chapter 2

Cole waited patiently at the campus library after seven. He sat and did homework until Josh was finished with his practice. He had been listening to music when he noticed Josh making his way to the table where he sat. Jess bounced up and down by his side, like a girl stricken dumb by love, though it was mostly an act. She was playing the role of perfect, sorority girlfriend. Cole took out his headphones and listened to their conversation as they approached.

"And I told her she was being a total whore! How could she give it up to a guy on the eighth date?" Cole sat silently, unsure if he should say anything to them, so perfect and made-for-TV movie. Josh acknowledged him as he approached the table.

"Oh shit, the project," Josh began. Cole was dumbstruck. He had forgotten about the project? Cole could feel his jaw drop, in disbelief at the idea a guy could be so self-absorbed. "Listen, babe, can we study together later? We needed to get started on our Psych project." Jessica's face fell for a moment before she regained her perfect/sweet/not-a-bitch composure.

"Oh, okay," she agreed sweetly. She smiled. "I'll text Katie, she and some of the sisters are already here logging study hours." She bounced away from the two boys and you could see Joshua physically relax. He would never admit it, but being Jessica's BF required a lot of work. He couldn't talk to certain people, wear certain clothes, or even eat certain things. He followed her orders though, to remain a member of the elite attending Roosevelt University.

Josh and Cole came up with the concept and over the next few days began to execute their plan for the project. Josh was really enjoying the work. They'd moved some of their project sessions to the house Josh shared with some of the guys in the weightlifting club. The late nights and hanging out with Cole--ordering take-out even though he was supposed to be cutting weight, getting distracted and watching cartoons, talking about New York. Cole was just glad to not be in the dorms, finally feeling like a college student.

The project--and their friendship--was fully underway. However, one thing was certain; Jess was getting more and more perturbed. Who the fuck was this boy spending so much time with her BF? People would start talking. They would assume the two had broken up. They would think she was dumped.

"Do you hear that?" Josh asked one night as they continued work on their assignment. Cole listen carefully and he did hear it. It sounded like a bunch or crickets chirping. That's not something he heard a lot of where he was from. The weather was still warm for early October, and it likely wouldn't get too cold where they lived, but Cole wondered how long the little bugs would live for.

Cole thought about how his dad had taught him a little trick. He pursed his lips slightly and imitated the sound of the crickets.

"Holy shit," Josh said with a laugh. "That's so cool."

"You think so?" Cole asked. "My dad taught me how to do it when I was in grade school."

"So, Cole, you do know your new nickname is Cricket, right?" Cole sat on the floor in the bedroom of Joshua Williams. His legs were crossed and he looked at the carpeting.

"I've definitely never had that nickname before," he replied. Josh laughed and popped another butter cookie into his open mouth. He enjoyed hanging out with guys. He could eat whatever and whenever he wanted. He didn't miss Jess at all.

"That's my nickname for you, okay?" Josh requested. Cricket nodded. "It just fits. You have green hair dude. It's fate, it's fucking fate." Cole had been dyeing his hair green since his junior year of high school. The sides were cut in a faded fashion and he had a about three or so inches of curly green hair on the top of his head. The color went well with his creamy, chocolate complexion. His skin was the same exact color as a soft pretzel. He had a small stud piercing on the left nostril of his nose and both of his ears were pierced. He normally wore small black earrings. "Project's almost done," Josh said with a sigh. He had a feeling they'd go back to how they had been. "You should come see me practice sometime. We could hang out after." Josh could feel his face get very warm. Was that gay? He couldn't believe he had said something so fucking--gay. He liked Cole, and even though he was pretty sure the green-haired boy was gay, he had no problem with it. He himself didn't want to be identified that way, but he was cool with other people being that way.

"Sure, sounds, uh, cool." Cricket ignored his initial gaydar pulsation. Josh didn't mean it in that way. Cole pushed his fantasies to the back of his mind. There was no need to make assumptions. "I have to go," he said. Josh walked him to the door.

"Do you want a ride?" he asked. Cole considered the offer, but was fearful of burdening his new friend. "It's not a problem," Joshua added smoothly, sensing Cricket's trepidation. Cole's dorm was a twenty-minute walk away, but he still declined the offer. He left feeling a bit better about his life. If he could distance himself a little more, maybe their friendship could work.

They had gotten an A on the project, and Cole hadn't spoken to Joshua like they had whilst doing the assignment in over a week. He felt that his plan to distance himself from Joshua had begun to go a little too well. He had decided to go and watch him practice. He had been invited, hadn't he?