Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 13:09:16 -0500 From: Brent Stewart <brent@cutey.com> Subject: Outted in HS, Chapter II "First Day" After examining my appearance in the bathroom for any flaws that might draw undue attention, I decided that being late on the first day would be the attention grabber that I could do without, so I started getting dressed. I put on a pair of loose-fit jeans and a tight shirt that shows the definitions of my upper body. I didn't want undue attention, but I hardly wanted no attention at all. As I was finishing up, I heard my mother call from downstairs that I needed to hurry because Robert was here. "Damn, I spent to much time admiring myself like some idiot and now Robert's going to be pissed if we're late!" I ran back into the bathroom, pulled a brush through my hair, brushed my teeth and flew down the stairs to find Robert in the kitchen with my mother. As I rounded the corner to the kitchen, I heard my mother saying, "... will you do that for me?" "Sure Mrs. Stewart, you know you can count on me!" said Robert. "She can count on you for what?" I asked as I interrupted the conversation. I looked at Robert and couldn't remove my eyes. He was looking HOT for the first day, dressed in a dark blue linen shirt and tan pants. "Ah...good morning Brent, what the heck took you so long? We've only got 30 minutes and I still need to pick up Steve." "Sorry guy, but you know how it is don't you? First day and all, me being a freshman, well I wanted to make sure I looked my best." "You look very handsome", said my mother making me blush. "Yeah," said Robert, "good enough to lick from head to toe!" and we three busted out laughing. "But, seriously, we better jet guy or Steve will be pissed and you know what a bitc..." Robert looked to my mother, "um...sorry Mrs. Stewart, my mother was out of zest and that's the ONLY soap out family uses for washing out the mouth" and threw my mother that mischievous grin that showed deep dimples. "Well, Robert, luck has it that we also use zest and I just went shopping yesterday and have plenty!" "Lets GO Brent, we're LATE!" Robert grabbed me by the shirt and pulled me towards the door. "You boys have fun at school," my mother yelled from the kitchen, with a merry lilt in her voice. Robert and I met each other at one of my fathers Company get-togethers about 3 years ago, his dad and mine working with each other. We became instant friends, both being military brats and able to relate. Robert is 16 and a junior. He's 6'1", 175lbs. of taunt muscle from swimming, with very black hair that almost looks navy blue when the light hits it. Being 2 years older, he took me under his guidance as an older brother would do and showed me around, introducing me to his friends. In middle school, he was very popular and more so with the girls who hovered around him trying to always get his attention. He spoke up for me with the coach, and got me a spot on the football team, him being a star athlete in swimming. Needless to say, I was HOT for him. Here he was, protecting me again for my first day of high school. Yesterday he told me, "you will NOT be going to school alone tomorrow, so be ready and I'll pick you up. Besides, I need to show you around so you don't wind up in home economics." How could I resist such an appealing offer? Five minutes later we arrived at Steve's house and he was waiting out front for us. "What the fuck took yall so long! We've got only 15 minutes before the first bell." "The lady killer here had to make sure he was perfect before he'd step out of the house, " Robert said as he jerked a thumb in my direction. "So shut the fuck up and get in or we'll be even later." Steve crawled into the back seat, gave me a once over look as if to say, "it didn't work" and we three headed towards school. Steve was one of Roberts swim teammates; he had a nice body, but a very shitty personality. He thought it was beneath him to be seen with a freshman. I on the other hand was with Robert, not him, so what he felt or thought didn't mean shit to me. We got to school and headed towards the cafeteria, where schedules were being handed out to students and where the freshman class was being herded into the auditorium for orientation. I got in the S-Z line with Steve, to get my schedule, Robert in the A-H line. Robert made it to the front in short order, having persuaded others to let him go before them, while Steve and I thought it would be late afternoon before we'd get through. "Hey Brent, you plan on standing in this line all day? Come with me," Robert took my arm and we started walking towards the front of the line. When we got there, the teacher handing out schedules, looked up to see Robert and me advancing on him. "Um, back to the rear Davis and take your friend with you. You'll have to wait just like the rest of these kids. Besides, this is the S-Z line, you belong over there", said the teacher pointing towards the line that Robert had just left. "Hello Coach Koch, I already have my schedule," said Robert, "I just wanted to introduce you to Brent here, the guy I've been telling you about. You should see how good he is at football. He's the one that was in the papers all last year and took his middle school team to state." "OH SHIT!" I thought. This is the football coach and here Robert is getting the attention of everyone in the cafeteria, so much for not standing out on my first day. "Stewart isn't it?" asked the coach. "yyesss sir," I stuttered, "Brent Stewart," I extended my hand to shake nervously with the coach. "Good to have you son. I look forward to seeing you this afternoon at football tryout. Robert here has been telling me about you and your skills with a football, not that I can take the word of a water logged swimmer," he said, turning to look at Robert with a smirk on his face, "but I guess since the papers back up SOME of what he's been telling me, we could us a strong second to our quarterback." SECOND to quarterback! My FRESHMAN year! VARSITY football! I beamed at Robert who was looking at me with a very satisfied look on his face. I could have grabbed a hold of him and kissed him in front of everyone in the cafeteria, but thought better of doing that, I'd really draw attention with that. "Yes SIR Coach Koch, what time are tryouts?" I asked. "Right after school; meet in the locker room at 3:30 SHARP! If you're late, you're out already. I don't hold with tardiness," said the coach, leaving me with no doubt that he meant it. "Great! I'll be there." I took hold of Robert and started to head back to the get in line where I had left it. "Hold up there Stewart, where are you going?" "Back in line sir," I said. The coach looked into his index box and pulled out a piece of paper. Holding it out to me, I reached for it and saw it was my schedule. "Now get over there," he pointed towards a large group of teenagers, "that's freshmen orientation." "Thank you Sir!" I turned to Robert and told him thanks for everything. "No problem guy, what are best buds for huh?" He leaned over and gave me a peck on the cheek, "now you be a good boy and make your momma proud on your first day", Robert said as he shoved me in the direction of the freshmen. "I'll see you at lunch and you can tell me how the first day is going!" Blushing furiously, I walked over to the crowd to join my fellow freshmen. Why was Robert always doing shit like that? Out of the blue he'd make comments in front of people or do something like that peck on the cheek, and every time I'd be left blushing like some giddy girl. I looked around to see the faces of several guys looking at me, then Robert as he headed towards whatever class he had first period. A few girls also looked at me, then quickly away when my eyes caught them. I'm going to have to talk to Robert and tell him to stop doing things like that. It gives people the wrong impression, of him at least. He better be careful or he'd develop a reputation that he'll regret. Into the auditorium we were herded. We were given handouts with the school motto, school song, and map of the building with the room numbers; and a list of teacher's names, classes they taught and room number. Everything a new freshman could ever need to make their first days at Ellison High School easier on them. Using the map and information from the orientation, I made it through my first three classes and then it was lunchtime. When I arrived in the cafeteria, I scanned the crowd of tables looking for Robert. When I saw him, he was sitting at a table with about ten other people, a mix of guys and girls. I worked my way through the maze of tables heading towards him. He had his arm draped around the shoulder of this small blonde girl sitting next to him, and they were busy talking so he didn't notice me approaching. Steve was also sitting at the table and was the first to see me. "Hey Robert, here comes your little friend. Looks like he's lost and can't find the freshman area." Robert looked over and saw me, then turned to Steve, "One more fucking comment like that and I'll kick your ass, do you understand?" Everyone looked in my direction at this point, then back to Steve and Robert. "Sorry Rob, just joking. Tim thought it was funny," he said. Robert looked over at Tim who shrugged and made no comment. "Joking or not, I don't want to hear it. Besides, little isn't what I'd describe Brent as, he's bigger than you are and could easily kick your ass without working up a sweat." "Hey Brent! So how's it going so far?" asked Robert "Not bad actually. The shit they handed out in orientation makes it easy to get around. Sorry to interrupt your group here, I just wanted to remind you that I had football tryout after school, so you didn't need to hang around to give me a ride home. I'll call my mother to pick me up." Before he could reply, I gave Steve a hard look, turned and headed towards the food court to grab some lunch. "Hold up! Where the fuck are you going? I saved you a seat," he said as he patted the chair between him and a very cute brunette girl. "I'm going to grab some food and sit out on the patio. It's kind of stuffy in here with all these people," turning back around and looking in Steve's direction with the last comment. "I'll catch you later." I turned and headed to the ala cart line. "See there asshole. He heard that JOKE you made and now he's pissed." "Oh well, if he's that sensitive, then he'll never make it on the football team. Besides, he said he wanted to sit outside anyway," Steve said shrugging it off. "Damn Steve, you couldn't catch a hint if someone placed it in your glove and then pointed to it!" Robert shot back. "Who was that?" asked Tim. "His names Brent and him and I are buds. I've known him for over 3 years, since middle school. He's a freshman this year and a damn good football player too. God knows our team could use all the help they can get." Robert's eyes followed Brent as he made his way through the line and out to the patio. He felt tightness in his chest as he saw his best friend sit down alone and stare out towards the stadium. Why did he make him feel like this all the time? Robert got up, grabbed Michelle's hand and walked towards the patio to join Brent. Michelle followed along without asking. "Hey Brent, mind if Michelle and I join you? Your right, it is stuffy in there," said Robert as he approached the table. "Sure, if you want. Looks like there's plenty of room," I said shooting a smile in the direction of the pretty blonde girl Robert had just called Michelle. "Hello Brent, I'm Michelle. Robert told us that you play football and that you're pretty good at it. I'm a cheerleader and we've not had much to cheer about lately." She said as Robert and her sat down at the table. "Gosh, I swear I'm brain dead. Brent this is Michelle, Michelle this is Brent. Michelle is my girlfriend." Did I just hear a slight catch in his voice when he said she was his girlfriend? Hmm... That's kind of interesting. "Hello Michelle. Yep, I played football at Manor for 3 years and hope I can make the team here. From what the coach says, your boyfriend here may have already convinced him to give me a spot on the varsity team." I looked over at Robert when I said boyfriend to get a reaction, but saw nothing. "Hey guys, mind if we join you?" asked Tim as he approached the table with 4 others following behind. "That's up to Brent", said Robert, "It's his table." Tim looked over at me and said, "Hi Brent, I'm Tim. This is John, Rick, Debbie and that's Eric" pointing to the guy trailing at the end of the group. "Sorry if Steve pissed you off. I really didn't think his joke was funny. Its just Steve's like that. Guess it's his nature to be an ass." He said smiling. "Steve doesn't bother me. I'm used to him. I knew him in middle school and he's not changed much since then. Grab a chair. Great to meet each of you." Debbie was the brunette that Robert had saved a chair for me between him and her. She smiled at me and took the seat next to mine. Oh great, I thought. My first day and already I'm being scoped out by a girl. We sat talking about the day so far and I ate my lunch. The first notice bell rang and everyone got up to head for class before the second bell in 15 minutes. Robert leaned over to whisper something to Michelle, who got up and followed the others out of the cafeteria, leaving him and I alone. "Brent, I hope you're really not pissed off. Like you said, Steve never changes, but I don't want you to think that way about me." As he said this, he placed his hand on my arm a squeezed very gently. "You're my best friend and I want you to feel comfortable around me and my friends. They're really cool people, if a little weird. Shit, we were all freshmen ourselves once." Feeling Robert's hand on my arm sent chills up my spine and a stirring in my jeans. God, did he realize what a simple touch from him does to me? "Robert, our friendship means a lot to me. Even more than I can admit to even you. I never for a second considered you share Steve's feelings. Remember, I know everything about you and you about me. I'm glad you're here and we can finally spend time together at school. It was tough being in middle school without you there." Robert was looking into my eyes and it felt like he penetrated to my very soul with his gaze. He smiled and said, "you don't really know EVERYTHING about me, or you might not have said all that. But thanks guy, I feel the same way. We better get going, bell in about 10 minutes and I have to go by my locker." "Hold up," I said, "what do you mean I don't know everything about you?" "Maybe another time Brent," Robert said, "we've got to hurry. Remember how the coach feels about tardiness," "Oh yeah, I have swim practice, so I can meet you after to give you a lift home," he smiled and took off towards his locker. Damn straight, I thought. There will be another time and I will find out what the hell he's talking about. As I left my last class for the day, Robert met me outside of the door. "Whoa Robert, what are you doing here?" I asked. "Thought I'd walk with you to the locker room. I have to change for practice. At least I get to be in cool water; you have to be outside. It must be 105 out today." I agreed and we headed off to the locker room. ____________________ So much for chapter II. Thanks a lot for all of the positive comments and suggestion I got from chapter I. Some of you have asked about me specifically. If you're interested, I have a homepage at http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/7364/ you'll find out more about me there. Keep the comments coming. They're definitely appreciated. brent@cutey.com