“Hey, let's get something to eat before we head back” he smiled using his thumb to point at the building over his right shoulder.
“Sure,” I said with a small laugh. I should've known he'd want food while we were out. Heading into the building, we passed through both sets of double doors and into the well lit restaurant as sunlight streamed through the windows. As soon as we enter we heard, “hey boys! You're table is empty so, go have a seat and I'll be right with you” from somewhere to our right. With a wave, we head in the direction of our favorite table. Moments later, our favorite waitress, Tess, comes walking over with the same big smile as always.
“Hey guys, how are you today? Cam, did you get a new piercing?” Tess asked looking at the new loop on the left side of my mouth.
“Hey Tess, were okay and yeah I did just a little while ago” I said greeting her with a smile.
“Hey Tess” Hayden smiled. He has the biggest crush on Tess, I think it's kind of cute even though I wish I could tell him how I feel and have him accept me. However, I'm not delusional enough to think that I’m remotely ready for that or that it will ever happen.
“What'll it be boys? The usual?” Tess asked writing down our orders from memory.
“Can I have a straw with my iced coffee please, Tess?” I asked thinking about how hard it will be to drink without getting it on my lip.
“Sure thing Cam. I'll put these in and be back with your drinks shortly” Tess said turning to leave.
“Thanks Tess,” we say in unison as she walks away. As we wait for Tess to come back with our food, I keep thinking about what Hayden said outside.
Looking at him, I said “you're right you know, about something bugging me. I'm sorry, I'm just not ready to talk about it yet” just before Tess came back with our drinks.
“Alright, you boys let me know if you need anything else and I'll be back when your food is ready alright” Tess said sitting the drinks on the table.
“Thanks Tess, we'll let you know if we need anything” I said still looking at Hayden who hadn't said a word since greeting Tess. After Tess walked away, silence descended onto the table for a little while.
“I know it's not that you don't trust me, I just hate that you're hurting and there's nothing I can do to help” Hayden said meeting my eyes.
“You know I trust you with my life and believe me you've helped me more than you realize just by staying with me while I deal with all of this. I purposely chose not to tell you because I knew how you'd react and almost any way you look at it, you would've done something which would've gotten you into trouble leaving me to deal with all of this by myself” I explained wanting him to understand why I hadn't said anything. Silence descended again and before too long Tess was back with our food. We ate in silence for a while until Hayden said “can I ask one question? Does it have something to do with why you quit swimming? You don't have to answer if you don't want to.”
“Yeah it does. I used to love the water but now I can't stand it. And yes it also has something to do with me changing how I look. The only thing I cannot bring myself to stop doing is maintaining my weight not that I ever plan on swimming again” I told him looking him straight in the eye knowing he wanted to ask more but didn't dare push it that far.
“Are you gonna keep going with Ike-do this year?” he asked about the only other sport we participate in.
“Yeah, me fighting has nothing to do with what happened and it's probably better that I keep doing it for safety reasons. Plus its one of the few times we get to hang out and beat the crap out of each other for fun” I said with a small laugh.
“Good because I don't wanna loose my favorite sparing partner that never goes easy on me unlike everyone else” Hayden said with a fuller laugh and happiness that actually reached his eyes.
After we finished our meal, we headed home cutting through the park.
* A few weeks later *
The first day of sophomore year, everyone watches as Hayden and I walk down the hall.
“Oh my god! Is that the new transfer student everyone is talking about? He's hot!” some girls gossip as they watch us walk passed to homeroom.
“Geez, see what did I tell you Cam, no one recognizes you with all the changes to your appearance” Hayden chuckled.
“Dude, I told you I don't care but you're definitely enjoying this way too much” I smile shaking my head at the now full blown laughter emanating from Haydens’ slender frame.
“I'm kind of shocked you can still stand buddy” I smile as Hayden almost topples over from laughing so hard. We make it to homeroom and check the seating chart. Heading to our seats at the back of the room, I take mine by the window and begin to blankly stare out at the world. Those girls must also be in our homeroom because after a few minutes I hear the giggles that were coming from them as we passed them in the hall just before they realize I'm in the room and go silent. After a round of whispering, I hear Hayden say “oh no, that's not a transfer student. That's just Cam.”
“Wait, you mean that guy is Cameron Marcus? The former star of the swim team? That Cameron Marcus?” one of the girls asks sounding so indignant.
“Yeap, that Cameron Marcus.” I hear Hayden say descending the room into silent shock. After a few minutes, one of the girls gets her voice back saying “That can't be... there's no way.”
“Want me to prove it?” Hayden says. At this point, I've had enough of this conversation but I'm genuinely curious about how exactly he plans to do that.
“How are you going to do that exactly?” one of the girls asks.
“Well... You see Cam and I have been best friends since we were kids. So, I know everything about him including the fact that he has a tattoo on the inside of his left forearm of an Egyptian phrase that translates to 'stay strong for yourself'" he explained mentioning the only tattoo he knew I wouldn't be able hide for long.
“I don't believe you, Hayden Andrews,” one of the girls spat.
“Hey Cam, would you take off your jackets and show them your tattoo please" he asked. Without looking up, I said “sure,” and removed my black leather jacket before rolling up the sleeve of my red zip-up hoodie to where it was plainly visible.
“There, do you believe him now, Erika Marlow?” I said turning to glare at the girl who was causing all the commotion.
“Oh my god! It is you Cam, wow you look so different! What's with the sudden change?” she asked looking shocked.
“None of your business” I said rolling down my sleeve and going back to looking out the window. After a few minutes, everyone went back to their morning routine of getting ready to start the day.
“Thanks for the save bro” Hayden said “though it was pretty funny that they thought you were a transfer student. That must mean we're getting one though.”
“Thanks for pointing out the tattoo so I didn't have to answer a million questions about it later” I said knowing that was part of the reason he chose that as proof.
* ring, ring, ring *
“Alright everyone settle down,” The teacher said “we have a new student joining our class today, come on in.” The door opened slowly to reveal a dark haired boy with hazel eyes.
“Class this is Jonathan Hewlett, he's transferring in from California. Please make him feel welcome. Jonathan, why don't you take the seat in front of mister Marcus there next to the window” The teacher said introducing him.
“Yes ma'am,” Jonathan said before making his way back to his seat. As he got closer our eyes met and I immediately knew he was gay too from the glint of recognition in his eyes. Though, I'm sure he didn't spend the last year trying so hard to be straight and even going so far as to sleep with girls even though it wasn't satisfying.
“Okay, lets get homeroom started now that that is out of the way” the teacher said thus beginning the first day of our new semester. At lunch, everyone gathered around Jonathan trying to convince him to eat with them. As Hayden turned to look at Cam, he realized his friend was no longer there. Then turning back to look at the new kid, he saw he was gone too and immediately knew they had to have gone to the roof.
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