Page 20 of Advanced Chemistry

Essentially, I didn’t out of nowhere decide to initiate a threesome. Invisible tracks had been laid, even if we couldn’t see them.

“Who were the guys? I wonder if I had them,” Julian said.

“You met them at the winery for your birthday. They were restocking their vending machine.”

“Shut up. Those two hot jocks who were obviously hitting on you?” Amos said. “Now this all makes more sense.”

“I stand by my previous protestation that they were being friendly, not flirtatious.” Sebastian and Anton were happy to see me a few months ago, but perhaps Amos was right. I could feel the mess of uncertainty creeping into my life.

“I know it’s not ideal. It was a pleasurable time for all, but there won’t be a repeat.” I nodded my head to confirm my stance and continued walking down the hall into the breezeway that connected the “new” addition to South Rock that was added on in the late 90s.

My friends caught up to me. Fresh morning sun blasted through the windows of the breezeway.

“Why not?” Everett asked. “If the three of you had a good time, why not do it again?”

“They’re students.”

“Former students,” he said.

“I shouldn’t.”

“Your answer isn’t rooted in logic,” Julian said, which felt like an especially brutal twist of the knife. He was the reasonable friend in our life, and he was on board with this?

“J is right. Let’s look at this logically. The three of you are sexually attracted to each other. You’re all consenting adults. Humans are wired to seek out pleasurable experiences. If you don’t see them again, you’re bitchslapping Mother Nature.” Even Everett’s logic had a flair for drama, though unfortunately, he wasn’t completely wrong.

I could feel the mess boarding the train and riding on those aforementioned invisible tracks, headed straight for my orderly life.

“I’ll take your sentiment under consideration,” I offered. “But for now, I’d prefer that it remain a one-off experience.”

“An ad hoc fuck?” Amos quipped.

“Chase, you’re kicking a gift horse in the mouth when you should be putting two dicks in there.” Everett brushed his fiery red hair out of his eyes.

“That’s a horrible metaphor, not to mention animal abuse,” I told him.

I appreciated that my friends were blunt and honest and had my wellbeing at heart, even if for them, my sexual wellbeing was what mattered most. I was meant to be a noble gas, standing alone, no need to link my molecules with others.

“Hey.” A smirk spread across Julian’s face as he pointed to the trophy case that happened to be right in front of us.

The trophy case commemorated the victories of South Rock’s wrestling team. In the center of the case was a photo of the top two wrestlers from the school’s most recent regional championship.

Anton and Sebastian.

I telepathically willed my friends not to say anything. It was a coincidence, that was all.

“Amos, you forgot your coffee.” Hutch joined us holding a lukewarm styrofoam cup out to his boyfriend.

“Thanks,” Amos said while trying to hold back laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Hutch asked. He looked at Julian and Everett, who had similar struggles keeping a straight face.

Even Sebastian and Anton seemed to be smirking at me through the case.

7

ANTON

Iwoke up Monday morning and stared at my ceiling. The weekend was a blur.

---