Guys you need to listen to this song. It is just absolute. A proper punch into your chest. 

Dylan's POV:-

If I had to assign an animal to Julian, it would be a peacock. It is his spirit animal. He loves to stand out. Be it in a good way or bad way. I mean why else would he show up first thing in the morning dressed like that?

He's wearing a white tennis sweater above a white checked shirt. Blue jeans and white shoes, that flashed his ankles as he walked. For a split second I get the vision of kissing those ankles. His hair fell into his eyes to give him an endearing look and as if to cancel it out he wore several rings and an earring. 

I don't think Ian even bothered to change his pajamas cause his tank and shorts had matching carrots drawn on it. Judging by his yawn and Alex's cringe he didn't bother brushing his teeth either. I take another step away from him.

Lia and Julian wait for Max to lock his car before walking towards us. Max and I were twinning in our hoodie and shorts outfit. 

Even after a night full of sleep I felt like a zombie and I'm sure I looked like one too, while Julian was existing in sharp contrast, lively and lovely like a morning flower. We don't make eye contact but he could feel my eyes on him because color flushes to his face, and he ducks his neck. 

"Luke, you lucky bastard," Ian breathed beside me. I agree.

Lia was walking beside Julian, talking to him. Her tits looked phenomenal in that tank top. Though she looked more on the cute side with that loose cardigan on. Still my eyes involuntarily drifted back to her chest. I realized that I only felt admiration for Lia's body, no attraction. 

Does this mean I am proper gay now? 

When was the last time I thought about a girl?

Hell, when was the last time I thought of anything other than Julian?

Okay. No more Julian from now on.

As soon as Lia comes in range I smile and kiss her cheek, "Hey, baby doll." She looks surprised but nevertheless returns a quick hug. Her scent was mixed with Julian's. I should not notice that.

Ian was talking to Julian. Good.

"Where's Luke and Alex?" I hear him asking.

"Alex is chatting with the bus driver and Luke will be here shortly," Ian answers fixing his hair using his mobile front camera.

"Why bother when it's going to get messed up again?" Lia asks, stretching her hand and making few strands fall into his eyes. Ian gives her a pleased look.

"They appointed a new traffic police-lady and she is really pretty," he explains, with pink cheeks.

"And she is happily married," Max says standing beside Lia and messing up Ian's hairstyle. Ian tries to stop him, but sadly it looked like a mouse trying to fight an elephant. 

Luke's father's Lamborghini pulls up. My heart still skips a beat at the sight of that car.

While Luke and his father got out of the car, Julian put his hand around Lia's shoulder, and pulled her closer than platonic distance. I do my best to ignore them and Julian's fingers as they brushed Lia's neck while they talked among themselves. 

"Hey, baby," Alex purrs when Luke drops his bag amidst our luggage dump.

"Morning, sweetheart," Luke replied absently, digging through his bag. His glasses were about to slide down his nose before he pushed them back up.

"I also want a Hey baby," Ian pouts. Alex pointedly ignores him. Ian turns to me and I put on my cap and pull up my hood. "Hey, shithead," I say with a grin like Charlie Harper. 

"Screw you," Ian scowls. I yawn and stretch for the tenth time since morning. 

It wasn't cold, but it was chilly. Fog stuck to the ground giving the whole thing a smoky haunted vibe. I would have enjoyed the aesthetics a bit more but the excited chattering and murmuring ruined it. I wish everyone would shut up. I wish everyone and everything would disappear and leave me alone.

Stupid life, I need to live. What a pain!

Luke disappears after being called by the Coach. Ian sits down on Luke's bag. Max and Julian loudly bicker over a muffin, annoying my sleep muffled brain.

"I should get it cause I am older, better and wiser," Max argues.

"Oh, fuck off, Max," Julian snaps. Max raises an eyebrow.

Julian gasps and smacks the back of his own head, "How dare me!" 

I lift my leg and lazily stomp at Max's ass because he was towering over Julian. Max turns to glare at me, "Do you mind not interrupting my bullying?"

"Lay off," I mumble, avoiding Julian's eye. "Just share the damn thing, or whatever."

Max crosses his arms, "An Alpha doesn't share." That earns him another kick from Alex. I dig my hands deeper into my hoodie's front pocket and do my best to sleep standing. 

I want to sleep on the dew-dropped grass.

When the Coach finally joins us, the first thing he noticed was Julian's earing. He frowned, "What's with the fancy stuff, kid?" 

Julian perhaps has to be the only person we've ever heard Coach refer to as kid. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that he always has this lost puppy look on his face when he's on the field and Coach pitied him and cut him some slack. I'll be bold and even say that Coach has softened to him. I swear I saw him smile once when Julian missed the ball on field. Usually he shouts himself hoarse when we mess up.

Coach probably thinks of Julian like the one-legged puppy amongst a pack of hunting hounds. He still gets his share of scolding and snarling and head smacking, but I think Coach holds back when it comes to Julian. 

As Coach waited for his answer, I could see the ramble of thoughts in Julian's head, and the dial stopping to pin point at the most stupid decision. I saw his expression turn to that stubborn determination before he said or did something incredibly stupid and I could just guess what he was going to say.

He pointed to his right ear, "Wearing earring in this ear means that you play for the other team, Sir." Everybody froze in their tracks. 

"Oh man, he's going to get killed," Luke said tired from beside me. I nodded. 

Coach's face turned from surprised to livid. We all were gaping at Julian for his stupid choice of words and at the idiot himself who didn't seem to realize what he just did.

"Play for the other team?" Coach repeated, his eye twitching dangerously. Max hastily places himself between them, pushing Julian further back with his elbow.

"He means to say he is gay, sir. It's just a phrase. Other team meaning the men's team," Max explains quickly. The Coach stops, and blinks in confusion. He looks at Max who had the stillness of a deer waiting for the cheetah to pounce.

Coach turns his attention to Julian, "You're homosexual?" 

Julian nods.

His scowl deepens, "Then bloody say that! What's with the crazy talk? And right before we are about to go for a match?! Does he have a nail in his head? Stupid child. Had me doubt everybody's loyalty. Get on the bus. And take off that earing. You can pick all the boys you want from this bloody town. No fraternizing with the enemy!"

After that things livened up. Everybody perked up and quickly settled down knowing Coach would stab anyone in the eye if they blinked wrong. Within ten minutes we were ready to leave. To annoy Max, Ian talked Julian into forcing Lia to sit with Luke. But Max was in Captain mode and barely paid attention to them.

"Alright, everybody got everything?" Max shouted from the back of the bus where we had established territory. All the team members shouted back in response.

Max cups his hand and hollers, "Coach, we're all good."

Coach was sitting in front with the driver. Hearing Max, driver starts the bus. Max goes in the middle aisle.

"Okay, boys," he booms. "Like we decided. We. Will. Give. Them. HELL!" Max thumps the bus ceiling like a warrior going for battle. All the boys hoot and punch at their seats making rhythmic sounds, shouting and hyping themselves up. Ian and I, look at each other hooting in response. We did this every year, and every year I got goosebumps.

"Calm down boys," Coach announces over the racket. He was smiling wickedly. "That's enough, Maximus. I need this energy on the field tomorrow."

All the boys blast again in response and cheer madly as the bus takes on the road.

"Where's my PSP?" I ask Max.

"I handed it to Julian," he absently muttered, counting something on his phone. 

I wanted to sneer, "Oh, you mean the guy who's mouth slid and opened across mine last night? Him?!" Instead I respond, "Okay," and turn around.

Max and Alex sat adjacent to Luke and Lia, probably to keep an eye on them. Julian sat alone behind Lia's seat, looking out of the window with a hand on the pane blinking like a sleepy kitten. 

He startles when I ask him for my PSP. My mouth was getting dry from the tension swimming between us, and I had to grit my teeth to keep my mouth shut. 

I cannot, absolutely, should not tell him he looks cute. I should not. I will keep my distance, and maintain my sanity and-

"Here," he mumbles holding it out. I take it, and my fingers brush the inside of his hand. They were warm, moist and a little sticky and I knew it was because he was eating candies right the second he woke up. 

I slump in my seat and resume my game. I had claimed the last row with Ian who was pacing inside the bus, too excited to sit still. I was back to being lethargic. My eyes drooped close often, before Ian kicked me awake to listen to his rant about something. I love the guy and everything but sometimes I just want to put a fist in his face. 

I came very close to bashing Ian's face in the window when Julian appeared with Lia and a box of cookies. Julian points out to me which cookie I should try, while Lia chided Max for eating with both hands. Her phone buzzes in her back pocket and Julian fishes it out. 

He swipes open her phone and opens her texts and gasps, "Woah, that is a very naked guy. Lenny, who is it?"

Lia looks over her shoulder. She stares at the phone Julian was holding for a few seconds then clicks her tongue. "Oh, it's that dude.. From Jay's party. What's his name, Rondy or Shotty or something."

"Do you want me to block him or text him back?"

"Do whatever. I don't really care," she mutters, turning back to Max. Ian immediately grabs Julian's sweater to haul him into the seat between us. 

"This should be fun," he grins snatching the phone from Julian. I shift closer to get a better peak at the ongoing events. 

"Don't tell me you want to sext him," Julian cringes. "He's clearly a tool, if he's sending his pics without permission."

"No, Julian. Not that fun," Ian rolls his eyes. "You do know what's the last thing you expect when you send out a dick pic is, right?"

"Ummm..." Julian blinks confused.

"It's a dick pic," Ian answers excited. "You would never get a dick pic in return for a dick pic."

"Ian, in Julian's case-" I begin, but the moron was too pumped.

"I'll be modest, and say he's got a good size. To rival him the best option would be Alex!" Ian declares.

"It's sweet that you know your limits," I nod.

"And creepy that you know everybody else's as well," Julian mumbles but Ian was already calling Alex over. He patiently listens to Ian's babble and turns to me, "Is this brat seriously asking me to take a picture of my junk?"

"It's for a good cause," I reply. Ian thrusts the phone into Alex's hand, "I've switched on the flash."

Alex considers for a moment, then shrugs and pulls the waistband of his sweats. Ian immediately grabs back the phone when he's done.

"It's a little alarming, how much he's enjoying it," Alex says to me. 

"Thanks, Lexy!" Ian chirps.

"Don't call me that!"

But Ian was already trying filters on the picture.  

"Try the one with vintage sun," Julian proposed. 

"We're not sending him a wedding invite," Ian grumbled. "Hmmm... Okay done! Now we need a caption," he says looking up.

"I'm outta here," Alex says uncomfortable with Ian's eager face.

"How about, Suck my dick, shitface? or I got a better one, poophead! or I don't level down, shitface!, eh, eh?" Ian asks us with glittery eyes.

"Can't we just block him and get it done with?" Julian meekly suggests.

I lean forward to look at the phone. "How about, From my head to yours?"

Ian and Julian burst out laughing. Even Max sitting in front looked back at us chuckling.

"Oh man, I wish I could see this dude's face when he opens this message," Ian breathes, typing into the phone. At the end we just got blocked by the dude so Ian's spirits were crushed. We deleted the conversation from Lia's phone before giving it back to her. 

I peep over the seat to check on Luke. He'd been awfully quite. 

"Are you freakin serious?" I ask shocked. "You are studying on our way to a football game?" Luke was zooming in on a picture he took in the classroom where Mr. Mount was explaining peptide reaction mechanism.

Luke shakes his head, "I am revising, because I could not remember the product structure even though I studied it last night."

I will admit, I am jealous of Luke. Not mean jealous, but healthy academic jealous. He manages to get better grades than me, and I am constantly in competition with him even though he's not aware of it. Or maybe he is aware but he simply doesn't care. Luke isn't on the competitive side. He just wants to attain the goal he sets for himself. Rest of the world is background noise to him.

I leave him be, and sit back wondering if I should also study something. Ian and Julian were prattling without a pause. Ian snaps his fingers, "And then that scene.. I was like, dude, no way. But then he just leaned in and kissed her!"

Julian nodded energetically, "I know! That was so out of his character. I mean, like come on man. I was rooting for you besides who will...." Someone needs to give these two a tranquilizer. 

I pull my hood over my head and nod off thinking about how Julian's thighs were pressing into mine. 

When I wake up, the bus has stopped. Everyone was here now. Max was sitting beside me, Alex on his phone beside Max. Ian and Julian in the seat in front of Alex, and Lia and Julian in the seat in front of me. 

"Who is he talking to?" Lia asks curious, when Alex giggles suddenly. "He got a new lady. They are in love," I reply. "And why are we not moving?"

"Traffic jam. New road system, Coach said. We might be here for another solid hour," Max replies, shuffling through his song list.

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

We stumble into the hotel at 7 pm, exhausted out of our minds. Firstly there was that block on the road, and after that just when the vehicles had started moving there had been an accident. We wanted to take the other route, but we were stuck in the middle of the road with cars surrounding us. Staying inside the bus for that long had tired everybody.

Best part was when Max had forced Luke to sit between him and Alex the moment Lia left her seat. After all the entertainment ran out, they had fallen asleep on either shoulder of Luke's. I had gotten a good picture out of it, Max and Alex drooling, Luke flipping through an old magazine, that we had used to clean the fallen fries, with enraged calm.

The moment the bus stopped he stood up in a jolt and Max and Alex bumped their heads making me wince.

Luke turned around, "I-"

"Max, we gotta bump it back," Alex drawled sleepily.

"-am not your pillow," Luke growled. "Perhaps next time-"

"Max, seriously-"

"-you both can-"

"-we need to bump our heads-"

"-cuddle each other-"

"-its bad luck."

"And spare me the agony," Luke fumed. I wisely chose not to mention that he could have left hours ago instead of serving as their pillow.

"Max," Alex whined again.

"Oh for fuck's sake," I muttered and smashed their heads together. Their combined cries had woken up the entire bus.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Max grabbed my collar ready to punch.

"You didn't have to be so rough," Alex moaned rubbing his head.

"Fuck, 'lex. Is your skull made out of rock? I think I'm going to black out," Max complained. 

He was still giving me the stink eye, holding an ice pack to his head as we unloaded everybody's bags. 

"Good evening, our Coach won't be here since he's busy. We'll be showing you the rooms," a red-haired guy along with his friend greeted us. They were wearing matching shirts saying 'Blue Valley Hospitality Group'.

We followed them to the first floor. The boys quietly nudged each other, gawking at the hot receptionist as we waited around. My heart did a nonsensical lurch when Julian walks towards me.

"Dylan, you dropped this earlier." Julian held out my keys to me, not meeting my eye. I felt like a huge ass. Me avoiding him to get a grip on myself must make him feel like shit. I don't want to get hurt, but I don't want to hurt him either. 

"Thanks, Monkey," I mumble taking the keys. He almost got me to laugh with his surprised face.

He's not close but I can smell his sweater, and no one but me knows how perfectly my face fits in the crook of his neck. Damn it, Julian. How do I live with myself?

"Excuse me," I mutter and quickly locate Luke amongst the crowd. He was dreamily gazing at the ceiling that had swirling patterns in gold and blue.

I grab his elbow and drag him towards Max, "You're sharing room with me."

"I thought-"

"I want you to go forward and say it, so it won't look like I'm avoiding him," I whisper hurriedly.

"Its almost as if you care about his feelings," Luke said sarcastically.

"I do no such shit. I just want to look cool and avoid a complication," I reply with a grim smile and station him behind Max.

"Yeah, you really are the coolest," he says blankly. But Luke did what I asked him to. I mean sure, Alex and Max looked at Luke like he had asked them the permission to roam around naked but it all worked out.

Max managed to pack us all in adjacent rooms. I looked around searching for place to nap, while Max sweet talked to the receptionist to give us all neighboring rooms. 

Julian gaped at Max in wonder, "That was so smooth."

"I have had this face my whole life, Julian. I know exactly what it can do," Max winked. Julian giggled like a child.

I lift my leg, and kick Max squarely on his butt, "Shut up, you whoremonger. Get the rooms quicker. I want to sleep."

"Yes, Master," Max bowed seriously and returned to the desk. What the fuck is with everybody? Why is everyone making Julian giggle! It's my fucking job.

We rolled our bags to our respective floors. I pick my bag, and my kit falls down. Luke wordlessly picks it up, and puts it over his trolley, all the while talking on his phone. Seeing him, I also remember I need to inform my dad. But I didn't feel like talking to him and fake cheerfulness to show everything is peachy. So I sent him a text letting him know everything is fine.

"Which room do you want?" Max asked me. This hotel was plush. Each floor had it's own sitting area with tables and couches. 

"I don't mind. Luke?" I turn to him. Luke lifts a finger talking into his phone. 

"Yes, mom. I saw the picture," he said patiently. "That dress looks beautiful on you... No, don't listen to him. Dad's been sulky all week... No, I don't want to tell him to cheer up... Sure red shoes will match. Okay. Bye."

Luke pockets his phone and turns to us, but the guy from the rival school who was helping us around bumps into him. Luke catches his balance with the help of wall. The little prick had the audacity to glower at Luke before stomping away.

"You're not gonna say something?" Julian asks surprised.

Max snorts, "He never does."

Ian nods, "Yeah, Luke doesn't fight unless we force him to. He will let you walk all over him."

Luke flushes, "That's not true! I do fight." He turns around in the heat of the moment and almost goes after the guy before hesitating and walking back to us.

"I just think hotel lobby isn't the best place to fight," he says defensively. "I will fight him... Probably from the safety of my home. Over a game. I know! I will challenge him to a game o-"

"Oh shut up," we all groan, although it was funny seeing Luke trying to prove he's tough in front of Max. I wish I could tell him he already has his approval. 

"Just put us wherever, Max," I dismiss. 

Luke sulks and goes and sits beside Lia on the couch surprising her and us. He takes out my PSP and starts playing, ignoring everybody.

The only people excited for rooms were Julian and Ian, who were sharing. They were so excited that they even barged into strangers rooms and Alex had to drag them away by their collars, and apologize on their behalf. 

"Don't damage any property," Max warns them before sending us to our rooms.

I faceplant into my bed while Luke methodically goes through his stuff. 

"I'll shower first," he announced. I garble a response, half asleep. I manage to get a brisk nap before Luke shakes me awake saying it's time for dinner. I tell him to go on because I needed to shower as well. I smelt like fries and leather seats and my head felt heavy.

Luke's bodywash was amazing. It was mint, and cucumber and I felt squeaky clean. My head calmed down after putting fresh, dry clothes. I find others outside the dining hall. 

We all gawk at Max when he joins us. He was wearing one of his muscle shirts that he donned in gym, the ones that have no sleeves and give you glimpses of his bricked stomach. He was wearing black shorts and Jordans. A carefully planned casual attire.

"What?" he asks scratching his neck. When none of us reply he rolls his eyes, "There maybe cute waitresses. Let a man be."

Lia snorts, "Man."

Max slaps her head before striding in. We all snicker at Max because it was a sausage fest. Male waiters, male diners, male chefs, male cashiers. The only female was Lia, who herself could be mistaken for a guy in a loose hoodie and basketball shorts.

"You're being weirdly quite," Max nudged Julian during dinner. "Not that I'm complaining, but everything okay?"

Julian frowned, "It's night and we are at a new place. Loud noises from strangers will annoy the resident spirits."

"He's not serious, is he?" Max turned to Lia, concerned.

"Dead," Lia muttered, concentrating on plucking out peas from her fried rice.

Julian was cutting his hamburger into smaller sections like a pizza. He was wearing a metal headband so his hair won't fall in his eyes. Now his forehead looked a lot easier to kiss. Not that I want to. Just a thought.

After dinner, I went out with Max to smoke some cigarettes. He had gone to his room before to change into a better tshirt since it was cold outside. 

We spot a guy from other team waiting near the gates of the hotel. His jersey said 'Blue Valley Soccer Team'. Max and I share a smirk and march up to him. Max rolls up his sleeves to his shoulder to put his biceps on full display.

I was wearing one of Luke's v-neck tshirts. My frame was bulkier than Luke so the sleeves clung tight and the fabric stretched across my chest. It was inky blue, almost matching my black sweats but it was dark so my flip flops and sweats won't ruin the ambience.

"Hello there," Max grins like a devil, standing behind the boy.

The kid turns around and pales on seeing Max tower over him. Anyone would blanch on meeting someone as gigantic as Max in a dark corner. I drop the burning cigarette in my hand, and step on it.

"How are you?" I smirk stepping closer to him. "Are you and your school teams ready for the match? Because we came to rip you a new one." I crack my knuckles.

"Now, now, Dylan. Don't scare him. He looks like he's about to crap his nappies," Max teases, crossing his arms. "We don't mean any harm little one. Just dropping a premonition."

"Uhmm, we are simply- ack!"

"Stop that," Alex whispers angrily, dragging me back by my collar. "Sorry about them. Please go ahead," he smiles. The kid nods as one tear leaks out of his left eye before sprinting at full speed.

"Have you both no shame!" Alex thunders, as Max sullenly rolls down his sleeve. "That kid doesn't even look like he's in high school. What's wrong with you?"

"We just thought we should make an impression," I mumble looking down.

Max nods, "You know, spread the word. Hit them before they strike us."

"You both are pathetic," Alex says disappointed. "And get back inside. Coach wants to have a meeting before calling it a night."

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

Hope you liked this chapter! 

Sorry for late updates. I have had a tight schedule for last few months. Will try to update quicker.