Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“I can’t believe you convinced me to come to a football game,” I teased Emil when he climbed the stands to greet us.
I was with Leah and Justin, whom I knew from tap and ballet, but it wasn’t until Emil had properly introduced us that I felt comfortable meeting them at the game and sitting with them. It was nice getting to know other students from the program.
“Pretty different from our dance uniforms,” Leah said, and Emil chuckled. He was wearing a military-style outfit with yellow tassels, brass buttons on his burgundy jacket, and a tall, stiff hat.
“So you made it through,” Emil said to me. “It’s not so bad, right?”
“No, I suppose not. I had no clue what was going on, but you can’t help getting swept up in it all.”
I’d admit some of the hits made me cringe. I knew they were wearing pads and equipment to soften the blows, but I had no idea how harsh it would look in person. And when Henry was tackled by those huge guys on the other team—linebackers?—I silently hoped he was all right.
I wondered if he even knew I was here, though it was okay if he didn’t. I didn’t even know why I was here. And he had more important things to worry about. Like avoiding huge men chasing him to tackle him to the ground. I couldn’t even imagine.
Besides, what in the hell was I doing thinking way too much about a football player I knew from childhood? We might’ve shared a kiss back then, but that was as innocent as it was accidental.
“Why do you hate football so much?” Leah asked.
“I don’t, not really. But in high school some of the jocks were horrible, and I got teased constantly for being a dancer.”
“I hear you,” Justin replied with a frown. “And I got it doubly hard being Black.”
“Why are people so narrow-minded?” I said around the tightness in my throat. “There’s no denying how talented you are. People suck.”
“Thanks.” He sighed. “It’s why I don’t like most people. Except maybe one or two.”
“Like Jessilyn?” Leah asked as Justin’s gaze homed in on someone down below.
“Luckily, the cheer team is right in my line of sight,” Justin said with a wink, and Leah clapped excitedly.
“Maybe you can talk to her later.”
“We’ll see.” Justin shyly dipped his head. “Glad I’m not the only one who had no clue what was going on in the game.”
“I might understand more than you two, but I’m just here for the tight pants,” Leah said with a sheepish smile.
“Same!” Emil and I replied in chorus, and everyone laughed.
“Is there a pair of pants you admire most of all?” Emil asked Leah.
“I’ve got several good options.” She cast her gaze toward the field as if imagining the players there. “Like number nineteen.”
“Oooh, Henners, huh?” Justin said. “I hear he doesn’t date much, though.”
“I’m only looking, not trying to date him.”
Why was I holding my breath through this part of the conversation? I finally snapped out of it when I felt Emil staring at me with a strange look on his face.
“Gotta go change,” Emil said. “Wait for me?”
“Sure thing,” I said, and Justin and Leah agreed.
We retreated to the parking lot to wait for him, and I felt a little awkward that Henry’s parents were waiting nearby too. His mom glanced at me a couple of times, but his dad pretended I didn’t exist. I so did not want to be around to watch their exchange with Henry.
If his parents were so uptight about his cancer scare, imagine how they’d respond to him not being straight. It’d been a huge deal that he’d even told me. Or rather, didn’t deny it. Though after our closeness in the supply closet, I was going to guess my suspicions were correct.
Suddenly I felt bummed that he didn’t have his parents’ support like I did. Mom knew from an early age I was gay and just waited for me to finally tell her. It explained the times my stepdad seemed uncomfortable around me, but Mom always smoothed the way. Not that it mattered anymore. He was long gone.
I had only been with a couple of guys in high school, but at least I could cry on my mom’s shoulder when one of them hurt my feelings. Who did Henry have?
Thankfully, Emil was one of the first people out of the building, carrying a garment bag, likely with his uniform inside. It probably felt good to change into jeans and a sweatshirt because the material seemed heavy and hot. “Walk to the dorm with me to drop this off?”
“Sounds good.”
We trudged across campus as dusk fell. What did the students do in the evenings around here? Guess I was about to find out.
Once back in his room, Emil stored his uniform as we got settled on the bed and resumed our conversation from the walk over. We all agreed that the dance instructors were nice but strict, especially the History of Dance professor, who was a bit stuffy and didn’t smile that often. Justin seemed a bit worried about the upcoming fall program and how it would affect our grades. He’d been involved in as many recitals over the years as I had, but he still suffered from stage fright. I just chewed my cuticles raw the night before. Somehow that seemed much worse because I had the evidence to prove it.