Page 73 of Advanced Chemistry

I pulled out my phone. My fingers hit the keypad with fierce determination. I wouldn’t let myself be rattled by this bullshit probe into my personal life—or Sebastian’s question about our situation.

“I’m texting Chase to come over as soon as school is out. We’re going to fuck his brains out.”

I slapped Sebastian’s ass hard, and looked behind me, secretly hoping that Hollis or any of his family-minded employees saw that.

24

CHASE

“Look at all these kids with their hopes and their dreams and their futures.” Everett shook his head, wondering when the inevitable cynicism of adulthood would sink in.

The four of us hung out on the roof of South Rock at a secret spot that had been a smoker’s lounge for teachers and students up until the 1970s.

Today, the seniors picked up their yearbooks and graduation caps and gowns. In a few days, they would be graduating. End-of-year excitement permeated the halls. Kids walked around sans books and backpacks. They knocked on teachers’ doors by choice to say goodbye. South Rock went from being a place of education to one of celebration.

From our perch high up, we watched kids congregate on the front lawn, signing yearbooks and enjoying one last hang before they left these hallowed halls forever. That was one the best and worst parts of being a teacher: watching the passage of time.

Amos said it was best to relax on the roof to avoid the mad rush of fevered seniors, but really, we didn’t want to get choked up in front of our graduating students.

“They grow up so fast.” Amos looked out on a group of kids trying on their caps. “Soon, they’ll be off to college, getting jobs, having families of their own.”

“In no time, they’ll be having sex with their former chemistry teacher,” Everett said.

My friends cracked up, breaking the sentimental moment we were sharing. I felt myself turn red.

“How is naked wrestling practice?” Amos asked.

“You’ve been less forthcoming on details. We want to hear all about the wild times.” Everett elbowed me in the ribs.

“Only if you want to share,” Julian said.

While I had gotten used to my friends making jest of my current sexual situation, their comments had recently begun to cause an unfortunate pit to form in my stomach. Whatever was happening with Anton and Sebastian felt less and less like something that deserved to be a punchline.

“I’d prefer not to, actually.” I straightened up.

Usually, I didn’t mind sharing details of sexual escapades with my friends. We all traded stories over the years and had a good laugh about awkward experiences or unforgettable nights. Something stopped me from turning this into an anecdote.

“It’s not all sex. They came over the other night, and no clothes were shed. It was actually scandalous because we had a Puzzles and Pizza night…on a weekday.”

“Tell me more,” Everett deadpanned. I knew he was being sarcastic, and yet I went on.

“Well, we puzzled for about an hour, until Einstein skittered off the finished part when she heard the silverware drawer open. She took the pieces with her. The look on Anton’s face…” I broke out in laughter, remembering the moment. “He and Einstein are in a love/hate relationship. After that, we turned on this 2000s playlist and had an impromptu sing-along. Every time Sebastian was about to carry a tune, Anton would throw him offkey. It should have been annoying, and yet it came off charming. I tried rapping toLose Yourself, but the only line I remembered was when Eminem regurgitated his mother’s homemade pasta dish onto his clothing.”

The guys could be incredibly silly when they wanted to. Anton always knew how to keep things light, yet then he could turn around and be intimate and sweet. I found myself smiling from the inside out in their presence, the kind of smiles reserved for the top of a roller coaster or stumbling upon a used book store.

“Wow.” Julian had a hand on his heart. “Who knew three-ways could be so wholesome?”

“We’re not having sex every waking minute we see each other. That would be exhausting and potentially cause dehydration.”

“It sounds sweet. Are you sure this is casual?” Amos asked.

“As opposed to what?” I wondered.

“Something more serious?” Amos studied me for a moment. “Because it seems serious.”

Being a history teacher, objective facts weren’t his forte. The only fact of history was that it was written by the victors seeking to puff up their reputations. However, he had a keen interest in emotional truth.

“Are you guys like…together?” Everett pounded his fists together to demonstrate, but even in that rudimentary example, there were only two fists.

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