It was lunch break at school and that day, both Mike and Fluke decided to drop the canteen’s food and have some snacks that they bought from home. They sat on a bench and started to chit-chat munching their food.

“I think Ron from the other section is gay. What do you think?” Mike out of nowhere asked Fluke about a boy.

“Hugh! Umm...I don’t know.” Fluke was startled by his question.

“But I’ve a strong gut feeling that he’s a gay.”

“What if he is? Do you despise gay people?” Fluke asked.

“No! That day I saw him peeking at Davis, that famous football player who hit you. Ron was sneaking at Davis like any other fan girl. I think he likes him.”

“I hope someday he gets the courage to go to him and tell about his feelings. I hope this society could accept them.” Fluke imagined his situation.

“Oh! See those players coming back to play after lunch. Hugh! Can’t even sit calmly for a moment!” Mike rolled his eyes in displeasement.

“I think we should move. I don’t want to get hit again.” Fluke started assembling the wrappers of the snacks they just ate.

“Wait! There’s no shade on the other side. I don’t want to get tanned.” Mike pouted. “Five minutes! Can we stay here for five minutes?”

“Ok!” Fluke agreed.

Mike smiled and leaned on his shoulder. Soon they both gazed at the field where the players were warming up before the match.

“He is really a good player now.” Mike spoke.

“Who?” Fluke asked scanning at the field.

“Max of course!”

Fluke glanced at the figure busy strolling in the field whose eyes were already at Fluke.

“See those girls are flocking again.” Fluke was a bit jealous of how they could easily get around Max.

“But he isn’t interested. He never gives his landline number to any one, except for the teachers. He is a hard shell to crack.” Mike prompted as he continued leaning on Fluke’s shoulder.

“Mike! You know a lot about him. Are you interested in him?” Fluke suddenly started to teased him.

“Shut up!” He sat straight and continued, “Do you wanna know more?”

Fluke nodded. But at the back of his mind he giggled as he already mastered in knowing about Max’s background before they started the relationship.

“Uhm! Uhm!” Mike cleared his throat. “Listen! Max’s parents live abroad so he stays alone in his apartment. But he is a good kid. He never invites any of his friends in his house. He has a good character indeed.” Mike was describing those things that Fluke already knew.

“But I’ll be going today.” Fluke murmured and shyly giggled.

“What? Did you say something?” Mike found his words unclear.

“No...nothing! Do you want this extra piece of bun?” Fluke tried to divert his question.

Actually last night when Fluke opened his Maths textbook, he found a bookmark inside. It was written, ‘Let’s have a group study tomorrow at my house. We’ll go to my house directly after school - Max.’

Therefore Fluke was extra excited today. This will be the first time he’ll visit his boyfriend’s place, not to mention that he lives alone. Thinking about that made his heart skip a beat.

‘UGHHH!!!! I’m so nervous!!!! But I shouldn’t be nervous. It’s just a group study.’ Thinking that in his mind, he gulped.

“Hey!” Someone from behind approached them all of a sudden. When they looked back, it was Davis.

“Hi!” They greeted back and stood up in respect.

“Hi! I’m Davis. Davis Scott of class 10.” He looked at Fluke while introducing.

“Hello senior! Of course we know you. You don’t have to introduce yourself.” Mike greeted him back.

“Hey! What’s your name?” He asked Fluke.

“My name is Fluke Hedge, senior.”

“Sit! You don’t have to stand up. Look! I came here to apologize to you, Fluke. I’m really sorry for that day. I missed the ball and it directly hit you. I’m really sorry.” Davis bowed his head.

“It’s fine! This is a long gone case. I’ve already forgot about it. And thank you. My friend told me how you carried me back to the clinic. Thanks for that.” Fluke smiled.

“I had to do that. I was really guilty.” Davis took a small step towards Fluke. “Fluke! I’m thinking...just as an apology...I’ll treat you a meal today...if you are ok with it.”

“Hugh!” Fluke looked surprised at the sudden meal date.

“Only a meal...today...as an apology...if you don’t mind.” Fluke could see Davis being nervous.

“There’s no need for that. I’ve already recovered.”

“Please!” Davis looked directly into Fluke’s eyes. “I’m feeling bad. I’ll feel guilty until I do something for you. Please! I insist.”

Davis’ eyes were sparkling. For a moment Fluke couldn’t take off his eyes from him. ‘What is this person doing? Does he really want a meal date with me?’ Fluke was in loss of words as his mind accumulated these thoughts.

“Umm...” Suddenly Fluke remembered his plans with Mocha.

“Fluke! It’s just a matter of a meal. Moreover, senior will be at ease after this.” Mike whispered onto my ear.

“But...” He was irritated. Not with any of them but with the situation. If it was on any other day, he would have easily agreed, but today he had plans. he can’t miss this chance of going to his boyfriend’s place and having a good time. It was more suffocating because he couldn’t say it directly to them.

“Fluke! Are you not comfortable with me?” David asked, perhaps looking at Fluke’s displeased face.

“No...I...actually...” Fluke was in loss of words.

“Hey senior!” Someone came running to them.

It was Max. He came running towards them from the field directly. His face was sweaty and so his body. His dampened hands and face were shining in the sun’s rays. For some unknown reason, Fluke couldn’t take off his eyes. He had never seen him so close dampened with sweat. He looked alluring.

“Max! What happened?” Davis asked as three of them looked at Max’s tired face.

“Senior! Aren’t you playing with us today?” Max asked huffing.

“I’m coming. By the way, Max, aren’t you in the same class with them?” Davis asked him.

Max nodded.

“Could you tell Fluke to accept my apology?”

“Apology?” Max instantly looked at Fluke at a confused state. Fluke never told him about the person who hit him.

“Yes! Some days ago, I missed the ball and it hit his head. So as an apology I wanted to treat him a meal. He accepted my apology but he’s not coming for a meal.” David cleared it out.

“Oh!” Fluke could see the change of colour on Max’s face. “It’s up to him. If he accepted your apology but doesn’t want a meal, then it’s fine.” He spoke plainly.

Of course Max was also excited about today’s group study. Fluke was assured Max would come up with some excuses so that their plan isn’t ruined. So to help him, Fluke added, “It’s a gone thing. I don’t want you to apologize for that senior. You already helped me reach the clinic on time.”

“But...” Suddenly Max interrupted. “But...if senior is saying so much about being apologetic, I think Fluke should accept the request. By this, senior will also get a peace of mind.”

“-----“ Fluke was shocked. His mouth wide open and eyes popped out. It seemed unreal for him to understand what his boyfriend just said.

“See! Your friends are also telling you. Now you can’t say no. Let’s meet after school near the school gate. Bye.” Saying this, Davis ran to the field. But Max stood there. He looked at Fluke and said, “Aren’t your shoulders hurting?”

“-----“ Fluke seemed confused at the question.

Max now looked at Mike and said, “Why were you sticking so close to each other? It’s so hot today. What if he gets blisters around his shoulder?” Max then again turned to Fluke and with a concerned face, he spoke, “Go and sit somewhere near the fan. It’s too hot here. What if your wound open’s up.” Saying this, he ran to the field.

Fluke was still in shock. He was still figuring out at what just happened. Moreover Fluke was concerned and got depressed when he realized that Max had already forgotten about their study date. ‘Wasn’t he too excited about our group study? Or was it only me? Did he forget about it?’ These thoughts continued to rumble in his mind.

“Fluke! So it’s decided. You’re going on a meal with the handsome boy. If his fan girls knew about it, they’ll follow you two.” Mike laughed.

Fluke was least bothered about what Mike was speaking. He was still looking at the field, particularly at the figure who just now gave him a shock.

“Hey! Let’s grab some drinks. By now the canteen should be less crowded.”

“You can head to the canteen. I’ll just finish one thing and get back to the class directly.” Saying this, Fluke rushed towards the field.

Fluke ran and ran until he was obstructed by some flock of girls. “Max! Max!” Fluke started shouting. But the crowd was noisier. They were shouting and screaming the name of the boys who were playing football.

Fluke went to the other side of the field and started shouting again, “Max! Max!”

Finally Max turned back and came running towards him. “What? Did you get hurt again?”

“No!” Fluke smiled looking at his concerned face.

“Then what happened? I came from the middle of the match.” Max brushed his sweaty stands of hairs.

“-----“ Fluke was awestruck at his beauty. With the sweat and red cheeks, he looked tempting. No wonder girls flock around him.

“Come! Let’s go somewhere else.” Max pulled him aside.

“No! It’s nothing private. Umm...did you forget that we were going to your house for group study today?” Fluke asked lowering his head, playing with his fingers while feeling anxious.

“I remember. But it’s senior who invited you. You can’t decline him just like that.”

“-----“ Fluke looked up at him. He was serious.

“I want you to go with him if he wants. And about the group study, we can do that any other day. It’s not a big deal.”

‘It’s not a big deal!’ Those words were harsh. Fluke’s heart suddenly flickered. “But I was really excited about today.” Fluke lowered his head. He was upset not seeing Max as excited as he was.

“Fluke! I was also excited about it. But what to do? I respect and owe a lot to senior and I want you to do the same. Please go with him for my sake.” He gazed at Fluke.

Fluke nodded.