A light dusting of snow already covered the ground when Luke stepped out his door. It was the last day of school before winter break, and he really wasn't looking forward to it. His biology midterm was that day, and despite all the tutoring he was nervous about it. Then there was the big game against their biggest rivals. He was the starter for the game and that was a lot of pressure on his shoulders. To top it all off he missed Reid. He hadn't seen his boyfriend in a few days, save from their hour long study sessions to prepare for midterms. Reid was just as busy as Luke was, dealing with his own tests and special projects that needed to be turned in before final bell that very afternoon. Reid was going to try to make it to the basketball game, but it depended on how soon he was finished with everything else.
"Hey Luke wait up," he heard Chris calling behind him. He stopped and turned to see his teammate running to catch up with him.
"Be careful, man. You don't want to trip and fall today…we need you for rebounds this afternoon," Luke cautioned as Chris came to a stop in front of him.
"It's not my fault you walk so fast," Chris laughed as they started walking down the snowy street again. "Hey can I ask you something before Jordan joins us?"
"Yeah, sure," Luke said digging in his pocket for bus money. Things were still a little awkward with Jordan ever since the bowling incident and Jordan admitting his feelings, but Luke still had hope that things would get better as the New Year progressed.
"You know that girl who was with us on bowling night?"
"Amanda?" Luke nodded. He scoured around for seats on the bus before finding two towards the back. "What about her?" he asked once they were seated.
"Is she single?"
The question caught Luke off guard and he shot a bewildered look at his friend. "Huh?'
"You know…is she dating anyone right now?"
"I don't think so," Luke replied slowly. "You want to ask her out?"
"Do you think she'd say yes?"
"Seriously?" Luke asked the twinkle in his eye betraying his excitement.
"Yes, Luke for real. I mean I know she's older then us, but I'm mature for my age."
"Then ask her out," Luke said shoving his friend playfully. What do you have to lose?"
"She could say no." Chris said frowning.
Luke gave him a look of encouragement but said no more as Jordan joined them in the back. "Hey, Jordan. Are you ready for our test," he asked even as Jordan pulled his book out of his bag.
"This will be a breeze for me," Jordan admitted shrugging his shoulders. Are you ready?"
Luke nodded and the boys spent the rest of the bus ride talking about school and what they would do over Christmas vacation. Luke was a little bummed that everyone would be out of town except for him. Jordan's parents were going skiing, Chris was going to visit his brother in Vermont and even Reid's family was leaving. He was looking forward to Christmas with his dad and his grandma…but even that would be different this year since his parents were getting divorced.
Luke was standing at his locker when he felt a presence behind him. He turned to see Reid grinning at him and he immediately dropped the papers he'd been holding to give his boyfriend a hug. "I've missed you," he said pulling back to look at him. "Is that bad?"
"Have I managed to turn you into a klutz?" Reid smirked as he leaned down to pick up Luke's things. "I saw you standing here so I thought it would be a good opportunity to say hello. And for the record I have missed you too."
Luke smiled and stole a kiss before taking his papers from Reid. "Good luck with your projects today."
"Good Luck to you too, Luke. I know you are going to ace that midterm."
Luke gave his boyfriend another hug before rushing away to beat the final bell. Reid shook his head as he watched him, before turning to close Luke's still open locker. He sighed contentedly before heading away to his own classes. It was going to be a hectic day and he wanted to try hard to complete everything so he could make Luke's game.
By lunch time he had checked off more than half his tasks off his list and he was taking a short break before heading to a conference with his guidance counselor. He had just set his tray down on the table when he felt hands over his eyes. "Alright Manda, I know it's you. You're the only one besides Luke who can get away with that nonsensical game."
"And how did you know I wasn't your boyfriend?" Amanda smirked as she took a seat beside him. Reid gave her the "are you serious" look which she found hilarious. He rolled his eyes as he listened to her giggle, but his face clearly showed his amusement. "Okay, so seriously you won't believe what happened to me today?"
"Tracey Johnson tried to steal your Chem notes again?" Reid asked partially distracted by the food on his tray.
"No…that's not something that happens to me, Reid. This is something cool anyway."
"I'm listening."
"Christian Anderson just asked me out."
"Really?" Reid asked even as he tried to place the name. Wait, you mean the basketball player?"
"Mmmhmmm," Amanda nodded.
"Luke's friend, right?"
"Yep, the one and only."
"Did you say yes?" Reid asked curiously.
"I told him I would think about it" Amanda shrugged.
"Well, if you like him then say yes. If you don't like him like that then tell him now. So it won't seem like you are leading him on."
"Wow, listen to you doling out relationship advice. Luke really has you wound tight doesn't he?"
"Fuck off, Amanda."
"Ouch, foul language, I definitely hit a nerve," she teased.
"Being with Luke has definitely opened my eyes to certain things," Reid admitted. "But we were talking about you. Chris seems like a nice guy, and he's friends with Luke…and he didn't actively encourage Jordan when we went bowling."
"He didn't really discourage him either," Amanda said thoughtfully.
"He seemed to stay out of it…and he has good taste so he can't be all that bad. And you're older, so I bet it took a lot of guts for him to ask you out. I say go for it…if anything you can gain a new friend. Sometimes opposites just attract…look at me and Luke."
"Well, he invited me to the game this afternoon…I hope I can make it."
"Speaking of which," Reid said looking at his watch. "I better go or I won't make the game, and I want to be there for Luke." He stood and kissed his friend on the cheek before walking off with his tray. Amanda smiled and gathered up her things. She had things she needed to finish up before this afternoon as well.
The gym was already packed when Reid ducked inside. He quickly made his way courtside knowing his boyfriend would have saved him a seat just in case. Sure enough there was a jacket folded next to a man Reid recognized as Luke's dad. The man smiled as Reid approached and moved the jacket so he could sit down. "Glad you could make it," He said handing Reid the jacket. "Luke wanted me to give this to you."
"Thanks sir," Reid said holding the jacket in his hands. He looked around to his left and his right before burying his face in the denim fabric attempting to find any traces of his boyfriend's scent amongst the fibers. He lifted his head when he felt a hand on his shoulder and he saw Mr. Snyder staring at him. He smiled shyly and placed the jacket in his lap and turned his attention to the game. He wasn't good at small talk, and he was glad that Luke's dad seemed to realize that. As it turned out Luke's father wasn't much for small talk either, but both of them cheered rather loudly each time Luke scored a basket or made a rebound. By the fourth quarter Luke's team was winning by a considerable margin.
"If he makes this shot they make it to the first round of semifinals," Luke's dad explained. Luke was dribbling the ball up court somehow managing to dodge all the players who dared to stand in his way. He passed the ball to Chris who quickly passed it back just in time for Luke to shoot. The crowd was completely silent as everyone including the players on court watched the ball sail through the air. Reid and Luke's dad stood along with the rest of the crowd waiting with baited breath as the ball balanced on the rim before swishing through the net at the sound of the buzzer.
The gym erupted with applause as Luke's teammates crowded around him. Chris lifted him up on his shoulders and Reid beamed at him proudly as they locked gazes. As if it were possible Luke's smile widened and his eyes grew brighter, and as his teammates finally settled him down on his feat he didn't break eye contact with Reid. Reid set the letterman jacket down on the bleachers and made his way to the court with the sole intention of giving Luke a congratulatory hug. Luke wrapped his arms around him and kissed him completely oblivious to all the cheers and catcalls around them.
Luke's dad smiled and clapped along with the crowd. He was proud of his son, and he had to admit that he liked Reid, he thought he was just the type of man he would want his son to be with. While he enjoyed the public display of affection with the rest of packed gymnasium, there was one spectator who wasn't as pleased. He sat surrounded by people chattering and cheering, with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. If anyone bothered to look they would have thought he was sore that the team had won, but truthfully his eyes were on the couple who were currently lost in their own world.
"You know you really should learn to smile."
Jordan turned to see who had spoken to him, and was surprised to see the girl from the bowling alley sitting beside him. "What do you care?"
"They're cute together," Amanda said looking out at Reid and Luke who were walking back towards the bleachers. "He cares about Luke a lot."
"And you're telling me this why?" Jordan asked facing the girl head on.
"Because," Amanda said standing to shoulder her bag, "at some point you have to learn to be happy for your best friend. Otherwise you'll lose him completely." She walked way without another word leaving Jordan with a lot to think about.
"So guess who has a date tonight?" Chris asked when he and Luke were the only ones left in the locker room.
"You asked her out?"
Chris nodded as he bent down to tie his shoe laces. "She gave me my answer right before I came in to get dressed."
"That explains the goofy grin," Luke laughed. "That's great news, Chris. Hey why don't you come out with me and Reid? We can all go celebrate the win, and the beginning of winter break. Maybe we can even get Jordan to join us."
"No Jordan," Chris said shaking his head quickly. "I love the guy, but I actually want to have fun tonight and he's just too much work."
"Okay," Luke relented with a sigh. "I was hoping to hang with all of you before you leave, but I'll just call Jordan later."
"You do that." Chris stood and slapped his friend on the shoulder. "You ready to get out of here?"
"Yeah let's go they're probably waiting for us."
Sure enough Amanda and Reid were standing outside the locker room chatting. Reid was now wearing the letterman's jacket, his hands buried in the pockets as he leaned against the wall. "That looks good on you," Luke said coming to slip his arms around his boyfriend. Reid pulled his hands out of his pockets and placed them on Luke's shoulders.
"Are you ready to go?"
"Do you mind if Amanda and Chris join us?" Luke asked nodding.
"Manda was going to suggest that actually. You two really are too much alike."
Luke smiled and kissed his cheek before moving to take Reid's hand in his. "Okay let's get out of here."
After much discussion they headed to Bob's for Malts. Chris ordered a formidable feast which made Reid smile. "Wow I think we'll all get along well," Amanda laughed. "You eat as much as Reid here."
"I'm a growing boy," Chris said shrugging his shoulders. Luke giggled behind his hand and shared a look with his boyfriend, as they both remembered when Reid had used those same words.
"Well I think it's time for a toast," Reid spoke up once they had their malts. "I'm not very good at articulating, but I figured I could give it a try. It has been a very tricky semester, but there were some surprises along the way," he paused as his gaze landed on Luke, and some definite missteps, but I trust that the New Year is going to run much smoother."
"And I'm just glad I have a girl to spend New Years with," Chris interjected. "Unless I'm presuming too much," He said turning shy as he looked at Amanda.
"Actually I like the idea of having someone to ring in the New Year with." Amanda smiled and took a sip of her malt.
"You'll be back by then right?" Luke asked facing Reid."
Reid nodded and took a sip of his own drink before placing it on the table. "I will most certainly be able to spend New Year's Eve with you. But tonight is about you and Christian for your great game."
"To Luke," Chris said holding up his malt again.
"You won the game too," Luke pointed out."
"It was a great game and you both deserve kudos," Amanda pointed out. "Now let's eat while everything is still hot."
"Is she always this bossy," Chris asked Reid who only laughed. Luke couldn't wipe the smile off his face. His boyfriend was laughing which in of itself was nice, but even better was the fact that Reid was getting along with Chris, which was good for both him and Amanda. He was going to miss his friends while they were gone, and he didn't know what to do about his parents, but for the time being at least he was content.
