing Kyle's voice. Things that love can do to you is really weird"

I looked at her "are you sure you're just a freshmen?" and she just chuckled and nodded.

I coudln't help but ponder on my own thoughts. I, myself doesn't have a chance with Jam.

"Not being rude or anything but I think you should give up on Jam. No one has to tell me that they're together because they obviously are" Jo said quietly.

"I want to, but I can't" I sighed and shook my head.

"Who knows, maybe you'll get your chance"

And a week after that, my hopes were raised once more thanks to little Jo and of course, her older brother Ryan. I don't know if they purposely helped me, but they did.

"Did you practice the songs I taught you?" Jam happily asked Kyle as we sat in the Cafeteria.

"Oh...uhm, well, I've only practiced 'Payphone' so far" Kyle said.

"Why? I taught you five songs!" Jam asked.

"Jo needed some help with her homework and Ryan wanted to practice basketball so I slept over at his house last night" Kyle said.

Maybe it had something to do with Jam's awkward guitar fetish but he snapped "Of course you did. Why would you not? I meant Ryan's your best friend and Jo may as well be your future girlfriend" Jam spat.

"What are you talking about? Ry--" Kyle tried to explain but Jam cut him off.

"Lately it's been Jo or Ryan! But what about me? You even missed recess this morning just so you can accompany Jo. I'M YOUR BOYFRIEND FOR CHRIST'S SAKE KYLE! HOW DO YOU THING THAT MAKES ME FEEL!?" Jam shouted, completely forgetting that we were in the Cafeteria full of other students.

The color from Kyle's face immediately drained as the other students started staring at us and whispering to each other, even though about a hundred students were whispering, it was pretty clear what they were whispering about.

"Kyle Smith is gay"