Just Like Me

{1}

        Phil's P.O.V.

        I sighed, plopping down next to my favourite tree in the park. My bookbag was really heavy, so it felt great to finally get it off my shoulders. I took out my 4 textbooks, pulled out a notebook and a pen and started doing most of my homework. It wasn't fun. I usually did about half of it here, went home, and did the rest. I never really went out because I didn't really have any close friends. I had two though, Chris and PJ, but I wouldn't go out and do things with them like they did with each other. I mostly kept to myself. No one bothered me, I didn't bother them.

        I packed up my stuff and just sat with my back against the tree, looking around. Little boys and girls were playing in the sand and on the playground, two teenagers about my age were walking around the park, holding hands. I wanted to be in a relationship badly, but I just couldn't seem to find a person who would like me like that. My thoughts were interrupted as the same couple I saw before kicked a bit of sand in my face, and laughed. I sighed, wiping it off. It was normal for this to happen. I grabbed my bag and slung it around my shoulders, walking home.

        I was greeted by the smell of pizza. I hung my bag up near the door and walked into the kitchen to see my mom taking a pizza out of the oven. "Hey, Phil. You're a bit late." I sat down near the table and she set a plate down near me and quickly put a slice of hot pizza on it. "Yeah, sorry, I was just looking around the park." She nodded and set a plate down for herself. "How was school today?" I shrugged. "Meet anyone new?" I shook my head. She was a single mom, I was adopted when I was younger, which many kids teased me about. I just didn't think about it. I finished off the pizza, grabbed my bag off the hook, and ran up to my room.

        I finished off the homework and stuffed it into my bag and felt my phone buzz. I picked it up and saw a message from Peej. Hey, Phil. Want to come with me and Chris to get some ice cream? I contemplated that for a moment. "Hey, mum! Can I go with PJ and Chris to get some ice cream?" I yelled. "Sure! Be back around 6!" Yeah, sure. Meet me outside my house. They lived close by, so by the time I got down there, they would be there. I walked downstairs, putting my phone in my pocket and was greeted by Chris and Peej. 

        "So, Phil. Meet anyone at school you think you like yet? Any girls?" I sighed, biting my lip. I didn't want to tell them yet. I'd tell them when we got there. I just silently shook my head. I never really talked much, now that I thought about it. We walked in and I sat down at a booth, while Chris and Peej ordered for us. They came back with two chocolate ice creams for themselves, and one vanilla for me. I stuck a spoon in it, twirling it around. "You okay?" Chris asked. "Um, guys...I have something to tell you..." I choked out. They stopped eating and stared at me with full attention. "I-I'm gay..." They sat silent for a moment and PJ groaned. "Goddamnit Phil!" "Haha! Pay up, PJ!" I stared at them with my mouth open as PJ gave Chris a $20. "You two had been betting?!" Chris laughed. "Yep, you don't think we can tell?" I looked down, blushing.

        "Bye guys!" I called as they walked in the opposite direction. I was smiling to myself. They were betting?! This whole time?! I laughed and felt a girl about my age approach me. I stopped. "Hey, I heard what you said in there, be happy that they were accepting, and be happy for who you are." I smiled. "Thanks..." She waved and walked away. She was nice. I was becoming more confident with this. I walked inside right when it turned 6. "Hey mum, I'm back." She nodded, and continued watching her show. I walked up to my room, and shut off the lights, feeling sleepy. I curled into a ball on my bed. I knew it was a bit early to go to sleep, but I didn't care.

        - - -

        Beep. Beep. Beep.

        I woke up and shut my alarm off, groaning. I looked at the time. 5:45. I had to be at school around 8. I got up and got into the shower, dried my hair, straightened it, and put on a 'My Neighbor Totoro' shirt, a pair of black skinny jeans, and blue converse. I ate a bowl of cereal and grabbed my bag and headed towards school. I got there around 7:55 and saw a group of kids huddled around each other laughing. I was taller than most of them, so I looked over and saw someone kicking the living shit out of a boy I didn't know. I didn't want to interfere, but the bell rang. I wanted to run inside, but one of them yelled. "Faggot!" At him, and they all ran inside. I looked around and bent over.

        "Are you okay?"

        He looked up and I saw tear streaks lining his cheeks. He shook his head and covered himself up again. I tried lifting him up but he wouldn't budge. He finally stood up, with a now bruised eye and was clutching his side. "I-I'm Dan...I'm new here...and..." He choked up. "I-I was walking and..." He coughed. "Some kids attacked me...calling me emo...and a fag..." I gasped. "Dan, no, please don't say that. I'll get you to the nurse." I wrapped one arm around his waist and helped him to the nurse, and explained what happened. She fixed him up and allowed me to bring him to his class. "Which one?" He gave me the room number to a Science class, which sadly wasn't mine. I knocked on the door and he limped in. "Hello Phil. Who is this? What's wrong with him?" I explained to him what happened while Dan limped to an empty seat. People laughed at him. Mr. Hill, the science teacher, gave me a pass and told me to go to class. 

        I slumped down in my seat, waiting for the school day to be over. The bell rang and I grabbed my stuff, headed for the doorway when someone stopped me. "Oh, so I heard your friends talking about how you came out to them at lunch today." My cheeks heated up. "I-Why were you listening anyways?!" He glared. "They aren't necessarily really quiet." He said in a low growl. I felt a fist collide with my face and I fell to my knees. He pushed me out of the way and walked out the door. I slowly crawled back up and went outside were I saw Dan sitting on the steps, playing on his phone. I went up to him and tapped on his shoulder which startled him.

        "Oh, hi." He started, smiling.

        "Hey, why are you sitting here?"  I asked. "Waiting for you. You are the only person who seems nice here." I blushed a little. He stood up. "Can I...go over to your house?" He asked. "I live alone, and I just wanted to know." I shrugged. "Sure, why not." He followed me to my house and we were thrown gay slurs and people continued laughing, but we just ignored them. "I noticed your shirt. I love that movie. What's your name, by the way?" I smiled at his sudden interest in me. He seemed very talkative. "I'm Phillip, but you can just call me Phil." He nodded. "Nice name." 

        I opened up the door to my house and saw my mum sitting on the couch. "Hello, Phil. Who is this?" I introduced Dan and she waved. "Well, you two can go up to his room. I'll just be in here." We walked up to my room and Dan looked around. "This is a nice place." I smiled. "Thanks." He sat down on my bed. "So, uhm, at lunch today...where were you?" He asked. "Oh, I was sitting with Chris and Peej. Where were you?" He cleared his throat, looked down, and looked at me. "I, uh, was in the er, bathroom stall. No one would leave me alone." I suddenly felt bad for him. "You can sit with us if you like." His face lit up. "Really?!" I nodded and he tackled me onto the bed, hugging me. 

        "Dinner!" My mum yelled. We walked downstairs and Dan sat across from me. "So, what's your name?" She asked Dan. "I'm uh Dan. I'm 19, and I just moved here. My parents, er, kicked me out for um, reasons, and I live alone." She nodded but I couldn't help but think of the reasons and why he had emphasised it. I sat there twirling my spaghetti when Dan spoke up. "Do you, uh, mind, if I, stay here tonight? It just doesn't feel right living on my own." I looked up, confused. "Of course. You can sleep in Phil's room." I didn't object. Dan set his plate in the sink and I did the same. We walked up to my room.

        We laid there watching stupid movies until she told us to shut the lights off. "I'll do it." Dan said in a small voice, standing up. He switched off the lights and climbed back into my bed. I tried to keep my distance from him to make him comfortable. "Dan, why did they kick you out?" I whispered. He coughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm bi. Please don't hurt me!" He shielded himself. I laughed, pulling his arms away. "Dan, I'm gay." He stared at me and smiled. "Good." He wrapped his arms around my waist and fell asleep.