Finding Yourself: Book Two

Chapter Thirteen: The First Date

Two days had passed, and Devin was waiting for Sam's mom to pick him up for his first date with Sam. He was a little nervous he would mess it up just like he had messed up everything else- but he trusted Sam to understand him.

Sam and Nick were the only two people who felt like they knew who he really was. Tanner, of course, did too, but he had to tell Tanner. Nick and Sam? It was like they read him like a book. Devin had always appreciated not having to talk about his feelings.

In the previous two days, Avil confessed to Tanner. Devin had to endure a two-hour-long gushy rant from Tanner after the school day ended, and Tanner suddenly seemed happier than Devin had ever seen him. He figured this crush was something he kept bottled up for quite a while.

Meanwhile, he and Sam planned their coming out- starting with Klara. Devin was adamant that he wanted Klara to be the first to find out. He even suggested telling her directly. They were still working out the kinks. Plus, there was this surprise that Sam often mentioned, "We can start after our first date." Whatever that meant.

Devin was a little nervous, but he tried to be the cool, suave, popular kid he always pretended to be. He leaned his back against the front door with his hands in his pockets- a popular pose with the ladies. He knew Sam wasn't really a lady, but he hoped it would help make him seem at least a little bit more attractive to his date. He felt the fifty bucks that Nick gave him on his fingers.

Speaking of his date, an old white SUV pulled up to Devin's house and stopped. The window rolled down, and Sam's head popped out, grinning widely. He looked beautiful, as always. His curls were styled with a little more patience. He was wearing what looked like a letterman jacket, from the sleeves. Attached to the end of one of the sleeves was a waving hand.

Devin smiled, which was a feat for him. He decided to walk over and get in the car.

"Hey," Sam said, as he approached, "Come on in."

Sam opened the door from the inside and scooted over to the end. Devin noticed Sam was wearing a letterman jacket, and suddenly a familiar feeling swirled in his stomach. Especially when Sam turned to buckle, and the back said "Harrington."

"Who's letterman jacket are you wearing?" Devin said, jealous of course.

"Jealous already?" Sam smirked, "I thought you would be. It doesn't belong to my ex, if that's what you're wondering. Just a trophy from another genius plan of mine."

"Samuel Jenkins," Sam's mother called from front seat, "We've talked about this."

"It wasn't against the law, Mom," Sam argued, "It was an act of justice in the face of an uncalled-for crime."

"Stealing is against the law, Samuel," she huffed, her shoulders stiff. Devin could practically see the stress roll off her stance in waves.

"Anyway," Sam continued, ignoring his mother, "At my previous school, one state over, the whole football team was both homophobic and transphobic. I got bullied a bit. They did this thing where they would wear their letterman jackets every day like they were crowns or some kind of secret society symbol. So, what did I do? I stole every single one of them from the locker rooms while they were at practice. They couldn't find them for weeks until the school was paid to rat me out. They needed to have some humility."

Devin was simultaneously impressed and in adoration at Sam's evilness.

"Wow," Devin commented.

"Yeah, I eventually had to give them all back," Sam admitted with a shrug, "But I kept this one hidden because it belonged to the worst of them. Now, it's my crown."