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Adam breathed out slowly as he navigated the crowded hallway of his school—ignored as best he could the stares, names and shoves he got from the kids trying to make his life hell. It wasn’t easy, it had been a hard fucking week already—he’d been cast as Charlie in the theater department’s upcoming musical, “Brigadoon”.
He couldn’t help it if he had talent. He loved to sing and act out different people on stage—it gave him a different reality to play in, one where he wasn’t threatened on a daily basis.
Besides, he’d only received the role because he was the only male who could hit the character’s high notes and sing the main song with enough support while using a Scottish accent.
Adam knew what he was, but refused to admit it. It would only make it worse—at least that’s what he’d convinced himself. And he was only a freshman—it was a long way to graduation. He hoped to make it out as alive as possible with some dignity left over.
He had plenty of time to come out, to tell people that he desired men over females and was proud of it, but he wasn’t ready for any of that yet. He’d only just figured out why girls didn’t affect him like they did other boys his age over summer break.
It would be a while before anyone else would know.
Groaning as he was shoved into the wall accompanied by the jeers of the school jocks, he slid onto the nearby bench and put his head in his hands. Maybe he was wrong—how could he survive this and for four years?
“Hey you.” He heard his best friend Danielle whisper in his ear.
He moved his head in acknowledgement, but refused to look up. “Hey…”
His hand was pulled gently away from his face and her fingers intertwined with his. “Adam, c’mon.”
Reluctantly, Adam turned his head. “Yeah?”
She smiled warmly, before leaning in and whispering in his ear. “I know, and it’s okay. I still love you and the world wont end. I’m here through thick and thin, baby.”
Adam squeezed her hand tightly as a couple tears overflowed onto his cheeks. “How?”
“I’m your best friend, dumbass,” she winked. “You think you can keep that shit from me? I know you better than you think.”
He chuckled, leaning his head on her shoulder as they sat in comfortable silence. A moment later, she wrapped an arm around him in a loving and warm embrace. “Thank you, Dani.”
“Always, baby.”