Coming Home

I don't know why, but I had this feeling Brian's dad didn't like the sound of my name.

"Is your father James Baker?" Brian's dad asks sliding into a chair.

I don't speak, just nod my head. I can tell he's thinking, a frown forms on his face. If he knew my dad, this wasn't going to be pretty. I glanced over at Bri, he was playing with his hands.

"I knew your dad's sister, or aunt." Brian's dad starts. "She seemed to come to school with bruises and cuts on her face, along with her arms. I tried to ask what happened to her but she would never tell me. Your dad seemed to have some anger issues in school. He'd lash out on your aunt a lot too, now," He says looking at me. "What happened to your face?"

I stare at him in disbelief. Was this why my dad didn't want me hanging around Brian? Because Brian's dad knew him? I couldn't speak, like a frog was in my throat. What was I supposed to tell him, a lie? Or the truth?

"I fell down the stairs." I lie quietly.

"That's what your aunt would say." His dad mothers.

"Well," Brian sounds. "We gotta get to school before we're late."

In silence, we both stand up grabbing our school bags before heading towards the door. As soon as it shuts I breath out, not realizing I was holding my breath. I glance over at Bri who is staring over at me. I look away quickly, feeling heat rush towards my face. I hear him chuckle and he goes behind me, swinging his arms over my shoulders, hugging me.

"Sometimes you're so adorable." He mutters against my neck.

I smile and turn around towards him. He looked at me moving towards me, hesitant at first. What was he trying to do? With out warning I felt his thin lips on mine. My eyes widen feeling his soft, pink lips on mine. I stood there frozen, was I in some kind of dream? He pulled away quickly leaving me slightly disappointed.

"Sorry," He mutters. "I've just always wanted to try that, I figured that was my chance."

"No, it's okay."I say."You just um, took me by surprise."

We resumed walking. Starting conversations once in awhile but more silence. As soon as we got to school Matthew Sanders pulled Brian away, leaving me on my own. As I walked towards my first hour I spotted two people, Val and Katelyn. Val was a nice person and Katelyn, well lets just say she can get a little rough.

"Yo Zach." Katelyn calls.

"Yeah?" I ask.

I've never really talked to her much, just not my thing to talk. We've never really have talked much, I don't see why she wanted to start now. Still, I walk towards her and she pulls me down to the desk beside her.

"I know about you and Haner." She mutters.

"what?" I ask in surprised, how did she know already?

"I saw Haner kissing you on the way to school, you realize I live like two houses away from him." She says.

I feel my stomach churn, what if she tells someone? What if she makes fun of Brian and I?

"Anyways. I've decided this is the time for us to talk more." She continues.

"Why would you want to hang around me?" I ask.

"I mean if you weren't gay, you'd be someone I would consider going out with." Shemutters.

"Excuse me?" I ask.

"Hey you can't blame me, all the guys here are mostly assholes." She shoots back.

"True." I mutter.

"Anyways, you honestly need to get your ass noticed." She says.

"Why?" I ask furrowing my eyebrows.

"Because when you and Haner come out to the world people won't be so hard on both of you." She replies.

It did make sense, I mean if this didn't happen I would ruin Brian's reputation. I nod my head as she starts explaining to me what's gonna happen. I noticed her dark brown eyes were just like Brian's. Although her hair was black and his was brown. Soon the teacher walked in making our conversation come to an end. After the bell rang I got up, heading towards the door. I felt that Katelyn was behind me, I think. Out of nowhere I felt her palm slap against my bottom. I jumped slightly turning back to face her with an odd expression on my face.

"Don't worry Zach, we're just getting started." She chuckles.

Notes