“Okay, now you sound like Amy... Clearly you both know what's wrong with Hayden but are unwilling to explain it to me. I don't want to put you in an odd spot though. So, I'll wait until he's ready to tell me. I just hope he goes back to acting like himself by Monday because this whole timid rabbit act is really disconcerting” I said and let the topic drop. Waiting a few steps I changed the topic, “so, did you find somewhere you wanna go eat?” I asked.
“I did but there's something I've been wanting to do all afternoon first” Jon said with a glint in his eye. Taking my hand, he led me off the path and into the trees. Pushing me up against one, he planted a hot wet kiss on my lips. We stayed like that for a little while since it was dark and no one could see us. After a little while, he pulled away and smiled leaning his head against mine. Taking his hand, I said “I had been wanting to do that all afternoon too” and chuckled.
“I'd say lets skip dinner and just make out until you have to go but I know were both starving. So, maybe lets go eat and then resume this again after until you have to go” Jon said with a smile.
“I'm good with that plan,” I said as he stood back up pulling me off the tree.
“So where too?” I asked once I was standing on my own. Moving towards the path again still holding hands, he said “I think I wanna try that pancake place actually.” I just smiled as we walked.
The rest of the weekend passed without much eventfulness and I didn't see Hayden or Amy again until Monday morning. As I got ready for school, putting all my books back into my backpack and repacking my gym bag, I looked over towards the window to see Hayden pacing like he was nervous for some reason. Deciding to ignore it, I finished packing my stuff and with a final glance out the window, left my room to go meet Jon in the park before heading to school.
Leaving the house, I walked quickly towards my gate when I heard a door open. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Amy and Hayden coming out the door.
“Good morning, Cam” Amy said. Turning to greet her properly I said, “morning guys,” without looking at Hayden then turning back to unlatch my gate. Exiting, I closed and latched the gate behind me as Amy and Hayden reached theirs. I started walking into the park as I heard the latch click into place on their gate. Pulling out my phone, I sent Jon a quick text “hey, Hayden and Amy are right behind me. Let's meet farther in the shopping district. I'll tell them I have to get something from the Do Jo if they ask.” Within seconds I got a reply that read “okay,” followed by a kissing face emoji. With a smile, I locked my phone and put it back in my pocket. As we exited the park a few minutes later, I headed towards the shopping district while Hayden and Amy turned to head towards the school.
“Hey where are you going? The school is this way...” Amy asked pointing in the direction of the school.
“I’ve got to go grab something from the Do Jo before school,” I said glancing over my shoulder to where they had paused to see Amy with a skeptical look on her face and the clear look of disbelief on Haydens’ face. “Well, he knows I was lying,” I thought as I turned back and kept walking.
“Okay, we'll see you at school,” Amy said and turned back to head towards the school. As I passed the tattoo shop, I was pulled into the alley and pushed against the wall. Within seconds, Jonathan had my left hand in his and his right hand tangled in the hair at the base of my neck while his lips were pressed against mine and his tongue delved deep in my mouth. With my free hand around his waist, I pulled him tight against my body pressing every inch of us together. After about ten minutes, Jon pulled away breathing heavily and said “if we don't stop now, we're gonna be late for school.” With a chuckle, I said “I don't mind being late if it means I get to keep kissing you.”
“Well, I don't want to tempt fate and ruin your friendship with Hayden by giving him ideas that we're doing other things,” Jon said taking a step back with a frown.
“You're right, we should go,” I sighed stepping off the wall. We made it to school with fifteen minutes to spare and into the classroom two minutes before the bell. As we walked to our seats, I could see the girls checking us out as we passed. Approaching the last two rows, I glanced up to see Hayden sitting with his head on his arms glaring daggers at me. As soon as he saw me looking, he immediately turned away to lay with his head facing the wall.
“What was that about?” I thought as I took my seat. Choosing to ignore him, I pulled out my phone and texted Jon saying “let's have lunch on the roof today. I'm not liking the looks I'm getting right now.” Not understanding what I meant, Jon turned to look at everyone around us only to realize Hayden was still glaring at me now that I wasn't looking. Seeing that, he replied “okay, lets meet on the opposite side from where we normally meet. You go up first and I'll follow shortly after so as to not make it obvious.” As the morning passed slowly, I tried to just ignore Hayden as he was making me very uncomfortable but that only served to sour my mood more. When lunch time finally arrived, I left the classroom and headed to the bathroom and then to my locker before heading to the roof despite the chilly weather. A few minutes after the roof door closed, I had just enough time to duck behind the wall before the door opened again. As it clicked shut I could hear two people, Jon and Hayden, talking.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Jon said walking towards the opposite side of the roof from where we had decided to meet.
“What exactly is your relationship with Cameron?” Hayden asked in a hostile almost jealous tone. Confused about what was happening, I kept quiet and listened to their exchange.
“He's my boyfriend. He had just agreed to date me last Friday when you ran off. That's why we were kissing. Why does it matter to you?” Jon said calmly knowing I would hear everything.
“That's none of your concern” Hayden said angrily. It was the first time I'd ever heard him almost yell in anger.
“Okay, then why does it matter to you what my relationship with Cam is?” Jon asked intentionally provoking him.
“It just does, okay” Hayden said.
“Oh I get it. You finally realized your feelings for Cam after seeing him kissing me... Am I close” Jon said taunting Hayden just enough for it to be dangerous. After a few minutes of silence I heard the “oof” of a punch connecting and then Hayden yell “if you breathe a word of this to anyone, I will make your life a living hell.” Shocked and unable to move, I just sat there until I heard the roof door close and Jon say “you can come out now Cam. He's gone.” Moving to where I was standing in front of Jon I asked, “why'd you have to provoke him into admitting it before he was ready?”
“Because I'm sick of seeing you in pain because of him. First he acted submissive and tried to hide and now he's acting like he's pissed at you for nothing. He needed to know that someone else knew what he was up to” Jon said finally getting mad.
“I'm sorry, I must look like the biggest idiot right now because I had no clue” I said to Jon as we heard the roof door close again.
“You are an idiot but Jon is a bigger idiot” Amy said from her position by the door. She continued, “Hayden just came back down and told me everything. He didn't know how to handle you twos relationship which is why he'd been acting timid and then angry. He's struggling with his own emotions right now and it's scaring him that he doesn't have control of them anymore. Jon try not to be too angry with him for punching you and Cam, try not to hate him for acting so different and don't be scared of him for what just happened either. I know he hates himself right now and that he doesn't understand what's happening to him. He really loves you Cam, more than as just a friend or brother. Like he's in love with you which is why he's spent the last three days crying so much. He’s just too scared to admit it to you or himself which is why he's been avoiding you.”
“Oh my god, so I was right. I guess I fully deserved the punch for pushing him so far” Jon said rubbing the side of his face. I was still too much in shock to say much of anything and it must've shown on my face because Amy said, “I know, Cam. Trust me, it was a shock to him too. He came home crying Friday and kept asking me what was wrong with him. Then when he told me what he'd seen and it all made sense. He hasn't been himself all weekend. Anyway, I'm gonna head back. I'll give you guys some time to sort through everything.” Then she turned and opening the door, was gone.
As the door closed, I turned to look at my brother who had undoubtedly heard the entire exchange. “Are you okay Hayden bear?” I asked already knowing his answer.
“No but you already knew that. How am I supposed to face him now that he knows everything? I didn't even know he was up there” he answered starting to cry again and hanging his head into his hands. Putting my hands on his shoulders, I said “I didn't expect you to have an answer either little brother. I know it's going to be difficult but give him some time. Come on lets get back to class before they come back down and catch us standing here.” Taking his hands, I pulled him off the wall where he'd been leaning and started down the stairs still holding his left hand to comfort him as we walked.
Meanwhile on the other side of the door...
Cam stared at Jon while still touching his cheek.
“That's gonna be bruised tomorrow,” I said trying not to think about what just happened.
“Yeah but I totally deserved it. I didn't realize you were his first love too” Jon said with a week smile.
“Believe me, neither did I” I flinched and then continued, “I knew he was mine but I never imagined I was his. I never even dared to hope he would return my feelings. I'm not sure I can handle seeing him right now. I think I'll skip class and stay up here to think a while.”
“Alright, I'll head back then. Just try not to get too messed up thinking about it” Jon said then kissed me before leaving the roof. Walking back over to where I’d been hiding, I leaned my back against the wall and sliding down it curled into a ball as my tears begun to fall. After what felt like an eternity, the tears began to subside. Suddenly feeling guilty but not sure why I said aloud, “oh my god! Why did he have to realize it now? Why couldn't he have realized it sooner? Although that totally explains his recent behavior. Why was he crying up here all alone though when he had Amy to comfort him?” My thoughts trailed off as I heard the door close again. Not sure who was there I went still and quiet hoping I wouldn't be noticed. Turning to look, my heart dropped to when I saw Hayden leaning against the corner silently watching me. Realizing what I must look like, I reached up with both hands and covered my face. Turning away and pulling my knees to my chest I asked “how much did you hear?” then laid my forehead on his arms.
“Not much..” Hayden said, “but I came to tell you I'd be returning to the Do Jo tonight.” Truthfully, he'd heard almost everything but didn't have the courage to explain just yet.
“Okay,” I muttered into my chest. As I sat there trying to come to terms with Haydens’ feelings, I heard him move to stand just in front of me.
Standing in front of Cam, Hayden gazed over his friend debating how best to admit everything because he didn't want there to be anymore secrets between them. As he internally debated how to go about it he asked, “why did you agree to go out with Jonathan?” Taken aback by the sudden question, Cam flinched and then lifted his head to look at me.
“Why does it matter who I date when I can't be with the person I've been in love with for the last ten years?” Cam asked deciding not to mention what he'd just been told. Realizing that Cam wasn't going to ask and I decided I couldn't look at him when I said the next part, I turned my back to Cam.
“I know you heard everything Jonathan and I were talking about. I also know you talked to Amy just after I left because I was in the stairwell listening” I said unsure if I should turn back around as I continued, “it's all true. I realized it in the past few days after seeing you kiss Jonathan on Friday. I couldn't stop crying or figure out why I felt broken and betrayed. I don't blame you for my feelings. I'm still trying to figure things out too. Amy told me you came to see me that night after I'd fallen asleep.” Realizing I couldn't handle my own emotions at that moment, I turned and moved back towards the door. Placing my hand on the handle, I paused and said “I know this is a bit much to handle right now but if I don't say this I'll regret it and you deserve to hear it from me. Maybe one day I'll be able to look at you when I say it again but I do love you. I'm totally and completely in love with you Cameron. You don't have to do or say anything, I just wanted to tell you myself even if Jonathan and Amy had already said as much” and with that said I opened the door and disappeared back into the school leaving Cam staring after me.
Comments (0)
See all