Hailsmith Academy

Chapter 28: Overly large tux

"Dude, that sounds absolutely dope."

"For real man. Why didn't you join the school band?"

I shrugged, putting the pale blue guitar back on its stand. "Well, going out for lacrosse was enough student outreach for me."

Spencer, Christian, Allison and I were hanging out in the music room. All classes had been cancelled for the day, in order to prepare for the school's annual charity event. It was a huge thing around here. They call in a whole lot of rich sponsors and companies, parents and faculty. There's usually an auction and a dance, laden with people in fancy dresses eating fancy foods. It was your typical rich kid school event, which my parents would be coming here for. Nearly everyone's parents came to the school to attend, and show off their kid to the board of directors or people will university connections. In other words, it was a huge schmooze fest. 

"What are you guys wearing to the charity gala this evening?" Christian asked, while absentmindedly strumming a guitar. "I really don't want to wear a tux."

"Unfortunately you're going to have to." Allison replied. Christian groaned in response. "Ugh. This is going to be a nightmare."

"Perhaps. But it's for a good cause."

"Yeah, yeah. I guess."

"I'm bored. Do you guys want to go get pizza at Larry's or something?" I interjected. The other three turned towards me with their eyebrows raised. "What?"

"You want to hang out with us?" Spencer questioned. "We figured you'd be busy with your new boyfriend."

Christian started smirking. "Yeah. Like, have you had any trouble sitting down lately? Or-"

"OKAY, I think that's enough of that sentence." I cut him off, while all my friends burst out laughing. "I do still want to spend time with you guys. Plus, neither of us are out as of yet- so we can't exactly go around casually without arousing suspicion." 

I'd told Allison and Christian about Jeremiah a few days back, and they have been really supportive. None of them ran away from me or called me the devil for being gay, so I was grateful for that. I was worried Allison wouldn't be okay with it, since she came from a somewhat traditional Indian family, but luckily she didn't hate me for it. 

"That's too bad. You guys are actually kind of cute together." Allison smiled.

Spencer scoffed at her comment. "Real cute until you get kicked out of your own room, because Luke can only think with his godamn dick these days-"

"SPENCER!"

We all left the music room after that, to go get lunch at Larry's. 

We ordered our usual, sitting down at our usual booth, laughing and eating until Larry came to talk to us like he always did. We finished eating soon and went back to the Academy to get ready. Our parents were going to be arriving in less than two hours, and I was nervous. Mostly because I'll have to be in close proximity to Jason. Again. I forced the uneasy feeling down my throat and went to take a shower. I studied for another hour or so after that, before I decided to start getting ready.

I stared at my tux in disdain. It was hanging on my closet door, neatly pressed and folded; ready for me to wear. I just know I'm going to look absolutely ridiculous. I've been using the same tux for the last 2 years, and it still doesn't fit me right. I look like an idiot; just floating around in it. I'd accidentally ordered a larger size when I bought it, and couldn't return it. Hence, my reason for wearing an overly large tux.

I put it on (which it took me ten minutes to do), and was surprised to see that it actually fit me... somewhat perfectly. It had never fit this well before. I admired myself confusedly in front of the mirror for a few more minutes, before realizing that it must be because I'd put on some weight in muscle. Unfortunately, my triumph was short lived with Spencer walking out of the bathroom and scoffing at me.