|| BRAD ||

"Yeah, of course, I'm coming..." Said Noah. I stared at him and blinked. Was it that easy to ask him? "...I'm in choir, and I would like to come to sing the national anthem before the game for extra credit," he added in. That hit me hard. For a moment I really thought he'd mainly like to come and watch me play. "... though I don't think I'll be staying after," he said.

My tilted to the side, "why not?" I questioned him with a frown.

"Who are we against again?" Noah asked. It was quite bizarre for him to say.

It didn't really answer my question, but I replied on his behalf, "our rival school, TopStar high," I said. He grimaced with a scowl then sunk his head low whilst glancing sideways. I raised an eyebrow at him, "is there something wrong?" I asked with concern.

"It's complicated," he sighed. Judging by his uncomfortable body language, I dismissed the topic and asked why he can't watch me play again. "I..." he sounded so unsure. He looked at me deeply while I was waiting for his answer with anticipation. He closes his eyes for a moment then opens them, "I'll think about it," he said.

"Brad, get back to your seat," I heard a voice that sent chills up my spine. Noah stiffened along and I slowly turned my torso 180 degrees like a victim in a horror movie. There stood Mr. Masson with arms crossed. "S-sorry sir," I said and made my way back to my chair next to Taylor.

"Welcome back," Taylor said with a smug grin. I rolled my eyes at him and leaned forward on my desk with my hand supporting beneath my chin. I know that as rivals, the schools wouldn't really like each other, but Noah's reaction was odd. Usually, we would all act grossed out by the sound of our school's rival's name, but Noah seemed uneasy, almost scared. Trying to avoid falling into deep thoughts I tried to shake it off my head and looked at him. Quietly on his seat, Noah continued reading his book in peace.

With everyone's paper finally turned in, others started playing on their phones and having conversations with each other. James went over to Noah and started talking to each other. Judging by the fraction of words I've heard like 'singing' and 'football', it was obvious as to what they're talking about. I have to admit that I am a bit envious of how close James and the others are close to Noah. Constantly talking, laughing, hanging out together. Noah usually doesn't make many friends, he makes acquaintances, and you would be very lucky if he could consider you more than just acquaintances. We're friends... right? We've talked, but he doesn't come over to voluntarily start a conversation. I just want to be more than friends. I want to be more than just best friends. I want to learn more about him and see what it actually feels like to have a boyfriend. I want him to be my boyfriend.

-

Lunchtime, the usual. I'm sat down with my group at our common spot., watching Noah at his table from afar. "Stalker much," I heard Taylor who is sat beside me. I turned and glared at him with a growl. "

Just shut up dude," I folded my arms on the table and rested my head on it.

"What's up with him?" Zack said and poked my shoulder.

"The guy's been obsessing over Noah," Taylor said. I looked up and saw that Liam was nodding in agreement.

"Wow, I don't think I've ever seen you behave like this ever since you've dated Annabel," Jackson chuckled. I felt a twinge of pain in my gut and heart. I turned once more to look at his table. Noah and Annabel are both smiling with glee. "He reminds me of her," I uttered.

"Noah and Annabel?" Jackson said.

"Well, to be fair, those two have many things in common," Zack said, "those two are close, like inseparable siblings," He added. A part of me was glad that Noah's gay. If he were to be into girls, he would have definitely fallen for her. Annabel was such an amazing girlfriend. She's pretty and smart.

She was the best girlfriend ever. But behind that sweet character of hers, I had a feeling that she didn't feel the same for me for unknown reasons, but I didn't want my hunch to be true. And it seems to be true. It really a shame that our relationship ended. She started putting distance away from me and I had no idea why. When I asked her if something was affecting her, she wouldn't tell me. I didn't know what I was doing wrong, or why she suddenly couldn't talk to me. One day, she pulled the trigger and came to me in privacy.

She told me that she wanted to break up.

She told me that it just was not going to work for us. I couldn't believe it. I asked why, but she wouldn't tell me. Even though lots of things and moments foreshadowed us breaking up. I begged for her not to leave me. I begged that I would do better. I was trying to anticipate it, but it still hurt me so much.

And with that, my heart broke in agony.

"Dude," I hear someone say and felt what seems to be an elbow nudging my side. I was brought back to reality and stared at Zack and blinked with a dumbfounded expression. "Geez, you've been staring at them for so long that they noticed you and were giggling," Zack said. With him mentioning it, I was gazing off at their general direction while in deep thoughts. I glanced back at them to see Noah waving and giving me a grin. Shit. I covered my red face in embarrassment and groaned.

"Wow, you weren't kidding Taylor," Jackson said with such amusement.