This part was more difficult, and I had to cut a few things out until Part 3.
Like This All Along - Part 2
The year had been going by so quickly for everyone. For some, this was the last year they would see their friends before they went off to one of their last destinations: high school. Many had hopes and dreams for making this a perfect year, but not everyone's went so well.
Throughout the year, Dirk had caused pain to all 15 students he tormented for various reasons. Most of it was people mocking his Northern background, which included several of the popular students. Pat never stopped trying to get Dirk to like him, even going as far to send his friends to put in good words about him.
Dirk remained unflinching in his dislike for Pat. It was clear to everyone at their school that Dirk was able to hold severe grudges towards anyone who disliked Northern students. He harbored a dislike for Southerners already, but it was amplified by the ignorance in many people he came into contact with.
As the last quarter of their middle school lives began, things began changing. At this point, everyone knew what high school they would go to depending on what programs they were interested in. Since Dirk had always been strong in mathematics and science, so he chose the Academy of Mathematical Integrity and Scientific Inquiry. Pat chose the same school, but he wasn't as strong in math. Instead, he chose to go in for the International Baccalaureate program, which was considered to be the ultimate in prepping students for college.
It seemed to everyone that Dirk was calmer as the end of the year approached. He no longer had to put as much effort into his classes. He had already earned himself the highest possible course recommendations for any incoming freshman at his high school. At this point, the party boy in him was taking over. He began relaxing more; he lessened up on pretty much everyone.
During Algebra I on the first day of April, Pat knew he had to try to get Dirk to accept him before the end of the school year. He knew humor was one of his many personality traits that gave most people reason to like him.
"So Dirk, I hear you are going into Trig when we get to high school. That sounds really hard. Obviously you are completely left brain," Laurel asked.
"Well, I took this class. I also did Geometry in place of an elective and I took Algebra II after school, so yeah, they are putting several of us in Trigonometry," Dirk replied.
"Isn't Trig like Geometry?" Pat asked, trying to ease his way into his first conversation with Dirk for the day.
"Almost completely. There is some algebra, but mostly it's identities that prepare you for Precalculus," Dirk replied.
"So you really don't want to have a life, do you?" Laurel asked.
"That's what you get for being gifted. You are not allowed to have a life no matter how fly you are," Dirk answered with a smile.
"Well that's why the world is full of lazy Mexicans, blacks and just overall lazy people. You know you could always just go to the beach and be like `dude' all day long," Pat said, trying to mock his studious behavior.
For once, he got Dirk to laugh. He studied every part of him as he laughed; the vein that ran along the left side of his forehead pumped out, and his teeth seemed to sparkle more. What he noticed most of all was the tone of the laugh - it was so free. In some ways it seemed so nerdy, yet so cool and casual at the same time. As he continued to laugh along and study Dirk, he knew Ms. Cruz would have something to say.
"This is a workday, so I encourage you not to distract everyone around you," Ms. Cruz said, "however, you three can go to the lunchroom to work. They have people there to watch you."
"Sure," Dirk said. "We don't have anything else to do except the Chapter 14 homework?"
"Correct," Ms. Cruz said as she wrote a single pass for all three of them. "Please try not to be too troublesome for the lunch ladies."
The three of them walked down to the lunch room and spent the rest of that period, completely chatting it up. It excited Pat that Dirk would actually talk to him now like a person. Surprisingly, Dirk had treated Laurel as if he'd known her forever, which was her main goal since she had been very interested. If not for Dirk's bookish nature during most of the school day, she would question his inability to realize how obvious she was about her attraction towards him.
Dirk was still not fully receptive to Pat, despite now welcoming him into his conversations with Laurel. Even though Dirk now responded to him, he was not fully willing to accept him as a friend yet. This was starting to change, since Dirk began directly addressing him the next day and even started conversations with him. To Pat, this was what he had been waiting for since that first day in October when he met this intriguing guy. He was amazed by his genius, which he proved through the science fair that year. Most of all, Pat loved appearance and personality, which his crush definitely had.
Throughout the year, both of them have grown physically, and clearly mentally. Both of them were now 5'8" and they had both put on about 10 pounds. Essentially, it looked better on Dirk because of his athletic form. Pat still remained a fairly average boy as far as physical strength.
By the beginning of May, Dirk and Pat had become pretty good friends. Even though Pat was primarily the one putting himself out there, he now felt close to his ultimate goal of being involved with Dirk sexually. Still, he was not sure if he should approach Dirk with his intentions.
Despite the fact that Pat was not a completely analytical person, he still had to decide if Dirk could potentially be sexually involved with another guy. He first analyzed his appearance, which was very pleasing to many. Despite being so naturally attractive, he really did not take much care of himself. He probably woke up in the morning, showered and put some clothes on. The next thing he analyzed was his nature, which included his intellect. Dirk was a genius, mostly at anything highly logical. Despite being very studious, there was nothing to suspect that Dirk could be gay or even bisexual.
Even though Dirk was extremely intelligent and sometimes nerdy during conversations, he still proved to be extremely popular. Considering all the money his family had, he was fairly level headed. He never talked down to anyone simply because of their background, and he did try to get to know his peers and make friends. However, people still resented the `Northern 16', primarily due to the fact that no matter how hard anyone tried, they would never be able to be fully with them.
When the last two weeks approached, it was yearbook time. Pat had been one of many on the Yearbook Club, and was a major contributor as a photographer and typist. He had delivered books to many of the people in his classes.
Pat received his batch before school, and began passing them out during Advanced Science. As he walked over to the table with some of the `Northern 16', they all got out their receipts. Pat passed them out, but when he walked over to Dirk, he got an unexpected response.
"Here you go Dirk. One crisp new yearbook. I already unwrapped it for you, just because you're a good friend," Pat said, smiling to Dirk, who was looking up at him.
"Go ahead and give it back to me during Advanced English. I know I've been a bastard to you most of the year, but I hope we've become friends these last few months," Dirk said, looking kindly into Pat's eyes and smiled.
"Okay. Sure," Pat said as he continued to pass out yearbooks. He could tell Lindsay was upset about this. All he heard were things relating to "I've been close to you since we were 4" and "I should get first rights and if I want to take up the whole book, I can." Clearly, Lindsay was turning into a control freak.
At this point, Pat was starting to get a clue that Dirk may have a method to his madness. Despite being extremely mean to him at the beginning of the year, he started realizing one obvious fact: Dirk has a mouth and he loves to use it.
Pat was starting to figure out exactly what he wanted. He wanted to have fun all the way through his school years, which included establishing a connection with someone who could intrigue him in every way. He was still a gay boi inside, who loved sexy bodies; however, he also enjoyed a unique personality and attitude. Even as things were getting much better between the two of them, Pat was starting to realize that the chances of a relationship with a guy like Dirk were almost non-existent.
This didn't upset him much though. He just wanted the connection, and he was starting to desire someone to talk to about all his feelings. He knew he didn't want to end up damaged for keeping everything inside. He considered his best friend, Travis, and decided to use him as a confident, knowing full well it put him at great risk.
It was during 2nd period Technology class that Pat knew he had to pull his friend aside to tell him what's been going on. The two of them sat at the work station, and things went as usual. They talked and joked with their other friends in the class, which annoyed the teacher but they didn't care.
"Trav, I need to talk to you about something kind of uncomfortable. Do you think we can go somewhere," Pat asked, looking nervously into Travis' eyes.
"Sure. We've finished everything in here," Travis said, then turning to their teacher and shouting, "Mr. Gilbert, Pat and I have finished everything. Can we go to the lunch room to talk about dude's stuff?"
"I'll write you a pass," Mr. Gilbert said, without asking exactly what. They received some cracks from their peers, but it wasn't anything to bad.
The walk to the lunch room was a little awkward for Pat, but Travis had no idea what to expect. After they dropped the pass off to the lunch lady, they found a booth that was far away from people and sat down. Pat sat across from Travis, and was almost jittery.
"Pat, I've noticed you are a lot more nervous lately. So, I came to two conclusions. You are on drugs or you have feelings for someone. So, which is it?" Travis asked. Looking at Pat very concerned; he had never seen his friend get jittery over anyone or anything.
"Trav, I know your parents have the whole conservative thing going on, but I need you to not freak out when I tell you this," Pat said, having trouble facing his friend.
"I'm not completely like them, and you know you can tell me anything, dude," Travis said, smiling a little at his long time pal.
"I've had feelings for someone since the beginning of this school year, and I'm petrified to tell them for fear of losing our brand new friendship. I've never felt like this for anyone before," Pat said, crossing his arms.
"Okay, so why don't you go for it. Is it someone like Trish, because you know I can put in a good word for you," Travis said, kidding around.
"I've been having feelings for a guy. Okay?" Pat said, starting to shake a little, but holding his glance with Travis more.
"Woah, I did not expect that. Pat, you do not act like some little bitch. You are just one of us, how can you be gay or anything like that?" Travis asked.
"I don't know. I've had feelings for guys since last year, but I haven't wanted to really do anything until they moved here in October," Pat said, starting to sweat a little.
"Is it Dirk Heinz?" Travis asked, pondering who Pat might be talking about. He hadn't paid much attention, but he had noticed some surprising kindness from his friend to a bully.
"Yeah. I like that guy a lot and I've spent the entire year trying to at least be his friend. I don't expect much," Pat said.
"Have you ever had feelings for me?" Travis asked, "because I've been your friend since 4th grade and it would be nice to know if you like any of your true friends."
"I liked you until I met Dirk. Then I went all ga-ga inside for him. I've never told anyone this, so are you going to keep it a secret Trav?" Pat said, extremely jittery now and shaking all over.
"Pat, calm down. It's good. I don't really get how you can like someone who is mean to you, or a guy for that matter, but I'm not losing my buddy over this stupid crap," Travis said as he put a hand on Pat's forearm.
"So, we're okay then," Pat asked, starting to perk up a bit more now that the hard part was over.
"Yeah. We aight. I'll keep my mouth shut. Now give me a hug before we go back to class. I'm no fairy, but this is one of those times," Travis said as he stood up and extended his arms for his friend.
"Thanks Trav. You're my savior right now. I thought I was going to burst with guilt," Pat said as he stood up and gave his friend a hug.
"Well, you can talk to me about anything. Just don't go into all the details if you want to talk about having butt sex with him. I'm not up for that yet buddy," Travis said, walking back to class with his friend.
"That's no prob, T," Pat said, wrapping an arm around his buddy's shoulders. At this point, he knew he had to make the last two weeks really count if he ever hoped to have established a good friendship with Dirk Heinz. He knew there was a chance that his life could be ruined if Travis told anyone, and that he may never see Dirk again after their lives in junior high ended, but he still had to make the best of it all.
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