Chapter Five: Take A Few Steps Back

"Because..He's gay."

I smiled as I remembered the night Andi had brought me home. That was nearly two weeks ago. Dad had been so mad at me and insisted I invite Andi in to "chat". I'd gone up to my room after which my mother came up to try to fuss over me and my knee. I told her off and she stormed out with me yelling into the night after her. After slamming the door, I went back to the living room to sit it out with Andi as he took on my father. It was nearly 11 o'clock by the time Dad had finished interrogating him. Which is also around the time I received a call from a very frantic Dave.

"Omg! Alex, Where have you been?! I left you a dozen of messages and you didn't respond to any of them! I've been worried sick about you! I was afraid something terrible had happened! Are you alright?!"

I checked my phones log. Yep. He was right, I had missed over a dozen calls all from Dave. I wonder why my phone didn't pick them up..

"Dave. Calm down. I'm fine.. I just lost track of time. I'm really sorry about forgetting we were going to hang out."

"No worries. I just, god, Alex you can't do that to me alright? You're my best friend and when you don't check in, I assume the worst. Out of curiosity though, where were you?"

"I was.. well I was with Andi. Remember that guy I was going to tell you about?"

"Yeah, I remember him, but you ditched me for some guy you just met?" Daves voice gave way to traces of anger.

I grimaced, "Dave, no. It wasn't like that."

"Oh really, what was it like than?"

"I hurt my knee in homeroom and I had to go to the nurse. When I got there she told me I'd need stitches, which hurt really bad by the way. Dad was working as usual so Andi offered to take me." I finished up, hoping he wouldn't notice anything was missing.

Apparently not as I heard a sigh come over the phone. I could almost see Daves frustration in my mind.

"Yes. I'm really sorry about the stitches but that still doesn't account for the other five hours or so."

"Truth?"

"Of course. I always want the truth from you Alex."

I sighed, "Well, I thought we were going back to school. I sort-of zoned out, I'll admit. We were driving and suddenly we were somewhere I've never been before. We talked for awhile and we just lost track of time. I'm sorry. Really. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Look. Alex babe, you didn't 'hurt' me. I was worried. That's all there is too it. I'm more upset with myself than you. I really needed you to be there for me tonight. Nine years ago you made me the promise that you would always be there for me. We both did. We sat at that damn park, on those damn swings and we promised. Tonight you broke that promise. I don't know if I can ever forgive you for that."

More and more tears formed in my eyes the longer he spoke. What he said hurt, I won't lie about that. I was afraid I could be loosing my best friend. And over what? Just some random guy I had met by chance. As interesting as Andi was, he wasn't worth loosing my best friend over. Dave was the only person in this world I could let my guard down around. He was only one I trusted with everything. I could be vulnerable with him. I didn't have to put up a strong front. I could be myself with him and I wasn't about to loose that, even if that meant I had to resort to begging

"Dave, please. I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I- It was accident. Please-"

"Stop, Alex, just stop. I don't want excuses. I love you, I truly do, but I can't deal with this right now. Don't be sorry because I am the one who is sorry. I- we just need some time away, okay. Just, please, don't call me. I'll call you when I'm ready. Bye."

A dial tone signaled Dave had hung up. I crumbled to my bedroom floor. I lost the one person who met everything to me. Please, don't get the wrong impression. Jenni is my best friend too but even with her I wasn't always my true self. Jenni was of the more classy type and being her best friend meant that applied to me as well. I could never let go and just be me the way I did with Dave. And now because of some stupid guy I might never have that back again.

A pained look had fixed itself onto my features. Dave and I still weren't talking. His decision. Not mine. Strangely, despite how angry I had been on that night with Andi, I had forgiven him. It wasn't his fault. These past two weeks we've only spoken briefly in the halls and I've begun to wonder if he may have forgotten I even exist.

As if on a cue, I received a tap on the shoulder from the right and a triangular note was tossed onto my desk. I glanced over to the girl who had thrown it there and she tipped her chin up to a guy in the front. I followed her gesture and my eyes were met with Andi's gorgeous green ones. Damn. He had to be telepathic or something! And I know what you're thinking. You're wondering how Andi and I ended up in the same class if I'm a freshman and he's a junior. I take an advanced math course. I'm good with numbers, deal with it.

I began unfolding the note, being careful to appear casual, as I felt Andi's gaze on me still.


You mentioned you wanted to learn how to skate two weeks ago.

How's tonight?

~Andi


Excitement bubbled in my chest, YES! I'd wanted to learn how to skate for years and now someone was finally offering to teach me!


I'd be glad to take you up on your offer =)
I have to stop by home first though so if you want to pick me up there, just give me a time.

~Alex


I refolded the note and passed it to my right, gesturing up towards Andi to indicate I wanted her to get it back to him. She smiled and nodded, passing it up. I watched Andi open it and saw his ever present smirk fall into place. Uh-oh. Something was up. Soon enough I got the note back and realized the reason for his smirk.


Your house, huh?

Last time I was there I found out I was apparently coming out of the closet.

I'm not so sure I wanna come back..

Lol =P

I'll pick you up 'round 5 or so.

Be ready.

~Andi


I laughed out loud and Mrs. Bonsa, the math teacher, raised her eyebrows in question. I quieted and pretended I hadn't seen and was writing the problems down. I sneaked a quick glance up to see she was helping another student, her attention completely off me.

I reopened the note and scribbled my response.


Lol, about that..um, I still haven't explained to my dad that you're not exactly gay so..

Just call and I'll come out okay?

349.9105

Cya @ 5!

~Alex


The note made its final round back up to Andi just as the bell rang, signaling the end of the period. I grinned at him as I made my way through the desks to exit the classroom, noting his slightly shocked expression as he skimmed what I had written. I was guessing he couldn't believe I hadn't confessed to my dad that he wasn't gay yet. Well, I guessed I'd find out tonight.

I called a quick goodbye to Mrs. Bonsa and stepped out into the sea of students crowding every inch of the hallway.