The Boy Who Just Wanted to Get it Right

Patterned Flowers

"When was the last time you actually went on a date?" Max asked Joe.
"Oh, uh, I don't know. I just don't feel very up to it," he replied.
"Mary likes you, you know," Teresa added. Joe shrugged.
"What's gotten into you lately?" Max asked.
"Nothing," Joe said. He got up to throw away his food and lunch tray.
"Aren't you gonna finish that?"
"No."
"Okay, really, what's his deal today?" Teresa asked quietly.
"I don't know," Max replied.

The following days proved no different. Joe was quiet and seemed upset. Teresa sat in her room, wondering what to do. She decided to email him and see what was up.
Joe, what's up with you lately?
No, she didn't like how that sounded.
Hey, what's up? You seem upset.
That was better.
Well, I kind of am. He replied.

What's the matter?

Well...

It's okay, you can tell me.

I think I'm gay. Boom. Bomb, dropped.

Oh, that's what up with you? That's okay. You're still you, we don't care.

Yeah, I figured, but I'm not sure if I care or not. I feel disgusting.

Joe, you are not disgusting. If you're gay then you're gay. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Joe closed his computer and went outside to think. His family really had it all. He sat criss-crossed in the grass in the middle of their garden. But did they really? They had a big house, a beautiful garden, high-paying jobs, and a good school. But how often did Joe really have a conversation with his parents? How much did they really know about his day to day life? He sat silently, examining a flower in front of him. If only his life were that simple. Grow as strong and beautiful as you can. But isn't it that simple? Grow older and become the best you that you can be? Everyone was like flowers. Most of the flowers were pretty blues, oranges, and pinks. But then there were the flowers like Joe. Who looked just like the others until one day he grew patters. Beautiful patterns that easily made him stand out. Some people thought flowers should be simple and single colored, others thought people like Joe chose to grow their patterns. This is why so many of these flowers chose to grow in the shade, hidden from the solid color ones. Even if it wasn't healthy for the flower to not be in the sun. Sometimes the patterned flowers became so sad that they shriveled up and died. Joe wished he could be like those flowers sometimes. But he would never have the courage to actually do that. He laid on his back and closed his eyes.

Joe woke up a few hours later, still in the grass but now with a blanket on him.
Are you kidding me? He thought.
Your son fell asleep in your garden and you don't find that at least a little bit concerning? He brushed off the grass and grabbed the blanket and went inside.

The next day, Joe decided to call Lex.
"Hey, Lex."
"Hi, Joe! What's up?"
"We should hang out today."
"We should! What do you want to do?"
"Oh, I don't know." There was silence.
"Oh I know!" Joe continued, "we should go hit up the laser tag place!"
"That sound awesome! My car is low on gas, we should take yours," Lex said.
"Okay, I'll be there in a few."
"Awesome, bye!"
"Bye," Joe said and hung up the phone. He sighed a happy sigh. Just him and Lex doing something that best friends do. He threw on a black 60 Cyclists t-shirt, black jeans, and a backwards hat to keep his hipster vibe going.

Joe pulled up in front of Lex's house.
Yo, I'm here he texted. Lex emerged from his house also wearing all black. His hair was in a pony tail. Usually that would have bothered Joe, but it just looked so good on Lex that he had no complaints.
"AY, what's up bro," Lex said as he climbed in the car. They reached the laser tag place and sat at a table waiting for the next round to start.
"The next round is starting," they heard a lady call out. Lex grabbed Joe's hand and led him to where they were to go. Joe's heart beat twice as fast. But he had to act normal. As the put on their target packs, Joe was shaky.
"Hey, you okay bro?" Lex asked.
"Huh? Oh, yeah I'm fine," he lied. The game had started and they were running to hide behind a wall from some kids on the other team. They seemed to lose them, but they stayed there a little while longer just to be safe. Lex smiled at Joe. Joe didn't know whether it was an intentional smile or he just happened to be smiling while he looked at Joe, but Joe couldn't take it. Hands shaking, he raised one to Lex's face and kissed him. Joe quickly stopped and gasped at what he'd done.
"I-I'm sorry," he said. But then Lex kissed him back, harder and longer. Joe felt the softness of Lex's lips. The smooth touch of his hand on his face. The warm taste of his tongue. The heat on his lower back under his shirt where Joe's hands had traveled. There they were. The two patterned flowers, making out, hidden behind the wall in a laser tag place. When the kiss was over, Joe smiled and laughed. He was so happy. He leaned into Lex's side. He loved the way he smelled. The same exact Old Spice body wash scent he'd had for three years. This felt so comfortable, so right.

Joe heard the footsteps of running kids when Lex said, "c'mon let's go kick some ass," as he gripped Joe's right butt cheek. The two ran after them, gaining several points. When the game was over, Joe and Lex had won. They sat in Joe's car, making out once again before Joe began to drive. About halfway to Lex's house, Joe turned and smiled at Lex. He was so beautiful. And now he was his. But he must have looked a little too long. The sound of screeching tires and a loud bang filled the air as Joe was quickly forced sideways into his curtain air bag.