Wrestling With Desire Read Free Page B

He shook off his nerves, trying to rid himself of this unpleasant, new sensation.
    When they arrived at the cafeteria, Scott was waiting for them by the entrance where most of the senior class had already convened and formed a line. Smiling broadly, Derek could feel his gut clench and his knees wobble. Get a fuckin'
    grip . Approaching Scott, Derek was able to take in his full physique. He was taller than Derek and leaner, not quite as athletic, but still nice to look at.
    "Hey Derek. And Rebecca, right?"
    "Yes, but please call me Beck. All my friends do." She placed a hand on his arm to direct him towards the end of the line. "So, how is your first day going?"
    "'S not so bad. The classes seem like they're going to be interesting. No repeat stuff of what I've studied before. That is a problem sometimes when you move around. Different school systems cover things at different times. The teachers seem cool and none of the kids have appeared to be overly interested in staring at the new kid, which is a relief." Scott fell into an easy and comfortable conversation with Beck as if they had been friends for years. Derek admired Scott's complete lack of reserve, something that he himself struggled with.
    22

    Wrestling With Desire
    by D.H. Starr
    Beck listened attentively, something that Derek was sure required a bit of energy on her part. When there was a brief lull in the conversation, she commented, "So, Derek tells me that you were on your wrestling team in, where was it, Idaho?"
    "Iowa, actually. Yes, I was on the team. Derek was telling me that the team here has been getting pretty good. I hope I have a chance to make the varsity line up. Derek, do you know if the 167 pound weight class is open this year?"
    It took Derek a minute to realize that Scott had asked him a question and then another couple of seconds to register what the actual question was. Come on Derek, don't make a complete ass of yourself on the first day . "Um, the 167 weight class spot was Dylan Chase, who was a senior last year.
    There are a couple of guys on the team who are vying for the spot, but it's open. Once the season begins, coach will begin the process of lining up challenges for the team to secure spots. We don't automatically get our spots each year though.
    We have to earn them through inter-team challenges. I wrestle at the 135 pound weight class and I know for a fact that Bobby Dean is planning on challenging me this year."
    "Cool, we did it that way in Iowa as well. I guess most teams do. But I'm glad that the spot is currently unclaimed because it doesn't help you make friends if you uproot someone who has already had the spot on the team." Scott's mouth curved up in the same crooked grin that Derek had noticed earlier and the sight sent his blood south of the border. If Derek didn't get a grip on himself, this was going to be a very long and embarrassing lunch.
    23

    Wrestling With Desire
    by D.H. Starr
    Derek's attention was suddenly jerked from studying Scott's profile by a subdued gasp from Beck. "Look at who that cow is having lunch with." She was referring to Malinda.
    "She's sitting with Bryce O'Neill and George Davis." Turning to Scott, she gripped his arm and began to fill him in on the drama. "Bryce and George are in the drama club as well.
    They are constantly vying for the lead male roles. The drama club faculty sponsor, also the drama teacher, tends to look at the chemistry between the students when casting for parts. I think that is totally unfair since casting decisions should be based on whether a person's personality, look, and abilities match the role, not whether two students seem to get along well. Malinda has never eaten with them before. What is she playing at? I swear, if she thinks she's going to steal my thunder in my senior year when I have put up with three years of waiting my turn while upperclassmen came and went, she has got a serious ass-whipping coming her way."
    During her outburst, Beck's normally fair-toned