Out of the Closet
by Victor Thomas
Chapter 28
Hannah
A few days later, I was at my locker ready to leave for home, when Kenny and Javier walked into the hallway. I tried to exit through the back doors, but Kenny saw me and stared at me. Even though I didn't really want to, I still stopped and turned around.
"What do you want?" I said, staring at him. "Why don't you go and have fun with your new girl?"
"Can we talk?" he said. "Please. It's important."
I sighed. There was nothing to talk about. I had been humiliated in my own bedroom when I had tried to organize a romantic moment, and a few days later, my boyfriend had heartlessly dumped me. I was hardly interested in who Kenny's new girlfriend was.
"Whatever it is, blurt it out. I'm busy moving on with my life," I said.
"Can we go somewhere and talk privately?" he asked.
"I don't have time for this," I snapped, rushing toward the front door.
Javier ran after me and stopped me just as I got out. We stood in front of the building, and his face was severe when he explained that I should hear what Kenny had to say. I looked at him, having a hard time understanding what was going on.
"Why is this any of your business?" I asked.
"I might be the reason for your breakup," he said.
It took a few seconds for the message to sink in.
"Huh? You can't mean that…" I said.
"It's better you talk with Kenny," he said. He looked toward the front doors where Kenny was standing. "I need to run so I don't miss football practice."
Kenny approached me with a hesitant look on his face. I was puzzled about how to act. If I had understood Javier correctly, it explained his recent behavior. The dumb ass could have handled it better, but at least it all made some sense.
"Are you… gay?" I asked.
A tear rolled down his cheek. He nodded and looked down.
"I'm so sorry I hurt you."
Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around him.
"Baby, it's alright," I said, wiping the tear with my finger.
"I should've told you," he said with a sad tone in his voice when we let go of each other.
"No shit, Sherlock."
We hugged again, and I felt like all the bitterness had been lifted from my shoulders. It was hard to be mad at someone who couldn't love me in the first place. Happy that he didn't have a new girlfriend, I squeezed him one more time.
Bryan walked out the door while we were still holding each other. He noticed us, stopped, and smirked at Kenny.
"Wow, what's going on here? I thought you were a faggot," he said.
Kenny was about to say something, but I put my finger in front of his mouth and then kissed him on the cheek.
"Find your own girl and leave us alone," I said.
Bryan shook his head but walked away.
"Thanks," Kenny said. "I didn't deserve that."
"Yes, you do," I said, smiling at him.
We sat on the bench and stayed quiet for a long time. Students came through the front doors and passed us on their way to the parking lot. When the school yard was silent, I cleared my throat and looked at him.
"So, I guess this is our goodbye, isn't it?" I said.
I could recognize the pain in his eyes when he nodded.
"I would still like to be friends," he said softly.
I smiled.
"Does your mother know?"
"God no," he said, raising his voice. "I can't tell her or ask Javier to come over."
The answer didn't surprise me. I was sure Ms. Sherman would go ballistic if Kenny brought a boy home to her dinner table. It was hard to imagine Javier eating apple pie with those tiny silver spoons.
"If I ever find a straight boyfriend, please remind me to check his mother first," I said.
He laughed and poked my shoulder gently.
"Should we go and watch the football practice?" I asked.
"Sure," he said enthusiastically, standing up.
We drove out to the football field and walked to the bleachers. There was a nice view over the field where Chris and Javier were passing the ball to each other. I saw the smile on Kenny's face.
"He's really handsome," I said.
"Yes, he is," he said, staring at the field.
"I hope he makes you happy."
"Me too," he said, his eyes still glued to the cute football player.
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