Kisses of Fire (boyxboy)

Chapter 29 - Do I Look Okay To You?

It had been almost a week since Cooper asked Riley to be his girlfriend, and he had no idea what he was doing. He didn't know how to be a boyfriend; there have been so many times Cooper forgot they were even together. It's not until she sits with him at lunch or basically follows him around that he remembers; he feels really bad, but this was his first relationship; he didn't know anything.

She did compliment him sometimes, which was nice, like when she told him his haircut was nice, Wednesday morning; it made him feel good. It didn't change the fact that after she did so, he awkwardly commented on her sweater and how it brought out her eyes. It was embarrassing, and he wanted to hide after.

Not to mention, he didn't willingly tell anyone about them. Of course everyone knew he was going to ask her, but if they hadn't checked up on him, then he wouldn't have told anyone. The team and the skatepark guys were all happy for him, and his dad gave him a pat on the back and fist bump. The only ones who seemed to have a problem were his mom and Max. His mom was confused because he didn't talk all that much about Riley and Max for obvious reasons. Both times, Cooper just shrugged and either walked off or changed the subject.

It had also been a week since he'd last seen or spoken to River, and truth be told, he wasn't sure how he was feeling. Cooper never texted him back that day, and once again, it was radio silence between them just like it always was when they had a fallout. Cooper was annoyed, but he tried not to think of it by busying himself with the overflowing assignments and tests he had due.

Walking into school Thursday morning, he sat in his dad's office and laid his head on the desk. It was known that he didn't enjoy mornings, but today he had an excuse; he felt sick and had a headache, just looking at him, you could tell he wasn't alright. He wouldn't have come to school, but he had an English test that he couldn't miss, so he was stuck here until then.

His dad tried to get him to eat breakfast, but Cooper told him he'd throw it up if he even tried to eat. When the bell finally rang, he groggily got up and headed to homeroom.

"Let me know if you're still not feeling well after your test. I can take you home." His dad said as Cooper left his office. "Good luck!"

His teachers were understanding and let him rest his head at times like during the announcements. He didn't pay attention, but he heard something about lunch.

English wasn't until after lunch, so he'd been spending any given moment to study. He really needed to pass this test, and seeing as how he kept putting it off, he wasn't sure he would even pass with a 70. He failed the quiz last week due to being occupied with the party and River, so he couldn't complain when he himself was to blame for the bad grades. Getting his teacher off his back was also the reason for wanting to pass; she tended to call out those who weren't doing well, and Cooper was at the top of her list. She wouldn't say students' names but get her upset, and she just might, which Cooper has fallen victim for many times.

When it came time for lunch, he took his time heading over, not wanting to be caught in the crowd, and when he finally did, he went straight to his table and got out his notes. He knew it was bound to happen, but he hoped everyone would get the hint and not talk to him; he wasn't in the mood, and he still felt dizzy with a headache.

"You good, Coop?" Miles asked, taking his seat. "You don't look too good."

"Yeah, you look worse than yesterday," Jason piped in, sitting next to him.

Cooper played it off as him being tired, but he could tell the guys didn't believe him. When Riley sat next to him, she asked the same thing, and Cooper once again repeated himself, but this time unintentionally sounding irritated. He felt the guys' eyes on him and looked up, meeting their frowning gazes.