If Like Repels Like, Do Opposites Attract?

I’m glad people like fuzziness. That’s what this story has turned into. Anyway, thanks for all the great positive reviews!






If Like Repels Like, Do Opposites Attract?: Chapter 4



xxxxxx



Sam felt jittery as his dad drove them to the basketball game. His dad had been uncharacteristically quiet and almost somber. It was beginning to make Sam nervous. They settled in the stands together.



“So, your mother says you have friends on the team?” his father broke the silence.



“Yeah. And one of the cheerleaders.”



“Which ones are they?”



Sam pointed out Alyssa first, then Todd and Chad on the court.



“That tall one’s a talented player,” his dad seemed a little surprised. Sam hoped the surprise wasn’t due to his dad thinking that he was too lame to be friends with a good basketball player.



They got into the game and there wasn’t much conversation besides commenting on a play and cheering with the crowd.



It ended up being an exciting game. It was a little unexpected that Sam was so swept up in it. He usually didn’t find sporting events interesting, but this was a closely matched, knuckle biting game. And right before the buzzer, Chad threw the winning shot. He looked so triumphant and proud on the court as his teammates swarmed around to congratulate him.



As they were getting up to leave, his dad asked, “Did you want to congratulate your friend?”



The players and cheerleaders were still assembled, basically just messing around. Other parents and friends were down there.



“Sure. Did you want to meet them?” Sam asked.



His dad nodded and they descended the bleachers.



Chad spot him immediately and approached him. Chad was beaming as he grabbed Sam and gave him the biggest hug ever, practically picking him up.



“Sammy! The game! It was so awesome!” As Chad spoke Sam could feel the stubble from his cheek against his. That feeling combined with the prolonged hug felt very intimate.



“You were fantastic,” Sam complimented.



A wolf whistle aimed at them from one of the other players caused Chad to release his hold on Sam and back up.



“Hey Sam,” Todd threw and arm around his shoulder. Alyssa was beside him.



“Hey. This is my dad. Dad, Todd, Alyssa, and Chad,” Sam introduced.



“Good to meet you sir,” Chad offered his hand to shake.



Sam’s father was looking at Chad approvingly. “My wife said you were polite.” He studied them all for a minute. “My wife also asked me to invite you all to our home for dinner Monday night.”



They quickly agreed on the plans and said their goodbyes, as people were grabbing Chad and Todd to congratulate them.



The ride home was almost as quiet as the ride there.



“Your friends seemed like nice kids,” his dad commented. “Chad seems very nice,” his voice was softer and he glanced over at Sam.



“Yeah he…” Sam caught something in his father’s expression that made him think…no way. “Ummmm…it’s not like that. We‘re just friends.”



This was awkward. They hadn’t spoken about his sexuality and Sam was hoping to have that conversation…oh never.



“Sam…”



“Dad…” Sam interrupted and slumped down in his seat. He wished he could disappear. “Do we have to talk about this?”



His father sighed. “Okay. Not now.”



xxxxxx



At around seven, Sam heard the doorbell ring. He opened the door to see that Chad was standing there looking sheepish and a little embarrassed.



“Hey. Ummm…I know we never made real plans to, but did you want to grab a pizza with me?”



“Yeah. Yeah definitely. I’ll just tell my parents.”



Sam’s mom popped into the foyer. “Sam, who’s at the…Oh Chad! Come in honey!”



“We were just going to go out for pizza. Is that okay mom?”



His mom was beaming. “Oh that sounds wonderful sweetie. You boys have a good time.” She practically pushed him out of the door.



Oh no. Did she think that he and Chad were an item too?



Did she think that they were going on a date?



Looking at Chad he suddenly wondered…Were they going on a date?



Chad was sort of dressed up, well considering he normally wore basketball shorts and t-shirts in school he looked dressed up. He was wearing nice jeans and a blue shirt. He had shaved and he smelled nice.



Chad seemed to notice Sam’s scrutiny and glanced over at him as he drove. “Did you want to go to Rosetti’s?”



“That sounds good,” Sam agreed.



Soon they pull into the restaurant parking lot and Sam is actually feeling kind of nervous. Rosetti’s pizza place was a popular hangout for a lot of the kids in their school. Would Chad want to be seen with him? He must if he took them to Rosetti’s. Would he want to sit with other people? Or would it just be the two of them? Would people think that they were on a date? Were they on a date?



Chad held the restaurant door open for him and he went in first. Scanning the crowd he could see a few people that went to their school, but no one seemed to be paying much attention to them as they were seated in a corner booth.



“What kind of pizza do you want?” Chad asked.



“Anything you want.”



Chad glanced shyly at Sam. “It was good to see you at the game. I’m glad you came.”



“It was fun. You’re a really great player, that last shot was just perfect.”



“Thanks,” Chad was blushing a little. “I really like your artwork,” he kind of blurted out. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you that. It’s really awesome.”



“Thanks.” Sam smiled. “Starting Monday you’ll be part of my artwork.”



Chad groaned. “I can’t believe I agreed to do that.”



“You’re gonna be great.”



“I’m not a model-type. Seriously. It should be someone like you.”



Sam felt his face flush. “Like me?” he whispered.



“Yeah, someone you look at and are just like wow…” Chad trailed off and looked away, embarrassed.



“Thanks,” Sam chuckled a little. “You know you are though. Like in a masculine, straight-lined, statue of David kind of way,” Sam awkwardly complimented.



That just made Chad appear even more embarrassed.



“Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” Sam apologized.



“It’s okay. You didn’t.”



Their pizza arriving cut away the slight tension in the air.



Tension returned when they finished the meal and Chad reached for the check.



“Hey I got it. In celebration of you winning the game,” Sam stopped him.



“Naw, I got it man.”



“Chad…”



“I got it,” Chad insisted, his hands around the check so it wasn’t even possible for Sam to grab it.



“Fine.”



xxxxxx



“Oh that’s perfect Chad!” Ms. Rosenburg exclaimed as he settled in the pose she directed him into.



Chad was topless and turned in a statuesque pose. It had the same effect as the first time Sam saw him. He kind of gaped at him a moment before he was brought back to the fact that he needed to lift his pencil to actually draw.



He glanced up to start and noticed Chad was watching him draw. He looked a little nervous and was biting his lower lip. Sam smiled a little to try to reassure him.



Sam focused on drawing. He was so into his work, he almost didn’t notice when the bell rang to end the period.



Chad came up to him as he was putting his shirt back on. “Hey, can I get a sneak peek at the picture?”



“Nope. Not until it‘s finished,” Sam slipped it into his portfolio.



“No fair Sammy.” Chad was smiling.



They ended up walking with each other to their next class.



xxxxxx



At lunchtime, Alyssa was first to find Sam, throwing her arms around him in a hug. “Hey Sam!”



“Wow, you’re in a good mood. Did you get laid last night or something?” he commented on her exuberant greeting.



“Shut up. I’m happy.” She grinned slyly at him. “Sooo…you and Chad had dinner together on Friday?”



“He told you about that?”



“That boy tells me everything,” she laughed. “When he was in the 8th grade play he wouldn’t shut up about…” she stopped herself. “Oh God. Forget I said anything.”



“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Was he even in the 8th grade play?”



Sam tried to remember, all he could was that he had been the lead as a prince, and on the night of the performance his mother had embarrassed him by kissing him on the cheek and saying what a charming prince he was in front of everyone.



“Yeah, he was one of the knights. Oh! Here comes Chad and Todd,” she diverted his attention.



After they finished eating, they broke out the Frisbee and all played.



xxxxxx



Chad brought Sam home again. He insisted on driving him. It did make Sam feel safer, to know that no one would be able to jump him on his way home. The reminders of the encounter, the bruises on his face and body had faded more and were now a yellowish brown instead of black and blue. He was glad that with Chad around, it seemed like that would never happen again.



Sam was in his room lounging on his bed when he began to think back on what Alyssa said at lunch. 8th grade play…



He leaned to reach under his bed and grabbed out his book of pictures. He dug through them until he found the one he was looking for. It was from the night of the 8th grade play and had the entire cast.



Smack dab behind him was a 13 year old Chad grinning at the camera from beneath an aluminum foil helmet.



Sam found himself smiling fondly at the picture. Chad looked cute at that age. He was taller than everyone else and was still growing into his limbs so he looked awkward and a bit gangly.



It seems like Chad had always been behind him, even then.



xxxxxx



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