Playing It Out Straight

by Andrew McQuinn

  I climbed onto the bed, leaning against what had become my pillow, and opened my book.

  “You know, there’s always my prom,” I said a minute later.

  Granted my prom was far down the road, but if we were still together then he would, undoubtedly, be the first I’d ask.

  “You’d take a guy to your prom?”

  “I’d take my boyfriend to my prom.”

  I noticed him smile. “You should get started on your homework.”

  I did my best to ignore Scotty and got started on history first. After about an hour of studying, I decided to move onto the persuasive essay I had to write. I got lost in my research about fossils and didn’t even notice Scotty left to take a shower. I heard the water shut off and looked toward his bathroom. He walked out in a towel.

  “What time is it?” I asked.

  “Almost six, I didn’t want to bother you.”

  He walked over to the bed. I saved my essay and closed my Macbook, tossing it aside. Scotty got on the bed and laid down next to me. I watched droplets of water run down his chest.

  I chuckled.

  “What?” Scotty questioned.

  “I used to be jealous of water droplets on you because they got to touch you and I didn’t.”

  “And now you can lick them off,” he teased with a wink.

  I wanted to lean against him and kiss him, but it all seemed weird to do, knowing his family was on the other side of the door. I laid down and gazed up at him. He propped himself up on his elbow and leaned in to kiss me.

  “Are you sure we should? After all your family is here and I don’t—”

  Scotty chuckled and brushed his hand against my chin. I shut up instantly. He leaned in and kissed me. Scotty straddled me and I inhaled the citrus undertones that dripped off his body and onto mine. We made out for a bit. While it was quick, and we were whisper quiet, I loved every moment. Having gotten my clothes wet, he tossed me some pajamas. We got dressed, and then crawled in bed for more kisses and cuddles. I heard a knock on the door, Scotty sat up.

  “Just a minute,” he yelled.

  He leaned back down and gave me a quick kiss then got up and walked over and opened the door, before walking into his closet. I sat up and shoved my things in my backpack.

  “Sorry to disturb your studying Kyle, but dinner is ready,” Tina said.

  “Good, I’m ravenous.”

  Tina made salmon topped with a lemon sauce and capers. Asparagus, wild rice, and a kale and beet salad rounded out the rest of the meal. Silverware clinked against plates and satisfied groans filled the air before we got to talking.

  “This is phenomenal, I can tell Scotty didn’t get his cooking skills from you,” I said,

  “Hey,” Scotty said.

  “Well you didn’t.”

  “When Scotty was seven, he and Sara tried making me breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day. He insisted on making this dish he saw Emeril Lagassé make on television. Let’s just say it was dry as cardboard and over salted. At least I had coffee to wash it down with.”

  Everyone laughed, except Scotty.

  “If I recall, he also added a half a cup of sugar to your coffee,” Dean added.

  His family laughed, meanwhile Scotty’s face turned bright red.

  “I’m guessing he hasn’t told you many embarrassing stories about his childhood?” Sara asked.

  “Nope,” I said with a smile.

  “And it’s staying that way,” Scotty said.

  “That’s what you think,” Sara replied. “He had the cutest lisp when he lost his front teeth.”

  “Remember how air whistled each time he spoke?” Dean said.

  “Yeah, was that around the same time he went to school in his pajamas because my grade was doing it and he thought the entire school was?” Sara asked.

  “No, that was the following year.”

  “We all told him it was just the sixth graders who could go in their pjs but he didn’t care,” Tina said.

  “Guys,” Scotty squeaked, his face bright red. I held Scotty’s hand and smiled at his family.

  “Maybe we should stop, for Scotty’s sake,” I said.

  “Thank you.”

  “What other stories do you have?”

  Scotty slouched in defeat as his family laughed and went on to tell me more embarrassing stories. I liked his family. We moved to the living room for dessert. At this point we’d moved on from embarrassing stories to general chatter. Around eight we said our goodbyes to Dean and Tina and soon after I excused myself and went to bed. I awoke the next morning and heard Scotty and his sister talking in the kitchen.

  “You do like him, don’t you?” Scotty innocently asked.

  “Yes, I love him he’s a great guy.”

  “Good, I do too. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”

  “I can tell. How is he handling your workload?”

  “I think it bothers him. I can’t say I blame him it would bother me too.”

  “I’m sure it adds some strain.”

  “It does. We don’t have the luxury to be all lovey dovey in public. I’m petrified the paparazzi will snap a photo of us or something.”

  “That can’t be easy. If it’s any consolation, you two are such an adorable couple. He’s good for you.”

  “You think?”

  “Yeah.”

  I heard Scotty’s hushed whisper. I wondered what he told his sister to warrant the cheerful response.

  “Awe you’re killing me with cuteness here.”

  “Oh, stop it. Don’t get all gushy on me?” I heard them laugh. “I’m going to go check on him.”

  “Okay.”

  I closed my eyes and heard the door open. Moments later the other side of the bed sank down. Scotty’s hand brushed against my shoulder and arm. I tried to pretend I was asleep but when he reached my hip and started tickling my stomach, I burst out laughing.

  “I hate you,” I said rolling over to face him.

  He smiled. “No, you don’t.”

  He was right, I didn’t. He moved to my other hip resting his hand on it. He leaned in and kissed me.

  “You ready to go pick up Emilie?”

  “Are we going to have breakfast first?”

  “Of course, it’s waiting for you.”

  I got up and followed him toward the kitchen

  “It’s a good thing breakfast food is my favorite, cause it’s all you know how to cook,” I teased.

  “Shut up,” Scotty whined, turning red.

  The moment I entered the kitchen, the sweet smell of cinnamon and sugar hit me in the face. Sara turned from the oven holding a pan of monkey bread. She flipped it onto a plate, poured icing over it, and set it on the island. Orange juice and fried eggs joined. I sat down and peeled away a few pieces of monkey bread and began eating.

  “Ohhh hot, hot, hot fuckity hot!” I said dropping the bread and licking my finger.

  Scotty looked at me and chuckled. I grabbed a small glass of orange juice, downing half of it. I moaned clenching my forehead.

  “Brain freeze?” Sara asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Slow down babe, we aren’t in any hurry.” Scotty said.

  I watched as he grabbed the fruit bowl from the fridge and set it next to my plate. This was his subtle hint to get me to eat some fruit. I eyed him as I reached for a banana and scooped out some of the strawberries and blueberries from the bowl. While I waited for everything else to cool, I ate the banana. I finished breakfast before everyone else, so I excused myself to shower.

  Hot water rained down from above and relaxed my muscles instantly. I let the water run down my body for a few minutes and looked around the large shower. The shower door still amazed me, I loved watching the water run down between the two panes of glass, it distorted everything on the other side. I reached for Scotty’s soap and began to wash myself up when I heard the bathroom door open.

  “Hey,” I said. “You know…” I paused.

  “No, I don
’t know.”

  I smiled and debated for a moment. “You can come in if you want.”

  I heard the shower door open and slowly turned and faced him. The soap slipped out of my hand and slid to his feet. He picked it up and walked toward me. Scotty’s soapy hands ran over my body, I did the same. I grabbed the shampoo and put some in my hands and massaged it into his scalp. He stood there looking at me as I did this. We didn’t even talk, just listened to the sounds of the shower and examined each other. I played around with his hair, shaping it into a faux hawk, and he smiled and kissed me. I pulled him close to me, two naked bodies touching, and hugged him before I rested my head against his chest. I watched the shampoo run down over his shoulder. We stood like this until his hair rinsed clean, then we got out.

  § § § §

  Valentine’s Day approached fast. I was excited to spend part of my evening with Scotty. Emilie sat in her usual seat, four rows back from the front. I walked up and joined her. She handed me a valentine, smiling.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day!” Emilie cheered.

  “Thanks.”

  The valentine was a Peanuts cartoon of Lucy giving her two cents advice to Charlie Brown about love. I laughed and handed Emilie a box of her favorite Swiss chocolates.

  “These are for you.”

  “I love em,” she beamed.

  I sat back and told her about Scotty and me. She asked what we had planned for tonight. As far as I knew we were just going to have a quiet evening at his place. I didn’t want him wasting money on an expensive dinner for me. Before we knew it, the bus came to a muffled halt outside of school. Emilie and I parted ways and I headed to my first period art class. We were working on self-portraits, my least favorite thing to do. Over the loudspeaker I heard the principal call down a few students.

  The school announced that morning they had a rule if you wanted to give someone a larger valentine like bears and flowers. The valentine had to be left in the main office, and the respective student would be called down. I was surprised when halfway through class my name was announced. I set down the graphite pencil and walked toward the door, behind me I heard some girls say “ooOoo” followed by some giggles. I wondered what they’d say if they knew my valentines came from Scotty Valentin, the teenage heart throb.

  I rolled my eyes and walked out of the room and headed down the empty hallway. Overhead I heard Emilie’s name called. Behind, I heard another set of footsteps fast approaching. I turned and saw Shane and one of his buddies, Wayne, walking toward me. I sighed and kept walking toward the main office. Out of nowhere his hand was on my shoulder. I felt pressure build as I tried to walk away. He squeezed my shoulder and slammed me against a row of lockers. Pain vibrated in my head, but I ignored it and glared at Shane.

  “Hey buddy,” Shane said behind a smile.

  “Do you treat all your buddies this way?” I asked. Wayne shook his head and wore a shitty grin.

  “Only my favorites. So, I hear you got called down to the office ’cause someone gave you a valentine,” Shane said with a pout.

  I rolled my eyes. Ever since the word got around, I was interested in guys, he was bullying me even more. I was starting to feel bad for Chaz, until I became Shane’s new target he was bullied for a year and a half. Solidifying my suspicions that Shane’s a troubled teen who also questioned his sexuality, and this was how he expressed his fear and hatred. Recently I started to stick up for myself, using mostly words, but I had also signed up for a few self-defence course as I promised Scotty I would. If I thought it got out of hand, I could defend myself. We continued to glared at each other, and then I turned away.

  “I did, what is it to you?”

  He reached up and slammed me against the lockers again. The metal grate of the locker dug into my shoulder. I wanted to react, instead I kept my cool.

  “Not so fast. I’m not done talking with you.”

  “Since when do I have to report to you?” I snapped. I turned and stepped away when his hand rest on my shoulder; I brushed it off and said, “Dude back off.”

  “Faggot,” he mumbled under his breath.

  I walked backward, keeping my eyes zoned in on Shane’s.

  “You know if you broaden your vocabulary some, you could write a novel,” I shot back.

  Wayne couldn’t help but quietly laugh. Shane defensively stepped forward, but I ignored him and rounded the corner to the main entrance. I turned into the front office and saw a flood of flowers, candy, and giant teddy bears which consumed the front desk and floor. Out of all the red roses, a bouquet of wildflowers caught my eye. Attached to the bouquet was a medium sized bear hugging the vase.

  “Can I help you?” the receptionist asked.

  “Yea I was called down, Kyle McKinley.”

  “Oh, right sorry, today is always busy.” She walked over and grabbed a heart shaped box of chocolates and a large card. She set it in front of me and went and picked up the wildflowers, they joined the chocolates.

  “Wow,” I said.

  I opened the larger card attached to the chocolates first. Written in true Hallmark fashion was a cheesy Valentine’s Day poem. The signature caught my attention. Happy Valentine’s Day signed: your secret admirer. I rolled my eyes and wondered who my admirer was. My guess it was Emilie or Chaz being funny, or Scotty being mysterious. I looked at the flowers and saw a small card sticking out of them. I reached for it and tore the envelope open. Will you be my Valentine? Signed: your secret admirer. I looked back at the receptionist.

  “Who left these here?”

  “Sorry, I was asked not to give out names.”

  Names?

  Confused, I pulled out my phone and rang Scotty, putting him on speaker phone so I could carry everything easier.

  “Hello?” Scotty answered.

  “Hey, thanks for the chocolates and flowers and stuff, but why didn’t you sign your name?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  I grabbed everything and walked away.

  “I just got called down to the front office. I got a card with a cheesy poem in it, not really something you would use but it came with some chocolates. Then I got a bouquet of wildflowers with a bear. Neither of them had an identity, signed secret admirer.”

  “Wasn’t me,” Scotty said, sounding a little annoyed.

  “Oh.”

  “Hey Kyle, you forgot this,” Emilie said from behind.

  I turned around and saw her carrying more flowers and another bear. She took some of the things I was holding so I could take him off speaker phone.

  “More things?” Scotty complained.

  “Yup, let me guess these aren’t from you either.”

  “You guessed right. They aren’t. I was given strict orders not to make a big deal out of today. Look I got to go.”

  He hung up before I could say bye. I was confused again. Had I said something wrong?

  “Dude you have the best boyfriend ever, I wish mine did this for me,” Emilie said.

  “It wasn’t him. I have some secret admirer.”

  “Ooo la la, I wonder who it is.”

  “Who knows, probably Chaz.”

  “There are more gay kids in this school than Chaz.”

  “True. Walk with me.”

  I walked past the main entrance and saw a delivery truck pull up with more things. I rolled my eyes, What a waste of money. They rushed by and went right to the office.

  “This kid just left, he’s probably out in the lobby.”

  I turned and saw a guy walk out with a single rose.

  “I don’t want it you can have it,” I said to Emilie.

  He handed me the rose, smiling, and then walked away.

  “I hate roses,” I grumbled, handing it to Emilie.

  “It’s from your parents.”

  “Seriously?” I questioned.

  I looked at the card it read Happy Valentine’s Day love Mom and Dad. Then I heard my brother’s name announced over the intercom. My mom was probably the one who
sent it.

  “Still don’t want it?” Emilie asked.

  “Nah I’ll take it, but if I get anything else, unless it’s from Scotty you can have it.”

  “Sweet!”

  I got called down two more times to the office before last period. Everything I received had no name on it, just secret admirer. Emilie ended up with two boxes of chocolates, a teddy bear, and two dozen roses. I sat in biology, flattered to think I was popular enough to have secret admirers. I smelled the wildflowers again, confused about who sent them. Scotty was the only person who knew I preferred them over roses. They made me think of him, even if he didn’t get them for me. He always gave me exotic flowers, never sticking with the traditional things. It made our relationship more exciting.

  The more I thought of Scotty however the more I thought of how he acted earlier. He was short with me, to the point I thought he might yell. It was a side of him I had never seen before. As the last bell rang, I made my way to the lockers. Stephen was still at his by the time I reached mine.

  “Someone’s popular, is that all from Scotty?” he asked.

  “No. None of it is from him, apparently I have secret admirers.”

  He laughed at my full locker and hands. I rolled my eyes and began to pull shit out.

  “Dad would get a kick out of this,” he said taking a picture.

  “Would you bring some of this home, Scotty’s supposed to be picking me up after school.”

  I set everything on the floor and slammed my locker shut. My phone began to ring.

  “It’s him, so can you?”

  “Yeah sure.”

  “Thanks, see you at home. Hello?” I said.

  “Meet me outside, we need to talk,” Scotty said.

  I stopped in my tracks when I heard a dial tone and closed my phone, my heart dropped. What’s wrong?

  “Everything okay?” Stephen asked with a look of concern on his face.

  “Yeah, I guess he wants to talk, tell Mom and Dad I’ll be home later, if they ask who I am with just say out with Emilie.”

  Emilie had become my usual alibi. I walked away, pushing through the crowd of students. Once outside I saw Scotty leaning against his car. A crowd of freshman girls were gathered around. As I approached, I heard one ask for an autograph. He chuckled and looked up at me.