Doing My Best
Chapter Eight - Nobody's Perfect
School was over, for the day being at least.
Jess, Mark and Wendy were chatting casually when somebody caught Jess’s attention.
She has just seen Steven, but with John by his sides! Wendy and Mark soon turned their
head too; they can’t figure out why John Dixon is walking and talking to Steven. More
so that Steven is officially gay now! John is even hugging Steven before leaving !!!
What’s going on? Jess is smiling discreetly, happy that john finally came to his
senses. They’ll all know what’s on because Steven walks in their direction.
“Hi Mark, Wendy, Jess! How are
you?”
The three look at Steven with bewildered
faces, questions written all over their faces.
“What? What have I done? I guess my
hairs are all messed up, aren’t they?”
“No clever boy!” Quickly answers
Wendy.
“What then?”
“Steven” Mark starts ‘I know
we didn’t have a chance yet to talk, but you now have to explain what was John Dixon
doing by your sides.”
“We were talking.”
“Is it a date?” Wendy ventured,
being a bit spontaneous but being…Wendy!
“You do know that I…”Mark is
about to say.
“Ummm, ummm, we!” Wendy cuts him
off to make Steven know that he can trust them.
“Well, yes WE don’t care, I mean
that it’s alright.”
“Thanks Mark. Actually we had to talk
about…” Steven is not sure how much he’s allowed to tell. John’s out
though and he knows his three friends will respect him, and respect John on the fact that
he might not want his condition publicised. “…talk about Prize Day.”
“Fuck me!” Exclaims Wendy. She had
a major crush on the guy. ‘Romeo, Romeo, cover me with honey and…no. Cover him
with honey and let Steven sucks it off with a straw!’ She thinks.
“Now?” Mark answers jokingly. Wendy
rolls her eyes at him.
“He was the one you were looking at
during the speech, when you said ‘frightened to speak out’ damn!”
“Kind of, yes.” Admits Steven.
“Oh my god! You let me drool over him
for all that time without saying anything?”
“God I wish I could have told you, and
you, and everyone! I couldn’t. But…”
“He decided to come out and you’ll
be together again!”
“Wendy, let the poor guy speak!”
Mark disapproves vigorously at his girlfriend’s behaviour.
“Sorry Steven, I will not do it
again.” Wendy recites while making a face at Mark.
“Is everything alright then?” Jessica asks, being left out until now because she already knew about the boys.
“Why now?” Wendy looks at Jess
“did you know about this for a long time?”
“Don’t be mad Wendy. I had to keep
it a secret. I just found out on Prize Day.”
“We had to sort things out. But
we’ll se. One thing at a time.”
Jessica is smiling, glad that the boys will
have a fair chance to be happy together.
“There is something else I’d like
to talk with you guys…” Steven’s voice fades as the threat comes vivid in
his mind. Steven is telling again the sordid affair with Mr. Alcock and asks his friends
and colleagues on the magazine staff if they would help him.
“The bloody fascist!” Wendy cries
in outrage.
“Now a censored page won’t do it
this time.” Says Jessica with a bit of resignation.
“We can make a poll and have the results
published quickly! Most of the students don’t care about you being gay or not.”
Wendy is in her favourite operating mode: war!
“Or we can gather some students and
teachers and have a petition for that dear Mr. Alcock” Mark adds.
“Great, there is something to do
then!” Steven is quite relieved with their enthusiasm.
“I’ve spoke with John too, as he is
still the Head boy. He agreed to help me as well. He’ll talk to his dad to have some
legal advises, and maybe some arguments too. I’ll see you guys later and we’ll
talk more, right? Thank you for helping me, I’m really grateful.”
They all remain there chatting and betting on
Steven and John’s affair as Steven is riding home. He just has the time to pass the
front door that his mum hands him the phone.
“Hi Steven, here’s Craig. He says
with an icy voice.
“Hi sorry about the lunch, we can do it
tomorrow. I had some urgent business.” Steven knows he cancelled it without notice,
nevertheless he wants to show Craig he didn’t ignore him.
“Who was eating with you today? I
thought I saw John Dixon.” Craig is very upset now.
“Look, I said I had urgent business to
look after. It was John Dixon indeed. But why does it matter?”
“Was it a date? According to the rumour,
Dixon was involved in an affair with you. So it was true!” Craig is not aware yet he
is about to go step into Steven’s private life: somewhere nobody is allowed!
“First, it’s not your business what
I was doing and who I am seeing! I agree to be your friend, understanding fully what
you’re going through. Although I never promised you anything.” Steven is red
with anger and he intends to make clear to this young guy who is in charge here. “And
as for the rumour, well think what you want. I’m gay and EVERYBODY knows it!
It’d be foolish of you to even think spreading this rumour or start a new one. The
shock has passed, I’m no big news anymore. You’re still hiding, so I would
advise you to keep quiet! Deal with it and, and good luck! If you’ll excuse me now, I
have better things to do right now than to hear that!” Steven hangs the phone down.
Adding to the bullies, there is also some Craigs to make his life miserable. Not anymore
he thinks, it won’t be easy but his life won’t be miserable no more.
“Steven?” It comes from outside.
Steven looks through his window to see Linda standing in her driveway.
“Steven come here!”
“What?” Steven said once outside
after running in the stairs.
“Nothing. Just a long time I didn’t
talk with you.” Linda grins at Steven, satisfied she still has some influence, some
importance. She is been very busy lately for some reasons and she neglected her favourite
‘tart”. “So, Steven, have you decided to talk to John again?”
“Yes, I met him at lunchtime today! We
had to talk about things, you know. And I took the opportunity to ask him some help for
Alcock and his machinations.” Steven is smiling and his eyes are reflecting nothing
but pure joy and happiness.
“And what did he say?”
“We’ll sort things out slowly.
We’re friends again. One step at a time. And he agreed to help me, I’m soooooooo
happy. It means a lot to me.”
“But Steven, he kicked you! So it was
really easy then; a letter, small talk and that’s it.” Linda seems to be upset
about the reconciliation.
“Linda, how dare you?” Steven is
taken aback with her reaction, it’s not the Linda he knows. “I thought
you’d be supportive no matter what I’d choose. What’s wrong with it?”
Steven knows there ia an underlying issue here. He is too good of a friend for too long of
a time not to suspect it.
“What if he kicks you again? What if he
laughs at you in front of people for appearance’s sake? What if his parents ask too
many questions?”
“Linda…” she is about to cry,
what is the matter? Steven wonders.
“What if he won’t let you see me
anymore? What if you’ll be too busy to see me?” Linda, even thought trying
to get friendly with John before, is still not sure what the future will be.
The cat finally got out of the bag! Poor
Linda is lonely and she’s afraid to be lonelier now that his best friend in the world
is in love again. It’s not about john though. Steven is somehow relieved.
“Linda, why would it change?”
“John is back for good…”
“If we ever get together again I’ll
see him often of course. But I won’t drop you right away like an old pair of
socks.”
“You say that now.” Linda needs to
be reassured, she feels like a little girl again. She hurts at the thought of losing a
friend, more like a brother (a smart one) in whom she confides everything, does everything
with.
“We’ve gone through so much
together and we did countless things together. Remember my problems at school, the ball,
Bob, John, Prize Day. And that’s only recent history. I’m sure you do remember
the rest. It will change but you’ll remain an important part of my life.” Steven
sobs too, realising it will change and that his friend was now lonelier than ever.
Linda notices his sobbing.
“Stop that drama queen!”
“If John is to be my consort, I’ll
make you Mistress of the bedchamber so that you won’t miss anything. Is it alright
with you?”
“Oh tart! Sorry for this. I guess
I’m the tart now.”
“don’t worry, it’s gonna be
alright.”
to be continued...
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