This story is fiction. Any similarity to any persons living or dead is merely a coincidence. If you are not allowed by law to view this material, please do not do so. If you are under 18 years of age, please leave now. This is a love story between two barely under the age of 18 year old boys in high school. If that offends you, I apologize and ask that you not read any further. Otherwise, enjoy.
AUTHOR"S NOTE: Hey all, So I'm back. I know its been over a year since the last time I write a chapter, but I'm ready to get back into it. Please feel free to email me your reactions on writenowin@gmail.com or check out the tumblr I made for the story findinganotherlikeme.tumblr.com.
Chapter 27
I only had two weeks to really prepare for Chris' prom. He had decided that because I was a guy I really didn't need the regular amount of notice for it... It is pretty much true, but still would have been nice because in the middle of those two weeks I had AP exams. It was just an additional thing for me to stress over. I ended up getting through exams without having a mental breakdown, but it was not easy. The afternoon after my last exam, I decided to duck out of school early and go rent my tux with Conor. It was a good time for us to catch up, because we both had not had much time for each other with everything in our lives.
"So how are everything with Sarah and the pregnancy going?" I asked as we sped down the highway towards the plaza.
Conor had his arm out the window and was bumping it to the music. "Ehhh as good as they could be I guess. She's healthy and so is the baby, which to me is the most important thing. Sarah's due late September or early October, which means it's getting in crunch time."
I laughed at knowing only he could put it that way. Making it sound so casual. "And how do you feel about that?"
"Honestly. I'm scared out of my mind. I'm so not ready. Our parents are both helping and I have been working a ton, but I still feel like it's not going to be enough," he said as he lowered the music. "I'm going to start full time after we finish school, but I don't know if the summer is going to be enough. I might have to take next year off or do my GED or something. "
This was the first I was hearing about any of this, so I was slightly at loss for words, "Ohh..."
"I don't know just yet. Haven't talked to either of our parents yet, but it's just a possibility. To be honest, these next few years are going to be very tough," he got quiet for a few minutes. "On a lighter note dude, I have news."
"Which is...?"
"It's a boy!" Conor shouted.
"What!?!" I yelled. I almost stopped the car. "When did you find this out?"
"The other day, but me and Sarah hadn't told anyone yet. We decided that we wouldn't tell anyone besides our parents until we told you. You were the first there for us, so we figured we owed it to you."
I smiled. "That's awesome dude. You're going to have a little Conor."
"I know. This probably is the only thing I'm excited about. It's taken a lot of the nerves away now knowing it's a boy. All I can think about is when he grows up and teaching him baseball and football. Tossing the ball back and forth. It's making this all seem okay."
I just smirked.
"Ohh there is another thing too. We decided that we want you to be his godfather, Kyle. You'd be the next best influence for this child. He'll definitely need his Uncle Kyle in his life."
I laughed. I was in shock, but so happy. "Of course, Conor. Just like I've always been there for you I will always be there for him."
The rest of the ride we just spent talking about life. The kid. Conor's job. My relationship. It was really nice getting to talk to my best friend. Granted as we talked more and more about the future it started to dawn on me that in a few months a lot was going to be different. Life was going to change for a lot of people I was close to.
The next week actually flew by and before I even realized it, Chris' prom was here. I decided to get dismissed early to do a few last minute things before the special night. All day my stomach was filled with butterflies. I could not figure out why I was feeling this way. Was it just a reminder of how much I loved Chris and he still brought these feelings out of me? Or was it the thought that tonight we'd be facing his school as probably the only gay couple there? Or was it the idea that this marked a huge turning point in Chris' life; it was the beginning of the end of high school for him?
The hours seemed to just trickle on: haircut at 2, picking up the flowers at 3; and finally reaching my house. It just all seemed to be going so slow. Chris had told me to me that he was going to be at my house to pick me up at about 5:30, so that we could go to pictures at his friend Ben's house at 5:45.
I had about an hour to finish getting ready once I stepped out of the shower, when I noticed that my phone was ringing on my desk in my room. I walked over to it wrapped in just my towel and noticed that a strange number was calling me. I debated picking it up or letting it go to voicemail, but decided to just answer it now. I clicked the button.
"Hello?" I said into the phone.
"Hi may I please speak to Kyle Kelly?" the voice on the other end asked.
"Yes, this is he."
"Oh hi, Mr. Kelly! My name is Arianna Cruz and I am calling on behalf of the Equality Campaign down in Washington, D.C. I'm calling regarding a phone interview for our summer internship program you applied for."
My jaw dropped. This was not happening right now. "Oh alright," was all I managed to say.
"Yes. I'm sorry for the short notice, but I was wondering if this was an alright time to conduct the interview, since we will be making our decision within the next week. It should only take about 20 minutes."
I looked at my clock. I felt bad saying no and I worried it might affect my chances if I did, "No it's a perfect time."
"Awesome. Well I'll let you get settled for a second and then proceed with the questions."
I took this time to search my room half naked for my folder with all the research I had done on the Equality Campaign and all the questions I had planned to ask. I sat down on my bed, "Okay, I'm all set, whenever you are ready."
The women and I really seemed to hit off during the interview. She seemed intrigued by my answers. I got so caught up in talking that I slowly forgot to keep track of time. In the middle of my phone call I heard my front door open and close. I looked up to realize my clock red 5:15. I stood up.
The woman continued talking and my door slowly creaked open to reveal Chris in front of me wearing a black on black tux with a white vest and tie, which just covered his muscles and body perfectly. He had gotten a haircut with his brown hair cut shorter and tighter revealing the more blonde twinge to it. It was nicely spiked up in the front. He looked so amazing. My heart skipped a beat.
At this point, I had forgot that I was on an interview call and think I had missed a closing question, because when I turned my attention back to the call she was saying, "Hello, Kyle? You still there?"
"Yes! Sorry my phone lost service or something and...I also just noticed the time," I responded looking up at Chris who had a puzzled look on my face.
Arianna gasped on the other side of phone, "Oh my I'm so sorry! I hadn't realized the time either! I hope I haven't kept you?"
"Umm no its fine. I do have to go about now though, I'm about to leave for my boyfriend's prom..." I hoped this wasn't rude of me.
"Ohhh! Definitely then! Actually I think I am all set and based on your interview questions and how impressive you were. I would like to offer you the internship right on the spot. We are taking four interns this summer, which we have narrowed down from an original pool of 200 and now phone interviewed 10 people. So you have definitely beaten out a lot of competition for this spot, even though you're younger than our average candidate. Like I said I was very impressed by you and think you would be a great addition to the team!"
My heart dropped. I could feel my eyes going wide and my mouth just open and close. I was in shock. Chris gave me a concerned look. I took a second to recompose myself and then answered, "Arianna I'm so appreciative for this opportunity. Is there any way I can have until Monday to make my decision? I have a lot to consider when deciding, since I had honestly doubted I'd be considered due to my age alone."
"Absolutely! We are happy to give you that time and I will forward you all the information to look at regarding everything you would need to know to help you make the decision. Now I will let you go, but have an awesome time at prom! Can't wait to speak to you soon!"
"Thank you very much!" I replied and with that I heard the click from the other end of the phone. I just closed my phone and looked up at Chris who had looked at me still concerned. He walked forward and hugged me in his arms.
"What's wrong baby?" he asked.
I looked up at him. I knew my face was saying everything, but I didn't want to ruin his prom. I composed myself. "Nothing. Nothing to worry about now."
"You sure? What was the phone call about?"
I looked over at my clock and realized it was 5:25, "Chris. Nothing for the moment. I better get ready; we have to leave soon!" I quickly kissed him and proceeded to finish getting ready.
We were in the car; both completely dressed in our tuxes heading to Bens, for what I hoped was going to be an amazing night. I was looking out the window just thinking to myself about tonight and then the phone call I had just had with the woman from Equality Campaign. I felt a fist touch on my hand as Chris' squeezed mine within his. I turned to look at him. He looked at me and smiled.
"I love you," he said and turned back to look at the road.
"I love you too," I replied pulling myself closer to his arm and resting my head on it.
As we pulled up to Bens there were cars everywhere and a sea of people could be seen outside his house taking pictures. Moms, dads, grandmas, cousins, etc. They all had come out for this big day in their child's life. We parked the car and Chris jumped out and quickly sprinted around to open the door for me. He was so sweet. I grabbed his hand and stepped out. Holding his hand in one hand and his boutonniere in the other we proceeded to walk towards the crowd.
I looked at his face and he was beaming. I could see only confidence in his face as we headed towards the crowd. Oh how so much had changed since the beginning of this year.
"Ow ow!" I heard a girl scream from the lawn. "There are our two favorite gay men!"
I looked up to see Deb coming towards us in a floor length blue dress that had white sparkling beads on it. She came up and hugged us both and grabbed us pulling us towards the pictures.
Everyone greeted us friendly. There was smiling and laughter and hugs going around everywhere. Even some of the parents patted us on the back saying hi and trying to show us we had their blessing. As we walked down the line of greeting people, the last person was Paige and her date. I shook her dates hand and then stood in front of Paige.
I smiled at her, "Hi Paige." I stuck out my hand trying to be cordial.
I was taken aback as I felt her arms come around me and embrace me in a hug. "Kyle I took what you said on the boat to heart and talked to my mom...and even my dad more about everything. I realized I need to stop being ridiculous and just let it go. Life's not worth making a deal over stupid things like that. I'm sorry. Will both of you forgive me?"
I thought for a second and hugged her tighter, "Of course. Let's just all have a great night."
I stepped back and watched her and Chris hug too. I could see he was very happy with what had just happened.
We made our way back to our spot in the center of the group next to Deb and Ben (who after the cruise had worked things out too and decided to go together). We split center with them. Chris took his spot behind me putting his hands around my waist and the photo-frenzie began. There was so many different pictures taken and with so many different cameras it was crazy.
There were group shots taken, friend shots, family shots, sports shots etc. Thousandths of pictures taken. For each of them, I forced a smile and just tried to stay in the moment and not worry about anything else.
Finally as we were finishing up pictures, we had just taken one with Chris' parents when I felt my phone buzz with an email from my pocket. I pulled it out and looked down at it to see what it was. The email was from Arianna from Equality Campaign and the subject line read "INFORMATION FOR SUMMER 2010 INTERNSHIP."
I felt emotions fill me again as I read the title. Shit! I forced my phone back in my pocket and looked back up. Chris was looking at me again concerned. I just faked a smile and looked away.
Deb started calling everyone towards the limo, so that we could begin to leave. I started to walk towards it when I felt a tug on my hand. I stopped and turned to see Chris grabbing my hand.
"Chris, we have to go. No more pictures," I tried to joke.
He was staring at me with a straight face and looked up towards Deb and yelled, "Hey we will be there in like three minutes can you stall for us."
I saw Deb nod and Chris began to pull me away from everyone.
Once out of ear shot. He turned me towards him so we were facing each other. He gave me a hug and then pulled away looking at me. "What's wrong baby?"
"Nothing Chris. I'm fine. We really should go with everyone," I replied.
"Kyle. You can't lie to me. I know you to well what's wrong?" he said again with a straight face. He was right he knew me so well. I don't know why I ever thought I could fool him.
I leaned my head into his chest and started to cry, "I'm sorry babe. I don't want to ruin your night at all. This is your prom, but the woman on the phone earlier was from the Equality Campaign."
"Oh?" he responded. "So did you not get the internship?"
I breathed in, "No I did."
"What!?! Kyle that is amazing. Congratulations! Why are you upset then silly goose?"
I looked up in his eyes. He was genuine when he said this, "Because. Because, I'm not going to take it. And that scares and excites me at the same time. I worry I'm going to miss something, but I'm excited because I'll be with you. But then too, it just makes me scared about us in the future and if I'm giving up something I shouldn't."
He looked at me. He smiled, "I'm happy you're choosing me, but like I said before you don't have to and we can still make it wo..."
I cut him off, "but I deep down I know it's what I want to."
He smiled wider. "Then why all the emotions baby?"
"I don't know! I'm just a mess I guess cause of tonight and all. I'm worried about what tomorrow brings with you...graduating," I looked down at the grass.
He put his hand under my chin and lifted it up. "Don't be. I want to be with you forever."
He kissed me.
"Now can we please go and enjoy tonight? Everything else can wait. Even this discussion about your decision. I just want to live tonight in the moment with you."
I nodded. He grabbed my hand and we began walking towards the limo.
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