Late Night Phone Calls | Tyrus

Part 18: A Dude Who Likes Other Dudes

Cyrus' POV

TJ and I walk up to school side by side. Everybody already knows we're together at this point, so there's no point in pretending we don't know each other. Still, we're not quite stupid enough to dare hold hands here. 

Right away, a familiar face turns to look at us, and I tense up. I can feel the effort TJ's is using to keep his hand from grabbing mine to comfort me, and it lingers between us, colouring the air I breathe. 

"Hey, f*ggy," Joe snipes. "I see you brought your boyfriend today."

A few eyes from the surrounding groups of kids turn to us as TJ steps up to Joe, his chin high like he's ready to fight, which worries me. 

"Leave him alone, Joe," TJ snaps. 

"Yeah?" Joe retorts. "And what are you gonna do if I don't, huh?"

He shoves TJ's chest, and my boyfriend stumbles backward. I see a fire light in his eyes, and his fist clenches by his side. Right as it looks like he's about to make a move, I shout to him. 

"TJ!" 

My voice makes TJ freeze, and Joe eyes me, curious as to what's going to happen. 

"Don't," I say to my boyfriend. 

TJ's hand relaxes, and he turns around, his head down. Joe and his friends break into laughter at TJ's retreat, and I can see on TJ's face that he hates it, but he still continues up to me. 

"I hate him," TJ utters. 

"I know," I respond, "but you want to protect me right? You can't do that if you're expelled."

He sucks in a harsh breath and nods, understanding the situation. 

"Come on," I say. "Let's go inside."

He follows as I step down the pathway toward the school, but I can still feel the anger burning behind his stone cold face. 

______________________________________

TJ's POV

"I'll see you at lunch, okay?" Cyrus says.

"See you," I reply.

He turns away from me to leave down the hall to his first class. As I'm about to go to my locker, I'm stopped by Buffy's approach. 

"Kippen!" she calls. 

"Slayer!" I respond back. 

The girl steps up, stopping in front of me. "I've got to talk to you."

"About what?"

She glances around at the people passing by, then she says, "Can I actually talk to you in the stairwell?" 

She points to the side stairwell, and I follow her over to its doors. She probably wants to say something about Cyrus and I. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to get away from prying ears like this. As the door falls shut, she spins to face me. 

"I shouldn't have pushed you to play that game," she says, "and you don't have to stop being team captain."

"Wait, it the Buffy Driscoll apologizing?"

"No. I'm just admitting I was wrong. There's a difference."

"I'll take it," I say. "What caused this change of heart?"

"Cyrus," she replies. "He really cares about you."

"Well, I'll have to thank him later."

"He's really persistent that you're actually a good person," Buffy goes on, "so you better not prove him wrong."