Ocean Blue

Chapter One

I meant to post this earlier today, but welcome to chapter one of the new Ocean Blue! I'm so glad to be back to this fandom, and I've made TONS of changes to my original plans for this story. I hope you enjoy!

Markus couldn't take his eyes off of the adorable blond boy sitting in front of him. Although he'd rarely talked to him before, he knew his name, Simon, that he was the debate club leader, and that he took the same history, chemistry, and English classes as him. Simon took a much more difficult AP Calc course while Markus took Algebra II.

He couldn't help but get butterflies over someone so committed to his work, especially the way Simon would become so invested in class discussions over the dull, confusing books they read in English, or the way his eyes lit up every time the teacher called on him to answer a question everyone else seemed to struggle with. To him, Simon could make the phone book seem like the most interesting story in the world.

The big problem was that nobody knew Markus was gay, and nobody could know. He didn't want to put himself out there for ridicule: he rather let people assume he's too busy for a girlfriend instead of the rest of the football team looking down on him. He's the captain, he needs their respect more than he needs a relationship.

Markus was snapped out of his train of thoughts by the bell, signaling that it was time for him to leave class. He walked confidently down the hallway, high-fiving and fist bumping his friends from the football team. He was one of the last ones to enter his math class, sitting next to Gavin. Gavin had quite a temper and a bad smoking habit, but he was still pretty fun. He and Nines, the brunette seated in front of Gavin, were often seen around each other, usually Nines helping Gavin with his math or Gavin picking on Nines, not he ever let it get to him. Markus and Nines didn't really talk outside of the football team, but he had plenty of respect for him, on and off the field.

"Gavin, I've told you this time and time again: I am not a robot," Nines' quiet but stern voice seemed to leave no room for disagreement, but knowing Gavin, that wouldn't stop him. Markus has heard them argue over silly things like this many times, and he had no problem ignoring them again.

"Class, please quiet down and turn to page 317 in your textbook," the math teacher, Mrs. Amanda, instructed. The class quieres down and obeyed.

*****

"Hey Markus! Come sit over here!" Gavin called out to him from across the cafeteria. He takes the seat beside Gavin and across from his other friend, North, who was seated next to Josh.

North and Josh were very close, so close that no one could tell what was going on between them. They flirted and even kissed occasionally, but if you were to ask either of them if they were dated, they would vehemently deny it, saying that they're completely platonic.
North was a cheerleader as a freshman, but quickly decided that it wasn't for her and joined the debate team instead, quickly becoming friends with Connor and Simon. Sometimes, before debate conferences, North would invite Connor and Simon to sit with them and discuss their topics, meaning Simon would squeeze in next to Markus and their elbows would brush occasionally. While Markus was thankful to sit next to Simon and make small talk, he was also nervous that he'd somehow make a fool of himself. Although he did not have any expectations for him and Simon to ever be a couple, he still preferred for Simon to think well of him in hopes that they could at least be friends.

Today, it was just Gavin, Nines, North, Josh, and Markus at their table. They joked around and talked about plans for later that week until the end of lunch.

*****

Markus walked into Chemistry class, more than a little excited to see Simon again. Simon sat at the table beside him, next to North, Simon's lab partner. Markus' lab partner was Josh. Josh was pretty cool, and he was one of the smartest kids in the class. His grades rivaled Simon's and his projects were always well explained and made sense. He was also very useful on the football field, and earned the rest of the team's respect by scoring the winning touchdown at their first game of the season.

"Hey Markus! Mind if we switch seats?" North whisper-shouted from her table.

"Why?" Markus asked in return. Not that he minded the idea of sitting next to Simon...

"Do you really need to know? Just move your stuff next to Simon!" They quickly switched before the teacher walked in, Simon smiling at Markus and Markus awkwardly waving back.

The teacher walked into the classroom and started the lecture, but Markus couldn't stop smiling at Simon, and then Simon smiling back, and then Markus smiling back, and Simon smiling back... only somehow, Simon ended up with two pages full of notes and Markus ended up with barely a half of a page of notes. He couldn't help but be lost in those beautiful blue eyes...

Once class was over, Markus headed towards the locker rooms to change for football practice. Unfortunately for him, out on the field, he couldn't stop thinking about Simon. Markus just wanted to run his fingers through that light, soft blond hair while he softly kissed his neck, tell him how beautiful he is and how he gives Markus butterflies...

But Markus knew that could never happen, he could never tell anyone how he felt: not his team, not his friends, not even Simon. He could never give up what he's worked so hard for, especially over a minuscule crush.

I hope this was a good start :)
I don't mind constructive critique but please be nice >.<
I plan to post chapters weekly!