Chapter 45

“Isn’t that his brother’s best friend?” I heard someone ask.

“I didn’t know Grayson Scott was gay.” Another person says.

And another person said “I always knew there was something up with them.”

Like, sure you did.

The entire world slowed down.

I can’t believe that this is happening.

The entire school now knows about Grayson and I.

Which means…

Mitchell also knows…

FUCK.

I will offer all of my earthly belongings to whomever can delete me from this planet.

“Dal?” Cody’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I was stunned, speechless, and mildly infuriated.

Who would do this?

My mind went straight to one person. Grayson. He’s the only one who had this picture. The ones that I had kept were currently sitting in a box inside of my closet, and I remember specifically that he kept the photos that were posted on the forum.

But he wouldn’t do this….

Would he?

“Dal, is this real?” Asked Hannah.

When I didn’t respond, she took that as confirmation. “Oh my god. I can’t believe someone would post this.”

“Are you okay, Dal?” Wondered Lucy.

No I wasn’t okay!

I have just been outed to the entire population of Redfield High!

“I’m honestly not even surprised.” A girl says as she walked by us.

“Keep walking, thot.” Lucy seethed.

What do I even do?

At this point I am in full panic mode. My heart is racing, my breaths are quick and sharp, and my mind is flooding with a million different thoughts.

“Hey Cooper,” A guy from gym class walked by us. “how’d Grayson’s dick taste?”

Oh my god!?

“Shut the fuck up, Kenny.” Cody warned.

“Or what?” Kenny grinned.

“Or I’ll kick your ass.” Cody said angrily.

“I’d like to see you try.”

Cody seethed and launched himself forward, only to be held back by Lucy and Hannah. “Honestly just fuck off, Kenny.” Hannah says.

“Whatever, losers.” He turns and continued on.

“Holy shit! There’s a fight between two seniors in the courtyard!” Someone says.

As I turned to face my friends with a worried look, the bell rings.

“Shit.” Says Lucy.

We turn back and head to the courtyard.

I didn’t need to see it to know who was fighting.

It was Grayson and Mitchell.

Honestly, what the fuck kind of day is it?

The courtyard was packed so I could not get through, nor could I hear what they were arguing about over the crowd.

Why is this happening!?

From my vantage point though, I could see the two of them clear as day. Mitchell was angrily shoving Grayson, who was just taking it.

Could they not just take this somewhere else? Somewhere more private, perhaps?

This is so embarrassing!

And the entire school is watching!

“Can you move?” Hannah groaned as she shoved into the people in front of us who were backing into us.

Mitchell is going to get in trouble if he doesn’t stop. Then he’ll get kicked off the team.

“We need to stop this.” I say to my friends.

“How? We can’t get through.” Says Hannah.

For crying out loud.

Mitchell tackles Grayson to the ground and punches him. Again. And again. And yet, again.

The crowd goes wild.

“Fuck.” I say, though nobody can hear me over the commotion.

“Alrighty, break it up!” A booming voice cracked like thunder.

It was a teacher.

Thank god.

Mitchell gets off of Grayson and spits on the ground. Grayson takes his time standing back on his two feet, and when he does, he wipes the back of his hand over his lip.

He’s bleeding.

“Everyone, get to class!” He warned. “Or there will be detentions.”

With that said, everyone vacates the courtyard.

“You two, let’s go to the principal’s office.”

Mitchell and Grayson both reluctantly follow the teacher. My friends and I turned around and headed to our first class when someone stops us and asked. “Wait, so are you like, actually gay?”

“Brianna, back off.” Lucy says.

“I’m just asking.” She says. “I assumed that he and Deja were a thing, but I guess not, since he’s gay.”

“Uh, sexuality is a spectrum.” Hannah says. “And he doesn’t have to define himself just because everyone else has.”

“But he kissed a guy, so he’s clearly gay.”

“And people say you have man arms, does that mean that you’re a man?” Lucy wondered.

If I weren’t so frustrated and panicked right now, I would have laughed.

“Ugh, I do not have man arms!” She cried.

“Sure you don’t, honey.”

Brianna runs away, meanwhile my friends and I continue the walk to class when I decide to stop.

“You guys go ahead.” I tell them.

“Why? Where are you going?” Asked Cody.

I exhaled a shaky breath. “I can’t do this.” I’m shaking my head. “I can’t do this anymore. I’m done.”

“What do you mean? Done with what?” Asked Hannah.

“Nothing… It doesn’t matter. But I’m going to go home.” I turn and start walked towards the nearest exit.

“Dal, wait!” Lucy called.

I kept on walking.

The walk home was spent thinking nonstop about everything that had just happened today. It’s not even noon yet and this is shaping up to be one of the worst days of my life.

When I arrive home, the front door is locked, which means that dad might be visiting mom. I sneak around the back and go through the back door, which was always opened during the day. Not actually opened, I just meant that it was unlocked.

I’m soaking wet, again.

I should seriously start using an umbrella.

I head upstairs and change into something a little less saturated before slumping down on my bed and pulling out my phone.

I go on the school’s anonymous forum and click on the photo.

It already had over 100 comments, and has been viewed 700 times.

I know I shouldn’t read the comments, but I couldn’t stop myself.

Ha Gayyyyyyy…

Oh my god? That’s Grayson Scott?

I always knew Dallas was gay.

OH MY GOD!!!????

I am shooketh.

Whoever posted this is going to hell.

Can someone tell me what filter this is?

Isn’t that Mitchell’s little brother?

Omg this is shocking.

Wait a min.

This is kinda cute, ngl.

So they’re fags?

Does this mean Grayson is no longer straight? 🙁

These comments are so pathetic.

Ewwwwww.

Rue… when was this????

This is so gay.

I cannot believe it????

Oh to be young and gay.

Omg, are they dating?

Cute.

Grayson Scott?????? Damn, he’ll really make out with anyone, huh?

*gags*

I knew something crazy would happen today.

Uh, whoever posted this is a LEGEND!

“ARGGGGHHHHHHHH.” I shout as loud as I can, throwing my phone across the room.

I hope it fucking breaks.

I get up and head downstairs. I was pissed off and in a volatile state, all I wanted to do right now was get drunk.

That’s right.

For the very first time, Dallas Cooper is going to get day drunk.

When I get downstairs, I look inside of the liquor cabinet and reach for an already opened bottle of Jack. Not even bothering to get a cup, I twist the cap off and tag a long swig from it.