Later that day Oscar found himself alone and walking through the doors of the school gym. He walked up to a fold-out table that had been covered in a blue cloth adorned with the school logo. He approached the two girls that sat behind it and handed one of them his student ID and a $5 bill. She handed him a ticket and said, "Thanks."

Oscar nodded and started making his way toward the student seating section.

He scanned the large crowd for an empty seat, but before he spotted one he heard a voice calling his name. "Oscar, over here!" yelled a female voice.

He turned around and saw Jamie sitting a few rows down, surrounded by Serenity, a couple people that he had never met, and of course, Noah.

He carefully descended the concrete steps to meet them and sat down in one of the blue stadium seats.

"Hey guys," he said.

"We weren't sure if you were coming," Jamie said.

"Uh, yeah me neither," answered Oscar.

Noah threw him a nod of acknowledgement and Oscar returned the gesture.

"So when does this start? And where's Ethan, I thought he said he was coming?" Oscar asked.

Serenity chimed in, "The game starts at 7:00. Ethan is playing tonight so I guess he's warming up," she said, motioning down to the court.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," said Oscar.

Half an hour later an intense game of basketball was in full commencement. Not paying any attention at all to the game that was ensuing, Oscar leaned back in his chair and rested his feet on top of the one in front of him.

He looked around the gym that he had attended countless times before, and took in the sight of the contrasting silver metal walls and blue tiled floor. Ignoring all the sounds around him, Oscar's mind began to wander.

Holy shit. I'm at a basketball game. Sitting next to my, and no one else knows about it but me.

Suddenly Oscar felt a light tap on his shoulder and was removed from his trance-like state. He turned his head to the right and Noah leaned over to whisper, "Hey, let's go for a walk."

Oscar enthusiastically nodded. "Hey guys, we're gonna head up to the concession stand," Noah said to the rest of the group.

"Oh hey!" Jamie said, "Could you grab me some sour worms while you're up there?"

"Sure," Oscar said.

Jamie thanked him and handed him a crumpled $1 bill. He and Noah stood from their seats and started up the stairs.

They reached the top and paused, "So, where are we going?" Oscar asked the blond boy who was now dragging him in the opposite direction.

"We're just going for a walk," Noah half-laughed, "I haven't seen you all day."

He suddenly stopped and started ushering Oscar into through a side-door.

Once inside and away from the crowds, Oscar got a good look at the room. Blue and white lockers lined 3 of the 4 walls, and in the center were three wooden benches. Sports jerseys all with different player numbers were displayed on the walls, and a large wooden trophy case, littered with small and large golden awards and plaques sat in the corner.

"Are we allowed to be in here?" Oscar asked.

Noah squeezed Oscars hand in his own, "Hey Os, don't worry so much. It's fine. Everyone is out there, we're alone," Noah assured him.

"And besides, I couldn't wait to do this."

Noah raised his hand to the side of Oscar's neck and brought their faces together. This kiss was different than their first. Instead of being brief and panicked, Oscar closed his eyes and time seemed to slow around the two. It was a kiss steeped in a passion, and carried with it the promise of realness.

Oscar felt every cloud of doubt and anxiety suddenly clear from his mind, and his body loosen.

Noah pulled away and rested his forehead against Oscar's. "Whoa," Oscar breathed out.

"Yeah, sorry," Noah laughed.

Oscar gently caressed the side of Noah's face and lightly shook his own head, "No, don't be."

Noah pulled further back and said, "Hey, that was great, but I did actually want to talk to you about something."

He placed a hand on Oscar's shoulder and said, "Listen, I get it, if you don't want to tell anyone yet, okay? I'll still be here, whenever you're ready."

Oscar smiled.

"What?" Noah asked, with a smirk.

"Oh nothing," Oscar began, "Just thinking about how I ended up with the best boyfriend ever."

"Yeah, I guess you are pretty lucky," joked Noah.

"Shut up and come here," Oscar said, pulling Noah closer and smashing their lips together again.

Completely lost in each other, they only separated when Oscar heard the door swing open, and he instinctively pushed the other boy away.

Through the open doorway walked a sweat-covered and wide-eyed Ethan. "Oh fuck, I- uh, sorry guys, I just came to get my knee brace, I'll uh, go-" he started to say.

"Wait, Ethan! Uh..." Oscar interrupted him.

Ethan continued, "No, really Oscar, It's fine. You guys are great. I've gotta get back down there." He closed the door behind him and Oscar with a blank expression on his face turned back to Noah.

"Well, I guess that's one less person to tell," Oscar said.

Noah cracked a smile, "Yeah, I guess so." He draped his arm over Oscar's shoulder and they started walking to the door.

"We should probably get those sour worms for Jamie."

"Yeah, we probably should."