Pavane for a Lost Boy (Or Rather, How to Survive Loss after Rejection)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

It was now Friday.

And as predicted, all eyes were on me as I began my day with my crew and I walking inside and soon being greeted by McNeese, the head English teacher and the main mastermind behind this pairing. "Ah, good morning to you all, especially to Mr. Bader," she crooned happily as everyone in school was dressed in school-spirit colors. To me, "Demario, I hope you'll understand that me having you paired with Ryan will hopefully connect to him on a more personal level. And you can take this opportunity to show some school spirit."

I nodded, the hands of my boyfriend and Holly grasping mine as both of them stood at either side of me. "Of course," I replied formally. "It's been a rather...chaotic couple of days since the announcement, but I'm learning to adapt."

"I bet it has with Miss Kendricks being too possessive and unable to let go of an openly gay man whom she hoped to change," Ms. McNeese commented, giving me a sad look. "And I'm not too happy with you playing keep-away from Ryan just because she says so, Mr. Bader. You ought to know better than to let some silly threats from some airheaded mean girl to try and scare you off."

Don't forget her suicidal and violent-minded godbrother and possible-lover Theo Blake, I wanted to retort back, but wisely thought against it. "I'm sure she means well," was what I said out loud. "I didn't want to come in between them and stir up some unwanted drama. I'm still new around here."

"Even so, a young and gifted mind like yourself deserves a more...biologically-masculine man like Ryan."

"Bitch," Holly muttered while Oliver looked livid.

Was that a transphobic comment?

"Ms. McNeese, I assure you that my boyfriend Oliver is as much as a man as Ryan is despite him being transgender," I defended my diving partner, who seemed to calm down. "And he's come a long way to get where he is and is happy in his identity."

"But of course," Ms. McNeese replied. "Still, Ryan is our Golden-Boy All-American star here at Pacifica Glades and he needs a sweetheart like yourself. Demario, darling. Consider this project a way to work together and be more open with him. And I trust that you'll be at the game."

I wasn't foolish to give her my answer, not after what I had told everyone (including a more-understanding Coach Wilborn) my plans and what this could mean afterward. "Well, you'll see for yourself, madame," was all I could say while keeping things a mystery.

"I hope so. I hate for things to go sour for you, young man."

"Is that a threat?" Serenity barked, eyes narrowed in silts.

"No, Miss McVeigh. I'm just telling Demario to consider his choices wisely." With that, she left for her classroom.

"What a witch," Epiphany scoffed.

"Little wonder why my ex-parents love her so much and pay her to remind me what an abomination I am," Oliver spat. To me, "Thanks for defending me, babe."

I gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You defended me so many times, so it was my turn to do the same."

"All right," Derrick said. "Anyway, today is the big night of your life, Demario. I hope you know what you're doing because next week is when things start going topsy-turvy once you let everyone know of your choice."

"I thought this through for the past couple of days and I knew that I have to go through with this," I replied. "And though I can only do my part, I have to leave the rest to fate."

"Right," Serenity commented, nodding her head. "Demario, you got a lot of chutzpah to do this. And I admire you for it."

"Well, let's see if it pays off," I replied. "Let's head to class. We'll meet up after school."