Jonathan stood on the corridor. He couldn't seem to move his legs because of the previous incident. People around him were already rushing to their classes but he just stood there, clutching his bag to his chest. That gorgeous boy's face never left his mind. It was as if his picture was superglued to his face. Inside, he dreamily sighed. Jonathan wondered if he was going to see him again. There are a lot of possibilities.
Plus, maybe it was a start of making new friends. He swore to himself that this is going to be a new start, clear of mistakes and his good reputation maintained. No more teasing, shouting or shutting him out because of his sexuality. He's going to be strong and determined. Finally, Jonathan walked along the corridor half hoping that there would be some teacher to show him around. He was alone.
"HEEEEEEYYYYYYYY!!! Wait for meeeeee!!!" Jonathan whipped around to find a girl running. She was his only hope of finding his class. Quickly, he went up to the unknown girl and stood before her, panting.
"Hi," Jonathan breathed tiredly.
"Hellooooooo! Have I seen you here before?" Her big brown eyes stared up at him.
"Doubt it. I'm kind of new here," replied Joanthan, running a hand down his messy hair. "By the way," he paused for a moment, looking around shyly, "er, could you show me where my first classroom is located at? I'm kind of lost."
The brunette beamed at him, "Sure I can! I'm Shekinah by the way."
A smile crept on Jonathan's face. "Shekinah. That's a nice name. I'm Jonathan."
Shekinah wrapped a hand on Jonathan's arm, "Come on, I'll show you to your classroom." Jonathan showed her his schedule which made Shekinah light up. "We have the same first period," she exclaimed, "great! That makes things easier for me!"
First period went well. Jonathan felt more comfortable around Shekinah. Her cheery attitude never seemed to fade away. He wondered if there was anything that could break her mood. Shekinah helped him in everything, from catching up with the lessons to making new friends. And he noticed that everytime Shekinah would look at him, a twinkle in her eye would appear which was a bad sign - both for him and her. I couldn't let her go, Jonathan thought, she's my first friend. He hated to break her heart.
Lunch came, Shekinah held on to his arm tightly and began to drag him to the hall. Jonathan chuckled, "You're really hungry?" Shekinah shook her head, "I want you to meet my friends! Come on, hurry!"
Smiling to himself, Jonathan let his friend steer him out of the packed hallways and into the cafeteria. The place was noisier and messier but it was the normal high school scene. "Good, they're here!" He saw Shekinah wave at three girls who were sitting in a table. No boys, just girls; just fine, Jonathan thought. I guess I could manage in this group without revealing what I "truly" am. They reached the table then Shekinah eagerly introduced each of the girl's to him.
She pointed to a girl with wavy caramel brown hair that reached below her shoulders. She had warm brown eyes, darker than Shekinah and Jonathan stood taller than her. Overall, she had that welcoming aura around her. The girl smiled at him. "That's Julia." Next, was a girl almost as tall as Julia. She had Dora chestnut brown hair and wore a white blouse with jean shorts. "Vann." The girl, Vann, gave him a small wave brfore returning to her sandwich. Lastly, Shekinah introduced "Raven." She was taller than the rest and almost reached Jonathan's height. Raven had pitch black and straight hair, blue eyes and a creepy look on her face. She was staring blankly at Jonathan and did not respond whatsoever.
"Don't worry," Shekinah whispered to him, "You'll get along soon."
Still looking cautiously at the creepy girl, Jonathan settled on a seat between Shekinah and Vann. He already had three new friends and it was only the middle of the day. While eating, Jonathan's mind flickered back to the boy who rescued him that morning. He glanced around the cafeteria and hoped that he would spot him somwhere. He frowned as he spotted him eating with two other people -- a short girl and a tall boy -- in a table far away from theirs.
◈◈◈
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Amber vigorously waved a hand in front of Gabriel's face. He blinked once . . . twice . . . thrice.
"Uh, huh?"
"I was saying," Amber, fixing her long brown hair, glared at Gabriel as she cleared her throat, "what do you want to grab for lunch?"
Gabriel stopped himself before he accidentally uttered Jonathan's name. Silently cursing, he said to Amber, "just pick anything you want for me. I'll meet you guys at our table." Amber and Gino exchanged glances before spinning around and head to the cafteria lady. As soon as the two were nowhere to be seen in the crowd of students, Gabriel searched for the trio's usual table, pushing his way through the mob of students. Reaching the usual table and sat on his usual chair, Gabriel recalled the events from earlier this morning.
Jonathan, he kept repeating in his mind. Jo-na-than. Even just by saying his name mentally made Gabriel's stomach flutter. Gabriel knew this sign, and whatever it meant, isn't good. Gabriel wasn't an expert in these things, but he knew enough details to be aware that what he was currently feeling might last for a long time.
And that meant distraction. And that meant lower grades. And that meant family meetings. And Gabriel despised family meetings. Being the eldest and youngest child at the same time -- basically the only child -- meant higher standards and bigger expectations from parents, and getting a failing grade isn't part of Gabriel's parents' plans. Long story short: he should avoid Jonathan by any means.
"Hey," a voice came calling from a distance, "Gay-briel!" Hearing his name mispronounced in the most horrible way, Gabriel snapped his head towards the voice's direction. Although hesitant to turn around, he did so, aware that whoever the speaker was wouldn't stop saying that disgusting name if he didn't do so.
Gabriel, with a frown on his face, spoke first. "What is it?" asked Gabriel as he found himself face to face with the most popular douchebag in the campus, Richard.
"Just wanted to tell you how sorry I was in nearly taking you down earlier this morning. Could'a beaten your ass, though," Richard paused, snickering, "but anyways, sorry, Gay-briel." He stopped for a second to look at a table from afar, where Jonathan sat, looking at their direction -- specifically, at Gabriel's. Getting caught, Jonathan shyly looked away. "Oh, look," Richard said in a teasing manner, "poor new kid's looking in your way. Looks like the wimp's got a crush on you." He chuckled. "Too bad for him, though. The faggot's crush isn't gay."
This made Gabriel wince. "The faggot's crush isn't gay." His eyebrows furrowed. This retard's more idiotic than I thought. "He isn't gay," Gabriel managed to say in the calmest way possible. "How could you call him," he paused for a minute, contemplating on whether or not to say the f-word he despised the most "a f-faggot?" he continued, blurting out the word as fast as he could.
Even from afar, Jonathan could hear Gabriel's words. And hearing Gabriel defend him made his heart skip a beat.
"I could see it in his eyes, man," Richard answered, laughing at the end of his sentence. "The gay aura around him is just, I don't know. . . strong? Yeah, strong. He might be fooling those girls over there," he paused to gesture to the couple of girls sitting with Jonathan, "but he ain't fooling me." He focused back on Gabriel. "Oh well," he shrugged, "once an idiot always an idiot. The new kid can't become straight even if he tries."
Gabriel frowned. "Are you saying gay people are idiots?"
"Aren't they?" Richard asked. "I mean, choosing to be gay is idiotic enough. A gay guy loving a straight one on the other hand, oh boy, that's just stupid." He laughed, rolling his head back. "I'm glad we males stay on the male section. Am I right, Gay-briel?" He continued laughing.
Say it one more and I'll flip. I dare you. Gabriel clenched his fists as he thought to himself.
"So, what I'm saying, Gay-briel, is that-"
In a swift movement, Gabriel stood on his feet and swung his fist towards Richard's cheek, causing the jock to fall on his rear end on the floor. "What the hell? What's wrong with you?" Richard managed to moan. Students gathered around the two hot-headed boys, their murmurs spreading across the cafeteria. Going through the crowd, and barely making it through, were Amber and Gino, shocked looks both on their faces.
"What the heck happened here?" Amber screeched, her eyes widened. She turned to Gabriel who was still fuming in anger. "You better explain yourself real good, idiot," Amber glared at him murderously, "because I won't bail you out of the principal's office again."
In a split second, Gabriel looked at Amber, then back to Richard. "Don't you fucking say that word again," he threatened Richard, pointing his index finger at him. Gino helped Richard get up on his feet whilst Amber held Gabriel's wrists, fearing he might do crazy things in public again (which he always does).
"What the-- Gabriel! Snap out of it," Amber hissed, pulling him away from Richard. The stout girl turned to Gino, who stood beside Richard. "Take Richard away to the clinic or something. Just keep him away from Gabriel," she instructed Gino, "I'll take care of Gab." With a quick nod, Gino took the bruised Richard away, the crowd dispersing as the two walked off.
Amber turned to Gabriel, who decided to sit down on his seat from earlier. "You arse," the girl scolded him, "what the hell happened there? I know your temper is short but please try controlling yourself."
Gabriel kept his mouth shut.
Aware he wasn't planning on responding, Amber sighed tiredly then sat beside him. "You be honest here," she said, her voice softer and more soothing this time, "what exactly happened there?" She paused for effect. "Come on, you can tell me anything, idiot," she added, playfully nudging his elbow.
Gabriel sighed in defeat. "Richard said words."
Awkwardly, Amber nodded. "Pretty sure he did."
"His words pissed me so much I just lost control and punched him."
"I think I know that part."
"He got bruised and-"
"Oh em gee. I did not know that!"
"Amber."
"Sorry."
Gabriel took a deep breath before continuing. "He said those words, Ambs. The words I never wanted to hear," he spoke slowly, looking at the ground. "I got so carried away that I- I just." His fingers ran over his blonde hair before speaking again. "Oh, God. Ambs, you know how I react to those words. Hearing him say those just-" He stopped talking.
Amber nodded sympathetically, patting Gabriel's back like he was someone younger than she was (which was true). "It's okay, Josie. It's all good," she said, "Gino and I know very well you're a homophobic prick, so. . ." She paused to crack a smile. "Nah, I'm kidding."
Gabriel turned to Amber with a small smile. "You're not a shabby counselor yourself," he complimented the girl.
"Why, thank you, Mister Josie." Amber grinned childishly, but this quickly faded away and was replaced with a frown a second later. "But I still think you're a homophobic insensitive prick, though. No offense." She smirked. "I take that back, then," Gabriel playfully glared at her. The two, after staring at one another for who knows how long, finally broke down and laughed together.
As the two laughed to their hearts content, Jonathan, from afar, watched them, his heart slowly breaking into bits and pieces.