Arlo was almost running, it was all Jennys fault. He overslept, that’s true but the bathroom was occupied by Jenny and he had to wait till she finished. Now he was almost late. His hair got a bit messy and he was flushed from running when he reached the gate. He dashed through the car park and almost tripped on the stairs but was helped by some strong grip.

“Thank you.” Arlo looked at the unexpected helper, it was Tod.

“Where's the fire?” Tod asked, flashing a smile.

“I’m late, I need to hurry. Sorry.” Arlo freed himself from Tod’s grip and disappeared behind the main door. It took him a moment to realize that Tod was in his class too and he was walking slowly behind him. Arlo stopped and looked back at him.

“No need to rush.” Tod informed him with a chilled expression. “Today’s first lesson is with Mr Barns, he is always late.”

Indeed, they managed to get to the classroom a minute before the teacher came. It was a history lesson and Arlo wasn’t focused very much on the content as it was simply boring. The break saved him from falling asleep again. As he was checking what’s next Dan approached him. 

“Hi Arlo.” Dan greeted him and Arlo raised his head from the schedule he was studying.

“Hi Dan. What’s up?” 

“Everything’s cool but something came up on Saturday and we can’t meet.” Dan looked a bit embarrassed and even looked to the side.

“I see, well it’s a pity. Maybe next time then?” Arlo covered his disappointment with a smile.

“Sure thing man, sorry.” Dan scratched his neck and after a few seconds of awkward silence left Arlo alone.

Well so much for the weekend’s plans. That was a shame he actually was looking forward to it. For the next three hours Arlo was fully occupied with the lessons as the exams were approaching and he really wanted to do his best. During breaks nobody approached him and Arlo felt a bit lonely. The last lesson was PE. 

Arlo collected his stuff, went to the locker and grabbed his sports kit. The playgrounds here were no joke, nothing to compare with his previous school. Today they were practicing basketball. That was unfortunate as Arlo hated basketball. He wasn’t that short but his height was about five foot seven inches and during basketball matches he was a bit at a disadvantage. 

The couch asked them to divide into two teams, Tod and his black haired friend were the team captains and they were picking teammates.  Arlo was picked last by the guy called Andrew. Yeh that was bad but not so unexpected. The game began and Arlo was placed in defense. He got a hold of a ball a few times but never managed to get to  the basket. At the end of the game he wanted to block the attack but was hit by a chest full of firm muscles and landed on the ground weighted down by none other than Tod.

“Fuck man you’re heavy.” He complained while pushing Tod away. 

“Your fault for stopping me on my way to score.” Tod took his sweet time pinning Arlo to the ground before he got up. He reached his hand to Arlo.

“Come on princess, it's not the time to sleep.” Tod said jokingly. 

“Very funny.” Arlo ignored his hand and stood up on his own. 

In the end Tod’s team won and they all went to the changing rooms. Arlo took a shower and wrapped in a towel went back to the changing rooms. Tod and Andrew were following him. Arlo managed to throw a short glance at their abs. Fuck he was jealous. Surely all the girls go crazy when they see them. Life is so unfair, he sighted 

“No worries princess, next time it might be better.” He heard a random guy comforting him. Arlo gave him a fuck off look and got dressed.

“Hey Arlo.” He was stopped from leaving by Tod.

“Wait up, we can go together.” Tod was putting on a T - shirt and seemed to be finished just like Andrew.

“Cool, can I join you?.”  Andrew asked in a chilled manner ignoring looks from Tod.

“The more the merrier.” Arlo blurted the conventional response, still pissed by the fact they called him princess.

The three of them walked slowly to the car park talking about the next basketball match they had with a team from the other high school. They seemed to be excited.

“Arlo, you must come and support us.” Andrew invited him.

“Why don’t you have enough cheerleaders?” He responded mockingly.

Tod laughed.

“Well If you insist they might reconsider you joining them.”  

Arlo pouted and didn’t feel like answering to that stupid joke he provoked himself.

“Come on man. It will be fun.” Tod placed his arm around Arlo’s neck and hugged him.

“Ok, I'll come but then you have to win.” Arlo pushed his arm away and freed himself.

“That’s the plan.” Andrew agreed

“Jump in, we will grab something to eat.” Tod was already getting into his car.

“I’ll pass today. I need to study for the coming  exams. There is a slight difference in material between my old school and this one. See you tomorrow.” Arlo waved them goodbye.

Andrew sat down and looked at Tod who was absentmindedly watching Arlo going back home.

“You know today in the showers I kept glancing at him.  Man I have to admit that he is a looker and that peach round butt of his…  I sure would like to have him too.”  Andrew smirked.

“Look but don’t touch. I made quite an effort to bring him here. I will enjoy him to the max.” Tod sounded confident but was a bit angry. Arlo refused to go with him again. Maybe he was too lenient with him? Maybe he needs a bit of a push to realize who will be good for him?