Was he trying to fool me again? Fool me one, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Wait, I didn’t like that. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice,shameron you. Yeah, that was better.
“Cockfighting is with roosters,” he explained.
Yeah right. You had to get up pretty early in the morning to fool Ryan and then the joke was on you because getting up early sucked. Also, “Why would you want roosters around your coc—”
“No, it’s two roosters!” The laughter wasn’t just in his voice, it was out loud too. “Theroostersare fighting. That’s what cockfighting is.”
…
He might be making that up, but when it came to which one of us was more likely to do that, only one of us was Ryan.
“Oh,” I said distantly. That’s what cockfighting meant.
My whole life was a lie again.
Luke shook his head, still chuckling quietly. “Did you really think it was—"
“I don’t know,” I muttered defensively. “I just heard the name and got a little lost daydreaming about it, so I never paid attention after that.”
There was silence.
I looked at Luke. Luke looked at me. I was looked at by Luke. Luke was looked at by me. Luke looked at me looking at him looking at me and then the silence was over.
We both started laughing.
8. Learning Experiences
Kablamo! That, and other things, will make sense eventually.
Luke
The revised plan for senior year was having fun with my boyfriend and getting good grades. The grades part was a tall order already, so anything else needed to be low maintenance, not a hassle. I’d still be playing ball, but it wasn’t as big a deal.
What seemed like a big deal and a definite hassle?
The principal wanted me to provide feedback about the school’s tolerance policy. Luke the bi dude, giving his bi opinions about being bi. I was basically just trying to make it through my life. Providing larger thoughts about my experience or the queer narrative or something? Ha,no way.
In an effort to not discuss my sexuality with an out of touch educator, I was currently avoiding the principal. He was well-meaning and he loved the dumb tolerance policy. Telling him it was dumb would be like delivering bad news to Santa Claus. Who wanted to give bad news to Santa Claus? In addition to never getting presents again, what if he cried? Didn’t feel like making a grown man cry.
Ted and I were going to class and then I saw the principal at the other end of the hall. I turned the other way and decided my best bet was to hide outside. Ted’s green hair wasn’t subtle.
“You just run away from all your problems now?” Ted asked mildly when he caught up with me outside. Well, I could shave his head but that wouldn’t solve everything.
“Doyouwant to spend time with the principal discussing diversity and feelings and stuff?” I countered with a question of my own. If he said yes, that would be awesome. He could do that instead of me.
“Okay, you got a point there.” Damn. “What about the team though? You haven’t done anything about that problem either.” Ugh, not him too. I already had Zach bothering me about this.
The doors behind us opened, and I glanced around briefly for somewhere to hide, but it was only Zebras—Kevin, his name was Kevin. “Are we skipping class?” he asked eagerly.
“No,” I told him firmly. “Go to freaking class.”
“Would you tell Luke to stop being a pussy and step up?” Ted addressed the junior, speaking over me.
I laughed shortly. “Really don’t think he wants me as captain.” He was one of the guys to approach Zach about leading the team instead.
Kevin looked uncomfortable, but he hesitantly met my eyes. “It’s just, I kind of forgot that you’re the only one who organizes exercising and hassles us until we go.”
I would hardly call reminding the same thing as hassling and—
