A Thousand Miles Away

Chapter Five

Unfortunately my suspicions about Alex were right, and we found out in a not so great way. I was home because high school graduation was last week! It's been three weeks since Josh and my breakfast date and we were still going strong. I was just getting ready with Shaun to work out when we heard the bus stop and then pass the house. It was silent for a minute, both of us in my room looking for workout clothes when the front door suddenly slammed shut. A sob filled the air and I heard Alex run up the stairs. Shaun and I looked at each other and he suddenly threw open my door and ran into my arms.

  "Alex what's wrong?!" I asked concerned. He started babbling nonsense so I pulled him over to my bed where Shaun was already sitting. Alex sat between us and he hid his face in my shirt.

  "Alex talk to us." Shaun said gently as he put his arm around him. Alex cried for a little while longer before calming down. He sniffled a little before looking down at his hands.

  "I-I got caught looking at a guy who...I thought was attractive. He called me a faggot for staring at him and said I was going to burn in hell." My jaw clenched and Shaun jumped up.

  "You're fucking kidding me right?" I grit between my teeth. Alex squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.

  "I'm gay Jasper. I like boys." He broke down and curled up.

  "No Alex, that's not what I'm mad about. I'm mad that this guy said these things to you. We have to report it." I said pulling him into a hug. He gasped and shook his head.

  "No! We can't. He's going to beat me up. He's big, I'd be pumbled.

  "You have an army soldier and recruit as your older brothers. I think you'll be fine." I said with a reassuring smile. He nodded and was quiet for a minute.

  "You're okay with me being gay?" He whispered.

  "Of course. I'll love you no matter who you love." I said kissing the top of his head. Shaun was pacing in front of us.

  "We'll bring you to school tomorrow Alex. Before classes start we can meet with the principal." He suggested. Alex and I both agreed that was a good idea.

  "Have you told mom and dad yet?" I whispered just as Shaun walked out of the room, still looking angry. Alex quickly shook his head.

  "They aren't going to like me." He whimpered.

  "Seriously Alex?! They already have one gay son and they didn't care when I told them." I said surprised.

  "What if they think I'm just trying to copy you?" He mumbled.

  "Well are you?" I asked. He shook his head again.

  "No. I've thought about it a lot. I've known for a while. I was just too afraid to talk about it, and now I have a reason to be scared."

  "No you don't. We're going to fix this problem." I said firmly. He nodded but still refused to look at me. "We're going to talk to mom and dad about this when they get home." He was so nervous. We sat like that for a while until my phone started to ring. I went to silence it but Alex stopped me.

"If it's Josh, answer it. I don't want to get in the way of your relationship with my issues of future relationships." I looked down and sure enough it was Josh. I looked to Alex before picking up.

  "Hey Josh, what's up?" I said.

  "Hey Jasp. Just wondering how the test went." He said in a happy voice.

"Shit! I forgot that was today. I have to go!" I said hurrying up.

"Let me know how it goes!" Josh said with a giggle. Ah he's so cute.