A tear escapes the corner of my eye. I wipe it and blow my nose.
"Don't leave her Jun, " I shout at the tv. He couldn't leave her what with her mother in the hospital and her 2 blind brothers, she needed all the support she could get. I blow my nose and look in the tissue. "Gross." I try to move to throw it away but pain shoots up my back. I slowly lay back down.
"Marcus come downstairs, " my dad calls. I turn my tv off and slowly get off my bed. I walk down the stairs and see my dad in the living room with his exercise equipment on the floor. I go to him and wait to be addressed.
"Your teacher said something happened today, " he says not looking at me. "Let me see them." I sigh and lift up my shirt. A big purple bruise stretches from my stomach to my back. I wince at the pain of lifting my shirt.
"Damn Marcus, you have to man up a bit," My father says examining my back. I move slightly away from him to keep from hurting more and look down at my hands. " they'll keep hurting you if you keep acting like a wuss."
"I guess," I say chipping away at my nail. I bring one to my mouth and start biting. My father looks over at me and scoffs.
"Marcus what did I tell you about doing that," he says walking over to his equipment and picking up his kettle-bell. "Your mom and I have been talking..." I fold my hands across my chest and look over at my mom. She had walked in after I pulled my shirt down. Her small frame draped across the couch with her nose in a book. I wrap my hands around my waist and squeeze.
"How about that girl Samantha from your third-grade class," my father continues. I roll my eyes. "Oh I see, small blondes aren't your type." Yeah, it was the blonde part that wasn't my type.
"No dad," I say.
"Well, what about Shelly she's cute." I look over at him and raise an eyebrow. " Okay so she's got a bit of an overbite, she's got a nice butt."
"Dad we don't objectify woman remember, you have a wife," I remind him. He grunts in response and starts doing sit-ups.
"Marcus, can you go to the store for me," my mom calls to me. I go to her and take the money. I already knew what she wanted.
"Be back in 5," I say walking out. I take in the view of the neighborhood. They weren't out so I walk slowly to the store. I look down at my phone and see a text from my dad.
Dad: Get me one of those jerky things and your mom a coke
As I text back "ok" I feel a body slam into me hard. I fall to the ground. Then I looked up to see the beautiful stranger. Tall, brown and one hell of a man. I don't even feel the pain of my ribs anymore as I stare at his abs through his shirt. He's wearing a bright orange tank top and green overalls. He bends over to pick up his skateboard. Wow, he's so bright in this Georgia sun that my eyes burn. He chuckles and extends a hand...oh great I stared too long now he's gonna hit me. Its happened before. I've just recently learned to shield myself when it does.
"You okay?" he asks. I look up at him puzzled. "Do you need help getting up." I stay on the ground dumbfounded until he takes my clammy hand into his. I think I physically turned into mush. My heart is racing so fast." Do you speak?"
"Yes of course, "I grumble stuffing my hands in my pockets.
"Ahh great," he says smiling." are you okay?" Two beautiful dimples form on his chiseled cheeks and I'm a goner. My knees turn to noodles. Act like a man Marcus, I hear my father say. I straighten up.
"You're fine...I mean I'm fine", My cheeks get hot with embarrassment. He probably thought I was some sex-crazed kid. I wouldn't blame him.
"You're cute too, but that's not quite the answer I was looking for, "He chuckles. I melt. When was he going to let go of my hand so I could go home?
"I'm sorry I need to get going," I say looking at our joined hands. That's when I notice his nails are painted. Purple. That's my favorite color. It has little yellow hearts on it and orange swirls on the thumbs." y-your mom lets you paint your nails?" Jeez Marcus way to sound like a total derp.
"Actually I'm past the age where my mom tells me what to do with my nails," he says." I'm 22 in college. How about you?" Lie Marcus, You won't see him again just tell him you're in college too.
"I'm 17," I say. Dang Marcus, you should've lied, now he knows your too young.
"What's your name?" he asks smiling at me.
"Marcus," I reply. He smiles. Wow, I have never met a boy more attractive. Okay, that's a lie. Sam Smith will always be top in the sexiest men I've seen in my life. Again with the gay thoughts. In the mist, of thinking all these thoughts, I find out he's an english major and we're sitting in Dunkin donuts licking frosting off our hands talking about Kevin's mother.
"Your not serious," I laugh, "She threw you a coming out party."
"Yup the whole thing was rainbow themed," Kevin laughs probably recalling the party.
"I wish my mother was that cool," I say looking away. I didn't need him to think I was pathetic. I look around and two old ladies are staring at us. Their faces painted with disgust. I look down ashamed of Kevin and his painted nails. Ashamed of being gay. Ashamed of myself.
"Hey don't mind them," Kevin says taking my hand. My heart pounds.
"It's not easy, "I say smiling sadly. My heart pounds. He's holding my hands. The two ladies get up and exit the store. I smile to myself.
"Might I ask you something personal," he says willing me to look in his eyes.
"Sure..."I say unsure of what it could be.
"Are you gay?", he asks. My heart skipped a beat. No one has ever asked me that before. Did I look gay? Was there even such a thing as "looking" gay? What would I tell him? I was confused myself. Was it even his place to ask that? Oh my gosh, I'm taking too long to answer.
"I...don't know, "I say. I let out a breath of relief. I had answered a simple question. Now onto the next."Enough about me. How about you?"
"Well clearly," he says showcasing his nails for me to see. "And if that doesn't help convince you, then I should call my ex. He would really love that." I smile and take a bite of my Doughnut. Kevin was so magical to me. How could he let anyone know that he was different? Wasn't he scared of judgment? I decide to let it go and enjoy his company. We exchange numbers and he comes with me to get jerky and coke.
When I get home its late in the evening and my mom is making dinner for us. I give my Dad his jerky's and my mom her coke and painkillers. They don't ask where I've been and I don't tell them. After dinner, I head to my room and lock the door. As I'm laying down ready to close my eyes I hear a ding from my phone. I grab it and look at the text. It's Kevin. I smile.
YOU ARE READING
I Love You (Boy X Boy)
Romansa"Are you gay?" he asked. My heart stopped. No one has ever asked me that before. Do I look gay? Was there even such a thing as "looking" gay? I was so confused, What would I tell him? Was it even his place to ask? --- When Ma...
