Complexes (LGBT) (boyxboy)

chapter 8

I sat in communications class. It was the only one I consistently showed up to. It was an easy enough class and I had Casey and Eddie with me, unlike most other classes. I was sitting up the back with them, next to Eddie while Casey was on the other side. It had so far been a boring lesson and there were only ten minutes left.  

"I thought we'd try out something a little different," Professor Martin said from the front of the lecture all, "I know lectures are supposed to be me talking to you and you listening, but I have some work sheets I want you to fill out and I want you to do it in pairs.

So, pair up and I'll hand them out." 

I wasn't really an academic person and while most people were more than happy with the task at hand, I was a little annoyed. The reason this class was so easy was being I didn't have to do anything, and now I did. I looked to Eddie and Casey. 

"I'm sure he won't care if we're a group of three," I told them, turning towards them. 

"What about him?" Eddie asked. He nodded towards the front of the classroom. Lucas was sitting there, by himself, not even looking for a partner.

Damn Eddie for pointing him out. I had been doing really well pretending he wasn't here.  "I get it, I get it. You two are besties," Casey said to us and sighed, "I'll go be his partner."  "No," I said quickly without thinking. What the hell was I doing? The words were slipping out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Casey, who had been about to get up and leave, stopped, putting his books down and looking at me oddly.  "I mean, it's unfair that Eddie and I always pair up, right?" I asked.  "I don't care," Casey shrugged. Eddie looked at me skeptically but I ignored him. 

"It's unfair. I feel bad. I'll take one for the team and pair with Lucas," I said. I didn't even want to be anywhere near Lucas right now, especially after our conversation in the stairwell a few days ago. I had no idea what I was doing taking Casey's place, but I did. 

I gathered my things and was soon going down the front of the lecture hall. When I got to Lucas he was holding the sheet Professor Martin already gave him. I was hesitant before finally sitting down.

He looked up like he was surprised to see anyone approach him, let alone me.  "What are you doing?" he asked. I didn't blame him for being a bit stand-offish. I had been avoiding him the past few days after all.  "You don't have a partner so..." I shrugged.  "I can work by myself," he said. 

"Don't make me walk all the way back up there. I'll look like a rejected idiot," I said.  "Gee, I wonder what that feels like," he muttered. I tried not to let his attitude get to me too much. I sighed and stayed in my place. 

"Can I see the question?" I asked.

He glanced at me, showing no emotion on his face before reluctantly handing me the piece of paper so I could read it.  'Discuss with your partner the sociological concept of 'Face', then together come up with examples in everyday life.'  The task seemed simple enough but my mind was going blank.

I felt like I was put under a bit of pressure. I didn't want to look too stupid.  "You've been avoiding me," he said. I placed the paper down and looked at him.  "No, I haven't," I lied.  "Yes, you have," he argued.  "Nope," I said simply, hoping he would drop it. 

"Yep," he mocked.  "N-"  "Yesterday when I was walking down the hall in the dorms you let yourself into someone else's room just to avoid running into me and I heard them yelling at you to get out.

Two days ago at practice you wouldn't even look me in the eye...I thought you said you weren't gonna be weird," he said. Damn, I didn't think he noticed that stuff.  "I'm not being weird," I lied once again, "Can we just do this thing already?"  I picked up the paper again and pretended to look interested in it.