Chapter 1
Reggie met Alex when they were seven. Alex didn’t like to talk because even as a child he was anxious, so Reggie would talk for him in class or at lunch. But Alex would stand up for Reggie when bullies picked on him. They became best friends. They did everything together, from playing at recess, to watching movies, sleepovers, and when Reggie got his first bass for his ninth birthday, Alex asked his parents for a drum set, so they could make music together. They met Luke when they were ten, and he quickly fell into sync with their duo. He had a guitar and acted like making music with the two of them would be the greatest thing in his life. When they were twelve, Alex told them he was gay. Reggie didn’t know exactly what it meant, but he knew he loved Alex and whatever Alex could be, it could never be wrong. So he offered his support. When they were thirteen, they met Julie, and she joined their band. When they were sixteen, Luke and Alex started dating. Reggie couldn’t explain why that made something in his chest hurt, but he put on a smile and told them he was happy for them. That was the year he realized he was bisexual. He started dating a blonde boy, Nick, about a month after Luke and Alex told him they were dating. Reggie got pulled out his parents house, and Nick and his boys were there for him when he was placed with Julie’s family, and Ray let the boys use the garage to practice together. Julie was only six months younger than him, but he was quick to become protective of his sister. She was the one that pointed out to Reggie that his relationship to Nick was more friendly than romantic. He realized she was right, and he sat down with Nick and they agreed they should be friends. As it turned out, Nick had a crush on a guy in their music class. Reggie played his wing man and hooked them up. One day, after a few months of being with the Molinas, he got to the pseudo studio, planning to grab something to take with him to Nick’s to hang out with him and Dylan, only to find Alex with his head in his hands.
“Alex, man, what’s wrong?” Reggie rushed over to his best friend, his hands fluttering around the blonde’s arms unsure if he was in the headspace for physical contact.
“Sorry, Reg. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Alex laughed, taking Reggie’s hands out of the air. “I just needed to be with my best friend, and I knew you would end up out here eventually.”
“What’s going on, man?” Reggie asked again, settling into the couch next to him, letting Alex intertwine their fingers.
“Luke and I broke up.” The pain in Reggie’s chest was suddenly gone, but he didn’t know how to feel about that. “He has feelings for someone that might literally be perfect for him, and I’m not even upset. I think we only dated because we both liked guys and we didn’t think we would have another option.” Reggie still felt light, and he hated himself for it. He didn’t know why he didn’t like them together, until the pain hit him again at Alex’s next words. “It’s not a big deal, really. I have feelings for someone else, too. It just took me a while to figure it out.” And there it was, the pain back in his chest. And that’s when it donned on Reggie what he was feeling. Jealousy. He ignored it, focusing on his best friend.
“So, it was a mutual break up? Cause if you want, we can do the whole nine yards. Ice cream, chocolate, cheesy romcoms, some fluffy blankets.” Reggie grinned, watching fondly as Alex threw his head back and laughed.
“That sounds good actually.”
“Okay. You wait right here.” Reggie ran into the house, texting Nick and explaining why he wouldn’t make it to his house that night. He grabbed everything you need for a broken heart, before heading back out to where his best friend was waiting. “Okay, I raided Julie’s movies so I’ll probably hear about that later, but pick whichever one you want.”
They spent hours just watching different movies and eating whatever junk food Reggie had brought out, and Alex held Reggie’s hand through it until they both fell asleep on the couch.
The next morning, when Julie rushed in and woke them up for school, she very deliberately did not comment. Alex drove the three of them to school, and Luke met them in the parking lot. Reggie squeezed Alex’s hand, even though he was sure they’d be fine. Luke seemed like his usual self, minus his usual attempts to hold Alex against him. Reggie felt weird, and slightly guilty. He didn’t like them together, and now he knew why, but he wanted them to be happy. Before he could focus on it, Flynn was running over. “Reggie!” They all raised an eyebrow at the urgency in her voice, “I need your help diffusing a bomb.”
“What is Carrie doing now?” He asked, exasperated. He was still friends with Nick, and by default that meant he was friends with Carrie too. He was somehow the only one that could calm her down, and he chalked that up to growing up helping Alex with his anxiety. Flynn just grabbed his hand and dragged him across the pavement, the others following with amused expressions.
They got to the auditorium where Carrie was barking orders at the drama crew, and Reggie remembered Dirty Candi had a performance today. “Carrie!” He called out as soon as they were close enough.
She spun around, eyes blazing until they settled on him, softening just a bit. “Reggie! Thank goodness. I need help.”
“You look like you have plenty of help.” He pointed out with a grin, “What’s going on?”
“Kayla called in sick. Now her spot in the routine will be empty and everything will be off, so we’re trying to figure out how to rearrange everything but I can’t figure it out!”
Reggie looked back at his friends and had a thought, “Why not use a stand in instead?”
“What?” Carrie almost screeched, “Who would be able to learn the dance in one class?” Reggie reached back and tugged Alex up.
“He can.” Alex was opening and closing his mouth with wide eyes, but Reggie continued, “Promise, if anyone can learn it in time, it’s Alex.”
Carrie narrowed her eyes, tilting her head as she looked Alex up and down. “Okay. I trust you, Reggie.”
Later, when Alex was forced into an outfit that resembled Kayla’s but clearly meant for a guy, and he performed All Eyes on Me with Carrie, Reggie would pretend that it wasn’t the hottest thing he’d ever seen.