No More Mio Amore

Chapter Ten “Expose”
 

November 4, 1999


Daphne walked out of the girl’s restroom, her knees shaking and her normal mocha colored skin, paled white.

“Shit, Daphne!” Justin whispered. “You need to go the nurse.”

Daphne shook her head. “Are you crazy? My class rank is tied with Millie Berkobitch’s. She hasn’t missed a day and her G.P.A. was the same as mine last quarter. I can’t risk missing a day of school.”

“But you look like shit, Daphne,” Justin replied. “Are you sure you can make through the rest of the day?”

“We’ve only got two classes. I’ll be fine. I already feel better.”

“You do?” Justin said, disbelievingly.

“Yeah, it must’ve been my chicken nuggets. I thought they looked a little old.”

“I told ya you should’ve had the soy burger,” Justin laughed.

“Come on, we got to get to class. You don’t want to get detention again,” Daphne pulled Justin’s hand and started to walk down the hall.

“Yeah,” Justin nervously replied.

“Or maybe you do want detention again,” Daphne giggled.

“Shut up,” Justin hissed.

Daphne continued to giggle as they dodged the throngs of students. “You do!”

Justin ran after her and tickled her sides. “Shut up Daffy Duck!”

***
 

“There’s my mom,” Daphne said. She pointed to the luxury BMW pulling up in front of the school.

“Have fun shopping. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Oh I will. I’ve been waiting to pick out my winter formal dress for the last four years!”

Justin watched as Daphne ran down the steps and got into her mom’s car. He slowly made his way down the same steps. It sucked that he’d have to walk home by himself; he could count the number of times he had to since kindergarten on one hand. It was cold outside and he liked having a body to help keep him warm.
 

***
 

“Hey! Taylor.” Chris pulled his white Camero up alongside the sidewalk’s curb.

Justin looked over and gave Chris a wave and a fake smile. “Hey.”

“Where’s your girlfriend at?”

Justin stopped himself from asking who he was talking about. “She went shopping with her Mom for winter formal.”

“You two going together?”

“Yeah I guess.”

“Yeah Millie asked me Monday.”

Justin laughed. “You said yes?”

“My Dad works for her Dad so…”

Justin cringed. “Riiight. The rules of the country club set.”

“What?”

“Never mind.” Justin turned and started walking again.

“Want a lift?” Chris kept the car idling and allowed it to creep alongside the empty suburban street.

Justin shook his head and continued walking. “No thanks. I’ve only got a few blocks left.”

“Yeah, I know where you live,” Chris said. “I went to your birthday party remember?”

“That was like in the fifth grade.” Justin laughed.

“So? Have you moved?”

“No.”

“Then get in, I’ll drive you the last couple of blocks. I’m freezing my ass off with the window unrolled.”

Justin reluctantly walked to the other side of the car and got in the passenger seat. He took his gloves and warmed his hands in front of the heater. “Thanks.”

“I don’t mind, I live just past your house now.”

“You do? Since when?”

“Since a couple months ago. My parents got a divorce so me and my dad moved in with my grandparents.”

“Sorry.”

Chris shrugged. “She was off fucking some guy she worked with. He was fucking someone else too.”

“Sex makes everything complicated.”

“Yeah,” Chris replied. He pulled up in Justin’s driveway. “Your parent’s home?”

“No, Mom’s probably doing some P.T.A. shit at my sister’s school.” Justin wished he wouldn’t have said that. He could tell Chris wanted to be invited in.

Chris put the car in park. “Cool.”

“Yeah…” Justin nervously turned to get out of the car.

Chris grabbed Justin’s arm to stop him. “Wait!”

“Oh, yeah thanks for the ride,” Justin deadpanned.

Chris sloppily put his hand on the back of Justin’s neck and leaned in close to him.

Justin was shocked at first, but he jolted out of his stupor when Chris puckered his lips. He moved his head and pushed Chris back in his seat. “What are you doing?”

“I know you’re queer,” Chris spoke, as if that explained his actions.

“So? So are you!”

“No… I’m not I…I…”

“You…you… you got a hand job from me and you liked it! You’re queer.”

Chris narrowed his eyes. “That’s bullshit! A hand is a hand. If some girl was throwing herself at me…”

“I wasn’t throwing myself at you!”

“You did!”

“Bullshit. You made the first move in the equipment room. And you just tried to kiss me. What the fuck?”

“You’re delusional Taylor.”

“Fuck off!” Justin growled. He opened the car door and got out as quick as possible. He turned and looked Chris in the eyes. “Fag,” Justin whispered. He slammed the car door after him and ran up to his house as Chris peeled the Camero out of his driveway.
 

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