September 7th 2001

Charlie was now 16 years old attending a college in London. He had forgotten everything about his parents. He grew up in a loving family in London and has tried to blank out the memory of what his father had done to his mother.

He was in his first year at college. He passed his GCSE's with flying colours and decided to carry on with further education. He had chosen to study Philosophy, History, Geography and English. He was over the moon. He had a loving family, plenty of qualifications already and his best mates were with him the whole time.

Life couldn't get any better he thought to himself.

"Bugger, I got 22 lectures this week. I've only got 3 hours off." His mate Darren was saying. They had all just been given their time table for the next year.

"I got 19 lectures." Charlie said and paused. He was thinking about 19 but was interrupted when the bell went.

"I got to go. I have philosophy now as do you Chris. I'll meet up with you later." Charlie said and grabbed his bag. He looked back and waved at his two mates. He didn't know what he would do without Darren and Chris. They were always with him and they helped each other through some rough times. Darren and Chris had helped Charlie through some of his traumas. He had a fond memory of helping Chris through a rough patch, which made him feel good and proud of his mate. It takes a lot of courage to admit to your best mates that you're gay. He remembered when Chris first told them. He was so nervous but he knew it had to be done, and he was convinced they would never speak to him again. In fact, their friendship is much stronger now.

Even from this distance Charlie could clearly make out Chris' bruises across his face and the roughness on his face as well. Chris had been kicked out of his home by his parents when he told them his sexual preferences. They told him never to darken their door again. He was living with Charlie and his family for the time being but on top of that he was physically assaulted by some yobs who think gays, lesbians, Asians and black people should be killed. It wouldn't surprise him if they were strong supporters of the BNP party. He wasn't too badly wounded; as they only meant to scare him, not kill him however the incident left him scared to go out on his own. He saw Chris getting up to make his way towards Philosophy as well.

Charlie made off to his first lecture in college and was surprised when they were given a mock test of the Philosophy paper. He sat down quickly and looked about at his classmates. Chris had sat at the opposite end of the room as most spaces had been taken up when he had arrived. Charlie looked about and saw a girl looking at him. A girl who he only knew as Tina was staring right at him, making gestures. She was trying to make a pass at him. Charlie didn't know what to say but he thought Tina was very pretty. He thought she looked similar to Kate Moss except for the height and a few details.

"You're only going to be given two questions today as I don't expect many of you to do well. Give it your best shot and we'll see how well you do. You got 20 minutes. Turn over your papers and begin." The teacher at the front said. Charlie never caught his name as he was too interested in Tina but he turned over his paper and was greeted by the two weirdest questions he had ever been asked.

Question one. Write about taking a risk.

Charlie looked about at his classmates and could see they were filling up the entire page. They're obviously looking for something in particular; Charlie thought and decided to write down just one word.

This.

He had answered one question in less than a minute and moved on to question two.

Question Two. Write about the chair that is non-existent.

This is taking the biscuit, Charlie thought. The question made no sense at all. He had about enough of this rubbish when he decided to write down what he actually thought.

What chair?

Charlie got up and gave his paper in. As it was only two questions there was no need for the whole hour given. Some of his classmates sniggered when he got up, thinking how pathetic his answers must be. No-one else had finished their paper in 19 minutes.

19, Charlie thought. Why am I always thinking about 19?

He dismissed this thought from his mind and looked over at Tina. She was writing loads for her questions but stopped once in a while to look up. She looked at Charlie and gave another little smile.

He liked the way she smiled. He liked the look of her and was shocked when he started having thought of a sexual nature about her. He had thoughts like these before but never for total strangers.

He looked at Chris and saw that he had stopped writing for a moment. He could see Chris look about and his eyes resting on a lad in the back.

It's about time he started dating some guys. He's so far back in the closet he's in Narnia, Charlie thought.

Chris looked at Charlie and Charlie nodded his head towards the lad in the back. Chris knew what he was saying. There was no guarantee that the lad in the back was gay or interested in Chris, but there was only way to find out. He wanted Chris to talk to him later.

A few other people had got up and given their papers in early. There was still 5 minutes left of the test but he could see the teacher at the front marking the ones he had been given already.

Must have taken a few seconds for mine, Charlie thought.

Charlie looked back at Tina and thought about asking her out a little later. He was hoping that Chris would ask the lad out or at least make an effort to find a boyfriend. It's not easy coming out but he cannot stay in the closet for ever, Charlie thought.

"Time's up. Please hand your papers in." The teacher at the front said and a horde of people stood up to give their papers in.

"If you will all be patient, I think I will be able to mark all of these before the end of the lesson and give you a break down of how Philosophy works." The teacher said at the front and starting marking the papers he had just been given.

The class erupted in talk. Charlie went over to Chris.

"I saw the way you were looking at the lad in the back." Charlie said. The lad in the back was sitting on his own playing with his mobile.

"I don't think I can." Chris said.

"Yes you can. Look, you cannot stay in the closet for ever. At some point you will have to come out. I know it's not easy but he's a complete stranger to you so it is easier than coming out to your friends and to your family. There is no harm in trying." Charlie said.

"I'm scared. I like the look of him more than any one else in this room but I'm afraid he will reject me." Chris said.

"Life is like that. You can't pick and choose who you want to like and like back. Now please just ask him out. I hate for you to be about 40 and still in the closet." Charlie said and gestured Chris away. Chris looked at Charlie and got up and moved towards the lad in the back. Charlie didn't stare. He knew how uncomfortable Chris would get. Instead he got up and moved over to Tina.

"Hey, handsome." She said when Charlie sat beside her. This gave him a thrill as normally people don't start the conversation by saying Hey Handsome.

"Hey. I saw the way you looked at me over there." Charlie said.

"I saw the way you took a minute on the test. I thought that was pretty cool. What's your name? I'm Tina." Tina said.

"Charlie. Charlie Williams." Charlie said.

"Listen, do you want to go out for food later? I like the look of you and want to get to know you better." Tina said and this had made Charlie's day.

"Of course. What time?" Charlie said and couldn't help smiling.

"Say about 1215. Meet me at the gates. I will have to do something before we leave though." Tina said. Before Charlie could question her, the teacher had stood up and settled the class down.

"I have marked all your papers and one of you has already had full marks." The teacher said.

"Philosophy is about the way you think. Question one was write about taking a risk. It doesn't necessarily mean to write about a risk but I had some interesting answers. I'm not going to name one of you but you are very well correct. Mixing drinks and eating fish is taking a risk." The teacher said and one boy had gone a bit red.

"Question two was write about the non-existent chair. This is one of the favourite questions of the examiners but next lesson I'll go over it properly. As I said, one person has had full marks. Please stand up Charlie Williams." The teacher said and Charlie stood up. He was surprised considering he had only written three words and his name.

"Charlie here was thinking on the right lines when answering these questions. For the two questions he had only written three words. What Chair and This." The teacher said and was beaming. He did not expect anyone to get full marks. The bell rung and people started putting away their work.

"I'll explain everything next lesson. No homework." The teacher said and was greeted by cheers.

Charlie felt over the moon. He had best mates, passing one of his subjects already and a girl. Life seriously could not get any better.