The Outside Lines (boyxboy) - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Noah's POV
When I got back home from school I was bummed not being able to hang out with Taylor. At this rate I felt like Nathan would replace me as her best friend. I laid sprawled across the sheets of me bed, twisting and turning, jealousy radiating from me. If anyone walked in on me right now it would probably look like I was having the worst nightmare of my life.
I released a deep sigh, finally removing myself from my bed. I explained to mom what happened, so maybe she would be willing to un-ground me? I trotted out of my room, down the hall and into the living room looking for her. I called out, a response echoing from the garden moments later.
"There you are." I said finally reaching her.
"Need something?" She asked hunched over, tending to her flowers.
"Well, uh... I was thinking since I told you the truth about my school situation and everything... uh y'know, maybe you'd be willing to let me off the hook." I awkwardly explained while standing in the doorway, scratching my neck. Her intensive stare had me every hair on my body standing. Every passing second I felt like my chances grew slimmer.
"I'll allow it." She sighed. "Just don't go lying to us again. We don't do that in this household."
That line made my heart ache. Dad's been lying to her face for who knows how long.
"Thanks mom." I replied with a weak smile.
I hung out with mom in the garden a little longer before returning to my room. On my way upstairs I ran into Nan. She was settling on the living room sofa getting ready to watch her favorite show. I greeted her and ran up to my room. I immediately texted Taylor, telling her I could hang out tomorrow. The rest of the day had me in high spirits and I slept like a baby when the time came.
Taylor came to pick me up first thing in the morning and we drove off to school. She pulled into the parking lot and we scampered of into the building. We met up with Nathan after Taylor insisted.
As we were enjoying our free period the announcement speaker went off.
"Attention all students. There have been some slight changes in the schedule going forward in the year. Starting this coming Sunday at twelve-thrity PM, PE will be a mandatory period, for the betterment of our youth. Anyone with certain health risks or conditions will be excluded from this change, and will instead be given regular school work. All of the clothes and equipment needed will be provided by the school in the supply room."
"Well there goes our freedom." Taylor sighed, propping her heading up with her hand and elbow as she leaned against the cafeteria table.
"The rumors were true then." I noted. "I'm kind of excited to let loose again though." I peeked over to Nathan but he was totally distracted. He's been preoccupied the entire day. Apparently he's studying for his license or something. It was a little odd not having him smiling over at me. I noticed he did that a lot.
I mentally shook my head, why the heck am I thinking about his smile?!
Green head didn't join us today which I found strange, that's how he is though so I didn't think much of it. Taylor, Nathan, and I spent our free time just lounging around. Though Nathan didn't break focus on his studies. He was literally walking from class to class with his face in a book. While we were on our way out the door he bumped into Taylor and I. He profusely apologized, returning to the book mere seconds later. I almost found it charming how dedicated he was.
"I suppose you're not coming to hang out with us today, right?" Taylor asked Nathan. He peeked up from his book to look between us.
"I'd probably be like a rock and just get in your way, that or I'd be too distracted to study." He explained, a chuckle escaping him. "I should have my license on saturday if everything goes accordingly."
"Oh cool, I have plans to hit the town on sunday, you in?" Taylor asked.
"You better take me with you now that I'm not grounded." I beamed, the sun practically radiating from my green eyes.
"Of course dummy." She raised a brow with a parted smile.
"I'll be there." Nathan stated confidently.
And with that we parted ways. Nathan took the bus home and I tagged along with Taylor back to her place.
-
The sheets of Taylor's bed flew sky high when my small frame hit the mattress.
"Try not to ruin my bed." Taylor laughed, following a few feet behind.
"Wouldn't be the first time." My stomach rose with my laugh.
"Yeah, I remember that. My mother was pretty upset with me when the back legs fell off from the pressure of our jumps on the bed." She said, scratching her head. I was thrown into a fit of laughter as the memory became all too vivid. The sound of the back legs snapping with Taylor and I being flung to the floor, it was hysterical. We looked at each other wide eyed as if we just crapped ourselves.
"So, what do you think of Nathan?" Taylor asked, joining me in her bed. The sudden change in topic caught me off guard. I wiped the tears of laughter from my reddened face and turned my gaze to her, trying to find an answer.
"Umm, he's okay." I simply said, scratching my cheek. "He hasn't been annoying recently."
"Just okay, huh?" She sighed.
.
.
.
"I think he has a crush on you." Taylor said, staring off into space.
"Yeah right." I shook my head twirling myself around in the blankets.
"Don't tell me you haven't noticed the way he's always gawking at you." She finally turned to look at me, a brow raised.
I watched her hazel eyes, my body still as a corpse, hoping to find a response. I'd be the biggest liar known to man if I said I hadn't noticed his watchful gaze. I could never tell whether he was staring off into space or if he was bird watching, me being the bird.
My face began to flush, but I don't what the heck for? I grabbed one of the many extra fluffy pillows on the bed and hid my cherry colored cheeks.
"You really think he..." I started, trailing off into though a second later.
"He totally has a thing for you." She insisted. I could almost see Taylor's eyes roll despite my vision being obscured by the cloud atop my face.
"I'm surprised you haven't already jumped into his arms at this point. He's a well built guy with a charming smile and a personality to match." She sang him praises. I definitely find him attractive... but I try not to think about that.
"I don't know... He seems okay. I barely know him, and after being hurt by Chad so much I don't want to risk it." I sighed, removing the pillow from my face to stare at the roof. A pained expression painted her face.
"Plus, we don't even know if he's gay." I tilted my head in Taylor's direction. She couldn't find a response.
A period of silence passed, the room lying peaceful.
I stood up and made for the balcony door just beside the bed. I pulled it open and stepped into the chilly evening air. A weak groan fell from my mouth as my skinny arms stretched for the vacant sky. Not a single cloud was visible, nor was the sun. Red hair fell into view as Taylor joined me. We talked about nothing, passing the seconds away.
I got bored and insisted that we watch TV in the living room. Taylor had her own set up, but it wasn't quite as comfy. We raced down the large staircase, to the sofa set in front of the fireplace. It was lit, but not raging. Summer's nearing its end and the chilly air lurked just around the corner.
It took us awhile to find something to watch but we decided on an early two-thousands romcom.
"That's exactly where Nathan sat just yesterday." A smirk ripped at Taylor's lips. I parted my mouth and looked down as if expecting some sort of residue or evidence that she was telling the truth.
"I'm not into him." I said in response to the obnoxiously teasing look smeared on her face. I averted my gaze with a frown.
"Someone like him. That's my type!" I pointed to the handsome blond lifeguard on TV, stubbornly denying my interest in Nathan.
"Oh!" I heard an unfamiliar yet familiar voice chime in. I quickly turned around in my seat, startled. It was Tessa, Taylor's mother. It took me a second to realize I'd just outed myself to her. I sat there looking like I was about to be drove over by a bulldozer; my eyelids parted so far they reached both heaven and hell.
Taylor's flat gaze turned to study her mother's expression, then mine.
The few seconds the room was filled with an awkward silence I swear I could hear the animals outside farting.
"When... did you find out?" Tessa joined us on the sofa, a tone of sympathy in her voice.
I didn't respond right away. I was overcome with fear.
"U-um.." I stuttered, sinking back into my seat. "I t-think it was near the end of middle school when I was sure. Though even before that I always knew I was... different." I answered, my voice going low, furthering my decent into the sofa cushions.
"One of my co-workers said something similar." Tessa responded. I could tell she was trying to make me feel comfortable. Knowing she didn't find it repulsive was enough though. It's just going to take me some time to get used to talking about it.
Tessa continued firing questions my way, hoping to educate herself on the subject. We discussed a lot, Taylor chiming in every now and then as well.
A knock stopped us mid conversation. I was terrified to see Jerold standing behind us.
"I'm home." He sang with glee.
"O-oh welcome home Jer-bear." Tessa was caught flustered.
"I overheard a little of the conversation, what were you all talking about?" Jerold's curiosity got the better of him as he was removing his suit. I was internally groaning.
There was an awkward silence hanging over us as we looked between each other. I could see it on their faces, they refused to tell him. I guess it was my secret after all.
"We were... talking about..." I trailed my words, my vision drifting anywhere but Jerold. "My sexuality." I forced out. It felt so weird coming out to someone. I think he's the first person besides Taylor I've actually ever told.
"Oh, so you're like... into men, or both men and women?" Jerold's question almost made me hide my head under the sofa cushion I was sat on.
"Just men." I answered, my voice retreating.
"That's cool." He said nonchalantly. I was thanking the heavens he didn't follow up with another question. Though my prayers came too soon.
"You know a Nathan?" He asked, slightly raising a brow.
"Yeah?..." I responded cautiously, waiting for him to continue.
"Are you two dating?" That was totally out of left field. What on earth gave him that idea?
"No." Holy crap...
"Really? I just thought cause you're both... y'know, into men, and hang around my daughter there might be a possibility." He explained his reasoning with an expressive shrug.
"Wait, Nathan told you?" Taylor popped up on the sofa, surprised.
"Yeah." Jerold answered looking no particular way as he folded his tie.
"Are you saying you knew and refused to tell me?" I turned my attention to Taylor with our conversation from earlier suddenly sprinting back into my head.
"I did. I wasn't sure if he'd want me to tell you." She chuckled as she nervously played with locks of her red hair.
My mind was still spinning. Someone like him is interested... in me? There has to be a catch, right?
"Was I not supposed to tell?" Jerold froze in place, halting all movement.
"Don't worry, if he was comfortable enough telling you I'm sure he wouldn't mind others knowing." Taylor shrugged. I could see Jerold's tenseness visibly fade away from head to toe.