Chapter 3

Nobody talked to either of them on Tuesday. There were plenty of people whispering though. This was not unusual for James but was very strange for Michael. None of his friends talked to him during classes either, no talks about the games last night or the rugby fixture they had on Wednesday. He knew this would happen, but he naturally felt uncomfortable. At lunch he sat with James and his friends, the spots were being ‘saved’ at his table. However, he had this oddly relaxed feeling, the same way he felt when he was around James, even though he was still in school.

After school finished, he decided to go talk to the friend he had known since childhood �" Alex, to see if any of his old friends would say anything to him. He walked up to him. “Alright?” he asked.

“Yeah.” Replied Alex.

“Doing anything recently?” asked Michael. He didn’t have much experience talking about anything other than sports, with people other than James.

“Just the usual. Watching football, playing FIFA, playing COD. Dating women.” He emphasised the last sentence. He saw his friends laughing further down the corridor. “Oh, come on. Don’t take it personally, we al have phases. When I was 12, I watched anime.” He laughed.

Michael sighed. His friends really were insensitive idiots. “It’s not a phase.” He said, in a calm tone. “This is who I am.”

“Sure, sure. Tell me, do you have a crush on me?” Michael looked at him in confusion. “I know you want me. Admit it.”

Michael thought very hard about what to say next. “I don’t like you at all. I have standards.” He walked away and all the friends began laughing at Alex.

“You really are into that weirdo, aren’t you.” Michael turned around and everyone looked at him. He ran back at Alex and grabbed him by the collar.

His tone completely changed, “Don’t you dare insult James again. If you go anywhere near him, I will kill you. Understand?” Alex was terrified, he knew that Michael could probably knock him out in one punch. He nodded. “Now apologise.” Michael demanded, in a still quiet but fuming voice.

“I’m sorry.” Spluttered Alex.

“Good.” Replied Michael, and he pulled on Alex’s tie and kneed him in the balls.

“Of course, you would knee me in the balls, you bender.” Shouted Alex desperately trying to regain his pride, as everyone laughed at him.

“Bye Alex.” Said Michael in his normal, calm tone, and he raised his arm but didn’t look back, in a goodbye. Alex wanted to chase after him, but he was in too much pain.

 Michael walked down the corridor; people weren’t talking behind his back. He walked outside and he saw James, sitting on a bench, waiting for him. James waved at him, his smile immediately cheered James up and his glistening brown eyes were calling over to him. Michael ran over to James, James kissed him. “Alright?” Asked Michael.

“Yeah fine. How has today been?” They hadn’t talked since lunch and didn’t get to talk for long enough then. They began to walk to their spot together.

“Fine. I got a bit mad at Alex, he was annoying me, and he called you a weirdo.” Michael was glad to talk to James, and the anger had all dissipated.

“Well technically speaking seeing as a low proportion of England is gay, I am natural but not ‘normal’.” James jokingly explained to Michael. “But thanks for standing up for me anyway.”

“You’re a funny guy James.” Laughed Michael, and they both smiled.

They walked in silence for a minute or so, and as they walked Michael’s light, blond hair bounced up and down. James was watching that the whole time and smiling at it. Michael noticed this and he looked at James and asked. “What are you looking at?”

“Your hairs so cute. The way it bounces. I know that sounds weird.” James was a bit embarrassed, but he loved it. Michael laughed but didn’t say anything. He also loved James’ wavy black curtains, and how they pictured his face so perfectly. James’ mum was Korean, and he got all the best parts of that, Michael didn’t say that to James though.

They kept on walking, and they talked about music. Once they got to their spot, Michael lay his head on James’s chest and they looked at the sky, whilst James ran his fingers through Michaels soft hair. Michael spoke to James about how he couldn’t see him on Wednesday because of Rugby, and he had training on Friday as usual. James didn’t like not talking to Michael after school, it gave him something to do, which is why he played in the chess club on Fridays. He would play, with the hope of eventually beating Michael, the score was currently 43-0 to Michael.

“Hey Michael. I know this isn’t what I’d normally ask, but you like Lego right?” James asked.

“Of course.” Michael did love Lego, but he was a bit confused.

“Well, I just bought the new Indiana Jones set, do you want to build it together? That is if you’re ok using the pdf instructions.” James asked, he thought it would be fun, but he thought he’d look dumb if Michael said no.

“It’s a date.” Laughed Michael.