breaking free - jalph (lotf) ੈ♡

Chapter 7

tw - homophobia

"...Is this thing on?"

"Jack Merridew and Ralph Montgomery, please head to the headmaster's office as soon as possible. Thank you."

The loudspeaker clicked off, and Ralph flushed bright red as his classmates looked towards him. He hurriedly grabbed a hall pass from the teacher and left the classroom just as Jack exited from the neighboring class.  

"God, Jack. Did you do something to get us in trouble?" Ralph grumbled as they walked side by side, an awkward distance lying between them. Jack wrinkled his brow. "Why do you assume I did something?" As if that wasn't self explanatory. 

Ralph sighed and sped up, Jack matching his pace.

"Go on in, gentlemen." The secretary said gently as they walked into the office, gesturing towards the headmaster's room. Neither boy knew what to expect. In their minds, they went over everything they could have done to possibly warrant being sent here, but couldn't figure it out. And so, they went in the room silently before closing the door behind them.

"Have a seat." Headmaster Johnson began, eyes narrowed and hands clasped on the desk in front of him. Ralph and Jack obliged nervously, filling the remaining two chairs. "I have received some.. news from another student, about how you have disrespected our Lord. Do you have any idea what I'm talking about?" Ralph stared at him blankly, and Jack shot up onto his feet.

"Sir, if this is about me missing Mass yesterday, I was si-"

"Silence!" Johnson slammed his fist on the desk, anger evident in his eyes. Ralph flinched, and Jack glanced at him reassuringly as he sat back down. 

"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted," Jack winced in regret, "you two were spotted cuddling together. How could you let Satan corrupt you like this?! Your previous teachers had said you were such godly boys, but I see you're nothing but two filthy faggots."

"W-What?!" Ralph protested fearfully, "I'm not! I'm not disgusting!" Jack was outraged as well, shouting "I was just helping him with a panic attack!" but Johnson just laughed darkly. 

"To fix this horrible behavior, you two will be joining the football team during their three weekly cardio practices. We will meet again in two weeks to see if you have finally decided to accept God." 

As they were dismissed, Ralph tried his best to hold back his tears and Jack just watched him in pain. He couldn't help, he knew that, he knew he would be outed if he did. He couldn't, especially not after hearing what Ralph had said.

"I'm not disgusting!"

And here he had thought he had a chance. Yet, Jack realized was still as evil and gross as always.

. . .

A day later, and the two boys were out on the field with the football team. Ralph squinted up at the sun, wishing he had brought glasses, but it's not like he had any in the first place. Plus, it would be hard to exercise in them.

"It's hot today." Jack commented idly as they waited. Ralph nodded. "Sure is."

"Everyone, welcome Jack and Ralph! They'll be joining us for a few weeks." The captain spoke aloud with a grin, and Jack instantly remembered that this was the same guy who had punched him.

Oh god...

Ralph seemed to come to the same realization and cursed under his breath. 

The group began doing random warm-up stretches, and their leader trotted over to the two boys. "It's a pleasure to have you join us. I'm Brodie." he spoke, malice evident in his seemingly kind words, and Jack scoffed. "Yeah, pleasure." Brodie laughed.

"I'd watch your mouth, loser. I could easily tell Johnson that I found you kissing  this time. I wonder how he'd react to that..." Jack rolled his eyes, but he was terrified inside.

HIM? IT WAS HIM?!

"Homophobia is so last decade." Jack combated, Ralph keeping silent. Brodie shrugged and turned around.

"I'm just opposing what's obviously unnatural." Jack glared at the captain's back as he left them.

"Jack...?" Ralph questioned. 

"Hm?"

"You're not... gay, right?"

The redhead froze.

"No! Obviously not, I'm not like that. Why would you think that? Ew." Jack tried playing it off, doing a horrible job, but somehow it sufficed.

Ralph nodded in acknowledgement, "Of course."

He didn't understand why Jack's words hurt him inside, but he tried moving on.

The awkward silence was eventually broken by Brodie's horribly annoying voice.

"Alright, everyone! Four laps, aaaand go!"