Doing My Best
Chapter Ten - Express Yourself
School was over, for the time
being at least. Jess, Mark and Wendy are chatting casually when somebody catches Jess's
attention. She has just seen Steven, but with John by his side! Wendy and Mark soon turn
their head too; they can't figure out why John Dixon is walking and talking to Steven,
especially now 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 expressions, questions written all over their
faces.
"What? What have I done? I guess my hair is all messed up, isn't it?"
"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 John Dixon was doing by your sides."
"We were talking."
"Is it a date?" Wendy ventures, 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 won't 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 will
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 our dear Mr.
Alcock" Mark adds.
"Great, there is something to do then!" Steven is quite relieved with their
enthusiasm.
"I've spoken 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 advice, 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's barely through the front door before his mum hands him the phone.
"Hi Steven, it'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 isn't
ignoring 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 step into Steven's private life:
somewhere nobody is allowed!
"First, it's none of 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
starting 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 listen to this!" 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 is an underlying issue here. He has been 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 though trying to get friendly with John before, is still not sure what the
future will be.
The cat was finally out of the bag! Poor Linda is lonely and she's afraid to be lonelier
now that her 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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