Extremely & Incredibly

Chapter 1: Secret

The sky is grey, and the grass is freshly cut. The brick wall Jake is against feels cold, but the body trapping him to it is heavenly warm.

In the corner, hidden away from the sight of anyone, Jake makes out with Thomas.

Jake is out and proud in high school - everyone knows.

But Thomas is Jake's secret lover.

A class project brought them together for their government class. That day, Jake went to Thomas's house. Both sitting on the floor of Thomas's room, Jake looks up from his task to see Thomas very close to him.

"Everything okay?" Jake asked in wonder.

Thomas leans forward and gives Jake a peck on the lips.

With confusion running in his mind, Jake realized what had just happened. Thomas, a senior athlete, the one Jake has admired from afar, has kissed him. Jake doesn't oppose the kiss. Jake welcomes it.

His first kiss ever. From his high school crush.

Now, they meet in secret.

Like right now, skipping class, Jake and Thomas enjoy each other.

Jake pauses the make-out session. "We have to get back. Class is almost over."

Thomas tries to get Jake distracted again, but Jake playfully rejects him.

Looking into each other's eyes, Jake is at peace.

"I have decided what I'm going to do after graduation," Thomas tells Jake.

"Have you?" Jake is a junior in high school.

"I'm going to enlist in the army."

Thomas's decision shocks Jake. "What made you decide that? I thought you were going to some fancy-ass university?"

"I was." Thomas drops his hand from Jake's face. "But my family expects me to enlist first."

His family is significantly influencing one thing that Jake faults Thomas about. They meet in secret because Thomas doesn't want to accept his sexuality.

"At least we can still call each other." Jake doesn't want to argue. It'll get loud if they do.

Throughout the rest of the day, Jake's conflicting emotion weighs heavy on his mind.

When he gets home, Thomas messages him: Got plans Saturday night?

Jake confirms that he is free and plans with Thomas a movie night at his place since his parents will be out of town.

The next day, Thursday, everything seemed normal. Not once have Thomas and Jake interacted with each other, but Mason, the best friend of Thomas, sits next to Jake in English class.

"Hey, got a minute?"

"Yeah." Jake is suspicious of Mason.

Mason, a tall basketball star, looks around and then leans closer to whisper. "How long have you and Thomas been fucking?"

The color of Jake's face vanishes. How does Mason know? Or is this some twisted joke?

"I'm sorry, what?"

"How long have you two been fucking?"

Jake got to think of something quick. "Why are you asking me? Because I'm gay?"

Mason doesn't fall for it. "Look, I was at his place last night with a few friends, and he left his phone unattended and unlocked. So, I saw the text messages between you two."

"First, why are you looking into someone else's phone? And secondly, I don't talk to Thomas." Jake is going to put up a fight. "You do know Jake is a common name, right?"

The look in Mason's eyes seems to show some hesitation.

"Besides," Jake continues, "so what if Thomas is gay or not? What are you going to do with this information? Going to oust him?"

Mason seems stumped. He begrudgingly smiles, gets up, and returns to his seat.

Jake returns to his assignment but doesn't suddenly move toward his phone.

When he gets to his locker, he sends a "9-1-1" text to Thomas and tells him to meet him after school at their spot.