After the big soccer game, the teacher let us do anything we wanted the rest of the period - which was only 15 minutes. I hung out with Evan, and we shared phone numbers and emails.
"So did you move here 2 years ago or did you just transfer here?" I ask.
"Moved, I came from Seattle, my mom had a good job offer that was amazing so we decided to come down here."
"That's cool. I moved to Luxembourg for 2 years with my mom for a job, so I know what it's like. Nothing like leaving your friends to make new ones, right?"
"Yeah." He's quiet for a moment, and I sense I've hit a nerve. I drop that conversation and move on. If he's not comfortable, I won't make him speak until he's ready.
"So, got your eye on anybody in particular?" I ask casually.
He blushes slightly, his fingers stilling momentarily before he continues to play whatever game he has on his phone right now. "Gemma's pretty cute, but I know she only likes girls. A shame really, the girls are lucky to have her." He pauses a moment to think, and I'm relieved to hear how non-caring he is about who Gemma likes, it's nice to know that I've made a friend who probably won't care if I'm gay, "I really like Ava Watts, I've actually had a crush on her since I got here."
I wrack my brain to remember who Ava is. Oh, Ava, small petite with dark black hair and mocha skin. I think she is in my L.A. class, which is fortunate for Evan. She's cute, in a girl way, and seems nice. She's quieter, but I'm pretty sure she get's straight A's, so it pays off. I'm glad that this school doesn't have many bullying problems. Even when I was a freshman here, the only bullying type thing I heard about was from Jackson to me, and it wasn't the stereotypical punching or abusing. It was just intimidation, nothing too serious. I had a feeling that if this was a school that had a bullying problem, she would have to do a lot more homework.
"You're going to eat with Gemma and I during lunch right?"
"Yeah,"
"Then invite her to join us, she's nice. I remember her from when I was a freshman - but don't worry dude, she's all yours."
Evan looks nervous, as if this is a crazy idea, "Really? But what if she sits with her friends, what if she says no? Should I invite her other friends as well?"
"Sure, the more the merrier right? Relax Evan, I was slightly joking. I'm actually surprised you told me who you liked, people at my old school kept it a secret until they were actually dating the person. "
He looks a little less stressed, but his shoulders stay tensed.
"If you don't want to do it, that's okay, it was just a suggestion."
We talk about other things the rest of the period, and I'm glad he never asks if I like anyone. Maybe he thinks that since it's my fist day back in 2 years, I don't know if I have a crush on anyone. Regardless of the reason, it's nice to just talk to another boy for a while. Don't get me wrong, I would never change Gemma for the world, but it does get tiring hanging out with a girl all the time. They're just so energetic and full of life, it's hard to keep up.
We change back into our school clothes, but I take a little while longer to get ready because I use the bathroom at the end. I told Evan not to wait and go to our next class, so the locker room is empty when I step out.
Or maybe not so empty.
Jackson is leaning against one of the walls, watching me a I wash my hands. I can see him in the mirror, and our eyes meet. He smirks that infuriating smirk as I dry my hands.
"Jackson, you're not going to bully me this year, I'm not the same kid I was in 9th grade." I decide to start off strong, getting right to the point.
YOU ARE READING
Secrets of the Heart
Teen Fiction***on hiatus*** Cole Taylor thought that coming back to his old high school would be easy. He would join the swim team, hang out with his best friend Gemma, finish the last year of high school, maybe even come out to his old school. His life would b...
