Secret Truth

Brotherhood

-Flashback to the boys their freshman year -

Coming out

Drugs mentioned 

"Leo tell me why we agreed to make our dorm the designated hang out spot... we are always left with a mess to clean up" Jago complained pushing his curls out of his face and setting out the snacks for when the other boys came over 

"I have no idea. But let's change that. I refuse to go our entire 4 years here with this being the hang out spot" Leo agreed before hearing a knock on the door and heading over to open it 

Behind that door stood a skinny flat haired Ben. " I forgot if you guys wanted Chess or Checkers so I brought both" he smiled sheepishly 

"Chess" "Checkers" Leo and Jago said at the same time 

Ben shrugged " Well I stopped by Julian and Gareth's room they said they will be here in a bit... I think they might be working on their hair still" he laughed 

Back in Julian and Gareth's room, Julian messed with his long shag of hair " I really should get a haircut" 

"You really do" Gareth laughed gelling his blond highlights to the side "When was the last time you got one?" 

"Uh. Like before this school year began...So more than  4 months ago" Julian Shrugged 

Gareth laughed " We should both get a change in our hair...I'm sick of the blond highlights. Maybe I will go back to a dark brown" 

"Yeah I feel like that would suit you much better..." 

"yeah? I might just do that then" 

"Gar... Can I tell you something" 

"Don't tell me you forgot to buy the deck of cards" Gareth asked 

"No it's not that... It's just" He paused feeling his mouth dry up 

"What is it then?" Gareth asked seriously 

"I... I like guys" 

Gareth paused for a moment then looked away from the mirror and at Julian " Do you like me?" 

"No, no way" 

"Oh that's a shame. I thought I had universal appeal" Gareth joked before getting serious again "Thanks for trusting me. Are you going to tell the guys?" 

"I want to. I just don't know when" 

"Why not tonight? We will all be there so..." 

"Yeah. I might" 

Soon enough Julian and Gareth arrived at Leo and Jago's dorm and joined them

"Leo. I was just telling Julian that I might go back to all brown hair, you should too. Blond highlights are way out" 

"You do realize, My hair is dirty blond and natural, unlike yours" Leo laughed 

"Okay but hear me out. If you went one shade darker to a light brown you'd look better" Gareth suggested 

"You think?" Leo looked into the mirror

"Yeah plus its time for a change since Diana broke up with you" 

"It was mutual..." Leo defended 

"Breakups are never mutual" Jago butt in 

Ben pointed at Jago in agreeance "True"

"Fine I'll dye my hair brown with you" Leo rolled his eyes 

"Julian... You alright? You seem quieter than usual" Jago asked him 

Gareth looked over at Julian and gave him a nod of reassurance 

"I like guys" He blurted out 

"Hm" Ben began " Since when?" 

"Since like always" Julian replied 

"But don't you have to kiss a guy first to know or something?" Jago asked 

"Well you know you like girls right? And you've never even been close to one" Gareth laughed 

"Fair point" Jago acknowledged

"So are you gay? Or still like girls?" Leo asked 

"Like Bi? Or are you Pansexual" Ben asked 

" Uh. I'm not too sure about all those labels... What's the difference?" Julian asked 

"Hold" Leo said as he sat in his chair and opened his laptop and looked up the difference

Jago looked over Leos shoulder "Looks like bisexuality is attraction to more than one gender and Pansexual is attracted to someone regardless of gender?" 

"That's the same thing"  Gareth said unsure

"Well I'm not either of those. I'm Just gay" Julian corrected 

"Then why the hell did you not say that before I wasted time looking it up" Leo laughed

Julian smiled softly seeing that he was in his own head, afraid his friends would treat him differently but they acted like the same dickheads they always were.  

"Now that we are on the topic of big announcements" Jago looked over at Leo 

Leo signaled the boys to come closer as he opened the drawer of his nightstand, inside was 2 pill bottles 

"How did you get these...I thought it was super hard to get these off the streets" Gareth was intrigued 

" Wasn't that hard. I found out I could get it if I got re diagnosed with Anxiety. My mom refused to let me get medication for my anxiety until I begged her. I made up some story about not being able to focus and sleep because of the anxiety and she gave in" 

"Wait is it actually Xanax?" Julian smiled 

"Yup"

Gareth hugged Leo tightly "You're the man"