Date: Thu, 03 Feb 2000 09:47:27 -0500 From: fsw Subject: Matt and Mike Chapter 16 Warning! This story contains sex between minor boys. If you are underage, this is illegal in your country, or do not like this type of story, please do not read this. MATT and MIKE Chapter Sixteen When Matt and Mike were forced out of their school and on to college, the other four boys were devastated. They didn't want to reveal their sexuality and face the same abuse, but they felt bad for their friends. Andy and Jeff walked up to a crowd of their friends who were discussing Matt and Mike leaving school. "Anyway, I am glad the two faggots are gone. We don't need any of their kind around here.", said Jerry, who was on the junior varsity football team. "Yeah", someone else said. Jeff couldn't take it. "Oh, so they were your friends before you found out they were gay, and now they are the scum of the earth, huh?", Jeff asked. Adam and Jeff were on the same team with Jerry, and knew him pretty good. "What's up with you? Are you gay, too, or something?", Jerry asked, looking around at all his admirers for support. "No, I'm not.", Jeff lied. "But, they were my friends before they came out, and they are still my friends afterwards. I liked them before. I like them now. They both have gone through a lot of bad times, and now their friends have all abandoned them. Andy and I both did too, at first. A lot of kids think they will be thought of as gay if they even associate with a gay kid. Andy and I both felt the same way. So, we stayed away. I know that hurt both of them. The only crime they have committed is they love each other. Is that so bad? They are both the same people you were friends with before all of this started. You liked them before. Now, you hate them? Come on, grow up. If you think that way, at least keep your opinions to yourself. Otherwise, I am going to have a problem with what you are saying, and I don't think you will like what happens next.", Jeff added, his hands balling up into fists. Jerry looked at Jeff with his mouth hanging open. This was the longest speech anyone had ever heard Jeff say at one time. "OK, OK, don't get so pissed off. Maybe, I was wrong.", Jerry said. "Yeah, everyone was wrong, not just you.", Andy said, walking between Jeff and Jerry, and defusing the situation. "Matt and Mike are gone now. We can't make it up to them. But, I'll bet there are a lot of kids around here who think they might be gay, and are so afraid that someone will find out and treat them like Matt and Mike were treated. They have no choice but to hide their real side, and feel like they are alone in the world. That is why so many gay kids end up committing suicide. They feel like it is them against the world, and they can't take it. Jeff and I have decided to start a new club. We have already talked with the principal. He thinks it is a good idea. We haven't named it yet. I don't know, maybe "Teens Against Abuse". We will work on the title. It will give kids a chance to speak out and say what they really feel. Not just about being gay. Anything. Racial Discrimination. Sexual discrimination. I think you need to come, so you can understand a little more about what they can go through. Also, you are kind of cute. Give me a kiss, baby.", Adam added, pretending to kiss Jerry. Jerry avoided him, and blushed crimson. Everyone laughed out loud. "See, I thought Jerry might be gay. Look how he is blushing. Now, we ought to spread a rumor around school about Jerry. That is how it started with Matt and Mike. And then, all of us started the gay bashing. Gay bashing doesn't have to be beating them up. That lasts for a short time. What is worse, is when all their old friends turn on them, or avoid them. That is what Jeff and I did, and we both wish we could go back in time and be there for them. But, we didn't. Now, we want to make up for it. And, we will. Everyone, look out for the posters around school announcing the new club. Encourage all of your friends to come to at least one meeting.", Adam said. The crowd had increased in size as the conversation took place. Everyone could hear different new conversations starting about what Jeff and Andy had said. The rumors started spreading. Not about Jerry. About the new club, and what it represented. All of a sudden, gay bashing almost came to a halt in their school. Understanding prevailed. It didn't happen overnight, but more progress was felt every day. Andy and Jeff kept up their crusade. They spoke to kids around school whenever they could get them to listen. The starting quarterback on the varsity football team heard them one day, and also voiced his opinion for the club. That seemed to be the big ice breaker. Everyone knew he wasn't gay, as he had intimate knowledge of almost every pretty girl in the senior and junior class. The club was a hit. They had to find bigger and bigger meeting places as the attendance grew. After about a month, they finally had to get permission to use the auditorium. More and more kids started coming out. Jeff and Andy led the way. Jim or Rob still couldn't gather up the courage to do so. Jim's father was clearly anti-gay in the remarks he made around Jim, so Jim felt he could never come out. Rob wasn't so sure. He just felt he couldn't right now. It was now accepted that to be gay was not some disease, and was accepted by their friends. It was almost like it was a status symbol to be gay or even thinking about being gay, because it got you the attention that you had always craved. If you were gay, you now had people coming up to tell you that they thought it was OK, and they supported you, even if they had never been a close friend before. The school atmosphere totally changed. Matt and Mike had created a legacy. Not that they got to enjoy it much. At least their old friends would come up and speak to them when they saw them at the mall or around town. But, their lives now centered around working to make ends meet and going to college. So, they didn't go to many of the places they used to hang out. But, they still had each other, and nothing anyone could do could change that. And people did try. To Be Continued Any reader's comments or criticisms are appreciated. The more comments I get, the quicker I will forward more chapters. Again, I am trying to tell the story using actual facts, but I do insert parts of the story that did not really happen. The boys always give me permission, before I submit my version. I hope you like this method of telling a story. Any comments can be sent to fsw99@mindspring.com. The only gratification I really get out of writing is your comments. I have made good friends out of Matt and Mark, and could use some more.