New Kid at City High, Chapter 9
By the time second semester began, Benji felt like City High was where he belonged. He'd been assimilated into the school rather quickly. He had more friends already than he'd had at his old high school even though he'd been in classes with some of the students since the elementary grades.
City High was a pretty friendly environment. Despite the presence of a few would-be bullies, there were plenty of good guys like Harrison to tip the balance. Even most of the freshmen students felt they were in a good place.
Inevitably, there were a few new faces in January due to students transferring in at that time. One of those was Anthony Weston who had arrived from Chicago at the end of the Christmas holiday.
Benji felt like he'd been blindsided when he saw his former classmate across the crowded foyer. Perhaps the British expression "gob smacked" would be more accurate. He'd had no warning that Tony would be a factor in his life again. Maybe the invitation to visit the Weston's over Christmas had been genuine. Only time would tell. It still amazed Benji that Tony might have wanted to see him at all.
In the meantime, Benji concentrated on getting to homeroom on time. He'd been running late because his locker door had jammed, and Gio had hurried ahead to explain to their homeroom teacher what had happened to Benji.
Benji had never felt that being in a homeroom with other "gifted" kids was a big deal until he'd met Gio. If they'd been in the regular homerooms, which were based on where one's surname occurred in the alphabet, they wouldn't have been together. Of course, they wouldn't have been in the same room with the new transfer from Chicago either. As it was, Tony Weston slipped in just ahead of the bell and took the seat in front of Benji.
Before sitting down, Tony turned around and said hello. Benji gave a curt nod of recognition. Gio had never seen Benji brush off another person, and he wondered what it was all about. Of course, he didn't know the two were acquainted.
"What's going on?" Gio whispered.
"I'll tell you later in private," Benji responded.
As the homeroom teacher began proceedings, by introducing the new kid, everyone got quiet.
Much to Benji's dismay, Tony was in their first-hour class as well. Benji wasn't totally surprised because the kid was smart enough. If only his treatment of others matched his intellect, he could be a likeable person.
Their physics teacher seated everyone in alphabetical order in four rows and had name-cards on the desks to speed up the organizational process. Benji found his name in the middle of row two, Tony was near the front of row three, and Gio was slightly behind and to the right of Benji in the last row. The seating arrangement meant that none of the three was likely to be working in a group of four with each other unless they were divided up in some way other than proximity.
While Benji would miss interacting with Gio, he was relieved that he probably wouldn't have to be with Tony either.
As the morning progressed, the trio found themselves in the same classes three out of four times.
Benji and Gio chose to eat at a table which was empty when they arrived. They got their places early because they'd carried their lunches from home instead of eating what the cafeteria was serving. Both usually checked the menu a day or two ahead so they could avoid certain entrees they considered inedible.
"So, what's up with the new kid?" Gio asked. "You seem to dislike him already. Did I miss something?"
"You remember I told you about a guy who tried to bully me in my old school?"
"Yup, the one you said threatened to out you, and you thought he was probably trying to cover for being a closet-case himself?"
"That would be Tony. Now he's acting like he wants to be my buddy here. I'm concerned about his motive. Obviously, I don't give a rat's ass if he tells anyone I'm gay because I've never denied it. Actually, it's never come up."
"You rode in on my coat-tails, I guess, Gio grinn3e. "I've been out forever."
"Don't look now, but I think Tony's headed our way."
"Hi, guys, may I join you?"
"It's a free country," Benji responded, without his usual welcoming smile.
"Um, I see we're all in a lot of the same classes. I'm feeling kinda lost in this new place. It's good to find someone I know."
"So, tell me about yourself," Benji said. "I knew a kid in Chicago who's a dead ringer for you, but he was a regular shit."
"Um, I was hoping we could start over," Tony studied his plate. "Could we call a truce?"
"What would be my incentive?"
"Look, I'm trying to make peace with you in a friendly way. Maybe I should have threatened to tell the world your little secret!"
"I don't have any secrets, large or small, here, do I Love," Benji smiled, squeezing Gio's hand.
"Nope, our friends all know we're dating."
"So, what will you do now?" Benji asked. "You have no power over me, and I've been taking karate, so I'm not afraid to take you on in a fair fight either. Like I said before, what's my incentive?"
"You've always been kind to strays. Maybe you could forget about the past and we could get along."
"You're asking for my help?"
"Yeah. Look, what do you want from me?"
"That was my question to you. Mostly I want you to leave me alone! You screwed me over before, but I'm immune to you now."
"Can't I do anything to change your mind?"
"Tony, why are you doing this?"
"I'm sorry, I thought you'd understand," Tony shook his head.
"What's to understand?"
"I'm gay. There, I've said it. Are you satisfied?"
"So, I was right. All the time you were taunting me, you were trying to cover up your own orientation."
"I knew my dad would disown me, so I had to put on a macho, homophobic show to convince him I wasn't like guys like you."
"That's no excuse for how you treated me when he wasn't around to hear it!"
"I know; I'm sorry. I can tell you're not going to understand, but..."
The chiming of the bell tone on the PA system marking the end of "A" lunch interrupted what Tony was about to say, and the guys hurried toward their next class.
Benji and Gio were in different sections of math, but Gio and Tony had it in common.
Tony chose a seat next to Gio, and Gio didn't object. He wanted to know more about the rift between his boyfriend and this new-comer. Tony continued what he'd been telling before being interrupted by the bell.
"I treated Benji like crap because I had a crush on him and I was afraid I'd give in and maybe, you know, mess around. I thought I had to drive him away."
"You succeeded for sure! But that's okay with me because now he's mine and I don't want any competition."
"Look, Gio, I don't plan to come between you two. I'd like Benji and me to be like we were back in grade school, before puberty hit - just good buds. Do you think I've blown my chances forever?"
"Maybe not. The Benji I know is very tender-hearted. You must have hurt him pretty badly, but I think he may come around in time if you tell him everything. I hope you're serious about not trying to cut me out of the picture. I love him a lot, and I'll fight for him!"
Gio and Benji had language arts and social studies together without Tony.
Benji seemed more relaxed in his absence. Gio explained Tony's rationale behind bullying Benji in the past. While Benji still felt the pain of those years, he began to see things differently knowing Tony had had a crush on him. Perhaps he could forgive his boyhood friend if the guy proved he'd changed.
"So, how was the first day of your new term," Ben asked his son over dinner.
"Mostly really good. My schedule is almost identical to fall term, and I have a bunch of the same teachers. I like almost everything about City High now that I've become a real part of it. There is one glitch, Tony Weston has moved here."
"Yes, I heard."
"How do you know all these things, oh omniscient one?" Benji grinned.
"His mother sent me an email today hoping I'd encourage you to help him fit in. Evidently, he came out to them late last fall and his father went ballistic. So, he's been sent to live here with his mother's parents. He's kind of at loose ends over the rift with his father."
"I understand about being the new kid in school, but he bullied me back at the academy. I'm not sure how to handle this. What's your advice?"
"I'll give you the same guidance I did when your mother invited you to visit over the holidays. Do whatever you feel is the right thing. You're a grownup, many not an adult in the legal sense, but in many ways you're mature enough to make adult choices. I trust your judgment. You should too."
"Thanks, Dad. I'm glad you see me like that. So, you're not giving any input?"
"Nope. I could make the decision for you and ask you to abide by it. However, that would be shortcutting the process of helping you become your own man."
"I get it. Thanks again, Dad; I love you!"
For the next week, the situation at school continued much like it was the first day of the term. Benji and Gio were polite to Tony, even to the point of eating lunch with him most of the time, but Benji remained distant.
Tony appeared to have accepted the arrangement, though he seemed to want to be closer.
As the days passed, Benji began to be more comfortable around his old nemesis. He didn't dislike Tony, but he had some lingering doubts, and he was still nursing a grudge.
On Thursday at the beginning of the math class that Tony and Gio shared without Benji, Tony had another brief heart to heart talk with Gio.
"You know, Benji and I were buds when we were little. And I've confessed I did my best to diss him when we started high school, so I think if I want to be his bud again, I'll have to do something drastic which would humiliate me to make up for it. I have an idea. Could I run it by you for your approval?"
"Okay."
The last hour was gym class, and all three had it together. That day, the teacher divided them into two teams for volleyball. Benji and Tony ended up on opposite sides in the front row across the net from one another, initially. They competed fiercely, but with good sportsmanship. Tony began to have hope that things could be like they once were.
In the locker room, after class, most of the guys were in a hurry to leave. A few didn't bother to shower, having more pressing things on their minds on Friday.
Gio and Benji often took their time, hoping to steal a kiss or two when the locker room was empty. They had no luck that day because Tony seemed to be stalling as well.
Coach Bostwick popped his head in to remind them to shut off the lights when they were done, and then he left quickly for a dental appointment.
Benji's and Gio's lockers were next to each other and Tony's was around the corner. All were still naked, toweling off the last moisture when Benji nearly jumped out of his skin as he felt someone's hands on his thighs.
"Tony, what the hell are you doing?"
"Penance," he said as he knelt and planted big sloppy kisses on both of Benji's butt-cheeks. "I figured kissing your ass was about as submissive as I could be. Will you forgive me, or at least begin to?"
"If I spread my cheeks, would you lick my pucker?"
The three teens began to chub-up slightly at the thought.
"Not without Gio's permission, Sir. He said I could kiss your butt, but I'm not allowed to do anything more intimate."
Benji turned and extended his hand to help Tony rise, and then he gave him a quick hug. Since neither of them sprouted full-blown wood, it was an act of comradeship without a hint of lust.
"Okay, I forgive you. Gio told me about the crush thing. I had a crush on you back in middle school too, but you did manage to, um, crush it," Benji joked. "We can be buds again; however, we can't be lovers. My heart, and my hardon, belong to this guy."
With that, Gio and Benji embraced and exchanged a deep kiss. When they pulled apart, both were rising to the occasion. Witnessing their arousal, Tony popped a boner too.
"You've grown since we were 12," Benji noticed.
"You have too!" Tony gulped, returned the compliment.
"If we're all going to be friends, there are a few things you need to do," Gio announced. "Obviously, you're not allowed to hit on MY boyfriend, and beyond that, you should join us in a couple of activities. You need to attend a GSA meeting at least once."
"I'm not sure what that stands for," Tony frowned. I know GAS' is what runs a car and SAG' is how some guys wear their jeans and `AGS' are guys studying farming at Iowa State."
"Don't be cute," Benji shook his head. "You've surely heard of the Gay/Straight Alliance."
"Okay, I get it, but won't that out me right off the bat?"
"Would that be a bad thing?" Gio asked. "You must know that hanging around us will make people suspect. Besides, there's strength in numbers, and not everyone who's a member is gay. My sister's boyfriend belongs, and he's like our biggest protector."
"Okay, I'll give it a try. What else do you want me to do?"
"You should join us in karate club too. You'll have fun and meet more friends. We almost never miss."
"Guys, I took a few lessons when I was about nine and haven't done anything with it since."
"It's probably like riding a bike," Benji suggested. "Gio and I can review some of the elementary forms with you on Sunday afternoon so you won't feel out of place. I guarantee you that no one will make fun of you. Everyone is super-nice!"
"Thanks! Wow! I love both of you! Um, not like you love each other."
Gio slept over with Benji on both Friday and Saturday night. They did their homework the minute they got in the house so it wouldn't be hanging over their heads. They had found that their diligence paid off because their parents were very liberal in allowing them together-time since their grades didn't suffer.
Gio was scheduled to work the lunch shift on Saturday, and Benji went with him to help for free. Grandpa Giovani was short on waitstaff due to the flu which had felled several of his regulars, including Sophia. He said Benji could fill in if he wanted to and would be paid minimum wage in addition to the tips he make. Benji was pleased to do it because he wanted to be with his boyfriend anyway, and a little extra spending money never hurt.
Benji was happy with the amount of tip money he got. He felt bad for Gio who was busing tables, and he decided to split the tips, evenly, with him. It was, after all, common practice for the wait-staff to give the busboys a percentage.
After their shift was over, Grandpa Giovani fed them, on the house, of course.
Tony's grandma dropped him off at Benji's house on Sunday afternoon. She waited in the drive to make sure they were at the correct house before leaving. Benji ran out to tell her he would take Tony home when they were finished. She was pleased that she wouldn't have to make a return trip.
Ben greeted Tony warmly before the boys went down to the basement to practice their karate moves. He invited the kid to stay for dinner with Gio, Benji, and him. Tony was moved by the hospitality, and he sent his grandmother a quick text to let her know the plans.
Ben had outfitted an area in the basement with a large firm rubber mat for Benji to use for practicing karate. It would cushion a fall, and the surface was non-skid to prevent them from slipping.
Benji and Gio wore shorts and T's instead of their gis because they didn't want Tony to feel out of place. They told him that several of the guys at school didn't have uniforms, but that the two of them did and would wear them to club meetings. They advised him to make sure he wanted to continue before investing in one.
For his part, Tony was surprised at how much came back to him from so long ago. By the time supper was served, he felt a lot more confident about joining the rest of the group on Tuesday after school.
After dinner, it was time to take their guests home. Since Benji had a provisional driver's license, he couldn't legally take more than one kid who wasn't related to him. He told Gio he'd take Tony home first and then come back for him.
Gio said it wouldn't hurt him to walk the short distance home, despite the cold, windy weather. Ben came to the rescue by offering to drive Tony to the Novotny's home because it would give him a chance to meet them. Thus, the logistics were all settled.
"So, what's up with you, Gio," Benji asked as they sat in his car in the Thompson's driveway saying their goodbyes.
"Um, I don't know..."
"Come on, Gio, I know you well enough. Something's going on in your mind. We promised to be honest with each other. Are you having second thoughts about us?"
"NO, never!"
"Whew! I thought maybe you were finding Tony more interesting."
"Are you sure you're not?" Gio blurted out.
"Oh, Baby, is that what's worrying you? I've come to like Tony again, thanks to your intervention, but I'm never going to be in love with him. What can I do to prove it?"
"You don't have to prove anything. I'm the one who needs to work on my feelings. It's taken me so long to find someone who loves me..." Gio sniffled.
"Me too. You were worth waiting for and I'd like to think I am too."
The boys embraced and kissed as fully as they could over the console between their seats. When they pulled apart, Gio smiled.
"I'm sorry to be such a wuss. I guess I'm not very self-confident or whatever."
"Hey, it's okay. I'm not either. I wish we didn't have school tomorrow."
There's an old saying, "be careful what you wish for because it might come true and you might not like the results." However, in the case of a snowstorm which causes the cancellation of school in mid-January, few students would complain.
Benji received Gio's text at the very time he was composing one. Gio hoped they could spend the day together at Benji's house. He would have been willing to host, but Sophia was housebound because she still didn't feel topnotch after her recent bout with the flu. He didn't want to entertain his boyfriend while she was home lest he get sick too.
Benji was already dressed, and had eaten breakfast, so he told Gio to slog his way over whenever he wanted to come. It wasn't 15 minutes before his love was at the kitchen door.
"Man, you look like Nanook of the North! What could possibly be important enough to make you come out in weather like this?"
"You, Dufus! `I've got my love to keep me warm,'" he sang, repeating lyrics from an old song Grandpa liked to sing in the winter.
Benji helped him out of his parka and ski pants. Then the two of them hugged and kissed for several minutes, as they would love to have done in the car the night before.
Author's notes: Heard from John L, Allen, Tony C, Walter S, Richie W, Jamie L, Bill T, Chandra B, Ray M, Don MK, Bill K, Gordon, Ott H, Marty H, JLF, Jim W, Joe W#2, Paul R, Tom A, Hotrod, Si R, Randy McM, Mendy D, Les H, and Neal D this week. Thanks for staying in touch. Please stay well during this pandemic.
Thanks to David for editing and thanks to Nifty for post. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.htm l
If you enjoyed this tale, I'd love to hear from you. Please write to me at: dlee169@hotmail.com
David