Chapter 1
Ollie got on bus 211 as hesitant as ever. How embarrassing to be a senior taking the bus! As he walked through to the back, he felt incredibly self-conscious: aware of his slim, pale frame and messy black hair. He never had a sense of whether he was attractive at all. Some days he did feel good about it. Today he just didn't.
"Ollie hey!"
He turned to look toward the deep voice. It wasn't instantly familiar, but then he realized it was Allen. A genuinely warm smile invited him, and instantly Ollie felt at ease, making his way over.
Allen was quite the jock - a tall, stocky guy who worked out, but certainly still had meat on his bones. Blond hair and blue eyes. The kind of guy Ollie wanted to be, or at least be around. But alas, Ollie could never appreciate his own brown eyes.
"It's been a minute, how you been Ollie?"
"Pretty good, you know, just always at gymnastics. I've got a meet this weekend."
"Oh for real? That's cool."
"Thanks, yeah it's my favorite. I'm really hoping I can up my vault score this time."
Allen didn't know anything about gymnastics, but asked his questions. As a football player, he had an unusual respect and curiosity, and Ollie took the time to explain how he trained his flips.
After a bit, Ollie tracked off of the topic of gymnastics. "You know, I'm pretty surprised to see you on the bus. You don't have a car?"
Allen cleared his throat. "Yeah, it's a bummer, I don't really have the money for a car. But working full time this summer, I'll finally be able to get one."
"Oh. Where do you work?"
"I work at Nook Cafe."
"Oh that's awesome! I've been there a few times with Hailey."
"Is that the theater chick? I've never talked to her, but I guess she's putting on a play right?"
"Yeah, she's so funny." Ollie beamed at the chance to bring Hailey into the world of a football player.
"How about you?" Allen asked. "Why are you riding the bus today?"
"Car's in the shop," Ollie said, "I have to replace the transmition."
"Damn, that sucks."
"Yeah..."
Weird to have such a nice conversation with a guy like this, Ollie thought, he's actually a very cool person.
And then, without warning, Allen reached down to his crotch. There was absolutely no look down, or any expression on his face. But undeniably he shifted his penis in his red gym shorts.
Ollie, failing to stay inconspicuous in that moment, turned to look out the window.
For someone like him, it was a four alarm fire. Ollie didn't know what to do. How do you pretend like you didn't notice?
Ollie so wanted to just be a normal guy. Why did guys always do stuff like that? Just absent-mindedly adjust...
"Well this is my stop," Allen said.
"Oh!" Ollie lit up once again. "Me too. I didn't realize we live near each other."
Grabbing their backpacks, and Ollie's gym bag, the two hopped off the bus and made their way down the same direction.
"Well good luck with your meet. Hope you get the gold."
Ollie laughed. "Thanks man. Well I'm headed this way."
"See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow," Ollie replied. The boys were both all smiles as he made his to the left, and across the street, eventually out of view.
