King's Gambit (LGBTQIA+)

Chapter 15

7:45 A.M, Ravencrown Highschool, Bathroom
Monday, February 16, 2020
Third Person POV

Jake washed his hands in the bathroom sink. His hands were dirty from playing basketball with his friends. Jake dried his hands and walked out of the bathroom. As Jake was walking back outside, he saw that Mr. Ragenzaw's door was open. Two people were yelling at each other. Out of curiosity, Jake peeked his head through the side of the door to see who it was. It was Jayden.

"Why do I have to be mean towards these people?" Jayden asked. "The choices these people make are wrong," Mr. Ragenzaw answered, "they have to be punished for their actions." Jayden was visibly distressed. "But queer people want love just like anyone else, why can't they just love who they wanna love?" Jayden asked. "Because God made men to fall in love with women," Mr. Ragenzaw said getting angrier, "men do not fall in love with other men."

"Wasn't it also God that told us to love each other despite our differences?" Jayden asked as a rebuttal, "Why don't those rules apply?" Mr. Ragenzaw had reached his breaking point. He lifted his hand and slapped Jamie's face. "These are the rules I have set for you." Mr. Ragenzaw said, "if you don't follow them then I won't love you." Jamie felt tears running down his face as he rubbed his cheek to ease the pain.

"Oh great," Mr. Ragenzaw exclaimed, "now your crying. How many times did I tell you that boys don't cry?" Jayden looked his father in the eyes. "I can't have emotions now," Jayden snapped back. "I have failed in raising you." Jayden was more upset now. "Raising me?" Jayden asked in rage, "you never did anything to help me become a better person, I basically had to raise myself." Jayden ran out the door crying. Jake got up from the side of the door traumatized. Now it was clear was Jayden was mean to him. He never wanted to be mean, he was forced to be.

Jake walked outside reflecting on what he just witnessed. Kenji and David were still playing basketball. David had the advantage since they were much taller than Kenji. Jake walked over to join the game. "Hey Jake," David said holding the ball. "Hi," Jake replied faking a smile. "Want to play more basketball?" David asked giving the ball to Jake. "Sure," Jake answered. Jake played basketball with Kenji and David. Jake got the most hoops, scoring fourteen. "Good game," David said shaking Jake's hand. "Good game," Jake replied. David grabbed their backpack off the pavement and started walking to class. Jake walked to class with Kenji.

"It's not fair," Kenji said looking down. "What's not fair?" Jake asked. "You guys can play basketball so easily," Kenji said, "meanwhile I'm struggling because I'm so fucking short." It was clear that Kenji was frustrated, and for a good reason. He was only 5'6 while Jake and David were over 6 feet. "Do you want to be taller?" Jake asked. "Obviously," Kenji answered. "Well," Jake said," you're only eighteen, maybe you'll grow ever the summer. Jake and Kenji walked to class together. Today was already a bad day.

And it would only get worse...