So there are story notes below. Please read them when you get to them. Thanks. Also, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO WATCH HEROES!! IT IS SO COOL!!
Chapter 14
Somewhere...
"Damn him!! It's like he's mocking us."
"Calm down, Sir."
"No, I will not. He's doing everything wrong. He's just giving away his power! Why not use it for something? Something important; more important than this love crap."
"Well, he does look young after all. Perhaps he has simply been enamored with all his comic reading and movie watching."
"Now, what did you need?"
"Oh, I came to inform you of the progress. We've managed to recalibrate the sensors on the satellite."
"Good. I want to find out where this fly boy goes to roost."
Jason walked through the hallway, listening to the gossip about the super kid. Almost everywhere he went; he could hear it going on. He'd even heard several teens coming out to there friends... with some different results.
"WHAM!!" Jason jumped as someone was slammed into a locker right by him. Jason watched a really skinny boy (who was kinda cute) slide to the ground, tears in his eyes. His hair was brown, but had dyed blonde tips, and his face was slightly freckled. Cute freckles; not ugly ones.
"Hey... you ok?" Jason asked, holding out a hand to pull him up. Several students who were walking down the hallways stopped to watch.
"What are you talking to that queer boy for?" a loud voice asked him. Kyle noticed a large muscular boy striding up to him. Jason sized him up. Levi shorts, t-shirt. Black of course, with dirty dark hair, down to his neck. And he was rather large too.
The boy on the floor gasped. "You were... my friend. I just thought... " he gasped, as tears came to his eyes.
"Friend? Why would I want to be friends with a perv?" he spat. Jason was really pissed as he watched the boy struggle with his tears. Jason would be crying too if it was him.
"And why would he want to be friends with you, you asshole?" Jason yelled. Everybody was watching them now. "Why would ANYBODY want to be friends with someone who treated a friend like that?" Jason pointed at the boy on the ground. "He's better off with out you, if you're going to do this to him. I'll be surprised if you EVER have another friend in this school," Jason said, helping the boy up and pulling his arm over his head. The larger boy looked shocked, as the other students looked at him. The situation wasn't going his way, and he knew it from the way several students looked at him in disgust.
"This isn't over," he said, and then left.
"Jason? What happened?" a confused Kyle asked as he saw Jason with the gasping boy.
"This boy..."
"My name is Richard," he interrupted, wincing in pain. "I told my former best friend I was gay. I wasn't going to hide it anymore; not after what I saw last night. He didn't' like that, and thought I was coming on to him or something," Richard said, tears in his eyes.
"Hey. He's not who you thought he was if he couldn't' handle it," Jason said as the other students filtered away, now that there was no fight. Kyle just stood in silence, his arms hanging uselessly at his sides.
"I know that... but it hurts... my chest. It's bad," he wheezed. Jason and Kyle looked at each other in alarm. Then Kyle grabbed his other side and off they went to the nurse's office.
"It's okay Kyle; I got it. You go on to class. Take some notes for me," Jason said, not wanting his new boyfriend to miss anything. He was still new at school, so that would take some of the pressure off him.
"Are you sure?" Kyle asked, looking at the injured boy with concern.
"Yeah. I love you," Jason said, feeling kind of spontaneous. He looked back and forth quickly down the hallway to see that it was empty and then rather quickly pecked Kyle on the cheek, and giggled at his reaction.
"Thanks," Kyle said, and then took off. The boy looked at Jason in shock, and then smiled while grimacing at the same time.
Kyle sat in his social studies class kicking himself. He didn't want that to happen. How many more fights and injuries were going to happen because he'd said what he'd said on TV? Stupid kid. Punching someone just because of that. He wasn't even that good looking.
"Now class, it appears due to certain news events last night... we have our subject today already planned. So, does anyone have any comments?" Most of the class had their hands up. This was going to be a long day.
"Ok... you, Susie," the teacher said, randomly picking one of the girls.
"I think this whole gay thing is pointless. Who cares? I mean... he's still a super hero. Why should the gay thing matter?" Wait. That was a good point? Why DID it matter?
Another boy, Trevor, replied before the teacher could call on him. "Of course it matters!!" he said. Kyle hadn't ever pegged him for being gay. But then, it's not like he ever acted gay. "He said he didn't want teens feeling alone."
"So you wanna share something with us?" a boy said snidely. Kyle was going to have to have a word with him later.
"Yes, I do. I lost a cousin to suicide because of the gay issue," Trevor said quietly. Kyle felt for him. "I don't want see people suffer because of that." The jerk kid didn't reply. Good for you Trevor, Kyle thought.
"So, to answer your question Susie, it does matter?" the teacher asked.
'But it shouldn't!! People should be able to be what they are and not worry," she argued back. OH. So that's what she meant. Kyle could see it better now.
"Unfortunately, the world still does not see things that way," the teacher replied. Huh? Kyle had just wanted teens to feel better about themselves... and take off some of the pressure society puts on them. That was all. He knew what it was like. He'd gone through some tough times about a year ago; when he'd finally figured out he was gay.
But, then, he'd met some online friends; Dragon and Paladin among a few. They were so supportive, and so caring. Well, as much as you can be online.
"I still think it's gross," another boy said, with some of the class muttering their agreement.
"Well, you are, of course, entitled to your opinions. But, as I've said before, as long as beliefs do not infringe upon others, I feel that nobody really has a right to do anything about them. Consider for example the supposed "war on terror." Oh great; here we go again, Kyle thought.
Jason waited with his new friend Richard. They'd gotten to know each other from Jason trying to distract him from the pain, while waiting for the school nurse. Apparently, due to the news, several problems had risen.
"Well, what seems to be the trouble?" she asked, looking at the two boys. "Not another fight because of sexuality?" Richard nodded.
"He can't talk very well. It hurts too much. Someone slugged him rather hard in the chest, and he hit a locker," Jason explained. "He said it felt like there was a stabbing pain in his chest." The elderly nurse looked rather alarmed.
"Could you remove his shirt? I need to find my stethoscope," she said, looking for her instruments. Jason and Richard both blushed.
"Oh, dear, it's not that bad. I'm sure you've seen more of each other than I have," she said off handedly. What? What was she talking about? Oh no. She thought they were together?
"Come on," Jason said, deciding to ignore her for the moment. He helped Richard get his shirt off, and couldn't help but notice the boy was rather well built for his small size. A small six pack was barely visible under his pale skin.
A large black and blue bruise was starting to become visible along the boy's chest. "That looks like it hurts," Jason remarked, and the boy nodded.
"If you could breathe for me..." the nurse said, finally turning back to them. "Ouch; that doesn't look too good," she added, looking at the boy's chest. She placed her stethoscope on his skin and had him breathe. Jason watched as Richard winced with each breath he took. "That sounds bad. Could you take one deep breathe for me?" she asked.
"It hurts," he replied. Jason patted his arm, trying to comfort him.
"I know. But one more?" she asked. Richard shrugged, then took the biggest breathe he could.
"FUCK!!" he yelled, as a weak pop came from his chest. "It hurts really bad," he cried, tears welling up in his eyes. This was not good. Jason wished he could do something... but there was nothing he could do.
"Oh gracious!! Jason, call 911. I can't tend this kind of thing here. He may have internal bleeding," she said, almost on cue as Richard began to cough. Every time he coughed, his body would spasm, and Jason could tell it was causing more pain.
Jason rushed to the phone and dialed, as the nurse rushed around the office trying to find something to help calm the boy down.
This was not going to be good at all.
Kyle sat at lunch waiting for Josh and Steven to come eat. He was dying to ask them about their opinions on the whole "coming out" thing. That way he'd have an idea how they would take it if he and Jason were to tell them how they felt.
But where was Jason? He hadn't made it to first period, or 3rd period either. He'd been helping that Richard kid to the nurse.
"Hey... faggot lover!!" What? Kyle looked around, wondering who was causing another fight. "Yeah, you!! I'm talking to you!" Huh? Him? Kyle spotted a large boy standing at the lunch room entrance.
"Shut up Mark!! Most of the school already knows what you did to your `Best friend!'" What was that about? Kyle looked to see a rather slender girl, in black Levi pants and a pink shirt. She had long red hair and a pretty face, for what it was worth.
The boy, Mark, looked confused, then angry. "And who cares about some lesbian's opinion like yours? You and your stupid cousin can burn in hell!" he countered, sounding rather stupid. Oh, it was that kid from this morning; that punched the other dude. Kyle was suddenly angry.
"Then we'll see you there for what you did to Rick." she yelled back. Kyle felt himself getting up to deal with this Mark before he knew what was going on. It was pretty obvious this was going to turn ugly.
"Oh, so the little faggot wants to protect his friend," he sneered. Kyle wanted to shake his head with disgust.
"I don't even know her... but she doesn't deserve this. And neither did your supposed best friend," Kyle said. This guy was really getting on his nerves. Kyle didn't want to make a scene, at least at first. But, now he just wanted to shut this guy up.
"ANYBODY THAT IS GAY IS NO FRIEND OF MINE!!" the boy yelled, his face red with anger. He punched at Kyle, but Kyle had been ready for something, (if not quite so soon), so he stepped back out of the way and let the fist swing harmlessly in front of his face.
The second one was not so easy; coming at Kyle's stomach, but he sidestepped, letting it pass.
"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM MARK?" the girl screamed, immediately sending shivers running up Kyle's back. Ouch. She was not one to make angry.
"What is going on here?" It was the vice principal. "Mr. Quaid, If you are fighting again you will be kicked off the team." He had a way of sizing up a situation very quickly. He was a middle aged man, slightly balding, who seemed to have it out for all sports players.
Mark nodded, even though he was angry. "I know that." he huffed. "I was just leaving." He turned around and stomped off, with the vice principal following behind him. "You aren't off the hook yet..." the principal trailed off as they exited the lunch room.
The girl looked at him, and then snorted. "Thanks, but I could have handled it." Kyle cocked his eyebrow. Maybe she could have.
"So how does Mark know you?" she asked curiously, as she sat down next to him. Kyle offered her his apple, which she took hungrily.
"That Rick ran into my friend Jason during the whole hallway scene," Kyle explained, as the lunch room conversation returned to normal.
"Oh. Why was he yelling at you?" She looked at him curiously.
"Cuz My friend helped Rick up. He couldn't breathe very well, so Jason took him to the nurse," Kyle explained.
"Took who to the nurse?" Steven asked, as he sat down with Josh right behind him.
"My cousin," the girl replied. Kyle still didn't know her name, did he?
"I'm sorry, but I don't know your name. I'm Kyle by the way, and this is Steven, and Josh."
"Hi."
"Hey," the two boys said at the same time, causing them to laugh.
"Oh, sorry; I was a little tense with that son of a bitch Mark," she cursed, laying her head on her arms. "I'm Alex."
"And I'm Jason," a familiar voice said, coming up from behind.
"Where were you??" Kyle asked, trying not to sound worried or desperate.
"Well, I took Richard to the Nurse's office," Jason explained, pulling out his sack lunch.
"Thank you," Alex said from under her arms.
"How do you know Richard?" Jason asked, biting into his peach. Yeah. Kyle wanted to know too.
"He's my cousin. So what happened?" Kyle coughed on his peach, trying not to cover everyone in juice.
"Oh shit! I didn't know. It's bad. They took him to the hospital, and the nurse let me go with hum cuz she thought I was... well she thought I was his boyfriend." Now Kyle found himself spraying the table with his milk.
"What?" Steven and Josh said at the same time, while Kyle coughed.
Alex whacked Kyle on the back as she spoke. "Hospital?" Alex asked, her eyes now wide.
"Yeah," Jason replied, now looking down. "That dude nailed him right in the base of the rib cage. They think he may have punctured a lung," Jason said, trying to avoid their eyes.
"I'm going to kill him!!" Alex said, looking ready to get up.
"I don't think you could," Kyle said, pushing her back down. "At least wait until after school, please?"
"I'm sorry to hear about your boyfriend," Josh said gently, patting him on the back while, at the same time, Steven was trying to comfort Alex. Josh? Being nice about it? Kyle wasn't sure whether to be happy about Josh being ok, or angry that everyone thought Jason had a different boyfriend.
"He's not my boyfriend; he just ran into me in the hall, so I helped him up when that dude came over and started shit," Jason explained.
"Yeah," Kyle nodded. "You really told him off too. I think you had him embarrassed," Kyle added.
"You were awesome, from what I heard." Alex added, which had Jason blushing.
"So you're not gay then?" Josh asked.
"Um well..." Kyle saw Jason looking at him searchingly. Kyle nodded.
"Actually guys...."Kyle said, taking a deep breath.
Jason thought it had gone rather well. Josh had been very accepting, and even though Steven was freaked out... he wasn't mean or violent about it. And that Alex chick was really cool. She'd thanked him for taking care of her cousin, and had said she was sorry that Jason was taken. If not, she would have set Jason up. Rick was cool; and very cute. But Kyle was the only boy for him.
The guys had taken it pretty well when Kyle and Jason had said they were together. Alex had cheered for them, saying that she was glad she had some gay friends. Jason still wasn't sure he was gay, but he did know that Kyle made him feel special; made him feel something that nobody else had made him feel.
The only downer in his day was Richard, or Rick as his nick name was. Rick had that nasty bruise on his chest, and the doctors had guessed at internal bleeding. Jason was pretty sure, since they'd caught it early, that he'd be ok, but he was still worried. And why was he so worried about a boy he barely knew?
Jason chewed on his pencil as the teacher spoke. That stupid Mark. Punching his former best friend. That was the other thing bothering him. How many scenes and situations were going on all over the country like that? What if other kids got hurt?
And poor Rick, lying in the bed like that. Jason had done the best he could, making sure he was comfortable; getting him changed into those horrible dressing gowns, and getting him propped up.
But they had a scare for a bit in the ambulance as he'd started coughing up blood; a lot of blood. Jason had been really worried. He was still worried in fact. One of the nurses offered to take him back to school when Rick had fallen asleep from the pain killers they'd given him, and Jason had accepted. So he didn't find out what the x-ray's had shown. He was pretty sure there was lung damage; that much blood from coughing wasn't normal.
So, now he found himself waiting for school to get out so he could ride to the hospital with Alex and her mother. He'd asked Kyle if he was going to come, but hadn't gotten a yes or no. He supposed that he was just more involved after helping Rick to the office, and riding with him in the ambulance. Kyle would eventually come around; it would just take a little time.
It was strange how letting them think he was the boy's boyfriend had gotten him a ride in the ambulance, and special treatment at the hospital. Maybe that hero kid coming out was a good thing in some ways. But the thought of poor Rick lying there in the hospital bed was horrible.
"Hey Jason. You ok?" a high pitch voice asked. Oh no. it was Michelle again. Wait. Now that Kyle and he were out, he wouldn't have to put up with her.
"I'm fine. Just thinking about my new boyfriend," he replied, standing up with his stuff. He heard her sigh behind him.
"I should have known." she said, sounding very depressed. Now Jason felt bad; he hadn't wanted her to feel bad... just back off. "Either the guy is gay, or doesn't want me."
"Look. To tell you the truth, your way of trying to make over guys isn't exactly helping you either." he explained.
"But..." she protested, brushing brown hair out of her eyes.
"No buts; just let the guy be himself for starters," Jason said. "And you should be yourself... just don't inflict your hair dressing thing on anybody who says no, ok?" he said, patting her shoulder as she was clinging to herself and crying.
"I guess so," she sniffed.
"Come on. Do you know a Richard?" he asked, wondering if she knew him. If she did, maybe she'd come along to the hospital.
"You mean the one who got hit in the chest?" she asked him curiously.
"Yeah. I'm going to visit him with his cousin now. You can come if you want." He was hoping Alex wouldn't mind. Wait... why did he just invite this girl to come along?
"Um... ok." Oh great. Now she wanted to come along. "So is Richard your boyfriend?" she asked. Oh fuck. That would make sense. As far as he knew, Kyle wasn't too bothered by people thinking that, but he really needed to get that straightened out. Nobody made Jason feel like Kyle did.
"No. You know Kyle right? He's my new boyfriend," Jason said, his chest overflowing with emotion. It felt so good to say that.
"Kyle is gay?" she asked stupidly. Jason had to fight not to sigh. This was going to be a long hospital trip.
Ok. I admit I'm not a doctor. I really don't know what they would do for the boy in this story. Also I have to explain that the boy who robbed the bank is at home with an electronic bracelet on his leg. Basically it's house arrest.; he can't leave until he goes to trial. So he's not just sitting at home for the hell of it.
Editor's note: Well, as a health care professional, I do know what they would do. They would put in a chest tube using a canula (a very large bore needle), hook it to a tube and hook that to light suction. They would probably do it in the ambulance (EMTs are allowed). This would expand the lung so the patient can breathe properly.