My name is Dante. I consider myself An American Idiot. Kinda like the Green Day song. Life for me has had its ups and downs. Three years ago I was at the top of my game and now I am working my way back to who I was before.
"God, I didn't wanna come back," Jamie said as we walked into our new first period. The semester just had begun back. "I hate the school board," I said as we took a seat in the back. "We get an extended Christmas break over strikes and now come to find out we get out of school two weeks later than we are supposed to. Fuck that shit." "I second that," He said laying his head on the desk. "What was I thinking deciding to take Government and Economics?"
"You were thinking you wanted to graduate and get a job that pays more than minimum wage," I said with a smile. "Besides, you got me in this class with you. With me, I can get you a high D." "Yea, that looks good on College application," He said sarcastically. "Better than that F you are sure to get," I retorted and he clutched his chest. "Low blow," He said in mock pain. I laughed but stopped when I saw my worst enemy and his best friend walk in. "Oh shit," I said and Jamie lifted his head off the desk. "Dumb Jock one and Dumb Jock two headed straight for us," He said sarcastically. "Take cover." He hid under his hood. I figured to go to sleep like he always does. "Kendall," Rusty said sitting at the table in front of us. His friend Salomon sat beside him. "You don't look too much like a fag today. What's up with that?" "I guess I am having an off day," I said with a shrug. "I see you look more like trailer trash than usual. What's up with that?" "Good one D," Jamie said from under the hoodie.
"Shut up," Salomon said to Jamie and he flipped him off. Rusty was about to retort when our teacher Mr. DiPasio walked into the classroom. "Mr. Wagner, turn around and face the front," He said laying his briefcase on the table. "This is your second time in this class. I don't want you in here a third time." "Aww," I said with a mocking smile. "If you need me too, I will help you study." "Fuck you," Rusty said turning around. "Been there done that," I thought to myself. Instead I said, "That's okay." "Welcome to Government & Economics," Mr. DiPasio said. "Mr.Nickell, please sit up." Jamie shot up in his seat. "How did you know my name?" He asked shocked. Mr. DiPasio sighed. "I'm psychic," He said, and "Besides I remember you from when I broke up a fight between you and Mr. Tzitsun here." He pointed at Salomon. "Oh," Jamie said resting his head on his hands. "I suggest you look alert or I'll have you do a hundred push-ups," DiPasio said writing on the board. "Dude, this guy is a tight-ass," Jamie whispered to me. "With excellent hearing," DiPasio said," Now drop and give me a hundred. You too." He pointed at me. "Why?" I asked him. "I didn't do anything."
"Just talked back," He said folding his arms. "Join Mr. Nickell on the ground and give me a hundred." I sighed and begun to do my push-ups. "Thanks Jamie," I muttered angrily. Jamie smiled. "Please...you need...to get...in shape," He said on his twenty-second pushup. Rusty and Salomon laughed at us. "Mr. Wagner and Mr. Tzitsun since you find this amusing join them on the floor," DiPasio said. They flashed us dirty looks as they joined us on the floor. "This makes it all worth it," I said with a smile at Jamie. ************************************************************* By the end of first period we had done 100 push-ups and 50 sit-ups. Also we had to jog in place. "I don't even think I wanna go to PE, Jamie said as we left the class. "That was a work out enough." "You wanna trade?" I asked him. "I got Warren for Biology." "I rather go back to DiPasio," He said with a tired smile. "Catch ya later." "Yeah," I said as we went our separate ways. My other best friend Dean walked up beside me. "You smell like Axe mixed with Sweat," He said to me. "Our teacher hates us and made us do exercises in class," I said as I followed him. "Pissing off your teacher on the first day, kudos," Dean said elbowing me. "Oh guess what!" "I don't feel like playing this game," I said. "So tell me what's what." "We don't have to go to biology," He said with a smile. "Why not?" I asked confused. "Because I signed us up for a free period," He said handing me a schedule. I looked on it. "Dude, thanks," I said with a smile. "I so didn't want to take Biology. The only reason I was taking it was because you wanted to take it." "So what do you say we go hang out for the next hour and half?" He asked me. I gave him a wary look. "What is going on inside that small brain of yours?" I asked him. "I missed breakfast," He said pulling me with him down the hall. "I say we have free period at Mcdonald's." ************************************************************* Jamie shot a three-pointer as he played ball with some of his boys. "That's what I am talking bout right there," He said as He butted knuckles with one of them. "You think you the shit, huh?" A boy asked walking up to him. "When you really are a white boy who wants to be black." "Damn Jamie," Niko said. "You gonna let him play you like that?" "Shut up," Jamie said blushing. "Who the fuck are you?" "I'm Justin," The guy said. "I am an example of what it means to be white and rich. You on the other hand are the example of white and trash. White trash." "Dude, why the fuck are you trying to start shit?" Jamie asked getting pissed. He didn't want to get suspended on the first day back. "Because it's a talent," Justin said with a smile. He took the ball from Jamie. "Why don't I show you what a real player can do? First one to ten?" He shot a lay-up. "Fine," Jamie said shooting an airball. Justin shook his head. "It was just a foul shot." "You're right," Justin said shooting another basket. "That was a foul shot. 2-zip my nigga. Or should I say my wigga?" "You know ordinarily I get pissed when a white boy I don't know say nigga," Niko said to the others. "But this is one cool white dude." Jamie shot another airball. "Damn," Justin said shooting the ball again. "3-zip," ************************************************************* "Damn this is one good bacon biscuit," I said as I chowed down. "Why is it you only eat bacon biscuits and no other kinds?" Dean asked as he ate his hash browns. "I eat sausage every now and then when I am feeling wild," I said with a laugh. "Looks like your best friends just walked in," Dean said and I looked behind me. Rusty walked in along with his girlfriend Amanda, Salomon, and Carlos. Amanda headed to the bathroom while the three came over to our booth. "Kendall," Rusty said sitting beside me. He was a little to close for comfort and while a few years back the closeness would have been wanted but now....I scooted over. "What do you want?" I asked him. "I just came over to say hey," He said to me. "Hey Dean." "Hey Rusty," Dean said genuinely. He never really had a problem with Rusty but he know I did and was between a rock and a hard place. "So what are you up to, fag?" Salomon asked me. Carlos snickered. "I have to pee," I said to Rusty. He smiled and got up to let me out. "I am gonna go beat the shit out of him," Rusty said following me into the bathroom. Dean made a move to get up butt Carlos stopped.
"Where you going Dean?" He asked him. "We haven't talked in awhile." Salomon walked over to Amanda who sat at the booth by herself. "Where is Rusty?" She asked him as he sat across from her. Salomon shrugged. "Kendall Hart is here?" She asked him. "Shit, why the hell does he want to bother that kid so much?" "Because Kendall is a faggot that's why," Salomon said with venom seeping in his voice. Amanda sighed and waited for her boyfriend.
I turned around to see Rusty standing at the door. "What the hell? I can't even pee in peace?" I asked him. "Just hear me out," He began.
"Look, whatever it is say it when I get back outside or how bout not at all?" I asked him. "Kendall shut the hell up," He said to me and for some odd reason he was acting odd. Like he was nervous. "What the hell do you want?" I asked him. "You," He said and before I could respond with an answer he kissed me. I was torn between pushing him away and keep kissing him. It had been so long since we kissed. I just needed to feel that contact once again. He finally broke away. "If that doesn't tell you that I want you, kissing you in a public bathroom I don't know what will," He said and I just stared at him. "Why?" I asked him. "Why now? Why so long?" He shook his head. "Later," He said and walked out the bathroom. I touched my lips. They tasted sweet. Like strawberries which was ironic seeing how he hated strawberry. I looked at myself in the mirror. Is it possible Rusty wanted to be mine and only mine? I smiled as I walked out and stopped in my tracks when I saw...Rusty kissing Amanda. Those same lips just kissed mine. Rusty immediately stopped. If I looked closer, I might have seen regret. But I was pissed. Rusty just toyed with my emotions. Again. I walked over to the table where Salomon, Dean, and Carlos were laughing at a joke. "We are leaving," I said to him as I stopped at the table. "We still have time to get back to school," Dean said looking at his watch. "Now," I said to him. Salomon got up. "Hey fag he wants to hang around straight people for awhile," He said grabbing my arm. I felt something snap inside me and I punched him in the face. "Oh my God," A customer said at another table. "You touch me again and I am gonna kick your ass," I said walking out leaving bloody nosed Salomon, and a shocked Amanda, Rusty, Dean, and Carlos watching me as I left. ************************************************************* "He did what?" Jamie asked in shock as Dean told him all about the incident at Mcdonald's. They sat in the third period, World History. "He punched Salomon in the face," Dean said angry. "And left me at Mcdonald's." "Dean you should know how they make Dante feel," Jamie said. "So that means that I can't be friends with them just because of some history he has with Rusty and Carlos?" Dean asked bitterly. "Actually it does," Jamie said as the door to the classroom opened. "Sorry I know I am late," Justin said walking in. "I got lost." "Oh shit," Jamie said to himself. "It took you twenty-five minutes to find the class?" Ms. Pierson asked him. Justin shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a blonde," He said and the class laughed. "Okay, so you don't think Dante is overreacting here?" Dean asked Jamie. "Not thinking about you right now," Jamie said shushing him. "God, why is he in this class?" "Justin," Ms. Pierson said looking at his schedule. "You can have a seat in the back in the empty seat by Jamie." "Oh shit," Jamie said again. Justin smiled as he sat by Jamie. "So we meet again?" He asked with a smile. "Don't talk to me," Jamie said through clenched teeth. "Jamie, stop being a Dick," Dean said from the front of him. "He's mad because I beat him at a basketball this morning," Justin said with a shrug. "This is Justin the guy who beat you at basketball?" Dean asked amused. "Dude, he is smaller than you." "Size doesn't matter," Justin said. "Trust me, ask any girls who I had sex with and they will vouch for me." Dean laughed. "Hey, I'm Dean Lancaster," He said introducing himself. "Justin Buchannan," Justin said shaking his hand. "But the ladies call me J. B. " Dean laughed while Jamie frowned. "I see exactly why Dante is mad at you," He muttered. "You're sleeping with the enemy." Dean just rolled his eyes and begun to talk with Justin some more. ************************************************************* "So you fucking lie to me to accomplish what?" I asked Rusty. Somehow we ended up in another bathroom. Some could say it was destined but at the moment I say it's bad luck. "Dante, I wasn't lying to you," He said to me. "I do want to be with you." "You were kissing Amanda thirty seconds after you kissed me," I said exasperated. "How can you want to be with me?" "I need Amanda," He said with a sigh. "You need Amanda?" I asked him. "Why? Why the hell do you need Amanda? Is she gonna give you a kidney or some bone marrow or something?" "I need her to be my girlfriend so people want think I am gay," He said getting mad. "I made the mistake of telling everyone you were gay and then people wondered why I was always hanging out with you and start suspecting I was gay. That is why I started dating her in the first place. To take the pressure off of me." "So basically you are using her?" I asked him. "I mean do you even have any feelings for her?" "This isn't about her," He said grabbing my hand. If anyone walked in, this was gonna be hard to explain. "I just want you to know I want you to want me as much as I want you." "Stop trying to double talk me," I said to him with a smile. He used to do that a lot when we used to date to confuse me into saying yes to stuff. "It's not gonna work." "You're smiling. Isn't already?" He asked smiling at me. I smiled even harder. "So is that a yes?" "It's I am gonna have to think about it," I said moving to walk to the door but he blocked my way and kissed me. "Is that a yes?" He asked me. I smiled at him. I was about to say the very words I would live to regret. "It's a yes," I said and his face lit up and he kissed me again. ************************************************************* Carlos walked down the hall headed to the bathroom. He wanted to get a breather from all that note-taking in Geometry. He pushed the door open but stopped when someone called his name out. "Sup David," He said turning around to talk. Inside the bathroom, Rusty pulled away. "Shit," He said nervously. I sighed. Someone was about to walk in on us at a very bad time. I just got my boyfriend back. "Hide in here." He pushed me in a stall and I fell right in the toilet. "Rusty," I growled as I was stuck in the toilet. Carlos walked in with David as they talked about David's girlfriend. "Rusty my man," Carlos said doing their famous handshake. "Why you look so flushed?" "I look flushed? Probably because I barely made it to the bathroom on time," Rusty said nervously. "I had the runs. Almost ruined these pants." "Too much info and bad image," Carlos said and David laughed. Rusty was nervous. Two of his close friends and his former ex-boyfriend turned boyfriend were in close vicinity to each other. It was funny to me. I knew they were here but they didn't know I was here. I accidentally let a laugh slip out.
"Did you hear something?" David asked the two of them. Rusty went a shade pale. "Huh?" Rusty asked acting like he hadn't heard anything. That made me laugh even harder. David pushed the stall door opened. That sent me over the top. Here I was eavesdropping on their conversation while stuck in a toilet. "Dude, are you okay?" David asked as he helped me up. Before I could answer, Rusty immediately jumped in. "What the hell were you doing in there?" He asked me. "Eavesdropping like a little bitch?" His face read anger but his eyes told another story. The Story of Fear. "Actually, I wanted to see what idiots talk about when they think no one is watching or listening," I said and then laughed again. "I see nothing much." Carlos gave me an appraising look. I could tell he didn't believe me. We had been friends for years before I told him I was gay. "Well, get the fuck out," Rusty said pushing me. That actually kind of hurt. He was playing the straight role a little too well now. I walked out. "I better get back to class," Carlos said and left before they could say anything. "Dante." I turned around. "What do you want?" I asked him. "You and Rusty were in there doing stuff weren't you?" He asked me. I smiled. "Do you really want the details?" I asked him. "After all, you couldn't handle the fact that I am gay. I'd hate to see how you handle the fact I blew Rusty all over the bathroom. Did that slip out?" Okay, I may have overexxagerated. His face turned a deep red as he blushed. He took a pen out of his pants and grabbed my hand. He wrote some numbers down. "That's my locker and my combination," He said without looking at me. "I got some sweatpants in there you could change into." "Thanks," I said and headed towards his locker. Carlos watched as I walked off. I stopped and turned around. "Hey Carlos?" "Yeah," he said finally looking at me in the eyes. "I know you very well," I said to him. "You want to be friends again but you are gonna have to do a lot more than let me borrow some sweatpants. I want you to know exactly how I felt in the past three years. Then maybe we can be friends again." Carlos stood open-mouth as he watched me walk away. It was funny. Even without that strong friendship connection we once had, I could still sense what he was thinking. That was how well I know my ex-best friend. ************************************************************* "You weren't wearing sweatpants earlier," Jamie said as I sat at the lunch table. "Long story involving me and a toilet," I said. "Long story short, I am back with Rusty." "What?" He asked choking on his chicken alfreda. "Dante, I am so sorry for making you mad," Dean said sitting at the table. "I thought long and hard about it." "It's okay," I said to him with a smile. He looked confused.
"It is?" He asked me. "Yeah, it is," I said with a nod. Jamie still was shocked. "Wait, I am still reeling over the fact that you got back with Rusty," Jamie said. This time it was Dean's turn to do a double take. "Huh?" He asked me. I smiled even harder. "Rusty and I got back together an hour or two ago," I said simply. "Is that why he is hugging all up on Amanda?" Dean asked and I looked at where he was looking. Sure enough, Rusty was hanging all over Amanda. "Looks more like friends with Benefits," Jamie said and I grabbed his milk. Hey! I am gonna drink that." I got up and walked over to that table. "Dante, don't," Dean said following me over there. Justin sat down across from Jamie. "What's going on?" He asked watching Dean chase after me. Jamie got up and rushed over there. I opened the milk. "My bad," I said pouring the milk on Rusty. I threw the fettucine from his plate on him. Amanda gasped in shock while Carlos tried to keep from laughing. Rusty got up to punch me but Salomon stopped him. "No dude," He said grabbing his fist. "We have to think about Wrestling." Rusty flashed me a deadly look. The whole cafeteria was silent. "Is there a problem over here?" A teacher asked walking over to us.
"No, I had a slight accident with my tray and milk," I said to him with a smile. "Right Rusty?" Rusty and I were having a war with our eyes.
"Right," He said and he left the cafeteria with his friends following him. Jamie and Dean looked at me as I headed back to our table. "Dude, I don't know what that was but it was freaking hilarious," Justin said to me. "Thanks....who are you?" I asked him confused.
"An ass," Jamie answered. "But most people call me Justin Buchannan," He said introducing himself. "Dante Turner," I said with a polite smile. "Dante, that was really unnecessary," Jamie said. "I think it was necessary," Justin said. "It is apparent that those two have some type of history or something." "Wow, You could tell that from just looking at us?" I asked him. "Yeah," Justin said. "So who is he? The guy whole stole your girlfriend, your ex-best friend..." "My boyfriend," I said simply. "Yeah, didn't see that coming," Justin said and we all laugh. Jamie stopped and blushed. "That made you seem like one of those faggy gay guys," Dean said. "And I thought you were dead set against that." "Well, those guys have the right idea," I said with an innocent smile. ************************************************************* "I am so gonna kill him," Rusty said as he waited for his dad to bring his clothes. "I've been telling you do to that for the longest," Salomon said shaking his head. "But do you listen to me? No." "Shut up," He said with a smile. Rusty was hurt. How can his boyfriend do something like that to him? "I think I can make it possible for you to fight him," Salomon said a thought popping in his head. Rusty hadn't been serious about that. "Huh?" He asked. "You two can fight each other without getting in any trouble," Salomon said. "And people want think you are some faggot pussy boy." "How?" Rusty asked and a mischievous grin appeared on Salmon's face. ************************************************************* "I so can't believe we have a class together," Dean said as we sat in seventh period Literature & Grammar. "All four of us." "And all four of them," Jamie said as Rusty walked in with Amanda, Salomon, and Carlos. I smiled at Rusty. He was pissed. I knew it. Pissed that I did that. Pissed that he couldn't get me back. Salomon dropped a letter on my desk. I opened it and read it. You think you are so bad. Why don't you come to tryouts and show us just how bad you are. "What is that?" Justin asked. Jamie sighed. "How nosey are you?" He asked bothered. "So what is that?"
"An invitation," I said folding it down. I looked back at Rusty and Salomon. "Dean, it looks like I am joining you at wrestling practice today." Dean was about to say something when Mrs. Preston begun speaking. "Open up your lit books and turn to page 15," She said. We opened up the books she just assigned us ad she begun her lesson. Dean just stared from Rusty and Salomon to me. Salomon explained to Carlos what the plan was. Carlos looked over and his eyes met with Dean's. They were afraid of what was gonna happen at tryouts. ************************************************************* "You can't go to wrestling tryouts," Carlos said as I walked with Dean. "And you can't tell me what I can't do," I said to him. "You don't have the title as my best friend." "Dante, he is trying to help you," Dean said. "I am trying to help you. Why is it that you and Rusty just got together and are already having problems. You've been together less than five hours." "I can handle Rusty," I said to them. "I know Rusty." "Know you know the Rusty from when you two were thirteen," Carlos said. "You don't know the Rusty he's become. He will hurt you before he will protect you. He's already done it. He is planning on having sex with Amanda tonight." I looked at them both. "I can handle my boyfriend," I said heading to the gym. ************************************************************* "Okay, we will be evaluating you on your performance and we will let you know if you are on the team at the end of tryouts," Mr. Michael's said. "Wow, that is pretty quick," Justin said as he sat in the bleachers with Jamie. "I can't believe Dante is doing this," Jamie said. "I can't believe I am talking to you about this." "Didn't you and Dean say that Dante played Baseball and Soccer?" Justin asked ignoring his comment. "Wrestling, baseball, and Soccer are three different sports," Jamie said shaking his head. "He is gonna get massacred out there." "Partner off," Michael's said. As soon as he was finished, Rusty, Carlos, and Dean bombarded me. "Be my partner," They all said in unison. I looked from one to the other. Salomon noticed what was going on and he pulled David over with him. "Carlos be my partner," Salomon said standing with us. "I'm already Dante's," Carlos said and I suddenly realized what was going on. Carlos and Dean were trying to keep me from wrestling with Rusty. "It's gonna take a lot more than that, Carlos," I said with a smile. "I choose Rusty." Rusty and Salomon shared an evil glance while Carlos and Dean shared a helpless glance. "Come on," Salomon said pulling Carlos on the mat. "Partners?" David asked Dean. Dean looked back at me and Rusty. "Yeah sure," Dean said following him to a spot on the mat. "What the fuck were you thinking?" Rusty asked me as he tackled me. He tried to pin me to the ground but I broke free. "I was thinking....that my boyfriend....was kissing some girl," I said grabbing him around the waist. I slung him backwards and tried to pin him. Dean, not paying attention to David, got pinned. "I told you I needed Amanda," He said putting me in a chokehold. I couldn't breathe. Carlos wanted to come over and help but Salomon pinned him to the ground. This couldn't be fair. I noticed the coaches weren't even looking in our direction. "If I didn't love you, I would so hurt you." That's when I saw my opening. I elbowed Rusty in the balls just as Michael's looked over at us. He loosened his grip and I slung him over my shoulder and pinned him to the ground. Salomon was shocked and caught off guard by Carlos placing him in a chokehold. "I give man," Salomon said after five seconds. "I give." Dean countered David's attack and pinned him. Rusty tried to counter my pin but I pinned him down again. "I love you and have no problems hurting you," I said in his ear. Michael's blew his whistle. "Good job boys," He said to us as we all filed into the middle of the gym. "We will converse and let you know who the fourteen boys are that we chose for the team. While we discuss this, I expect you to be conditioning." Dean, Carlos and I led the 50 something other boys as we begun to run laps. "It looks like you should have more confidence in your friend," Justin said to Jamie. " Come' Caca con Su la familia todos Los dias," Jamie said to a confused Justin. "No mi." "What the hell does that mean?" Justin asked confused. "You eat shit with your family everyday," Jamie said. "Not me." Justin couldn't think of a comeback and Jamie sat in silence at his slight victory. After ten minutes or so, Michael's blew his whistle and we all filed back in the middle of the gym. "I can't believe he fucking pinned you," Salomon said beside Rusty. "You can't believe Dante pinned me? I can't believe Carlos pinned you," He said bitterly. "We have a came to a decision," Michael's said. "The fourteen we have chosen are as follows: Rusty Wagner, Salomon Tzitsun, David Lory, Matt King, Carlos Rengel, Justin Driskell, Nick Carroll, Anton Ray, Bryce St. John, Eric Lorey, Jamie Reyonoso, Sean Paul, Tyler Hardee, and Dean Lancaster." Rusty and Salomon were glad that I hadn't made the team. "Damn," Jamie said sadly. "Sorry Man," Dean said to me. "Yeah, me too," Carlos said genuinely. I shook my head. "I don't care," I said with a smile and I didn't. "There is always Baseball that I make every year and besides it felt good to pin Rusty." "Could Dante Turner please come up here?" Mr. Michael's asked. I looked at Carlos and Dante who shrugged. Rusty and Salomon looked curious to know as well. "Dante Turner was one of the few with heart out of all of you boys out there," He began. "Out of the 57 boys, we saw some new talent that just needed to be harnessed. Dante is the wild card player making the final tally 15." I stood shock. I hadn't really intended to make the team. "Dude, you're on the team," Jamie said running down to congratulate me. "Yeah, but what about Baseball?" I asked him. "I focus on that and that only." "Dude, you can beat the shit out of Rusty without getting in trouble," Justin said. "Why are you complaining?" "Why am I complaining?" I asked with a smile. "I better go see how the assholes are doing over there," Carlos said walking back over to Rusty and Salomon. "Are you two friends again?" Jamie asked. "One day of common interest doesn't constitute as a friendship," I said with a smile. I looked over at Rusty. I couldn't read his face. All I know is, He wants to Date me and I want to Date him. Without all the excess baggage. Until then....all is fair in love & war. ************************************************************* Okay, I decided to revamp the original episode one. I like this one better and I hope everyone liked it. In episode 2, Dante and Rusty are at odds over Amanda. Dante also loses his match and may be kicked off the team. Meanwhile, Jamie and Justin are shocked to learn that their parents are dating each other. Carlos and Dean hit a rough spot when a new student plays with their emotions. Salomon is forced to ask for Dante's help concerning grades but Dante wont help willingly. So he resorts to blackmail.