Chapter 5: Cold Front
By Victory Thru Tears
Guy's POVConnie had already told me about Coach's choice to make her Captain. He had talked to her the night before, and she had rushed over to tell me.
I can't say that I'm thrilled, though.
Coach thinks she's been displaying good leadership qualities. I wonder if he'd still think that if he knew that the only leading she was doing was in the campaign against the Queertet.
I don't have a problem with it. They're the same people.
Also, I've known for a while. Since last year's Ducks Christmas party, actually. By the expression that Adam had on his face when he opened Charlie's gift, one could just tell.
Yeah, that and I saw them making out later that night.
I didn't tell anyone for a few reasons: a) It was none of my business b) I knew the Ducks would react the way they did, and c) I knew they weren't ready for the world to find out. They're two of the greatest friends I've ever had and I didn't want them mad at me.
Connie turns to me, her face glowing as Coach Orion leaves the room after making his announcement. I'm almost repulsed by her look. That's not good. I've been dating her for four years, had a crush on her for six, and known her for eight. I shouldn't be repulsed. I'm supposed to love her.
Our relationship has been on rocky terms since the dance. She's always told me that she can't stand gay people, but I thought she'd be able to tolerate our friends. Every time I stick up for them she gets a little bit madder at me. Every time she gets a little bit madder at me, she lashes out at them even more. It's a vicious cycle.
She stands up, her small frame seeming much bigger to me at that moment.
"Well, as first act as your Captain, I'm ordering that the Queertet find somewhere else to change. We don't want to see them go at each other."
I see Fulton and Portman roll their eyes at each other, but Charlie actually looks hurt. One would think that he'd get used to the abuse, but I'm sure its not that easy.
"Whatever you say, Captain." Charlie grabs his things, and heads to the other side of the locker room. The other three follow him.
I can't take this. I pick up my street clothes, and follow them. There's a rustling behind me. Julie and Russ are following.
The seven of us start to change, our backs to each other. I can hear Luis making lurid comments about Russ, but not a word is said about me. I can only imagine how mad Connie is.
People filter out of the locker room until only the Queertet, Julie, and I are left. Russ has made a quick exit to be with Ken and Dwayne; he knows they won't start ragging on him.
I hear a loud crashing noise and see that Charlie has slammed his mask against the lockers. His sobs are obvious from the heaving of his shoulders.
I'm terrified. I've never seen Charlie get like this. Adam is trying to calm him down. It looks as if I'm going to witness my first real Charlie/Adam moment.
Adam has his arms around his boyfriend and is shushing him quietly. Fulton clears his throat, and I realize that I'm staring.
"Sorry." I mutter, looking away.
Charlie settles down, and finishes getting dressed. Banks and the Bash Brothers are waiting, already fully clothed.
"You're mine too, Guy." Charlie gives me a grateful smile before the Queertet leaves the locker room.
I don't know how, but I know that he was talking about what I had said yesterday. I feel myself blush as the door closes.
Julie is staring at me thoughtfully.
"I'm proud of you." She says. "It takes guts to stand up to Connie…and we're in the toughest positions as the best friend and the boyfriend."
"Yeah, but I don't know how much longer I can take it," I confide in her. "It's getting tougher to even look at her, as pretty as she is. Her inside is just rotten."
"You don't have to live with her." Julie puts her bag over her shoulder, and we start to walk out together.
"How's Scooter?" I ask, wondering how she's doing with her own boyfriend.
She shrugs. "Don't know."
I glance at her with interest.
"I guess it's just once a Varsity goon, always a Varsity goon." She chuckles bitterly. "I thought he was different."
I don't want to tread on shaky ground, so I decide to leave it as it is. We part after leaving the ice rink, and I'm left alone with my thoughts.
Questions are flowing through my mind.
Should I break up with Connie?
Do I want the Ducks to separate?
How can I prove my loyalty to Charlie and Adam without getting on the others' bad side?
I sigh as I reach my new dorm room. I open the door, and am greeted with a venomous look from Luis.
"Look, it's the recent addition to the Queertet. Are we going to have to start calling you guys the Queertuplets now?"
I throw my bag down in silence, and retreat to the other side of the room, armed with a CD player and a good book.
It's pathetic that I have to lock myself into the bathroom to be able to get some peace.