1 Chapter 1
"Wake Up Jared! Your going to be late!" is the first thing I hear in the morning from my mother. Oh, by the way this is her at 5 AM 3 hours before school even starts. "Alright Mami! I get it!". Anyway, I'm Jared, 14, and just moved to San Diego.
Short flashback, My dad got a new job here. He used to work in Frankfort as a Peanut Butter factory manager. Yes, a Peanut Butter factory. Anyways, his factory burned down because someone left the peanuts in the crisping machine over night. My dad did eventually find a new job here, in San Diego as a Chief Engineer.
2 Hours Later
"Papito, do you want chorizo for breakfast?", "No gracias Mami, I have to get to school!". That's right, they call me Papito, they have called me that all my life. Anyways, I don't eat breakfast anymore... just like all the other Gen Z teenagers, depressed as hell.
As I was walking to the bus stop, I saw all of the kids here. Let's just say, they were all attached to their phones or picking on kids. As the bus approached, all the kids on the bus were too loud. Like way to loud, and I did not want to deal with them. So, instead of riding on the bus I walked to school. The School was about 2 miles away, I could walk there in 20 minutes.
The neighborhood is quite nice, it reminded me of what it was like in Frankfort. But, I did not like Frankfort at all. They all are quite rude, homophobic, and racist. Me being Mexican and all, I did not feel safe there. Not one bit.
My parents are super religious, and do not approve of LGBT at all. I once heard them talking about shooting up a pride parade once. Never the less, we are in San Diego where a lot of gay people live. Let's hope they don't come near my parents any time soon.
"Wow!" is what I say as I walk up to my school. My school is on the... BEACH!!! That is just insane. You see students wearing nice clothes, and not less then 5 feet you see girls in their bikini's. Oh my god, aren't they nice.
As I walk up to the entrance, I see someone start a fight with this girl. The boy is yanking her hair... honestly I can relate. I feel like that every time my parents talk badly about LGBT. A huge crowd is gathering, and a teacher is trying to break it up. Honestly, I don't want to deal with this so I just walk inside.
I walk up to the office, and tell them that I'm new and need my schedule. "Oh you need your schedule, are you new or something?" Says the office lady. Honestly, women who work at these places do not listen to you sometimes. As I get my schedule, the Vice Principal walks up to me and tells me to follow him to homeroom.
The school is pretty nice, I mean the staff seems clueless. The school is like half inside and half outside. I have never been in a school like this before, and honestly I am looking forward to it here.
As I sit in homeroom all bored and lonely, I notice this boy walk in. He looks cute as hell, and I can't help but thinking about him all day long. I find out his name is Gio. We have practically all the same classes together, except after lunch. So, that is kind of nice.
I find out he is gay, like out and proud. I have never met someone who is so open about their sexuality before. As I said before, I lived in Kentucky, they are all "Being Gay is a sin, its a choice and your sick". And i'm just like, don't give me your bullshit. If it was a choice, do you think we would chose to be killed by random people and disowned by our parents based on who we want to sleep with at night. I swear, people need to get some common decency.
Anyways, on my way back home, I cannot help thinking about Gio. I mean, am I gay or something? I can't be! If I am, then I won't be accepted by my parents and stuff. I would have no where to go.
"Hey! Is your name Jared?" And as I turn around, I see Gio himself. Running towards me and yelling my name.
"Yeah, my names Jared..." OMG, what am I doing... I can't be doing this.
"So, I heard you are new... but basically would you like to join a club or anything?"
"Sure... I mean I would like that." I don't want to. I'm anti-social and just want to go home and be fat eating all of the cookies in my house.
"Fantastic, so you can come to me tomorrow in homeroom and I can have the signup lists for you to join.".
"Great! See you tomorrow... Dude!" I am so awkward, wtf am I saying.
"Ummmm, (he has a weirded out face) okay bye".
Oh my god, I am a complete failure. I just need to walk home, without anyone else interrupting me and I will be great.
---2 Hours Later---
"Hey, Papito. I need you to walk the dog". Says my Papi.
"Sure thing, just around the corner?"
"Nah, like to your school and back".
And at this moment, my heart just dropped. I do not want to go back to school. I think Gio lives around there.
As I walk my dog to the school, I see Gio playing basketball in the middle of the road... shirtless. Before he sees me, I hide behind the bushes. Oh my god, he has nice abs to be honest. I want to stay here all day.
Oh no, he is coming my way. WHY IS HE COMING MY WAY!!! oh, the ball is rolling this way. And as the ball rolls pass me, I have no clue on what to do.
"Jared, is that you?"
"Umm, no. It is Mr. Krawler, our fun and entertaining Vice Principal."
"No, what are you doing here, and why are you hiding behind the bush?"
"You know, cleaning up my dogs poop... you might want to turn around, it is disgusting."
"Come on, do you want to play basketball with me?"
"Umm, nah. I have to walk my dog. Nice abs by the way!"
"Great do you want to see more!" As he pulls down his pants!
And then, I wake up.
Crappp! Wtf was that! What time is it? It's 4:30. I must have fell asleep while doing my homework.
"Hey Papito. I need you to walk the dog.".
"Umm, do I need to? I have a lot of homework."
"Well, if you put it that way... I guess you don't need your phone if your so concentrated on homework..."
"Fine. I hate you sometimes".
I swear, I am not going to go the same route I did in the dream. If I do, I will be scarred and embarrassed. Let's take a right instead of a left.
Maybe I do have a crush on him. A crush on a boy? No. No. NO! I'm not gay. I am not gay at all. NO SIR! Let's take my mind of this thought! Chicken Wing, Chicken Wing, Hot Dog and baloney...
The Next Day
So, I did not end up seeing him. Thank god. But, I kind of still kind of wanted to see him, and more than just his abs. As I navigate through this schools narrow hallways, I notice that many people here wear summer clothes all year long. It is November here, and this one girl is wearing a high skirt.
"Hey new kid, I have a couple questions for Anchors secrets, our schools official gossip social media".
"Umm, sure".
"Great. What is your name, first last.""Jared Suarez". I swear, why do I have to do this. "Do you have any secrets, dating anyone, gay, bi?" umm. "I have a lot of secrets, unfortunately those secrets shall remain secrets until I decide otherwise. Not trying to be mean, but you know. I'm new, and I do not trust all of you guys quite yet."
"Of course, well. See you later... mystery guy". My god, why did she say that in a way that made her seem attracted to me.
These halls are so populated, but you feel so lonely at the same time. You know that feeling, when you know so much people, yet you feel so lonely. That is how I feel. I did not have a lot of friends in Kentucky. Granted, I never wanted to make any friends. They are all white people who treated everyone who was not them like trash. I never felt safe there.
In middle school, I was frequently beat up and pushed in lockers because I am Mexican. I was once given a death threat. Guess how my depressed soul felt after that. Nothing, the honest truth is I feel now happy emotions anymore. I always felt sad and lonely feelings. Until, I first saw Gio. Giovanni Alfredo. What a weird yet oddly attractive last name.
Last night, I had a dream of me telling him I wanted to get down on his alfredo and create cheesy chicken alfredo. In the dream, we did. This is a Christian Minecraft server, so I will not describe the details.
As I approach my homeroom, I begin to lose my breath. I feel this weird feeling inside my chest. Like it is tight inside, and cannot move or act properly. I just want to be free, and I feel free whenever I am near him. Yet, I feel so trapped and vulnerable. I never felt this before with someone.
"Oh hey Jared, I think I found the perfect club for you. It is called the Gay Straight Alliance".
The what??? Why would he recommend me for this club specifically?
"I know what your thinking. No, I do not want you here because I think your gay. This club is more then for gay people. It is where you can find friends and make connections with people."
"Okay, when does it start, or when is the next meeting?"
"It is actually today! Is that okay for you?"
"Umm, sorry... I don't think I can make it today. I have to go to my cousins quinceanera."
"Oh no worries, the next meeting is this Friday. See you then".
I don't know about you, but his voice is absolutely perfect and cute. But, I don't understand this feeling. What is it?
