Sorry guys, I hit a writer's block. Feel free to skip this update. I just had to write something to break the ice. Will try to update better. 

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Dylan's POV:-

I could hear Julian's voice from the railing as he walked with Ian.

"Did you see Kylie's new reel on insta?"

"No. What about it?" Ian asked. "Did she do another smoking photoshoot? Man, she really killed it with the bike pictures. It's still my desktop wallpaper."

"No. This was a makeup one-"

"Oh! Was it one of those where she puts lots of creams and blinks many times and makes faces?" Ian jumped. "Those make me feel so relaxed."

Julian sighed, or that's what it looked like from above. "Uh.. Yeah, a makeup one. But her face looked different. She's so young and she changes her face so much. I'm actually worried about her."

"How sweet. The caring, nurturer, Julian D'Costa is concerned about a colossal celebrity. It's so adorable," Ian teases jumping over Julian and making him stumble forward. They both barely avoid a faceplant. 

"Shut up. I knew you wouldn't understand," Julian shouted pushing off Ian. Ian laughed loudly.

"Dude, that woman has like fifteen sisters and a fussy mother and all the money in the world," Ian slapped Julian's back. "You don't have to....."

I watch them both disappear into the parking lot. 

After finishing my minor panic attack earlier, I had stuffed back those ridiculous notes. Julian hadn't noticed. In fact he barely paid attention to me chattering away with Ian and Alex. He probably didn't even see me stay back for Max. I didn't make any move to approach him either. My head was more jumbled than usual.

Love. 

Dammnnnn.

"You alright?" Max stops in front of me.

I snap out of it, and nod, "How was it?" 

"Not too awful," Max shrugged. 

Coach was more edgy than usual so Max had a rough day. Another reason why everyone liked him. He took the heat for us. Max was the only person who could handle Coach and because of him we were able to have fun and get away with it.

"You're still not considering Miller?"

"Dylan, he may say he's healed but injuries take time."

"Aw, Max. Admit it, you like Julian better," I grin. 

Max scowled, "No, I just prefer Julian over that bloody nutter who says his arm healed. Miller's not a team player. Julian is... Well, Julian is Julian. 

But he works hard and can run more than Alex which is saying something. Not to mention the punk has style. I like having flashy players on my team. We will show the other teams we are better in every aspect. Game, looks, style. Everything!"

"You're drooling," I say unimpressed. Max gulps and blinks out of his glittery daydream.

"I want to win so bad," he groans. 

We enter the ground floor hallway to see Tim's side kick Henry standing in Julian's way. "What's with the makeup, sucker?"

Julian tries to get past. Henry doesn't budge. Max lifts his hand signaling me to keep quiet. We both walk softly till we are behind Henry. I felt like crying when I see Julian's face. He looked scared.

Is this what it's like for him when he's alone?

"Fuck off, Henry," Julian scowled, his chin quivering. 

Max snorts, "That is not how you respond."

Henry stiffens when he sees Max's shadow looming over him. He tries to quickly step away, but Max holds him in place with a mighty hand on his shoulder. Julian looked considerably relieved on seeing us.

"Punch him," Max says to Julian in a tone like he's asking him to pass the salt.

"Anderson, I know we have our differences, but he is a junior," Henry growls trying to shrug off Max's arm. Max looked unfazed, waiting for Julian.

Julian gawks, "Are you serious?"

Max slowly nods, getting irritated of Henry's wiggling. He roughly shoves him in the nearby wall.

"Go ahead, Julian," Max encourages pinning Henry's arm behind him.

"Ummm..." Julian blinks, and folds up his sleeve.

"I'm your senior. I will make your life hell," Henry lowly threatens Julian.

Julian scoffs, "Like it isn't already."

"It will become worse-"

"Zip it, Huckleberry," Max snaps. "I'm trying to teach this kid something."

"Yes, that I should always punch my bullies," Julian nods in full seriousness.

"I don't care if you punch or kiss your bullies ass," Max frowns. "I just care that you don't let a freaking basketball dude, with his dangly arms tease you. You are in the football team, so act like it. Don't let just anyone talk to you," Max rattles and motions his head at Henry like he was a garbage bag.

Julian nods. "Right. Ok. Henry this is for calling me a sucker. And also for inappropriately wolf whistling at Lia. And also for the homophobic comments on Ryan's pink shirt."

"For fuck's sake, dude," Max mutters disgusted. "Your topic for essay writing for LGBT Rights." Henry had the decency to look embarrassed.

I watch curiously as Julian forms a proper fist, and punches Henry right on his nose. Max and I let out twin grins at the satisfying crunch.

"Shit!" Henry shrieks, clutching his face.

"Exactly. Shit," Julian says amazed. He turns to Max, "This felt so amazing. No wonder you go around punching people."

Max had let go of Henry, who took his chance and ran. We knew he wouldn't bother to complain. We just had to be careful now, look out for the payback.

"I don't go around punching random people," Max scowls. "Only the ones who offend me," he says glancing at Julian annoyed. "Either way, I would recommend you do punching with any one of us around. Alone, you will just..." Max trails off, as if searching for a word that won't sound too hurtful.

"Thanks," Julian snaps pissed.

Max chuckles, "C'mon. Don't leave our sides for a few days. Or keep Lia with you."

"Lia?" I ask.

He shrugged, "She beat me in wrestling. Agreed I was tipsy, but still she managed to make me give up the last soda and potato crisps packet. And that is impressive. Anyways lets go get ice for Julian's knuckles."

"He can get ice himself," I say. Julian pouts at me.

"Don't be a jerk, Dylan," Max tsked. "Lets go."

Julian beams at Max, "Yes, let's go... Are we allowed to play some kinky games with that ice later?"

Max turns to me, "You were right. He can get ice himself."

...................

Max didn't have his car so Ian had left Julian with his to take us both to Alex's house. At Alex's house we ordered pizza and stared at the TV, trying to chill because we knew how stressful the coming week would be. Ian slumped on the bean bag, Julian and Luke sat in a relaxed but respectful manner on the chairs, cause both the long-limbed weirdos hated sprawling their body.

Max lounged on the couch with a hand draped on the back of the couch. Alex at some point had rested his head on Max's shoulder. When Julian glanced at them for the fifth time Alex snapped, "Spit it out, Julian."

Julian started, but swallowed. "It's weird seeing you two like that."

"Why?" Alex asked lazily. Max was ignoring everyone watching the movie.

Julian shrugged timidly, "It's not syncing with the 'bro' vibe you portray."

"We don't portray anything. People speculate and jump to conclusions. It's their job."

Julian frowned at Alex, "But they might call you both gay."

Alex smiled a bit, "You're saying as if that's a bad thing. I've never seen a homophobic gay."

Max snorted, a proof he was aware of this conversation. Julian paled, surprised at himself. He blinked, "I'm sorry. It's just the way I was raised. I-"

Alex looked at him, waiting patiently. Julian continued with a guilty smile, "I never had guy friends who were so comfortable with homosexuality."

"Well now you do," Max finally looked at Julian. When Julian opened his mouth again, Max shook his head, "No, no. Shut it. You too." He grunted at Alex who wanted to say something. "You both had your moment, now let me watch the movie."

Julian smiled and then caught my eye. I knew Ian was observing us carefully from behind the newspaper he was pretending to read. Well, Ian can go suck a sock cause I smiled back making Julian blush faintly and look at the TV. 

Julian looked calm. Completely carefree of the hell he unleashed on me. Not aware of the whirlwind inside my head.

He loved me. 

Pathetic. 

Completely idiotic if you ask me. 

He has done crazy stuff but it's not like I treated him any better. And still he loves me. 

Stupid boy, with pretty pink hands.

He said that sticking with me was his decision. So loving me is also his decision. He can deal with it however he wants. 

I take a deep breath. It's his problem not mine. 

I don't have to do anything. Its not like I love him. I don't even like him. Nope. Not one bit. I don't think of him while sleeping or waking. I don't give him a second thought.

"Why does it look like you are trying to fart?"

"Mind your own business, Ian."

Ian shrugged, "Your loss. I was about to teach you how to time it with the guns."

"Time what with the guns?"

We all turn to find Alex's mother standing behind us. Mrs. Alvina Smith still looked stunning in her fifties. I mean rich people do have an air around them, but she had a way of turning that air into a storm. 

Alex's dad adores her and often got her expensive gifts from overseas. I bet the emerald pendant and matching earrings she's wearing costs more than my entire house including me and Comfort inside it. Her white dress with full sleeves stopped just at her knees, showing off dark, tan legs. Her hair was left open with half of it tied in a fashionable knot.

She had the face that looked cruel when she's not smiling. But when she does smile, it's the warmest thing. Nonetheless, she terrifies the crap out of everybody. Even Max.

"You look so badass, Mam!" Julian shouted with bright eyes. Well, there are always exceptions...

"Thank you, Julian," Alvina chuckled, looking around the room. 

"None of my furniture is broken, and all the windows are intact too," she observed. "Neither do I smell a fire. Everything okay with you boys?"

"Yes, Ma," Alex rolls his eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes, Lexy," Alvina chides walking to a corner table removing her earrings. 

"Sorry," Alex drags insincerely. "We're just tired. Coach was a bitch today," he grumbled under his breath. 

Alex gets a clutch hurled towards him, which hits the back of his head with precision. I think Max stopped breathing.

Alex yelps jumping up, "Ma!"

"Don't disrespect your teachers."

Alex turns to Luke blankly, "See why I say you sound just like my mother."

Alvina raises a perfectly shaped brow, "You say like it's an insult, 'lex."

Luke politely dips his head, "If one day I can be even one percent as amazing as you, Alvina, I'll consider myself successful."

Max and I looked at each other thinking the same thing, Talk about ass-kissing.

"You're a charmer, Luke," Alvina grins.

Alex narrows his eyes, "He's a four-eyed, lazy-ass, mo-"

Alvina smacks her son's head once more. Ian winced, "Mrs. A, you should go easy on him. It's true. We all hate Luke with a passion. He was with us the whole yesterday and still scored a prefect grade in today's surprise test."

"You children had a surprise test," Alvina frowned. "Lexy, how did you do?"

Alex was glowering at Ian who seemed to realize his mistake. Alvina didn't give up. She only dug the pit deeper and nudged Max's shoulder, "Max? What was your score, sweetheart?"

"I... Umm..." Max gulped, sweating like a cheese.

Alex was forcefully blinking at Luke mouthing, "Do something."

Luke picked up the salt shaker and extended it to Alex, "Some salt for your wound, Lexy." Ian and I snickered quietly. 

"Lexy?"

"Mom, we crapped out," Alex finally admits. 

Alvina looked disappointed. "If only you both studied the time you spent playing those stupid video games. Max, you promised me if I let you sleepover you will take time out and work on your grades."

"I tried, Alvina," Max said nervously. "But Al didn't co-operate."

"Me?" Alex sputtered. "You were the one who wanted to, uh let me remember, yes, 'Play Warcraft till our eyes stop blinking'."

Alvina had long before stopped listening. She was asking me. I was able to say the truth since I did okay. Ian had his excuse prepared.

"Mrs. A, I knew the answers," Ian sighed. "But I had some other concerns pressing my head. I had, no wait, have a date with this pretty girl and we are leaving tomorrow morning. Even during the test I was debating whether I should cancel or simply give it a go."

Alvina rested her palm on the couch, leaning against it. "I'll say you go. That way you won't have time to stay in your room and work up jitters for the game. But, Ian, if you feel like you should take it easy you can always cancel. I'm sure the lady would understand. You won't hurt her feelings."

It was sweet of Alvina to think Ian cared about anything other than humping and dumping the chick. Feelings were the last of his concern. He was more concerned if he should go out when tomorrow was such an important day.

"And you're young. Very young. Be patient," Alvina continued with a smile at all of us. "The right person will come along."

Person.

Not girl. But person.

We stay back and finish the movie and pizzas. Before leaving each of us got a good luck kiss on the cheek by Alvina. We all had an extra jump in our step as we left the Smith estate.

"You okay?"

I nod focusing on driving. Luke had helped me study for my test. In return I was to take his car for washing. And Julian decided I will drop him home first. I had agreed because I was a pathetic idiot who was incapable of saying no if a lanky moron blinked his big, golden-brown, eyes at me.

"Are you nervous about your debut match?" 

"Not much. You guys will be there."

The way Julian trusted us freaked me out sometimes. He simply believed that Max was the greatest player made, and he would make us win. And the rest of the team will back him up. So zero chances of losing. 

I mean he's not completely wrong, but still...

Julian turned in his seat to settle his back against the window and watch me drive. Now, there are times when Julian coyly glances at me and then there is this. 

Unabashed staring. 

Makes me want to climb out of my skin. He will watch me as if he's memorizing every minute detail of me, starting from the creases of my shirt to the number of hair on my eyebrows.

Good golly, I think I'm going to blush again. And I'm in a car so there's nowhere to hide my face. Shit.

I get more pissed than usual because my brain imagined he was shooting heart shaped bubbles from his eyes in my direction. I step on the gas and pick up the pace.

"Can I call you tonight?"

If you keep looking me like that, you can call me anything.

I nod without looking at him, pretending to focus on the deserted road. Where the fuck is traffic when you need it?

"Did you finish packing?"

"Almost," I reply.

Yep, no extra words. My mouth is my ruin. Keep it shut, I am safe.

"So gentlemanly," Julian teased, when I walked with him to his apartment door. "You sure you won't come in?"

I hesitated, "Lia will ask... stuff?"

He shook his head, "She's not home yet. She took my car to buy food."

A man walking down the hallway, checks me out. "Nice, Julian," he winked. I tensed.

Julian chuckled, "He's my school friend, Lev. Don't speculate."

Lev disappears with an insincere apology. Julian grabs my wrist, "Just come in. I have to show you my new shoes either way."

I quietly sit on his bed, as he digs around his room. Like a rational man, I should be thinking why I am sitting here when I have to get a car cleaned up and then go home to get a good night sleep. But I simply watch Julian stand in front me talking how he got his shoes. I nod and keep nodding.

Julian puts his shoes away, and kneels in front of me. He doesn't touch me somehow knowing I won't want it. "What is it? Why are you so quiet? You haven't even glared at me for talking too much. Did I do something? Is it tomorrow's game?"

Before I could say the front door clicks open. Julian gets up, signaling me to stay back. I hear Lia storming in, "Damn my, conniving, bitch of a uterus. It's been a whole fucking week."

Julian leans against his door casually, "Hey, love. You okay?"

"No!" she barked. "I have to diaper myself up." I laugh quietly.

"Your eyeliner still won't come off, eh?"

Julian shrugged, "It's fine."

I can hear Lia tidying up the couch. "Julie, I warned you. Cosplaying Marilyn Manson was a bad idea. Use my makeup remover. It's on the shelf. And be quick. I need to take a shower."

"Not now. You take your shower. I'm gonna go watch porn then sleep," Julian says. "If you need anything, holler first."

"Yeah sure," Lia muttered still irritated, and shuts her door.

Julian turns to me, "All good."

I get up, "I actually need to go. I have work." 

He nods and waits by the door. My elbow brush his stomach when I cross him, and tingles shoot up my arm. Damn hormones. 

................................

Sometimes I feel so gay and sick of my current straight lifestyle. Then I watch pride parades and convince myself I'm not alone. After all it's the bloody pentagon of life. 

Sorry for disappearing. My head is not all that right sometimes. How are you guys? Tell me the most recent song that gave you goosebumps. Embarrassing/cringe/weird/cool/bitter truths accepted. That is if you want to tell me.

Mine is 'Love Me Like A Friend' by Fly by Midnight. Spotify just played it out of nowhere.