Out of the Closet
by Victor Thomas
Chapter 24
Chris
I sat on the couch next to Kenny, both of us fiddling with our game controllers. Our breathing was focused and our eyes stared at the big, flat screen TV that stood on an antique cabinet near the window to the backyard.
"Surprise!" I yelled.
I pointed at his player with a gun and pressed the button. A massive bang resonated through the living room, and his player's head exploded, sending blood trails everywhere.
He sighed and laid the controller on the coffee table.
"Dude, what's wrong with you?" I said, poking him on his thigh. "That was my tenth win or something."
"I just let you win," he said, pushing me on the shoulder. "Let's get something to drink."
"Good idea. I'm literally sweating."
"At least you get some exercise now that you're not…"
On the football team, I completed in my mind what he had had meant to say before his words trailed off. Our eyes met and I read compassion and embarrassment on his face. That was typical Kenny.
"I just wish I knew what I could do," I said, leaning against the kitchen table.
"Have you considered talking to Javier?" he said, taking two cans of Pepsi out of the fridge. "Apologize and ask if he can help you."
"Why on earth would he help me?"
He handed one of the cans to me and opened his own. He took a sip and looked at me. I knew that face. The genius was about to say something that would change my life.
"Um, I'm just thinking," he began, turning his gaze down. "Has Javier ever done anything to you? I mean, anything bad?"
"Seriously? He got me kicked off the team," I blurted out. "I'd rather work my ass off at the same car shop as dad then beg in front of that fag."
"Chris, I'm… he began, blushing. "I'm just trying to help."
"Sorry. I know. Let's talk about something else."
We went to the patio in the backyard. The air was fresh and crisp, which wasn't surprising after spending two hours playing video games in the living room. I stood next to him and looked across the yard. It was a great relief that he had time to hang around with me. Since mom didn't work on Saturday's, she had given me a hard time the whole morning until I had escaped to his house.
Why are my college studies suddenly such a huge thing?
"I always assumed we would go to college together," I said to break the silence.
He nodded and gave me a sad smile, which made me realize our paths would separate when our senior year was over. It was less than a year, and my best friend would be gone. Not permanently, but it wouldn't be the same anymore.
"Do you think talking to Javier is my only option?" I asked. "What should I even say to him."
"You know Coach Barrett better than I do," he said. "What's needed to change his mind?"
"I have no idea. A miracle."
"Maybe Javier could speak for you."
I rubbed my forehead. Not in a million years could I believe that Javier would ask the coach to take me back on the team. Sadly, it was hard to blame anyone but myself. I'm a total loser if I now beg for his help.
"Could you talk to him?" I asked.
His mouth fell open. "Me?" His voice raised an octave.
"I thought you were some kind of friends."
"We? No. I just gave him a ride home that day when his car was vandalized."
There was a sound of a car being parked in the driveway. I wanted to disagree with what he had said, but he had already opened the back door to check if his mother had come home.
I'm sure I saw them sitting at the smoothie place. I didn't understand why my best friend was so reluctant to help me. He must be on much better terms with Javier than I was at the moment.
Ms. Sherman opened the door and laid two big bags of groceries on the floor. We rushed to lend her a hand and carried the bags to the kitchen. Kenny began stuffing things in the cabinets, and I returned to the living room to disconnect the Xbox from the TV. I took it to Kenny's bedroom and put it on the shelf next to his desk, before sitting on the bed.
"Did you settle your disagreement yet? Is Hannah coming over for dinner?" I heard Ms. Sherman asking.
Instinctively, I glanced at the nightstand where Hannah's photo was, or where I had seen it so many times. Now it was missing. Was there something going on I hadn't heard?
"I don't think she has time this weekend," he answered.
Soon, he appeared at the door of the bedroom holding a big bag of candy in his hand. Even without seeing it, I would've known they were Snicker's chocolate bites. To my taste, milk chocolate filled with creamy caramel were overly sweet, but my best friend seemed to love them. He sat on the bed and put the candy between us.
"What's going on? Why is Hannah so busy?" I asked.
"She isn't," he said, taking a piece of candy from the bag. "We broke up this morning."
"Shit! Why didn't you tell me?"
He shrugged but said nothing. He didn't look sad. He didn't look happy. He just sat there and ate the candy.
"Man, that sucks," I said, mostly to myself.
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