I woke up in the morning with a horrible headache. I recalled the party I attended the night before. I stared at the clock and yelled, “Holy shit I’m going to be late for school!” By the way my name is Justin and I’m a senior at my high school in Williamstown, Massachusetts. I ran down the stairs not even bothering to change my clothes. I hopped into my car, and thankfully I got to school just in time.
I walked into my first class and sat next to my best friend Chase. Chase was the typical high school jock. He was about 6’2” and about 180 pounds of pure muscle. He had medium length black hair and piercing green eyes. He was every girls dream. I sat down and almost immediately chase laughed and asked, “What the hell happened, it looks like you just rolled out of bed.”
“I did.” I said groggily
He turned away knowing that I was not in the mood for talking. Chase and I have been best friends since seventh grade. We were never seen without each other after We met. Soon the class was over and I went to my next two classes falling asleep in both. I just couldn’t wait for lunch because I was starving. Since I had rushed out the door I never got to eat breakfast, something that I almost never missed.
At lunch I always sat with the jocks. I didn’t consider myself a jock though. I was 5’ 8” and about 140 pounds and had absolutely no muscle. I was a twig compared to everyone else. During lunch the conversation was about what I call the “sluts” of our town, as usual. To me the conversation was boring so I just sat and ate my food pretending that I was listening. That’s because what most people don’t know is that I’m gay.
I never told anyone that I was gay and it really bothered me. And what bothered me even more is that my crush was also my best friend. I couldn’t stand having to hide my feelings from him. It was the only secret I couldn’t bear to tell him. I was afraid that it would ruin our friendship that I needed very much. As corny as it sounds Chase was the one that was always there for me. He always knows what to say to make me feel better. If I was sad he would comfort me, hold me and wouldn’t care what others thought. This made me wonder why I was so worried about telling him.
I was so deep in thought that I didn’t even hear Chase asking me a question. “Hey Justin I was wondering if you wanted to hang with me after football practice.” Chase repeated. At that moment I was so excited.
“Sure” I said casually trying to hide my excitement. “I’ll be there to pick you up around 3:00.” We went our separate ways an soon enough it was my last class for the day. I went back home before I picked up Chase so I could shower and get dressed. I made sure that I had at least an hours’ time so I could get us both a coffee and watch him practice. I got there 30 minutes early which was perfect. As I watched I saw Chase running towards me. My heart jumped into my throat as he slowly took his shirt off and sat next to me. “Nice job out there.” I said as I patted him on the back.
“Thanks” he said as he smiled at me with his perfectly straight, white teeth. The grin slowly faded and he put his head down putting his hands to his face.
“What’s up, you seem…. sad.” I said. Chase looked up at me and I saw a tear going down his cheek. I knew something was up. I looked deep into his eyes and drew him close. I laid his head on my chest and softly rubbed his back. He started to sob like he had just lost control of his emotions. I did my best to comfort him. I ran my fingers through his long black hair. Chase slowly stopped sobbing and he just looked into my eyes. “What happened?” I asked forcefully hoping that nobody had hurt my best friend. He said nothing and stood. He motioned for me to follow him.
I followed Chase into the locker room. Chase walked over to a locker and looked at it. He sat down on a nearby bench and started to sob again. As the locker came into view I saw that in sharpie that someone had written, "FAG!" I looked back at Chase with anger in my eyes. I sat next to him and tried to comfort him again. He started to settle down. “Is that your locker?” I asked.
“Ye-s-s” he sniffled trying to hold back his tears.
“Who did this?” I almost screamed in anger. Chase looked up at me and stared into my eyes deeply.
“P-p -people that I thought were my friends.” He said.
I was furious at that moment. I have never seen chase that hurt in the six years that I’ve known him. I walked him out to my car and we drove to my house. We went into my room and Chase lay down on my bed. Chase had stopped crying but I could tell that he was still very hurt. After a while of silence I finally asked him something that I’ve wanted to for a long time. “Chase?” I said.
“Ya.” he replied.
“Can I ask you a question.” I said hesitantly.
Chase thought for a second “I guess so, what is it?”
I paused trying to figure out if I should ask not only 20 minutes after what just happened. I decided to ask anyway. “Chase, Are you really um….. gay?”
He sat up and looked me deeply into the eyes as if he was staring into my soul.
After what seemed like hours he finally replied. “Yes I am, and I hope….”
He didn’t even have to say another word. I got up out of my char and pulled him into my arms. I looked into his eyes and kissed him passionately on the lips. I ended the kiss and stared back into his eyes. I had barely even breathed before he kissed me back.
“I’m guessing that your gay too.” He said with a smile.
