May 3, 2012, 12:18 a.m.
Coming Out: Chapter 5
E - Words: 501 - Last Updated: May 03, 2012 Story: Closed - Chapters: 38/? - Created: Feb 22, 2012 - Updated: May 03, 2012 603 0 0 0 0
I will never forget this date.
Because today, I was forced to come out to my friends.
Ever since Jennifer ran out of my house after the episode on Valentine's Day, I knew this was about to happen. And I knew it would happen soon, because there was just NO WAY that she'd keep this from everyone else.
When I came to school today, I immediately knew something was wrong. Whenever I passed groups of students, they'd stop talking and just stare at me. By the time I had reached my French classroom for 1st period, I felt like Jabba the Hut.
I joined a couple of my friends for lunch in the cafeteria, who had also been awfully quiet all morning. And that's when I spotted her. Jennifer was sitting at a different table, whispering something to her friend Mary, both of them staring at me. When our eyes met for the fracture of a second, I knew she had spilled it. And then, she jumped up, grabbed her bag, and ran. Again. It seems she has developed a habit there.
I turned my head to look at my friends, as they had all gone completely silent while witnessing our little show. So I sat up straight. I took in a deep breath. And I told them. I knew that they knew it anyways, so there was really no point in waiting.
There was another deafening silence that seemed to last forever.
And then Mark, who I have also been friends with for ages, patted my shoulder, chuckled quietly and just said: "Ok, then. What's next?"
I was so relieved that I wanted to hug him right then and there (I didn't, of course). After Jennifer's reaction, I had braced myself for the worst. I had even thought about changing schools. But this had gone so much better than I could have wished for. Mark at least didn't seem bothered at all. He just smiled at me and finished the last bite of his burger.
And the other four seemed to be fine with it as well. Dan, who is on my soccer team, grinned at me and said: "But don't you get the idea to leave our team and join the cheerleaders, now. Because, dude, I'm sorry to tell you that, but you can't dance." And all of us started laughing.
After I had calmed down, I thanked them and told them that it really meant a lot to me that they reacted this way, expecially after what went on with Jennifer.
And then, we finished lunch. Just like any other day. We went to class. Just like any other day. And when school was over, we met at our lockers to plan our weekend together. Just like any other day.
The only thing that's different today is that for the first time in months, I am looking forward to going out with them.
I can't wait, actually.
Oh, and no, Jennifer won't be coming. But I couldn't care less.