Page 5 of Fast Break
“Funny how?” I return. “I don’t see the humour.”
“Don’t tell me you’re part of the outrage brigade,” Vince huffs at me. “It was just a joke.”
“Jokes should be funny,” I return, not quite ready to let this one slide for some reason. “Someone’s sexuality isn’t a joke.”
Trey is watching our discourse like a spectator, and I am pleased when he finally decides to butt in. “Yeah, bro. Not cool,” he says.
“Whatevs. Everyone is so damn sensitive these days, you can’t say a thing,” Vince just shrugs while I share a quick half smile with Trey. He squeezes my shoulder, and Marco says something, but their voices become lost in my head because I am suddenly focusing on Vince’s words, and I stumble my next step. Because Quinn Dayton is apparently gay and everything is feeling weird inside, like my blood stream is suddenly full of ants and I’m itching from the inside out.
Quinn likes guys. Quinn, the guy I have been obsessing over for the last few weeks is into guys. I wonder if he has a boyfriend. I wonder what they would look like together, how they would look holding hands. Kissing him maybe.
A surge of heat whooshes through my stomach at the thought and I quickly shake my head, not ready to investigate that response too closely. I mean, I’m not gay so I’m not sure why I’m thinking about it. Even if I wanted to be, I wouldn’t be allowed to be gay, not with parents like mine, so I don’t even know where these thoughts are coming from. Only that I need to ignore them and not think about them again.
Which is easier said than done. I can’t stop thinking about Quinn as I follow the boys into the cafeteria, claiming our usual table with the rest of our basketball bros and try to focus on eating my muesli bar. My eyes keep pinwheeling around the cafeteria, watching for Quinn, waiting for when he steps into the room. It’s nothing I haven’t been doing for the past few weeks, but I am definitely more aware of it now, now that I have actually exchanged words with him. Now that he’s actually seen me. Noticed me. Knows my name.
Quinn walks in, two friends on either side and an easy smile on his face as he shares a laugh. One of his friends stands closer than the other, bumping shoulders with Quinn and making something squeeze in my gut. Is he Quinn’s boyfriend? The guy with the long coppery hair and the easy smile?
I can’t stop watching, trying to work out their relationship by their interactions but I can’t tell. They’re definitely easy with each other and clearly have no concept of personal space as the guy with the copper hair squeezes Quinn’s bicep. I mean sure, it might just speak to their years of friendship, but I still feel my heart constrict.
“What are you looking at so intensely?” Trey suddenly asks, face close to mine as he looks in the direction I am staring. Right at Quinn and his group of friends, one of whom is still standing way too close to him.
“Nothing,” I return, forcing myself to look away as Trey studies me for a moment longer and I hold my breath.
“What’s he like then?” he asks.
“Who?” I say, panic squeezing me tight.
“Quinn. What’s he like to work with?”
“Oh, um, he’s okay I guess,” I squeak out. “Only exchanged half a dozen words with him though so I don’t really know.”
“You’re lucky you’re with him. He’s like genius level smart,” Trey grimaces. “I’m stuck with Millie Bourke, and I have no idea why Mr Peters thought that was a good idea. She’s hot as hell but she’s dumb as two bricks. We are going to be in trouble.”
I laugh at Trey’s imagery, mind tumbling back to thoughts of Millie Bourke and trying to work out whether I agreed with my cousin’s assessment of her. It had never crossed my mind to think about whether Millie was hot, but I guess she is conventionally attractive. I know she has massive boobs and always wears her shirt with the top buttons loose which explains her appeal to Trey. My cousin is many things and shallow is definitely one of them but at least he owns it.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” I say encouragingly.
“She’s coming round to my house tomorrow after school,” he grins at me. I already know where this is going.
“Don’t forget it’s worth thirty percent of your grade,” I say anyway.
“Yeah but there’s always time to squeeze in a bit of fun while we’re at it. A term is a long time.”
“Ah, Trey. Never change,” I smile, nudging him with my shoulder.
“Pity you’re not with Chanel, huh,” Trey continues. “She’s certainly got eyes for you.”
“Yeah,” I laugh nervously, hoping we can drop the topic.
“She was asking about you the other day. The girls are coming to watch the game on Friday, and she’ll probably come out after,” Trey adds, knocking me with his elbow. I ignore his suggestions.
“That’s good,” I manage, eyes back on Quinn as he and his group of friends leave the cafeteria, my gaze stuck on his retreating figure. I really need to know what the deal is with him and that guy with the long hair. Only how would I ever find out? It’s not like I can just ask Quinn if he has a boyfriend.
“You’re staring at him again,” Trey hums and my eyes snap back to my cousin.
“I’m not,” I protest.
“You were.”
