“What are you doing here?” Evan walked up to them. His deep, crisp voice cutting into Sam immediately.

“Get lost on the way to the bathrooms? Your classes are not even in this hall.” Evan Interrupted snarkily.

Sam stopped walking, chuckled. “I came to see Leo, of course,” he said as he turned to look at Evan instead of Leo. He had a smug expression on his face. But he slouched as if he were completely chill with the conversation.

He rocked back and forth on his heels while smiling humorously, a hint of a challenge at Evan. His dark creamy skin glinted in the sunlight cast through the windows. The strong rays of mid-afternoon sun glared off his skin, casting his face into a light shadow as it highlighted his long neck and collarbone.

Leo heard Evan’s breath suck in and looked down to keep the smile he had grown on his face hidden.

He had to admit Sam was very attractive. Actually, that was one reason he felt so insecure right now. If Sam had been just anybody he wasn’t sure it would have been any better, but it would have certainly been better if it wasn’t Sam.

Because Sam was beautiful.

He was like a ray of warmth; he had a great personality. Beautiful body. He was what people would call a beautiful person inside and out. And from what he understood he was from a decently well off family. Was kind, generous, helpful, and good at sports.

He was everything Leo was... But like More.

And that was what was making Leo buffer and stop before even trying to see if he had a chance with a guy like Max. Or even being in their friend circle. He felt like it was almost a bad match. As if they had failed to make the cut.

Did he really have a right to stop the something that was obviously there between them?

Especially if he was only like maybe a medium copy of what Max already had available to him?

Like Leo knew he was a beautiful person too, but in a tamer, more delicate, pretty way. Where Sam was beautiful in the sweep you off your feet, manly, prince charming way that people searched for. Bad boy, dripping sex appeal and desirability, just from his easy, relaxed mannerisms.

Despite them both being so similar in height, both of them a few inches taller than Max. They both had dark curly hair, Sam’s skin was a darker tone, but bronze and exotic looking to his pale alabaster cream one. Sam’s hair was red, while his hair was a dark brown it was almost black.

But the huge difference was Sam took time on his appearance, care. There were days where he wore his hair straight, curled, swept back. Fashioned in ponytails. And cute little clips. Nothing was off limits. He was bold. In a charming enthralling way. It was hard to compete with someone who rivaled you in everything but was just enchanting in every way.

So despite them both being smart, coming from good family backgrounds, getting decent grades and being in good standing with their respective classes. There really was only one way they differed. And that was that Sam was good at sports, running. Just like Max.

They had common ground

And Leo was good at... ‘Cheering for sports? Coming from a family that was slowly breaking apart at the seams and just barely holding it together for appearance’s sake. His amazing outgoing personality? Yeah right, none of those were desirable qualities.’

‘And was that even a talent, cheering, no? Lacking confidence? No, broken family… none of these were pluses.’ He sighed.

‘So he was lackluster. But only just...’

‘But didn’t that automatically disqualify him?’

Like he was pretty sure people who were just not good enough, just shouldn’t run in a race because that would only lead to them getting hurt.

So wasn’t living the same way? You don’t take part if you’re just going to wind up regretting it later after you fail because it wasn’t something that could have ever worked.

“What do you think, Leo?” a voice asked. Snapping him out of his pity party.

Leo looked up to see that Evan and Sam were both looking at him. Both their faces scrunched up angrily, but expectant.

‘Was he supposed to do something?’

“Ummm, sorry, what? I got sidetracked there for a second. What did you say?” He said sheepishly, feeling suddenly very anxious.

“Sam said you would go back with him. Since Max wants to see you and wants to know if you are okay.” Evan said and scoffed.

“I told him you don’t want to go. He asked if that was true, and why?” Evan turned to look at Leo expectantly.

Leo thought for a second about how to answer this, how to do so without revealing his attraction to Max or offending anyone.

“Of course, I am okay? Why wouldn’t I be?” Leo said, brushing it all off. Hoping Sam would buy his act.

“But he said, that you said... that I upset you earlier,” Sam said carefully looking back trying to make sure he got that straight.

‘Because I got to watch you guys all over each other before,’ he thought, annoyed. ‘And I wanted that to be me, so I wanted to bitch slap your handsome little face.’

“It was nothing important, the moments passed,” Leo said and twisted his backpack’s shoulder strap. Pretending to be okay.

Sam looked at him, quirking his head to the side.

“It doesn’t feel like everything is alright.” He said, his handsome face scrunching up in concern.

Leo was about to open his mouth when he noticed Evan cleared his throat and coughed.

He turned to watch his friend and tried not to snicker as Evan worked to re-schooled his face into the impatient annoyance he wore every time he spoke with Sam.

Sam looked back up at Evan and Leo.

“Do you have something to say,” Sam asked, intrigued by Evan’s attitude at him.

“Oh, wow, give this guy a cookie he has brains, after all. You mean it isn’t all air up there.” Evan said, pointing between Sam’s ears.

“That pretty little face of yours has the smarts behind it.”

“Fan Freaking Tastic!”

“He is mad at you, both of you!.” Evan said, flabbergasted. Leo gaped.

‘What the hell is he saying spilling my secrets?’ Leo panicked.

“Wait at us... At me?!!” Sam said incredulously.

“Yeah, you dolts. He is mad at you!” Evan sneered.

Leo watched as Evan rolled his eyes at Sam. And he did his very best not to feel mortified inside at the directness Evan was taking for all of this.

“And so am I. In fact, I would appreciate it if you didn’t come and bug either of us ever again,” Evan added, responding snidely.

“Wait, why are you mad at me? I only met you today!” Sam asked Evan taken aback.

“I find that I feel like I am becoming stupider every second I spend with you,” Evan said snarkily, then grabbed Leo.

Leo yelped as Evan dragged him away with no warning whatsoever.

✥✥✥

Sam stood there watching them go dumbfounded. He flushed as people who had been passing by in the hallway snickered and walked away faster pretending they hadn’t heard a thing.

“What?... The Hell... Just happened?!” He stared at the now mostly empty hallway. His voice echoing off the walls. A few girls giggled and waved at him. He waved back lackluster.

“I’m always nice! How did I just get two enemies?” Sam turned around, scratching the back of his neck gently while walking back towards his classrooms.

His brain was in a knot. ‘He was just supposed to go get the cute little Leo for his boy Max. How had things ended up with him being insulted and looked down on...?’

‘By... By some brat!’