Authors note: Hey guys, I got some positive feedback from the first chapter, so I'm going to continue. I really like you guys input! It helps the story a lot. Chances are if you the readers don't like it, then the story suffers! I'm still developing as a writer; I'm trying to find my ground. So bare with me. Mostly, I just hope you guys like it! If you're not of age blah blah don't read it. Jail. Lawsuit. Not fun. Something about jurisdiction. Possibly CSI. I'm not sure. Don't do anything illegal. As always, comments, concerns, questions, thoughts or friendly conversation is welcome at Tylersaysgo@yahoo.com I respond to all e-mails. Enjoy Chapter 2! -J
Who decided that 8 a.m. is a good time to start school? They should be shot. I pull myself out of bed at half past six, and get ready to go to the place where magic happens, and by magic I mean agonizing boredom. Luckily, the school year started on a Wednesday this calendar year, so I didn't have to attend school for the full week, only two days. Thank god it was Friday.
Being a creature of habit, my mother was already dressed and well into her daily cup of coffee and reading about the riveting news of a small town. I stand opposite the bar from her and chug my apple juice.
"Sweetie, don't forget your piano lesson after school with Christine. She's expecting you to play La Campanella in its entirety," she says in her motherly voice. "Yes mom, and while I'm at it, I'll discover the cure for cancer," I respond sarcastically.
"I expect the lab reports for your discovery on my desk by noon." she said walking off in the direction of her bedroom, probably to wake my father. I swear, no matter how sarcastic and witty my remarks are she always had a better one in her repertoire. She stuck her head from around the corner and added, "Also, your father and I have a conference this weekend. We will be gone by the time you get out of school. We will be back Sunday night."
"Ok Mom, be safe and use protection," I say jokingly.
"Well, I can't have babies to sell to drug lords if I use those. Someone has to pay for your college education," she says in a mock serious tone. I just shake my head and laugh.
I yell goodbye to my parents as I walk out the door heading in the direction of Mitch's house. I walked in and was surprised to find him already dressed and in the kitchen. Of course, he was eating. It always seemed to surprise me at the amount of food he could consume. It was a bit scary around the holiday season.
"Why are you up so early?" I ask
"Mom made bacon. Want some?" He said with his mouth full.
"No, I'll pass considering you look famished and all." I replied.
"I'm a growing boy," he retorted with a smug grin.
I laughed and took a seat at the table in his kitchen waiting for him to finish his breakfast, which is probably more than I eat in an entire day. We made small talk in between his mouth fulls of high blood pressure and high cholesterol in strip form until it was time to head over to the school.
"Hey, you're coming to my game tonight right?" Mitch asked. "It's the first game of my high school career. You have to be there." He continued without giving me a chance to respond.
I laughed, "I haven't missed one yet. I'll be there." He gave me his trademark half smile and made small talk until we arrived at school. We actually arrived earlier we have the past two days so we had time to stand around and talk. Not long after we got to the student commons, Mitch's J.V football buds came over and started talking to him.
"Hey Mitchell, you psyched for tonight bro?" Lucas asked slapping him on the back.
"Yeah man. We're gonna destroy Southpointe." He replied enthusiastically. They continued talking about the game tonight while I just stood behind them being a wall flower. I didn't mind. I don't know much about it. I mostly just cheer when everyone else cheers and boo when everyone else boo's. I was there to support my best friend.
I walked off from the group without anyone really noticing me. I headed to the music room to prepare for first period orchestra. When I arrived there was no student in the music room yet. Naturally I wouldn't expect there to be. It was only 7:40 a.m. class doesn't start for another twenty minutes. I took my place behind the piano. I got my music folder from my backpack. I pulled out the music Mrs. Freeman had given me for the orchestra which was incredibly simple. I didn't say much about it as this was a class, not solo time. I pushed it aside and pulled out one of my favorite pieces Toccata and fugue in D minor by JS Bach. The song was originally written for pipe organ, but I found the sheet music where it was written for piano and I fell in love with the song. Although nothing can beat the majestic tone of the pipe organ, it is simply the most incredible instrument I've ever heard. I started playing the composition translated to piano, but soon heard the door to the music room open and saw the teacher walk in and stopped playing.
"Oh no, please continue. That was excellent!" She said in an encouraging tone.
"Oh no that's ok. I was just getting warmed up for class." I replied humbly.
"Well if that's your warm up, I'm impressed." She stated. I laughed and prepared for class to start. Class went by quickly, however, geometry not so much. Soon it was lunch time. I headed downstairs and went into the cafeteria was and sat at what had been deemed "our table." It was a pretty good spot, to be a freshman. It was near the middle, but not quite, as that has been the senior jock table for at least 2 decades according to my father. Naturally, freshmen got the worst pick of everything. Lunch tables, classes, textbooks, equipment and even library privileges. The grades at Northwood didn't really mingle with each other. After going through the lunch line Mitch soon arrived with his buddies in tow. They sat down and continued their friendly banter from the lunch line. I was looking over my Earth science notes preparing for today's quiz. I was half paying attention when I heard,
"That faggot is in my gym class." It was Chris Lackey. Chris wasn't really a mean guy. He got into trouble, occasionally, but his dad always got him out of it because he was the minister at the only church in our town. Chris had a good heart, but ultimately didn't have an oral filter, which got him into trouble, a lot. I quickly stopped reading and focused on the conversation without looking up.
"He can't even roll a damn kick ball. He's such a fag." He said. I couldn't help but wonder who he was talking about. Some poor soul lucky enough to have gym class with the jocks, probably. I quickly turned my attention to Mitchell's expression about the subject. He was laughing along with them and chiming in. My heart sank. I have never known Mitch to be cruel or make a joke at someone else's expense. I quickly gathered my notes and stood up to leave. Mitchell shot me a questioning look.
"Uh I'm just going to the library to study for Earth science. I can't focus here." I said with no real conviction. It was enough for Mitch because he just nodded.
"Hey I think I'll join you, James, if that's cool. I could use some extra studying," Andrew Page asked. I was a bit surprised.
"Uh yeah sure." I stutter out.
We walk to the library in silence and sit at a table in the back. I get out my notes to continue studying when Andrew asks, "You really didn't need to study more, did you?"
I look up from my notes with a shocked look on my face, but quickly recovered and replied, "Um, yeah. I hear Mr. Hamrick's test can be cruel." I stammer out. That didn't appease Andrew. He continued, "I know we don't talk much, but I know you're a smart guy, you don't need the extra time to study cloud types, "he said in a confident voice. I just stare blankly at him for a few moments before looking down and nervously laugh.
"You were uncomfortable with the conversation at the lunch table, weren't you?" Fuck. This guy was relentless. I was starting to get irritated. I came here to get away from that. Without really thinking, I said yes.
"You're gay, aren't you?" he asked simply.
I couldn't believe it. How did he figure that out? I'm not incredibly masculine, but I'm not feminine either. I always thought I was under the radar. What if he told Mitchell? My mind started racing, playing through every possible bad scenario which all ended in heartbreak. The panic must have been evident on my face because Andrew spoke up, "Relax man, I'm not here to out you." He said reassuringly. I didn't really feel better but I relaxed a little. I still couldn't form words. "I-I- Pl-Please don't. Don't tell Mitchell." I said hurriedly and grabbed my notebook and walked to the exit of the library. I headed to class to avoid everyone from the lunch crowd. When the bell rang signifying that lunch was over and it was time to head to the last class of the day, I watched the door with anxiety as Andrew and I shared this class together. He walked in and I purposefully avoided his gaze.
Class passed painfully slow, finally at 3:15 the bell rang. I couldn't get out of this school fast enough. My mind was in overdrive. I had finally admitted it to another human. Someone else knew I was gay. I thought about it all the way to my piano teacher's house. I was walking down the sidewalk lost in a sea of thought when I hear my name being yelled. I turn around to look to see who was calling me and to my surprise find Andrew jogging and calling out my name. I turn around and start walking, but he caught up to me.
"Hey man, why did you run off like that earlier?" He asked.
"Being made fun of isn't something I like to stick around to hear." I reply with a sharp edge to my voice.
"Woah sorry man, I should have said this earlier, but my older brother is gay. I'm not here to out you or make your life miserable," He said.
"Oh," I say, not really knowing where he was going with his comment.
"Look, I saw the pain my brother went through when he came out. That's why our parents moved us here, so he could start over. I heard him cry every night for months in his room because the other guys in his senior class ridiculed him and beat him up. Our parents tried to talk to the principal and school board, but it was a conservative town. We all thought it was best to move since he only had half a year left before he went to college and I was only in 7th grade," he said.
"I'm really sorry to hear that happened to him." I said meekly, as it did not make me feel better at all about my situation.
"He's doing ok now, he's living with his partner in Rhode Island. He's happy," he said.
"That's good to hear. I'm glad he had a happy ending," I say turning to continue walking. Andrew turned to walk with me, and continued to talk, "I guess why I'm telling you this is because I want you to know you have a friend. I didn't want you to feel like my brother and feel like you don't have anyone. It's totally ok with me, and I won't tell."
"I really appreciate it, Andrew. Thank you. I'm kind of running late for piano lessons, so I need to go if I want to get out on time to make it to you guys game tonight, but thank you for telling me that. It helps. Maybe we can talk more later," I say. I was really glad to know that about Andrew, it gave me hope for when I eventually tell Mitch. Andrew waved bye and ran off in the opposite direction and I continued on my way to my lesson.
I knocked on my piano teacher's door and she opened it promptly. She invited me in and told me to have a seat and get prepared for the lesson. Christine Owens was an old soul. She had kind eyes, but behind them you could see the pain she has suffered. Three years ago her husband committed suicide. He shot himself in the chair in their room. The police say it was due to his medicine treating his depression over retiring that caused the suicidal action. Christine never really recovered from it. She channeled her broken heart into her music. You could hear her pain in every song she played. They were high school sweethearts, married at nineteen and married for thirty seven years. They were crazy about each other. She blamed herself; she thought she wasn't enough to keep him alive. I sat talking with her many times after a lesson and she would tell me stories about the past. I loved listening to them, because she seemed incredibly happy. When she spoke about him, it seemed to relieve her pain and for a quick moment, she became who I remember before her husband's suicide. She became happy and full of life. She would smile and it seemed a glow would form around her. Now she had a forced smile, and was distant from everyone and everything, except her piano.
The lesson ended an hour later and I said my goodbyes and promises of seeing her next week. I walked back to my house and head immediately to my room. I throw myself on my bed and lay there until I hear my cell vibrate. I get up to go get it from my backpack and see that I have a message from Mitch.
Ready for tonight's Game?! I'm pumped!! -- Mitch' Yeah man, I'll be front row, as usual -- James'
I shut my phone and go to take a shower, only have an hour before kickoff. After getting dressed I headed out to walk to the school. I make it to the school with about ten minutes to spare. I buy my ticket and head down the stadium to the front row, as I'm sitting down I catch Andrew out of the corner of my eye, he waves and I give a small wave back. I pulled out my phone and started playing a game until the game was supposed to start and I was well into an intense game of snake, when someone sat down beside me. I look up and find Juliette Spake, Mitchell's little sister. Everyone calls her Julie for short, although I like Juliette better. She was only a year younger than Mitch and I. Juliette was an interesting girl, and I thoroughly enjoyed her company. She had a witty sense of humor about her, she enjoyed puns and talking about a good book. Juliette looked nothing like her brother. Juliette had dark brown hair unlike her brothers blonde. It fell to about shoulder length, but she mostly wore it in a loose ponytail. She was very slender which she got from her mother. She had light brown eyes that differed from her brothers blue. While Mitch's eyes set your heart on fire, Juliette's seemed to calm your spirit, they had a friendliness behind them.
"Twenty bucks says Mitch loses," she says.
"No way. He's way to pumped to lose," I respond confidently.
"You're probably right. That explains him weight lifting to Avril Lavigne earlier," she said jokingly.
"He'll murder you if you tell his buds that his secret to Viking muscles is Avril Lavigne," I say laughing.
"Ugh please. I wouldn't dare speak to those guys. My IQ would drop drastically," she said feigning disgust.
"Aw come on, be fair, they aren't that bad," I say not really sure who I'm trying to convince, her or myself. She just laughs and we talked until the game started. Mitch was first string quarterback for the J.V. team. The J.V. team played at 6 p.m. and the varsity goes on at 8:30 p.m. By halftime, we were up 14-0. The guys finished out the game with high spirits and a victory to go along with them. Juliette and I walked to the field house where the guys would be coming out of once they were done showering and what not. We stood around for about fifteen minutes before Mitch came out. He walked over to us with a goofy smile plastered on his face.
"Hey guys, did you see the whole game?" He asked like a kid on Christmas.
"Sure did, you were ok, looked a little sloppy," Juliet said jokingly.
"What, are you serious," Mitch asked looking upset.
I laughed and slapped his back, "you were great." He visibly relaxed, and we all three started to walk off back in the direction of the Spake's house. About half way there Mitch turned to me and asked, "Hey mind if I stay over tonight? We can play x-box and shit," He said excitedly
"Yeah sure. Parents are gone this weekend," I say.
"Oh yeah? Where did they get off to this weekend?" Mitch asked.
"A dermatology conference down in Georgia, I think."
Mitch just nodded his head in approval. We got to the Spake's house and headed up to Mitch's room to grab his stuff and so he can grab a shower. While he was showering, I went downstairs to speak with his mom. Mrs. Spake was a beautiful woman and very kind. Seeing her and her husband together was always peculiar to me. A gorgeous 5'6 woman with a hulking 6'4 man.
"Hello Mrs. Spake, How are you?" I ask sitting down at the kitchen table.
"Oh hello dear, I'm well, would you like some food or something to drink I just made some sweet tea," She asks.
"Oh no thank you, I'm fine, just waiting on Mitch. He's staying the night tonight," I say.
"Alright dear, but don't let him out of your sight. You know he gets into trouble," she says.
"Will do Mrs. Spake."
She smiles and excuses herself to go get the laundry from downstairs. Mitch finally comes down a few minutes later and tells to his mother that he is leaving. We walk through the living room and I wave at Juliette and she waves at me and gives her brother the middle finger. I just laugh and walk out the door, with Mitch close behind. Every time Mitch has stayed the night since eighth grade I have thought about telling him about me, but I always back out. Maybe I could gather enough courage tonight to tell him. Maybe I could finally lift this burden off of my chest. Maybe it could be the start of something more than a platonic friendship. Maybe.
That's it for chapter 2! Mostly because I'm tired and I have to be up in 6 hours! I wanted to hurry up and finish this tonight for you guys! I hope you like it! Comments welcome J