Chapter Six
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Hunter turned quickly and saw Shane in the doorway with the others. "Guys . . ." he began, his chest tightening in fear. He stopped, unsure of what to say, and looked back at Dustin. But he looked equally at a loss for words.
The others entered the room slowly and Tori came over to them. "Is there something . . .—what is this?"
Dustin took a breath. "Well . . ." he began. "Uh, you see we—" he looked at Hunter.
Hunter took over. "Well what does it look like?" he asked sharply, feeling his defenses rising inside him as he watched their reactions.
"Something I really hope it isn't," Shane said, folding his arms.
Tori looked at Dustin. "Are you guys playing with us or something? I mean, is this just a big joke? Cause if it is, it's totally not funny."
"No joke, Tor," Dustin said, trying to smile but failing.
She shook her head and turned away. "This is too weird."
Dustin took her arm quickly. "Tori come on. It's no big deal, right?"
Shane looked at him, pulling his arm off Tori. "No big deal? How can you say that?"
"I can't believe this," Tori said. "You guys are gay? How could you not tell us? And together?" She took a breath. "This is so wrong."
"Calm down," Hunter said. "Look, I'm sorry I never said anything before, but is it really so bad?"
Shane stepped up to him, a look of disgust on his face. "Dude, we just walked in and saw you two making out! I mean . . . god, that's gross!"
"There's nothing gross about it!" Blake snapped at him, shoving him away from Hunter as he came forward. "What's your problem? Man, I thought you'd all be okay with this!"
"Wait, you knew about this?" Shane asked. "Why didn't you say something?"
"It wasn't exactly my place!" Blake said. "I don't get you guys at all."
"Well it's not like everything's crystal clear to us," Tori said. She looked at Dustin again. "Why didn't you ever tell us?"
Dustin looked at her quietly. "Maybe cause I didn't want this to happen."
Cam came over to them slowly, breaking his silence. "Guys, maybe we should give them a little space." He looked at Dustin, then Hunter. "You guys can talk about it when you feel like it."
Hunter nodded at Cam, grateful for his level head. He couldn't find the words to say anything, but Cam's eyes held understanding, and he motioned for the others to leave.
She turned, but looked back. "But how could—"
"Go," Cam cut him off. "Come on, it can wait."
Shane sighed and left with the others. Blake flashed an apologetic look at his brother and Hunter tried to give him a smile, but he couldn't. He watched them all go and looked at Dustin. "What do we do now?"
"I have no idea," Dustin answered quietly.
--
Cam went back to the living room with the others and stood there silently for a moment. "What's the matter with you guys?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" asked Shane.
Cam turned to face him. "Look, I understand that you're surprised, but did you have to react that way?" He sat down on the couch. "It's a shock, but it doesn't change anything."
"Like hell it doesn't," Shane said. "It changes everything, obviously we don't even know who they are!"
"They're still the same people," Blake said. "Look, this really isn't as big a thing as you think it is."
"How could you say that?" Tori asked. "They've been hiding this from us, pretending they were normal, and then we walk in and see that? How long has this been going on?"
"It hasn't been," Blake stated. "Not until tonight." He shook his head. "You know, Hunter was so worried about how you'd all react, he wouldn't say so but he was scared to death. But I told him you'd be fine with it, that it wouldn't bother you. I thought you'd be able to accept who they are."
"Well, I guess you thought wrong," Tori said sharply. "Cause I cannot accept this."
"So what are you going to do?" Cam asked, leaning forward. "You can't change it, are you really gonna let it ruin your friendships? Is it that important?"
"You know," Shane said. "You might not think of this as a big deal, but it is to us, okay? I for one can't accept that two of my best friends are not only gay but . . . together. It's disgusting, and it freaks me out."
Tori took a breath. "Look, I'm gonna go get some air, okay? I have to think about this a while. I'll see you all later."
She got up and Shane nodded. "I'm with you. Later, guys."
Blake watched them leave, then looked at Cam, sighing. "I don't know what to tell you."
Cam shook his head, standing up. "I'm sorry this happened," he said.
"Me too," he said. "I just hope they come to their senses and realize what they're doing. Otherwise . . . well, it's over. For all of us."
He looked at Blake a moment. "What about Tori?"
"That'll be over too," Blake said quietly. "There's no way I could do it, it wouldn't be right."
Cam nodded, then took a breath. "Come on, we'd better go ourselves." He paused. "Do you want to go get a drink or something?"
Blake nodded, smiling just a little. "Sure." He paused. "Thanks, Cam. I know it means a lot to Dustin and Hunter, you being there for them, and it means a lot to me too."
Cam nodded. "I just wish everyone else would try to understand."
"Me too," he agreed.
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