26. Blurted Out

-Sky-

I was sure my parents were suspecting something. I didn't tell them about what happened between Max and me, but every time someone mentioned Max in front of me, I blushed. Like, I turned completely red. No, even that was an understatement.

Anyhow, they asked awfully a lot of questions. Or then I was just being paranoid. I wanted to tell them about Max, but at the same time, I was worried about telling them. My parents always said that they didn't have anything against gay people – my mom's sister had a girlfriend – but I still wasn't feeling confident enough to tell them.

Maybe I was just scared that it didn't happen after all, that it had been just one marvelous dream. I couldn't wrap my head around it. Max Peterson liked me. No one had ever liked me more than just as a friend, and I wasn't even sure about that. And then the god of our school asked me out. And kissed me. Then slept right next to me. And kissed me again.

Those kinds of things didn't happen to me. I was a geeky nobody – guys like Max didn't even see guys like me. But, for some reason, he did. On that Monday morning, when he got on the bus, he saw me, and he never looked away.

I kind of lost myself when he walked to me and started talking to Troy. I didn't pay much attention to their conversation – I lost my mind every time those brown and blue eyes were staring at me – so I didn't understand when he said that the seat didn't have his name on it.

I guess it was an inside joke, because Troy seemed to know what he was talking about.

"So, fawns?" Troy smirked. "That's the interesting part of your camping trip?"

"Yup," I smiled at him.

"All right then, I hear you," Troy chuckled.

There was something in his eyes when he said that. I wasn't sure if he was mocking me or not. I knew fawns weren't interesting or anything to someone who wasn't, well, me, and he clearly didn't think that our trip had been fun. He must have been bored when he listened to me babbling about the trip before Max had arrived.

I turned to look out of the window to hide my embarrassing face. I could feel Max's hand touching my leg short, but I didn't turn to look at him. My good mood was gone, and I felt stupid.

And then I realized it was I that had Max's name on it. That was what they meant! Troy had figured it out immediately, and that was why he had been smirking at us!

If I had felt stupid before, now I felt like a complete moron. And then the fact that Max was referring to me as his own hit me. I kind of lost my mind. Again.

I snapped my head towards Max and without thinking straight, I said loudly, "You're mine, too!"

There was silence all around us. I could hear the silence. I knew they were all looking at me with wide eyes, including Max. I froze. I froze so badly I couldn't even breathe anymore. I had really screwed up this time. Max had specifically asked that I wouldn't tell anyone about us.

"Yeah, yeah, we know," Luke grunted behind us. "No need to shout."

A few people laughed at his words lightly before they continued their conversations. I wasn't sure who looked more shocked, me or Max. I wanted to apologize to Max, but he turned around to look at Luke.

"You guys knew?" he asked.

Luke snorted at him. "Were you even trying to hide it?"

"I... I..." Max stammered and fell silent, before he asked hesitantly, "Well, this is who I am, if you guys can't accept me as a team member–"

"Do I look like I care?" Luke asked, rolling his eyes. "Look, stay on the team, don't stay on the team, it's your choice. There's some who's not happy about it, but if you keep your head in the game, I've got nothing against it."

There was a small pause of silence after what he said. Then it was interrupted.

"The quarterback has spoken," someone chuckled.

"Shut your mouth," Luke grunted at the person. "And mind your own business."

I was about to thank Luke, but Max beat me to it.

"Thank you," Max said quietly.

"There better be no weird stains on my ATV," he replied.

"Okay!" Troy opened his mouth and laughed. "Let's talk about the weather."

Max laughed and turned to look at me. "I guess we are out."

"Out?" I repeated. "No, we're still on the bus?"

"Oh, Sky..." Troy laughed. "You're too cute."

"Out, as in they know we are a couple," Max said and took my hand.

"Oh," I muttered and blushed.

Max gave me a smile and squeezed my hand, and the rest of the bus seemed to lose their interest in us. I really was glad about it.

"So? How did it happen?" Troy asked enthusiastically. "I knew that you guys would end up together."

I kind of didn't want to tell him about it. What had happened back in the forest had been so magical that telling about it wouldn't give it justice.

"It just... happened," Max shrugged, and I had the feeling that he was as reluctant to talk about it as I was.

"Fine, be like that," Troy sniffed dramatically. "Like I even wanted to know..."

"You're dying to know," Max noted.

"Well, duh. I just love romance," Troy smirked.

Max shook his head in amusement and grabbed his bag, starting to rummage through it. "What classes do we have? I think I forgot to pack my books..."

"Aww, you were thinking about Sky so much," Troy cooed.

"True," Max said.

While he continued searching his bag for something, I looked at Troy. There was still something about him I couldn't put my finger on. He was a cheery and lively guy, but now he seemed almost too lively. Like he was trying too hard.

Maybe I imagined it, but when Max wasn't paying attention to him, his smile vanished, and he had a weird expression on his face when he stared at Max. Or no – he wasn't looking straight at him. It looked more like he was staring into nothingness. He was thinking about something – that much I could tell.

I wanted to ask, but then again, I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the answer.

Soon, the bus stopped at our school and I followed the rest of the students out. It was a challenge to jump around with my crutches, and I accidentally hit a few people with them on my way out.

"I have a doctor's appointment today," I said out loud once we all were standing outside. "My leg isn't healing. I think it's just getting worse."

"What?" Max asked worriedly. "You didn't say anything!"

"I wanted to go camping with you," I said in a tiny voice.

Max stared at me for a second, before he took a deep breath and almost yelled at me, "It's not healing if you're not resting!"

"I know, but..." I muttered quietly and trailed off.

Max sighed loudly and hugged me shortly. "You shouldn't strain yourself. It's just a project."

"It's not just a project," I pouted, sounding like a child again. "It wasn't even that bad. We got the ATV and all..."

"But if you keep hurting yourself–" Max spoke, but I interrupted him.

"I won't! I promise I'll be more careful!"

Max squinted his eyes. "I don't believe you."

I couldn't help but to laugh at his words – even I didn't believe myself. "My doctor is going to see if it's broken after all," I explained.

"It might be broken?" both Max and Troy asked at the same time.

I just shrugged. "We should go, or we'll be late."

"Well, we wouldn't be, if your leg wasn't broken," Luke joined the conversation and earned disbelieving looks from Max and Troy. "What? If he'd taken care of himself, he would be able to walk without the crutches."

"Luke. I told you to be nicer to him," Max said angrily.

"What?" Luke's voice sounded offended, and then he turned to look at me. "Do you want me to treat you like a baby?"

"N-no," I shook my head.

"Good. Then stop straining your leg!" he commanded and started walking to the entrance. "Move your asses!"

"He's such a sunshine," Max muttered. "I'm sorry, Sky. He should learn manners."

"I like him," I said with a smile, and now they looked at me with disbelief in their eyes. "What? I think he's sweet."

"Don't you tell him that," Troy warned with a chuckle.

"You think that he's sweet?" Max asked and pointed at Luke.

"Yeah," I said with a frown. "He let us use his ATV, so he's a nice person. But he's the alpha, so he needs to be strict too."

"He's – uh – he's what now?" Troy giggled.

"Alpha. The leader of the pack," I explained.

"I know what an alpha is," Troy smirked. "But who made Luke the leader?"

"The school? I don't know how the captains are elected," I said.

"Elected," Troy chuckled. "I get it, I get it," he added when I started getting frustrated with him.

"Luke may be the quarterback, but he's not our alpha," Max said, trying not to laugh. "We're not wolves, and even if we were, he wouldn't be the leader."

"Yeah, he's not that tough," Troy added.

I raised my eyebrow at both of them. They were acting all high and mighty for a moment until they started to laugh.

"He'd probably kick both of our asses," Max admitted.

"At the same time," Troy sighed.

"With a blindfold on," Max continued and nodded his head towards the entrance, gesturing for us to follow him.

"With his hands tied up," Troy laughed.

"I think you guys are wrong about yourselves," I said with a smile.

"Yeah? You think we could beat him?" Max asked.

"No, I think you would run before he could even move," I joked.

"Thanks," Max chuckled.

"You're welcome," I smiled.

*****

I spent the entire day in a happy bubble. Troy kept asking what happened between us in the forest, and eventually we just told him to get him back off. Which he didn't, of course.

"So, you're going on a date, then? When? Where? What are you planning to do? Is it going to be romantic? Please tell me it's going to be romantic!" Troy bombarded us with his questions.

"Dude, chill," Max said with an awkward smirk. "You're embarrassing me in front of Sky."

"No, he's not?" I frowned at him.

"If he continues, you'll start to think I have planned this whole amazing date with horse carriages and fireworks," Max said.

"There's no horse carriage?" I said, faking disappointment.

"See?" Max said and turned to look at Troy. "You're making me look bad."

"Sorry, bro," Troy said with an apologetic sneer.

"You should be, but lucky for you, I already have a better idea," Max said and turned to look at me.

"You have?" I asked with wide eyes.

"Yeah," Max smiled. "A picnic," he said, and I felt excited already, "at the national park," he continued, making me all jittery, "by the waterfalls."

I squealed happily, tossed my crutches away, and jumped in his arms. "Yes, yes, yes! Can we go today? Can we please...!"

"Watch your leg," Max laughed when he grabbed me. "You're going to see your doctor today, remember?"

"Oh, crap!" I hissed in disappointment. "Tomorrow?" I asked and got excited all over again.

Max laughed at my reaction and tousled my hair. "Okay – whatever you want."

"YES!" I shouted almost at the top of my lungs.

We were in the school cafeteria, waiting for our turn in the line. Of course, the whole place fell completely silent after my excited scream.

Troy started to giggle behind his hand – a strong sign of his oncoming laughing fit – while Max hugged me with one arm.

"I take it you like the idea?" Max asked.

"I do! I really do! It's going to be so awesome!" I smiled.

"Sky – you are too cute," Troy said before he continued laughing. "No, please God...!"

"And here we go again," Max said, making Troy laugh even harder.

"No...!" he gasped and wrapped his arms around his waist.

"Silent room?" I asked.

"I guess we need to," Max said and grabbed Troy by the shoulder. "Come on."

"This is... your... fault!" Troy giggled.

"Yeah, yeah," Max shook his head. "Let's just go find you a place to calm down."

I grabbed my crutches and jumped after them. Max was leading Troy towards the restrooms, but someone stopped me.

"Hey. Is he all right?" It was Luke.

"If he doesn't die laughing," I said.

"Okay... Hey, listen. I uh," Luke spoke and looked hesitant before he continued, "I know I was a jerk to you this morning, and I want to apologize."

"Oh, I know you were trying to be friendly," I said with a reassuring smile.

"Me?" Luke chuckled. "That's the first time someone called me that," he continued, and I couldn't tell if he was joking or not.

"I think you are," I said truthfully. "You can tell a lot about a man by how he treats those who are weaker than him."

"But I've been a jerk to you," he said with a frown.

"I'm not part of your pack," I shrugged. "It's just natural if you don't want me around."

"My what now?" he asked in confusion. "And I never said I don't want you around."

"Well, maybe we can start all over again?" I said without explaining all about alphas and wolf packs – I wanted to, but I managed to restrain myself.

Luke stared at me for a moment before he nodded. "I'd like that," he said quietly.

"Okay. Hi, I'm Sky," I said and offered my hand.

"Oh, you meant it literally?" Luke chuckled and waited for me to reply, but when I didn't, he took my hand and spoke, "I'm Luke. Nice to meet you."

I gave him a wide smile as I lowered my hand on my crutch. "I'd like to be part of your pack, if that's all right with you."

"Yeah, of course," Luke nodded.

"Great," I smiled.

"So, what are we, wolves?" he chuckled.

"Wolves, exactly," I smirked.

"Good," Luke nodded and looked down, seeming nervous all of a sudden. "So... You and Max are...?"

"I think so," I said quietly.

"How did that happen? Did he... ask you out?" Luke continued asking.

"He did, yeah," I said, not quite understanding why he wanted to know, or if he was just trying to make small talk.

"And you said yes?" he asked, and after I nodded, he continued, "Just like that?"

"Pretty much," I said without going into detail.

"Oh, okay," Luke said, and I could tell there was something bothering him.

"I hope you don't hate gays," I said timidly.

"What? No... No, I don't," he said absentmindedly. "I should go now. I need to talk to the coach... I'll see you later."

He left without waiting for my reply. I stared after him for a moment, wondering what he had on his mind, but then I remembered Max and Troy, and turned around to search for them. I spotted Max waiting for me near the restrooms and limped towards him.

"What was that?" he asked immediately when I was close enough.

"He just wanted to apologize for his behavior," I said. "How's Troy?"

"Why did you shake hands?" Max asked.

"Because we started all over," I said. "Now, how's Troy?"

"What do you mean, all over?" Max asked.

I sighed and explained the whole situation to him. I asked about Troy for the third time, and finally, he answered.

"He's calming down, but I don't think we can go in yet. It might disturb him," Max said.

"Okay," I said and leaned against the wall next to him. "I have never been on a date before."

"Oh?" Max said. "Thank goodness – then you don't have anything to compare with."

"What?" I laughed.

"Yeah – if I mess it up and it sucks, you wouldn't know," he said and gave me a playful grin.

"It's not going to suck," I said reassuringly. "With you, out in the park... It just can't suck," I said quietly.

"Thanks for the confidence," Max said. "I'm actually freaking out right now, so that helped a lot."

"Why would you be freaking out?" I asked.

"Because I have never been on a date either, so I have no idea what I'm supposed to do," he said with an awkward look in his eyes.

"Well, you know me," I said. "If it gets embarrassing, ask about squirrels or something and I'll do the talking for the rest of the night."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said with a wide smile. We were silent for a moment, but then Max asked, "You want to tell me all about squirrels now, don't you?"

"Did you know that tree squirrels can rotate their ankles one hundred eighty degrees? They can turn their paws to point backwards when they climb down! And most mammals can't climb down head first!" I blurted out before I could stop myself. "I mean, no. I don't want to tell you about squirrels," I added shyly.

"I want to know all about squirrels," Max said tenderly. "I want to hear you talk."

"Oh," I blushed and looked down, but he placed his index finger under my chin and made me look up at him again.

"Pretty please?" he cooed.

I smiled and kissed his hand quickly before I continued, "The squirrel family is called Sciuridae."

"Ski... Sciudi..." Max tried to pronounce it, but burst into laughter when he couldn't. "Carry on."

"Sciuridae," I corrected. "You're so going to regret this," I added.

"No, I'm not," he said.

"Yes, you are," I giggled, and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"No, I'm not. Please continue," he said with a warm voice.

"Okay. The Sciuridae family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots..." I continued on and on, and he listened quietly with a smile on his face without interrupting me even once.

What a weird guy. No – what a weird boyfriend.