The Outside Lines (boyxboy) - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Nathan's POV
As I was heading towards the cafeteria I spotted Noah running past. Confusion swept my mind as the expression he wore was that of mortification. I turned and watched as he ran out of sight. It was almost as if didn't even see me. I've never seen him with that expression. I hope everything's alright with him.
When I stepped into the cafeteria eyes were on the entrance. They soon returned to what they were doing as if expecting someone else to enter.
I grabbed two slices of free bread and one of cheese before finding a table to eat at. The school special looked really good, but I had to save my money for more important things. I still needed a haircut and new clothes. Walking by foot all summer also made me realize how much I needed a car. Even if it's one that's not very pretty.
After I finished my sandwich I headed straight to my next class, even though it hadn't started. I used that time to plan out the rest of the day. I was thinking about swinging by the clubs later to see if any of them piqued my interest. And I did just that.
After all of my classes were finished I lifted my backpack from the floor beside me, tossed it over my shoulder, then made for the clubs. The first door appeared to be the news/literature club. Just looking at it lit a pit inside my stomach.
"Did you hear what Noah did after Rebbecca published the new issue today?" I overheard a feminine voice say off near the news room. I stopped to listen, worried that Rebbecca might have laid eyes on a new target.
Noah.
"Yeah, well apparently he ran out of school, skipping all of his classes." The girl continued.
"Wow, I almost feel bad for the poor guy." A deeper voice replied.
"If what Becca wrote is actually true then he totally had it coming." The feminine voice said.
After stopping in my tracks to listen in on the conversation I hastily made my way over to the wrack of newspaper next to the news room. I quickly flipped through the pages of the latest issue and there it was. I read the article. A flurry of emotions washed over me. I was furious at Rebbecca, surprised to find out that Noah is gay, or bi maybe? And jealous that he has a crush on the captain of the football team. I was feeling really bad for Noah. I would've gone to look for him but that probably wouldn't have helped, seeing as he's afraid of me and all.
I hope he's okay.
I continued looking at the list of after school activities. Not many particularly grabbed my interest, there was one I was looking forward to checking out though.
"Is this the music room?" I asked, stepping into a room with a trumpet sign above it.
"No, this is the f***ing brewery." A guy behind a desk responded. He seemed preoccupied, as his gaze was fixated on the piece of paper under him.
"We... have a brewery?" I asked stupidly, awkwardly scanning the bright room.
"No you f***ing twat. Th-" He began answering with a sharp tongue before looking up to meet my eyes. He had lengthy brown hair, though not quite as long as mine. His appearance was a little nerdy but he was more on the well-built side and dressed odd.
"This is the music room." He answered, after clearing his voice.
"What can I do for you?" He asked playing with his hands. It was a sign of discomfort. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't expecting this reaction.
"Umm, I'm just looking around I guess." I said before doing another three-sixty scan of the place.
"You have a piano here?" I asked him. He just pointed in to the corner. "Is it limited to the members?." I followed up with another question.
"No, anyone can play so long as a member is present." He answered in a much more polite manner than earlier. I guess that's what people do when they're scared?
I walked to the edge of the room and took a seat at the clean looking piano. I dabbled with it for a minute before checking out the rest of the music room
"I wasn't expecting you to know how to play." The guy behind the desk said, looking a little surprised.
"Yeah I'm not amazing at it though." I replied with a half smile. One appeared on his face as quickly as it disappeared, him returning to what he was doing. He'd occasionally glance my way as I studied room. The instruments were in top quality, well maybe except for the drum skins.
After evaluating the room I lifted my backpack and headed out, waving to the guy behind the desk. He seemed a little confused.
The music club definitely caught my interest. I was heavily considering joining. I wanted to check out the other rooms first though. I'd probably have to do that tomorrow as it seems most people have already started heading home.
I caught a bus back home and prepared dinner for mom. I didn't have enough time to visit the cafe today. I spent most of it lifting weights and studying. The whole time I was thinking about how I was getting better in social situations, even though I made myself look like a fool today. Tomorrow I wanted to raise the bar another level and talk with Noah. I hope he's doing alright.
Noah's POV
After I got home my parents bombarded me with question after question. I just told them I was out hanging with some friends.
I couldn't bear the idea of going to school tomorrow but if I stayed home my parents would know something was up, possibly leading them to find out my situation from the school heads.
Mom ordered pizza and I grabbed an unusually large portion and hauled it to my bedroom. I just wanted to eat and forget life. I put on my pajamas and hid under my covers hoping the world around me would cease to exist.
I woke to a knock on the door the next morning. It was my father.
"You feeling okay? You might want to get ready for school or you'll be late." He said, wearing a worried expression.
"I-I'm fine dad." I lied, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I still had the plate of pizza crumbs sitting at the foot of my bed, realizing I hadn't even brushed my teeth.
I trudged out of bed and got ready for hell. I was afraid for my life.
"If something's wrong you know you can tell us, right?" My mother said as I was eating breakfast. If only that were true.
"I'm fine, really." I dully replied.
"It's just, you're never this late for school. You're always up at six on the dot." She pointed out.
"Have you started drinking? Drugs can kill you, you know. Are you in trouble with dangerous people?" Mom kept talking. One of those things were sort of correct, but I wasn't going to tell her that. If my parents found out I was gay they'd be very upset. They'd treat me as if I made the choice. I know for certain they would try to tell me how wrong it is and attempt to "convert" me.
I rolled my eyes just thinking about it.
"No mom." I denied it all, going in for another bite of cereal.
"Oh, well, good." She dropped it, finally.
"Candy?" She asked grabbing her purse. Mom does this weird thing where she offers people candy after conversations. I think it's intended to be a kind gesture but I still find it weird.
(Play the song)
Taylor usually picks me up for school but I told her not to come. She sent a lot of texts but I just ignored them all. I didn't want to see nor speak to her. I just walked to the nearest bus stop instead.
My heart began to pound as the school came into view. I was afraid of how the school might treat me after Rebbecca's slander piece on me. The people in the bus were already giving odd looks.
The walk to the entrance was torturous. My legs felt like they were going to give out on me at any moment. I stood at the door for a moment, but it felt like several minutes.
"Maybe I'm over thinking it." I signed, giving myself a reassuring slap on the face before stepping inside the school.
Moments after I'd finished that thought I felt my back colliding against a wall and the wind being knocked out of me. Chad's forearm was at my neck. It all happened so fast I was still trying to comprehend what was going on. His force on my neck blocked off my oxygen, choking me.
"You... You were lying to us this whole time." Anger and sadness welled in his's voice.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." I choked out. "Please... Chad." I struggled, placing a hand on Chad's arm.
"Don't touch me you f***ing fag." He yelled as he threw me to the floor. I landed on my elbow, yelping under my breath. But that pain was nothing compared to what I was feeling emotionally. My worst fears were beginning to come true.
A small audience had formed with people all through the halls watching.
"Don't bother trying to hang around me or any of my friends anymore. You lied to us, to the entire school." Chad raged.
"They weren't all lies!" I shouted. "And I was never fully honest cause I knew people would still judge me. I don't see why my sexuality is such a big issue! I-I'm still me!" I replied placing a hand over my chest, my voice going hoarse. I desperately wanted to convey that I was still just like everyone else, but I knew my voice was falling upon deaf ears.
"It's true right, that you want to suck my d***?" He paused for a few long seconds. "I don't want some f***ing fag following me around fantasizing about me. I will not have you bringing down my reputation just cause you want to be some abomination. I want nothing to do with you." He shouted, going more ablaze with every spoken word. I was trying my hardest to hold back my tears, but it wasn't good enough. The tears welling at my eyelids eventually came trickling down my reddened cheeks.
Moments later Chad stormed off with AJ, Pablo, and Matt following behind. They sort of gave me a look of pity, but I could tell they shared similar sentiments with Chad.
"Noah, Noah! Are you okay?" I heard a familiar voice calling out to me.
"I've been texting you, why haven't you responded?" It was Taylor.
"This is all your fault!" I stood from the ground and yelled at her through my tears after she reached my side.
"What are you on about?" Taylor questioned with a look of confusion.
"Don't play dumb. You're the only person who knew!" I yelled.
There was a moment of silence.
"Are you... are you actually accusing me of outing you?" She said, getting really heated.
"Yeah, I am. You must have told someone!" I said, gesturing with my hands. "My school life is ruined now." I choked with my words feeling heavy, my sobs growing. Everything was falling apart so fast it didn't feel real.
She stayed silent. "I thought I knew you." I said to her before turning around and walking away.
"Yeah? Well I thought you knew me too." I barely heard her mumble.
The next several of days were hell. Everyone I considered a friend had pretty much turned their backs on me, and some not cause they found my sexuality repulsive, but rather; they wanted to keep their reputations and social status. I wish I had someone to help me through this, but the ones I trusted most turned against me.
Every coming day I would receive some kind of abuse be it mental or physical, whether it was from Chad or elsewhere. The new "cool" thing to do in school was to hate me. I had tons of slurs and profanities thrown my way. It hurt, even if some of the people saying them didn't mean it. It all felt like I was being smothered with no way out.
My parents pressured me to tell them why I was coming home with bruises so often, but I tried to play it off. I told them some of the football team started a wresting group and that I'd been participating. I don't think they bought it, but for some reason they hadn't contacted my school yet. That was the only positive thing I had going for me. If they found out, my life would truly be over.