Woes of the Wingmen

№ 16:

Monday, January 15th.

"Oh, Bruce! I didn't know you were transferring so early?" Finney said.

He sat down at the lunch table with them, across from him and Donna and next to Vance.

"Yeah, my parents insisted. Something about Moose getting expelled and coming to my school."

Their faces grew anxious and they looked at each other. Especially Vance, Robin, and Billy. Bruce picked up on it.

"What happened, exactly? I heard he got in a fight with Vance and Robin."

Robin sighed, deciding he was gonna be the one to explain it.

"Well, uh, he threw coins at Billy and called him a slur."

Bruce nodded, remembering what his mom told him.

"So I stood up for him."

"You threw the first punch? That's not like you at all."

He grew irritated at yet someone else saying that.

"Well, I did, Bruce. For Billy."

Bruce was surprised at him being defensive. He looked over at Vance, who seemed to be realizing something.

"Then, Bill fought his goon. And get this, he not only headbutt him, but stepped on his balls."

Bruce's mouth was wide open.

"Holy shit, I didn't realize you could fight so dirty."

Billy smirked in pride, "Yeah, I got my thick skull from my mom." He knocked on his own forehead to emphasize his point.

Everyone else had a chuckle or two.

"I mean she is blonde." Griffin said, sitting with them for a change.

Vance looked offended, almost mockingly.

"Are you calling us blondes dumb? I mean, I know I got held back twice but-" He interrupted himself into a fit of laughter. Which everyone else shared.

"Yeah, it's weird since Billy's so smart."

"Especially at math," Robin added.

Billy smiled.

Vance then continued the story, "Oh, but that's not the end of it, all our parents were called to the principal's office."

"Besides Moose's friends' parents. They weren't there, remember?"

"They weren't there because they're probably in the ER because of you! You stepped on the guy's dick."

"Oh, yeah." He said, cringing.

"For all we know, he's probably gonna end up infertile." Donna said before biting into an apple.

Everyone else laughed raucously, not expecting her to say that.

"I mean, c'mon, does the next generation really need more little Moose minions running around?" Robin gestured with his fingers.

They kept on laughing after that, having some people stare at them for being so loud. They could give less of a shit though.

"Don't think we're done Bruce, this is a long story. So anyway, all of our parents are there. And I said that Moose should've been expelled by now. And Samuel flipped his shit. I also said that I found Moose drawing a Blood Drop Cross last year during history. Since I sat right next to him."

"Then Billy's dad started arguing with his dad. The principal luckily expelled him. But he got worried again because he was probably gonna go to your school..."

"And that's why he called my mom. Yeah my dad thought that was strange since they haven't talked since Nicole died."

Vance grew sad at the mention of her name.

"Yeah, but there's something else. I won't say it aloud but I'll write it down." Billy said, looking at Robin and then the rest of them. He looked worried.

He got out his pocket notebook and wrote this down:

Robin kissed me in the bathroom and Mr. Johnson caught us. We later talked and we're now together. He's gay and I'm bisexual (I like both guys and girls :)

It got passed to Vance first, then Bruce, Finney, Donna (they were especially worried for her reaction), and finally Griffin. Some were shocked like the last one. Others like Vance and Finney who either knew or had an inkling didn't seem too affected by it.

"Who else knows besides us?"

"My uncle and his parents. Did you ever tell Aaron, Bill?"

He shook his head, "No, my parents said to let him know if Rob is going over for dinner though."

He groaned, "I forgot about that. Just seeing Samuel angry is enough for me to be weary of him."

"You have nothing to be scared of as long as you don't break my heart." He smiled at the end.

The two boys looked at Donna and Finney, some of the most religious in the group. They wanted to see their response.

"Look, if you think this is my first time knowing gay people you'd be dead wrong. I have eight siblings and you think that all of them were heterosexual? No, I have a lesbian sister."

"Well what did your family say after she came out?"

"My parents were mad at first. Mostly cause they wanted grandchildren. But they eventually came around. I'm not too sure about her relationship with our other siblings but her and I still talk."

They looked at Finney for his answer.

"Well, this is my first time, certainly. But I had a feeling you were, Robin. Especially because you used to stare at me in class.

Griffin was flabbergasted. He didn't notice most of the boys' longing gazes. As he was sitting more with Gwen and her friends. Darting back and forth between Robin and Billy.

"Wait, you had a crush on Finney?" Billy asked.

Robin looked embarrassed but quickly shook it off when he looked at Billy.

"Yeah, I did. But Bill here has fully stolen my heart." He smiled and leaned in. He gave him that same smile back.

Everyone would've gushed if they weren't in a public place.

"Well, now that that's settled. Will we be on the same team, Bruce?"

He nodded his head excitedly.

"Hell yeah we will. I'm so excited. It'll be weird being your teammate instead of my rival."

Finney smiled, "Yeah. Season starts in early May I think."

"At least we won't have to be divided," Vance said.

"I think you'll be a great addition to the team, Bruce."

"Thank you, Donna."

Robin then turned to Billy.

"So, now that we're together, don't you think we should go out on a date?"

"Speaking of dates actually, isn't the winter ball this week?" Finney said.

"Why's it so late?" Vance asked.

"I have no idea but it's this Friday I think."

"Maybe we could all go out on a double date dinner before the dance?" Billy suggested.

"That would be a good idea. Where would we eat?"

They all put their heads together and thought. Donna eventually was the one who came up with the idea. One of her elder siblings worked at this nearby fast food place. So she had the family discount.

"Oh, are you two gonna find dates or no?"

They both thought about what to say. Not wanting to seem too uninterested.

"Nah, I'm not good at dancing." Was Vance's excuse even though he definitely busted a number in his room while jamming to rock and whatnot.

"I don't really care about that kind of stuff." Is what Bruce said, which made a piece of Vance's heart break a little.