The Odd Life of Tyler Jones: Freshman Year

1st High School Lunch...

I met up with Ashley, James, Jasmine, and Jessica by the auditorium so we could enter the lunch room together. We all hooked our arms together forming a wall.  

  James and I stood on the outside while, Ashley was in the middle hooked onto Jessica and Jasmine. Jasmine was clinging my arm like a teddy bear...I don't know why, but I would rather have James locked onto...no I wouldn't because...I don't know...ugh, I'm so confused. I mean like, James would be the last person that I had feelings for in this school. But anyway, I wish that Jasmine would let me go. I don't like her like that anyway. I remember when we "dated" last year...it was horrendous.

When we get to the cafeteria, I'm wide-eyed i thought it would be paper airplanes flying everywhere, but to my surprise...everyone was just in groups. Groups of their category. The preps were with the preps, the goth kids were with the goth kids, the nerds were with the nerds, and so on. I found a table and Jasmine agreed to sit with me to hold our spot. I rolled my eyes saying, "Fine you can come." She, as always, locked onto my arm.

For some reason, I thought about telling Jasmine, but then I remembered how she always tells someone's secret to everyone. And I guess that I looked sad, because Jasmine asked me, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I sighed.

   "Are you sure, boo?" She told me, while blinking her eyes in a flirty way.

Making a disgusted look, in my mind, I say, "Yeah, I promise."

"Okay, I love you boo."

  "I love you, too, but like a sister."

Finally, Ashley, Jessica, and James gets back. I jump up telling them really fast, that I have to tell them something when I get back. They all shrug. I guess that's an okay. "I'll be back." I anxiously told them.

No surprise, that right behind me was Jasmine. I remember in 7th grade when Jasmine and Jessica used to be cool...now they're complete enemies. Then James came along and dated Jessica and made Jasmine jealous. Now they have a grudge between each other. I wish I was like that, but with two guys. I think to myself smiling. Jasmine asks smiling as well, "What are you smiling about?"

"Oh, nothing." Just the thought of two guys fighting over me. I mean nothing. Why won't I just accept myself for being gay and come out to my friends and family? Oh, I forgot that they are die hard Christians and would most likely kick me out and disclaim me...if they don't kill me.

"Hello, Tyler?...Tyler?...Tyler!?" Jasmine shouts at me.

"What?! What happened? Oh, uh..." I stagger out of my mouth.

"Are you ok, hun?"

"Er, yeah. I'm just thinking about stuff." I stutter out of my mouth.

"What stuff?" She asks.

"Just stuff, ok!" I yell at her, causing, yet, another scene.

When I finally get to our table. My heart begins pounding, constantly. We began eating. "So, what did you have to tell us, Tyler?" Ashley remembered. "Oh, um...so do you and Jessica remember that I got in "trouble" first period, right?" I staggered, trying to swallow the thick dry bread clogging my throat. They both nodded. "Well, I didn't actually get in trouble, he just wanted to talk about me and Austin...and how I was...staring at him while he was at the board."

  "Wait, you were staring at him?", aked James, "Dude, why?"

"Tyler, are you gay?" Jessica jumped in.

Just in time, the new girl asked to suit with us. I quickly responded with a, "Yes! Please?" She sat by Jessica and started eating.

"Now, back to where we were, before you got distracted, no offense Jennifer." Ashley said determined to find out where I was going. Jennifer nodded her head as a "none taken".

"Um...I think that my hormones are kicking in, guys." I told them shaking.

  "Oh, have you found your preference yet?" Asked Jennifer.

"Uh...no...I mean, I don't quite know for sure." Austin came walking by eavesdropping to our conversation. "Guys, I think that I'm gay." His eyes widened in delightness to humiliate me.

Of course all of my friends and our new member to be, awwww's at my remarks.

  The bell rings again. Time for 4th period already? Well, that was fast. So at least one thing went well for me on my first day of high school. Well, until Austin appeared in front of me and my friends were no where to be found.

"So, you are a fag?", he remarked at me.

"Uh..", I panicked, "No." He could tell that I was trembling. He jumped at me and I flinched. He went off laughing, "Tyler Jones, I will ruin your high school life, and your many more lives to come."

I feel as if I should huddle in a corner again. But no, I'm not. I can't unless I want to be humiliated. So, I just run to my next class. Jazz Band.