gemini

"And you didn't go to the party this weekend because.."

"Too tired," I responded coincidentally with a yawn.

"Yeah, even better reason to go to the party obviously. Flashing lights, tons of drinks, and hookups. All these things will keep you awake!" Brian tried telling me what I 'missed out' on, but I disagree.

Parties are extremely overrated. Yeah, I can easily hook up with a girl whenever, but besides that what is there to truly do? Dance to music? Yeah right. Play beer pong? Overused. Get drunk? Been there, done that countless times. Brian would've said something about drugs too but he knows I don't go that way. Depending on where the party is at, I'd probably just go to sleep there anyway so it's a waste of time really.

"Much rather sleep in my bed, under my nice and warm blankets man."

Brian shrugged his shoulders. "Your loss."

"Brian and Chester are you done yet? If you are, I'd like for Jacob to continue his presentation." Mrs. Moore interrupted halfway through our conversation.

"No, we are not Mrs-"

I put my hand over Brian's mouth, though he continued to talk. "Yes ma'am."

Truthfully, I did want Brian to shut up. Also truthfully, I wanted to hear Jacob do his presentation. The only reason I was talking to him in the first place was a distraction so he wouldn't think I was paying too much attention to Jacob. Mrs. Moore saved the day and gave me an excuse to pay attention thankfully.

I laid my head on the desk and pretended I wasn't watching. It was just enough so Brian couldn't see my eyes.

Jacob was so mesmerizing to watch present. The way he spoke so intelligently, the way the projector shined in his face and added brightness to his dark brown eyes, the way he used hand gestures to emphasize his meanings, the way he gave eye contact to everyone in the audience, including me. Every time he turned his attention to me my heartbeat became noticeable.

"Hey Chester, I think that gay guy has a thing for you," Brian whispered, nudging me on my forehead.

I was going to respond but I forgot that I was fake sleeping, so I continued to watch.

If you were to ask me to tell you what his presentation was about, I wouldn't be able to provide an answer. I could probably say APUSH because that was the class we were in. Some may ask: Why is a dumbass in an advanced placement class? To which, I would say because I was bored. It's not like I'm stupid or anything. My class rank is in the top ten, I just don't act like it. Surprisingly mines was higher than Jacob's which I felt a little guilty for. I see the way he works so hard to fight off people like me as well as for these good grades. As for Brian, I don't even know.

"Chester-" Jacob said my name which caused me to become attentive.

"-Alan Arthur." I sighed with relief and disappointment.

Part of me wishes he said my name. Part of me wished that he said my name attached to the words 'Will you go out with me?' I would jump up excitedly, run to the front of the room, pick him up, kiss him multiple times on each cheek, finally kiss him on the lips, then shout 'Yes!' The other part of me would be mortified. Everyone would turn their heads and look at me. They would shout slurs and call me gay names. They would say I like to take it up the butt and whatever gay people do. Maybe if that happened though I could run away. Just Jacob and I, together forever. In some parallel universe, this is surely happening.

"Chester get the fuck up, holy shit." An aggressive shaking of my shoulder disrupted my state of reverie.

It was legitimately Jacob this time which sent me flying back in my seat, toppling to the ground in a loud thud.

"Calm down dude, nobody is in here, not that it should matter." Jacob looked down on me, making me feel very stupid.

"Oh, uh hey Jacob." I scanned my surroundings, making sure nobody was looking or anywhere near the classroom. The only person who seemed to be in here besides us was Mrs. Moore. She was lazily hiding her giggling behind a folded test paper.

"You were kind of just staring at me so I thought you were dead," Jacob mentioned, lending a helping hand for me to get back up.

I only nodded as I slowly stood up, surveying the area still.

"I'm gonna go now, see you literally next period in a few moments I guess." Jacob began heading to the door, but I stopped him by putting my hand on his shoulder.

"Want to like, hang out today?" I said in a whisper, putting my lips down to his ear.

"Can't, it's my mom's birthday and we are celebrating by going out today."

"Thursday after school?"

"Uh... sure."

I saved my satisfaction for later and let him go. I'm pretty sure he knew that I am sure as hell not going to walk out at the same time as him because he was already gone. He left me and Mrs. Moore in the classroom alone together. We held an awkward stare at each other for a few seconds before I decided it was the queue to go.

♛♛♛♛♛

"Can I have your burger?" Joseph asked me, leaning over the lunch table to grab it before he could get an answer.

I slapped his hand away and pulled my tray further away from him. "No, you've already had two you greedy kid. Let me energize myself. If you really want more, you can go up there and buy one."

"But I don't have any money."

I shrugged my shoulders and picked up my burger, making sure he watched me enjoy my food. "Not my problem."

Joseph sat back in his chair after all his attempts failed. He asked everyone at our table which included three other people besides me and him. There was Brian who was more Joseph's friend than mines, Ayesha who was one of my exes, and Destiny who was one of my past hookups. We all didn't decide to come together as a group and he friends until one night we had to all walk home together from a party. We were all drunk and our rides left which left us to walk three plus miles back.

"I know where you could get a free burger Joseph." Brian beckoned, a mischievous smirk creeping upon his face.

"Where?"

Brian pointed towards the free burger with his fork that skewered his salad. "Right there."

We all curiously looked into the direction in which Brian was pointing towards. I don't know why I couldn't have guessed that it was Jacob. Sure enough, Jacob's burger was uneaten, probably because he seemed to be deeply engrossed in a conversation with his friends.

"I like the way you think buddy." Joseph put his fist out towards Brian and he returned it with his.

"Me too," Brian replied.

"Is that really necessary guys?" Ayesha finally chimed in.

"You take up for faggots now Ayesha?" Joseph accused, staring her down from across the table with a raised eyebrow.

"No, just let the guy be for a day, Jesus. Do you never tire of doing this? It seems kind of exhausting."

Ayesha was like me, a bystander. Well, she never really stuck around. She just kind of walked off whenever the other guys were bullying people. If you ask me, I think she sympathizes with them but she tries not to show it. I'd do that if I could, just saying.

"Mmm, nope!" Joseph bounced over to Jacob who still had no idea he was coming.

By the looks of Jacob's friend's faces and sudden pauses in their conversation, I could tell that they saw Joseph. It was too late though because Joseph had already gone for the burger.

"I'll be taking this, thank you." I could hear Joseph from where I was considering their table wasn't that far- Joseph did this intentionally, making us sit closer to Jacob- away from ours.

"Stop! What the fuck are you doing Joseph?" Jacob slapped his hand similarly to how I did earlier.

"I'm taking your burger obviously." Joseph tried reaching for it again but was met with another smack on his hand.

"No, you're not. Back the fuck up."

"Who's going to stop me?"

Jacob stood up this time, now face to face with Joseph. I never noticed that Jacob was a little taller than Joseph.

"The only thing your gay ass knows how to do is take it up the butt. I wouldn't count on it."

"The only thing you know how to do is pretend you're on top of shit because you live only on daddy's money. It's about time for you to grow up and stop living in someone's shadow for once."

At this point, the lunchroom was starting to go silent with only Jacob and Joseph's barking being heard. I wanted to step in and defend Jacob, I really did, but it kind of looked like he didn't need me, to be honest.

One thing about Jacob is he isn't just going to simply let himself get picked on. If he's going to be annoyed, he won't hesitate to stand up for himself, especially if it's just one person.

"Jacob you're seriously pissing me off-"

"Okay," Jacob giggled.

Joseph quite literally tackled the man onto the table. I feel bad for whoever they toppled onto. Jacob wasn't affected by this however and wasted no time pushing Joseph off of him. Joseph fell onto the floor and Jacob quickly got on top of him. He began throwing a series of punches at Joseph's face, but Joseph stopped him after the third one. Joseph used his hips to turn Jacob over, making himself the one on top now.

I swiftly dashed over to them, pulling Joseph back before he could do anymore. Also, I didn't want him to hurt Jacob. I didn't really care if he got beat.

"What the fuck are you doing man!? I didn't even get a punch in yet!" Joseph was squirming around in my arms like a little kid having a tantrum.

"You tackled him onto the table, I think that's enough for today."

I looked over at Jacob who seemed to be being comforted by his friends. If only I could be in their places. I wanted to ask if he was okay or how was his back. Technically I could if I wanted to have a few dozen people confused as to why I was politely talking to the gay kid.

Jacob made eye contact with me finally after my attempt at telepathically getting his attention. He gave me a glance of assertion, disappointment, and anger all in one. I tried saying sorry with my eyes, hoping he got my message before dragging the child in my arms out of the lunchroom.

They were definitely getting a few weeks of detention or suspension for this.