It was the last class of the day. The last twenty minutes of the day and everyone was excited to start their weekend. Xavier and Divine were in their science class, working on the final touches of their oceanography project that was due at the end of class. They were seated at their usual table beside one of the only four windows in the room. Xavier was paying more attention to the world outside the window than to Divine and Divine was paying more attention to fumbling around in his book bag than to the project. So basically, no work was getting done.

“All we have to do now is put the glitter on the ocean.” Divine said when he looked up and saw Xavier’s inactivity.

Xavier just yawned as he tried to pry open a jar of blue glitter sitting on the table.

After a while, Divine spoke up. “Why do we need glitter, again?”

Xavier paused for a moment, then shrugged. “It will make the ocean sparkle... Besides, the more work we put into the visuals, the less attention Mr. V will pay to your... I mean our report. You need all the good grades you can get to pass this class.”

Divine just glared at him. “That was a good report!”

“I’m not saying it was bad. I’m just saying that if you had let ME type it up like we had planned, I would be more confident in the grade we can get.” Xavier said, still trying to open up the jar of glitter.

“But that means you would be doing all of the work! I know you’re used to working by yourself because no one else wanted to... I know I’d be if I did everything on my own for three years.” Divine started off talking, but he ended in no more than a mumble.

“What does that supposed to mean?” Xavier protested.

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“What are you writing anyway?” Xavier asked as he watched Divine pull out a crumbled up sheet of paper and a pen.

Divine tried to hide his smile of embarrassment by biting his lip, but it didn’t help much. “I’m asking your sister out.”

Xavier was surprised. “She is only in the ninth grade.”

“We’re only in the eleventh. It’s not that big of a jump.”

“It may not be to you, but it is for Claire. Besides, she’s got her eyes set on a twenty-one year old.”

Divine silenced Xavier by holding up his finger. “Don’t say her name out loud. The fact that she wants a twenty-one year old means that she’s not afraid of an older man.”

“That is just wrong... Heteros these days.” Xavier whispered. “I’ve got one piece of advice for you.” Xavier said out loud, tapping the jar of glitter against the table, then he realized he would get in trouble if he broke it. Xavier turned the lid again, but this time, it easily came off. “Never leave a paper trail. Why don’t you just go up to her and ask her?”

Divine thought for a moment, stuffed the sheet of paper and pen back into his book bag then looked around as if he were about to say something confidential. “I can’t. I get all nervous. You know how it feels when YOU know that the best way to ask Roger out is to just go up to him and hope he doesn’t beat you to a bloody pulp.”

Xavier rolled his eyes. “That is very reassuring.” he said sarcastically. “Thank you for that boost. Now I REALLY feel like talking to him.”

Divine shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Don’t take it so hard on yourself... The only way to find if Roger swings both ways like you do is just go up to him and ask. Maybe you’ll find somebody better than Roger. You’ll get your chance.”

There was a short silence.

“Eventually.” Divine added.

“Thanks a lot! I was actually feeling pretty good until you screwed it up with the ‘eventually.’ You would make a wonderful motivational speaker.” Xavier said angrily.

Divine’s icy blue eyes turned to the table and a frown crossed his features. For a moment, Xavier just watched him, but Divine did nothing.

“I was just being sarcastic.” Xavier said in an apologetic tone. Divine just glanced up at him and after a moment, a smile played with his lips.

“You need to grow a backbone.” Divine said, trying to hold back a chuckle.

“A backbone?”

“Yeah. I need to grow one, too. Both of us aren’t going to get anywhere if we don’t put the nervousness aside and just talk to who we want to talk to.”

Xavier thought about this a moment. He dumped the contents of the small jar into a pile on the poster in front of him. After a long minute of contemplating, he nodded in agreement. “For once, you’re right.”

“What do you mean ‘for once’?”

“Don’t worry too much about that.”

For a long moment, Divine just glared at Xavier. A thought crossed Divine’s mind. “Oh, I just remembered something.” Divine said as he reached into his book bag and pulled out a small, narrow bottle of orange-tinted cologne.

“What’s this for?” Xavier asked, eyeing the bottle suspiciously.

“You can have it.”

“Why?” Xavier said, taking the bottle out of Divine’s hand. Although Xavier was used to Divine always carrying around a collection of different colognes, this was one of the first times Divine just gave one to him. Normally, there was a special occasion coming up, or Divine had a sneaky plan up his sleeve. “What’s the occasion?” Xavier asked, one of his eyebrows arching.

“Relax. My dad gave it to me.” Divine said, moving the poster closer to him so he could get a better look at it. He put his finger into the mound of glitter Xavier had dumped on it, knocking it over, then cupped his hands around it to push it back into a pile.

“That still doesn’t explain why you’re giving it to me.” Xavier said as Divine snatched it back before Xavier could spray it on.

“Don’t do that!” Divine protested.

“I didn’t know you were THAT slow. You’re SUPPOSED to spray on cologne.” Xavier said. After a moment’s hesitation, Divine sprayed a cloud of cologne into the air.

“Do you like it?” Divine asked.

Xavier leaned forward slightly into the quickly disappearing mist and took a whiff. “I don’t smell anything. Spray it again.”

Divine tried to cover up his nose while spraying again. Xavier was able to get a good smell of the cologne.

“I like the smell of it.” Xavier said. “Are you going to give it to me or what?”

Divine didn’t say anything at first, he just moved his hand away from his nose long enough to slide the bottle across the table, but it was a bit too long. He almost immediately inhaled the cloud of cologne then violently sneezed, sending the pile of glitter high into the air. Xavier covered his face to prevent any from going in his eyes.

The loud sound of Divine sneezing made a few other people look their way, but it wasn’t long before they lost interest and turned back around. “It smells sort of like sweet smelling cigars... My dad smokes cigars and I can’t stand it, so the scent of the cologne fucks up my sinuses. That’s why I’m giving it to you. I can’t use it.”

Xavier opened his eyes, his face and hair now covered with blue glitter. Divine couldn’t help but smile.

“You do not want me to tell you what you look like.” Divine said. “But I’ll give you a hint, it’s your least favorite F word.”

Xavier wiped at his face as glitter fell from his arms and the front of his shirt. “You don’t me to tell you what I feel like covered in your snot.” Xavier said sarcastically. He wasn’t really covered in snot.

When Xavier had removed the majority of the glitter from his face, arms, and shirt, he turned to Divine, who was just watching him.

“Get a tissue, your nose is running.” Xavier warned.

Divine trusted Xavier’s words and stood up to get a tissue. Xavier turned back to the table to see if there was any glitter left that he could use. Although quite a bit ended up on him, there was still plenty left for the poster. “He will never learn.” Xavier said.

******************************

Xavier walked into the gym after school to pick up his sister for their walk home. Claire was sitting at the bottom of the bleachers, tying her shoes. “What? You actually participated today?” Xavier said sarcastically.

Claire rolled her eyes. “That stupid teacher told me he’d give me a flat zero if I didn’t participate in class. I do agree with him though... It’s not my fault, though. Those were outfits that hadn’t been worn yet! I had to put them in somewhere before school ended.”

“Sure... It’s never innocent little Claire’s fault... Blame it on your clothes.” Xavier just laughed slightly.

Claire rolled her eyes before she smiled slightly. “Your man is here.”

Xavier turned in the direction she was pointing and saw Roger Copeland playing basketball against one of his friends.

Xavier couldn’t help but smile at the way Roger’s jersey clutched his sweaty body in all the right places. The way Roger moved so smoothly and gracefully across the court as his every move made Xavier even more excited. Roger was quite thin, but he loved basketball just the same. His small frame was capable of things the more muscular players couldn’t do.

Xavier snapped out of his thoughts when he realized something Claire had said and turned back to her. “What do you mean MY man?”

Claire finished with her shoes and stood up. “Go on ahead and claim him before that girl does. He’s yours!” She said, patting him affectionately on the back.

Xavier blushed, glancing over his shoulder to watch Roger.

“Um...Z... You do know that your hair is covered in glitter, don’t you? Don’t you know that glitter in your hair is girly, right? Wasn‘t it yesterday that you gave me the definition of a guy who behaves like a girl?”

“It’s Divine’s fault and where the hell did you get Z from?” Xavier said, turning from Roger to glare at Claire.

Claire giggled. “It’s what Roger called you... I think it suits you.”

Xavier was about to say something, but what his sister said registered in his mind and he paused, his mouth still open. “Wait... Did you say that Roger...?” Before he could even finish his sentence, his sister nodded.

“He was asking about you a few minutes ago. He wanted to know where you were. You are a few minutes late, you know. You usually come right after the bell rings but...” She stopped in mid-sentence.

Her brother obviously hadn’t heard her. “That means he knows my name! That means he must be at least a little bit interested in me!”

“Sssh! Not so loud. Don’t get your hopes up...” Claire said. She was lying to her brother, but she could keep a straight face about it. In reality, Roger had never mentioned Xavier to Claire. In fact, the two had never even spoke to each other except a few greetings during the day. She did feel a little guilty lying to her brother, but she was only doing it to give him the confidence to finally talk to Roger. She felt that it was all in good cause.

Xavier turned back around to see Roger take a 3-point shot. It ricocheted off the rim and bounced toward where Xavier was standing. Xavier felt that this was his chance to finally talk to Roger. He bent down to pick up the ball and stood back up.

“Throw it back!” Roger yelled from across the court. Xavier was about to, when a plan stuck itself in his mind.

Xavier took a deep breath. “No. Come over here and get it.” Xavier ordered, then turned to look at his sister, who was eagerly retreating back to the bleachers. When she turned around and saw him watching her, she gave him the thumbs-up. Xavier knew he was on his own. He turned back around and wasn’t expecting Roger to be walking towards him.

Xavier could already feel his heart beating faster and he knew he wouldn’t be able to stand up much longer, he could already tell that his legs were beginning to give.

Although it was only a couple of seconds, to Xavier, it took forever for the young boy to walk over to him.

His voice caught in his throat, but he managed to say a weak “how are you doing”.

Roger stood in front of Xavier and looked up at him giving him a confused look. “I’m doing alright, Claire’s brother.”

“Xavier.” Xavier corrected, holding the ball out to him. Roger took it, still giving him that confused look. When Roger just remained there, continuing to stare up at Xavier, all Xavier could do was stare back.

“Xavier... I’ve heard that name before... I think my friends said something about a guy named Xavier... I think they said something about staying away from him... I’m not really sure...” Roger tilted his head to the side, then took a step back. “Why is there glitter in your hair?”

“Science project gone wrong.” Xavier said, but he almost whispered it. He could tell that his tongue was beginning to knot in his throat.

Xavier couldn’t tear his eyes away from the smooth golden skin, the insightful brown eyes, the dark and curly hair, the drop-dead smile, the fragile looking doll Xavier wished he could hold... just the overall radiance in front of him. Roger took a step closer to Xavier and Xavier could feel the heat and excitement rising in his body and he tried his best to avert his eyes from the brilliance that stood before him.

“What kind of cologne do you have on? Is that a science project gone wrong, too?” Roger asked, his voice was airy, as if the words he spoke came from the air in front of his mouth, rather than his voice.

Xavier couldn’t help but watch Roger’s lips that just barely managed to hide multi-colored braces underneath. A tongue ring, Xavier thought, that should some things a LOT more interesting.

Xavier snapped out of his thoughts when the question Roger had asked registered in his mind. “No.” Xavier said, almost apologetically. “I don’t know what kind it is.” He began to feel embarrassed because he was getting so nervous in a situation that required calm nerves and a steady voice. He couldn’t take it anymore. Roger was standing way too close for him for him to concentrate.

He took a step back, but walked into the bleachers behind him and he fell, but luckily, he landed as if he were sitting. He opened his eyes to see Roger sit beside him. Xavier took a deep breath before shutting his eyes again.

“That is one of the worst things you can do.” Roger said.

The thoughts racing through his mind made Xavier forget almost everything that just happened. “What?” Xavier asked, trying not to sound like an idiot.

The friend Roger was playing against complained about him taking so long and Roger threw the ball back into the court, but turned back to Xavier. “To put on cologne and not know what kind it is.” Roger answered. For a moment, Xavier could feel Roger’s eyes burning into him, and Xavier wondered if Roger had the slightest clue what effect he was having on him.

Xavier finally worked up the courage to open his eyes and turn to face Roger, who was just looking at him expectantly. His golden brown eyes didn’t leave Xavier’s hazel-brown eyes for a long moment. Xavier realized that he was supposed to respond. “Thanks for the tip. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Roger nodded, finally turning his eyes away. “What would you do with a hundred grand?” he asked.

Xavier was shocked. After a moment’s thought, he responded. “Probably by myself a car, help my parent’s pay the bills, put myself through college...”

Roger gave Xavier a strange glare.

“Wrong answer?” Xavier asked, feeling stupid.

Roger nodded. “Eat it, silly.” He said when Xavier’s blank stare told him that he had no other answer.

“Eat a hundred grand?” Xavier asked.

“Yeah.” Roger said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a 100 Grand. “Don’t tell me you never heard of them.”

“I know what they are.” Xavier lied, reaching for it. Roger lifted the chocolate bar just out of Xavier’s grasp. Xavier attempted to try and grab it again, but Roger swiftly moved it away from his fingers again.

“If you want it, ask for it.” Roger said, a smile on his lips.

That killer smile sent a tingly feeling straight through Xavier’s body. Xavier took a moment to settle back down, being sure he was sitting closer to Roger than before. Oddly, he no longer felt nervous. “Can I have it?” Xavier asked.

Roger shook his head.

Xavier relaxed under Roger’s exhilarating stare.

“Can I have it? Please?” Xavier asked, clasping his hands together.

Roger smiled, then laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Xavier asked, noticing that their legs were touching slightly. He tried to take his mind off of the contact by concentrating on Roger’s eyes.

“I said ask, not beg.” Roger said, handing the chocolate bar to Xavier, who almost overeagerly snatched it. Xavier had never had one before, so he was willing to try it. He opened up the wrapper and hesitantly took a bite of it. He couldn’t help but notice that Roger was watching him.

“Do you want a piece?” Xavier asked, when he had concluded that it was actually quite good.

Roger shook his head. “I’ve got my own.” he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out another.

Xavier couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable under Roger’s glare. “Is there a problem?” Xavier asked when he finished with his own 100 Grand.

Roger just shook his head. “No...No... I’m trying to figure out why those guys told me to stay away from you... Plus, I’m just wondering how you’re going to get all of that glitter out of your hair.”

“My sister might have to re-braid it.” Xavier replied, looking over his shoulders to scan the gym for his sister, who was uncharacteristically absent. Xavier got a little worried, but turned back to Roger. Before either could say anything, a basketball came flying through the air and hit Roger straight in the shoulder. Roger screamed in pain as he dropped his chocolate bar while the basketball slammed against the bleachers, revealing the force that it had been thrown with.

Roger’s friend was at the bottom of the bleachers. “What the fuck is your problem?” The tall, muscular boy asked.

“You mother fucking mother fucker!” Roger yelled at him. “What is YOUR problem?” Roger said, leaning slightly against Xavier.

His friend hesitated slightly, then continued. Xavier saw the odd glance the boy was giving him. “The last game of the season is next week, and instead of practicing, you’re up there talking to a faggot.”

“Damn it.” Xavier hissed under his breath. The hope that had flickered inside of him recently completely died out and Xavier stood up to walk away. Everything was lost. His chances at trying to get Roger, both as a friend and as a date to the dance, were shot. “I’m starting to hate heteros...” Xavier whispered, tears forming in the corner of his eyes.

This is exactly why Xavier couldn’t wait until he and his family moved. The further the better. He just wanted to get away from it all and never even think of coming back.

“Just shut up. I’m on my way.” Xavier heard Roger yell.

“Don’t even bother. I’m out of here.” His friend said, walking towards the gym doors. When he had left, Roger grabbed Xavier’s arm and almost literally pulled him to the floor.

“Are you alright?” Xavier asked. The heat that filled his body was no longer there. The nervousness that made his knees weak was no longer there. He received no reply. Roger was silently crying.

Xavier took advantage of this and wrapped an arm around Roger, expecting him to protest, but instead, Xavier could feel Roger relax beside him.

“That was just wrong.” Xavier commented.

“It sure as hell was.” Roger practically yelled into Xavier’s chest. “He knows how weak my left arm is. He did it on purpose!”

“With friends like that, who needs enemies?” Xavier said softly.

Roger backed away, wiping his face, ashamed. Xavier could do nothing but watch as Roger made his way down the bleachers. “You know that game next Thursday?” Roger asked.

Xavier nodded.

“I would really appreciate it if you came.” Roger said before going out the door.

All of a sudden, Xavier didn’t feel so good about his first conversation with Roger.

“I’ll be there.” Xavier said in spite of himself.