Contacting Space

Chapter 5

Dan woke up as the sun peaking through his blinds engulfed his eyes. He rose in his bed which had a rainbow painted over it. He painted it as he enjoys drawing the things from his imagination. Canvases were stacked in a pile in a corner of the room with wild creatures covering their cloth. The paintbrushes sitting on his desk were caked with the paint of his most recent project. He reached for his glasses that were on his nightstand. He left his bed heading for his dresser. Dan grabbed out a pair of black sweatpants, a dark colored shirt, and a pair of briefs. He slid into his fresh clothes then left his room to the kitchen.
"Hey sweetie." His moms voice rang in his ears. He hates listening to her in the morning, her voice always pierces his ears.
"Morning mom." He replied with exhaustion in his tone.
"Why you sound so tired?" She said as she handed him a plate containing eggs and toast.
"I don't know. Just do." He told her. Meanwhile he was truly exhausted because he was up late in the night thinking about Jasper and the contact he left on his phone. He kept running the name of the contact over and over in his head, smiling whenever he got to the (🏳️‍🌈 ally:) part.

He finished consuming his eggs and toast then grabbed his bag and left for the bus. His mom called out a goodbye to him but his dad was silent as he works the Night Shift at a hospital. He got to the bus stop, seeing a boy standing with two bags. "Oh, uh. Hi Jasper." He said staring towards the ground.
"S-sup." Jasper responded. "Listen. I'm still ve-"
"I've told you this a thousand times already." He cut him off while raising his head for his eyes to come into contact with Jasper's. "It's ok. You didn't know. I, kinda didn't really want anyone to know though." His eyes raced towards the ground again.
"Why not?"
"Well." He started as the bus came around the corner. "I'll tell you later." The bus screeched to a stop in front of them and they climbed aboard.

"I need help." Jasper said to his group of friends.
"Yeah?" Finn said.
"Did you- get someone pregnant?" Michelle said a grin growing on her face.
"No!" Jasper said with disgust. "You know I'm staying a virgin until I find the one. Now to get to the point, I accidentally found out someone was gay and they're terrified and I don't know why."
"Did you ask them why?" Eli said.
"I did, but the bus came and then they said they would tell me later but now I'm afraid they won't tell me and-"
"Who is it?" Jessica said.
"I- can't tell you, I won't out anyone unless if they tell me it's fine!"
"But we don't judge, that's the thing." Finn chimed in.
"I- I just." The bell cut him off and he waked away from the group in a rush. They called after him but he didn't look back.
"What the fuck is up with him?" Michelle said.
"I don't know, but I think we need to stay out of it." Eli replied.

Later in the day Jasper walked into chemistry class. He sat in his chair and anxiously looked at the door. Dan entered staring at his phone walking to his seat. "Can you tell me?"
"No. Too many people."
"Why?"
"Because. I barely know you. It's just too soon for me to tell you."
"Hello class." Mr.Hopkins said, starting class. "We are going to be doing an extension on the work we did yesterday. Please gear up and get prepared to do the lab." Jasper and Dan got their equipment on and walked back to their station.
"If we don't manage to finish today again can you tell me at my house tonight?"
In a whisper Dan said, "I already told you that I'll tell you when I get to know you better, now get off my ass."
"Damn. I expected you to to want me to be on it." A blush covered Dan's face as Jaspers voice hit his ears. "Am I wrong?"
"Let's just get this shit over with." Dan replied under his breath.