Jake and Marley sing Question! by System of a Down. Which is a pretty awesome song, I discovered, thanks to Gabbyluv23.

The same reviewer suggested that Josh and Ryder could do a song by a female (although they suggested it could be RnB). Tincho P suggested they could do a TGP song. So they sing My Life Would Suck Without You. Hopefully it qualifies as something Ryder hasn't sung before.

On Monday in glee, Jake and Marley were the first to perform. They'd managed to find a song, and Jake had to admit it was pretty cool. Even if neither of them usually listened to that music. And their voices harmonised on it really well.

When they finished, everyone applauded politely. Jake noticed the way Josh had to take his arm back from around Ryder's chair to be able to do so. It was kinda sickening. He purposefully looked away as he made his way back to his seat.

Soon it was Ryder and Josh's turn to sing. They shoved at each other as they made their way down the risers. They watched each other the whole way through the song, throwing an arm around each other as the song came to an end. Jake didn't know why they had to be so obvious about their relationship. It was disgusting. Surely he and Marley weren't that bad.

He had to admit though, the song was pretty good. He would hate to think how long they'd worked on that yesterday. Or how they'd spent their breaks. Nope, not worth thinking about.

Xxx

Jake made his way to the gym. He, Ryder and Marley always hung out there during their break on Tuesdays. He and Ryder would mess around with a basketball, and Marley – he didn't know what Marley did.

When Jake entered the gym, he immediately spotted Ryder and Josh. Ryder was trying to teach Josh how to shoot a free throw, body hugging Josh's, arms wrapped around his. It was kinda ridiculous really, considering how useless Ryder was at scoring goals.

It seemed that Ryder was whispering instructions in Josh's ear, and Jake really didn't want to watch that. So he picked up a stray ball, focussing on bouncing it gently. He concentrated on a line on the floor, trying to make the ball land on it each time.

The next time he looked up, Ryder was defending Josh while he tried to do a layup. Jake watched as Ryder went in for a tackle, the two of them collapsing to the floor. They were rolling around now, wrestling in a fight for dominance. It made Jake think of something else, and he felt his anger growing. He couldn't stand the thought of Ryder doing that. Especially with Josh.

His emotions running high, he flung his basketball across the gym, listened to the thunk-tha-thunk as it ricocheted off the bleachers. He heard Marley give a shocked little squeal. Stupid girl, he found himself thinking, it wasn't that close to hitting her.

Ryder had spotted him now and he was heading over, extending a hand when he got close. Jake was surprised. Was this a thing now? But he took the hand anyway, leaning in to whack Ryder solidly on the back.

When he pulled away, Josh was there as well, his hand out, looking hopeful. Jake just scoffed before turning back to Ryder.

'So, shall we continue our game of one-on-one?' Ryder seemed torn, looking from him to Josh, trying to make a decision.

In the end, Josh made it for him. 'It's ok, I need to go anyway. Figgins wanted to see me, something about my transfer.' He and Ryder did their secret handshake before he gave Jake a hopeful smile – which he pointedly ignored – and then Josh was off.

Jake felt relieved to have Ryder back to himself, no pesky boyfriends getting in the way. Seriously, Josh was irksome, and in more than just an 'I'm eternally positive' kind of way. Jake didn't know how he was gonna handle having to see the two of them every day.

He tried to clear his mind, wanting to focus on the time he had now with Ryder. Especially since he didn't know how much of his time he'd get now. Usually, when they played these games, they'd chat as well, talking about everything and nothing. He racked his mind for something to say. Now would be a perfect time to get the official word on Ryder and Josh, he figured.

'So are we still on for tomorrow's COD marathon?' he eventually asked instead.

Xxx

As he walked down the hallway the next day, Jake spotted Ryder and Josh standing at Ryder's locker. Josh was fixing Ryder's hair, speaking in a hushed voice. Ryder laughed in response, hand coming up to touch Josh's elbow. Jake didn't know why they didn't just make out in the middle of the hallway.

Jake felt himself pull Marley closer to him. She looked up. 'What's wrong babe?'

'Nothing.' But he pulled her closer still, spinning her around to kiss her. The kiss was forceful, the pressure bruising. It was brief though, Marley pulling away sharply.

'Seriously Jake, what's wrong with you?' She wrenched herself out of his grip, stalking off down the hallway.

Jake watched her go, trying to work out what he'd done wrong. Suddenly, he felt a presence beside him. It was Josh.

'Hey, man. Can I talk to you for a minute?'

Jake huffed a sigh. 'If you must.'

'Great.' Josh's smile got broader. 'I just wanted to say that I'm not gonna get in the way of you and Ryder. I know you two are close.'

Jake couldn't help but snort. 'Shouldn't I be saying that to you?'

Josh looked confused. 'What do you mean? You're Ryder's best friend.'

'Yea, but you're dating him.' It came out as a desperate whisper, Jake not wanting everyone around him to hear.

'No. No, I'm not. I'm straight.'

'Really?' He tried his best to sound derisive. 'Because I don't usually find straight guys kissing another guy at two on a Sunday morning.'

Josh was starting to look panicked now. 'That was just a one time thing. I was just trying it out.'

'And obviously it didn't spin your wheels.' Jake let out a hollow laugh. 'Does Ryder know that? Does he know you're not together?'

'Yes, of course. We talked about it. Besides, what would make him think we're together?' Josh seemed genuinely confused.

'You two are pretty touchy-feely.' Jake's voice trailed off, the argument starting to sound a bit weak.

'That's just how we are. How did you not know that about Ryder?' Jake didn't reply, just continued to stand there. 'Anyway, as I was saying, I don't wanna get in the way of your and Ryder's, um, whatever it is.'

'Our friendship?'

'Yea, sure. That.' Jake wanted to ask what Josh meant, but he was already walking away.