Conner's In The Closet

Chapter 1

There's absolutely nothing I dislike more than a specifically hot morning. You know, those mornings where you don't even think about wearing a nice shirt because you don't want to ruin it with sweat stains, so you wear a darker one instead... I don't have a lot of dark clothes. I wore green. The type of morning where you feel like you're just going to melt like the Wicked Witch. When your legs are sticking to the seat of the bus, because you wore light blue shorts. And you left your water bottle at home, and now, you wish you had less hair , because your current hair length is over your face, picking up sweat and making your forehead hot.

"Hey, Kymmi," I brushed my hair out of my face, "What's in the cup?"
"Cold coffee . . . slowly heating up again. Want some while it's still chill?"
I nodded and reached over the seat to get a sip. She's right, it's a little warm.
"Thanks, Kym."
"Mmhm."

Kymmi and I sat in the front, with the "I don't fit into a clique" group. But it was fine, no one was mean to me.

"Good morning!" Nala practically sang plopping down in a seat, putting her backpack next to her. Saving a seat for Jacky as always.
"Hi." I replied smiling.
"Morning." Kym replied.
Then Michael got on, sitting next to me. Michael's my best friend.
"Sup, sloots?" He greeted sitting down.
"The sky, bitch." Nala answered pointing upwards.
"The sun." Kymmi sighed.

Usually I'd say something to them about their language... But we're dang near adults. I can't think of someone who isn't cussing in the middle of senior year. Other than myself of course.

"So! I had an idea for the school GSA." Kymmi offered, "But Conner we need the help of the art club."

Oh, not again.

"Oh, yes. We can have a meeting after school, then maybe Conner can think about joining the GSA too! Woo!" Michael clapped. He's been trying to make me join the GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) since . . . forever. Not that I don't want to . . . but people might get the wrong idea. I wish I could be openly queer like Michael, but no.

"But-"
"Nope! You're joining."
"Yeah Conner, you should. You know being in the GSA doesn't make you gay. That's why it's called the gay, STRAIGHT alliance." Nala pointed out snickering, "some of us are even in the middle."
"I know. . ." I replied heat rushing to my face.
"You're too cute." Kym laughed.

Jacky walked on the bus and sat next to Nala, "HiiiIiiIIIIIIiiiIiiIiii."
"Hey Jacky!" I replied smiling.

The bus ride went on like any other morning. Us goofing around, talking about finals and our after school plans.

"Even Jacky is in the GSA, and he's too straight for comfort!" Nala argued.
"Yeah, 'cause I'm fucking straight." He added defensively, "Miss me with that gay shit."

The bus stopped at school and we piled off of the bus. Michael and I had gym first period, the others had Spanish.

We split up and went to our lockers, where I was greeted by Kyo. A good friend.
"Conner!"
"What's up?"
"Is art club still taking submissions for the art show!?"
"Uh, yeah. All the way up until two weeks from now."
"Cool!" She exclaimed giddily, handing me a comic strip. We've never had a coming strip in the art show.

There were no words. Only pictures. It was manga style and it started with a heart.
Then a bunch of hearts. All identical. All the same. Then two hearts race to each other, and are stopped by other hearts. By the end of it, the hearts reveal themselves as two... Boys.
"This... This is great! I hope the others will agree."
"Listen, I know it'll be hard to get in... But try, please!"
"Kyo... If parents don't agree, the art club could suffer... Lose our support... Sponsorships."
Kyo nodded in understanding, but obviously looked disappointed. Truth be told, I was as disappointed as her.
"I'll try. I will try hard."
"Oh! Thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!" She laughed hugging me.
"No promises! Don't celebrate yet..."
"I know you can do this Conner!" She yelled happily running off to class.

I put the paper in my locker for the art club meeting after school. Now I have to go to art club, and the GSA.

*

I walked in room A103, and was greeted by Nala, (one of my best friends. She goes from outspoken to quiet in two seconds, she has great advice for people but sometimes has trouble following it herself.) Kym (Another friend. She's sassy!) , Michael (my BEST friend, he's very gay.) , Jacky (Another friend, who threatens to beat you up, but he's kidding.) , Kyo (A friend, very creative), Mary (who I don't know too well) , Tay, and Aarion. (Who are dating).

"Is this the meeting for the gays and others?" I asked sarcastically, closing the door.

"Conner! You made it! Now let's talk business." Kym beckoned.
I sat on a desk and listened.
"The GSA has put together a play titled, Welcome to the Gay Parade."

"Emo and gay. Wonder who came up with this." I said sarcastically looking straight at Michael.
"Oh shush, it was all of us!" He argued.
"So... What does this play have to do with art club?"
"We need props and such. And you guys are creative, Mary suggested it." Tay chimed in. Mary is in art club too.
Nala's watch started beeping. "Fuck, Honors Choir. I gotta go." She sighed popping her gum and picking up her bag.
"Okay, do you leave early tomorrow too?" Michael asked.
"Uh, Thursday... Yeah. Basketball. But you'll have me the entire two hours on Friday."
"Okay, see you at Aarion's house!"
"Send me notes on the meeting!" She said on her way out the door.

"Anyways... What do you say?" Kymmi asked. Kymmi was assistant leader of the GSA, Michael is president.
"Well... This school could use some rainbow in it's life... Sure!" I looked at the clock, "but I have to head to art club now. Just text me what you guys need."

*
I arrived at art club and everyone else was already there.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late. Had a meeting with the GSA."
"The GSA?" My brother, Ryan, asked.
"What'd they need?" My friend Olivia asked. Of course she'd be interested, she's a lesbian.

"We're doing a big project for them. We have to pull together a whole play set in three weeks."

"We can do it." A girl named Aalica persuades.

"Oh!" I took a sheet of paper out of my backpack. "I have something powerful, and dangerous." I pulled out Kyo's comic strip and presented it.

"I love it Conner... But... Parents."
"I know. But this art show should represent all students. Including gay ones."
"I think we should take it... ." A guy named Zee agrees.
"But... Don't you guys see what this...little piece of... Fluff is risking!? Our sponsors, our funding, reputation. For a comic?" Connor strongly disagreed, we have the same names.
"It's completely worth the shot. We can't represent one and not all." I argued.
"That's what the GSA is for." Flash disagreed as well.

"Come on guys. This is a school art club to represent all of Chamber's high. This is a really good submission. We should showcase it."

Everyone thought for a moment.
"This... Is a risky move. I'm in." Aalica agrees.
Everyone nods in agreement.

"Yes! I'll get it approved by Principal Wagner, ASAP. meeting dismissed."

It's been a gay day.