Ricky stared, surprised that he had missed so much, but it was hard to catch up between classes. He was shocked that anyone had managed to coax Diego back on stage again, because he sure hadn’t talked about the experience like it was something he wanted to repeat. Ricky had enjoyed aspects of it though. “I can help you run your lines, like last time.”
“Nah,” Diego said. “Mindy’s got you covered.”
“Mindy?” Ricky repeated.
“Yeah. The best part is, all I have to do during the songs is mouth along to the words. So unless some pervert in the audience is staring at my lips, it won’t matter if I get the lyrics wrong. Mindy’s been helping me practice the dance moves too.”
The bell rang, sounding like a fire alarm in Ricky’s head, as he watched Diego ram his shoulder against the gym door to open it. He disappeared inside, leaving him alone in the hall, which felt like a sign of things to come.
— — —
Cameron crawled on top of his boyfriend, Anthony biting his lower lip in anticipation, only releasing it again so they could kiss. His pink hair and blond roots were so cute. Cameron was tempted to ask him to grow it out, so he could see his natural color in full. That would make him stand out less too, which would be good, if it meant he wasn’t picked on as much. Since distributing his article, the name-calling had only gotten worse. And not just from Graham and his gang of goons.
“Do I have a pimple or something?” Anthony asked. “You’re looking at me like I’m one of your restoration projects.”
“No,” Cameron said. “You’re perfect. It’s everyone else that needs to change.”
Anthony shook his head. “How so?”
Cameron rolled off to the side and considered his bedroom ceiling. “It isn’t fair.”
“Not this again,” Anthony said with a chuckle.
“I’m serious,” Cameron insisted, looking over at him with concern. “Why would you get two weeks of detention when Graham only got one?”
Anthony rolled over on top of him, propping himself up on extended arms. “We each got a week for fighting in the cafeteria. I got an extra week for being a militant homosexual.”
“All you did was pass out an article you wrote! If you’d done the same thing and it was about baking, do you think you would have gotten in trouble?”
“That depends how colorful my descriptions got. Kneading dough, glazing buns, basting meat… There’s potential there. I’m sure I could make it hot enough to be controversial.”
Cameron dodged a kiss. “For real. I’m worried about you. Maybe you should let me walk you to all your classes.”
“Omar already thinks he’s my bodyguard,” Anthony said. “Besides, we should get used to people not liking us because of who we are. I want a thick enough skin that, when someone calls me a fag, I don’t even react. That’ll take the power away from all the assholes out there.”
“And what about this?” Cameron said, reaching up to gently touch the mottled bruise on Anthony’s left cheek. “Are you hoping to get used to that too? Because I already can’t handle it. The thought of someone wanting to hurt you…” He swallowed and shook his head.
“I’m not going to pretend it was all my fault,” Anthony said, “because you should be able to start a food fight without getting punched in the face. But I’ll be a lot smarter in the future.”
“You won’t throw french fries at people anymore?”
“I didn’t say that!” Anthony smirked. “Next time I’ll simply make sure to run away right after.”
Cameron was unable to find humor in the situation. “I wish I could protect you.”
“You can’t,” Anthony said. “Not all the time. No matter how bad you might want to. This is a big bad scary world, and we each have to learn how to survive it. But what you can do is balance out all the hate with love.”
“Okay. Let’s make some.”
“Finally!” Anthony said, grabbing Cameron’s shoulders before rolling over again, so their positions were reversed.
“You prefer it when I’m on top?” he asked.
“Let’s find out.”
Cameron pulled back in surprise. Then he grinned and resumed kissing his boyfriend. Their hands were beginning to explore each other’s bodies when shouting from the other room interrupted them.
“You’re crazy! You know that?” Cameron’s father, Trevor, sounded pissed. “You just make shit up and treat it like a fact.”
“I’m crazy?” Brenda shouted back at her husband. “Fine! Tell me how it really is. What keeps you away on business for so long? And how come I can never reach you at night? Another emergency with one of your clients? You sell price scanners, for god’s sake!”
Cameron looked into green eyes that were wide with shock. “Umm… Maybe we should put some music on.”
“Good idea.”
As soon as Cameron rolled to the side, Anthony got up and went to his boombox. “Mixtape?” he asked.
“Sure,” Cameron replied.
Trevor wasn’t done shouting. “Maybe it’s because I like being out of town and getting away from your bullshit!”
“Then why do you come back at all?” Brenda demanded.
“Maybe I won’t next time!”
“Or why don’t I join you for once?” Brenda growled. “You can show me what keeps you so busy day and night. That should put my suspicions to rest. In fact, let’s plan on it! I can’t wait to see for myself!”
“Louder,” Cameron said when New Order began to play.
“Are you sure?” Anthony asked before cranking it up.
The bass was enough to shake the glass of water on his nightstand, and yet, he could still hear his parents yelling, even if the words were incomprehensible.
Anthony returned to the bed, sitting on the edge and reaching for his hand. But the mood was thoroughly ruined.
“I’ve got my own car now,” Anthony said, leaning closer to be heard. “Wanna get out of here?”
“Yes,” Cameron said, not hiding his relief.
He hopped up, turned off the music, and grabbed their coats. They hightailed it down the stairs and out the front door like the house was on fire. Even from the driveway, a muffled argument could still be heard. He only managed to escape it completely when shut inside Anthony’s car.
“Where to?” his boyfriend asked.
“The willow tree,” Cameron suggested.
Their sanctuary. At one time, it had been his alone, but now he had someone to share it with. He was distracted on the short drive there, and didn’t realize that Anthony was talking to him until they parked.
“What do you think?” his boyfriend prompted.
Cameron shook his head with an apologetic expression. “I missed what you said.”
“That’s okay.” Anthony’s tone was understanding. “I was only trying to distract you anyway.”
Cameron swallowed. “Sorry.”
“It’s cool,” Anthony assured him. “Let’s get some fresh air.”
They left the car and walked across an empty field, passing a weather-worn "for sale” sign along the way. The overgrown grass around them buzzed with the occasional insect. They heard something small scurry away from them. Spring had breathed life into the world again. When they reached the willow tree, fresh buds decorated the drooping branches. Cameron was already dreaming of warm summer nights spent with Anthony beneath a green canopy. Maybe they would buy the land someday and build a house for themselves. He was sure it would be a happier home than what he had grown up in.