It was only early October and the seniors were feeling stretched too thin. Between advanced classes, debate club, sending out college applications, and hanging out with his friends, Leon wished he could split himself into several different people just to get everything done.
During homeroom, the seniors were discussing the universities they were applying to. "I'm not sure if I wanna go to a big university or like, a small one," said Joseph. "Like, a tiny classroom means if I decide not to show up to class one day the professor's gonna definitely know."
Malcolm shrugged and said, "I'm just gonna go to the one that gives me the biggest scholarship. It's not like I'm some kinda trust fund white kid. And I'm not good enough for a sports scholarship. I only got onto the varsity track team cuz seniors can't do junior varsity."
"Dude, you can totally get a scholarship! You're this light dude with these long ass legs and you run way faster than I can," sighed Joseph. "If I had your legs I would be the best in the state."
Malcolm rolled his eyes and gave him a light shove. "Even when you try and compliment someone you're still an arrogant asshole," said Leon, smirking.
"What about you, Trots?"
"Me? Well…I haven't decided actually. But I'm with Malcolm on the whole scholarship thing. I can't afford student loans."
"You can always commute. There's a bunch of good universities around here. Speaking of which…" Suddenly Joseph leaned over onto Leon's desk and stared directly into his eyes. "How about going to college with me?" he said, softly. Leon's face turned bright red as he tried to sputter out something incoherent.
Malcolm averted his eyes, almost embarrassed for the two of them. "Koba, man…"
Suddenly Joseph stood up again and laughed. "I just need someone to pay for my gas!"
Leon relaxed slightly, his face still hot. "Jesus, you're such a fucking opportunist, honestly…"
"WOAH WOAH WOAH! You kiss your mom with that mouth?"
Mr. Marx walked into class at that exact moment with a look at disdain towards Leon.
Grumbling, Leon buried his head into his arms as Malcolm and Joseph snickered.
-x-
As usual, the club met at room 420 that afternoon.
"Tomorrow we'll be holding elections," announced Vlad. The room seemed to buzz. The three incumbents' positions were secure, but it was going to be a mad dash for the treasurer position.
"I know we usually hold elections at the end of the year but we need a treasurer otherwise we'll lose club status. So, is anyone interested?"
Several hands went up instantly. Angela, Fidel, and Malcolm scowled at each other. "Malcolm, you can't be treasurer! You're too busy with track!" protested Angela.
"Hey, you don't know my life!" he retorted.
Vlad slammed his hand down on the table before anyone could say anything else. He was deceptively quick to anger despite his usual serious expression. "Everyone shut the hell up for a second. If you've got other commitments, that's fine. So long as you can make it to the council meetings once a week, you'll be allowed to serve. Otherwise we'll have to replace you."
The three of them continued to stare at each other. The club was full of extremely competitive people. Usually they were content helping one another but ego sometimes got in the way of cooperation.
Vlad sighed and massaged his temples, something he did when he was frustrated. "So, vice president Joseph and secretary Leon, do you have anything to add?"
"Yeah. You're so formal all the time," said Joseph.
Leon glanced at him and cleared his throat. "Can I go over the schedule quickly? I just want to remind everyone that tomorrow is our first competition of the year. Also uh…Friday night we're having a party to celebrate, whether we win or not. Che's parents are gone for the week and he graciously let us spend the night. So you should all chip in as much as you can for, um….refreshments."
For a moment they were all painfully conscious of Mr. Marx's quiet presence in the room. "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs," he said. Thankfully, it looked like he wasn't going to give them a lecture on underage drinking.
"Whoever is elected treasurer today will also work with Leon on planning and funding events. Also you'll have to beg the administration to approve our budgets and stuff so make sure you keep that in mind," said Vlad. He sighed again just thinking about the elections. "Anyway, let's get this thing over with."
-x-
Angela won by a thin margin and both Fidel and Malcolm demanded several recounts until Vlad tersely reminded them that there were only 9 people in the club, and that some of them wanted to get home before midnight.
After locking up the room and handing the keys at the principal's office, Joseph and Leon headed down to the parking lot.
"Who's in charge of jello shots?" asked Joseph. Leon shrugged. "I guess Vlad's getting the alcohol again. I think if you grew out your beard you'd look old enough to buy us alcohol so the guys at the store don't get suspicious," he said.
"Well, if you like my beard, maybe I should grow it out."
Leon's palms began to sweat. Sometimes Joseph said things that made his heart beat a little faster than usual. Maybe it was because he was such an assertive guy. He rarely appeared nervous or self conscious, to the point where most people assumed he was just arrogant. Leon realized Joseph's arrogance wasn't just a front. He really did handle all aspects of his life with the same kind of fire.
Leon on the other hand worried about everything. He took himself far too seriously at times, which meant he was often stiff and inflexible. Unlike Vlad, who rarely lost his serious expression even when angry, Leon would often passionately defend himself instead of simply dismissing Ludacris accusations. He had a difficult time dealing with criticism and failure. For that reason, he admired Vlad and was now beginning to appreciate Joseph's determined yet carefree attitude.
Yet that wasn't exactly why he felt so strange around him. Leon never felt this way with Vlad. Something about Joseph made him incredibly anxious, but in an almost positive way.
"Dude. You just look older with the beard."
"Am I looking too much into it?" asked Joseph. Suddenly he stopped. "I'm serious about the college thing by the way."
Leon's face burned. Go to the same college as Joseph? Surely, he wasn't just being environmentally friendly.
"I…I haven't decided what I want to major in yet," he muttered. It was a half-assed lie. Why would Joseph want to go to the same university? It was such a bizarre request that Leon had no idea how to respond. Maybe it would be easier for the two of them to adapt to the college life since they already knew each other? But then he wondered if Joseph had asked anyone else the same question.
Joseph was quiet, as if Leon had said something he needed to meditate on. Then he shrugged and continued walking like nothing really happened. "Yeah, okay. Lemme know if you change your mind."
Leon's throat felt too dry to even speak. They drove home with nothing but the classical music softly playing on the car radio. When they arrived at Leon's house, he muttered a quick thanks and bolted from the car.
If he had spent another second near Joseph, he might have said something reckless.