Kyle felt incredibly frustrated after the previous day's events. Once Kyle had excused himself and tried to find out why Cole was so upset earlier the boy in question completely brushed him off. He couldn't even get a word in without Cole cutting him off and running away. And though Kyle had a general idea of what may have upset his friend when it came to specifics he was completely clueless.

Like for example, why was Cole so upset that he was talking to Angela? Why would he be upset that he planned to go on a date with her? Or what if he wasn't upset about any of those things at all?

Kyle had never felt as dumb as he did at this moment. It made him wonder if school really helped at all. Now, when he needed to use his brain the most during the hours of searching and hoping to find something, his brain came up with nothing. It was upsetting and also a little concerning to Kyle.

He had decided late last night that he would stop trying to come up with an answer or even a hint, and actually get ready for bed like he was telling his parents. Now the morning after not only was he still confused, but he was also tired. While eating breakfast Kyle sent Cole a quick text but he didn't respond, further worrying Kyle. 

When Kyle did get to school the first thing he did was speed down the halls to Cole's locker. He leaned against it and pulled out his phone to wait for Cole.

But at that moment Cole had no idea that Kyle was waiting for him and had stopped on his way to his locker to talk to a friend from class. Ten minutes later when Cole walked up to his locker he was surprised to find Kyle waiting there so patiently. 

"What are you doing here?" Cole asked, startling Kyle into acknowledging his presence.

"Cole!" Kyle burst out, sheepishly rubbing his neck afterward when he realized how loud he got. "I was here for like fifteen minutes, I want to talk to you." Cole wasn't sure how to react but he set his mouth into a hard line and rolled with it anyway.

"About?" Cole stepped a little closer to Kyle as he tried to ease the taller boy away and reach his locker. He wanted to get his things but Kyle was just not cooperating. "Kyle, I need to get to my locker." Kyle shook his head and took both of Cole's shoulders into his hands.

"Talk to me, why are you avoiding me?" Kyle was bent down to try and force Cole to hold his gaze but as he asked the question he struggled to keep it from getting too deep. "I thought we were chums." He added as an afterthought.

Without being able to help himself Cole laughed, frowning afterward at his moment of weakness. "Damn, you," Cole mumbled under his breath, pouting a little. Kyle grinned and all of Cole’s pointless fight was gone, having left him in an instant. Kyle saw the shift in mood and let out a small fist in triumph.

"So do I get the answer to my question now?" Kyle asked jokingly. Cole pondered on Kyle's words for a moment.

"No." Stunned by what Cole had said, Kyle froze. Taking the opportunity, Cole was able to slip out of his grip and open his locker.

"What, why?" Kyle whined annoyingly, coming up behind Cole. Kyle did not realize how close he got to Cole and decided to ignore it. It was a much better idea than to lean back into Kyle's warm body sighing as he felt all the soft skin against firm muscle.

Cole blushed but his face was hidden and it went completely unnoticed.

"Why?" Cole turned around to look at the black man against him. "Because it was stupid of me, you shouldn't worry about it." Kyle was unsatisfied and not convinced but Cole refused to say anything more and eventually, Kyle settled with what he got.

With the tension successfully eased Kyle felt great and all thoughts of dating and relationships went out the window. His world seemed practically perfect again.

Until class rolled around.

—————

Kyle was floating blissfully in the clouds until he spotted Angela once again. He would've liked to be able to say that he had mixed feelings when he spotted the hazel-eyed girl but in reality, he was far from happy to have to speak to her again. The prospect of being in a relationship, whether it is with her or not, did not seem like that much fun anymore. But Angela looked up at him, her eyes meeting his, and gave him such a beautiful smile.

Kyle didn't want to back out, Angela was such a sweet girl and Kyle was lucky to have the opportunity to go on a date with her, possibly even date her. There was still quite a bit of time before class started so Kyle walked up to Angela and began to 'make conversation.’ In other words, flirt.

"Hey, Angela." Kyle greeted her. He let a subtle smirk fall onto his expression as he spoke to her. "What's up?"

Angela seemed to have a bit of trouble computing the attention that was currently aimed her way by Kyle, she was a little frazzled. On one hand, it looked like Angela loved the attention, figuratively eating up. But on the other an uncomfortable blush set into her cheeks and Kyle noticed some nervous sweat appear on her forehead. From what people said about the girl in front of Kyle he thought that the girl's shyness would come off as a little cute, some adorable stuttering here and there. But now, talking to her and really paying attention, he noticed that it was much worse than he had originally anticipated.

Kyle did not let this revelation show on his face and was happy when Angela eventually relaxed and became comfortable with him and his presence. They ended up having a really wonderful conversation and Kyle was glad to have come to talk to her. When there was a pause in the conversation Angela brought up the one thing that Kyle had wanted to avoid for as long as possible.

"So we didn't discuss it the last time that we talked." Angela's eyes were wide and a soft smile was on her lips when she suddenly remembered, her fingers went to toy with her shirt and her head went down to watch the action.

"Talk about what?" Kyle asked innocently. Kyle's face scrunched up as he tried to remember. He hadn't yet realized that Angela had moved onto the dreaded subject. He had no clue for a while and thought long and hard until it finally dawned on him.

He thought pleadingly to whatever was listening in hopes that they could change what Angela meant. Oh please don't let it be- 

"Our date, doofus!" She laughed and Kyle struggled to do the same. He wanted to smack himself in the face for not being excited, even further upset that he couldn't even convincingly appear to be. He was sincerely having a blast until she brought up their date and now he was as tense as a board. If only he could be as straight as one too, that would probably fix his problem. Kyle briefly wondered if he should actually go through with this. But Angela looked so happy, he would be a literal son of the devil if he ruined that.

"So Friday." Angela said after they arranged a time, looking at Kyle for confirmation.

"Yup," Kyle popped the P and kept the semi-fake smile plastered on his face. "I will see you Friday." Their teacher walked in a few minutes later, by that time Kyle had already gone over to his own seat, and from there they all started class.

"Good morning class!" Ms. Reed greeted them cheerfully.

—————

"What do you mean?" Angela looked confused and tears started to form in her eyes.

"Look I'm just being honest." Kyle casually shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sure you will understand." Kyle almost cringed when he saw that it didn't work.

"I don't understand anything!" Angela was almost yelling now and a couple of other patrons in the restaurant looked over to view our display. "Why would you put chili peppers on the pasta?! Have you no shame?!" Kyle shrugged, bringing the delicious morsel up to his mouth.

"There's no shame in eating something that tastes amazing." He told her, slipping his fork into his mouth and chewing extra slowly. Angela shook her head but continued to eat her normal pasta.

The two of them were having a pretty good time but a dark cloud still hung over Kyle the whole time they ate. Did he really want this? Did he really like her? And the scariest thought of all, did he simply like someone else?

As a teenage boy, most other guys his age were either obsessed with sports, obsessed with video games, obsessed with school, or obsessed with girls. Sure he kind of had the sports thing going for him but he still felt as if he should be more into girls than he was. Kyle has had a girlfriend before but it lasted for a really short amount of time and there was just no spark. 

Kyle tried not to think about what that meant much, but now that he was trying to have a date and similar feelings were showing up, he was forced to acknowledge the obvious. He wasn't into Angela even though she was one of the coolest people he ever met. He might not be into girls. And sure there is a chance that Kyle just did not find the right girl yet but there was just no urge for any girl at this point. Going on this date with Angela had made this glaringly clear.

Kyle did not feel confident enough to think about what he might be into instead but now he knew that he had to be honest with Angela. When they started to dig into dessert Kyle calmed down his rapidly beating heart and looked at Angela.

"Hey Angela," He could feel his heartbeat speed up again, but when Angela looked up at him he knew that he did not have any more time. "I don't think that I can see you anymore after this." Tons of emotions showed on her face and even as she spoke she still hadn't decided which one to choose.

"Huh, why? Did I do something wrong?" She asked Kyle, her voice sounded confused and desperate. Kyle's eyes widened and he scrambled to clear up her misunderstanding.

"No, you're a perfect Angela. It is just that you being so perfect made me realize that I think that I'm just . . . not into girls." She looks completely stunned and it was actually funny to Kyle to see her eyes turn into golf balls.

"Really?" She asked still in disbelief. Kyle nodded slowly and her eyes shone. "Well, that sucks balls." Kyle laughed since even though she looked disappointed her playful tone was still funny.

"I'm sorry Angela." He apologized sincerely. "You are so great and I really thought that I would feel something." She waved off his apology, seeming to have recovered from the news quickly. Angela didn't want Kyle to continue ranting his apologies so she shut him down as best she could.

"I get it, you don't have to rub more salt in the wound." Kyle winced and she just laughed, finding his guilty reaction hilarious. "I'm kidding! Calm down." She was now laughing at him but he didn't really mind, she wasn't super upset and that was all that mattered to him.

"So we're cool?" Kyle questioned, a grin building on his face. Angela smiled

"Yeah, but now you have to be my friend.” Kyle frowned and shook his head.

"No."

Angela paled and she folded into herself with Kyle's serious reply.

"Oh, I just thought that we were cool." She explained dejectedly. Kyle laughed and Angela's mouth opened in shock. "You little shit."

Kyle gave her a cheeky grin and she climbed over the table to whip his shoulder.

"You are going to be such an annoying friend." She grumbled.