Strangely Normal

III

I had arrived back home after a tiring day of school to find my dad watching a horse race on the tv.

"Hello," I said to get his attention.

"Oh, hello, son," my father did not look up from the giant screen in front of him. "How was your first day of school?"

"It was fine, but I'm very tired so I'll be heading up to my room." After saying this, I walked up the stairs and went into my oversized bedroom.

I collapsed on my bed after throwing my book bag to the side, and after what felt like a few seconds, I had fallen asleep.

~~~~~~~

I was at school again bright and early, and it was obvious that I was not too happy about it.

While walking to my first class, I had noticed that the hallways were unusually empty.

Just as this realization came into my mind, it left as I felt myself being pulled into a random storage closet.

I gasped but was cut off by the closet door closing and darkness surrounding me.

"What the?!" I tried reaching out into the darkness in front of me, but I had not felt anything.

"Shh... I think now's a good time for my entertainment," I knew that voice. It was Jackson.

"Jackson! What's the meaning of th-" I was cut of by hands on my shoulders and a whiff of minty breath in my face.

Then something absolutely disgusting happened.

I felt lips against mine.

Jackson was kissing me.

After a few moments of pure shock, I had recollected myself and reached out, pushing the robber of my first kiss away from me.

"Are you an idiot?!" I shouted in his face. "I am not someone you can just play around with like that! Also, I am in no way, shape, or form, gay!"

I turned around reaching out for a door knob that would free me. When I found it, I twisted the metal knob.

Vast brightness overtook my form which led to me shielding my eyes from the drastic light change.

When I opened up my eyes again, I found myself staring up at my ceiling.

What the flip?

~~~~~~~

As I sat eating breakfast, I wondered why I, of all people, had some horrendous dream about disgustingly sinning with another man.

Even though I've never been able to control what dreams I have, I was absolutely embarrassed to think that most dreams are supposedly unintentional desires.

I knew for certain that I have never, and will never, desire being in a romantic relationship with another man.

Period.

Never.

Still, something else bothered me--I had not felt as disgusted as I believed I would have after having my first kiss be taken by a male.

It's ok, Zaharias. Maybe you're just running a slight fever. After today, you should feel normal again.

With that in mind, I headed to the dreaded school I was forced to attend.

~~~~~~~

"That is all for today, everyone. Make sure you analyze our text from today for homework." Mr. Simmons, my English teacher, said after an agonizingly long period.

When I started to walk through the hallway, someone began to walk next to me.

I turned my head to look at the person.

"Hey, buddy!" Jackson said with a goofy smile.

My body tensed as the man next to me hit my back with his hand.

I shrugged away from the contact and began to increase my walking pace.

"What's, wrong, Zach?" I cringed at the nickname Jackson happen to give me.

"Nothing. I just don't want to be late for class," I kept my fast pace, but I was soon slowed down by a hand on my shoulder.

"You seem upset. Tell me; what's wrong?" I turned to look at him to see eyes full of concern.

Wow. That's a first. Someone is actually worried about me.

"I... I just had a bad dream last night. That's all," I looked down at my shoes.

"Oh... Well if you ever need to rant about anything, you can always talk to me!" Jackson smiled and handed me a little piece of paper with a phone number on it written in neat handwriting.

"Uh, thanks," I faked a smile and turned to rush to my next class again.

I don't understand why I keep having these thoughts about Jackson. Why is he so nice to me when I'm not nice to him?