Pain and Love Comes in Many Forms

Chapter Three

No one knew about what Jack and I were doing the same time he messed around with girls.

To him, I was the best at kissing and sex, and he was waiting until someone better came along.

Me?

I had to pretend that I was interested in the same thing. I didn't sleep around, but I went on dates.

One or two before a girl would be all over me, and I'd say I wasn't interested in sex, then they'd dump me.

"Hey Ethan, you free today?" Jack asked as I sat down at a table outside the school, girls on his arms.

I shook my head, "Heather asked me out on a date and we're going to hang at my place. Since she wanted to. I suggested ice cream, but oh well."

"Heather Brooke? Huh, didn't realize she was into the cute type." One of the girls giggled.

"She likes the faithful type."

"You accusing me of something?" Jack questions.

"Not you," I say with a hum, casting a glance at the girls, "them. They have boyfriends."

Jack yanked his arms away from them, "really girls? What's wrong with you? Even I have standards."

"Low standards, but standards," I added as the girl cast me an angry look and got up, leaving.

Jack huffed, "honestly, girls are a handful sometimes."

"You should be careful saying things like that."

"Ethan!" A girls voice said behind me, wrapping her arms around me.

"Hey Heather," I mused as she sat next to me, her Raven girls bouncing around her beautiful face, blinking at me with her fun, gorgeous jade eyes. I realized things only worked so well so far because of her looks, but she was a nice gal.

She pressed a kiss to my cheek, "You hanging out with Jack?" She asked.

"Well, I was waiting for you. Jack lives me direction, so you do my mind if he walks with us, do you?"

"Of course not, you two are best friends!"

"Then we should get going before staff tries to kick us out." Jack joked.

"Agreed," heather and I nod.

We all start to walk, heather holding my hand as we moved.

Jack was casting glances at both of us, dissatisfied somehow. "How many dates have you gone on? The two of you?" He asked.

"Well," Heather hummed, "today makes the sixth date?"

"Getting pretty serious, huh?" Jack hummed.

Heather smiled, "he's the sweetest guy I know. I promise I won't take him away from you too much. Friends are more important than dates."

"Good to know." Jack nodded as we arrived at our houses. "If you need me for anything, I'm literally next door."

"Understood. Tell your parents I said hi," I grinned.

"Sure thing." We parted and entered my house.

"Oh, Ethan! Welcome home! Who's this? She's really pretty!" My mother gushed when we entered.

"Mom!"

"It's fine," heather giggled, "hi, I'm Heather, Ethan and I just started dating."

"Nice to meet you! Well, I'll be here if you need anything."

"I know mom," Heather and I head upstairs to me room, and she giggles when she sees it.

"These is the home for nerds and geeks," she joked.

"Basically," I said, flopping on a bean bag.

"I can tell Jack is here all the time."

"What makes you say that?" I ask.

"His homework he never turns in is here," she informed.

"Oh, he turns it in, but has like five of the same assignment."

"Really?"

"Yup."

"Huh," she sat on the bean bag next to me, Jack's bean bag.  She looked at me, "You know, I'm surprised you haven't had many girlfriends."

"I've never had a girlfriend. Everyone wanted Jack," I shrugged out.

She raised a brow, "why would they want a guy who sleeps around over a cute guy like you?"

"To each their own I guess."

"Have you had your first kiss?"

"Of course, but it was stolen. I was sitting on this very beanbag."

"Sounds like an interesting set up."

"It was. Why do you ask?"

She laughed, "I was hoping I could steal your first kiss. I'm too late though."

How could a girl be so sweet?

I felt like a dick.

Suddenly-

She kissed me. Same set up as Hack, unexpected, out of nowhere, a sweet gentle kiss. I wanted to enjoy it, to break free from before, but I felt disgusted with myself and the kiss. I pushed her away, putting my head in my hands.

God, why did I fee this way?

"Ethan, what's wrong?" She asked, and I picked my head up.

"I like you Heather, I really do."

"I like you too! We sh-"

"But not in a romantic way. I wanted to like you that way, b-"

"There's someone else?" She asked softly.

"It's not that. Sorta, but..."

"Hey, I'm not going to be mad, you aren't the type to be a dick."

"I wish I could love you, but I'm gay. I like guys, and I have a massive crush on my best friend, but I know I have no chance."

"Hey, he'd be lucky to have you." Heather warmly smiled.

"He's straight as it gets," a argued, "Thanks for at least understanding."

"Hey, if you want, I could Prete-"

"You deserve so much better, a guy who will be straight, maybe bi, and give all his love to you. Not me, a gay guy who can't let go of a stupid childhood crush."

She launched into me, hugging me, her nails digging into my back, "don't belittle yourself. You deserve more than him. He never settles."

"Thanks for the words of encouragement," I smiled.

"Hey, even if we can't date, I'll be ha oh with being friends. You're a good guy."

"That would make me happy. You should head home though before my mom ropes you into dinner."

"Understood! See you at school tomorrow!"

We said our goodbyes and I saw her out, deciding to talk to my mom.

"Why'd you let her leave, she was a beautiful girl!" My mom scolded.

"Mom, I need to tell you something," I spoke softly.

"Sure sweetie, what's up?"

Might as well rip it off like a band aid, "I'm not dating her. I'm gay mom, and I'm sorry to disappoint you."

My mom paused, then smiled, "You're not a disappointment. You just happen to like guys. Live isn't bound by gender sweetie. Live who you want. Sorry for all the times I tried to force you to go out."

"It's fine mom. Th-"

The phone rang, my mom picking it up, answered with a warm smile.

That smile quickly dropped, "mom? What's wrong?"

"Your father... he-he's-"