Sometimes Never Read Online Free Page B

with the same jockstrap dickhead that messed with Hope yesterday.
                  “What, are you a little faggot too?” he says.
                  And this is where I lose it. Why can’t he stop using that word? I drop my backpack and take hold of the bastard’s collar. I have him against the lockers before I know what I’m doing. But hey, I’ve already gone this far, so, what the hell? His friend stands there like a moron, not sure what to do. “I better never hear that word out of your mouth again, you bigot asshole,” I yell right in his face.
                  “Get the fuck off me,” he spits. I shove him sideways and scoop up my pack. Then I turn my back on him so he knows I’m not afraid of him. I’m nearly daring him to come at me.
                  I round the corner, my hands shaking. I want to go back and punch that guy in the face.
                  “That. Was. Awesome.”
                  I glance sideways and realize the blonde kid followed me. He smiles and I can’t help but grin back at him. “He fucking deserved it.”
                  He nods, not taking his eyes off me. “Yeah, he did. For a lot of reasons.” We’re standing outside of the cafeteria now and I am even more not in the mood to deal with crazy chicks.
                  “You in this lunch period?” I ask.
                  “Yeah. You want to sit at my table?”
                  “If that’s cool.”
                  He smiles again. “You just saved my ass and pwned Christian Dunkin. You, my friend, just earned head of table.”
                  I don’t have a clue what he’s talking about. I’m just glad I don’t have to sit with the femme fatales. “Sweet. Let’s eat.”
                  While in line to buy lunch, I learn that my new found buddy’s name is Guy. No shit . He’s gay and often tormented because of it. He’s in a band. And he loves chili cheese fries.
                  “Just so we’re clear, you don’t happen to play for my team, do you?” he asks as I pick up a plate of fries.
                  I look at him sideways and smile. “No, man. I bat straight.”
                  He nods, not affected in the least. “Didn’t think so, but I had to ask. Don’t worry, I won’t judge you. A lot of my friends are straight.” I laugh. I like Guy. He’s funny and a smartass. I think we’ll get along pretty well.
     
    *******
     
                  After school, Guy is sitting on the hood of my car. Well, it’s not my car. Mom bartends nights and sleeps days. I get the car for school in exchange for dropping and picking Kellin up.
                  “What’s up?” I say as I unlock my door.
                  “I need a ride,” Guy says.
                  “Get in. I have to pick my brother up first, though.”
                  “You’ve got a brother?” Guy asks a little too excitedly.
                  I stare at him over the roof. “He’s twelve,” I say flatly.
                  “Oh. I’ve got a sister that’s thirteen. You guys should come over.”
                  I slide into the car and start it. “Yeah, all right.”

4
    Hope
     
    Today has been a good day. I didn’t wake up until eleven. Didn’t get out of bed until noon. Took a super long shower, using up all the hot water without anyone complaining. Ate a bowl of cereal and didn’t have to worry about the twins begging me to share. Laid on the couch and channel surfed until two. Now I’m lying in bed using up the last hour of silence to write some lyrics.
                  The hour flies by. I hear the front door slam and eye the clock. Shit . Where did the time go? Feet shuffle up the stairs and there’s banging on my door. “Get your fine ass out