Social Casualty

one

This story is set in June of 1967. Male homosexual activity was illegal in England until the passing of the Sexual Offenses Act on July 27 1967. Meaning, that homosexual behavior was now legal only for men whom both had to be over the age of 21. Harry is 19 and Louis is 20. They still have 2 years until they could be a couple in public, but even then it's still dangerous and they could be physically hurt since people were still very discriminating and homophobic.

This story is set in New Jersey U.S.A. in June of 1967. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in Canada as a result of legislation (AKA the ominous bill) introduced in 1967 and passed in 1969 by Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada, Pierre Trudeau (who later became the 15th Prime Minister of Canada).

tryna: try-na, tryin-a, tryin to, trying to.
you's: you are (most of the time)
I is: I was, I am (either/or) (used depending on the person and the way they talk)

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Harry walks with his hands tucked into his pockets. His hair tickles his neck, making him even more nervous for some reason. He's scared, really scared. "Socials" aren't welcome to this side of town. The east side. It's practically like a social violation. He could be mugged and beaten by greasers any second and die. So yeah, it's frightening.

The only reason he's on this side of town instead of his own home base is because his cousin Marley lives over there. Her family has always lived over there, and Harry would be too if his mother hadn't married his dad and moved to the west side. She wasn't necessarily a "greaser girl". She had always been her own person, unique and not caring what others thought of her. Then again back when she was his age there were no such things as socs and greasers. But even then she didn't do what everyone else did. Harry's seen all the pictures. That's why he's not afraid of greasers. Well, to rephrase, he's not afraid to talk to them and become friends with one. He's only scared of being on their turf. Alone.

Marley and him usually catch up a lot. Except most of the time she goes over to the corner store that her friend's parents own and changes in the bathroom. The store is almost right where the two sides split, so to speak, so they meet up there and then go back to Harry's house. Where it's safe. The guys over there wouldn't hurt her, but over on her turf, her guys would definitely hurt him.

Which is why he freezes up when three guys stalk over to him from across the road. He takes a few steps backwards, and looks behind him. Before he can run the tallest one has his wrist. "Who you tryna play? Ya ain't slick." He yanks him forward. Harry stumbles, and is caught in a headlock.

"N-No one!" He gasps, hands coming up to the arms around his neck.

"Yeah right. You tryna dress like one of us and steal somethin? Is that what you's tryin to do? Trick us into somethin?" He growls, bringing his knee up to Harry's stomach.

"No! My cousin lives here!" Harry squawks out.

"Ain't got enough grease in your hair to be one of us." Another one snorts. "Not as good lookin."

"Aye aye! Get off him ya assholes!" Another one jogs over. Harry can only see him from sideways, still being in a headlock, but even then they all look the same. All sporting busted leather and jean jackets. Baggy cuffed jeans and ratty converse. It's like they're trying to make it hard to tell them all apart. 

"Did ya see him doin anything?" He asks his boys. "No, so get off him. Jesus, can't give one guy a break. A toddler could go walkin down da street and you'd think they's gonna shoot ya," he says it harshly and pushes them off. Harry falls to the ground when he's released, and goes to stand, except his feet get caught in one another and he falls onto his butt.