Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 18:46:44 -0800
From: Katherine <katp@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Social Status at FJH 3

    School came all too quickly for Brandon. It was Friday, the day of
the big campaign party, but now Brandon was having his doubts about
going. He had stayed up very late the previous evening thinking about
what had happened over at Mike's house, and still everything seemed
unclear to him. He never thought he would meet another gay guy at
school, especially not one as popular and good-looking as Mike. But,
even so, they wouldn't be able to pursue a relationship. If Mike's own
brother reacted so horribly, he couldn't imagine what the homophobic
assholes at their school would do. And, besides, he didn't even know if
Mike liked him!

    As soon as Brandon got to school, he saw Mike waiting outside.
Brandon was about to pass him and enter the building when Mike grabbed
his arm and led him to a quiet and secluded wooded area far away from
the entrance. Brandon opened his mouth to ask what was going on, but
Mike interrupted him, saying, "I am so sorry about my brother. I mean, I
don't know... I can't believe..."

    Brandon saw tears welling up in Mike's eyes, and he quickly said,
"You don't have to apologize, it's not your fault."

    Mike, still on the verge of tears, said "Please, please don't tell
anyone. If they found out..."

    "Why would I tell anyone? I wouldn't want to hurt you!" said
Brandon. As soon as he said it he regretted it and looked at the ground
embarrassed. He didn't want Mike to know that he liked him. But, as soon
as he looked back up and saw the smile on Mike's face, he knew he'd said
the right thing.

    Mike moved towards him, and Brandon studied him in minute detail,
noticing the tiny specks of green in his otherwise ocean blue eyes and
the light dusting of freckles that he had never noticed before. He felt
his heart leaping in his chest as Mike moved closer, now only
centimeters away from his lips. Just as they were about to kiss, the
silent atmosphere was broken by the five-minute bell, making them both
jump. Brandon looked around and realized that no one else was outside,
and even though he wanted to stay so badly, suggested that they go
inside. Mike reluctantly agreed, and they hurried towards the door and
upstairs to their first period class.

    The class dragged on and on, but Brandon and Mike stared at each
other almost the whole period. When it was finally over, Mike offered to
walk Brandon to his next class but before they could start out down the
hall Adam hurried over.

    "Brandon, I need to talk to you NOW!" Adam said, almost menacingly.

    "Why? Is something wrong?" Brandon asked as Adam led him off.

    "What was going on with you and Mike? I mean, in the woods?"

    Brandon felt the color draining from his face. He didn't want Adam,
who he figured was pretty pissed off at him, to know that he and Mike
were gay. He knew that if Adam ever got really angry, he would use it
against him.

    "Dude, are you guys, like, going out?" Adam asked, impatiently.

    "No, what the hell..."

    "I was walking to school and I guess I was kinda late. But as I was
walking past the woods, I saw you two, like, making out or something."

    "We were NOT making out! Just talking." Brandon hissed, not wanting
the whole school to hear him.

    "Brandon, you've been my best friend for so long. And I really don't
care, I mean, if you like a guy... but..."

    "But what?" Brandon interrupted.

    "But I don't like the fact that you've been ignoring me. I mean, for
him."

    "Okay... you're right. I'm sorry. But don't tell ANYONE!"

    "So, you admit there was something going on," Adam said, chuckling.
"Whatever floats your boat. Just don't bring me into it."

    Brandon laughed, and said, "Don't worry, I'm not attracted to you in
the least."

    Adam grinned, and said in the most seductive voice he could manage,
"Are you saying I'm not sexy?"

    They both started laughing and hurried down the hall to their
classes. Brandon was glad that he and Adam were on speaking terms again,
and was even happier that Adam wasn't totally homophobic. But he was
still worried that Adam might tell someone, even by accident. He didn't
want to put Mike or himself at risk.

    For the rest of the day Brandon's classes went by in a monotonous
drone, and when school finally ended he rushed home to get ready even
though there were still three hours until the party started. He pulled
on his favorite bright blue Hurley T-shirt and extra large khaki cargo
pants, spiked his hair, sprayed on his favorite cologne, and looked at
the clock. There were still two hours and forty-five minutes left. He
realized that he needed to relax, so he closed his door, put on a Tori
Amos CD (a guilty pleasure, since he typically listened to Slipknot),
and reflected upon the day he just had. He had almost kissed Mike, come
out to Adam, and was about to go to a party that would make or break his
social status. All this was pretty damn good, considering it was only
the third day of school.

    As the party grew closer, he became more and more nervous. He
thought of all the people that would be there, going through the list
over and over in his head, twelve good-looking popular guys, all of whom
he knew from previous years. He wondered if he should wear the Hurley
shirt, if his cologne was too strong, if his hair looked good... he was
so afraid to do something wrong!

    Just as Brandon was about to go put on another shirt, fix his hair,
and try different types of cologne, his phone rang. He was reluctant to
answer it, knowing it was probably Adam, but after four rings, he picked
it up and said a rather abrupt "hello". He was surprised when Mike
responded.

    "Hey, just thought I'd give you a call... you know, in case you
forgot about the party, or something..."

    "Oh, wow, hey. I thought it was someone else," said Brandon,
chuckling to himself. He could never forget about the party.

    "So, um... what're you doing? Are you busy? Cause, I can, like, go
if you want." Mike stuttered out. Brandon thought he sounded shy than
usual, making even cuter than usual.

    "No, no, I'm just sitting around... why do you ask?"

    "I was just thinking that if you weren't busy you could come over. I
mean, before the party starts. There's food..."

    Brandon was thrilled. Not about the food, but about the prospect of
more private time with Mike. Maybe he could finally get that kiss. He
took a few seconds before he said, "Yeah. I could do that. Like, now?"

    "Uh-huh. I mean, if you can. No rush."

    "Okay, I'll do that. Just out of curiosity, is your brother there?"

    "No, neither are my parents. So, if you're coming over, I'd better
go get the place ready. Can't wait to see you..."

    "Yeah, you too" said Brandon in shock. His parents weren't home...
"damn" Brandon thought to himself. He wondered what Mike had planned.