Mr Thompson glared at me, I couldn't tell if he was disappointed or angry, or both? His warning was clear, study harder or I would fail my exams. He was right, and a few months later, aged almost 20, I found myself repeating exams, at the local tech.
First impressions count. The tech was located in a picturesque, tree lined campus, with a small lake. It was rumoured, the lake was artificial, designed to limit student protests. It was a favourite spot to relax and check each other out.
Everyone passed by the lake to access class, visit the cafe, workout in the gym, or utilise the sports pitches. John and I spent a lot of time there, sometimes studying, but mostly people watching.
John was my height 6ft 2, his build stronger than mine. He was good looking, with a greyish blue eyes, a strong expression and solid jawline. I envied his 'thickness'. His arms, legs, shoulders, back, packed with more meat than mine.
By every measurement John was attractive, but even had he liked men, he wouldn't have satisfied me. I didn't consider myself gay, I had kissed two girls and hated it, but I had no desire to kiss a boy.
John knew who he was, he sat there on the grass beside me, paying special attention to every second girl who passed by. I was focused on lads physiques, their build, their muscles, their stride. It's a gym bros thing? to compare isn't it?
Tim changed all that. In the distance, I spotted a squarish looking shape. He drew my eye, he was about 5ft 11 and incredibly stocky. I studied his form, as he edged closer, his legs were like nothing I had seen before. How could this lad, my age, have such powerful legs?
