Cade was working on his laptop when his roommates arrived. They were wearing their sports attire—Liam in his jersey, Lewis in his football uniform, and Luke in his SSC shirt. They moved in synchronization as they took off their uniforms and put them in the laundry basket.
“What’s up? You look exhausted,” Cade said.
“We are,” Luke replied.
“Well, lucky you. All you do is stay in the air-conditioned SSC office and talk about life,” Liam said.
“I’m sorry to inform you that your assumption is wrong. As the SSC President, I am in charge of the peace and order of the school. I make sure that the Club selection is smooth, and we think of ideas to make every activity fun,” Luke explained.
“You don’t get injured every training and tournament,” Lewis said.
“Just because I don’t do physical work, doesn’t mean my function is easier or less valuable. My body may not be wounded, but my mind is near to exploding. When the brain is tired, it malfunctions, affecting the other parts of the body, which may cause cognitive fatigue. Cortisol, the key stress hormone, rises when you’re overworked, which can cause brain fog, high blood pressure, and a variety of other health issues.”
“Whatever, Mr. Genius,” Liam said and went to the shower.
Luke and Lewis got their towels and proceeded to their individual bathrooms. When Cade heard the water pouring inside, he began a video call with Stan and Theo.
“Long time no see,” Theo said. They wrapped his body with a bandage.
“I think I have 30 minutes before the boys come out of the shower,” Cade said.
“This meeting is short. You won’t get caught,” Stan said.
“Oh. Your boys,” Theo teased.
“Fuck off. We’re only watching this BL thing once. We must ban this genre, Stan. It’s polluting his mind.”
“We can’t have our movie night here. Let’s have a campfire near the beach. It’s far from here, though.”
“You mean the Wildwood State Park? It’s two hours by car.”
“We don’t have a car…”
“Not anymore,” Stan said and clanged a car key on his finger.
“Is that yours?” Cade exclaimed.
“Yup. Dad gave it to me as a gift.”
“Cool!” Cade’s face turned grim. “Dad had forgotten about me. I think he’s enjoying his life without me. He sent me here on purpose so I can spare him with my problems.”
“You chose this. That’s the price of your desire, Cade, leaving all your wealth behind and studying here.”
“Besides, you have new cool friends. They seem harmless. I thought they will bully you. It turns out they don’t hate nerds.”
“I don’t know about that. They’re weird. They look cool in public, but in private? Those dudes are giving me the creeps.”
“Stop overthinking.”
“I think the BL sensation is penetrating his mind,” Theo said.
“Shut it. That’s gross.”
“Curt? Who are you talking to?” Cade closed the laptop when Liam came out.
“My online friends. You know. Those strangers you know online but never see in person,” Cade replied.
“Oh. I didn’t think you were so friendly.”
***
It was a windy afternoon when the boys started their trip to Wildwood State Park. Stan was driving his new grey Porsche 918 Spyder. Cade was beside him, and Theo was in the back seat. Stan was wearing black khaki shorts and a pale pink polo shirt. Theo was wearing green khaki shorts and light grey long sleeves. While Cade was wearing blue khaki shorts and a pale yellow pocket polo. They were singing a piece of upbeat music while going to the camping site.
Tonight is the night when big guys unite
From dusk till dawn
With vodka and mozzarella
We’ll make your eyes all white
and your cheeks all red
We got no money
Girl, you’re so pretty
So we got everything
You’re all I’m craving
It was already dark when they arrived at the site. The 600 acres of undeveloped hardwood forest was ending on the high bluff overlooking long island sound.
“Let’s take a photo of your car, Stan. It’s so gorgeous,” Cade said.
“Do whatever you want.”
Cade placed the tripod in front of the car and set the camera on 5 seconds timer. They positioned themselves with Cade in between them as he leaned on the car. Theo and Cade set the tent near the beach while Stan created the bonfire. He prepared the metal fire container and the meat for the barbecue. When they were done, Cade and Theo sat around the bonfire.
“I didn’t see you in the Book Enthusiast Club, Stan. Aren’t you qualified?” Cade asked.
“I got qualified in the Archery Club,” Stan said while fanning the barbecue.
“Archery? I never knew it’s one of your hobbies. I thought you love books more than anything else.”
“I tried something new to get out of my comfort zone. It’s exciting.”
Cade shifted his gaze to Theo who was hugging his legs while staring at the fire.
“We will find ways to get you into the Martial Arts Club, Theo,” he said.
“I can manipulate your coach if you want,” Stan added.
“You know what makes me sad? It’s not about the fact that I got disqualified. It is proving that what you believe you’re good at isn’t true.”
“It’s all about luck. It wasn’t your day. Another day will come. A day that is made for you,” Stan said.
“I don’t believe in luck, Stan. What I believe in is courage and will. I think I didn’t have enough will that day.”
“You should’ve cheered for him, Cade.”
“Me? I had a chess match that day, too. It took us 3 hours to finish.”
After a few minutes, Stan served the grilled meat.
“You know why I like fighting,” Theo said.
“Of course. We totally understand where you’re coming from.”
Theo was seven years old when their house got robbed. His dad wasn’t around at that time. Her mom fought the thief, but he slapped and pushed her to the floor. Theo saw everything and ran to protect her mother.
“Take everything you want. Just don’t hurt my son. Come here, baby,” his mom said.
“No, Mom. He’s a bad guy!”
“Please listen to mommy, dear.”
But Theo kept on hitting the thief’s legs until he pulled out a pocketknife and attempted to stab him, but his mother defended him. She got stabbed instead. From then on, he promised to be stronger so he could protect his family.
“The barbeque chicken is ready,” Stan said.
After their dinner, Theo prepared the projector and white background for their outdoor cinema.
“Can’t we just use your laptop?” Cade asked.
“I didn’t bring it. Besides, a wider screen is better for a wonderful viewing experience,” Theo replied.
“It is. If we are watching Game of Thrones or Marvel, but it’s a BL movie. Don’t you have any shame? Do you want others to see the three of us watching some men kissing each other?”
“Why do you care about what others think? They don’t even know you.”
They squatted on the mat as Theo played the movie.
“This is very wrong, dude. Terrible. It’s like telling the world we’re gay,” Cade muttered.
“Theo’s taste in movies is unusual for a guy, but watching this type of movie even though you’re a straight guy doesn’t mean you’re gay,” Stan said.
“What does it mean, then?” Cade asked.
“Entertainment. It’s interesting to see different faces of love. Don’t you agree?” Stan grabbed a bucket of popcorn he bought from the camp store.
“It could also be curiosity. He’s curious about why the LGBT community feels that way. Maybe he wants to understand them. It also means that he is sensitive enough to care for other people.”
The boys watched the movie in silence for an hour. Though Cade felt weird about their setup and the theme of the story, he paid attention and constantly glanced at them. Stan lay on the mat when the movie ended and gazed at the stars.
“You know what? I realized something,” Theo said.
Cade just looked at him.
“I think Stan is gay.”
“What?”
“Think properly, Cade. Use your sagacity.”
“That word came from the movie,” Stan whispered.
“Stan rejected all the girls who confessed to him way back in Westgate High. He’s the most secretive person in the universe. He exudes a mysterious vibe. I know he’s hiding something from us. And that is his sexuality,” Theo said while narrowing his eyes.
“I think you’re the one who’s gay, Theo,” Stan said.
“What nonsense is that?”
“What if you created your title as a Casanova or womanizer to conceal your real gender? You can’t commit to a romantic relationship because what you need isn’t a lady, but men.”
“You know what, guys? I think I’m gay,” Cade said.
“What?” Stan and Theo said.
“In my entire high school life until now, I never have had a crush on someone. Maybe this is the reason.”
Stan knitted his brows. “It doesn’t work that way.”
“But—”
Stan shoved a piece of marshmallow inside Cade’s mouth to shut him up. Cade munched it like he was having a full-on sexuality crisis.