Not What it Seems

~Jane~

I knew I needed to warn Cash the minute I saw him the next morning, but he didn't give me the chance. He and Chris walked up to Cash's locker together, which meant that I couldn't speak to him without the possibility of being harassed by Chris.

Nonetheless, despite our differences and despite the fact that he barely knew me, I felt Cash's hand gently touch the small of my back as they passed behind me.

I hid my smile in the hinges of my locker.

In what world was it okay for me to like a guy like Cash?

~Cash~

It was unbelievably difficult for me to keep my eyes off her. She was beautiful.

The only way I managed it was by keeping my back to her and letting Chris distract me with his rant about cars. It was like swimming against the current.

I touched her back as I walked behind her, though, and just the feel of the dip of her spine beneath my fingers turned me on. Was that normal?

And yeah, I know. It was risky and stupid and anyone could have seen, but why did I get the feeling that Jane liked me too?

»»»»

Later that day, at soccer practice, coach made us run laps with the Varsity Football team. Apparently, it was to enhance our athletic appreciation- as if that made any sense at all. It would have been totally fine, except for the fact that all the guys on the football team are douche bags.

Ricky, the varsity captain, ran alongside me as we completed our final lap.

"So Anderson, I hear Brandy has got her sights set on you this year."

I shrugged noncommittally.

"You don't seem thrilled bud, why? Already got a girlfriend?"

I rolled my eyes. I told you they were dicks.

"Shut it, Vasquez, I'm single. Just not interested."

"Woah there, Cash, didn't know you swung that way. It's alright though, nothing wrong with playing for the other team," he said, smirking wickedly.

"Fuck off, man. I'm straight okay? I'm not looking for a relationship right now," I grumbled as we walked off the track and into the locker room.

Ricky hooted with laughter. "You hear that boys?" he called into the rows of lockers and body odor. "Cash says he ain't looking for a relationship!"

There was a chorus of hollering and cat calling and wolf whistles.

"What the hell? Why is that so funny?" I sighed as I sat in front of my locker and stripped off my shirt, rubbing my sweat off with it.

Danny looked over at me and grinned. "Come on, man, everyone knows that 'I'm not looking for a relationship' is just code for liking a girl who is either out of your league, or doesn't like you back."

My heart caught in my throat as Janes pale face flashed through my mind.

"Who the hell comes up with this shit?" I asked, yanking my shorts off and grabbing a towel from my locker.

"Seriously Cash?" Ricky chuckled, and I seriously wanted to hit him. "Look me in the eyes and tell me there isn't already a special girl you've got your eyes on."

I stared at him, and I wanted to say it, I really did, but I thought, again, of Jane, of what she would do. She wouldn't lie like that. I caught Chris and Matt rolling their eyes at me, like they knew something I didn't, and I guess I had made my decision.