Page 10 of Something Like Winter

The joke didn’t make sense, but for Bryce it was probably his wittiest moment.

“Walk me to class?” Krista said.

“Yeah,” Tim answered distractedly.

He said goodbye to Bryce and let Krista guide him down the hall. Krista started talking about a shopping trip or something involving shoes, Tim nodding along until they reached her class. Then he interrupted her.

“How does anyone know?” he asked.

“What?”

“That Benjamin guy. How does anyone know he’s gay?”

Krista looked repulsed. “Because he told everyone.”

“Seriously?” Tim considered this in surprise. “That takes balls.”

“More like he’s crazy. Who cares anyway? He’s just some loser.”

“Well, if nobody cares, then why pick on him?” Tim had never understood the way popular kids picked on those who weren’t. He got along with everyone, really. But here, just like back in Kansas, being on top seemed to require making everyone below you miserable.

Krista rolled her eyes. “Do you want me to get you his number or something?”

“Why would I want it?” Tim said forcefully enough that she blanched.

“I was just kidding. Geez.”

Tim glared at her. “Why would you even joke about that? Huh?”

Krista grasped for words and for once couldn’t find any.

“I’ll see you during lunch.”

Tim sulked his way down the hall. He had only asked a simple question. Krista didn’t need to jump to conclusions like that. Just because he didn’t hate someone for what they were, didn’t make him the same thing. He felt irritated at himself for even broaching the stupid subject. But once he was in class and had calmed down, part of him couldn’t help smile that there was someone crazy enough to stand up to Bryce Hunter. * * * * *

Tim waited in line for lunch, the smell of greasy cafeteria food making his stomach growl. Bryce’s stomach roared back, echoing the sentiment. They did this every day, grabbing two trays each and bringing them back to Krista and Stacy like waiters on a date. Tim only started doing it because he enjoyed the quiet that came from leaving Krista at the table.

“I’ve got this one.”

They turned in unison, puzzled at Stacy’s presence.

“What?” Bryce asked.

“Today I’m bringing you your food. Go sit down.”

Bryce shrugged and did as he was told, leaving Tim and Stacy alone for the first time. Tim knew this had never happened before because he made sure it didn’t. As hot as she was, Stacy scared the hell out of him. Maybe because she was as mean as Carla could be, except Stacy usually didn’t bother playing nice.

Not that she couldn’t, when she wanted. A male teacher had once come up to her in the hall and asked why she had missed class. Stacy went all giggling dingbat, her every movement adorable and flirtatious. The teacher had forgiven her pretty quickly and headed down the hall, probably so no one would notice the growing tent in his pants.

“Double date tonight,” Stacy said with a calculating smile. “Or at least, it was supposed to be.”

“The four of us?” Tim asked.

Stacy nodded. “Don’t you think it’s time you make it official? I know Krista is an idiot, but believe me, there are benefits to dating someone so stupid.”

Tim didn’t reply.

“You’re a very careful person,” Stacy said. “Why is that?”