scene 2

I sat on the edge of my twin bed, staring down at the frisbee in my lap. I’d found it while unpacking, stuffed in one of my old boxes from high school. It was a relic from my one attempt to join the ultimate frisbee team. That lasted about three practices before I realized everyone on the team already had their friend groups, and I was just the smart kid trying to fit in where he didn’t belong.

The dorm room was weirdly quiet. Thanks to a last-minute dropout, I’d lucked into a single room, which, on paper, sounded great. No roommate to snore or blast music at two in the morning. But right now, with the walls bare and empty bedsprings creaking under my weight, it felt…lonely. Almost hollow.

Dad’s words echoed in my mind. A fresh start. A chance to live my life, make friends, have fun—do all the things I’d spent the last few years too afraid or distracted to even think about. Taking a deep breath, I tapped the edge of the frisbee with my thumb. I can do this, I told myself. I don’t have to be the quiet, awkward kid who just buries his head in a textbook.

It was easier to believe that in theory than to actually get up and try. My default setting had always been quiet and careful, keeping to myself because that was safer. But Dad was right. I couldn’t keep living like I was waiting on the sidelines.

“Okay, Jack,” I whispered to the empty room. “You’re not that kid anymore. You’re going to get out there and… be normal.”

With one last look around my empty room, I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Then I grabbed my keys, shoved them in my pocket, and headed out into the hallway, feeling every nerve in my body spark to life with both anxiety and a weird, unfamiliar thrill. This was it. My chance to actually put myself out there.

The hallway opened up into a stairwell, and I took the steps down two at a time, ignoring the tightness in my chest. Outside, the campus was buzzing with students carrying boxes, parents lingering over goodbyes, laughter and voices blending into a wall of sound. I scanned the faces, looking for a group of people who didn’t seem too intimidating, who wouldn’t think twice about a stranger wandering up and asking if he could join them.

The quad stretched out ahead, sun-dappled and alive with clusters of students lounging on blankets, tossing footballs, or chatting on benches. I took a deep breath, gripping my hands on the frisbee to stop them from fidgeting.

This is it, Jack, I thought. You just have to take the first step.

I kept my eyes down as I wandered through the quad; the frisbee gripped tightly in one hand. People were everywhere, laughing, talking, shouting at each other. My heart pounded like I’d just sprinted across campus, and I told myself for the hundredth time to relax. Find someone to talk to, ask to throw the frisbee around, anything to get out of my head. But every time I looked up, the surrounding groups seemed so tight-knit, like they’d known each other forever. Who was I to barge in and ask if they’d let me hang around?

I was about to give up and slink back to my room when I saw him—a guy around my age, dark brown hair that fell in messy waves over his forehead. He was talking to someone—a preppy-looking guy with a button-down shirt and a big, practiced smile—but it was the one with the wavy hair who caught my eye. He was exactly my type, all sharp edges softened by a lopsided, amiable smile that made me stop in my tracks. It was a smile that didn’t feel fake, one that reached his eyes and didn’t just vanish when the conversation was over. He seemed…real. Different from the plastic grins I was used to back home.

I let myself imagine, just for a second, what it would be like to sit beside him, to have someone like him look at me with that same smile. I’d only recently come out to my dad, and, for once, I was grateful he’d taken it in stride. He’d even cracked a joke about how he’d always wondered. But being out and actually dating someone were two very different things. I’d never held another guy’s hand, let alone had an actual boyfriend. And kissing? That felt like something out of a daydream, something distant and half-imagined.

For just a moment, I let myself imagine it—what it would be like to feel his hand in mine, or to look up and see that smile directed at me. I felt a pang of longing, something deep and new and a little terrifying. But another image, sharp and sudden, chased the thought away: my mom, looking at me with those soft eyes of hers. One of the last things she’d told me before she passed was that I was special, that I was going to do amazing things if I could just learn to step out of my way.

The memory hit me like a jolt of electricity, and I felt her words echoing in my head. Kick your fears to the curb. She’d said that, and I’d nodded, promising her I’d try. It wasn’t supposed to be this hard, but maybe she’d known it would be. Maybe that’s why she’d told me. I took a shaky breath, feeling her strength settle somewhere deep inside me.

I looked up at the guy again, my pulse hammering as I clutched the frisbee so tight my fingers ached. The preppy guy had walked off, and the dark-haired guy was alone now, checking something on his phone, his face half-hidden by a strand of thick hair. This is it, I thought. Just walk over there. Say hi. Be the person Mom believed you could be.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I forced myself to put one foot in front of the other, my heart pounding in my chest. I crossed the grass, each step feeling like a minor victory over my own nerves, until finally I was close enough to clear my throat and say, “Hey.”

The guy looked up, surprised, and I glimpsed those green eyes up close, warm and curious. I flushed, but held his gaze, hoping my voice didn’t sound shaky.

“Uh, hi,” I said, gripping the frisbee like it was a life raft. “I… I’m Jack. Do you…wanna throw this around?”

The guy’s face broke into that same serene smile I’d noticed from across the quad, and he nodded. “Yeah, sure. Why not?” he said, standing up and dusting off his jeans. “I’m Liam, by the way.” He held out his hand, and I shook it, trying not to feel too ridiculous about how sweaty my palms suddenly were.

Before I could get a word in, the preppy guy returned, jogging up with a wide grin plastered on his face. He glanced at Liam and said, “Hey Liam, there’s a frat I’m thinking of rushing. They’re throwing a massive party tonight. You wanna come?”

Liam shrugged, like he didn’t have a care in the world. “Yeah, sure,” he said, then turned back to me. “This is Bradley, by the way. We just met this morning.”

Bradley puffed out his chest a little, shooting me an assessing look. “Sup,” he said, all confidence and bravado. “So, you’re playing frisbee with us now?”

I nodded, managing a small smile. “I’m Jack. Nice to meet you guys.”

Liam tossed me a quick, friendly grin that made something warm twist in my stomach. “Cool. Let’s get going, then.” He paused, and his eyes met mine. “Hey, come to the party with us tonight. Might be fun.”

For a second, I just stared, completely frozen. I could see my reflection in the vibrant green of his eyes, and all I could think was how much I wanted to be around him, even if it was just for a night. It felt strange, letting myself want that.

“Oh, please,” Bradley broke in, clearly sensing my hesitation. “It’ll be full of fun people, Jack. Might as well start college off right. Plus, the guys throwing it are, like, future leaders. One of them’s even interning on Capitol Hill this semester.” He said it like that was supposed to mean something to me, flashing a wide, slightly smug grin that made me want to roll my eyes.

“Yeah… sure,” I said, unsure if I meant it, but not wanting to say no, not yet. Liam just grinned, giving the frisbee a quick toss back to me.

And so we started playing, the three of us tossing the frisbee around on the lawn, Bradley going on about his “excellent prospects” and the “networking opportunities” in Greek life.

Now and then, Liam caught my eye, and there was something genuine there that made it easier to tune Bradley out. I let myself enjoy the feeling of running across the grass, of being part of something, even if just for a few minutes.

I stood in front of the tiny mirror above my dresser, tilting my head to the side and wondering if I looked like I belonged anywhere near a frat party. The mirror was more suited for checking if I’d brushed my teeth than for full-length assessments, but I did my best. I’d thrown on my one decent shirt—a dark blue button-down that didn’t scream “freshman” too loudly—and my best jeans. My hair was cooperating, for once, and I had to admit, I looked…fine. Not like the life of the party, maybe, but like I’d pass for someone who could stand in a corner and not immediately get noticed as an outsider.

There was a knock at the door, and I took a deep breath before opening it. Liam stood there with his hands in his pockets, smiling like he’d just run into an old friend instead of a guy he’d only met that afternoon.

“Hey,” he said. “You ready? Bradley’s meeting us at the frat, so it’s just you and me for now.”

I smiled, relieved it was just the two of us. “Yeah, let’s do this.”

As we walked out of the dorms and into the night, Liam chatted easily, pointing out different buildings and telling me what little he knew about each. I mostly listened, grateful he was filling in the silence. Now and then, I’d glance at him, his face half-lit by the streetlights, his eyes crinkling in the corners when he laughed at something. I’d expected him to be a little intimidating, but he was warm, his confidence easy and inviting, like he was genuinely interested in making me feel at ease.

I tried to think of things to say, something to match his vibe, but mostly I just nodded and agreed with whatever he was saying. My nerves bounced around like they were staging a mutiny, but having him next to me made it easier.

When we turned the corner and saw the frat house up ahead, glowing with string lights and pulsing music, Liam slowed down. He stopped, then turned to me, his mouth pulled into a hesitant grin. “Dude, I’ve never been to a party like this before,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Don’t tell anyone I told you, but I’m nervous.”

I let out a surprised laugh and felt my own shoulders relax a little. “You’re nervous? I was over here freaking out, thinking I’d be the only one.”

He chuckled, and we both stood there, shoulders hunched like we were waiting in line for some major test. “Guess we’ll figure it out together, then,” he said.

“Yeah. Together,” I said, and it felt good to have someone else say it. Like I didn’t have to walk into this new world alone. With one last shared nod, we squared our shoulders, steeling ourselves for whatever was waiting inside.

Bradley practically popped out of nowhere, his loud laugh announcing him before I even saw him. He bounded up to us with a lopsided grin, already looking like he was well on his way to a hangover, though the night had just begun.

“Jack! Liam!” he bellowed, clapping us both on the shoulders with more force than necessary. “Didn’t think you’d show up to something this epic on your first night. Man, back home, I’d be at parties like this every weekend.” He pointed to the house, gesturing like he owned the place. “My uncle’s a major donor for this frat. Huge deal. Gets invited to all their alumni stuff. So yeah, let’s just say they know me here.”

He kept going, dropping names I didn’t recognize, and rambling about some vague “family connections.” Liam and I exchanged a quick look, both of us trying not to smirk. Bradley didn’t seem to notice or care. Just as he started on another round of bragging, a guy yelled his name, and he gave us a wink before swaggering off, weaving a little as he disappeared into the crowd.

Liam chuckled, shaking his head. “Quite the character, isn’t he?”

“Yeah,” I agreed, trying not to laugh out loud. “Guess he’s got big plans for the night.”

We made our way down to the basement, where the thump of bass rattled the walls and a haze of stale beer and cheap cologne hung in the air. A group of kids crowded around a makeshift bar, while others shouted over each other, leaning on old, sagging couches. The energy was chaotic, loud, and strangely contagious.

Liam led the way over to the keg, filling two red solo cups with foamy beer. He passed one to me, and I took a hesitant sip, trying not to wince at the bitter taste. I wasn’t much of a drinker, but something about holding that cup in my hand made me feel like I might actually belong here.

Just as I turned to say something to Liam, a group of girls appeared out of nowhere, clustering around us. They looked like they’d been gearing up for this night since morning—hair perfectly curled, lip gloss shimmering under the dim lights. At first, I thought they were just passing by, but then one of them, a girl with bright red lipstick, caught my eye and shot me a coy smile.

“So, you guys new here?” she asked, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

“Uh, yeah,” I said, glancing at Liam, who seemed equally clueless.

Another girl, with a sparkly top and a loud laugh, sidled up next to Liam, leaning in close. “We love seeing fresh faces,” she said, her eyes practically glued to him. Liam shot me a confused look, and I shrugged, not sure what to make of it either. Girls rarely approached me, so it hadn’t even crossed my mind that they might be flirting.

Then one of them draped her arm over Liam’s shoulder, pulling him closer with a grin. She leaned in, planted a quick kiss on his cheek, and asked, “So… you seeing anyone?”

Liam’s face went red, and he looked at me, wide-eyed, like he was hoping for some kind of lifeline. “Uh, no, I’m, uh…” He paused, then took a breath. “I’m gay,” he said, his voice steady but soft, like he was testing out how it sounded in the air.

For a second, the girls went silent, and I held my breath, bracing for their reaction. Then, out of nowhere, they erupted in shrieks of excitement, practically squealing with approval.

“Oh, my god!” one of them cried, clapping her hands together. “That’s amazing! We love gay guys! You’re like, our Will!”

“Or Jack!” another one added, bouncing on her heels, starry-eyed. “This is just like Will & Grace! We’ve always wanted a gay best friend!”

Liam’s face was still a little pink, but he laughed, seeming more at ease. I felt this strange warmth spread through my chest, my heart beating a little faster. Liam had just come out to a bunch of strangers without missing a beat, and he looked so calm about it. And knowing he was gay... well, I couldn’t help feeling a tiny spark of hope.

We ended up playing beer pong with the girls, who seemed just as enthusiastic about the game as they were about Liam’s revelation. I wasn’t great at it, but with every cup I sank, they cheered me on like I’d just won a gold medal. Liam and I ended up on opposite sides, facing off, and every time he made a shot, he’d give me this little smirk, like he knew exactly what he was doing.

Liam sank the last cup, and I groaned as the girls erupted into cheers. My side of the table was littered with empty red cups, while Liam stood there, victorious, a smug grin plastered across his face. It was like he’d done this a thousand times, the way he tossed the ball with casual ease and watched it drop into the cup without even a flinch.

“Okay, okay, you got me,” I said, holding up my hands in surrender. “Champion of the night.”

Liam raised his hands in mock triumph, then staggered a bit, laughing. I was feeling more comfortable than I’d expected—and more than a little buzzed.

Just as I took a step back, trying to steady myself, the girl with the sparkly top leaned over and handed me a plastic tiara. “For the runner-up!” she said, barely containing her giggles.

I looked at her, bewildered, but she was dead serious. She placed the tiara on my head and took a step back to admire her handiwork. Liam burst out laughing, nearly doubling over. “You wear that with pride, Jack. It suits you!”

“Oh, shut up,” I muttered, trying to keep a straight face. But I was cracking up, too, the absurdity of the entire scene settling in. Here I was, wearing a tiara at my first college party, playing beer pong with a bunch of girls who wanted Liam to be their new “gay bestie.” Not exactly how I’d imagined my first week of college.

Just as the girls started snapping pictures with their phones, Bradley came barreling down the stairs, looking even more plastered than before. He took one look at me, tiara and all, and burst out laughing. “Dude! Jack, you didn’t tell me you were a queen!”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help laughing along with him. Then Bradley threw his arm around Liam’s shoulders, pulling him in with a lopsided grin. “Hey, you two, since you’re like best buds now, there’s something you should know. If we’re all gonna be friends, it’s gotta be strictly platonic, alright?” He pointed a finger in my face, his expression serious for about half a second before he cracked up again. “No falling in love with each other. Friendship is forever. Romance? Not so much.”

Liam and I exchanged a quick glance, both of us turning red at the same time. Well, I guess Bradley’s gay too.

“No problem,” Liam said, putting his right hand up like he was taking an oath. “Promise. Strictly platonic.”

I nodded, but the blush creeping up my cheeks wasn’t going anywhere. We both knew this was ridiculous, but something about the way Bradley said it made it stick. And honestly, the idea of keeping things simple sounded… easier. Safer, even.

“Good,” Bradley said with a mock salute, as if he were delivering some sage wisdom. “Now, who’s up for a round of shots?”