I know. I know. But at least this is a long one for you. Alot going on here. Finally getting to the real good stuff. Just a side note, after rereading the stuff I've written, I deff want to re-do this story once it's done. There's just so many holes and mistakes. Either way
You know the deal. I don't support underage sex, drugs, drinking. I don't support obsessive behavior. But I do support your support so read and review, please?
Randy's nails were a mess. He had been gnawing and chewing them off so much lately.
He was riddled with anxiety.
It's been a mix of things, really. 1-School. His Dad had been on his case because Randy hadn't joined any sports teams. 2-His ever questioning/ denial of his possible sexuality. 3-Being a teenager sucked.
Who ever said high school was the best years of a person's life was obviously false advertising.
Good news is, his grades for math were definitely better since he starting going to John Cena for tutoring about a week ago. It was a week away from Thanksgiving day. The talent show is in 3 days (Friday). The next Thursday was the Thankgiving day homecoming football game. The school football team went against their rival school. And the following night was the homecoming dance.
To which Randy had no date. He was happy about that, though. He had heard there were girls in the freshman and sophomore class that would have passed out if he had asked them to the dance. But he wasn't interested. He really didn't even want to go. But his friends pressured him into it. Okay. So Evan pressured him into it.
Evan pretty much spewed something about how Randy would regret not going to the dance. That it would be fun. Etc. Etc. Blah blah blah.
Randy mostly nodded so Evan would stop nagging him. ... And because the thought of Evan in dress slacks was a tempting taboo thought.
Sigh. As the days agonizingly went by, Randy became more aware his his attraction to guys. Or rather his unattraction towards girls. He tried. He really did. But he never found himself looking at the girls in his school with anything other than boredom.
He hated the thought really. He hated that he was most likely gay.
He really wished this was a damn phase.
He nibbled at his thumb nail, wincing as he ripped it too low.
He looked at his math textbook, but he was blanking out. He must have read the same line 4 times before he stopped trying all together. It was hopeless trying while his thoughts were deeply somewhere else.
He prayed it was just a phase. Because what would his family think? What would Evan think?
God.
Randy thought he might even turn to prayer if it meant he could fix himself.
Because with all reality, Randy felt broken. His eyes were broken for not finding a girl's chest appealing. His heart was malfunctioning since it would skip a beat at the sight of Evan's sweaty body during gym. His hands were failing him when they itched to touch himself at the thought of what Evan's mouth could do(other than nag him). Randy had a glitch that he couldn't fix and it was slowly taking over his entire system.
He could feel a lump form in his throat from the thoughts, but he pushed it back with a swallow. And then he nibbed on another nail.
Randy jumped out of his thoughts when he heard a soft whap! on the textbook in front of him. He looked up at John, who sat across him on John's bed.
"Okay," John started. "What's bothering you? Because you have been staring into space this whole time. Talk to me."
Randy's face heated with embarrassment, but like he did with the lump in his throat and with a majority of his feelings, he pushed it away. "I think you're seeing things, Cena. I am obviously thinking about-" He looked down at his textbook and then continued, "Why the hell Dayquan needs to buy 40 watermelons."
John gave him a serious look before smirking "Because the person who made this book was racist?"
He took a second to think about it but then Randy chuckled.
John cleared his throat, then. "No. Honestly, if you want to talk to me about what's on your mind, feel free, man. You look like you're going through some shit and it's not good to keep that bottled in."
Randy gnawed at the inside of his tongue, looking back down at his textbook while he thought. His mouth opened as if he was going to speak, but it closed a millisecond after. He wanted to ask John about the pride flag on the nightstand behind him. He wanted to ask him if he knew anyone gay or was just a ally. He wanted to ask John if John thought he could be gay.
But in the end, he just couldn't do it. He couldn't say anything other than, "I'm good. Just tired."
Beth walked out of the girl's locker room and rounded back into the gym where some of the guys from the team were talking. Practice had ended a while ago, but these were the stragglers. They all chit chatted for a few minutes before most of them had to catch their rides home. Beth had her own car, so she was one of the last ones to make her way out the school doors.
Beside her was that short freshman kid with the huge smile that had punched that Stu kid a few months ago.
He was talking about thier first meet soon. He was super smiley and energized. It made Beth happy by association.
"You know you have a really beautiful smile."
Beth looked at Evan after he said that to her. Her cheeks blazed with a lovely pink dusting.
Did he just compliment her?
She didn't get compliments very often... okay honestly she never got them besides from her best friends. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know how to take it. "Thanks," she said.
Evan smirked up at her. "I would- uh, I would love to see you smile more. It lights up the room," he remarked, leaning in towards her ever so slightly.
Was he flirting with her?
Beth had no clue what to do. She never really had someone flirt with her. She never really had a relationship even. How do you reply to someone flirting with you?
Matter of fact, how do you handle a freshman flirting with a senior?
She was flattered, but she was so unsure what to do.
Of course only a freshman would find her attractive when no one else did- not even herself.
So she did the first thing that came to mind. She smiled shyly and nodded softly.
"Well I got to go," Evan said nerviously. He held his arms out for a hug.
Beth kept the shy smile on her lips as she bent a bit to hug the younger boy. "Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Evan put his bike against the side of the shed in his backyard before trekking up the stairs to the porch door, exhausting from practice. But he was giddy. He gave Beth a hug. And she smelled so nice. She really was so pretty.
He opened the door and slid in, hearing his parents bicker in the living room.
That was normal lately. They were always arguing. Though they pretended everything was alright when he was around.
When he closed the door behind him, his mom poked her head out the living room doorway with a grin plastered on her face. Even knew that was fake as fake could be. "Hey, honey! Dinner will be ready in about an hour."
He smiled at her, if only to make her think he didn't know her and dad were at it again. "Thanks, mom. Just gonna change."
Up in his room he dumped his dirty sweaty clothes in the hamper and put on some basketball shorts and a tshirt. He then practically jumped onto his bed, face in the pillow with a dopey smile. Talking to Beth today had his heart pounding. Mostly because she actually talked to him back. It felt so good to have a girl's attention, even for a short amount of time.
Evan looked at the time on his nightstand. Randy was probably still studying at John's, but he decided to text him anyway. He dug the stupid pre-paid flip phone from his pocket. His parents refused to get him a decent phone. If he wanted one he would have to work for it himself. Who even had flip phones? Who still sold flip phones?!
To Randy: Hey man, guess who I talked to today?
Randy didn't respond right away, probably busy.
Evan frowned at that. Randy always texted him right back. It made Evan feel important.
Truly, Evan needed Randy in his life. That's why Evan was always nagging him and pressuring him to do well in school and to join the same sports as him. He needed his best friend to be there.
Because when life got tough, he knew he could trust Randy to just make him laugh and take his mind off things.
But lately, with Randy studying with John and Evan at wrestling practice, they have barely hung out, except for in gym and homeroom. And it made Evan feel lonely. He missed his best friend. He needed to tell him how mom and dad kept on fighting about whatever. Or about how he thought Beth was an amazing wrestler. Or about how he thought Mike and Melina secretly loved eachother.
He needed his friend. But... life.
Randy looked at his phone when it buzzed and picked it up. He hoped it was Evan. And he internally grinned when it had been.
He took the second to answer, cradling his phone above his lap.
To AirBourne: Who?
To Randy: Beth! That girl on my wrestling team!
To Airbourne: The senior girl?
To Randy: Yeah! Dude we were talking and she has such a cute smile. SO I TOLD HER I THOUGHT HER SMILE WAS BEAUTIFUL. Imma freak.
To Airbourne: Oh
To Randy: And like we hugged. She's really cool. I wonder if she thought I was cute.
Randy frowned deeply. His heart hurt.
To Airborne: You're adorable. Like a teddy bear with glasses, Airbourne... Okay I'll talk to you later gotta get back to work."
On the other side of the phone, Evan rolled his eyes.
But Randy didn't go straight back to work. He needed to compose himself, so he muttered to John that he was going to take a piss. "Be right back."
John had of course been watching Randy the whole time he was typing on the phone. Because John couldn't help himself. He was curious teenage bisexual football player with the gift of gab.
But regardless he watched as Randy went from happy little kid to depressed emo kid in 2 minutes flat. And it made John's lips twitch down. He took a quick peak at Randy's phone -which he left, screen still on. And John quickly scanned the messages from where he sat, not actually touching the phone. Before the screen could shut off he caught a few words. He assumed that Randy had Evan under Airbourne on his phone.
Well, John would never guess Evan like Beth. Not that she wasn't a cool girl. Nice, athletic, pretty. She just was kind of shy and had some obvious self-esteem issues.
John mulled over why Randy would be upset over that conversation.
He could make a good guess.
Well, John decided he would just have to ask Randy when the time was right.
But not now. That would be awkward, especially after Randy was coming back from the bathroom.
Melina was walking down the hall the next day after school. He hair was up in a high ponytail, straight and long. She never realized how long her hair was until Milena straightened it for her the other day. She really liked it.
Her skirt was highwaisted and abover her knee, making her legs look longer. Her shirt was showing just enough cleavage not to get in trouble. But her shoes were sensible. The other day she wore wedge booties, and nearly fell on her ass going down the stairs. So today she wore converses. It made life easier.
Her eyes immediately spotted the tall and toned body of a certain long haired senior at his locker. John Hennigan.
What a fucking sexy ass man. He just radiated with pheromones, drawing Melina in like a fly to sugar.
She scurried up to where he was and tapped his arm. "Hey," she managed in a low sultry voice. She didn't know where that voice came from, but she was okay with it.
Hennigan smirked down at her when he saw who it was. The cute freshman from the halloween party. "Hey."
She saw his eyes scan her up and down, suddenly becoming self-conscious. In a swift breathe she tightened her belly in and put her shoulders back. Melina had to look good if she wanted to attract a guy like John Hennigan. Honestly, she was worried he only asked her to dance on Halloween because he had too much to drink. But she wasn't going to be the wall flower waiting. She was going to bag the sexiest single senior.
Hennigan appreciated the view. Her body was perfect. She had curves in the right places. He was sure he could have her if he wanted. And nothing was stopping him.
John Hennigan, of course wasn't the kind of guy to be tied down in a relationship. He was a hit and a quick kind of guy. But everyone knew that. Girls didn't come to Hennigan to change him into a good boyfriend. They came to him for a good ol' fucking.
Melina didn't know that. She was blissfully thinking she could be this hot guy's girlfriend.
"How are you?" Melina smiled.
Hennigan closed his locker and leaned back against it, completely casual. His eyes lowered ever so slightly as he looked down at the shorter girl. "Better now that I saw that beautiful face." He wasn't looking at her face. He was looking at her chest. She didn't realize.
Melina practically grinned. She leaned her body in a fraction and said, "Well, then I've done my good deed for the day."
A smirk tugged up the senior's lips. "Want to catch a bite to eat, Saturday?"
"Sure," Melina quipped, unable to say something witty. She was just so excited she could feel her body vibrating. This was going to be her first date.
Cody Runnels slumped to the floor panting. He was exhausted. He had gone through his routine with Layla for the talent show a billion times. But he would probably keep practicing until he could do it like it was breathing. Because he had to be perfect. He had to get Teddy's attention. He couldn't bare not having the love of his life not pay attention to him any longer.
That's why he convinced the teachers in charge of the talent show to let Layla dance with him. She went to a different school so she wasn't automatically allowed to perform, but after some pleading, the teachers okayed it. He looked over at her pretty eyes and mused how lucky he was to have one female friend that he could talk about guys with. Phil was extremely against any mention of penis or male butts. Cody rolled his eyes at the thought of Phil's disgusted face.
"Cody," Layla sighed. "If we do this routine one more time, my legs are going to break off."
The slight British accent was exhausted. Cody knew it was time to stop. They had school tomorrow, but he was just couldn't stop.
He smiled at her with a small smile on his pretty face. "Go on home, Lay. I'm just going to stay a bit longer and blow some steam off."
She was right again. Not that Cody would admit it.
Layla stood and grabbed her bag from the back wall. Before leaving she swooped down and placed a kiss on his cheek. "I'll see you on Friday for the show, okay?"
And with a wave she was gone. But he was ready to go again. So he picked himself off. Went to the iphone speakers and pressed play on the song again.
He began to dance around the room, body doing the moves like it already knew the way.
The next day after school, Randy sat in John Cena's room, just as nervous as he was the last time he was there. But his nails were all chewed off so he had nothing to fidget with.
He needs to ask John if he knows anyone gay, that he can talk to. He needed a person who knew what he was feeling to help him clear his head. Help him calm his nerves.
John was currently in the bathroom taking quick shower. He skipped showering after football practice or wrestling practice so he could come home as soon as possible and see Randy. He just couldn't wait to see those dazzling blue eyes and smart smirk. It made his heart pound in his chest.
Surely, John wasn't in love with the boy, was he? He couldn't be. For one, John didn't believe in love in high school. He knew that the whole high school sweethearts never really held up. You aren't grown enough to really know who you would be happy with. People change alot after high school or so he's seen. So no. He couldn't possibly love someone he wasn't even dating. This was a simple crush. yeah.
Simple, heart pounding, nervous smiles, anxious emotional crush.
John dried his body and pulled on a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt. He sniffed his shirt just in case he smelled and decided to be safe and spritz a bit of Axe.
When he walked into his room (ignoring his brother's loud voices from the living room) he saw Randy lying back on his bed, his legs over the side, arms over his head. John admired the view and thanked god he wasn't in the awkward boner stage anymore because he was pretty fucking sure he'd have one right now. Because if he was being honest, the image of a handsome creature like Randy Orton laying on your bed was jerk off material.
He sat on the bed, surprising the younger man. But Randy stayed laying. Randy looked up at him for a second before turning to the ceiling. His face was a mix of worry and anxiety. John knew that Randy needed to get something off he chest, but the younger boy was on hesitant.
John just waited in silence, getting his school stuff out of his bag and turning to the worksheet their math teacher had given out. He read the directions and wrote his name at the top corner while he waited for Randy to figure out what he needed to do.
Even though Randy wasn't facing Cena, he watched him from the corner of eye.
Okay, Orton. Ask him.
Just ask him if he knew anyone gay. You don't even need to mention your own fucked up emotions and questionable motives. Simply ask him and if he wants to know why you're asking, point at the damn flag. The flag that practically taunted Randy everytime he looked at it. It was a flag that could possibly define his future.
Oh God.
Randy's stomach was in knots. He was nauseous.
John could see the inner turmoil flashing on his crush's face. So he thought he'd just distract him. "Okay. So the worksheet isn't too bad. It's just the multi step equations we were doing in class today. Solving for x, like a balancing scale."
He looked down at Randy, who just stared back at him. John gulped and looked away. Randy's gaze was so intense it made John's pulse quicken. John was also scared by it. Like Randy could read his mind.
Randy sat up and decided to get to work. He took he homework out and scanned the page before sighing loudly. He hated math.
Phil rolled over, laying next to his girlfriend as they both panted. He planted soft kisses to her dark red hair.
Amy turned and slung her over Phil's body. She let her eyes close and smiled contently.
That hadn't been their first time. They had sex a few other times before, but this time it was better. It wasn't as new and nervous. Their first time was very awkward. Alot of fumbling around. But they had finally gotten a rhythm down.
They were quiet for a while, trying to get their breathing under control. Amy then got up and went to attached bathroom. While she cleaned up and did what she needed to do, Phil took the condom off and tossed it out. His parent's didn't care enough about him to react to a used condom in his trash so he didn't care to hide it.
Amy came back out and started to dress. "I have to go before my mom calls me freaking out."
She was fixing her hair in the bureau mirror, when she suddenly remembered something important. "Hey. So my uncle's getting married in Mexico over the weekend so I going down with my parents on Saturday. I won't be back until Monday after Thanksgiving."
Phil didn't know how to react. He was cool with the whole thing. Why wouldn't he be. It was family and she was most likely going to have fun. So he was happy for her. But He found it a bit irking that she just now told him. Amy must have known about this for a while. And they had been dating for almost a year, so why didn't she tell him before? Unless she wasn't sure she was going. Either way, she had never mentioned it.
He smiled at her reflection in the mirror. "I'll miss you."
I'll miss you too, baby." She came over a gave him a sweet kiss on the lips before her phone started to ring. "Time to go. I'll text you later."
Another kiss and she was gone.
Phil picked up the comic he had on his night stand and started reading it, as if he didn't have a gross feeling brewing in his stomach about how dismissive Amy had been about going to Mexico for a week.
Randy was whining. John was so amused by it. Randy was just groaning and whining at the last problem on the worksheet. It was a wierd problem.
Randy could get two answers, but they weren't total answers. What the fuck. He kept thinking he was doing something wrong.
"It's a trick question," John said, humor in his voice.
Randy looked up with murder in his eyes. "I've been agonizing over this problem and you wait 10 minutes to tell me that."
"Well, Candy I just wanted to see you squirm."
Randy gave him a grossed out look. "Only freaks enjoy seeing a person die from math."
John laughed. "What can I say? I have a thing for hard problems."
Randy's mouth opened a bit in shock. "Gross dude," he said seriously but his mask cracked and his laughed. "You have problems."
John shrugged. "So the problem is 4m+4=4m. You can't solve that. It'll just go back and forth, so there is no answer. Just write N/A or something."
Randy did just that and pretty much shoved the paper back into his folder and then shoved the folder in his backpack. He took out his English homework. He just had to write down his subject, thesis, and some possible sources for a research project of his choice. Obviously the teacher gave some possible topics they could pick from. Which thank God, because Randy wasn't fond of picking his own topics. Too much to choose from. So he picked sports and doping. It was something he would be able to find interesting.
But as Randy was writing down the websites he found during class under his thesis paragraph, his mind wondered.
It was almost time to go home. So he knew he had to ask John about the gay thing.
He couldn't put this off or he'd never have the courage to ask.
He looked at John, watching as the senior boy scribbled notes in the margins of the primary source document on Nationalism. Randy admired the concentrating look John had as he worked.
John tucked the pen behind his ear as he went back to reading the packet, slouching forward, resting his jaw against his fist. His eyes scanned the document and then took the pen again and scribbled a few words down before putting the packet back in order and away.
He looked up and saw Randy staring into space again. But John had a feeling that if he asked Randy what was on his mind he would scare off like a baby deer.
Randy finally cleared his throat and looked at John. And then he looked down at his lap. And then he looked back up. He wanted to bite his nails, but he didn't have anymore. He finished them off this morning after spending science class day-dreaming about Evan.
John was putting his work away when Randy finally spoke.
"Hey, random question, but are you friends with someone gay?"
John's head jerked up a bit and he quirked an eyebrow at Randy, but stayed silent as his heart hammered in his chest.
Randy scratched the back of his neck idly and cleared his throat. When he realized John was waiting for him to elaborate he pointed at the rainbow flag on the nightstand next to John.
The bigger man looked at where Randy was pointing and let out a soft relieved sigh. He had worried that Randy had heard something from someone. That would have meant that rumors were spreading school. And John just wasn't the type of person to want everyone talking about him without his knowledge. He looked back at Randy, trying to hide how nervous he suddenly was. He hated coming out all the time.
"uh, yeah," He replied, finally. Randy was staring at him, eyes wide and hoping. John wasn't sure where this was leading but he was hoping it would be good news for his sexual appetite. "I have friends back home who are gay, bi, les, etc etc. Boston's pretty cool about that stuff."
Randy nodded. a little dejected. He was kind of hoping there was someone nearby he could talk to about this. Maybe he could ask John for someone's facebook or snap pr something so that he could talk to them about his sexuality proble-
"I'm bi."
Randy's train of thought had been abruptly cut off the second John spoke those words. Randy's mind repeated what John had just said a few times, making sure he heard right. When he was sure of what he heard was correct he looked up at the older man. Randy's hands fidgeted in his lap and his mouth a small O. He wasn't sure what to say.
John watched Randy's reaction. He had no clue what was going through Randy's mind. Either John had opened himself up to someone who he could trust with his sexuality or he just lost any chance of a friendship with the boy he was crushing on. This was worse then when he came out to his family.
Jesus Christ he wished Randy would say something instead of staring at him. It was making John really antsy. He couldn't even look at Randy. And his face was red, he could feel it.
A simple sentence had left him feeling more exposed then ever before.
He had come out to friends plenty of times before. Of course in his group back in Boston he didn't really have to come out to them since they all pretty blase about things. So...sure, his dad had become a bit distant after finding out, they ended up okay. And coming out to Truth and Hennigan had been different since Truth had figured it out himself. He had been scared that day, sure, but this was 10 times worse. He was utterly scared shitless waiting for Randy to react.
John had been sure that his gay-dar was right about Randy. He was damn sure. He had been watching the way Randy looked at Evan since he met them. And then at Halloween when Randy looked all conflicted after a gay joke. John was sure of it. Randy was swinging towards that way. But now John wasn't so sure.
Randy didn't know what to say. Which was why he hadn't said anything at all. He wasn't sure how much time had passed by since John had said he was bi, but Randy figured it had been more then a minute. More than a minute of awkward silence. Great.
He took a deep breath. He had to say something. Even though he had no clue what to say.
"That's uh. That's cool, man," Randy said awkwardly. He could see the insecure smile on John's face. He knew that his response was weird as hell. But Randy could not talk to John about this right now.
His thoughts were a mess.
He had wanted someone to talk to about his feelings. He had wondered about John since seeing the flag that first tutoring day. -But Randy just couldn't talk to John about this. It was too awkward and too fast.
He needed time to process what John's sexuality meant for him. Even though it had nothing to do with him.
Randy stood, making sure not to rush so he didn't put John off. He grabbed his stuff and look John in the eyes. "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow at gym."
John nodded. He tried to smile politely, but he was feeling very uneasy after this whole thing. "Yeah. You going to the talent show after?"
Randy nodded. "Yeah, the whole gang will be there."
A second of awkward silence, both boys looking anywhere but at eachother.
"See ya," Randy said as he shuffled out of John's room, quickening his pace once he was clear of John's lovely eyes.
John fell back against his bed and covered his face with his hands.
Shit.
Now what?
The next day's classes had gone as normal. No one was talking about his sexuality, which meant Randy hadn't said a word about it to anyone. John was relieved. He really didn't want to be the center of attention.
He tried to see if Orton was okay with him during gym, but Randy had just stayed preoccupied with his friends at the exercise equipment room. But during math, Randy had no choice but to talk to him, right?
Right. Kind of.
Randy said the bare minimum. Greeting. Asking for help on one question. And see you later.
John wanted to slam his head against a wall.
First he felt like a complete perv checking out Randy and Evan for months. And doing weird shit like trying to get them drunk to see how they feel about guys touching them. But this wasn't some attraction thing anymore. John really like them. Randy and Evan were amazing guys. Each had their own great personalities. And even though Evan might not like guys, John had thought he had a chance with Randy.
Randy who now wouldn't talk to him.
What was a popular 17 year old bisexual football star supposed to do? He couldn't talk his way into Randy's heart if Randy was repulsed by him.
John Cena had read this entire situation horribly.
In one of the practice rooms near the auditorium, John told Ron Killings and John Hennigan about the night before and coming out to Randy. They canceled practice after school for wrestling because of the talent show. And there was never football practice on Fridays unless they got to finals. So they had met up in the practice room so John and Truth could go over their song. Truth was going to rap and John was featuring. Hennigan was recording the performance so they can upload it to youtube later.
Truth patted John on the shoulder. "Man. I'm sorry, Jay. That's straight fucked up."
Hennigan frowned. "So, what are you going to do now?"
John sighed. "I'm going to have to move on. Randy obviously isn't comfortable around me now. And I'll have to move on from Evan too since Randy is his best friend and will probably not want me to be around him."
"Listen," Truth said. "You don't know fo' sure. Let that kid feel shit out. Maybe he is gay or bi or whatever and jus' don't know what to do. Or he's straight but don't know how to act around you. Not sure you noticed, Jay, but ain't much of a gay scene in this school. A couple lesbians and bi-curious rock-head chicks, but not too many guys come out down here. You gotta let people understand shit. This culture is different the Boston."
The bi teen groaned in frustration. He wished this had been easier. Like some cheesy teen movie where he came out to Randy and suddenly they were kissing on the fucking table over a cake like 16 Candles.
Instead he could have potentially out himself to someone who would never want to be around him ever again and John could feel his heart break.
He had really started to like Randy.
"Fuck," Cena muttered. "I fucking wish I never was bi. Fucking make life alot easier."
He felt arms around his shoulders, realizing it was Hennigan. John Hennigan was hugging.
"Stop." Hennigan told the other John. "You are you, because that is who you are supposed to be. Sometimes, you have to go through shit that sucks, but I bet in the future you'll find someone, guy, girl, whatever, who fucking loves the fact that you are bi. Don't let some freshmeat make you hate yourself, okay?"
John nodded into Hennigan's shoulder. "Thanks."
What Johnny had said did make him feel a littler better. It really helped having a good support system, he mused.
Truth cleared his throat. "Damn, Johnny, you're getting soft on us."
The others chuckled a little, knowing that Truth was just trying to lighten the situation up. Truth looked at Cena and said, "take it day by day, Jay. Don't stress."
Evan, Randy, Mike, and Stephan walked into the auditorium doors together. They had all walked together after meeting up at Mike's house (who lived closest to the school). It was pretty dark outside for 6:50pm. It made Evan miss the summer days where the sun went down at 8.
They walked down the rows of seats trying to find somewhere to sit. The auditorium was pretty full. Alot of students had come to support their friends and there were groups of family members spread around. Happily, after asking two girls to move a few seats over so the boys could sit together, they finally settled down.
They would have been there earlier and had gotten better seats if Mike hadn't taken forever finding his jacket.
The theater teacher came on stage and asked everyone to silence their phones and to not use flash photography before welcoming everyone to the show. Then they announced the first act. The cheerleaders. It was a small routine, to get the spirits up in the crowd.
The night ticked on. Other acts came and went before intermission. One that was good was some kid named Logan playing the guitar and singing Pearljam. But intermission was a happy occasion. The guys needed to stretch their legs. They talked about the show so far, chatting about this and that.
But Evan could see Randy was little off. He wanted to ask him what was up, but they were around too many people. Randy was rarely talkative around crowds, especially if it was personal. So Evan just gave Randy a soft smile, to reassure him that if he needed to talk, Evan would always be there for his best friend. Randy smiled back, but his eyes were shaky. They were shifty. Evan worried a little, but then the lights dimmed again and group of boys sat back down for the rest of the show.
The curtains opened to Jay and Adam's band. They had to go after intermission because it took a bit to set up their gear. They played some Jimmy Eat World song. Evan didn't know the name of the song, he just knew he had heard it before. He expect something harder, but he assumed the theater teacher told them nothing metal since their would be children in the crowd. Evan mentally eye-rolled at the thought. Play some damn Metallica. If Randy's mom jammed out to them as she did the laundry, I'm sure everyone else would be okay. ...Well, Evan mused, Randy's mom was just cool.
The currents closed and a girl came out and sang some love song that was super played out from the radio. But she did okay.
When the girl was done and people applauded, the theater teacher came out and introduced the next act. "Up next we have a fire rapper," the teacher said with a corny grin, "Truth!"
The crowd cheered, wooping and other weird noises. Mostly from the football team of course. Birds of feather and all.
The beat was slow as Truth came out. But the second the song picked up, Truth was with it, mic in one hand, the other hand up moving around with the beat. When Truth would crack on something about a certain friend he would point at the crowd, where that friend probably was sitting, grinning. The crowd would OH and cheer.
Then beat slowed down a little again and John Cena came out. Evan and Randy didn't know he would be performing. They hadn't announced him and he didn't mention it. When did he have time to even practice this with school, football, wrestling, tutoring and work. Dude didn't sleep, because he was flowing.
Evan was amazed. He couldn't believe how brave John was. He looked amazing on stage. Comfortable next to his friend as they rapped about everyday life and playfully cracking on football practice. Having fun. Evan would never be able to put himself in front of a crowd like this. Evan had always liked the idea of pro-wrestling, but there was something in him that didn't like the idea of jeering fans. People were mean and too outspoken nowadays.
Randy looked over at Evan for a split second when John Cena had come out on stage. Mostly because he wasn't sure how to look at John without being weird now. But the look in Evan's eyes made Randy really jealous. Evan had such admiration in his eyes, and it wasn't for Randy. The feeling in the tall teen was scratching at his insides. He was very uncomfortable knowing that Evan was looking at John with those shining eyes and not at him.
Would Evan still look at John like that if he knew John was bi?
Would Evan look at Randy at all if Randy was not straight?
And the worst part about this wretched jealousy was that Randy was very attracted to John at the moment.
He had this flair. Totally lost in the music with his friend. Randy watched John look up at the crowd. Total concentration. It was beautiful. Like when John concentrates on homework. The way his brow knits together.
Randy was so confused. He hated the way Evan was looking at John, but wasn't the way Randy was looking at him even worse? Admiration versus lust. Admiration was wholesome. Lust was very very very worrisome for Randy.
The two rappers finished their song and bowed to the crowd, taking a few comical poses for those who went against the rules and took pictures.
Randy shook his thoughts.
Every day that passed, Randy was sure of his attraction for guys. But he needed to find a way to confirm it. Because he was still holding onto the hope that Randy was just a horny boy with confused feelings for his best friend.
The last act was next and then the young teen could go home and brood.
"Our last performer will be dancing original choreography with a partner from another school, so please show them a warm welcome, Mister Cody Runnels and Miss Layla El!"
The crowd clapped politely, like normal people. Except for Adam and Jay who had stood in the back to watch Cody's dance. They were practically screaming professions of love.
Behind the curtain, Cody rolled his eyes, but couldn't help the smile. He looked over at Layla who stood at left wing, waiting for her cue in. she was in a simple black wide leg knee length pants and a white tank top. It matched exactly to his outfit. No difference but the necklace she wore around her neck from Michelle.
Cody took a deep breath and then signaled the music guy to the right. Here we go.
The curtains rose and the soft music of Nocturne opus 15 no 3 started to play.
The music was a little sad, but that's okay, Cody was usually sad too.
He began to move. His body matched the softness of the song. Almost like he could soak the feelings in through his bare feet.
About 30 seconds in, Layla joined him. They moved together telling a story of lovers. Like lovers pulled away from one another. They were definitely showing their classical training. The balance and grace were beautiful to watch. And even though the crowd had started off not caring, they soon payed attention.
The music started to get louder and the dancers pulled away from eachother. Layla scurried to the wing again, while Cody sat at the opposite edge, back to the crowd. Notes in the music descended as his body slowly laid, back flat against the warm stage. And then, the music changed, My Love by Justin Timberlake came on.
Like a completely different dancer, Cody moved to the beat. He had practiced these moves so many times. He needed this perfect. This was him baring his soul in front of his peers. He had never danced on stage in school. If he was horrible, everyone would taunt him about it for the rest of his high school career. And he needed to do this to see if Teddy would give him some attention. He wanted Teddy to see him as amazing.
When the lyrics started, Layla came back out and they moved to the music, still telling that story of the loving couple. He held her and lifted her. They pulled all the stops. And with the chorus they separated, dancing instead side by side, in complete unison.
The music went back to classical right after the first chorus of My Love. They The two dancers gently came together and Cody lifted Layla in his arms, cradling her against him and slowly lowered himself to the stage floor. He placed Layla down and lied beside her.
The music ended and the crowd cheered loudly.
Layla and Cody stood and bowed to the crowd, grins shining under the stage lights.
Cody had put all his emotions into those moves. The sadness. The love. The passion. He was damn exhausted.
Off in the crowd, sat Phil. He was cheering on his friend next to Cody's dad. They weren't as loud as Jay and Adam (no one could be as loud and obnoxious as those two fanboys) but they were loud enough to show how proud they were.
Phil was weird. He didn't try drinking or drugs like other teens. He slicked his hair back with a mixture of mousse and gel. He preferred sitting on the floor, cross legged. He listened to Paramore and AFI on a daily basis. And he had an obsessive love for "WWF" ice cream bars. Phil was weird and he embraced the fact. But Cody wasn't weird like the dancer thought. He was just Cody Runnels, closet gay wrestling dancer with a love-obsession with comic books. And that's not weird at all. He only wished Cody would realize that. And Phil wished someone could show that to Cody in the way he needed.
Cody and Layla came from backstage, totally exhausted, sweat slicked. Once Layla saw Michelle, she gave Cody a quick kiss on the cheek before heading off. Cody watched her go for a second before scanning the crowd.
Jay, Adam, and Phil found him instantly and they all gave him hugs and complimented him.
"It was amazing." Jay.
"I would marry you if you weren't a guy." Adam.
"What? Adam, shut up." Jay.
"I mean it. It's like our dear Cuddles was dancing into my heart." Adam.
"Oh my God" Cody.
Phil nudged Cody softly, and Cody looked up to see Teddy and Maryse coming up to them.
"Dude," Teddy said. "That was awesome. I didn't know you could move like that!"
Maryse nodded along.
"I bet you'll get so much ass now," Teddy continued. "Chicks love dancers. I'm envious, man."
"I would love if you could teach me some moves one day," Maryse said sweetly. "You were magnifique!"
One of the other football players called over to Teddy and they excused themselves.
Cody didn't want Teddy to envy him, he wanted Teddy to fall in love with him. But at least he got somewhere tonight.
At least Teddy actually saw him in the crowd.
Mike, Stephan, Evan, and Randy stood outside the school, shivering a little in the brisk wind. Only Mike had been smart enough to bring a jacket.
They were chatting about the show, totally amazed with Cody in the end. He just looked so in his element up there.
Mike checked the time on his phone and looked at the group. "So I'm starved, you guys want to hit McDonald's?"
Evan and Randy shook their heads no, but Stephan was nodding. His stomach was rumbling for a while now. He had been certain that everyone would hear it during the show.
Mike and Stephan said their goodbyes and then turned out of the school parking lot and headed in the direction of the nearest Mcdonald's. The other two boys started their walk back home in the opposite direction. Evan talked about everything that came to mind. Randy smirked at his best friend, making a comment here and there. It was like nothing had changed in either of them and they were the same old Randy and Evan.
They were half way to Evan's house when a car slowed near them. It was a car they both recognized. A shitty Toyota.
John Cena rolled his window down and smiled at the guys. "Hey, I'm headed that way if you need a lift."
He looked at both boys in turn. Evan shrugged. He didn't care. He didn't mind walking but John was a cool dude so he took up the offer."
Randy, on the other hand, was a little hesitant. He wanted quality time with Evan since it had been so long since they had been alone together. But he didn't want to be alone with Evan since he was afraid he'd do something dumb and scare the shorter boy off forever. Randy really wanted to hold Evan's hand as they walked.
But hopping in the car with John was a big decision for him. He knew John was Bi. But he felt nervous being around him. Randy didn't know why. He was afraid to face his own truth in John.
But he would rather face the facts about who he was with John then with Evan. He didn't want to torture himself over Evan even more than he has. So he chose the lesser evil.
So Randy took the front seat. Evan protested, of course, but sat in the back regardless.
The ride to Evan's was quick. John pulled to the curb in front of the house and turned to give Evan dabs. John's ears heated up as Evan complimented his performance. But he thanked the younger boy anyway. Randy waved his best friend goodbye and told him to text him. Not that Evan ever needed a reminder to talk to the taller freshman.
John waited for Evan to be inside before driving away.
"So..." John said into the silence. Wishing he had put the aux cord in to fill the tense a little.
Randy went a bit rigid when John spoke. He looked at the older teen driving. "So."
"Pretty sure what I told you yesterday shocked you. And I get that," John sighed. He glanced at Randy for a second before looking back at the road. "I would really like that you don't tell anyone, though. I don't need people I don't like knowing my life, you know?"
Randy sighed this time. "I wasn't going to. It's not my story to tell."
At that moment they reached Randy's house. John put the car in park and turned to Randy. They looked at eachother for a second, both hearts beating fast. Not that either of them suspected that from the other.
"Randy," John spoke, softly. "Are you gay?"
ayyyyyyyy cliffhanger. Sorry guys. More soon? hopefully!
I love you, promise.
Love Natsuki Lee
