Bully This

Part 2

This particular morning everything felt strange, the neighbor's dog wasn't barking and he got his breakfast without any incident.  Would it be like this on a regular basis If the world knew and accepted him for being who he truly was.  All over America same sex marriages were legal and accepted, but in New York it was just different. Within a ten block radius he could go from accepted to attacked  in a New York minute as they say. Social media videos left him terrified and traumatized at the thought of being the next victim.  He would never be able to show his face in public in any capacity, if he was assaulted and exposed like so many before him have been. 

When he was hired to teach at the school, they were whispers about him having "sugar in his tank."  He silenced them when he began dating Ms. Hernandez who taught Spanish to 10th and 11th graders. They dated briefly but it was good enough to quiet the rumblings.  However he knew they would resurface at any time.  Dating Ms. Hernandez wasn't all that bad, it actually clarified what he already knew, that he wasn't interested in women, period.  In fact at the gym he worked out and his popularity grew with the ladies, however it was a young latin guy who drew his attention.  He befriended him to get close to him and they became workout partners. 

Victor had been a regular at the gym since he joined. Their conversation ranged from sports to politics.  There was always an awkwardness when they talked about women.  Victor had dated a few women at the gym, he also tried to persuade them to go out on double dates but Freddy was always reluctant to take him up on his offer.  He did accompany them to a concert one time.  He told fabricated tales of having a high school sweetheart back home, and that she planned to move in with him.  That didn't stop Victor from trying to persuade him about going out, seeing other women. 

At the school everything was normal except his obsession with Avery was growing stronger.  He knew tutoring him was becoming more difficult by the session, he could stare into eyes all day, and could often fantasize about them becoming intimate.  He knew the right thing to do was to refer him to another tutor but he couldn't bring himself to do it.  He constantly told his students to think with an open mind, it was time to take his own advice.  His thoughts were being clouded with lust.  The teacher's cafeteria was like a dating website, full of horny deprived women.  They constantly flirted with him and he casually flirted back, hoping not to set off any signal of his sexual preferences.  While some of the other male teachers made insensitive jokes and homophobic references he would occasionally throw a one liner in, but deep down he was disgusted and appalled at how he and every other gay man were mocked and ridiculed like it was a normal thing. 

There was one time he and the gym teacher got into a dispute about being homophobic, Freddy was actually accused of discriminating against gays because of his comments to maintain his facade, all the while he was one of them.  The other teachers stood by his side and advocated for him because to them, he was an example of a professional and a true gentleman. Even Ms. Hernandez had to vouch for him, stating he treated her with the utmost respect and that she wouldn't mind going out again with him.  She had portrayed him as a respectful ladies man, now the other female teachers took notice and wanted to experience the myth behind the man, was it real?  A gentleman in this day and age?  The thought of a woman being treated with respect and not as an object excited them. 

He knew it was only a matter of time before he was approached by one of his colleagues about going out, maybe as a group, double or just the two of them.  Knowing he had no attraction for her or them made it more difficult for him to go along with it.  His motto was never mix business with pleasure, so he politely declined any nightcap and a kiss on the cheek was more than fine by him.  Little did he know his reputation grew and all the other women at the school started taking notice and wanted to experience it for themselves.  Suddenly he was becoming "Mr. Popular" but for all the wrong reasons.  Protecting his secret was becoming more complicated than he thought.  He also knew that at any minute it could blow up in his face.  This was a dangerous game he was playing and he knew it. 

During the group tutoring sessions he constantly caught himself staring in Avery's direction.  He didn't want to give off any alarming signals so he mentioned the upcoming game, now he had Avery's attention. "Yeah Coach said those guys beat us pretty good last year.  I can't remember the score, but it was pretty bad."  While breaking down a particularly tough problem they got real close, close enough for Freddy to smell the scent of Avery's cologne. Avery looked up and they were face to face. Looking directly into Avery's eyes Freddy composed himself and uttered, "you're the secret weapon, but we need you to be academically eligible so it's books before hoops."  They both laughed and Avery proceeded to focus on his work. 

Mr. Davidson would often tap Avery's shoulders as he strolled the classroom offering his services.  The session was interrupted  by the coach, "coach what are you doing here?"  "How's our Super star doing?  Davidson give it to me straight, is he gonna be able to play on Saturday?  This is a very important game for us."  "Well coach, after tomorrow's test I'll have a definite answer for you. As of now all signs point to yes.  Avery has made strides but he can't get complacent now there's still work to be done." "What did I tell you A.V.? Davidson would get you straightened out, that a boy.  Davidson, thanks again."  "No problem coach" as Freddy shook the coach's hand.  "A.V. practice 3:30pm sharp, I'll see you there."  "Sure thing Coach" he responded as he continued with his studies. 

Freddy was snapped out his day dream by a student in the back that needed his help.  Avery started putting his belongings away, "you heard coach I gotta be there  by 3:30pm sharp or he'll have me doing suicide drills after practice."  As frustrating as it was, he was not gonna let what happened at his old place of employment happen again.  He would conceal his true feelings and intentions.  This school was ranked number five in violence throughout the city.  He could imagine the field-day they would have with him if his sexuality was ever revealed. Other gay men across America lived their lives free and open, not him, he would keep it close to his chest like a poker player, but he was bluffing his way through the school semester.  Suddenly he was interrupted by a remaining student he was tutoring.  What he failed to realize was that there were a couple of pictures of Avery on his desk in plain sight.

"Whoa Mr. Davidson what are you doing with pics of A.V.?"  "Promise me you won't tell anybody, but AV told me to add these photos to his portfolio, your boy AV has aspirations of becoming a model.  But he doesn't wanna be heckled for it.  You know how you guys can be so cruel and harsh with your comments.  The captain of the basketball team a male model? The whole school would clown him! So what do you say Willie?  We keep it our little secret?" "Sure Mr. D his secret is safe with me and trust me, he will be running a couple of errands for me to pay for me keeping it a secret." They both shared a laugh and he quickly instructed him on his assignments and his next tutoring session.  Willie yells out "See you on Monday Mr. D" as he exits the classroom. 

Once he was alone he exhaled a huge sigh of relief, knowing he dodged a bullet right there.  How could he be so careless and reckless with his actions.  Lucky for him, his explanation was believable.  He had no intention of opening the door to the  world, he had to put a padlock on it as fast as possible.  He made a mental note to go get a massage, he was definitely in need of one, with a "happy ending."  He had come across a parlor in midtown out of pure luck, him and a couple of buddies were bar hopping, when a sexy mocha complexion, tall muscular man walked in handing out flyers with a discount to the first twenty five customers.  What struck him about the address was it was in a known gay area in the city.  After an intense massage session with Ricardo that left him on cloud nine, his bubble would be popped, along with his eye-sight, consciousness, wallet and cell phone!  He woke up in the hospital with four stitches from being pistol whipped and robbed.  He was just happy to be alive.  Everything else was replaceable.