Devon
“Devon! You’re going to be late for school!” My mom yelled up the stairs. Great, another day to get picked on for being gay. I can’t deal with it today. Last night we got news that my dad’s aircraft carrier got attacked. He was killed. My dad was my biggest supporter always saying stuff like “It’s okay that you’re gay. I love you.” And, “If anyone bullies you for being gay it’s either because they’re jealous and can’t be something that you can be, or, they’re insecure in themselves and are scared of anything new.” Now he’s not around to tell me that anymore. Whenever my dad was home Mom would actually act like a mom loving me, caring for me when I was sick, supporting me. When he was gone she was just an adult in the house. She wouldn’t even talk to me at dinner, if she even cooked. Today the bullying would increase because my dad was gone. “Can I stay home today?” I yelled back.
“No you need to go to school.” She yelled back. What my mom really ment was “I’m going out with my friends and I don’t want to deal with you today.” Whenever dad’s gone she acts like I’m some giant burden just for her to look at me. This is how it’ll always be now. I pulled myself out of bed to get some breakfast and to brush my teeth. I don’t even bother with my hair because it’ll just go right back into my eyes. My mom has been bugging me to get it cut. But, because of that I don’t. I know this makes her angry, but really it feels good knowing that she can’t control everything in my life.
The only good thing about school is being a senior and Mr. Cohen who is the only other openly gay person at school, and my best friend Cole Baruch who is sadly straight. He has unruly black hair, bright green eyes, and dimples. Half of the school is in love with him. Cole is the only person besides Mr. Cohen who tries to be nice to me. I have Mr. Cohen for Art, History, and Construction. I got to school just as the bell rang to let everyone in. I go straight to my locker and grab my stuff for ELA which is one of my favorite classes because I sit next to Cole. I told him about my dad last night. “Are you okay?” Cole asks me as I sit down.
“Do you want honesty or what everyone expects?” I asked him tiredly.
“I would like honesty but if you want to go with what everyone expects you can.” Cole replied.
“Honestly I’m not okay.” I told him, just then the bell rang and we started to take attendance. Ending the conversation.
“Devon Abram?” The teacher called.
“Hear.” I said.
As I zone out I hear someone whisper “More like Gaybram.” And all of his friends cracked up. I just ignored it. I’m used to it by now.
By the time I zone back in, Mrs. Young was almost done. There were only nine students in this class and by the time she said Eli’s name I thought she was done.
“Leo Zimmerman?”
Who’s that? Just then I hear a tentative “Here.”
I whip my head around trying to find the voice. Then I see him entering the classroom. “Hello, I’m Mrs. Young. I’m your ELA teacher. You can sit next to Devon and Cole. They’ll help you catch up.” She tells him.
”I’m sorry, who?” He asks Mrs. Young.
“I’m sorry, I forgot it’s your first day. Devon can you please raise your hand. I do so cautiously. He comes over and sits next to me. “Hi.” I say.
“Hi.” He replies.
Class goes by in a blur, but all I can think about is Leo’s shaggy blond hair, grey eyes, freckles, and his small, sweet smile.
I went through the rest of the day on autopilot at least I tried to. After seventh period ended I was getting my stuff and starting to leave when the school jocks surrounded me and of course David Carol stepped forward. “Hey, gay boy, meet anybody who thought you were as disgusting as you are?”
“What do you want David?” I asked tiredly.
“I want you to not be gay but you will always be that won’t you?” David said with a sneer.
“Yeah that’s kinda how it works. But, I guess you’ve had one too many footballs to the head to be smart.” I snapped.
That got him going, “ Shut the fuck up Abram!” David yelled.
“No!” I yelled right back.
That’s when I saw him, Leo, he’s watching everything. He heard David say that I’m gay, there goes another possible friend. “How’s daddy oh wait I forgot he got killed didn’t he?” David said with a sneer snapping me back to the present.
“Just fucking do it already!” I yelled at David. Next thing I know two of his friends have me pinned to the lockers. David’s fist connects with my jaw hard, then he punches my eye and I know that I’ll have a black eye tomorrow. After they leave I get up and start to walk off thinking about how Leo will sit next to Cole tomorrow. “Devon, wait up!” I hear Leo call behind me.
“Hey Leo, what do you want?” I ask a bit more aggressively than I ment to.
“I wanted to see if you’re okay, and I wanted to know if they were telling the truth about you being gay.” Leo told me.
“Well I’m okay thanks for asking, and, yeah I’m gay and I understand if you don’t want to talk to me anymore.” I tell Leo.
“Believe it or not, but, I came out as gay at my old school. I’m gay too.” Leo tells me and I feel my heart soar.
“We’ll be careful if you come out here.” I tell him.
“I will. Bye Devon.” He says as he brushes his hand against mine.
“Bye, Leo.” I say. As I’m running home I realize I might have a chance with someone I actually like.
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