Baptized By Boys

Chapter Three

Knox is hopeless and so am I. Apparently he's been invited to another party, which we are invited to too. And everyone is so excited, but my brain can hardly stay still to process it all. It's too busy turning and clogging all up. Probably due Dalton's poem today. Which I know means nothing, but means everything just as much.

"Charlie." I call, but he's several people ahead, next to Neil, who is usually standing next to me. Oddly enough, he hears me and spins, a smirk resting on his lips.

"Todd." He waits in the hall, letting everyone pass him so I finally catch up.

"Hey."

"Hello there."

This is weird. Very much awkward. I never realized how little I talk to the rest. Especially Charlie, even though he's probably the closest, besides me, with Neil. Well, if Neil can get along with him just fine, so can I.

"Your poem today."

He nods. "Like it, right? I knew you'd agree. Who doesn't want girls here? God knows I do. Seriously, I mean God definitely knows. I bet he's watching me right now, the creepy bastard. Hey, are you okay?"

I shrug and think of the vulnerable conversation in class. It isn't weak. But that's the thing. I am weak. But maybe today, at least for right now, I won't be.

"Well, girls would be nice too I suppose, but you said-..."

Charlie stops and gives a funny look my way. I think he must be onto me, and he definitely is. "Did you mean when I said hotties?"

My expression is a dead give away, it must be, because he laughs as soon as I suck in a breath. How can he think such things are funny? Maybe he assumes I'm joking. "Don't tell me you, of all people, are going to judge me for it. Aren't you like a huge Bowie fan?"

Now it's my turn to stumble, because that is definitely not what I thought he was going to say. Actually, I don't know what he is saying. "I love Bowie, what do you mean?"

"Oh come on, Todd, stop yanking my chain. Everyone at this school knows I'm a little gay. I swing both ways, just like your idol. You didn't know?" He really finds this funny, for whatever reason.

I don't know if I'm breathing. Is it excitement or nervousness? Is this some kind of joke to force me to open up about my secret feelings? This is not what I thought would happen.

"Wait, everyone at this school? You're gay?"

"You don't have to whisper about it. What are they going to do, send me to hell? Good luck. Also, no, I'm only a little gay. You know, like, uh-..."

"Bisexual. You're bisexual?"

"Yeah! I'm bisexual. Queer. All of the above, baby!"

I shake my head, absolutely astounded by how open he's being. Not one bit ashamed of what he just shouted to half the school. "And they know? Neil knows?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, of course."

"And they don't mind?"

Charlie shrugs. "If they do, they don't say."

I really can't believe what I'm hearing. Charlie Dalton is bisexual in this kind of world? I hate to say it, but his life is going to be hell. Well, Bowie's life isn't hell. Maybe all will be okay one day. But to be a teenage boy in a school like this? With parents such as his own?

"Hey, you coming tonight?" The boy questions, now outside of his room.

I simply shrug. "Neil has rehearsal."