Once Together, Always Together© (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 17

  "Jamie Crosswell?" Mrs Jones called on the register.

  I groaned. Zoey laughed from beside me. Zac glanced at me with a question in his eyes.

  "Here Miss!" He shouted from the other side of the classroom. He gave me a sly smile. I glared at him.

  After she did the register we started to talk.

  "So why did you groan?" Zac asked.

  "It's 'cause I don't like Crosswell." I explained, "He's an asshat."

  He laughed.

  Aww his laugh is amazing. What?!

  "Why do you ha-" He was cut off by Mrs Jones saying;

  "Right we're doing a partner project and I've got the partner list here so don't go off to grab your friends." She stated sternly.

  The whole class groaned.

  She set partners, "Tessa Summers with Brendon Hughes."

  They both high-fived and laughed, "Lucky!" I muttered.

  "Zoey Williams and..."

  Please say me! Please say me! Please! Ple-

  "... Zachary Smith."

  "No!" The three of us said together.

  "Tough guys." Our teacher shrugged.

  "Can we torment her now?" Zac asked crossly.

  "Kody Stewart with... Jamie Crosswell."

  My jaw dropped.

  She has to be kidding me. Come on!

  "Ok that's everyone. So go into your pairs and start your project, chose the country you want to work on and don't do Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland." She laid out the rules.

  "Aw come on Miss!" I complained.

  "Get to it Kody."

  I picked up my bag and stomped over to a smirking Jamie. Childish I know but I was angry.

  "Okay Crosswell this is part of my grade too so please don't 'flirt'." I said using finger quotes, "I want to get this done."

  He nodded in understanding, he looked tormented though. As if he was deep in thought. He brows furrowed.

  I sat down, "Jamie?" I asked cautiously.

  He looked up, "Yes?"

  "Are you ok?"

  "Eh... Can I tell you something?" He asked me nervously.

  "Yes of course." I nodded.

  "You can't tell anyone please." He begged.

  "I won't, promise." This happened a lot with me. People trusted me. They trusted me with all sorts of secrets and I always kept them. I was trusted.

  "I don't like you." He stated bluntly.

  I was shocked at first then confused. "What?"

  "Please don't be offended." He said, I nodded for him to continue, "I'm gay." He watched me carefully, waiting for my reaction.

  "So why all the girls?" I asked.

  He sighed, relieved, "So no-one would suspect. I didn't want people to tease." He blushed.

  I put my hand on his shoulder making him look at me. I smiled encouragingly, "It's ok Jamie. How many know?" I asked.

  "Just you and my parents." He shrugged.

  "Are you gonna tell other people from school?"

  He nodded, "Eventually, yeah."

  "That's great! I'm glad you've come out." I smiled, "That takes courage."

  "Thanks for understanding Kody." He smiled back.

  "No problem. Now let's get working."

  We worked all period. Deciding that we wanted to do Romania and we collected ideas about how we would present our project. We worked really well together. I really wasn't that bothered by the fact he was gay. And I understand why he used girls to stay in the closet. He still shouldn't have done it, it was wrong. But I do understand.

  The bell rang to signal the end of history and we started to pack away.

  "Jamie? Do you wanna meet up sometime to work on our project?"

  He nodded, "Yeah sure! How about tomorrow at Starbucks down the street?"

  "Perfect." I agreed, "What time?"

  "How about twelve thirty?"

  "Yeah sure." I smiled as I walked to the door, "See ya then."

  ***

  I ran the fifth lap round the pitch. Panting slightly I put my arms on my head and breathed deeply, calming my racing heart.

  "Kody! Get moving!" Mr Strong shouted.

  "Yes Sir!" I started running again.

  When I was on my seventeenth lap I realised I was the only one still running. I stopped, looking around confused. All the girls were on sidelines, watching with awe etched into their facial expressions.

  I jogged over breathing in deep breaths. "Why was I the only one running?"

  "You're the only one that could keep going." A girl called Tracy said, "We all dropped out."

  "See Kody! That's why I want you on the girls Volleyball, Netball and Track teams!" Mr Strong shouted.

  "Sir I've told you I can't." I sighed. I wanted to but I couldn't, not with rugby, band rehearsals and school work. Don't forget my music lessons and teaching/toutoring sessions.

  "All I'm asking is that you think on it." He replied, "Right Ladies! Go get changed!" He barked at us all.