Jacob followed Seth up the cement walkway to his door. On his last visit to this house, he had been angry, apprehensive, and a bit guilty. He hadn’t been aware of anything but the possibility someone would soon out him if he didn’t get ahead of the situation. How things had changed in just over a week. He was still apprehensive, but this time it was an exciting, arousing apprehension that brought a blush to his face and amplified his senses. He noticed the boxwood bushes that lined the yard between Seth’s townhouse and the next, and the overgrown rose bushes in the small garden along the front of the house. The yard was otherwise completely empty. The house was pale grey with bare windows curtained on the inside with heavy drapes. The houses on either side were freshly painted, with pale yellow on one side and sky blue on the other. Seth’s house looked worn, with knicks and de

Tuesday.Jacob changed in his room after school. He was used to his dad hosting dinners and social functions with church people; it had been happening for most of his life. He dressed in his nice clothes, put on his Church Son persona, and prepared for an evening of small talk. He was used to it. These dinners had never been about him before. Sarah would be there. The Williams’ would actually want to know something about this guy who was dating their daughter. What had Sarah told them? Surely she wouldn’t have said anything about his reputation at school. What would they talk about? He still barely knew Sarah. He hadn’t spent much time with her outside of school yet. One dinner with a partner's parents was enough for one week. He didn’t think thi

Brett passed the ball to Jacob, who went up for a three point. Jacob’s new guard backed into him, a legal move, causing him to step back on his right foot. His ankle screamed under him. As the ball left his hands he knew it was over. They hadn’t made a single basket since Middleton called the time out. After the ball hit the rim, Middleton caught the rebound and took off to the other end of the court. Jacob did his best to not limp as he hurried to catch up to guard his man. They scored eighteen points in the last fifteen minutes. Forge was just too tired to mount a strong defense anymore, and Jacob was struggling to not trip over his own feet, let alone get any more baskets. Middleton did not end the game with a strong lead, but they didn’t need it. They won. The whole team crowded together to celebrate before lining up for the post-game handshake. 

Jacob had never been so grateful for an injury. Seth’s arm held tight around his waist as he limped along to meet Sarah, who waited at her two-door hatchback at the curb. Sarah wouldn’t be able to tell that both his legs were weak for a different reason. He barely noticed the injured foot now, as long as he didn’t put too much weight on it. He wasn’t sure if that was because of the ice or because it was already getting better; most likely, he was just too distracted to feel the pain.Sarah hurried over to help. She lifted Jacob’s other arm over her shoulders, and she and Seth almost levitated him the rest of the way to the car. Jacob felt silly needing so much help, especially since he didn’t, actually. He could have walked on it if he had to.“It’s really not that bad,” he complained. He had been doing just

Jacob waded through the crowd to the inconspicuous stage door. On the other side was a dimly lit hallway with doors to several rooms. One was labeled “Green Room” in hand scrawled marker. Jacob opened the door. The room was empty. Mirrors lined the walls with vanity lights along the top and a counter running underneath. There were a few plastic chairs scattered around the room. Jacob heard the door open and shut behind him. “Okay, talk,” commanded Seth.Jacob turned to see Seth glaring at him. The effect was likely not what Seth intended. Standing before Jacob was a glittering satyr with large ears sticking out from either side of his head. Jacob couldn’t hold back the laughter that bubbled up from his chest. Seth glared ev