Living With The Pain

Into Consideration

  I woke up and got ready for school. I put on a bright pink hoodie on top of a white shirt. I put on a pair of white ripped jeans and I slipped on my white sneakers. I combed through my hair with my fingers, I grabbed my phone and put on my bag. I walked out my room and headed to school with Sal.

~~~

When we got to school Sal went to go talk to Ash when I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned around,"Oh...Hey Travis." "Hey Scar, um...I have to tell you something," Travis said. I nodded,"Go ahead." Travis lowered his voice,"I-I think Ima gay and I-I think I like your brother."

WHOA!

BACK UP!

"I-Are-Are you serious?" I asked. Travis nodded,"I-I just wanted you to know. But-But maybe I still like you. A-Anyway, Bye!" Travis ran off and I shook my head, turning back to my locker. "What was that all about?" I rolled my eyes and looked at Larry,"Do you want a lie or the truth?" "Both." I raised an eyebrow,"Ok then. So lie is, he just thanked me for helping him pass. Truth is, Travis thinks he's is gay and he thinks he likes my brother," I turned back into my locker and did what I needed to do.

"That's crazy," Larry said,"there was a lot of 'think' in there though." I just shrugged and shut my locker,"Not that crazy when you think about it. Maybe that's the reason why he bullies Sal most of all. Plus, Travis said he might like me so..." Larry thought for a moment,"Whoa, maybe you're right," then he paused and a strange wave of emotion that I've never seen before came across his face. I rolled my eyes,"See ya later, Larryface." I waved and walked to class.

~~~

As I walked into the cafeteria and sat down, an awful stench hit my nose and wouldn't go away. "Ugh, That's disgusting!" I exclaimed as I pinched my nose shut. "Bologna day," Ashley sighed. "How can anyone even eat this stuff?" Larry asked as Chug ate another sandwich. "I don't know but this bologna smells worse then the rest," Sal said.

"If you can figure out information about the bologna and get me a sample, I could test it in the science lab," Todd said. "Great! So, Todd and Ash, you two could go to the science Lab and me, Sal and Larry can go figure out and get what we need," I explained earning me a glare from Ashley but she quickly replaced it with a smile. "Sounds good to me!"

With that we all headed our separate ways...

*Sal's POV*

  I sent Scar and Larry to go get the bologna to Todd while I went to the boys bathroom. I walked in and shut the door, locking it behind me to get a little bit more privacy. A piece of paper crumbled up by the garbage can caught my attention. I reached down and picked it up, opening it up and reading it.

"I know we don't really know each other and you probably have your opinions of me. I thought maybe if I told you how I feel, things could be different.
The truth is, I can't stop thinking about you. I'm crazy about you. I think you're amazing! But I know these feelings are wrong. It's not the way a boy should feel. Shame swallows me whole. My father would kill me but I can't live in his shadow forever I just..."

I heard crying in one of the stalls and I immediately recognized the handwriting on the note. "Travis?" I whispered quietly. "Go away," came my response. I sighed and walked over to the only closed stall in the bathroom. "Travis...I found the note...you can come and talk to me," I said. I heard a click and I watched as the door opened and Travis stepped out and pushed past me to sit on the floor by the sink. I sat down next to him.

  "So...you're gay?" I asked quietly. Travis just nodded and he sniffled. "The letter...you wrote it right?" Travis just nodded again. "Look, I'm not gonna ask who it was for but I want you to know that if you need to talk to me, I'm here for you. Ok?" I said and Travis nodded again. Travis wiped his eyes and mumbled something. "Hm?" "The letter was for you," Travis said a little louder.

Wait.

What now?

I looked at him,"You're being serious." Travis nodded. I reached over and hugged the boy and he hugged me back. "I-I've just been so confused because my dad-" "Your dad isn't you. What he says doesn't define you. You do what you want to do. You can't live in his shadow forever...you've gotta live your down life,"I encouraged and then let go of Travis. I stood up and helped Travis up. "Thank you, Sal," he smiled slightly and so did I. "Of course. Now I should go before I get questions on where I went. My excuse can only work for so long." Travis nodded and I waved before walking out the bathroom.

What have I gotten myself into?

I mean, I like Ash...

I like her a whole lot...

But I can't just leave Travis like that...

Can I?

I mean, he's just misunderstood.

I should get to know him more...

Give him a chance.