Warning: This story doesn't contain any sex. It's the story of gay teens. None of the characters are based on real people nor are they meant to resemble any living or dead people.
Let me know what you think of the story by emailing me at Hnstskr4@aol.com
I want to thank everyone who has emailed. I also want to thank those who have read the story. It means a lot hearing from you. Please continue reading! There is a lot more to come. I own all rights to this story. Chuck B.
I've gotten such a great response to the story and I would love to hear from everyone who reads it.
Copyright 2009
The Mirror and Nothing More Chapter 10
Section 37 - Grant Has AIDS
Pete's P.O.V.
In the restroom, my new ally and I are in separate stalls...
"You've got to make sure that you tell as many kids as you can. I want the whole school to know that the kid from Utah has AIDS."
I sent the note to my new assistant in the other stall. I could hear him writing with his pencil and then the note got shoved underneath the stall again.
"Wow... you are really going to ruin this kid."
I took out a marker and wrote "Grant Smith has AIDS" on the stall wall, and then slipped the marker underneath to my new friend. I walked out of the stall, washed my hands and left the bathroom. Quietly, I walked to my next hour class, gym.
Gym class was fun! I made sure to write a little message in the gym restroom. Another guy went into the stall after me, and when he came out, I heard him talking to another guy about it. I butted into the conversation and added my two cents into it, "Yeah I heard he got it while in Utah from another guy."
One of the guys kind of blew me off, while the other one said, "What a queer, he best stay away from me!"
He left the guys locker-room and told his friends about Grant's fake illness. Wonder how long it will take before this rumor strikes out at its target.
All day long, there were kids talking about the kid with AIDS. Some of them were nice about it. I heard just as many kids who were upset about a kid with AIDS going to school with them. Talk about being happy, I am rather pleased with myself. By the time school is out, this little boy's disease will be on the lips of everyone in school. Oh it's such a great feeling! One way or another, this guy is going to get burned.
The very thought of Jeff and what's his name catching wind of the rumor makes me happy. I know once they hear about it that my work is done. Not only will my aide get the blame but I like to bet that our lovely school staff will also get involved. I wonder if he'll deny it. What happens then? Will he have to have an AIDS test? Oh and I wonder what his parents will think of my little fabrication.
I hear his people don't smile upon their kids being gay. How perfect is my plan. Things are better than I ever imagined. I wonder what his parents will say when they hear the news. Whatever happens, it's going to be a good day for me.
Section 38 - Grant's Rumor Spreads
Pete's POV
I couldn't have asked for better results. Grant will be ruined. Victory is already in the air. In just two days the rumor has circulated pretty much throughout the school. I have heard it myself from three kids in just the last 15 minutes. While in the office, I heard it being discussed between York and her secretary. Sounds like they plan on contacting the parents. Oh, this is great!
Talk about too good to be true, one phone call will feed his parent's suspicions. All takes is one little question in his parents minds and his world will begin to cave in. How nice it would be to see Jeff's world turned upside down as well. How perfect it will be to see them suffering. Wonder if things are working? I already know there is a buzz in the air.
It's lunchtime and the lunchroom went dead when Grant walked into the cafeteria. Not every head turned, but enough did to make it worthwhile. I didn't see anyone saying anything to the faggot, which kind of made me sad. Maybe no one needs to say anything. It's funny how silence can hurt just as much as a cut down. I wonder how the boys are handling my little fib.
I don't want to draw attention to myself by glancing at them, but I can't really help myself though. As I turn my head towards them, I realize their table is empty. Those faggots are hiding on me. Wonder what those lowlifes are doing? Even my little worm is in hiding, he better not have spilled his guts. Now I'm worried, but only slightly.
If he said something then I could be in trouble. He had better not do anything stupid. I can just as easily fix him the same way that I fixed Parker and James. They wanted out but I told them that Jeff had said that he had been in bed with both of them. They must not have liked that because Jeff ended up in a fight and they ended up in lock down. I can make sure my puppet gets implicated in this little game of mine. I'm thinking a suspension or something fun like that. I won't be denied my revenge. So far, things are going exactly as planned.
Section 39 - Talking With Shane
Part 1 & 2 combined
Grant's POV
It's the first weekend since the AIDS mess started. I figured it's only a matter of time before my parents find out about the rumor. I'm hoping they don't blow up over it. Dad and Mom have issues when it comes to overreacting. How they react could either be good or bad for me. I would hope they see it for what it is, a big, fat lie.
I'm afraid they will over react and put me through 50 questions. How do I prepare myself for their assault? Only thing to do, I've got to get Shane on my side, which means coming out to him. I could just try calling, but I prefer email. Still, this situation calls for a face to face or voice to voice exchange. I quickly grabbed my cell phone and called my 22-year-old brother.
Shane is still single and if you ask me, he acts a tad bit gay. The ringing stops and Shane's deep voice comes over the phone.
"Hey Bro, what's up?"
Shane reminds me of a leaner, Nick Carter. He's blonde, loves to sing, and is kind of crazy.
"Shane, I need to tell you something that has to stay between us."
Did I mention that Shane isn't active in my church? He hasn't been active since he returned from his mission last year.
"Okay spill it, what's going on?" His voice suddenly took on an alarmed tone to it.
I had no intentions of coming out to him, but this situation demands it. I've determined not to hide, at least not from him.
"Shane, I... I... I'm gay!"
There was silence, but not for as long as I thought there would be.
"Wait, you called me to tell me something that I've known since I saw you at the airport in Salt Lake City. You never could hide anything from me."
"Shane, I've got a boyfriend but we haven't had sex, but I'm calling you because someone is spreading a rumor that I've got AIDS. I don't want Mom and Dad to freak out."
Again there was silence.
"Look Grant, don't tell Mom and Dad about the whole gay thing and talk to someone at school, a teacher or a guidance counselor. As far as the rumor goes with Mom and Dad, just be careful."
Shane and I have always had this connection. Mom use to call us her twins. We've always been tight. He let me tag along with him and friends. I've always gone to him when I didn't want Mom and Dad to know something, or when I just needed brotherly advice.
"Thanks Shane, I'll be careful!" I was ready to click the "end" button when Shane started to talk again.
"Promise me that when you have sex that you'll use a rubber."
"I promise!"
I was now committed to this whole rubber thing. It's a promise that I intend to keep.
"Hey bro, I need to go. Stay safe!" he said and then he was gone. At least, I know that I'm not alone in this fight.
I know that if something happened where my house was no longer my home that I could depend on Shane and my friends. They've been there since day one of this new start in my life. A miracle of sorts, I had prayed for friends and friends were provided. Talk about thankful, there is no way that I would want to go through this alone. I know that this hardship will pass. It will take some adjusting to, but I will move past it. I have my friends and family that along with prayer will get me through this mess.
I think Jeff would want to know what Shane said to me. I grabbed my phone and called him.
"Hey Jeff, Grant here."
"Hey bro, what's up?
I can't believe it, he stole my word.
"I called my brother, Shane, for advice on this rumor. He thinks that I should talk to someone at school about it."
"Go for it, we'll all be there for you!"
Jeff and the crew will be there; I have no doubt about that at all.
"How are you holding up?" Jeff's tone of voice changed to a softer one as he asked me the question.
"Well, if I wasn't worrying about how my parent's will react to it, I would be doing okay."
"You'll be just fine!"
With that we hung up, I know that no matter what, I'll be okay. I'm not so sure that I want to go through it, but what can I do?
Section 40
The Guys, Part 1
Alex's POV
Apparently, Grant called his brother for some advice. Today we are gathering at my house to just hang out and plan what to do next. I'm pretty sure that somehow there is someone behind this rumor. I know who that someone is; it's Pete. I can't prove anything, but I know it's him. I just know and so does the rest of the crew. Jeff called everyone together to plan as best we can for whatever may come. Better to know ahead of time than to not know what we are going to do. I've been really impressed with Grant; he seems to be handling things really well.
We gathered in the living room to discuss what to do. Even my Mom decided to sit and plan with us. Grant refreshed us on what was going on and then he told us what Shane said. Immediately, my Mom spoke up.
"Grant, I haven't known you a long time, but if you ever need a place to stay, my house is your house."
Wow... you go Mom. No one had suggested anything to her about what we might do if Grant lost his home. Even Grant seemed to be in shock. I wonder if he had this kind of support in Utah.
"Thanks Mrs. Cook! I hope it doesn't come to that. Anyway, I wanted to ask you guys if you would be willing to come with me to the guidance office."
What kind of people does Grant think we are? We are his friends; of course we'll be there. Doug spoke up for the group.
"Hey Grant, I know you're new here but we hang tight. If you want us there, we'll be there."
"Thanks guys! I've never had friends like you guys before."
It really made me feel good to be able to hear that from Grant. He went on to tell us what he planned to tell the guidance counselor. He didn't want any speculation only the facts.
The truth can only help his case. After all, if a lie started this problem, then the truth can end it. I'm sure we can stomp out this rumor, but I'm worried about what else might be lurking in the shadows. Am I justified in worrying about this? Yes, I am totally justified. As long as Pete is up to no good, these problems will keep popping up. Maybe the best thing to do is to make peace with him, that may not even work. Pete has become totally untrustworthy. Even when he's playing nice, I have problems trusting him. Just before my college announcement he seemed to have turned over a new leaf, but I can't bring myself to trust him. Maybe I'm wrong. At any rate, I would love to be able to trust him again.