Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 01:02:14 -0500 From: Aaron Saxon Subject: chapter 2 - my worst day. gay male/young friends After I got the ok from my mom to go over to Justin's house, I suddenly got the sinking feeling that I was going to regret doing this. I told Justin how I was feeling, about how we didn't know each other and that I felt weird about doing it. I asked his father Joe if he would just take me home. Justin seemed disappointed, but understood. I would find out later that I was right to not got to Justin's house. I will explain about it later. Anyway, my first day was over and I survived it with only a few cuts and scrapes. We pulled into my driveway and I thanked Mr. Chandler for the ride home. I entered my house after that. My mom greeted me and asked why I wasn't at Justin's house? I said it was because I had a funny feeling in my tummy about it. She just shrugged at me and pulled me into a hug. That's about the same time she noticed the bandages and asked me what happened. I told her that I got knocked down on my way into the school and once after the assembly welcoming us to the new school. I won't drone on about the rest of the conversation, but she did tell me that I needed to be more careful. The rest of the evening was uneventful. At 9:00 pm, it was time for a shower and then off to bed. Day 2: This time school started out quite differently because I got all the way against the school building to avoid being run down again. After the mob of kids were inside the school, I began to make my way in...when I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. I began to shake and jerked away quickly. All I heard was a `hey' from behind. I turned around slowly and noticed it was Brian. I sighed and said, "you scared me half to death, you know that?" "I know," he said winking at me. Brian was a good friend, however he'd been out of town all summer. When did you get back to town? Only yesterday, he said. I was glad that after all that I would have a friend at this school. Brian asked me who my `buddy' was and when I said it was Justin, he clued me into what he was all about. He liked to get the new kids to his house and screw around with him and then tell his friends that the boys came onto him and they would beat them up and call them `fag.' I was so glad that I had decided against going to his house now. Brian has brown hair like I did, but instead of brown eyes, his were green. His build was a little thicker than mine, but by no means was he fat. I was glad to have my best friend back home where he belonged. After a moment, he smiled at me and said we should get going. That smile of his warmed my heart. The rest of the day flew by without much effort on my part. At the end of the day, Brian found me and asked if I wanted to come over and hang out. I said sure since I hadn't seen him all summer. My mom said that it would be fine, just that I needed to be home for dinner. We got to Brian's house about 3:30 that afternoon and both of us ran inside past Mrs. Schmidt. His dad had left work early to pick Brian up and I was a surprise quest. She just yelled, "no running in the house boys." Sorry mom, Brian replied back. We got up to his room in no time and shut the door behind us. Brian pulled me against him in an almost a bear hug. The warmth of his body against mine was the best feeling I'd had in months. After about five minutes of this, he let go of me and stood staring at me for about a minute. I too looked at him at Brian finally spoke up. God, have I missed you. I've missed you too, Bri. It wasn't meant for that day, but I would soon find out how much he missed me and I missed him. He would be the reason that school became tolerable for me. We had each other to depend on. We played a new computer game of his and as we were finishing our last game, it was time for me to go home for dinner. Before I left, Brian asked if I wanted to spend the night this weekend. I screeched, a little more than I meant to, `yes.' I told him I would ask my mom tonight and call him later. Wednesday went by with no tripping by other students, but I did hear the word `fag' several times that day. Brian heard one of them and said I needed to ignore it, so I did. Thursday, I saw the word `fag' scribbled on my locker. I didn't break down when I saw it, I just got very angry and the school principal saw it. He immediately called for maintenance to clean that up and screamed to the students who were gathering around to disperse or receive detention for a week. Even without any proof I knew that it was Justin and his friends. God he was a jerk! That night I went home and ran right up to my room and started crying. After about an hour my mom came knocking at my door. I said to whoever it was to go away. She said, "honey, it's mom." Composing myself a little, I said she could come in. She asked me what happened and I told her about my locker and about how I was sure it was Justin or his friends. She just sat there rubbing my head and cheek telling me it was going to be ok. She knew also that now was not the time for interrogation. She wiped the remaining tears from my face and told me to get washed up for dinner. We ate in silence for the first time in a long time and my mother made sure that my dad did not ask too many questions about my day. She had to know that I was not ready to tell him about the `fag' thing on my locker. I had one phone call after dinner, mom said that it was Brian. I just told her to tell him that I wasn't up to talking just now and that I'd see him tomorrow. Afterwards, mom told me that he sounded worried about me. Dad tried to pry a little, but mom stopped him. Even Cody seemed a bit worried about me because of the look on my face. I just wasn't ready to face this with any of them. Tomorrow would be Friday and it would mean the first week of school was over and the weekend was here. All day Friday I pretty much stuck to myself and avoided everyone, even Brian because of what had happened the other day. I could also hear the whispers from the other students in my class talking about it and calling me a `fag' under their breathes. I had to fight back the tears all day long and show them that I was above this and stronger than them. The truth was, I wasn't, but they didn't have to know that. Finally, school was out. The 2:55 bell rang and off everyone was. Brian caught me at my locker and asked where I'd been all day long and wanted to know if we were still on for tonight? I said that we would talk about it later and that yes we were still on for tonight. Justin must have overheard and screamed `fag' underneath his breathe as he walked by us. Brian told me to ignore him and that we should get going since his mom, Helen was waiting for us. I said we'd need to stop by my place so I could some stuff together. I got my stuff and off we were. We got to Brian's house in no time and we took my bag up to his room. I sat down on his bed and sighed. "Its been a long horrible week, Bri." "I know, but you got through it." Yea, but not exactly as I was planning. He was going to say something, but then the tears started to form in my eyes. Brian rubbed my cheek with his hand and wrapped his arms around me holding me tight to him. It's alright John, let it out. I couldn't hold em back any longer, the tears started flowing and didn't stop for nearly a half hour. Brian just held me the whole time and gently rocked me back and forth slightly. His embrace felt wonderful, warm and caring. I wasn't sure where this was headed, but before I had a chance to find out there was a knock at the door. "Honey, can I come in?" "Yea, mom." She opened the door and saw me holding John. She looked like she was going to ask what was going on, but the look on my face stopped her from asking any questions. You boys should get washed up for dinner, your father will be home any minute. My mom had made cheeseburger hamburger helper, mashed potatoes and corn. We ate it up gingerly and talked about our day, John stayed pretty quiet but my parents didn't pry. After dinner was over, we helped my parents clear the table and then we went back to my room. I could see that Cody kinda wanted to hang out with us, but I mouthed not right now buddy. I loved him, but he always wanted to be in the middle of everything. This time he couldn't be. I could see the dread on John's face as we sat down and his lower lip began to quiver. Put that lip back in, it's okay. I'm your best friend and I always will be. He began to cry again after I said that. Is there something you wanna talk about or tell me? I asked. The color drained from my face and I felt sick to my stomach. Brian...no, forget it. There's nothing to talk about. You needn't be scared, it might even make you feel better. Can we just drop it for now and just play some more games or watch some TV? That worked for about an hour as a distraction, before I couldn't take it anymore. I'm still so nervous to tell Brian. Brian...there is something...but I don't think you'll want anything to do with me after I tell you. Why don't you let me be the judge of that buddy, ok? Putting his arm around my shoulder. Ok, here goes. I...I...um...am...gay. I shielded my eyes from Brian's. All he said was wow and then he kissed me on the forehead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How will their friendship proceed from here? Got any comments or suggestions? Email me at a.saxon1122@gmail.com