philophobia

.one

I came out four years ago at the very beginning of my freshman year. I practically grew up with my entire high school class since we lived in such a small town. It was an easy process, for me, which I'm very grateful for. Not a lot of kids my age get to say that they're parents love and accept them and their sexuality. Well, it was easy until freshman year actually started.

Jamie Benn was always the nicest kid in the class. Under the watchful eyes of teachers, he would clean up messes caused by other students or be the shoulder to cry on for anyone in need. That was the Jamie Benn I knew before I came out. The Jamie Benn I knew after was the stereotypical dumb jock bully.

"Hey!" Someone's fist slammed into the locker beside me, missing my ear by centimeters. "Whatcha looking at, faggot?" I didn't have to look to know who's fist it belonged to.

"Nothing, Jamie," I mumbled.

"Really? Cause it certainly looked like you were ogling my girl," I watched Jamie's fist clench, the veins in his hands bulging. His dark brown eyes thundered while the sneer on his lips curled with disgust.

I parted my lips to speak but he cut me off before I could, "Ah, no. Sorry, I forgot. You're into cock." Jamie's free hand flew to my crotch and squeezed as hard as it could, causing my eyes to water, a soft groan drifting from my throat. I shoved his hand away as fast as I could and hunched over in pain.

Saved by the bell is a statement I have never been more grateful for in my life. When the bell rang, Jamie's snarls silenced and he straightened out, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulders. He snorted and slammed another fist against the locker to scare me before meandering down the hall.

I didn't have much time to recover from my interaction with Jamie before someone else's hands clamped around my shoulders and jostled me. I sucked in a quick breath and glanced over into the warm brown eyes of my best friend, Antoine Roussel. He plastered one of his famous cheesy grins onto his face as he slid his arms around my neck and pulled me into a quick hug.

"What are you doing out in the hall when you should be in class, Mr. Tyler Seguin?" He sneered, twining his fingers in my hair and tugging.

I grimaced with a laugh and wriggled against him, pulling myself free. I shoved my hands into his chest and he stumbled backwards, "The Big Bad Wolf just tried to blow my house down," I huffed, rolling my eyes.

Antoine frowned and started searching my face, "Did he touch you? I swear to God, Tyler, if he touched you-"

I laughed and shook my head, reassuring him with a quick smile, "No, Rous. I'm fine, he didn't touch me. Just...scared me a little. No big deal."

He gave me a once-over before that same dumb grin weaved itself back onto his lips and his chest inflated with confidence. He ran his fingers through his curls and leaned a shoulder against the lockers, "There's gonna be a party tonight at Drea's house. She invited us so I hope you aren't doing anything tonight."

I narrowed my eyes and snorted, turning away from him, "Come on, Antoine. Drea? Did you forget that she's Jamie's girlfriend?"

Antoine skipped a few steps to stand beside me, shoulder to shoulder, and walked with me down the hall, "No, I remember. So?" He scrunched up his face. Seriously, he could be so dimwitted sometimes.

"Dumbass, Jamie's gonna be at that party. If Drea's hosting it, then Jamie is bound to be lurking around with his big stupid face and his big stupid fists. And he's gonna be drunk, Rous, which makes me an even likelier punching bag."

He draped an arm across my shoulders and picked at a loose thread on my collar, "That's not gonna happen, Ty. Wanna know why?"

"Please. Enlighten me."