Eventually, Dante and I separated even though we spent the next few hours with them before Grace took us back to my car. As we pulled into the parking lot at school, she said “I still can’t believe how clueless my brother is. You practically made it obvious by how you were flirting with him and he still didn’t figure it out.”
“Oh that’s not the only way I basically made it obvious” I smirked out the window prompting Char to turn to look at me and ask “what does that mean exactly?”
“When Dante asked you guys to leave the room for a few minutes, we did talk but we also kissed. At first, I wanted to hide my feelings for him but then I decided that since it was my first kiss with a guy and my crush, that I was going to enjoy it. So, I made the decision to kiss him back. Hell, I even let him kiss me two more times and he still hasn’t figured it out yet” I laughed as I looked over to see Char and Graces’ shocked expressions just before Char freaked out and basically yelled “YOU KISSED HIM!!!”
“He kissed me first, I just decided it was time to take my future in my own hands and kissed him back” I smirked looking out the window. A minute of silence passed before I decided to get out of the car and head over to mine with Char not far behind. To my amazement, Char was still in so much shock that she climbed into the passenger seat instead of the drivers seat making me laugh. Glancing at my phone, I realized I should’ve messaged my parents and told them I’d be late.
“Crap, now I need to come up with something to tell my parents” I moaned aloud laying my head against the steering wheel.
“Oh man, yeah we’re going to have to come up with something. Maybe we should just tell them that we spent the evening with you tutoring me in math and lost track of time. I’m sure they’d believe that since they should know by now how crap I am at math” Char said looking out the window.
“Yeah, I guess that could work” I said sitting up and putting the key in the ignition.
The rest of the night passed quietly but when I got up for school the next morning everything that happened the day before hit me like a ton of bricks. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I looked at my phone to see two new messages. Clicking on the first one, it read.
[Char: Good morning, I know everything from yesterday probably just hit you but try not to freak out. I’ll meet you in the parking lot and we can walk to class together. See you at school.]
Then opening the BeYourself app, I opened the messages between Dante and I to see a new message.
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Hey babe (yes, I’m going to start calling you that whether we’re dating or not) I just want you to know everything will be fine. If it makes it easier, try not to pay attention to me aside from in our messages. I’m sorry this is going to be difficult for you but remember you just have to get through the next four days. Remember, I love you and am going to do everything I can to protect you.]
Beginning to cry, I wrote back
[NerdyWannaBe18 (Harley): It is going to be difficult and I know you’re protecting me. I’m so grateful to have started talking to you and I don’t mind the nickname. Maybe one day, you can call me that and it will actually have the intended meaning behind it. Please, do everything you can not to get hurt too bad.]
Within seconds, Dante answered back and somehow knowing how I was feeling.
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Please don’t cry babe. I know it’s hard but I promise I’ll do everything I can not to get too hurt even though we both know that I’m going to continue getting my ass kicked. I promise that if something serious happens, I’ll have Grace tell Char that way you know even if I can’t tell you myself.]
Putting my phone down, I wiped my eyes and got ready for school. As I walked down the stairs, I decided my stomach was doing to many flip flops from my anxiety that food or drinks would cause me to be sick. Instead of heading to the kitchen, I grabbed my keys and left for school. Arriving in the school parking lot, I looked around waiting for Char to meet me and caught sight of Dante as he crossed the parking lot. Glancing over at me, we locked eyes for less than a second and he gave me a sad look just before his face became impassive as he looked away again. Watching as he walked towards the building, I saw all the disgusted and horrified looks the people around him were giving him making me want to cry. Just then someone tapped on my window drawing me out of my own mind. Glancing up, I saw Char giving me a sad knowing smile as I opened the door. As I closed the door and locked my car, she pulled me into a hug and whispered “I know it hurts but remember he’s doing all this to protect you because he loves you.”
“I know and you know I love him too which is why it hurts so much” I whispered back as a stray tear escaped my eye.
“Just remember to breath and if anyone asks why you look distraught just tell them a family member died” she whispers back giving me a valid excuse.
Walking into the school, we pass by a mob of football players yelling gay slurs and trying to get Dante to tell them who he’s been talking to. Putting in my headphones, I kept walking even though everything in me told me to go and help him even though he’s trying to protect me. As I got my books out of my locker, I felt my phone go off and knew it wasn’t Char and couldn’t possibly be Dante. Waiting until I was seated in my first period class, I looked around to be sure no one was paying too much attention to me before opening my BeYourself app to see a new message from Dantes’ username. Trying not to show any emotion, I opened it.
[HellBoy007 (Dante): Reveal yourself homo or your boyfriend is going to be beaten until he can’t stand or fuck you anymore.]
Wanting to cry, I closed the app and opened my messages to send one to Char.
[Harley: Oh my god! One of the players has Dantes’ phone and sent me a threatening message. The worst thing is they weren’t threatening me, they were threatening Dante. They said if I don’t reveal myself they would beat him “until he can’t stand or fuck you anymore.” What do I do Char? I’m so scared and I want to cry so bad. What do I do?]
Within a few seconds, she replied.
[Char: Sweetie, there is nothing you can do. Remember, he doesn’t want you to be revealed. He wants to protect you from everything he’s going through right now. He knows the risks and is prepared to take all of the pain if it means you’re safe. I know you’re scared but try really hard not to show any of what you’re feeling otherwise they’ll figure it out and all of his efforts will be for nothing.]
[Harley: I know he’s protecting me but I’m scared that something really bad will happen and I’ll never be able to talk to him again. I love him so much that all this is even more terrifying.]
[Char: Well, at least you can openly admit it now. Here’s an idea, create an alternate account on BeYourself and I’ll have Dante do the same. Then tell me your username and I’ll pass it along that way should one of them use his account to fish for info on you, you’ll know if it’s really him or not.]
[Harley: That’s a good idea. What should it be though? What do you think of YouKnowTheRealMe?]
[Char: I like it. It’s not too obvious but he’d definitely know who he’s talking to. I'll have him tell you something only he or I would know so that you know it's not a fake.]
[Harley: Okay, then that will be it.]
Closing the messenger, I immediately opened the BeYourself app and created my alternate account. Within seconds, I had a new message from a user called ClosetNerd10.
[ClosetNerd10: That username suites you babe. In case you’re confused, a pretty pink haired girl said this was the alt account of the sexiest nerd in NHHS with gorgeous teal and black hair and the prettiest sad caramel hazel eyes. Though those eyes hadn’t been as sad lately aside from yesterday up until I kissed those luscious pink lips of yours.]
Blushing slightly and chuckling under my breath, I wrote back.
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Thanks for the extra details that only certain people would know though the descriptors definitely told me who I was talking to. You looked so sad this morning that I wanted to run my fingers through those gorgeous golden strands and watch the smile on your lips reach your eyes making them sparkle as you hold me leaning your head against mine.]
[ClosetNerd10: You definitely know how to both excite and confuse me babe. I’m glad our pink haired friend suggested alternate accounts. Though now I’m curious, who else knows about our escapades in the hospital room?]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Oh, I may have told sister and our pink haired friend about it when sister dropped us off at my car that night. Pink haired friend was so shocked that she actually got in the passenger seat instead of the drivers’ seat. Wow, cryptically telling you things is complicated. LOL.]
[ClosetNerd10: Don’t worry babe, you’re doing a fantastic job keeping it cryptic. Though I do wish we didn’t have to go through all this trouble. I wish I could talk to you like any normal friends would or even be able to walk up to you and kiss you in front of everyone without caring whether or not someone was going to hurt us.]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Maybe one day, I’ll be strong enough to protect you too and I’m sorry you’re having to take this on by yourself just to keep me safe. I’m scared that I’ll loose you because of those Neanderthals though and I don’t know if I could handle that.]
[ClosetNerd10: Aww someones’ being sweet and gentle. Don’t worry love, I can handle anything those morons’ throw at me if it means protecting you.]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Okay, let's change the subject before I actually start crying in class over something no one knows anything about.]
[ClosetNerd10: So, then what shall we talk about babe?]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Shall we go back to playing twenty questions?]
[ClosetNerd10: Sure, I think we only hit like ten so far. Is there anything in particular you'd like to know?]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Aside from a question I asked a long time ago, yes there is one other thing I'm curious about.]
[ClosetNerd10: Okay, what was the original question?]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: When I first realized who you were and hinted at it, I asked whether you were named for the Divine comedy or the video game character from Devil May Cry?]
[ClosetNerd10: Oh yeah, I remember that. The answer is both since my dad was also a complete nerd. What was the other question?]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Oh wow! Okay, the second question is what’s your full name?]
[ClosetNerd10: Promise you won't laugh first.]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Why would I laugh unless it's totally embarrassing or a girls name?]
[ClosetNerd10: It’s embarrassing. My full name is Dante Warren Holden. I know, it makes me sound African American when I’m totally a white boy.]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Okay, so not embarrassing. Just think of it this way, you get to share a name with an amazing character from your favorite series.]
[ClosetNerd10: Okay, good point. Your turn babe.]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Mines not as cool. My full name is Harley Dakota Emerson and before you ask, no I wasn't named for the state. My parents, and by that I mean my dad, just thought is sounded distinguished.]
[ClosetNerd10: Well, I don't agree. I think it makes you sound cute. Oh wait, you are lol.]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Says you. I honestly don't think I'm even remotely attractive. Now you on the other hand, I'm not surprised they keep going for the handsome face of yours. I mean, let's face it they think they have to take out the competition even if the sexiest member of the football team is gay.]
[ClosetNerd10: Oh wow, I didn't know you thought so highly of me. Though I would like to make a minor correction to what you said. I'm not on the football team anymore. I got kicked off the team the minute they found out I'm gay.]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: I'm sorry. I know you enjoyed it even if you hated the guys on the team.]
[ClosetNerd10: Thanks babe. At least now I don't have to worry about pleasing anyone.]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: The only person you should ever worry about pleasing is yourself. Isn't that what you and Char are always telling me? Live for myself. Well, now it's your turn to take your own advise. So, now that you're free from that oppressive atmosphere, what are you going to do?]
[ClosetNerd10: Well, there's no point pretending I'm someone I'm not. So, I guess it's time for me to live my life in the open. I only wish I had someone to share it with but I won't risk both of us being in this position. So, I guess for now I'll just be the only gay guy on campus and keep going through the motions until prom and graduation.]
[YouKnowTheRealMe: I hate that we're forced to hide who we are out of fear of being abused while straight kids and even some Bi kids get accepted for who they are without being judged.]
We talked like that the rest of the day and then some more as the week rolled by. Friday morning, I woke up to find two new messages from my two favorite people. Opening Chars' first, I was confused by her message.
[Char: Hey, wanna have lunch off campus today?]
Then opening Dantes', I got even more confused.
[ClosetNerd10: Hey babe, we should meet at the diner across town for lunch. I wanna spend time with you before you leave this evening.]
Messaging Char back first, I asked
[Harley: Hey, are you and Dante planning something because he just asked me to have lunch with him at a diner across town...]
[Char: Okay, yes. We are planning something. Just agree and I promise you'll enjoy it!]
[Harley: Okay, fine. I'll go.]
Then messaging Dante
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Good morning, I would love to have lunch with you. I want to be able to actually talk to you before I leave tonight too.]
[ClosetNerd10: Good, I'm looking forward to it babe :)]
Putting down my phone, I smiled and shook my head before getting ready for school.
“I wonder what those two goofballs have planned for me” I thought to myself as I got dressed. Grabbing my keys and my book bag, I headed to my car without looking back. As I passed through the foyer, mom called out to me “do you have everything packed for this evening sweetie?”
“Basically, I’ve just got to get my charger and shower stuff then I’ll be ready. If you want, you could grab the shower stuff and pack it for me. My bag is sitting at the foot of my bed, love you momma” I said heading out the door. Once I was in my car, I looked back at the house and frowned thinking “I really have to spend my birthday at a stupid conference. At least mom said she’d try to do something with just the two of us that day.” The drive to school seemed like it took less time though I know it really didn’t and it was just my excitement that made it seem that way. As I parked my car, I caught sight of Dante as he headed towards the main building without looking up. Pulling out my phone, I smiled as I messaged him on my alternate account.
[YouKnowTheRealMe: Damn boy, those jeans make your ass look super sexy and I prefer your hair loose instead of all tied up.]
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