I’m going to do it. I’m going to do it now. I have to tell Rivven Hase how I feel about him. That one kiss under the bleachers has been replaying in my mind for the last ten days. I can’t get over the feel of his onyx strands of hair in my hand or the taste of him on my lips. I need him so bad it’s primal. Who cares what everybody else thinks? It’s 2025. Boys kiss boys. I don’t want him to hide from me.

He leans against the brick wall with a cigarette in his mouth, listening half heartedly to whatever Marcie Goldbun is saying. His eyes are on me, and she’s oblivious as I march forward.

I’ve been rehearsing my lines for days and I continue to do so as my doc martens crush dandelions and lush grass on the school lawn. Stark determination sets in as I close the distance. 30 feet. 20 feet.

Suddenly I’m on the ground, not looking at Rivven, but inhaling a face full of dirt. I cough and sputter as some jock apologizes profusely.

I roll on my back and groan as I register what the hell happened. The world spins for a moment then corrects itself as my ears ring.

“Jack!” Riv huffs as he crouches down next to me.

The refrigerator of a jock was running full speed and looking behind him to catch a football when he barreled into me. I was clearly no more of an obstacle to him than a flowing stream to a trout.

“Damn,” I rub my head as I sit up in hopes that he doesn’t see the embarrassment flushing my cheeks.

“Are you okay?” He places a hand on my face and runs his thumb across my bottom lip where I bit it.

I sense eyes on us. Marcie gasps at the show of affection.

The school’s most popular basketball player, class president, womanizer, and legend amongst his peers for Friday night ragers is leaning in to kiss the outcast. Not just an outcast. Another boy. Me. In front of everyone as they rush towards their respective transportation to get home.

“Riv-“

“Shh, I know what you were intending to say to me,” he whispers.

He seals his once hidden feelings for me with a kiss in front of everyone.

Maybe he feels bad for me after I took such a hit. But I don’t care. All I feel is him.