Rivals and Jeers

Chapter 12

They met in secret behind the bleachers of Westbrooke as often as they could. Each time, they would make out as if they would die if they ever broke apart. This time was no exception. Phil had Dan pinned up against the back of the bleachers and was kissing him like there was no tomorrow. Both of their eyes were closed. Dan's arms had been thrown around Phil's neck in an attempt to pull him closer.

As they kissed, footsteps were heard as someone approached them. She stopped in her tracks once she reached them.

"Oh!" She exclaimed. Phil stopped kissing Dan and turned to her. She had bright blonde hair which was dyed pink at the ends and a bright smile. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the two of them.

"Louise, it's not what it looks like!" Dan cried. He pushed Phil off of him to prove a point. Louise went right in Phil face and stared him right in the eye.

"What exactly are you doing with Dan?" She asked. Phil took a step back. Louise was scary.

"Um... N-N-Nothing ma'am." He stuttered. Louise got in his face more. Phil trembled and tried to sink into himself like a child who had been caught by their parent doing something bad.

"What are your intentions with Dan?" She rephrased herself.

"I-I-I just want to make him happy ma'am." It felt weird calling someone his age ma'am, but he felt that this girl definitely held that kind of authority. Then, she did something he didn't expect. She pulled him into a bone crushing hug. Phil, who had been tackled by 200 pound linebacker, had the wind knocked out of him by this girl's hug.

   Dan was almost crying at their hug. In his mind, he had been going over a conversation he had had a long while back with her.

   "Louise, can I tell you something?" Dan sat fidgeting on his bed while Louise laid on the floor and flipped through a magazine she had brought with her.

   "What?" Louise replied, not taking her eyes off of the magazine. Dan reached down and plucked it out of her hands. "Hey!"

   "Louise this is important. Can you keep a secret?" Dan played with the hem of his shirt. Louise stood up and sat on the bed next to him. She grabbed his hand to stop him from fidgeting.

   "Of course I can." She laughed. "What's so important?" Dan took a deep breath.

   "I... I mean... I" he began stuttering. He couldn't get the words out. He wanted to just say "I like boys." but the words kept getting stuck in his throat.

   "What are you trying to say?" Louise asked tentatively. Dan let out a sigh.

   "I like..." he began again. "I like boys! Okay! I'm gay I like guys!" He finally shouted, gesticulating wildly. He breathed a sign of relief. It felt good to finally tell someone.

   Louise leaned over and hugged him tightly. "Dan, I never realized..." she started but Dan interrupted her.

   "I hope you don't see me any differently or treat me differently now that you know." He said quietly.

   "I'll always see you as you Dan. And I'm supporting you 100%. If you ever get a boyfriend, I'll support him too. Nothing will ever change between us. You'll always be my best friend."

   Dan was jolted back into reality when Louise grabbed him and pulled him into the hug. Louise wiped the tears off of Dan's face and said "Did you really think I would go back on my promise?"