Boys Are Dogs

Chapter 9 - Collin POV

A/N - pic is of the wonderful Derek :)

My peaceful sleep was rudely interrupted by my stupid alarm clock. 

I grudgingly got out of bed, blanket still wrapped around me, and shut the alarm off. I had already snoozed it around five times; I didn't have enough time to do it again. 

I got a change of clothes and got in the shower, enjoying the heat of the water as it sprayed against my back. My wet hair hung in my eyes, but I didn't bother to move it. I was too lost in thought. I had decided to tell Malia about my thing for Derek today. But I couldn't stop thinking about all the consequences that came along with it. She could totally ship it and try and get us together, she could hate me for it, she could expose me with it. She could do so many things with this information, but I was sure that I could trust her with it. 

After washing myself, I got out of the shower, already missing the water on my skin. 

*** 

My mom hollered at me from downstairs, warning me that I was going to be late for school if I "didn't leave the house now". I grabbed my keys and headed downstairs, hair still wet from my shower. 

I pulled out of the driveway, and sped to school. It was pure luck that I didn't get pulled over. After hastily taking a parking spot, I ran inside the building, barely making to class before the tardy bell. My first class was Spanish, which was pure bad luck because it was all the way across the building from the front doors. 

Instead of translating the sentences on the board as we were supposed to, I found myself thinking about telling Malia about Derek, and also thinking about how he might react if he found out. 

I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked around, confused. My teacher, Mr. Sanchez, looked at me with a stern glare.

"If you would stop daydreaming, Mr. Crowe, you would know that I asked you to translate sentence number three from the bellwork." 

This arose a few snickers from some of my classmates, but I ignored them. I looked up at the board and quickly translated number 3 before repeating it to my teacher. 

"Nuestra gata come pescado," I replied hastily. 

"Correct..." my teacher said, eyeing me suspiciously. He knew that I didn't do the bellwork so he probably assumed that I had copied off of someone else. 

I turned away and did the rest of the sentences so I could get credit for them. Mr. Sanchez decided to play a movie about Spanish culture today for class instead of giving a normal lesson, so my mind wandered off and I found myself daydreaming about Derek. 

*** 

Malia met me by my locker, just like I asked her to when I snuck a text to her during Spanish. 

"What's going on?" she asked. Her voice was very soothing, and I almost spilled my secret right then and there. I didn't though, thankfully. I led her out of the building, and into my car. I told her that I would buy her lunch from any restaurant of her choice. She was very confused by this. 

"What's the occasion?" she questioned. 

"Well, I guess you'll find out when we get there. Now pick a restaurant."

She eventually picked Dairy Queen, which was perfect because I was craving DQ myself. After walking in, we ordered our food and claimed a booth in the dining room. She initiated small talk, waiting for our food to arrive. When it did, she wasted no time in prompting me to tell her what was on my mind. I started with a sigh. 

"Well, first off, I have a crush on someone. And this isn't someone you'd expect."

"Go on," she urged. 

"Well," I began, "I like... I like Derek."

She choked on her food. "Derek? Like Derek Lincoln?"

I nodded my head and took a bite out of my sandwich. Her mouth was open with shock. 

"Okay. Well just so you know, I totally called it. And have you always been gay?"

"I'm not necessarily gay, like I'm still attracted to girls, but I've always put off my attraction to guys as just appreciating how they looked. But then Derek came along and I realized that what I felt wasn't just appreciation."

"That's so cute!" Malia replied with a squeak. "Anyway, how long have you liked him?"

"I started realizing my feelings at the party."

She nodded in acknowledgement and continued with her food.

"So you're not mad at me? You're not gonna shun me? You're not gonna get up and scream 'fag' and run out of the building?" 

"Of course not, why would I do that?" 

"Well, I don't know, just thought maybe you would." 

"I would never." she stated, finalizing the conversation. 

I smiled and we finished our food. 

Little did I know that she would do so much more than shun me. 

*** 

I walked into my room. The soft glow of the lights hung in my room made the whole environment so much cozier. I flopped onto my bed and smiled softly to myself. Today had gone so much better than I had expected it to go. 

I pulled my reading book off of my nightstand and began to read. Before I knew it, I had succumbed to sleep. 

I dreamt of going to school, only to find that the word "fag" was painted across my locker. Everybody around me was snickering and smirking and I felt like crying. The principal came up to me and told me to get out because he "doesn't want fags corrupting everyone in the school". I ran out of the school accompanied by my tears. 

I sat up with a start. I had been crying in my sleep, and still remembered the horrible events of my nightmare. The thing that startled me was the fact that I knew who had told everyone that I was a "fag". 

It was Malia. 

A/N - Sorry if this chapter seems a little forced. I had to get it out soon because I might not have time to write for the next couple of days. :(