Closeted (BoyxBoy) [2014 Edition]

4: Holly and Kyle "Mr. Yum Yum" Collins - Liam

     I introduced myself to him, and he had a blank expression on his face. He looked as if he was thinking about something, or trying to remember. Maybe he really did know me, probably just didn’t remember.

     “I’m Ga-“

     I stopped him, “Oh, everyone knows who you are, Gabriel Knight,” obviously everyone knew who he was. Not only was he the star quarterback of our high school, but his family is the most powerful in Los Angeles! I mean, if you were to look up the term “Knight” in a dictionary, you would see a family portrait of Gabriel and his parents.

    “Well that’s cool. Saves the time for introduction,” he had a tone of irritation in his voice, and I slowly sunk in my seat.

    A few moments later, that god-awful LMFAO song started playing. It was coming from his iPhone 6! I rolled my eyes when he answered; texting and driving’s not good, and I think talking on the phone and driving isn’t good as well, “Hey! What’s up?!”

     I was trying to listen in on the conversation, and whoever was on the other line was speaking very loudly. I heard something like, “Gabriel, dude! I’m at school and guess who I see!”

     “Let’s see, Ariana Grande,” I chuckled silently to myself at his joke. I love Ariana Grande, she is such an amazing singer.

     “Don’t you bullshit me, Gabe! Take a serious guess,” and soon, I could only hear Gabriel’s side of the conversation. It must’ve been a good friend of his, I’ve never heard anyone call him Gabe, except for that one guy he always hang out with. It must’ve been him.

     “Is it someone we know?”

     I turned away and started looking out the window. I still could not foster the fact that Gabriel Knight was giving me a ride to school! It felt so dreamlike! But, won’t this get him into trouble? I know I’m not popular, I’m not popular at all. But Gabriel Knight is super popular. He’s literally the “King of Livingston” and the “Prince of West L.A.”! And I’m just a peasant to him.

     “Evan, stall him for me! I’ll be there in five minutes,” his voice sounded excited, sounded anxious. Like he wanted something really badly, but couldn’t get it fast enough. I turned back to him and asked, “Something good happen?”

     “Yeah! A really good friend of mine, who I haven’t seen in a couple of years, is reenrolling at Livingston. I can’t wait to see him. Did you know Kyle Collins?”

     I chuckled and turned to look out the window again, “Who didn’t? He was the King of Livingston before you. He used to be the beloved quarterback, Mister Popularity, Most Likely to Succeed, Most Athletic, Best Personality, Best Dressed,” then I turned back to him, “I do my research.”

     “I can tell,” he eyeballed me, “Are you the President of the Student Council or something?”

     “I’m just a board member. I’m President and Captain of some of the academic teams, so I let someone else handle that job for a change.”

     There was an awkward silence, but his facial expression changed, “Wait a minute. Are you the Liam Jenkins?! That nerd ALL the teachers brag about?! You’re that guy?!”

     “Yep, that’s me,” I replied with a small smile and laughed awkwardly.

     “And you’re proud of that?”

     “Well it’s not like I try to make myself known. Academics just come to me naturally.”

     I felt victimized. Is that how the students of Livingston viewed me? As a Know-It-All nerd who comes off as an asskisser to the teachers? My peers despised me, well, my peers who are the same as Gabriel Knight. The jocks, the cool kids. I’ve always wondered how it would feel if people respected me, how they’ve respected Gabriel. Well this is just fantastic.