From now on, consider this story co-authored. I have asked for editing and reviewing efforts from a very talented author to the point where she has co-written this chapter and will co-write subsequent chapters. Therefore, this story has two authors - umbrella0326 and IlovesMesomeGlee. Thank you, ILG, Babe. I couldn't have continued this story without you...
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Cloudy. Cloudy, gloomy November Mondays are prominent in Lima, Ohio. No amount of Prozac can help the heavy depression that sets in the minds of Lima beaners.
But not that Monday. On that Monday, Lima was buzzing with excitement. The McKinley High School Titans defeated the Palida High School Bulldogs 28-23. McKinley was a state champion. It was the first in their history, but given the impending graduation of a certain quarterback, it would be their last for quite a while.
On that Sunday evening prior, it was anything but a celebration. Far gone were the screaming fans, the ecstatic cheerleaders, the barely focused marching band, the butt-slapping coaches, the proud parents, the eager news crews. Far gone were smiles, handshakes, trophy presentations, ribbons, and more smiles. No. On that Sunday evening, there were just two smiling, calm boys, bodies flush with each other in bed. Their bodies were still wracked with lingering excitement and even cold wind, but slowly warming, growing together. One held the other, a tiny, proud smile on his face. And one held the other, a small, supportive gesture and passionate determination for the future on his face. Hands firmly held waists, legs intertwined and got captured, and all thoughts drifted towards the future.
Yes, Matt Saranity and David Karofsky were very much in love. They held each other in Matt's bed, waiting for the inevitable Monday. But in that moment, Monday could've waited a little longer.
It was 8PM. Sunday night television available in the Lima area was ordinary sitcoms. Suppressed laughter could be heard out of the living room. Matt's parents loved some of the Sunday night silly comedies on the Fox network. Matt and Dave could've cared less.
Dave caressed Matt's arm. The two were spooning, with Dave situated behind Matt. The boys were languidly lying in bed as Dave's index finger traced along Matt's forearm, making little loving circles around the elbow. Soon, Dave's whole hand moved slowly and softly up, gently gripping Matt's bicep, secretly loving how small, yet strong Matt really was.
An earlobe was suddenly nibbled, awarded with a little giggle from Matt. Matt reached up, lightly stroking Dave's hand situated on Matt's bicep. Matt sighed. He loved how big and strong his boyfriend was.
The two boys honestly and committedly loved each other. Hands continued to roam each other's bodies, totally forgetting the momentous day tomorrow would bring. Little smiles adorned their faces as they held each other.
Soon, drowsiness set it. Dave's arm suddenly became heavy along Matt's rib cage. Matt could tell Dave was getting sleepy. He decided to further settle Dave by grabbing Dave's hand and pulling it along Matt's chest to rest over his heart. Immediately, Dave sighed and snuggled further into Matt's back.
Matt smiled. The boys fell asleep that way, letting sleep force them to let all their concerns, fears, and anxiety about tomorrow to easily slip away.
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The drive to McKinley was over before they knew it. On the way to school, the boys saw evidence of the historic championship game the previous Saturday. Various signs adorned front lawns, congratulating the football team. Businesses listed sale prices and "state champs!" on their signs, some of which misspelled David's name. Banners were decorated in McKinley's school colors. People leaving for work or school had significant and knowing smiles on their faces.
It was truly a magnificent day for McKinley and Lima.
Of course, McKinley High School, Lima,Ohio, the Lima, Ohio community, and the college sports world was about to get a bombshell. And Matt and Dave couldn't wait!
And, of course, they were nervous. After all, they were just two teenage boys, trying to live the way they wanted to live. The way they should live. They were scared, angry, proud, happy…..
Matt Saranity and David Karofsky were a lot of things that cloudy November Monday morning. But they had each other. And they knew it.
Matt shut the engine off. His other hand was very tightly held by a slightly shaking David Karofsky. The two proud, brave boys said nothing to each other. Each knew what the other was thinking, but hadn't worked up the nerve to say anything yet. But, they had to address their game-plan.
"Scared?" Matt quietly asked.
Dave haphazardly nodded, looking down. Dave wore his Letterman jacket with pride. Yet, somehow, the Letterman jacket wasn't quite the shield it normally was. That was to be expected.
"You know we're not alone in this." Matt confidently began. "We have Coach Ayres and Sebastian on our side and maybe Azimio."
Dave's head snapped up at the mention of his best friend. Dave looked at Matt with a mixture of sadness and fear. He simply didn't know if Azimio would accept him, but so far, it didn't look good. Dave didn't want to be hated – he wanted to be accepted for who he was, not for what he accomplished.
"I doubt Azimio will back us up, Matt." Dave said sadly.
"I know."
Matt and Dave looked away from each other at that moment. In their field of vision, other students were parking and emerging from their cars, sprinting into the building to escape the cold November morning. Behind the student parking lot, the football stadium stood erect, being memorialized in a ceremony the following weekend for the state championship. The truth-telling school was to the right, serving as the crucial testing ground for how a soon-to-be popular relationship would survive.
Nobody noticed the boys sitting in Matt's car, scared out of their wits.
Suddenly, Dave turned to Matt and smiled.
"Matt, I love you."
Matt was thunderstruck at the sudden and unexpected declaration. But very quickly, he returned the sentiment.
"Oh God, I love you too Dave!" And that's when all the fear, sadness, and joy melded into one passionate kiss. As soon as eager lips met, Dave grasped Matt's face, holding it steady. Dave's lips pressed hard in desperation. Matt whimpered and fell into Dave's hands. The boys shared passion and love the only way teenagers can – with hope and fear. And love.
Soon, Matt pulled back, still held in Dave's strong hands.
"We can do this." Dave quietly said, his lips just one inch from Matt's.
Matt lovingly studied his boyfriend for just a moment.
"Yes. We can." Matt said, smiling. "And we will walk into that building, hand-in-hand, and we will order the school to accept us."
Dave laughed. "Damn right we will! And if anyone has a problem with us, they can take it up with me!"
"Or me!" Matt added, laughing.
Matt joined in on the laughter. The two boys shared a nervous and yet relaxing round of laughter. Laughter truly was the best medicine to break the tension of that moment. Then, as laughter was dying down, the boys looked at each other, Dave's hands still on Matt's face. Quite suddenly and determinedly, they reached into the backseat for their satchels and emerged from Matt's car.
As soon as they were out, Dave quickly ran to the driver's side and up to Matt. He grasped Matt's hand tightly.
No one will take this from us.
Dave smiled, quickly shook Matt's hand, and was rewarded with the most amazing smile Matt ever did.
And with that life-affirming shake, the boys turned towards the student entrance together. My God, they were happy!
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As the boys walked towards the school entrance, it seemed the cloudy November day got cloudier. Nervously, anxiously, Matt and Dave walked, hand-in-hand across the student parking lot. Non-descriptive students at first took no notice of Dave, not caring about the championship game. And then, one-by-one, students here and there would look over at the two, nod in greeting, and then quite suddenly, their eyes would bulge. Gay couples simply didn't exist at McKinley High School – until now.
Dave's heart rate skyrocketed. Matt gently squeezed Dave's hand, his own attempt at calming his accelerating heart rate too. They exchanged quick, smiling glances at each other as they approached the steps towards the entrance.
The first step for the boys went unharmed. The second one didn't.
From the top of the staircase and throughout the short distance to the school's doors stood about seven or eight letterman jacketed football players, waiting for their leader, their quarterback to arrive.
The boys ascended the stairs one at a time. Their eyes were down, but they could feel the jocks stares. And some glares. But they held firm as they walked up the concrete stairs. When they reached the top, the boys looked up, as if on cue. Every jock was staring wide-eyed at them. Nobody said anything.
Dave half-smiled and nodded in greeting at a few football players. Matt said and did nothing as he walked with Dave. The boys passed the stunned jocks, opened the doors, and entered the school.
At first, walking down the hall holding hands went unseen. Dave couldn't help but have a small smile on his face. He was, after all, on a nervous cloud nine. With hearts racing, Matt and Dave continued walking down the hall.
One-by-one, students acknowledged Dave and then went wide-eyed. Backing up and away from them, students stood still, watching the show unfold before them. But nothing could deter Matt and Dave – they strolled down the hall, towards Matt's locker.
One hateful kid smirked at the boys.
"What?!" Dave roared. Matt genuinely smiled at the kid.
The kid paled and looked away.
Cheerleaders whispered to one another. The home ec teacher smiled at them and then widened her eyes.
In short, everybody was in shock.
Step by step by momentous step, the boys proudly strode down the hall. The sounds in the hallways were strange. At first, they were normal early morning, locker shutting and opening, chatter sounds. Then…silence. And then, finally, whispering. Nobody could ignore what David Karofsky and Matt Saranity were doing. And, yet, the boys felt untouchable.
It didn't take long for the boys to reach Matt's locker. Dave stood as close as he could, acting as overprotective guard dog. Dave let go of Matt's hand reluctantly. As Matt turned to work the combination lock, he smiled at Dave. Dave smiled back. There's a moment during a brave, scary act when you're incredibly grateful for the support you're receiving in that moment. Both boys were exceedingly grateful for each other. It's amazing the power a smile can have.
As Matt was opening his locker, Dave was slowly stroking Matt's arm, which rested on the locker door. This simple, loving, protective gesture did not go unnoticed. Dave eyed the students who were watching them, silently warning them as if Karofsky was alive and well.
Suddenly, one of the jocks walked by and did the wrong thing – he smirked at them. Dave went into action. Dave whirled around and glared at the wide receiver, Robbie Dombrowski. Robbie Dombrowski was a tall, lanky blonde who got plenty of attention from the cheerleaders and was as homophobic as they come.
"Saranity make you queer, huh?" Robbie sneered.
Suddenly, Dave marched towards Robbie and stopped just a mere inch from his face.
"Wrong move, Dumbrowski." Dave growled. "Back off…now!"
For just an instant, Robbie appeared afraid before the cocky facade returned. But that was all Dave needed.
"You don't want," Dave whispered threateningly, "a suspension the school day after we won the state championship, do you?"
Dave smiled evilly. Robbie's smirked turned into an angry scowl just before he turned and stormed down the hall.
Triumphantly, Dave turned around and very slowly, predatorily walked back towards Matt. He was putting on a proud display of strength despite the shakiness he felt on the inside. When he got back to Matt, he claimed Matt's hand in his own tightly and wouldn't let go – on purpose.
"Are you O-"
"I'm fine." Matt quickly and quietly said.
Dave frowned but didn't say anything. He didn't have to. They both knew the day would go like this, but it still was difficult to deal with. Dave let go of Matt's hand and watched as Matt got his books for his morning classes. Around them, students still gawked, but not for very long. Everybody was fearful of Karofsky.
"Mr. Karofsky?"
Dave and Matt spun around to see a middle-aged man with a toupee approach them. The man held a microphone. Behind him stood a short, pudgy, Hispanic man holding an NBC Channel 5 news camera.
Dave groaned. Matt's eyes widened.
"Mr. David Karofsky! Quarterback of the state champion McKinley Titans! Do you have a few minutes that I could talk to you?"
Again, Dave groaned, but Matt squeezed his hand.
"Go ahead, Dave." Matt quietly said with a little smile. "This is your moment to shine."
But Dave thought and studied Matt. An idea came to him. Dave smiled.
"No, babe," Dave said with a broadening smile, "This is our moment to shine." Dave tightened his grip even further on Matt's hand. "Stay with me?"
Matt looked at him thoughtfully before answering. "OK!"
Dave smiled back. This was the big moment. This was the big reveal. This was what the boys had been waiting for – to not only take their relationship public, but to make a statement.
The boys turned back to the aging reporter and his unhappy-looking cameraman.
"Yes, we do!" Dave declared.
The reporter momentarily looked confused until he looked down and saw the held hands. His eyes enlarged.
"Are you two….?" the reporter asked.
Dave happily nodded. Matt couldn't hold back a chuckle. The reporter couldn't have been happier. The greedy guy had not only the state champion quarterback for a sports interview, but a coming-out-of-the-closet story to boot!
The reporter turned to the cameraman, ordering him to start shooting.
"Mr. Karofsky, my name is Ryan Dombrowski." Ryan the reporter said.
Dave and Matt's eyes bulged momentarily.
"Hello, Mr. Dombrowski." Dave said cordially, firmly and almost painfully shaking his hand. Dave couldn't believe he was going to be interviewed by that homophobic jerk Robbie's Dad!
"Oh, please. Call me Ryan. We're all friends here, right?" Ryan said with a little, forced laugh.
Dave and Matt politely laughed back. Ryan glanced at Matt before returning an even broader, faker smile to Dave. Meanwhile, the cameraman hoisted his mobile news camera on his shoulder, placing everybody, including Matt, in his lens.
"Can I ask you about the state championship game and…your friend?" Ryan delicately asked.
"Of course." Dave replied automatically.
The cameraman finished positioning the camera and nodded to Ryan that they were filming.
"So," Ryan eagerly asked, "Dave, how does it feel being a state champion?"