Fernando always enjoyed participating in sports. Especially football. But gym class was usually boring, even for someone with as much zeal as him. The only highlights were in the locker room, where he and his friends were free to horse around. He dreaded the two classes at the end of his schedule: gym and math. But he pressed on and walked to the locker room with his chest out and his head high. He always walked around like that. Khan had joined him as soon as the bell rang for the end of lunch, since they had their last two classes together. Buck would usually join them too, but he didn't sit with them at lunch today. Fernando found that odd.

Quickly after Khan and Fernando arrived and started changing, Buck showed up. As soon as he walked in, Fernando could feel the tension in the air. Dios mio, he thought. Fernando could tell there had been a conflict, and he didn't like conflict. He ignored it and took off his clothes. He then started chatting with Khan while observing himself in the mirror. Fernando enjoyed looking at himself.

"So, Khan, what've you been up to?" Fernando asked while flexing his muscles in the mirror.

"Nothing, really," the other man responded, peeling off his shirt.

"Heading to the gym today? You're looking a little frail," Fernando teased, turning to him and smirking.

Khan frowned. "I'm bigger than you, dude," he said, annoyed. Fernando liked to tease Khan.

"Oh, really? Mr. Hot Shot's got muscle?" he continued. He could feel Khan glare at him as he headed towards his locker to get his gym clothes. As he turned around to head back towards the mirror, he was met with the other man's angry face. Then, Khan pinned Fernando's wrists against the wall of the locker and looked him in the eye. He gulped as he was now trapped by Khan's tall, looming figure. His golden eyes stared daggers into him.

"What was that, about me being frail?" the dominant figure asked, in between heavy breaths.

Fernando felt his face turn hot as he looked away from the man's face.

"N-nothing, relájate," he stammered. Khan smirked as he released Fernando from his grip. He was thankful the man did not hold him longer, since he could already see a bruise forming on his wrists. He also didn't want to have to admit anything else. He knew Khan was stronger than him, and smarter, and more popular…

Fernando then realized that Buck had witnessed that whole exchange, and that he should probably say hello to him. He hadn't seen him all day.

"Hey Buck, what's up?" he greeted.

"Nothing much, you?" Buck responded.

"Dying to get out of school, that's all. Excited for practice tonight?"

Buck chuckled at that. "Not really," he responded. Football practice was exciting for Fernando, but his friends didn't seem to reflect that attitude. Unlike his friends, Fernando had more of a reason to look forward to practice. He slipped on his gym shorts and shirt.

"How was lunch?" Fernando continued. Buck paused.

"Good."

"Do you mind if I ask why you didn't sit with us?"

Buck paused once again. Fernando could sense that something happened, and that he missed it. Suddenly, he realized Khan was staring at them. When Fernando and Buck glanced in his direction, he quickly looked away, almost as if he was guilty. Buck looked away as well, with an angry expression on his face. Fernando frowned. He realized he needed to break the tension.

"Ay ay ay… what's happened between you two?" he asked.

"Nothing, let i-" Khan started, but was stopped by Buck.

"Nothing? You were part of it too, don't act like you're innocent," Buck cut in.

"¿Qué? What was he a part of?" questioned Fernando.

"They didn't tell you?"

"No."

Buck sighed, then said, "Well, last night, they ambushed me and Jenos, badly." Khan squinted, and then frowned. Fernando recognized that he usually did this when he was trying to think of a comeback or justify something in his head. The frown signalled to Fernando that he failed, that he was truly guilty. He turned to him, then asked, "Is this true?" Khan nodded slowly. Fernando sighed. "Why?" he asked. Khan stared into the distance, and then let out a long sigh. "L-lian told me to… she needed a driver," he admitted. Buck frowned, then asked, "Why do you let her boss you around all of the time?" Khan's face turned dark as he turned away. "It's none of your business," he muttered, "Just know I didn't want to be involved." Buck nodded at that, and then headed out into the gym. Fernando winced, then approached his friend, who was now hunched over and sitting on a bench. He sat down next to Khan, then placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Khan, amigo, it's going to be okay. It's just a rough patch, trust me, he won't be mad for long," Fernando reassured him. Khan sighed.

"I don't know, Fernando, he seemed really pissed…" he trailed off. Fernando gave him a weak smile, then responded, "No matter what happens with Buck, or even the girls, just know you'll always have me around." Khan returned the smile, and then got up to head to the gym. They were almost late. Fernando hurried after him with a spring in his step, uplifted by the new connection he had made with his friend.

/

After the class had ended, Fernando and Khan quickly changed into their normal school clothes, then headed to math class. Luckily, there were more people changing when they were in there, so it wasn't as tense as before. Fernando was relieved when he didn't have to change in the locker room with only Khan. That always made him nervous, being with only one other person in the locker room. Especially Khan. Fernando tried to clear his head and get ready to focus as the duo headed into Barik's classroom. He sat next to Khan, so focusing was always a challenge. How could I focus on silly numbers with this cariño sitting next to me? Fernando snapped out of his thoughts when the bell rang, marking the beginning of class. He sat next to Khan because he paid attention and knew how to work with numbers. Fernando, on the other hand, was clueless. He was barely passing that class, and he would be failing if it weren't for Khan's help.

Barik gave a quick lesson about logarithms and then left the class to practice. Fernando, since he had not paid any attention to the subject, was lost when he stared at the practice sheet Barik had given them. Khan had quickly started on his. He was halfway done around 10 minutes later. Fernando hadn't even started. He was staring at Khan, watching him work. He admired his intelligence and dedication to his studies. He often wished he could be more like Khan. Strong, bold, and proud, yet also quiet, intelligent, and well-mannered. Khan glanced to Fernando, which broke his trance. They both looked back at their own sheets quickly, and Fernando felt his face turn hot. Dios mio, that's the second time today, he thought to himself. He caught himself staring at lunch. None of his friends saw, which was good. He didn't need to give his friends more reasons to pick on him. Fernando tried to focus on the math, ignoring Khan next to him. He just stared at his paper and tried to process the problems. Suddenly, Khan tapped on his shoulder.

"Fernando? Class is over," he said, looking over his shoulder and onto his sheet. "Wh- you didn't do any problems?" he asked. Fernando looked up at him, mouth slightly open and eyes glassy. He had lost track of time. He then looked down at his paper. He really had done nothing the whole class. "Mierda," he said to himself. He slowly stood up and packed his bags. Khan stayed with him as he walked out of the classroom, maintaining a concerned look on his face. When they reached the end of the hallway, they both stopped.

"Are you okay, Fernando?" he questioned, "You seem off." Fernando was surprised at his sudden concern. "Todo está bien, Khan," he responded, not looking at Khan, but instead towards the outside of the campus. Khan gave him a puzzled look, then nodded. "I'm going to go to Lian and them. You coming?" he asked. Fernando paused, then answered, "No, Cassie and I are going on a date." Khan looked at the floor. "Oh, okay, see you later, then," he said quietly. He waved goodbye to Fernando as he slipped out of the hallway and turned to go to Lian's group. Fernando sighed and walked to the courtyard where he would usually meet Cassie. His mind was full, yet empty at the same time. Hopefully Cassie would be able to help him calm down. She was always there for him. He met her at their usual spot, in the courtyard right next to the theatre. He said hello and planted a kiss on her cheek. He had to, since they were still in public. Then, they walked to her house, which was on the southern side of town, close to the marketplace. As soon as they got to the house, he plopped down on the couch and sighed. Cassie already knew what was coming.

"Alright Fernando, spill the beans, you didn't say a word to me on the way here, and you've just been staring into the distance," she demanded. He remained silent, looking at her as if she had three heads. She sighed and sat down on the chair across from him. "Was it Khan?" Fernando nodded.

Fernando trusted Cassie with his darkest secrets. They had been good friends since middle school. He had been through thick and thin with her, and her with him. When they got into high school, he started hanging out with Khan more, indirectly joining Lian's group. The two both got busy with their own friends, but still went out of their way to keep in touch. She held his biggest secret, and protected it with a sacrifice. They were not lovers like everyone thought, but best friends. She did it for him, sacrificing her romantic freedom. Cassie would do everything she could for him, and at that moment, it was providing emotional support.

"He… he hurt Buck. I don't think he's coming back to us," Fernando started. Cassie perked up.

"Buck sat with my group today," she answered, "He seemed to really like us."

"Yeah, well I understand why. Lian and her posse are pendejas."

"What did Khan do?"

"It wasn't just him…"

"Fernando…"

"They ambushed Buck and his friend."

"Why?"

"I don't know, but Khan helped out. He said Lian made him."

They both fell into a long silence. Fernando thought about how Lian had an iron grip on him, how he followed everything she told him to do. He knew they were close, but were they that close? His mind filled with concerns. What if he likes her? What if just feels sorry for me? What if he never sees the truth about her?

"You think you can still get through to him?" Cassie asked, suddenly breaking the silence.

"I don't know, but if that ambush made Buck leave them, I'd say it was pretty bad," he responded, "Lian's a real puta." He continued, "He can't see that. He just does whatever she says, no matter how bad it is. He always hangs around her, and I'm starting to think that-"

"That he has a crush on her?"

Fernando nodded, looking away.

"Well, you can always hang out with our group. Buck's already made the move, and I know you've wanted to for a while," she suggested, "You won't have to be around her anymore."

"I won't get to hang out with Khan as much," he responded, "I want him to come with me…"

Cassie answered, "You can't have it both ways, at least not right now" He sighed. "I know, chica," he responded. They fell into silence again. After a couple of moments, Cassie spoke up again.

"Did anything else happen?"

Fernando's face turned a deep red. The events of the last two classes of the day came back into his mind as he looked down at his bruised wrists. Cassie noticed this, and grinned.

"Fernando…" she said, playfully, moving closer to him. He tried to speak but the words wouldn't come out.

"What happened? It was Khan again, wasn't it?" she continued, now noticing the dark marks on his wrists.

"W-well… I teased him a little bit too much in the locker room," he started.

"Yes?"

"And he grabbed my wrists and pinned me against the wall. Then he made me take it back," he said quickly, embarrassed. Cassie had a wide grin across her face. Fernando's face was hot.

"Was he shirtless?" she asked, playfully.

"Cassie!" he exclaimed, "Yes…"

She giggled and then teased him, "You totally like him!"

"That's not news!" he said, blushing furiously.

She had gotten out of her chair by now, and was dancing around the room. She chanted the phrase over and over again. Eventually, Fernando broke out in laughter, and she did, too.

"No, but seriously, that could mean something. Maybe he was trying to impress you or something?" she suggested, as she sat back down. Fernando cherished the thought of Khan trying to impress him. He felt like a child, and it felt good. He answered Cassie, "I honestly don't know. But right after that, Buck confronted him about the ambush, and then he felt really bad about it after he left, then I cheered him up, and it felt really good, and dios mio! I'm so gay for him, Cassie!" This made her laugh. "I can see that, Fernando. Did anything else happen?" she continued. He paused. "Well, I caught myself staring at him twice, and he asked me if I was okay after the second time," he added. Cassie gave him a puzzled look. "Well it's good that he's thinking about you, but I think he might get suspicious if you keep it up," she said. "He can't, I'm with you, remember?" he countered. Cassie winced.

"Yeah, about that…" she started. Fernando shifted in his seat

"I think we should, you know, drop the act," she suggested.

Fernando raised his eyebrows, then asked, "Why?"

It was her turn to blush. "I have a crush now too," she said.

Fernando gasped. "¿Quién es?" he asked.

She was obviously embarrassed. "Sha Lin. Don't tell anyone though, okay?" she said in a rushed manner. He nodded.

"Also, if we 'break up' and Khan likes you back, he won't be scared to make a move anymore," Cassie added.

"Yeah, he doesn't know that I'm actually single," Fernando said, "Or that I'm a raging homosexual."

Cassie laughed nervously. "Well, maybe you can start focusing on him more if we don't need to hold up our fake relationship anymore," she continued.

"Yeah, I won't have to worry about faking dates and kissing you in front of enough people anymore," he said, relieved. Cassie giggled, then added, "Yeah, I was tired of that too."

There was another pause. Then Fernando decided to speak up. "So, when are you going to, you know, make a move?" he asked his friend. She looked up at the ceiling. "I don't know yet. I want to become better friends with him first," she answered. Fernando nodded then answered, "Understandable."

They chatted for a couple minutes more, and then Fernando realized he had football practice to attend. He thanked Cassie, said goodbye, and left to go back to the school, making sure to stop by his house to drop off his school bag and pick up his sports equipment on the way. After lifting the weight of today's events off of his shoulders, he felt back to normal, and walked with the same confidence he always radiated. He was excited for practice, not because he liked to play, but because he liked to bond with his teammates. Especially Khan.