chapter 3A Chapter by Jorge Ramos
Several weeks went by, were everyone got into the same routine: Justin’s mother left for work at nine, Charlie came over at ten to ten-thirty and they played video games, or walked to the nearby park. After a while Charlie and Justin were the best of friends. Nicole rarely came into the picture. Once in a while they would bump into her at the park. And they would go to her house once every two weeks, Where as Charlie and Justin were together almost always. Charlie and Justin walked to Justin’s house one weekend were Justin’s mom was on a business trip for the whole weekend. They both were sitting on the couch watching TV when suddenly Charlie said abruptly, “Dude! you should throw a party!” Justin just looked at Charlie “what the hell are you talking about?!” he put the television on mute. “I cant throw a f*****g party, my mom would freak if she found out!” Charlie laughed, “She’s not gonna find out dude, relax u just leave it all to me ill get it set up and u just be here alright?” “Char I’m not throwing a party, besides I don’t even have food or anything for the party.” “I said don’t worry about it Ill get it under control u just relax, what do u say?” Charlie leaned over and stared down Justin. He was a bit to close for Justin’s comfort, but Justin knew that there was no changing Charlie’s mind. “I don’t know Charlie. Wont we get in trouble?” Justin asked Charlie as Charlie backed off. “Na, the neighbors down the street always throw parties and they never get in trouble.” He waved his hand in a downward motion disregarding the statement. “Charlie were not having a party” Justin crossed his arms and turned to the TV “not at all” “oh my god Justin you don’t know how to have a good time!” he too crossed his arms and turned to the TV. “but its your house so do what u want” “I will thank you.” Justin replied. He smiled because he got his way. “I’m hungry though.” Said Charlie. “that’s why you’re so fat.” Justin said as he reached for the remote to un-mute the television. “I’m not fat dude, its muscle” Charlie said as he got up to the fridge. “and besides Your not Mr. body builder Yourself.” Said Charlie, “I mean look at yourself” “what? I’m not freaking fat Char, this is all freaking muscle.” “whatever.” Said Charlie as he took a bite of an apple he got from the fridge. He then walked over and re joined Justin on the sofa, to watch TV. “Oh dude did u here about uh, what’s his face… uh… the kid with the dark brown hair…” “Malcolm?” Justin asked. “No” Charlie replied “Jack?” he questioned the second time. “No, no, uh… Joey!” Charlie said as he snapped his finger. “No what happened to Joey?” Justin asked curiously. “Oh dude, the guys at the end of the street beat him up! It was so freaking weird though because the mauled him bad.” Charlie said. “Why did they do that!?” Justin asked. “Well apparently the guys down the street are big anti-gay freaks, and u knows how Joey came out last week?” “Oh yea I heard about that” “Yea well they beat him up because he was gay” “Wow that sucks.” “Yea, I mean the kid never did a thing to anyone. I feel bad for him.” “Yea me too. But that’s what u get for being gay.” “What?” “I mean if you’re going to talk and be like oh I’m gay I’m gay! Then u knew u had it coming” “Well it’s not like he asked to get beat up” “Uh, he kind of did.” “What, just because he’s gay?” Charlie was now standing; he seemed to be getting very defensive of Joey. “Dude chill, I mean, being gay is a choice so he kind of had it waiting for him.” “Ok first of all, being gay is not a choice and second he’s human too Justin, just because he’s different you don’t go and beat him up for it!” He was now using his arms to explain. Justin just looked up from his purple couch and listened. “Listen to me Justin, were all human, weather we are gay straight bi, have a disability or whatever.” “Alright dude chill, I didn’t know u were going to freak out.-” “Uh, because you’re not, and u don’t… are you?” “what if I am!? Does it make our friendship awkward?! If it does then I’m sorry but I just cant be friends with you.” “SO YOU ARE?!” “I never said that” “but u just said-“ “never mind what I just said, the point is that all humans are the same whether black, white, gay, or straight.” “okay.” “bye I’m leaving now.” And Charlie marched out the door. He was still a bit furious. But Justin knew he would calm down. After a good thirty minutes, Justin heard a loud knock on his front door. He went open the door to find Charlie. “uh… I was wondering if I could spend the night here.” “um... why?” “em… see the thing is that I sort of forgot my house keys inside my car, and my car key inside my house… and I’m sorta locked out of my house, and my dad has the only other spare key to the house and he wont be back from Arkansas till Monday…” Justin sighed and stepped to the side. “come on in then, ur gona have to stay in my bedroom with me because my mom locked her room and took the key before leaving, and the guest room is being turned into an office.” “okay.” “okay.” “um. Sorry bout freaking out earlier.” “don’t worry its okay, it was funny actually” Justin said as he laughed. “ha ha yea.” Justin led Charlie to his purple couch. "well, I usually don’t go to bed till later" Justin said as he glanced over cooly at his clock. " and its barley nine ten” Charlie said nervously looking around. The next half hour was awkward for the both of them; after Charlie’s outburst their wasn’t much to talk about. Justin sat on the purple couch staring at the television screen. Charlie stiffly followed suit, glancing every now and then at Justin. “wow this is boring” Justin said as he changed the channel. Justin glanced at Charlie. “um, yea.” Charlie mumbled. “why are you so quiet?” Justin said as he turned the volume down, now facing Charlie. “I dunno Justin,” Charlie looked down “why are you quiet?” “erm… well, I don’t know.” Justin played with his thumbs. “Charlie I really didn’t want to offend you earlier. I didn’t know u felt so strongly about it.” “No its ok.” Charlie said as he yawned. “I’m kind of tired; Justin, do u mind if I go to bed a bit early?” Justin got up and ushered Charlie to the stairs. “no Its fine with me” Justin said as he walked up the steps. Justin entered his room, heading to his closet pulling out a small blue portable bed. “well there you go, theirs blankets and stuff in the closet, I’m gonna go watch a little more television and ill be up in a bit.” “okay.” Charlie turns away and unfolds the creaking bed, collapsing into a table like formation, lower than his knees. two hours later; Justin sat in his living room flipping through the channels. He rearranges the pillows to fit his liking. Justin looked to the distance; yawning once more. Just then the grandfather clock his mother recently bought stuck a deep note, reminding Justin that he still needed sleep. Justin Switched off the lights, after turning off the television. He dragged himself upstairs and headed to his room. There he could hear the quiet breaths of Charlie. One arm over his face; as if trying to stop the light from entering his dark brown eyes; now closed. Justin watched Charlie breath as he studied Charlie’s breath pattern his eyes scanned the room, locating his large bed. He slid over and landed on his bed with a big plop. He was more than glad just to know that this crazy day was finally at its end.
© 2009 Jorge RamosAuthor's Note
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1 Review Added on April 29, 2008 Last Updated on January 5, 2009 AuthorJorge RamosStuart, FLAboutAs you live, you learn from your mistakes, you grow from what you've learned. I think that everything that I do, all the things that influence me, like music family friends, made me what I am today. l.. more..Writing
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