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Riley was mad at Trey.
Well, not really. Riley doesn’t think he could ever be mad at him. He was definitely annoyed though. Yet again, Trey didn’t show up to practice, and Riley was tired of defending him to Sam and Alex, who were rightfully getting annoyed.
Right as Alex was complaining about Trey not showing up, Sam spotted him running towards them.
“He lives!” Sam yelled sarcastically.
Riley suppressed an eye roll. Of course Trey decides to show up now.
“Oh, hey guys! Sorry, I had to stay late again today. We had to watch this Ted Talk with this old guy who just wouldn’t stop blabbing.” Trey groaned. “Anyway, we going to Rye’s now?”
Sam sighed. “We don’t have time anymore!”
“I have to meet my parents for their screening thing, that’s why we planned to meet after school, remember?” Riley said, patience already running thin.
Alex paced anxiously. “We have comp coming up and we still don’t have anything choreographed!”
“We’ll be fineee, calm down.” Trey said.
“T, we need to rehearse. I have shit to teach you and we need choreo. That’s it, it’s not that deep.” Riley argued.
Trey rolled his eyes. “Oh my GOD Rye, I get it okay? Can you not talk to me like i’m a fucking toddler?”
“This isn’t just about you.”
“What are you saying?” Trey stepped forward, crowding Riley’s space.
Riley took a deep breath. “I’m saying, quit being such a selfish prick and commit to something! Ever! For once!” His heart felt like it was going to run away from his chest.
“I’m committing to this stupid investment club, remember?” Trey yelled. Close, too close to Riley’s face.
Riley snapped. “Right, because you just HAD to be tough and start a fight, can’t you just be normal for once?”
The silence stretched, filled only with Trey and Riley’s rapid heartbeats.
“Wow.” Trey stepped back, his voice quiet and unusually weak. “And I thought you said it wasn’t that deep.”
Riley instantly regretted his words, but it was too late to take it back. All he could do was walk away.
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Riley was sitting in class alone. Alex and Sam had ditched to play basketball and didn’t want to sit through Ms. Reedy’s boring class, and well Trey… he hadn’t been in class for days. Ever since their argument, Trey had purposely been avoiding him.
The bell rang, and Riley began walking towards the bus stop. He was ready to go straight home and play Fortnite, until he heard a familiar voice shouting.
“Why don’t you try me, you think I've got anything to lose?”
Riley whipped his head around, and saw Trey and Cody face to face looking ready to beat each other up, with Charlie trying to calm them down. He approached them, prepared to break up the inevitable fight.
Charlie tried to pull Trey back. “Okay just stop! Trey please, Critts wont let you dance with us if you get in another fight.”
Riley froze. “Dance with you?”
Trey immediately let go of Cody, his eyes wide.
Cody had a shit eating grin. “Ooooh!!!”
“Riley wait, it's not like that!” Trey stumbled.
“It’s not?” Charlie said.
Riley was shocked. Was this why Trey was ditching rehearsal? To dance with Charlie instead? “Tell me I'm not hearing this.”
“Riley…” Trey began to speak.
Riley cut him off. “You’re ditching us for a chick? A ballet chick? Wow… I really didn't see this coming.” Riley scoffed.
“I didn’t ditch you! You know I had to do extracurricular hours.” Trey explained.
Charlie looked at Trey angrily. “Is that the only reason you’ve been hanging around me? Just so I can help you with your extracurriculars? Forget it, I'm going home.” Charlie began to walk away, with Cody following.
Riley watched Trey chase after her, still desperate to talk.
He approached Trey after Charlie left. For maybe the first time, Riley felt truly angry at Trey.
“So do you want to explain to me what the fuck that was about?” Riley shouted.
“Look, I was bored in investments. Critts asked me to help with choreo for like a second. That's all.” Trey defended.
“Don’t bullshit me Trey, you ditched us for Charlie, and I’m over it, okay?” Riley turned around and started walking away.
Trey followed. “Riley please let me explain-”
Riley turned around sharply. “Tell someone who cares, Trey. I’m so happy for you and your new girlfriend. I hope it all works out for you.” He said with thick sarcasm.
“She’s not my girlfriend! And why do you even care?” Trey exclaimed.
Riley’s face flushed. “Because- we need you for the comp! And you’re spending all this time with Charlie when we should be rehearsing together.”
Trey stepped toward Riley, who avoided meeting his gaze. “That’s bullshit Riley, I know you more than anyone else, and I know that’s not the only reason. What is it, you got a crush on Charlie or something?”
Riley sputtered. “What, no?? Obviously not.”
“Then what the fuck is it?” Trey yelled.
“I’m in love with you, okay?”
The words fell out of Riley’s mouth before he could think. It felt like time had stopped in his head. Riley’s heart was beating so fast, his eyes still burning into Trey’s, but he couldn’t look away. Riley thinks he’s been in love with Trey since they met in that parking lot after a comp. No matter what bullshit Trey did, Riley couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Even now, when he was constantly flirting with Charlie and ditching practice, Riley was still hopelessly in love with him. And he was terrified for his reaction.
“Riley-”
Riley interrupted. “I don’t need your pity, Trey. I see the way you act with her, I know you like her, even if she’s not your girlfriend. I just- I wish things could be different.” Riley finally looked away. “Because- we’re best friends. We know each other better than anyone ever could.”
“Riley listen-”
“Just- don’t. Okay? I know what you’re going to say.” Riley began to walk away, tears welling in his eyes, until he felt Trey’s hand wrapping around his wrist, turning him around and pulling him close.
Riley looked up. “Trey-”
Trey’s other hand cupped Riley’s cheek. “Riley can you shut the fuck up and just let me-”
Riley’s heart skipped a beat, and before his brain could register what was happening, he felt Trey’s lips on his own. Riley moved his hands to Trey’s waist, their bodies meeting even closer than before. Riley felt himself get impossibly warmer at Trey’s touch, their mouths colliding, neither of them wanting to pull apart. They could feel each other’s hearts beating quickly against each other’s chests, their kisses getting deeper until they eventually pulled apart for air. Their foreheads were pressed together, both of them breathing rapidly.
Teenage love is scary because Riley never wants to lose this. He never wants to lose Trey. He wants to stay in this moment forever and never let go. And Riley was so, so scared. But right now, in this moment, he couldn’t think of anything but Trey.