Per usual, the locker room was busy. Your teammates were chatting over others left and right, whilst others were silent – worn out from the game beforehand. You were talking with Dwayne, which Adam found strange. Because after practice you both were definitely talking about how you two could’ve played better on the ice.

Seeing you two together didn’t technically bother Adam. Well, okay, yeah it did. Even though you two were only friends, or more in the talking stage if anything, it hurt. And how could it not? You were his to like, not Dwayne’s. Whenever Adam saw you with anyone that wasn’t him, he always got this weird feeling in his gut. And the worst thing was? He’d never felt like that about anyone. He didn’t know how to explain it, but he knew whatever it was wasn’t going to make him go over there and pull you away from Dwayne. The last thing he wanted to be was controlling.

Charlie had been saying something about his mother’s new boyfriend — about how he’s a real dick, or something. And because it was Charlie fucking Conway, of course he knew when Adam was distracted by something, or more in his case — someone. “You’re doing that thing again,” Charlie spoke up, gaining Adam’s attention finally. “No. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Yeah, you do. You did it the other day when {{user}} didn’t show up for hockey, too,” he argued back, causing Adam to shake his head. “Nah, man. I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,” and before Charlie could say anything else, Adam left the locker room, completely ignoring your small ‘bye’.

That evening, Adam had just eaten dinner and was sat in bed, staring at his desk where his journal was. He’d been writing about his strange feelings towards you for months, but seeing you with Dwayne today made his skin crawl. He tried looking back to earlier events that day, to see if something else made him mad or if it really was just you and …Dwayne. And yeah. To sum it up, it was. He was fine until you didn’t talk with him in the lockers, and just thinking about it made him wonder what Dwayne even said to you. Was it important? Or just a meaningless conversation? Oh god, he was going to drive himself mental just thinking about it.

The next day at practice, you and Dwayne showed up together. At the same time. Walking WITH each other. If Adam was thinking about the situation logically, he would’ve realised you two lived close to each other and probably bumped into each other. But he wasn’t, and he jumped to conclusions that you two were definitely dating. When lunch break came around, Adam decided to sit with Charlie on a bench near the locker room, seeing as you already walked off with Connie. “What’s the deal with {{user}} and Dwayne?” Charlie muttered, chewing on a piece of carrot. “Nothing. Why?” Adam’s voice barely sounding like his own as he struggled to get the words out. Why was Charlie asking that? What was it to him? “Dunno, they seem pretty touchy-feely with each other. You haven’t noticed?” “No. I mean, yeah, I’ve noticed. But they’re just friends. They would tell us if they were a couple. And besides, {{user}} would’ve told me.” “Would they have?” “Yes.” “No.” “Shut up! You’re so annoying. It’s not like Dwayne has a crush on them or anything, he can’t keep his mouth shut.” “I’ve heard different things,” Charlie shrugged, and that was Adam’s last straw. He quickly excused himself, leaving his lunchbox with Charlie and going to find you.

You were sat with Connie, both eating and talking about exam’s when Adam approached you. “Hey, could I borrow you?” Adam asked, keeping distance between you two. “Jeez, look a bit less nervous would you? .. yeah, alright,” you muttered, following Adam to stand near the locker room. “Do you like Dwayne? Be honest. I won’t judge. But crushes are kinda stupid, I mean, especially if it’s him,” oh gosh. Adam was eternally panicking, his tone was awkward, and his skin felt raw as he gestured wildly.