Kendall
Nearing an End
It’s now Monday, a.k.a. the last week of school. Prom is this Saturday, and Graduation is next Monday. Also, ever since that day I stood up to Alex, all he does now is glare at me from afar.
After first period ends, Drew greets me from behind, by grabbing my shoulders & shaking me a little.
Drew: Hey buddy!
Me: Aye, long time no talk
Drew: Dude right? But hey, I heard about the fight you had with Alex. Sorry I wasn’t there to help you out. Had an earlier soccer practice
Me: No its fine, really. I handled it
Drew: Yeah I heard. OH and I think it’s chill that you’re gay. I mean, you don’t seem different in anyway, so that’s cool
Me: Thanks? *I laugh a little* I guess news travels fast round here
Drew: So true my friend
Me: Yeeeah *I shake my head*
Drew: *rubs his hands together* So uh, it’s like cool if I go out with Alison then, right?
Me: *I let out a snort-laugh* Go for it, man
Drew: Sweet dude! Okay imma go see her now, but I’ll talk to ya later! *rushes away*
Me: See ya!!
I laugh at him then turn to start walking towards my second period class, but in the process almost run into Alex.
Me: Oh…sorry
Alex: *gives me a long stare while I walk past him* Hey, Kendall
Me: *I keep walking*
Alex: KENDALL *follows me*
Me: What do you want? *I don’t look at him while I continue walking*
Alex: Listen, hear me out *stands in front of to block me*
-
Me: *I stop walking & hold onto my backpack strap feeling annoyed* Yes?
Alex: *clears his throat* I’m sorry, alright? For everything; I didn’t mean it all
Me: Uh, I’m pretty ya did
Alex: Okay, in that moment maybe I did. But if I could…I’d take it back. All the crap I put you through this past year
Me: *I give him a slow look* You’re being serious right now, aren’t you?
Alex: *whisper tone* Being in therapy and an anger management group can make you say things like this—and mean it
Me: *I stare at him*
Alex: Also, it wasn’t fun anymore when the person you’re trying to beat up suddenly has a backbone *smirks*
Me: *I smile a little then frown* It’s not “fun” to do that to people in the first place
Alex: Yeah, I understand that more now
Me: Well good
Alex: *takes a deep breath* I just…wanted to leave off on a good note
Me: Of course. And what about all those other people you’ve tormented?
Alex: I’ve talked to some of them. But most of them kind of—ran away before I even got the chance to tell them about my therapy and stuff
Me: *I nod my head* I’m glad you at least tried
Alex: *shrugs* Yeah, whatever
Me: And about the whole “Angela drama” thing we’ve had—I didn’t know you liked her when I went out with her last year. I don’t do crappy things like that on purpose, so…
Alex: Dude, you don’t have to worry about that now. You’re gay, remember?
Me: *I look down at the ground & laugh* Right
The bell rings for second period class.
Alex: I’ll see you round?
Me: Uh yeah, see ya round *I give him a little wave*
Before I knew it, the week breezed by & it was already Saturday, which also meant Prom-day. Tommy and I decided to be color coordinated in our tuxes; black and pink. Saturday evening, Tommy & I are getting ready in the downstairs bathroom and my mom peeks in on us.
Mom: OH you two look so adorable! I gotta find my camera!
Me: Mooom
Tom: *chuckles & fixes my hair*
Rick: *sitting at the kitchen table, eating a bag of chips & yells to us* So where’s your dates?
We walk into the kitchen with blank stares.
Me: Uh, mooom?
Mom: *runs back over to us with her camera* Right here honey, no worries!
Me: Mom
Mom: Hold on, Ken. Tom, get in the picture with him
Tom: But Miss—
Mom: Come on now
Tom & I roll our eyes but pose for the picture with forced smiles & keep our distance.
Mom: Not quite the picture I was looking for, but it’ll do—
Me: MOM
Mom: What, dear?
Me: Does Rick know about our…situation?
Mom: Your situation—?
Me: *I nod my head at Tommy*
Tom: *waves at my Mom*
Mom: OH, ooooh *whispers to me* Shoot! I haven’t told him yet
Rick: *crunches on his chips & overhears us* Tell me what?
My mom & I turn towards him with guilty looks.
Mom: You want to tell him?
Me: *I give her a “yeah right,” look*
Tom: I’LL tell him *walks over to Rick*
Rick: *eyes widen* What?
Tom: Sir, I’m Kendall’s date—and boyfriend
Me: *I gain some confidence & lock my arm around Tommy’s arm* Yeah. He’s ma date. And uh, I’m his
Rick: *blinks a couple times, then looks at my Mom* Aaand you weren’t going to tell me this?
Mom: No, I mean I was. Eventually
Rick: Was, um eventually ever going to be sooner than NOW?
Mom: *puts her hand on Rick’s shoulder* Rick, sweetie, you don’t need to get so angry—
Rick: I thought we weren’t gonna keep things from each other? How long have you known about this??
Mom: I wasn’t keeping it from you; the subject just never came around. I didn’t think it’d be a big deal
Rick: Not a big deal? *stands up* You must be high. You both, two *points at me & Tommy*
Mom: Excuse me?
Rick: Your son’s a fruit!
Mom: RICK. You’re being so— *stops talking & puts her hand up at Rick* You know what. I think you should leave
Tommy and I just stand next to each other silently while watching them.
Rick: Leave?
Mom: *crosses her arms*
Rick: Fine. I’ll leave. And maybe I just won’t come back *walks towards the front door* Freaks
Me: Yeah well no one will miss you, asshole!
Mom: *widens her eyes at me*
Rick: *scowls at me & curses, then opens the front door & stomps out*
Mom: *slams the door shut & stands by it with her hand on it*
Me: *I walk over to her* Mom…I’m so sorry
Mom: *shakes her head* Any guy who won’t accept my son, has no purpose to be in my life *holds in her tears* I think I need to be alone now for a bit—but you two have a nice time tonight, okay? *fixes her hair & smiles at us, then slowly walks up the stairs to her room*
Me: *I sadly watch her*
Tom: *puts his hand on my shoulder & says into my ear* Come on, mate. The Prom’s waiting, and so are our friends
Me: Right. Nothing can ruin this night
Tom: That’s the spirit! And I’ll drive us *pulls his keys out from his pocket*
Me: Oh you gentlemen
Tom: *laughs then opens my front door* After you
Me: *I walk past him* SOOO gentlemanly
Tom: *laughs & slaps me on the butt* Move it!
Me: Ah! Easy
Tom: *laughs & closes the front door*
After first period ends, Drew greets me from behind, by grabbing my shoulders & shaking me a little.
Drew: Hey buddy!
Me: Aye, long time no talk
Drew: Dude right? But hey, I heard about the fight you had with Alex. Sorry I wasn’t there to help you out. Had an earlier soccer practice
Me: No its fine, really. I handled it
Drew: Yeah I heard. OH and I think it’s chill that you’re gay. I mean, you don’t seem different in anyway, so that’s cool
Me: Thanks? *I laugh a little* I guess news travels fast round here
Drew: So true my friend
Me: Yeeeah *I shake my head*
Drew: *rubs his hands together* So uh, it’s like cool if I go out with Alison then, right?
Me: *I let out a snort-laugh* Go for it, man
Drew: Sweet dude! Okay imma go see her now, but I’ll talk to ya later! *rushes away*
Me: See ya!!
I laugh at him then turn to start walking towards my second period class, but in the process almost run into Alex.
Me: Oh…sorry
Alex: *gives me a long stare while I walk past him* Hey, Kendall
Me: *I keep walking*
Alex: KENDALL *follows me*
Me: What do you want? *I don’t look at him while I continue walking*
Alex: Listen, hear me out *stands in front of to block me*
-
Me: *I stop walking & hold onto my backpack strap feeling annoyed* Yes?
Alex: *clears his throat* I’m sorry, alright? For everything; I didn’t mean it all
Me: Uh, I’m pretty ya did
Alex: Okay, in that moment maybe I did. But if I could…I’d take it back. All the crap I put you through this past year
Me: *I give him a slow look* You’re being serious right now, aren’t you?
Alex: *whisper tone* Being in therapy and an anger management group can make you say things like this—and mean it
Me: *I stare at him*
Alex: Also, it wasn’t fun anymore when the person you’re trying to beat up suddenly has a backbone *smirks*
Me: *I smile a little then frown* It’s not “fun” to do that to people in the first place
Alex: Yeah, I understand that more now
Me: Well good
Alex: *takes a deep breath* I just…wanted to leave off on a good note
Me: Of course. And what about all those other people you’ve tormented?
Alex: I’ve talked to some of them. But most of them kind of—ran away before I even got the chance to tell them about my therapy and stuff
Me: *I nod my head* I’m glad you at least tried
Alex: *shrugs* Yeah, whatever
Me: And about the whole “Angela drama” thing we’ve had—I didn’t know you liked her when I went out with her last year. I don’t do crappy things like that on purpose, so…
Alex: Dude, you don’t have to worry about that now. You’re gay, remember?
Me: *I look down at the ground & laugh* Right
The bell rings for second period class.
Alex: I’ll see you round?
Me: Uh yeah, see ya round *I give him a little wave*
Before I knew it, the week breezed by & it was already Saturday, which also meant Prom-day. Tommy and I decided to be color coordinated in our tuxes; black and pink. Saturday evening, Tommy & I are getting ready in the downstairs bathroom and my mom peeks in on us.
Mom: OH you two look so adorable! I gotta find my camera!
Me: Mooom
Tom: *chuckles & fixes my hair*
Rick: *sitting at the kitchen table, eating a bag of chips & yells to us* So where’s your dates?
We walk into the kitchen with blank stares.
Me: Uh, mooom?
Mom: *runs back over to us with her camera* Right here honey, no worries!
Me: Mom
Mom: Hold on, Ken. Tom, get in the picture with him
Tom: But Miss—
Mom: Come on now
Tom & I roll our eyes but pose for the picture with forced smiles & keep our distance.
Mom: Not quite the picture I was looking for, but it’ll do—
Me: MOM
Mom: What, dear?
Me: Does Rick know about our…situation?
Mom: Your situation—?
Me: *I nod my head at Tommy*
Tom: *waves at my Mom*
Mom: OH, ooooh *whispers to me* Shoot! I haven’t told him yet
Rick: *crunches on his chips & overhears us* Tell me what?
My mom & I turn towards him with guilty looks.
Mom: You want to tell him?
Me: *I give her a “yeah right,” look*
Tom: I’LL tell him *walks over to Rick*
Rick: *eyes widen* What?
Tom: Sir, I’m Kendall’s date—and boyfriend
Me: *I gain some confidence & lock my arm around Tommy’s arm* Yeah. He’s ma date. And uh, I’m his
Rick: *blinks a couple times, then looks at my Mom* Aaand you weren’t going to tell me this?
Mom: No, I mean I was. Eventually
Rick: Was, um eventually ever going to be sooner than NOW?
Mom: *puts her hand on Rick’s shoulder* Rick, sweetie, you don’t need to get so angry—
Rick: I thought we weren’t gonna keep things from each other? How long have you known about this??
Mom: I wasn’t keeping it from you; the subject just never came around. I didn’t think it’d be a big deal
Rick: Not a big deal? *stands up* You must be high. You both, two *points at me & Tommy*
Mom: Excuse me?
Rick: Your son’s a fruit!
Mom: RICK. You’re being so— *stops talking & puts her hand up at Rick* You know what. I think you should leave
Tommy and I just stand next to each other silently while watching them.
Rick: Leave?
Mom: *crosses her arms*
Rick: Fine. I’ll leave. And maybe I just won’t come back *walks towards the front door* Freaks
Me: Yeah well no one will miss you, asshole!
Mom: *widens her eyes at me*
Rick: *scowls at me & curses, then opens the front door & stomps out*
Mom: *slams the door shut & stands by it with her hand on it*
Me: *I walk over to her* Mom…I’m so sorry
Mom: *shakes her head* Any guy who won’t accept my son, has no purpose to be in my life *holds in her tears* I think I need to be alone now for a bit—but you two have a nice time tonight, okay? *fixes her hair & smiles at us, then slowly walks up the stairs to her room*
Me: *I sadly watch her*
Tom: *puts his hand on my shoulder & says into my ear* Come on, mate. The Prom’s waiting, and so are our friends
Me: Right. Nothing can ruin this night
Tom: That’s the spirit! And I’ll drive us *pulls his keys out from his pocket*
Me: Oh you gentlemen
Tom: *laughs then opens my front door* After you
Me: *I walk past him* SOOO gentlemanly
Tom: *laughs & slaps me on the butt* Move it!
Me: Ah! Easy
Tom: *laughs & closes the front door*