Because of You

Chapter 1

Nolen

"Look at him. There his faggot ass goes again," snickered this group of boys as I walked past.

I rolled my eyes.

Before, I would have taken the bait and said something to them, but now, I no longer justify ignorance with a response.

I mean, you come out as openly gay and people who are closed minded criticize you.

Why can't they just allow me to be happy?

At this point in my life, I am.

There was a time where I wasn't as comfortable about my sexuality as I am now, which is another thing that allows me to not retaliate against hatred from people like that stupid boy.

"Aye, I know you hear me talking to you," the boy shouted again.

I continued walking down the hallway, paying him no mind.

I heard footsteps beginning to follow me.

"Shit," I groaned, walking faster.

The footsteps picked up pace just as I did.

I knew if they caught me, they would beat me up, and I didn't want that issue.

"Slow down lil' man, we just trying to talk to you," the boy heckled.

At that point, I was at a full sprint, and praying that I didn't fall.

My ankle twisted, and I hit the ground, along with my backpack and everything else.

Pens flew everywhere as I rolled over to see the dudes staring at me.

"Mmm, what do we have here," the boy said.

"Leave me alone," I said, sitting up.

"Nah," he said, lifting me up.

"What do you want Aaron," I groaned as he held me against the hall lockers.

"Nothing, just want to know why you think your faggot ass can walk by without saying hi. When I'm talking to you, you speak," Aaron shouted in my face.

I clamped a hand over my nose, "You need a mint, or fifteen, cause that breath is disrespectful."

His friends around him laughed.

Aaron's face twisted in anger.

"Shut the hell up," he said, slamming me against the locker.

I groaned, "Move, damn. I'm gonna be late to class."

"Aaron man, leave him alone. He's not doing anything to you. You're making yourself look stupid, and coach already said, one more tardy will lead you to ISS, and you know you can't play if you have in school suspension," said one of the boys behind him.

I glanced his way.

He had bushy eyebrows and a thick mane of curly hair.

His name was Jacob, Jackson, Jason...something to that effect. I don't know.

"So you gay now too," Aaron asked.

"Nah man, I'm just not stupid like your ass, now move," the boy said, pushing Aaron aside.

Aaron let me go and I fell back to the ground with a thud.

I looked like a pretzel with my head and back all pressed into the lockers and my knees curled into my chest.

"Let's go," Aaron said.

The other boys followed him, except for the one who spoke up for me.

He stared down at me before extending his hand.

I took it and let him pull me up.

"Thanks," I said, gathering my things from the hallway.

He helped.

"Why didn't you follow him? Isn't he apart of your little 'clique'," I air quoted.

"It's not a clique," the boy chuckled.

"Looks like it to me," I said.

"Nah, Aaron and I aren't even friends. He's just my teammate. Sadly, that makes me obligated to keep his stupid ass out of trouble," the boy grumbled.

I nodded.

"Nolen," I said, extending my hand to him.

"Jacob," he replied, shaking my hand.

The tardy bell rang.

I rolled my eyes.

"Well, I'll see you around I guess," I said.

"Yea, you too," Jacob nodded.

"Thanks for helping me."

He remained in the hallway as I hustled to class.

Time to get grilled by this damn lady.

Hmm, Jacob was kind of cute though.