Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2000 14:31:39 -0800
From: Katherine <katp@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Social Status at FJH 2

Mike and Brandon talked all the way to Mike's house, about school,
music, and anything else that came up. It seemed like they had known
each other forever. When they got to the average, two-story home
Patrick; Mike's older brother let them in. Brandon couldn't help but
notice how good-looking the varsity football player was, and when Mike
saw that Brandon was looking at him, he whispered, "Dude, he's a total
prick. You could do so much better."

 Brandon was shocked by what Mike said. He had barely come to terms with
his sexuality, and he had never told anyone that he liked guys. He hoped
Mike was joking and started laughing. Luckily, so did Mike and they went
to his room to work on campaign posters. As he was drawing the letters
for one of the posters, Brandon glanced up and noticed Mike staring at
him. Suddenly self-conscious, he looked around to see if there was
something wrong.

" Dude, what is it?" Brandon asked.

"Oh... nothing. You're just a really good artist." Mike replied.

Brandon noticed that Mike was blushing, and seemed suddenly withdrawn,
which was odd for someone as outgoing as Mike.

"So, um... do you want some Coke or something? I think we have some
downstairs," Mike asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"Yeah, sure." Brandon replied. He felt bad for Mike, who seemed to want
an excuse to escape the room. He hoped he hadn't done or said something
wrong.

 Mike hurried out the door and down the stairs, and Brandon continued to
work on the poster until he heard the door creak open. He looked up,
expecting Mike, but instead Patrick was at the door.

"Hey, dude, just thought I'd let you know. Mike's a fag. You'd better
leave unless you want him to fuck you or something." said Patrick, not
too kindly.

 Just then, Mike walked in. He had heard it all. Brandon looked up in
amazement as Mike burst into tears and ran down the hall to that
bathroom. Patrick followed, taunting him.

"What's wrong fairy? Don't want your little friend here to know your
secret? Thought you could get a boyfriend?"

 Brandon could hear Mike sobbing from the bathroom. He didn't know what
to do. Patrick then walked back to Mike's room and said, "You'd better
go. You're little boyfriend won't be out of the bathroom for a while."

Brandon, feeling courageous said, "Fuck you" and began walking towards
the bathroom to attempt to console Mike, but Patrick blocked him.

"What did you say to me? Are you a fag too? Get out of my house, now."

Brandon didn't know what to do. He knew that he couldn't stand up to the
football player, but he also wanted to comfort Mike.

 Just then, the phone rang. Patrick, apparently expecting a call, ran to
the phone, shooting a hate filled glance over his shoulder at Brandon.
Brandon knew he should leave, so he gathered his belongings, and then
quickly wrote a note to Mike and left it on his pillow. It simply said,
"I don't care."