Level Playing Field

-four-

~David~

Yesterday had gone a little bit better than expected.

I actually made a friend, Angelica, after unintentionally knocking her lunch off the tray.

After I had helped her clean it up and ensured that there were no hard feelings, we got to talking and realized that we had a lot in common.

She was really into activism and told me how she had started the school's Black Lives Matter club, which I thought was cool.

Today is now the second day of school and I was already starting to get accustomed to the environment.

Something that I would still have to get over is sitting next to Alex Miller in bio.

I don't know, just being next to him makes me feel weird and intimidated.

I walked to my seat in the back of the class and hoped that Alex would be late again today. The less time I had to sit next to him, the better.

Unfortunately, he walked, more like waltzed, in the room right before the bell rang.

I swear, that guy gives off vibes like he owns the school.

Before he sat down next to me, I thought I noticed him flash a quick smile at me, but it could have just been my imagination.

"Good morning class, I would ask how your first day went, but I don't actually care," Ms. Warner said, groggily.

Honestly, if people hate children why do they become teachers?

Ms. Warner pulled some papers out of her desk. "Before we start doing actual work, I'm assigning you a small project to do with your table partner."

Great. Just great.

I have to do a project with the school king.

"This project is due in two weeks, I won't accept in any later. While you work on this project, we will be starting the curriculum so you have to do it on your own time." Ms. Warner added.

At this point, I might as well walk out of the classroom because there is no way I'm meeting up with Alex outside of school.

As Ms. Warner began handing out the sheets, I glanced over at Alex.

He was on his phone and looked completely oblivious to what was happening around him. Did he even hear what she had said?

I didn't listen to what Ms. Warner was saying for the rest of the class because I was too concerned with the assignment.

How would it work? Would he just make me do the whole thing? Actually, I'd be completely fine with that. I would do all the work and just write his name on it. Minimal social interaction needed, right up my alley.

I read over the assignment. It was a presentation about the history of biology.

Ok, not too bad. I think I could manage doing it by myself.

As a started writing down notes for the project, the bell rang and I jetted to the door as fast as I could.

Before I could reach it though, I felt a hand on my shoulder. When I turned around, it was none other than my BFF: Alex.

"Hey. David, right?" he asked.

"Yeah, that's me," I muttered merely over a whisper. The power that this guy had on me was really concerning.

"Cool, I was wondering when you wanted to meet to get his project done," Alex began.

"Uh, I don't know, I'm free whenever. My social calendar isn't exactly packed," I replied, laughing awkwardly.

Ok, now I was just embarrassing myself.

I do that a lot when I'm nervous. I start rambling and stuttering and it just turns into a mess where I'm left with less friends than I had before, which usually was a negative number.

He smiled and pulled out his phone. "Here, give me your number and I'll text you."

"Ok, sure," I responded.

We exchanged numbers and then he went on his way.

I don't know why he acted so nice to me. He kind of has that "I don't give a fuck" attitude and only acknowledges people with relevance.

Later at lunch, I told Angelica about our encounter.

"Really? Most people can't get more than a couple of words out of him. I'm surprised that he spoke to you, seeing as you're you and all. No offense," Angelica commented after taking a bite of an apple.

"Thanks, what a confidence boost,"

"No, I'm just saying that he must like you, you know? I've heard rumors that he's gay but that's just gossip from girls who he's rejected," she replied.

Gay? Even if Alex was gay, and I'm pretty sure he's not, I don't think I'm the type of guy that would catch his eye.

"Yeah, I don't know about that,"

"Well, you never know. Maybe you have a chance," Angelica suggested.

I highly doubt that.

~~~

After I got out of the shower and laid in bed, I realized I couldn't stop thinking about what Angelica said earlier.

If Alex did like me like that, what should I do?

I've never considered the fact that I was gay, but what if I was?

I mean, I did find him extremely attractive.

Whatever, that's a problem I'll leave for another day.
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Hey! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed the chapter!