Above The World (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

I didn't think I would mind everyone at school knowing that I was gay, but it kind of bothered me. The stares in class, the whispers in the hall, the constant questions, it all was attention that I didn't want. In California everyone knew about me, but it wasn't any more significant than having blue eyes. People just knew that's the way things were. Travis and his little goons continued giving me crap, but I usually managed to ignore them.

The day of our calculus test had arrived. I wasn't really worried, but Gabriel was scared out of his mind. I had still been tutoring him, and he had been doing really well. It was probably just because of how much was riding on this test. He would probably have a breakdown if he couldn't play in the playoff game.

Mrs. Cooper passed out the tests one by one and wished us luck.

"I'm gonna piss my pants," Gabriel whispered to me.

"No talking," said Mrs. Cooper. Gabriel and I laughed.

I started my test and watched as Gabriel scribbled on his paper and concentrated on his work. It was probably the hardest he had ever worked on a test. It made me feel good to see him trying so hard and knowing that I was part of the reason why. I was the fourth person to finish. Gabriel was the last to finish. He was still working when the bell rang to end school. I saw the panicked look on his face.

"You can stay a few minutes after class if you need to finish," said Mrs. Cooper.

Gabriel's panic went away and he continued to work. I was going to wait for him but I knew Mom was waiting outside for me so I just gave Gabriel a pat on the shoulder and left.

At home, all I could think about was Gabriel and the test. I think I wanted him to pass even more than he did. I called Lauren to take my mind off of Gabriel. I told her about the last couple of weeks and how close Gabriel and I had gotten. I told her how he seemed to get cuter everyday.

"You're in love," said Lauren.

"Definitely not. I will not fall for a straight guy. I just think he is a great guy, ya know?"

"Whatever. You want his sex!"

I laughed. I also told her how big of an asshole Travis was to me. She offered to come rip his balls off. I assured her that it wouldn't be necessary.

While on the phone with Lauren, there was a knock on my window. It was Gabriel holding a piece of paper.

"I'm gonna have to call you back. Gabriel's at my window."

"That's sexy," she said.

"Whatever. Talk to you later. Love ya. Bye."

I hung up the phone with Lauren and opened my window. I climbed onto the tree with Gabriel. He didn't say anything. He just shoved the paper into my face. It was the calculus test. At the top, there was a grade and a little note from Mrs. Cooper written in red pen.

92! GOOD JOB MR. COVARRUBIAS! GLAD TO SEE YOU PUT IN THE EFFORT. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU PLAY IN THE BIG GAME!

"Dude, this is awesome!" I said to him.

"I know! I'm pumped! I'm gonna play in that game next friday and kick some ass! When I was doing the test, everything made so much sense! And I only have you to thank for that."

"No, you're the one that did the work," I tried to assure him.

"But I wouldn't have been able to understand it without you. You saved my ass, Oakley. Thanks for everything. Not just for this, but for everything, for being there for me, ya know?" He was looking me in the eyes. He usually didn't do that.