My Rivals Hoodie Smells like Mine

The locker room was freezing after 9pm I pulled my grey hoodie out of my locker. My only good one. The cuffs were frayed, the zipper broken but it was warm. Except it wasn't mine It was too big. The sleeves were too long. And it smelled... expensive. Like cedar and rain and that $200 cologne that JAE always wears. JAE's hoodie "Again?", A voice behind me I turned, JAE was standing there in just his basketball shorts, towel around his neck, hair wet. His chest still heaving from practice. Captain of the basketball team. Rich heir. My rival since freshman year. He looked at the hoodie in my hands "That's mine, scholarship boy", he said, but his voice was weird. Not angry. Quiet. "I know, I grabbed the wrong one. Our lockers are next to each other", I tried to take it off, but I was shivering The heater in the track dorm was broken again. I couldn't afford to fix it. My paycheck went to my mom this week JAE stared at my arms. I was covered in goosebumps "You're cold", he said "I'm fine" "You're been wearing that thin shirt for three days. Where's your other hoodie?" "Laundry", I lied . Truth is, I gave my hoodie to mom when I went home. She needed it more. it more cold in Cleveland too. Her apartment heater barely works. JAE stepped closer. He didn't take his hoodie back, he just zipped it up on me. His fingers are brushed my neck. They were warm. "Keep it" he said "I can't , this costs more than my whole wardrobe". "I have 50 of these. You have 2" That stung because it was true. He knew I was poor. Everyone knew "I don't need your charity JAE" "it's not charity", he snapped then caught himself. His jaw clenched. "just... give me yours tomorrow. The grey one. We swap. Even?" "Why would you want my cheap torn hoodie?" He looked away. His ears was red "Because yours smell like you", he muttered. So quiet I almost didn't hear it "What?" "Nothing, just bring it tomorrow. And don't wash it" He walked away before I could answer. left his towel. left his expensive water bottle. left me standing in his $150 hoodie that was so warm if felt like a hug I pulled the hood up. it smelled like him. like money I would never have And deep inside the pocket A folded piece of paper I opened it it was a laundry receipt. For the campus premium laundry service $40. The detergent name on it was circled "Gain original -$5.99 Dollars General version - same as Kai's", He bought my cheap detergent My heart stopped Behind me, the locker room door slammed. JAE was gone