Perfect For Me

CHAPTER 18 (Liam Williams)

AN: TW: Homophobic language!

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The whole cafeteria seemed to exhale in relief when we entered the room together. "God, what took you so long? We were just discussing who should go check up on you. We thought you killed each other." Ryan's friend, Jeremy I think, exclaimed. "Well, I thought you were snogging...", Nate mumbled.

Ryan and I got beet red and I just the moment I wanted to say something, another voice, Tom, one of my teammates spoke up. "Ew. As if we would accept a faggot in our team. They are against nature and against religion. They are sinners and they're disgusting. I would never tolerate one." He pulled a face and laid back his sandwich as if he had lost his appetite thinking about gay people.

I was shocked. The whole cafeteria was shocked. Come on, we had 2021, who still thought that? I had always thought Tom was tolerant guy, open for everything but I guess I had been wrong. I wasn't really able to wrap my head around what had just occured. I had always known that there still were people who had something against homosexuality but I guess never having to deal with negativity kinda made me forget about its existence.

Still, I didn't let him offend a whole community I was part of. "Okay. I can talk to coach if you want to. I'm sure he can find a replacement for you. Because you WILL tolerate me. Because I AM in fact gay! And there is NOTHING wrong with that. You get that? Otherwise you are off the team." I turned to look every single one of the soccer players in the eyes. "And if anyone shares his opinion, they're too!"

Meanwhile each and every student was listening to me. A few even started to cheer after I finished my mini speech. The two soccer tables just sat there mouths wide open. Then Tom opened his mouth again. "Oh no. YOU will be the one who will be replaced. Am I right guys?"

Nobody said a word. Until Nate did:

"No. No you are not right. Because Liam's sexuality has nothing to do with anything football related or his personality. It's the twenty-first century, god damn it. So, either you shut your mouth and apologise to him or you are off the team. And everyone else who has to say something against gayness. Understood?" I have to say I was impressed by my best friend. He usually wasn't one for making a big scene out of something but to stand up for me like that... Tom gave him a disapproving look. "Okay fags. We will go. God luck winning without a team. No one would like to play with something like you.... You coming guys?"

But everyone remained seated. Tom scoffed and walked out the doors, head held high. As soon as he was gone, I let out a breath I hadn't realised I had been holding. "Thank you, Nate." I said sincerely. He just patted me on my back. "No problem man." All students still stared at me. "What? I'm not an exhibit. Stare at someone else!" Maybe not the nicest way but it worked. People started eating again and soon the typical chatter amongst the students was heard again. I bet I was the main topic for most of it now. I rolled my eyes and sat down again.

The whole time Ryan remained standing. "What? You got a problem with my sexuality too?" I could see in his eyes he knew damn well why I had said that. I could still hear his words from Friday afternoon. FAG. That's what he said... "No! I couldn't care less who you like. Congratulations man, by the way. Wouldn't have thought you had that in you. To come out like this..."

That left the cafeteria speechless once more. Ryan Lander ADMIRING something I, Liam Williams, had done. That was more of a shock than the newly discovered fact that I was gay!

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Great. Practise had been hell after coach had found out he had to look for a replacement for Tom. Nevertheless he said it was the right thing to kick him off the team. He and his husband would have been very proud if someone had done something like this in their school.

Huh? Who would have thought coach was gay? Well, or bi or...just that he liked men. And even more that he found someone who could love him enough to spend the rest of their life with him...

Nonetheless coach didn't go easy on us and had us running lps until some of my teammates had looked like they would faint any minute. And they were tough guys. So, now I was exhausted and still had to walk to Betty's and get Ethan before being able to catch the bus home. Yay...

I was walking for less then two minutes when someone pulled up beside me and let their window down. "Hey, need a ride?" "Ryan?" "The one and only. Get in! Or do you prefer walking? You look horrible. Always thought the captain should be fit!" I rolled my eyes. Typical Ryan! Couldn't be just nice for once. Nevertheless I opened the door of his black sport car and got in. This whole friendship thing was more useful than I had thought it would be. "Didn't you say your car broke down?" "Yeah, it's my dad's. He's working from home today..." The ride was silent except the time I gave him directions. But it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It felt somewhat nice...

"Go get your brother, I'll wait and take you both home afterwards." Oh? Definitely hadn't expected something like this from Ryan. Nevertheless I had to decline his offer: "Thanks, but we'll take the bus. No need to spend your free time being my personal chauffeur. And Ethan would need a child seat anyways. But thanks." I waved as he drove off. I really was looking forward to what this friendship may grow to. Maybe never more than friends but that's better than nothing. Right? Ignoring my stupid heart I nodded to myself. Right.