chapter 4

Josh attempted to talk to Cole the next day, sitting next to him in their lecture. Cole would answer his questions quickly, and once class was over he scurried away like Joshua had done something to hurt him. It made Josh feel terrible. He knew he could be a jerk sometimes without meaning to be, but he didn't recall doing anything that might've offended Cole.

"I don't have practice today; do you want to grab a bite to eat or something instead? I just bought a new basketball. We could play at my house if you want." He took into account Cole didn't appear to be the most athletic. "Or, I mean, we could watch TV, or--or study maybe?" He was sinking and hoping Cricket would give him some form of life support. He had set his bag down at his feet, which were clad in a white pair of Nikes.

"I--I don't think I can," Cole responded softly. They stood in the hallway after class. Josh had followed and cornered him. Cole grabbed at the straps of his backpack. He looked at Josh, who had a short beard, the hair black, giving little contrast to his dark brown skin. Cole found his eyes focusing on Josh's lips.

"Are you mad at me? I mean, come on, just tell me. I didn't mean to upset you." Josh couldn't believe he was getting so worked up over a dude. But he couldn't help the attraction he felt towards him. Cricket kept his mouth closed, stricken dumb by the fact he had upset the one guy he liked the most. "Fine, be that way man." He grabbed his bag and walked off towards the dining hall. He had a meal plan that allowed him fourteen meals a week. It was nice when he didn't want to cook or he was bulking so he could eat as much as he wanted.

He was starving. Jess wouldn't let him eat enough to really bulk up like he wanted. He was actually supposed to be on a diet because according to her, he had been porking up. He got a plate and put three chocolate chip muffins on it. He filled two glasses with chocolate milk. He bit into a muffin angrily, finishing it in two bites. He finished the rest of his snack and went up for something more substantial to eat.

Josh at a burger and fries, followed by a turkey-ham-bacon sandwich and some chips. He was so frustrated that he just wanted to keep eating. He eventually came full circle, grabbing three more muffins and another glass of chocolate milk. He wasn't going to force Cole to be his friend. He was done with the guy. He grabbed his bag and made his way home, resigned to never speaking to Cricket again.

"Josh," Cole said quietly a few minutes before their Friday Psychology lecture was the begin. "I think it'd be really cool to hang out with you, but I don't think it's a good idea." The professor wasn't even in the room yet. Cole looked at him seriously, his brown eyes fearful that word would get back to Jess that he had been speaking to her hetero-BF. He saw Joshua expected him to say more so he continued. "It wouldn't be good for either of us and it'd just be easier."

"Why?" Josh asked. He was still hungry from the basic breakfast he had eaten and he felt tired. He just wished he had bought some more of those dining hall muffins, or maybe a few cookies, or both. "I don't see the problem."

"Jess told me not to talk to you," he finally admitted, tired of beating around the bush. "She hates my guts now and I wasn't going to give her a reason to ruin my life." Joshua had put up with Jess and her wishes before, but this was just ridiculous.

"C'mon, she's just a little possessive. Forget her," he said, trying to contain his disgust with the situation.

"Josh, I really don't think I can handle making an enemy of one of the coolest people here."

"It'll be fine, I promise," Joshua said with a charming smile. Cole nearly melted, feeling as though he had nothing to fear if such a big, muscle head of a guy said everything would be okay.

"Okay, if you're sure." He took in Joshua's masculine figure in the seat beside his. He really was a hulking man with large hands and feet. His nose was large, but fit his face rather well. His brow was thick, as was his neck. He looked intimidating and the broadness of his shoulders didn't alter the observation.

"I'm positive. Her bark is worse than her bite." They both laughed as the professor began her lecture.