We had all assembled in the science lab at school for our next lesson. The class naturally filtering into your typical senior high school cliques. You had the nerds at the front, the norms in the middle and your jocks and cheerleaders at the back.
I was, as far as I was aware the only openly gay student in my class, possibly even the senior year. I knew I was gay from an early age and was proud to show it.
That said, being gay in high school comes with its own problems. I was 18, had never dated, or even kissed another person my own age. My friends were typically girls as many of the boys didn't feel comfortable being around me, in case they were called gay by association. It also meant that I was an easy target for homophobia, especially from the jocks.
I just had to endure it a few more months until graduation then I'd be free and I'd hopefully never have to see some of these ass hats again.
Our science teacher - Mr Hernandez was just about to start the lesson, when the door opened, and one of the other teachers came in to the room followed by a boy I didn't recognise.
"Mr Hernandez, apologies for interrupting your lesson. This is Dylan, he's going to be joining the class for the remainder of the year. Class, I want you to make Dylan feel welcome."
I felt for him in that moment, when all eyes immediately look towards him, knowingly being sized up by everyone in the room. Was he cute? Was he funny? Is he a bully? etc etc.
My initial reaction? I thought he was cute, tall dark and handsome in fact.
"Thank you Mr Hernandez." She gave a grateful smile to the teacher and left Dylan standing at the front of the room on his own.
Mr Hernandez looked at Dylan and then glanced at the class, peering over his glasses, trying to work out where he should go.
There was something about him, I felt that I had to get to know him, I couldn't explain why, but I was drawn to him.
As Mr Hernandez was thinking, I was secretly hoping he would put him next to me.
"You can sit next to Simon in the middle over there," and he pointed to an empty stool next to me.
Thank you Mr Hernandez I thought to myself.
"Simon will look after you," he said then pushed his glasses up towards the top of his nose again.
There was a snigger behind me and I turned to look.
"Yeah, Simon will look after you," Jared one of the jocks said, then opened his mouth and simulated a blow job by pulling his hand back and fore by his mouth and pushing his tongue against his cheek repeatedly.
"Fuck you," I mouthed silently as not to get in trouble. The boys carried on laughing.
Dylan pulled up next to me and sat down on the stool.
He had black wavy hair, dark brown eyes and a lightly tanned complexion.
"Hey," he said as he grabbed a pen and note book from his bag.
"Hey."
There was that initial awkwardness to get through first, with us not really knowing what to say to each other, also it was class so we couldn't say much.
Our lesson proceeded as normal and I found myself helping Dylan catch up. He was pretty smart, so it didn't take much effort on my part.
The hour flew by and it was now time for lunch.
We all stood up, packed our bags and slowly filtered through the door.
"Don't forget Biology test next week," Mr Hernandez shouted.
We all poured into the main corridor and I could see Dylan didn't know what to do with himself.
"Do you want to grab lunch with me?" I turned to ask him.
"Sure," he said with a relieved look on his face.
We grabbed some food from the canteen and ventured outside as it was a nice day and found somewhere quiet to sit.
"So, I'm Simon and l'll be your host this evening." I joked.
Dylan laughed. That's when I noticed his beautiful smile.
"I'm Dylan, it's nice to meet you Simon."
"So... what brings you to this dump?" I said.
"Oh you know, My dad got a new job so naturally we had to up sticks and move to a new town, which kinda sucks as I had to leave my old life behind."
I gave him a sympathetic nod.
"But here I am, new school, no friends, starting all over again, but enough about me, what about you?"
"Me? don't know what to say really. My name is Simon as you know, I drive a shitty Honda Civic - Rust edition I'll have you know and I'm the only openly gay person here."
"Wait..." he said and slid back from his chair.
He startled me with his reaction, instantly thinking here's another male I've repelled by announcing I'm gay.
"You're, you're..."
My face sunk as I internally prepared for the rejection.
"You're a Honda Civic owner."
He burst out laughing.
"Oh Dude, your face was a picture. I'm sorry, I'm only messing with you."
"I thought..."
"What? That it would bother me that you're gay."
"Well yeah."
"Well it doesn't."
My whole body relaxed again.
"You asshole," I said jokingly before laughing with him.
"And what exactly is wrong with my Honda Civic? I'll have you know that Petunia is a very reliable car and gets me from A to B with only 18 stops in between."
He gave out a hearty laugh and dazzled that beautiful smile again.
"I'm sure Petunia is very nice," he said before snorting with laughter again.
Dylan and I seemed to hit it off and I think I may have actually made a new male friend.
For the rest of the week we were inseparable, I'd show him around school, we'd work together, ate lunch together.
It was Friday and the final bell of the day had rung and the school rapidly emptied for the weekend.
"Do you want a ride home?" I asked.
"I'll introduce you to Petunia."
Dylan smiled at me.
"Sure man, thanks. I'd love to meet Petunia."
We walked side by side each other until we reached the car.
"So... what do ya think?" I said with my arms wide opened like one of those models on a game show, showing off what the contestant could win."
"Nice," Dylan said with a mock impressed face.
"I especially like the corroded metal effect around the bottom there."
"I know right," I said playing along with him.
"I think it improves the ventilation."
We got in the car and we drove over to Dylan's house. I pulled up by the kerb and he reached to get his bag from the footwell.
"Thanks Si.. ooh can I ask a favour?"
"Sorry dude, I know what you're thinking but only I'm allowed to drive Petunia."
He laughed.
"Are you free Sunday? I could really use some help revising for that Biology test."
"Sure man, no problem. What time do you want me?"