Who Said Glasses Were Good (BxB 18+)

Ch.15 Who are you?

These instances only seem to increase in frequency. Zach leaving the classroom at a moment's notice. Zach staying behind after practice. Zach disappearing out of sight, only to appear half an hour later, slightly out of breath.

And Jason knows that it is Sage. But what does Sage need him for? They meet too often to be merely on business matters. They could be good friends, but then why exclude Jason?

I'm not that difficult to get along with am I? He thinks as pushes a cart of basketballs to the back of the gym, towards the storage room. Although other people don't seem to notice, Jason can feel that Sage isn't quite genuine--there's something about him that makes Jason uncomfortable. Maybe the way Sage can cleverly guide a conversation or the way he smiles but there never seems to be any joy behind the eyes.

Jason never really minded though. Everything polite, no harm done. This is why Jason had invited Sage to come to the movies with the basketball team.

But after knowing that Sage and Zach went to the movies alone, and how Zach had been acting the past few weeks--he's not so sure, and if Zach was somehow hurt--

The cart rattles as Jason pushes it forcefully into the storage room. Basketballs knock against the bars and wheels screech. 

Why doesn't Zach tell me what's going on?

--

And then they meet. It is on a busy street one afternoon on the weekends. The sun beams onto the sidewalk. Cicadas chirps are overrun by the sound of cars dragging across gravel and the footsteps of thousands of people.

"Zach?"

"Jason?" Zach gapes at him, eyes wide. The straw in his milkshake bobs, remains of whip cream melting at the tip.

Behind him, Sage leans over. "Oh, Jason."

Maybe lean over isn't quite the right expression. More like lean on Zach's shoulder.

Sage smiles. Jason clicks his tongue. I hate that smile.

"We're uh, catching a movie together," Zach motions to his tickets in hand.

Two kids screech and run by, weaving right in between Jason and Zach and Sage. Zach stumbles, but Sage grabs his arm to steady him. Jason sees all of it.

Jason eyes Sage. Why doesn't he let go? He thinks.

"Oh, I'm free this afternoon. Why don't you let me join?" Jason asks. That isn't true. His family had planned a social event this afternoon, and he was expected to go back soon, but he wanted to see how Sage would react.

Zach is caught off guard. "Um, actually..." He steals a glance at Sage, looking for a reaction.

"Thanks for asking," Sage says as he drapes an arm around Zach's shoulder. "But we wouldn't want to bother you. I know the Venmeers are having a charity opening today. It would be bad if you were late to it."

Fuck. Jason clenches his fist as he sees Sage's eyes wane. "It's okay, I don't have to go."

"Jason, you can't just refuse to go," Zach says, and Jason hates it. You're supposed to take my side.

"I get it I get it." Jason stuffs his hands in his pockets and grumbles.

"We'll catch a movie another time." Zach smiles.

For a moment, Jason thinks that everything returned to normal. Just him and Zach and without this invisible barrier and a Sage that he can't decipher and none of this at all.

But the two soon wave and turn away. Jason can see Sage smirk as he glances back as they are swallowed by the crowd.

Jason stands there and there is only one thought. Who are you?