Diff'rent Strokes (revisited, edited and updated)

The First Shift

Luke Moore

My name is Luke Moore, and I've always been the type of guy who refuses to fit in. Rebellious? Sure. Stubborn? Absolutely. My parents used to say I lived my life like a dare, always one step away from trouble. From my locs to the way I carried myself, I didn't conform to their idea of "normal." What they didn't know was that my hair wasn't the only thing I was hiding—it was just the first layer of a much bigger secret I wasn't ready to share.

I'll never forget my freshman year of college, the day everything shifted. It was the first day of Oral Communications—a class I only signed up for because it fit my schedule. I walked in late, as usual, scanning the room for an open seat. That's when I noticed him.

He strolled into the classroom with this effortless confidence, like he owned the place. Light-skinned, tall, with a lean build and a bushy curly fro with a temple fade. There was something magnetic about him, something that made the room feel a little smaller. He didn't hesitate, just plopped down in the seat right next to mine, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"I'm Kayden," he said, extending his hand with a casual grin. His voice had a smooth, almost musical quality to it.

I shook his hand, matching his energy. "Luke."

He tilted his head slightly, studying me. "Luke Moore, right? You're the guy who won the state championship against my school last year."

I blinked, caught off guard. "You recognize me from that?"

"Yeah," he said, flashing a grin that was equal parts charm and mischief. "I was in the crowd. Your team was insane, but you... you were something else. The way you moved? Damn near unstoppable."

I couldn't help but smirk. "And which unlucky school was yours?"

Kayden laughed—a deep, unrestrained laugh that made heads turn. "Oh, I get it. You're one of those guys who always has to win, huh?"

I shrugged. "Winning doesn't hurt. So? Where are you from?"

His grin widened. "How much time you got? Born in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Grew up in New York, South Carolina, Hawaii, California, Texas... should I keep going?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Military brat?"

"Bingo. My dad's Air Force," he said, leaning back in his chair. "What about you?"

"Parents are in entertainment. Dad's an actor, Mom's a singer. We moved around a lot too," I said.

He nodded, his expression shifting into something softer, more genuine. "Funny how that works. Seems like we've got a lot in common already."

There was something easy about talking to him, something rare. Most people struggled to keep up with me—my sarcasm, my edge—but Kayden matched me, step for step. Before I could think too much about it, he leaned forward, his tone casual but inviting.

"What are you doing after class?"

"Nothing planned," I said, shrugging.

"Cool. You should come by my room after I settle in, we could hop on 2k or something." Kayden said, like it wasn't even a question.

And just like that, the rest of my day—and, as it turned out, most of my semester—belonged to him.

Later that night, as I unpacked the last of my boxes in my dorm room, the door swung open. Standing there, with a cocky grin and a bag slung over his shoulder, was Kayden.

"Nah! Ain't no way!," I said, staring at him in disbelief.

"Surprise," he said, his grin widening. "Looks like you're stuck with me, roommate."

For a second, I didn't know whether to laugh or roll my eyes. What were the odds? Out of everyone on campus, the school had paired me with him.

"Guess we're about to see how much we really have in common," I said, shaking my head.

He dropped his bag onto the empty bed in the room across the hall, shooting me a wink. "Trust me, Moore. You're in for a hell of a semester."

And just like that, the rest of my day—and, as it turned out, most of my semester—belonged to him.

At first, it was nothing more than hanging out. Late-night conversations about life, binge-watching shows, and roasting each other over everything from bad music tastes to failed attempts at cooking. But the more time I spent with him, the harder it became to ignore this strange pull. It wasn't just about friendship; it was something else entirely. Something I didn't want to name.

Kayden wasn't just charming—he was electric. He challenged me in ways I wasn't used to, called me out on my bullshit, and didn't shy away from my intensity. He had his own edge, his own rules, and it felt like we were two sides of the same coin.

That's when I realized it: I wasn't just drawn to Kayden. I was attracted to him. And that scared the hell out of me.