Friend Zoned [boyxboy]

                Considering the fact that I’m gay, you’d think that having balls thrust into my face would make me ecstatic.

                Instead, it was making me absolutely terrified.

                “DAMMIT!” I ducked again, covering my head as another soccer ball went sailing over my head.

                “Bryant! Quit ducking!” Coach snapped.

                “Sorry I don’t like getting my face smashed in by soccer ba- OW!” My head snapped to the side as a soccer ball collided with it. I groaned and rubbed my cheek.

                “Alright, alright. Bryant, just trap the balls with your chest. And for god’s sake, will you run at your opponent?” Coach said in annoyance.

                I nodded and he blew his whistle to resume the drills we were doing. I ran forward towards my opponent, flinching as he kicked the ball. Luckily, it only hit my shins, and I was able to kick it away, avoiding another yelling at from Coach.

                I glanced over and my heart just about stopped as I spotted Gideon. He was facing off against the other defender, Nate, just a few feet away.

                Gideon ran at Nate, skillfully dribbling the ball. Sweat was rolling down in his face in little beads since it was hot out and he was working hard.

                He feigned to the right before kicking the ball to the left and sprinting to the goal with it. He pulled his foot back and let it fly forward, laces smacking the ball, sending it soaring towards the goalkeeper with speed and strength. The ball would no doubt sco-

                “OW!”

                 I staggered backwards, rubbing my cheek again. The line of players in front of me burst into laughter and I felt my face heating up. God, I hoped that Gideon wasn’t watching me right now.

                “Benji, maybe if you stopped staring at Gideon, you would see the ball flying at your face!” Coach yelled. “Start paying attention! This is why you’re always on the bench!”

                I blushed even harder as the boys began to laugh more. I dropped my gaze, praying that Gideon hadn’t been paying any attention.

                Coach rubbed his temples. “Okay, okay. I can’t take Bryant’s lack of attention any longer. Practice is over.”

                We all jogged off of the field and into the locker room. I pulled my sweat-stained shirt off and stuffed it in my bag.

                “Nice job Benji.” A couple of the guys snickered as they walked by me.

                I bit my lip and pulled a clean shirt on, standing up. I turned to leave and froze as I felt a hand on my shoulder.

                I turned and gulped as I faced Gideon. He had taken his shirt off, and his gorgeous body gleamed with sweat from the day’s work.

                “Are you okay? You took a couple balls to the face,” he said, gripping my chin and examining my cheek.

                “Benji Bryant always takes balls to the face!” someone called, and the others laughed.

                “Haha, you guys are so funny and mature. Let’s keep making gay jokes. I forgot we’re still in the 8th grade,” Gideon said in annoyance.