Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:48:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tyler Camp <tylersaysgo@yahoo.com>
Subject: The Jock and the Fool Chapter 2

Authors note:
Hey guys, I got some positive feedback from the first
chapter, so I'm going to continue. I really like you guys input! It helps the
story a lot. Chances are if you the readers don't like it, then the story
suffers! I'm still developing as a writer; I'm trying to find my ground. So
bare with me. Mostly, I just hope you guys like it!
If you're not of age blah blah don't read it. Jail. Lawsuit.
Not fun.  Something about jurisdiction.
Possibly CSI. I'm not sure. Don't do anything illegal.
As always, comments, concerns, questions, thoughts or
friendly conversation is welcome at Tylersaysgo@yahoo.com I respond to all
e-mails.
Enjoy Chapter 2!
-J


Who decided that 8 a.m. is a good time to start school? They should be
shot. I pull myself out of bed at half past six, and get ready to go to the
place where magic happens, and by magic I mean agonizing boredom. Luckily,
the school year started on a Wednesday this calendar year, so I didn't have
to attend school for the full week, only two days. Thank god it was Friday.

Being a creature of habit, my mother was already dressed and well into her
daily cup of coffee and reading about the riveting news of a small town.  I
stand opposite the bar from her and chug my apple juice.

"Sweetie, don't forget your piano lesson after school with
Christine. She's expecting you to play La Campanella in its entirety," she says
in her motherly voice.
"Yes mom, and while I'm at it, I'll discover the cure for
cancer," I respond sarcastically.

"I expect the lab reports for your discovery on my desk by
noon." she said walking off in the direction of her bedroom, probably to wake
my father. I swear, no matter how sarcastic and witty my remarks are she always
had a better one in her repertoire. She stuck her head from around the corner
and added, "Also, your father and I have a conference this weekend. We will be
gone by the time you get out of school. We will be back Sunday night."

"Ok Mom, be safe and use protection," I say jokingly.

"Well, I can't have babies to sell to drug lords if I use
those. Someone has to pay for your college education," she says in a mock
serious tone. I just shake my head and laugh.

I yell goodbye to my parents as I walk out the door heading
in the direction of Mitch's house. I walked in and was surprised to find him
already dressed and in the kitchen. Of course, he was eating. It always seemed
to surprise me at the amount of food he could consume.  It was a bit scary around the holiday season.

"Why are you up so early?" I ask

"Mom made bacon. Want some?" He said with his mouth full.

"No, I'll pass considering you look famished and all." I
replied.

"I'm a growing boy," he retorted with a smug grin.

I laughed and took a seat at the table in his kitchen
waiting for him to finish his breakfast, which is probably more than I eat in
an entire day. We made small talk in between his mouth fulls of high blood
pressure and high cholesterol in strip form until it was time to head over to
the school.

"Hey, you're coming to my game tonight right?" Mitch asked.
"It's the first game of my high school career. You have to be there." He
continued without giving me a chance to respond.

I laughed, "I haven't missed one yet. I'll be there." He
gave me his trademark half smile and made small talk until we arrived at
school. We actually arrived earlier we have the past two days so we had time to
stand around and talk. Not long after we got to the student commons, Mitch's
J.V football buds came over and started talking to him.


"Hey Mitchell, you psyched for tonight bro?" Lucas asked
slapping him on the back.

"Yeah man. We're gonna destroy Southpointe." He replied
enthusiastically. They continued talking about the game tonight while I just
stood behind them being a wall flower. I didn't mind. I don't know much about
it. I mostly just cheer when everyone else cheers and boo when everyone else
boo's. I was there to support my best friend.


I walked off from the group without anyone really noticing
me. I headed to the music room to prepare for first period orchestra. When I
arrived there was no student in the music room yet. Naturally I wouldn't expect
there to be. It was only 7:40 a.m. class doesn't start for another twenty
minutes. I took my place behind the piano. I got my music folder from my
backpack. I pulled out the music Mrs. Freeman had given me for the orchestra
which was incredibly simple. I didn't say much about it as this was a class, not
solo time. I pushed it aside and pulled out one of my favorite pieces Toccata
and fugue in D minor by JS Bach. The song was originally written for pipe
organ, but I found the sheet music where it was written for piano and I fell in
love with the song. Although nothing can beat the majestic tone of the pipe
organ, it is simply the most incredible instrument I've ever heard. I started
playing the composition translated to piano, but soon heard the door to the
music room open and saw the teacher walk in and stopped playing.

"Oh no, please continue. That was excellent!" She said in an
encouraging tone.

"Oh no that's ok. I was just getting warmed up for class." I
replied humbly.

"Well if that's your warm up, I'm impressed." She stated. I
laughed and prepared for class to start. Class went by quickly, however,
geometry not so much. Soon it was lunch time. I headed downstairs and went into
the cafeteria was and sat at what had been deemed "our table." It was a pretty
good spot, to be a freshman. It was near the middle, but not quite, as that has
been the senior jock table for at least 2 decades according to my father.
Naturally, freshmen got the worst pick of everything. Lunch tables, classes,
textbooks, equipment and even library privileges. The grades at Northwood
didn't really mingle with each other. After going through the lunch line Mitch
soon arrived with his buddies in tow. They sat down and continued their
friendly banter from the lunch line. I was looking over my Earth science notes
preparing for today's quiz. I was half paying attention when I heard,

"That faggot is in my gym class." It was Chris Lackey. Chris
wasn't really a mean guy. He got into trouble, occasionally, but his dad always
got him out of it because he was the minister at the only church in our town.
Chris had a good heart, but ultimately didn't have an oral filter, which got
him into trouble, a lot. I quickly stopped reading and focused on the
conversation without looking up.

"He can't even roll a damn kick ball. He's such a fag." He
said. I couldn't help but wonder who he was talking about. Some poor soul lucky
enough to have gym class with the jocks, probably. I quickly turned my
attention to Mitchell's expression about the subject. He was laughing along
with them and chiming in. My heart sank. I have never known Mitch to be cruel
or make a joke at someone else's expense. I quickly gathered my notes and stood
up to leave. Mitchell shot me a questioning look.

"Uh I'm just going to the library to study for Earth
science. I can't focus here." I said with no real conviction. It was enough for
Mitch because he just nodded.

"Hey I think I'll join you, James, if that's cool. I could
use some extra studying," Andrew Page asked. I was a bit surprised.

"Uh yeah sure." I stutter out.

We walk to the library in silence and sit at a table in the
back. I get out my notes to continue studying when Andrew asks, "You really
didn't need to study more, did you?"

I look up from my notes with a shocked look on my face, but
quickly recovered and replied, "Um, yeah. I hear Mr. Hamrick's test can be
cruel." I stammer out. That didn't appease Andrew. He continued,
"I know we don't talk much, but I know you're a smart guy,
you don't need the extra time to study cloud types, "he said in a confident
voice. I just stare blankly at him for a few moments before looking down and
nervously laugh.


"You were uncomfortable with the conversation at the lunch
table, weren't you?" Fuck. This guy was relentless. I was starting to get
irritated. I came here to get away from that. Without really thinking, I said
yes.

"You're gay, aren't you?" he asked simply.


I couldn't believe it. How did he figure that out? I'm not
incredibly masculine, but I'm not feminine either. I always thought I was under
the radar. What if he told Mitchell? My mind started racing, playing through
every possible bad scenario which all ended in heartbreak. The panic must have
been evident on my face because Andrew spoke up, "Relax man, I'm not here to
out you." He said reassuringly. I didn't really feel better but I relaxed a
little. I still couldn't form words. "I-I- Pl-Please don't. Don't tell
Mitchell." I said hurriedly and grabbed my notebook and walked to the exit of
the library. I headed to class to avoid everyone from the lunch crowd. When the
bell rang signifying that lunch was over and it was time to head to the last
class of the day, I watched the door with anxiety as Andrew and I shared this
class together. He walked in and I purposefully avoided his gaze.


Class passed painfully slow, finally at 3:15 the bell rang.
I couldn't get out of this school fast enough. My mind was in overdrive. I had
finally admitted it to another human. Someone else knew I was gay. I thought
about it all the way to my piano teacher's house. I was walking down the
sidewalk lost in a sea of thought when I hear my name being yelled. I turn
around to look to see who was calling me and to my surprise find Andrew jogging
and calling out my name. I turn around and start walking, but he caught up to
me.

"Hey man, why did you run off like that earlier?" He asked.


"Being made fun of isn't something I like to stick around to
hear." I reply with a sharp edge to my voice.

"Woah sorry man, I should have said this earlier, but my older
brother is gay. I'm not here to out you or make your life miserable," He said.

"Oh," I say, not really knowing where he was going with his
comment.

"Look, I saw the pain my brother went through when he came
out. That's why our parents moved us here, so he could start over. I heard him
cry every night for months in his room because the other guys in his senior
class ridiculed him and beat him up. Our parents tried to talk to the principal
and school board, but it was a conservative town. We all thought it was best to
move since he only had half a year left before he went to college and I was
only in 7th grade," he said.

"I'm really sorry to hear that happened to him." I said
meekly, as it did not make me feel better at all about my situation.

"He's doing ok now, he's living with his partner in Rhode
Island. He's happy," he said.

"That's good to hear. I'm glad he had a happy ending," I say
turning to continue walking. Andrew turned to walk with me, and continued to
talk, "I guess why I'm telling you this is because I want you to know you have
a friend. I didn't want you to feel like my brother and feel like you don't
have anyone. It's totally ok with me, and I won't tell."

"I really appreciate it, Andrew. Thank you. I'm kind of
running late for piano lessons, so I need to go if I want to get out on time to
make it to you guys game tonight, but thank you for telling me that. It helps.
Maybe we can talk more later," I say. I was really glad to know that about
Andrew, it gave me hope for when I eventually tell Mitch. Andrew waved bye and
ran off in the opposite direction and I continued on my way to my lesson.

I knocked on my piano teacher's door and she opened it
promptly. She invited me in and told me to have a seat and get prepared for the
lesson. Christine Owens was an old soul. She had kind eyes, but behind them you
could see the pain she has suffered. Three years ago her husband committed
suicide. He shot himself in the chair in their room. The police say it was due
to his medicine treating his depression over retiring that caused the suicidal
action. Christine never really recovered from it. She channeled her broken
heart into her music. You could hear her pain in every song she played. They
were high school sweethearts, married at nineteen and married for thirty seven
years. They were crazy about each other. She blamed herself; she thought she
wasn't enough to keep him alive. I sat talking with her many times after a
lesson and she would tell me stories about the past. I loved listening to them,
because she seemed incredibly happy. When she spoke about him, it seemed to
relieve her pain and for a quick moment, she became who I remember before her
husband's suicide. She became happy and full of life. She would smile and it
seemed a glow would form around her. Now she had a forced smile, and was
distant from everyone and everything, except her piano.

The lesson ended an hour later and I said my goodbyes and
promises of seeing her next week. I walked back to my house and head
immediately to my room. I throw myself on my bed and lay there until I hear my
cell vibrate. I get up to go get it from my backpack and see that I have a
message from Mitch.

`Ready for tonight's Game?! I'm pumped!! -- Mitch'
`Yeah man, I'll be front row, as usual -- James'


I shut my phone and go to take a shower, only have an hour
before kickoff. After getting dressed I headed out to walk to the school. I
make it to the school with about ten minutes to spare. I buy my ticket and head
down the stadium to the front row, as I'm sitting down I catch Andrew out of
the corner of my eye, he waves and I give a small wave back. I pulled out my
phone and started playing a game until the game was supposed to start and I was
well into an intense game of snake, when someone sat down beside me. I look up
and find Juliette Spake, Mitchell's little sister. Everyone calls her Julie for
short, although I like Juliette better. She was only a year younger than Mitch
and I. Juliette was an interesting girl, and I thoroughly enjoyed her company. She
had a witty sense of humor about her, she enjoyed puns and talking about a good
book. Juliette looked nothing like her brother. Juliette had dark brown hair
unlike her brothers blonde. It fell to about shoulder length, but she mostly
wore it in a loose ponytail. She was very slender which she got from her
mother. She had light brown eyes that differed from her brothers blue. While
Mitch's eyes set your heart on fire, Juliette's seemed to calm your spirit,
they had a friendliness behind them.

"Twenty bucks says Mitch loses," she says.

"No way. He's way to pumped to lose," I respond confidently.

"You're probably right. That explains him weight lifting to
Avril Lavigne earlier," she said jokingly.

"He'll murder you if you tell his buds that his secret to Viking
muscles is Avril Lavigne," I say laughing.

"Ugh please. I wouldn't dare speak to those guys. My IQ
would drop drastically," she said feigning disgust.

"Aw come on, be fair, they aren't that bad," I say not
really sure who I'm trying to convince, her or myself. She just laughs and we
talked until the game started. Mitch was first string quarterback for the J.V.
team. The J.V. team played at 6 p.m. and the varsity goes on at 8:30 p.m. By
halftime, we were up 14-0. The guys finished out the game with high spirits and
a victory to go along with them. Juliette and I walked to the field house where
the guys would be coming out of once they were done showering and what not. We
stood around for about fifteen minutes before Mitch came out. He walked over to
us with a goofy smile plastered on his face.

"Hey guys, did you see the whole game?" He asked like a kid
on Christmas.

"Sure did, you were ok, looked a little sloppy," Juliet said
jokingly.

"What, are you serious," Mitch asked looking upset.

I laughed and slapped his back, "you were great." He visibly
relaxed, and we all three started to walk off back in the direction of the
Spake's house. About half way there Mitch turned to me and asked,
"Hey mind if I stay over tonight? We can play x-box and
shit," He said excitedly

"Yeah sure. Parents are gone this weekend," I say.

"Oh yeah? Where did they get off to this weekend?" Mitch
asked.

"A dermatology conference down in Georgia, I think."

Mitch just nodded his head in approval. We got to the Spake's
house and headed up to Mitch's room to grab his stuff and so he can grab a
shower. While he was showering, I went downstairs to speak with his mom. Mrs.
Spake was a beautiful woman and very kind. Seeing her and her husband together
was always peculiar to me. A gorgeous 5'6 woman with a hulking 6'4 man.


"Hello Mrs. Spake, How are you?" I ask sitting down at the
kitchen table.

"Oh hello dear, I'm well, would you like some food or something to drink I just made some sweet tea,"
She asks.

"Oh no thank you, I'm fine, just waiting on Mitch. He's
staying the night tonight," I say.

"Alright dear, but don't let him out of your sight. You know
he gets into trouble," she says.

"Will do Mrs. Spake."

She smiles and excuses herself to go get the laundry from downstairs.
Mitch finally comes down a few minutes later and tells to his mother that he is
leaving. We walk through the living room and I wave at Juliette and she waves
at me and gives her brother the middle finger. I just laugh and walk out the door,
with Mitch close behind.
Every time Mitch has stayed the
night since eighth grade I have thought about telling him about me, but I
always back out. Maybe I could gather enough courage tonight to tell him. Maybe
I could finally lift this burden off of my chest. Maybe it could be the start
of something more than a platonic friendship. Maybe.

That's it for chapter 2! Mostly because I'm tired and I have
to be up in 6 hours! I wanted to hurry up and finish this tonight for you guys!
I hope you like it! Comments welcome J