Chapter 6
Brian was back on his feet within a week and a half which relaxed us all. School had just gotten out two weeks after. We were supposed to get out at the end of May but something that occurred before I arrived set the date back to early June. I didn’t care the school had air conditioning anyway and I enjoyed this school more than my last one. Once we finally did get out I met with the others to help plan something for Andrew’s birthday next month. I wasn’t sure what he liked or hated in terms of parties but I could make sure he didn’t learn about it.
June flew by it felt like. Andrew and I had gone out with the gang for a vacation at the end of it, just a week in Vegas to get out of the community. Thinking about it this was the first time I stepped out of the community since I arrived. Vegas was stupid for most of us since we were too young to gamble, only Nick could since he had just turned eighteen but we enjoyed the sights and just being around each other. I did become a lot closer with the guys and Andrew. It felt nice to have actual friends, to be able to do something with someone else. The only downside to the trip was remembering there was a world outside the community. A world that didn’t love everyone, that was filled with discrimination. Our second day there Andrew and I were in the park, the rest of the group wasn’t that far behind us. Andrew had his arm around my shoulders. It was his standard thing with anyone. But apparently a few people didn’t like it. One spit at us as they passed. It didn’t hit me but Andrew let me go and kept his arm in front of me to keep me back. He was pissed and started yelling at them.
“Andrew, stop its fine. Let it go.”
“Let it go? You want me to let it go?! They spit at us! And for what?! How would they like it if I did that to them for just walking?!”
“Andrew stop,”
“Faggots. Burn in hell.”
That got him. He went to go after the one only to be stopped by David who had jumped in. I lent a him a hand seeing Andrew struggling to break free. Together we got him to stop and calm down. The girls were talking to him while I held him back and let Nick, David, and Brian handle the assholes. Though what they said was still ringing in my ears.
“You okay Greg?” Feeling Andrew holding my arm I didn’t hold him as tightly. It didn’t feel like he would try to kill them anymore.
“I’m fine they didn’t get me. What about you?”
“Better. Sorry for blowing up. I just hate people like that.”
“I know, me too. Sadly it’s the world we live in.”
“Yea.”
The guys came back over to us and asked what actually happened. Apparently they had looked away for a second and heard Andrew start yelling. Amanda and Cayla, Nick’s girlfriend, hung around to make sure Andrew wasn’t going to blow up again. Though he put his arm around my shoulders so I knew everything was good now.
Back from Vegas I started joining David in Karate lessons. I wanted to try and stay in shape. Plus David was trained in it too so it worked out. Meeting him in the gym for our weekly sessions we mixed it up by kicking my ass with running.
“Come on Greg it’s not that long.”
“I hate running.” Sweat poured off me as we did a third lap. Thank God the track was indoors.
“This is great with Karate.”
“How??” Ugh my lungs were burning from trying to talk and run at the same time.
“Less questions more running.”
“I am going to kill you.”
“That’s the spirit.”
