“Knocked the wind out of you, huh?” Miguel says, finding that perfect balance in tone between concern and letting me laugh it off.

Miguel holds his hand out to lift me up, and I can’t help but notice how perfectly smooth his hands are. His pink nails stand out against his light brown skin, not a stray cuticle in sight. Not at all like my calloused hands. Dominic always used to trace them with his fingers, saying he liked the way they felt, that they were a testament to how strong I was. Is that why he dumped me, because he figured I was strong enough to take it and could handle the sudden heartache? People always thinks tops don’t have feelings, the “tough guys” in the gay world, but I can have my heart broken too. Although right now, I can’t let any weakness show.

I ignore Miguel’s outstretched fingers and push myself off the grass.

“Look, I’m totally fine, and I appreciate your concern, but I don’t need any further assistance.” There I go getting all Upset Accountant.

“No, of course you’re fine,” Miguel says. “You’ve got more control over your body than anybody on the team. The way you made yourself drop so you wouldn’t crash into us, it was smart. Good move, man.” Miguel’s also one of those people who can make words like man sound cool. When I try to say it, it sounds forced and extremely dorky. Which is more and more likely to happen the longer I stay here, so I practically sprint to my locker.

Yet Miguel follows right behind.

“Hey, you left practice so quickly this morning that you missed me telling the team we’re all going to go to the Pre-Prom Pier Fundraiser together.” I cringe thinking about how the annual event for the junior class to raise money for next year’s prom was on the Love Shot List.

Miguel continues on, totally oblivious to how awkward this conversation is. “I want the whole team to be there, because we gotta end the year with a bang, you know. Significant others are obviously welcome.” He playfully punches my shoulder. “Speaking of which, Dominic tells me you’ve got a new partner.”

He smiles that winning smile that’s won him every school vote. Is he really going to just gloss over the fact that the only reason I need a new partner is because my boyfriend left me for him?

“Yep, sure do,” I say, my words dripping with disdain. “Dominic’s not the only one who can move on quickly.”