Another gay story!

[Melchi0r]

[For a long time I've been trying to write a story whose subject is something I really really want to write about. I've danced around the issue for a while and now I've finally started this story: about the hardship of being gay as a teenager. Let's hope I will not suddenly quit this one too.]

As his dreams became too much for him to bear, Cory woke up in a sweat. The clock read only 3:20 a.m. but there was no way he was going back to sleep any time soon. Not after tonight’s new batch of dreams.

One week before that night, Cory had a dream that he made out with his friend James. As freaked out as it made Cory, he didn’t see any point in getting too worried. A dream was just a dream. James wouldn’t even have to know about that dream. Besides, other than the weird event of them making out, there were also talking furniture.

Two nights later he had a dream that he was in a room full of completely naked guys around his age. He woke up that morning covered in sweat.

Now there was his latest one. In his dream, he was in the shower and the lead singer of his favorite band stepped in with him. They had sex. Now Cory believed there was something wrong with him.

He swung his feet out of bed and sat up. His t-shirt had felt totally sticky because of the sweat. His hair was moist, and his pillow felt a little wet too. His sheets were warm, uncharacteristic for February. He noticed he smelled, too. Grimacing, he took off his t-shirt, his pajama pants, and boxers. Cory felt like showering but it would wake up his mom. Instead he just sprayed on some Axe.

Cory decided to get on his computer so he could do something to get back to sleep. Turning the sound off, he got onto the Internet and started surfing the usual websites- MySpace, YouTube, the works. Boredom set in but not sleepiness.

He didn’t even want to sleep. He might have had another dream, one of those dreams of being gay. He wasn’t gay so why was his mind intruded with the thought of it while he slept?

Or maybe… just maybe, he was gay. Which would be impossible: he remembered his first kiss. With a girl. Not another guy. That would just be a horrible first kiss.

But… I’ve never dated anyone. How do I know what I like? Cory thought. At the least, maybe I’m bisexual.

No, there was no proof of that. He’d only kissed girls so there was no proof he’d like it with a guy. And there was no way he wanted to try it out.

Did the fact that he liked it in his dream make a difference? Cory hoped not.

Not knowing anything better to do, he went to Google. Once he was on the homepage, Cory sat and stared at the screen for several minutes. His eyelids grew heavier every minute, and he nearly slid into sleep sitting in front of the computer screen. He jolted awake and yawned. It was now 3:53. He needed sleep for his math test tomorrow.

He was still afraid of the dreams, which made him think of doing… things with other guys. The thought made him anxious. Besides, if it were true, Cory couldn’t take all of his friends turning on him. He didn’t want to be like Sandy Brodwin, the newly-out-of-the-closet guy in Cory’s English class. Since Sandy (or “Sandra� as Cory’s friends began to call him) came out of the closet in December, he lost a lot of his friends and became one of the lowest on the junior class social food chain.

Besides, Cory didn’t even really know for sure if he was or wasn’t yet. No need to come out for no reason and face utter and total torture for it.

Cory nodded off and snapped awake as soon as his head hung. He glanced at the clock again: 4:00. Grunting slightly, Cory shut down the computer and cracked open a window in case he got over-heated at night again.

Luckily for Cory, he slept dreamless for the rest of the night.

[MoveAlong]

I'm a bit interested and I'd like to see how it turns out.

[Sage]

I'm really not fond of that style of writing, to be honest. It seems more like you're some creepy subtitle reader than a book narrator, as in its closer to 'sharing a bit of info' than 'telling a story'.

[Ironic Infidel In England]

I like it, please don't just "suddenly quit this one too."

[sfmdraw]

finnish it!

[Melchi0r]

I'm changing the beginning to Corey knowing that he'd been gay for a while. The new beginning will be up whenever I finish it. I'm getting there, Alex!

[Ironic Infidel In England]

Cool. It better be good Josh!

[Pioneer92]

i like the story. it kind of reminds me of me because im kind of in that situation where im trying to figure out who and what i am even though i dont like labels. i hope you finish it!

[Booman5]

That's really good, I'm excited for the rest!

[Melchi0r]

I told you guys, I was changing the beginning. Here is the new version:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every night Corey dreamed that he was in some random guy’s arms and he was finally happy. He never saw who it was but he was at peace with the world as he and this person squeezed together, embracing, He felt warm and safe; a feeling he usually did not have while awake and at school.

“Fag!� Louis Gordon taunted as he knocked Corey’s books out of his hands. (If there was on thing Corey knew about Gordon it was that the guy in his dreams would never ever be him.)

Gordon laughed and snorted back some snot as he continued his morning stroll around the halls of Norchester High School. Barely fazed, Corey squatted down and began placing his books and binders into a neat order. He stood up and saw the vice-principal, Mr. Moll, pass by. Sighing, Cory went to homeroom. Why couldn’t he have passed by just ten seconds before? he wondered.

His homeroom was in room D-18, a science room ran by a teacher named Mr. Choi. Mr. Choi let the students in homeroom carry on until the announcements came on, so Corey found everyone walking around, looking at Choi’s fish, chatting loudly and trying to shoot paper balls into the trash cans.

Donnie Sampson barely missed hitting Corey with his balled-up Spanish Club flyer. Every school flyer or any paper he got in homeroom Donnie threw away instantly. “Sorry,� he muttered.

“No problem,� Corey answered and sat down in his seat towards the back of the room. Donnie was spastic at times but at least he wasn’t a homophobe.

He felt someone’s arms wrap around him from behind. Corey smiled. “Hey, Ally.� A girl with dyed black hair with blonde streaks swirled around him and sat on the neighboring seat.

“Corey, you might have a chance for a boyfriend now!� she teased excitedly and a bit too loudly. Dawn McReady turned around and gave them both an awful look. Thankfully she didn’t say it today. No “You’ll both go to Hell� for at least this morning.

Corey rolled his eyes and turned to Ally. “What are you talking about?�

She smirked. “There’s a new kid coming today, right? He’s coming from James’ Ridge- Molly knows him. Anyway, Molly says that he came out just a week ago! Mmm, fresh meat, huh?� she joked and started tickling him. Corey let out a weird giggle but then suddenly backed away, embarrassed by his own noise.“So now there are two gay guys at Norchester, including me?� he asked in a low voice, as to not receive another dirty look from Dawn.

Ally grinned and nodded in response. Just then the announcements came on, everyone fell silent, and Ally ran back to her seat so Mr. Choi could take attendance.

[Ironic Infidel In England]

As promised, my opinion. Good! Very good! Keep it going, and don't restart it again.

[Melchi0r]

After a grueling math lesson first period and about fifty homework problems, Corey rounded the corner and went to the end of the B-hall to get to Honors world history class. He took his seat in the middle of the room as others took their seats as well. Still thinking about this new guy, he slowly took out his binder and a pencil and laid them on his desk. Corey fell into a slump, burying his face in his arms. Would he ever get to at least meet this guy?

“You must be Sandy,� he heard faintly. He looked up to see a lanky boy with shaggy, dyed blonde hair. He wore a My Chemical Romance arm patch. Oh my God… thought Corey. That’s my favorite band. Sandy adjusted his satchel nervously as the history teacher, Mrs. Bell, introduced herself and directed him to a seat. And the seat was right next to Corey.

He perked up as Sandy sat down. Corey smiled at Sandy warmly and Sandy shyly returned the greeting.

“Hey,� Corey began. “I’m Corey.� Slowly he extended his hand across the aisle towards Sandy, who hesitated. His expression grew from timid to friendly as he took Corey’s hand and shook it.

“Sandy,� he introduced himself plainly. He let go of Corey’s hand. Sandy’s hand was so smooth and warm. Corey just wanted one more handshake… or at least a million.

“New here, then?� Corey continued, but winced inwardly. No shit he’s new here, which would explain why we’re introducing ourselves.

“Yup,� Sandy replied nonchalantly.

“Queers,� someone said in a stage whisper from the back of the room. Corey was going to turn around and flip the dude off but Mrs. Bell had already started droning. He knew who it was though: Adam Jacobs. He was the smarter version of Louis Gordon. It was such a shame that a bright kid like Jacobs felt the need to harass others to improve his own self-esteem, but that’s high school.

Mrs. Bell ended up putting in a video about Joseph McCarthy. Corey nearly fell asleep during the movie when an idea hit him: should he try and pass a note to Sandy?

No way. It would seem too desperate. But still… he needed to have connections with him. He was the only other gay guy at their school.

So before he could regret it, Corey began scribbling a note on a half-leaf of notebook paper.

Hey Sandy,
Sorry about Adam Jacobs. What an asshole.
What lunch are you in? By the way, I’ve already heard about you from my friend Molly. We should talk some more sometime. Hopefully over lunch?
Corey

[Ironic Infidel In England]

Good so far josh, keep it coming!

[Melchi0r]

As Corey wrote he did so inside his binder, opening it every once in a while to add a sentence. This made it look as if he was taking notes, not writing one. When he was done, he folded it three times and held it in his enclosed fist. Now he realized that maybe Sandy would think him strange trying to talk to him so much. Sandy didn’t know that Corey knew he was gay, and he probably didn’t know Corey were gay although he might have gotten the picture already.

When Mrs. Bell went leaned down to retrieve a file from the bottom drawer in her desk, Corey knew it was his only chance to pass the note, so he quickly thrust out his hand and tried to drop it on Sandy’s desk.

However, the unthinkable happened. He missed and the note fell to the floor. Corey tried to pick it up, but a foot stomped down on the note. Luke Karrigan, the little clone of Jacobs. He smirked and opened the note. Corey wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing his anger, so he turned around and forced himself to watch the movie screen. This would not be pretty at all.

“Excuse me, Luke?� Mrs. Bell called from her desk. Literally, saved by the Bell. “No passing notes! Do you want me to make you stand up and read it?�

At first, Luke looked like he was going to pee himself but then he became calmer, and even slightly amused. “Sure, I’ll read it aloud.�

“Oh… you do?� said Mrs. Bell. She paused the tape. Luke’s agreement caught her off guard. “Well, let’s hear it then.� Luke stood up and cleared his throat.

In front of him, Corey had an urge to turn around and punch him as hard as he could in the stomach. Tears were about ready to burst from his eyes.

Luke stood up. After clearing his throat, he began to recite Corey’s note. “Hey, Sandy!� he said in a girly voice. Adam Jacobs sniggered. “Sorry about Adam Jacobs,� he continued, pausing to snigger at the next sentence. He went on in a simpering voice, “What an aaaaasss-hole!�

A few kids in the class burst out laughing. Jacobs muttered angrily, “Which fag in here…� Mrs. Bell stood up.

“That’s enough, Luke.� Unfortunately, Luke ignored her and plowed through.

“What lunch are you in? By the way, I’ve already heard about you from my friend, Molly.� Corey froze. Molly was in his history class! He turned around; she was sitting in second to last seat in the far left row. Molly gave him an sympathetic glance, but looked down quickly in her own embarrassment.

Luke delivered the killing blow. “We should talk more sometime… maybe over lunch?� He sniggered, and finished, “Looove, Corey!�

Adam Jacobs and almost the whole class begin to laugh. Corey unburied his head briefly from his hands to look at Sandy. His hands were covering his own mouth, and he was looking at Corey, trying to get something out of him. Corey couldn’t take it, so he ran out of class without even thinking.

“Corey!� Mrs. Bell shouted as he took off. With his satchel slung around his shoulder and bouncing off his leg, he jogged around, trying to find the most immediate exit. He found the cafeteria and left from the door to the left of it. The cars shined in the brilliant sunlight. Corey looked down as he kept jogging out of that hellhole. He knew he was in for a huge pile of shit from his parents when they’d find out. Somehow he had to avoid going home.

He turned on to 9th Avenue from the parking lot. He figured he could just hang out in the town’s park until he made a real plan.

The park was really only a large lot with some trees, benches, and a swingset. Still, it was public land. Corey took a seat on a bench under a tree. He curled up, hiding his head just like in the classroom, and he began to sob.

On a weekday in October, no one would be walking past the park or through the park to see Corey crying. He wasn’t sobbing so loud, and he was practically invisible in the shade, wearing his dark clothes, and no one was on the street…

After a half hour or so he was done. Wiping his face with his sleeve, Corey fished through his satchel for his cell phone, to check the time.

He flipped it open and held the red phone button to turn it on. When it went to the home screen, he saw an alert: “1 new voice mail�. Corey pressed select and put the phone to his ear.

A female voice chimed in. “Please enter your four-digit password…� and yadda yadda yadda. Corey pushed in the code (8362) and put the phone back to his ear.

The female voice came back. “One. New message.� Beep. A pleasant voice of a teenage boy began to speak. “Hey, Corey, it’s Sandy.� He smiled, leaning against the tree. “Look, what happened today in history must have made you feel like absolute, unimaginable shit. I’m already getting harassed and it’s my first day… So, I’m trying to sneak in this call in the bathroom between classes. I’ll give you my number.�

Corey grabbed for a pen and grabbed it in the nick of time. He scribbled down the numbers on his arm, clamping down on his phone between his ear and his right shoulder.

In Sandy’s message, the new gay boy had just finished reciting his number. “Okay, I really have to go, so, call me, okay? Bye.�

Beep. The female voice returned. “End of messages…� she began to say. Corey hung up on the recording and leaned back against the tree again, smiling.

He checked the time on his phone. 9:31. Ugh… what am I supposed to do until 2:45? he asked himself.

[Ironic Infidel In England]

:) keep it coming mate!

[Pioneer92]

i really like the stories, keep it coming! i want to know what happens between corey and sandy! :D

[Melchi0r]

Corey had wandered around town all morning. He was cautious that none of his parents’ friends would spot him. He slipped in to a McDonald’s at around noon to get something to eat. After that, he browsed the 5th Avenue shops. Fifth Avenue was mainly mom-and-pop stores with apartments above where the owners lived. For three hours he browsed the book store, reading so much of one particular book that the clerks almost forced him to buy something.

Afterwards Corey strolled again down Fifth Avenue. What time is it? he thought. He pulled out his cell phone and checked: 3:01.

Corey grinned because he could now speak to Sandy again. He punched in the number written on his arm and pressed the green phone button. It rang three times on the other line before Sandy picked up.

“Hello?� Sandy answered.

Corey’s heart melted. “Hey,� he said, “It’s me, Corey.�

“Hey man! Are you okay, from what… you know.�

Corey plopped down on a bench. “Could be worse, could be better. School’s going to be Hell tomorrow, but so will going back home.�

There was a pause on the other line. “Would you like to come over to my house for a while?� Just like that, it came out of his mouth! Corey thought he would never ask.

“Really?�

“Why not? You do need a safe haven, right?�

Corey nearly died of euphoria. “I suppose I do. What’s your address?�

“176 Pine Street. How close are you? Do you need a ride?�

Corey pondered. Riding in Sandy’s car? It sounded great, especially because Sandy offered a ride voluntarily. “I’m on Fifth Avenue, so that’s about ten blocks away from where you live…� Corey’s voice trailed off.

“So you’re going to walk?�

His heart sank a tiny bit. “Yeah, guess so.� At least Sandy had invited him over.

[Ironic Infidel In England]

Not much happens, but good build up.

[Melchi0r]

Don't worry, a lot more happens the next update.

[Ironic Infidel In England]

Good.

[Melchi0r]

Sandy’s house was a quaint, brick house with flowers bordering the walkway to his front porch, on which there was a swing and a few lounge chairs. Nervously, Corey stepped onto the porch and walked towards the front door. He cleared his throat, afraid that when Sandy answered his voice would crack. Timidly, Corey rang the doorbell.

He shifted his weight from foot to foot, glancing around like he was being spied on. Then, footsteps. A figure with shaggy hair appeared behind the door. Corey smiled automatically, hoping his teeth were clean.

Sandy appeared from behind the screen door. He was wearing a baggy, plain white shirt and a pair of dark green pajama pants. Once he saw Corey, he returned the smile. “Hey, Corey! Come in,� Sandy said, slowly pushing the screen door open.

“Thank you,� he replied, stepping into Sandy’s house. For an instant, Corey’s left hand brushed Sandy’s leg. Electricity danced through his arm, into his torso, into his heart, but Corey looked away and pretended it didn’t happen.

Sandy’s living room was half-bare. Only a couch, throw rug, and TV were set up. The rest of the room was filled with boxes. “We haven’t fully moved in yet,� Sandy explained. “Only our bedrooms and the kitchen are done.�

They moved into the kitchen. The tiles were off-white, the cupboards a very clean, woody tan. The white refrigerator was covered in magnetic poetry and family photos, including a very cute and smiley baby Sandy. “Do you want a drink?�

“Sure,� Corey replied. Sandy pulled out two Diet Pepsis from the fridge. Corey popped his soda open as they went upstairs to Sandy’s room…

…Oh my God, we’re going to his room? Corey wondered. This was going really fast… or maybe, but hopefully not, Sandy just wanted a platonic friendship. Maybe he didn’t know Corey was gay, although his note must have given it away.

The upstairs hallway was totally bare, with a few boxes along the wall. There was a stop sign and a rainbow sticker posted on Sandy’s bedroom door. Redundantly, Sandy said, “This is my room,� and opened the door.

Inside, the walls and the slanted ceiling were adorned with posters of bands. Sandy had a bookcase pressed against the farthest wall with a two shelves of CD’s. Nearest to the door were a dresser, a rotating computer chair, and a mirror. On top of the dresser were styling gel, ear rings, necklaces, gum, one dollar bills, and other random scraps. Other than his dresser, his room was very tidy. A twin-sized bed extended from the wall to their right, with a black comforter and white sheets, two white pillows, and two black pillows.

Sandy took the computer chair over to his bed and sat on it. Without thinking, Corey found himself sitting on Sandy’s bed, putting his soda on Corey’s nightstand next to a radio alarm clock.

Corey nervously cleared his throat again like an idiot and muttered, “So…�

Sandy picked up on his thought. “So, I guess you know I’m gay, right?�

“Yeah, I heard from Ally, Molly’s friend. You know I’m gay, too, right?� Corey asked back to Sandy.

“Yeah, but I could just tell.� He laughed shyly. “How long have you been out?�

“Two years. I came out to my parents first, then my friends, and it just spread around the school. I get shit for it everyday, though.�

“I guess that’s what I’m in for after today. A few girls I didn’t know were all over me, but that Adam Jacobs guy kept throwing little balls of paper at the back of my neck all biology class.�

“I hate that kid so much,� Corey added sympathetically. “So, do your parents know you’re gay?�

“Yes, but they don’t really care. They’re not the religious type. But if they did, they wouldn’t have time to bug me about it. They’re always at work.�

“Oh,� Corey said. “But you’re lucky.� Sandy gave him a weird look. “I mean, about them not minding. My dad had a fit. He never looks at me for very long anymore. My mom keeps bugging me about it just ‘being a phase.’�

“I’m sorry about them,� Sandy replied.

“Thanks,� Corey responded. Wow, Sandy was one of the sweetest and cutest boys he had ever met. They found each other looking in each other’s eyes. Sandy’s eyes shot upward towards his band posters.

“Do you mind if I play some of my CDs?� Sandy requested, trying to steer the conversation away from awkwardness.

“Sure.� Sandy crossed the room to his bookshelf and picked a random CD. As he put the disc in his stereo, Corey looked up on Sandy’s shelf over the bed. A plain black book poked out from all of Sandy’s other souvenirs from places he’d been.

Some loud, fast punk music blared from Sandy’s stereo. “What’s that?� Corey asked, pointing upward.

“Oh… my sketchbook,� Sandy replied shyly.

“You draw? Can I look?�

“Um…� Sandy began, but Corey was too curious and had already pulled it down. He flipped through the pages, seeing manga sketches, portraits of celebrities, and other unfinished etchings. Half the pages in the sketchbook were blank, but everything in there was brilliant.

“These are really good,� Corey complimented him.

“Thank you.� Corey looked up at Sandy, who was also looking at him. Sandy’s smile faded and he turned his attention back to his sketchbook immediately. Did Sandy have as big a crush on Corey as Corey did on him?

Corey flipped a page over and found a patchwork of colored graphite. It was a woman in a blue dress walking past a café in France. It was Sandy’s only finished sketch.

“Wow,� Corey whispered. He glanced over at his crush, who was gazing at his drawing like it was his own child. Sandy’s blue eyes were so intense, like burning miniature icy suns. Before Corey could stop himself, he leaned over and planted a soft kiss on Sandy’s smooth cheek.

[Ironic Infidel In England]

:) very good!

[Melchi0r]

Guys, I'm changing one thing about the story. Sandy's now Asian. Expect an update after I get over my writer's block.

[Ironic Infidel In England]

ok, cool.

[Melchi0r]

Sandy shot up, his spine dead, vertically straight, in an instant, putting his middle and index fingers on his face. Corey winced inwardly, thinking that he was going to get kicked out, or punched in the face.

“What was that for?� Sandy demanded, but in a gentle way.

The trouble was, Corey had no idea why he did it, so he merely excused his rash decision by saying, “I don’t know. It-it just sort of happened.� There was an awkward pause. “I’m sorry, I’m such an idiot,� he apologized.

His crush’s hand touched his. “Don’t worry about it,� Sandy soothed, and before he knew it, Corey was staring into his crush’s pupils, enveloped in crystalline sapphire irises. His own brown eyes and Sandy’s seemed to be pulling each other closer like tractor beams. His eyes darted downward for a split second to Sandy’s lips, resting on one another with a slight opening. Suddenly it occurred to Corey that maybe this was totally wrong of him to do.

He pulled back a few inches. “Look, this might be going too fast. I barely know you, I just met you today.� Sandy’s face fell. Uh-oh. He then wished that he just went and made out with him, and dealt with the consequences later. Also, Sandy looked somewhat hurt as well.

The boy across from him sighed. “Well, I was going to let you. I kind of wanted to, but now…� his voice trailed off.

“You don’t think I want to anymore?� Sandy’s gaze shot upward, a flicker of hope entering his eyes. “Of course I want to. I didn’t think you did!�

Sandy’s lips pulled into a grin, and for a moment all the boys had courage to do was stare at each other. “Awkward,� Sandy muttered. Corey laughed, and kissed Sandy before he could turn back.

As they engaged in lip lock, he began to realize that he was a terrible kisser. His only kiss before was with a little girl in first grade, under the jungle gym at recess. She’d moved away, and by sixth grade Corey had figured out that he was gay.

So, he merely tried to follow Sandy’s movements and do what he saw in movies. He placed his hand delicately on Sandy’s cheek, his other hand placed on Sandy’s hip. The next thing he knew, Sandy tugged on his shirt gently, pulling him down, to lie on top of him. Their lips disconnected for a split second for Sandy to place a soft kiss on Corey’s cheek.

“Wait,� Corey interrupted.

Sandy laid his head back on his bed. “What’s the matter?�

“What about your parents?�

“I told you, they’re never here,� Sandy laughed. He wrapped his arms around Corey, and in return Corey stroked his hair. They kissed again, slightly open-mouthed, their tongues doing part of the work. Sandy carefully began to roll over, and Corey flipped onto his back, having Sandy roll over to lay on him. For all they knew, there could have been sparks dancing between each other’s lips. Corey let his hand slowly creep up Sandy’s shirt. He felt a tug on his shoulders and he was pulled upwards. He found himself sitting up, still holding and kissing Sandy, with their legs enfolding each other’s body.

Their movements and kisses became more frantic. No longer where they keeping to the other’s mouth, now they were exploring the rest of their faces- cheek by cheek, chin, nose, forehead, their smooth hair, and even dropping down to the neck.

Sandy pressed his pursed lips into Corey’s, then kissed his chin, and went down to kissing and caressing Corey’s neck with his lips. Before he could help himself, he began to slowly pull Sandy’s shirt up, planning to take it totally off.

His hand touched Corey’s, pushing his shirt back down. Their lips disconnected, and Sandy laughed, “Wait till the second date.�

“When’s that going to be?�

“We can go somewhere tomorrow afternoon, right after school. Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t you show me around town?�

Just then Corey’s cell phone began ringing from his satchel. He sighed. “I’m not gonna answer that,� he stated.

“Who said you had to?� Sandy countered sweetly. Corey nearly pounced on him again. Who couldn’t fall in love with this boy?

Instead he shrugged. “It’s probably my mom or dad.�

“Then maybe you should answer it?�

Corey scoffed, “If I want to get grilled over the phone for running out of school.� Sandy shrugged; after all, it was Corey’s punishment to receive, not his.

“Maybe I should leave. I know they’ll kill me for leaving school, and they’ll probably take this as running away if I don’t get home.�

Sandy smiled sadly. “Good luck with your parents,� he wished him, taking hold of his hands.

“Thanks. I guess I’ll see you in school tomorrow, if I’m not suspended.� A quick glance into the boy with which he was holding hands’ eyes was all he needed to inspire a brief moment of more making out. They stopped, their foreheads resting on the other’s. “Well, bye.�

“I’ll walk you out,� Sandy said, an excuse to keep holding hands. Corey grabbed his satchel, slinging it around his right shoulder, and held Sandy’s right hand with his left.

They walked out to the porch, not yet wanting to part. “Bye,� said Corey. He looked around to see if anyone was looking, and he pecked a kiss on Sandy’s cheek. They hugged for another minute, and Sandy sent him off with a quick kiss on the cheek.

He felt a tinge of sadness and regret that in this world, they could have done what they have just done and not have to hide it only if one of them was a girl. Sandy waved and went back inside.

[Ironic Infidel In England]

Very, very good. :) But, I always say that about your writing.

[Melchi0r]

“Where were you?�

Joan Cameron was sitting on the swing on Corey’s front porch. Her red hair was tied up in a knot, like usual, but a few strands hung loosely, giving an image of anxiety and anger.

Corey gave a small glare to his mother and proceeded to the front door, ignoring her and avoiding eye contact. She stood up and approached him sternly from the right of the porch.

“Why did you leave school this morning?� Corey kept his eyes ahead on the door and pushed it open, only to find his dad sitting on the recliner in the living room. Only he wasn’t relaxing- he was sitting up as tensely as possible.

“Sit,� he ordered curtly, gesturing to the sofa. Throwing his schoolbag on the floor right next to the coffee table, doing so because he knew it would annoy his parents, he crossed the room to the sofa and sunk down, utterly pissed off at this whole situation- his idiotic decision to run away from school that morning and the consequences sure to follow, both at school and at home, the bullying he was going to endure tomorrow, and how his parents were going to blame his sexuality on all this.

His father began, “Why did you run out of class?�

“What did the school tell you?� Corey countered.

His father blinked. “They told your mother and I that you were passing notes, and you were caught. A few people laughed and you got upset and decided to simply walk out,� he explained. Corey glanced at his mom, who was standing in front of the door, eyes closed, rubbing her temples.

“Corey,� his dad started again, “to misbehave in school, to not take the consequences for your actions… this wasn’t how we raised you.�

Corey’s blood boiled. “So, what you’re saying is you messed up raising me, somehow, and now I’m gay?�

His father opened his mouth like he wanted to snap back, but no words came out. He shut his mouth and sat back in the recliner.

I knew it, you son of a bitch, you resent me, don’t you? Corey seethed.

Joan stepped in. “Corey,� she said desperately, “none of this would’ve happened if you didn’t choose to make such a show of yourself last year!�

He couldn’t believe her. The year before, he came out to an ex-friend at the Christmas Ball. Sara, the girl in question, told a few of her friends in excitement… they told, it spread, people overheard others talking about him. Now he couldn’t even show his face in the locker room at gym, make a single friend who wasn’t a girl, get the words “homo�, “fag�, “fairy�, “queer�, to stop ringing through his mind.

“So if I hadn’t come out, everything would be peachy? Even if I was dying inside, I would be out of trouble?�

“You’re grounded for a month,� his dad spat. “And you missed dinner. There’s a plate in the fridge.�

Corey shook his head, his eyes boiling with tears. “I’ve lost my appetite from this conversation.� He ran upstairs, slamming his door shut. He flung himself face first onto his bed and cried himself to sleep.

[Ironic Infidel In England]

Sad, but good.

[what the?]

I absolutely love it