Bob's pov

Thanksgiving dinner was awkward, minus Alan's mother and mine chatting it up. Here and there one of our mother's would try to urge us to talk to each other. I tried to ignore it and when Alan tried I shot him a glare whenever I could. If I got caught it would be my mother catching it, and she would give me a little pinch.

Afterwards mother was quite upset with me. I was too upset with my own issues to pay her any mind. She didn't say anything about it, but I could tell by her disappointed looks. We both went to bed as soon as we got home- well not to sleep but to our rooms. I stared at my phone, growing more and more angry with myself. I was waiting for none other than Alan, a text from Alan.

I wanted him to text me, while at the same time I didn't want him to text me. A couple of times I almost texted him myself, thank goodness he couldn't see if I was typing. Eventually I decided to put my phone away to charge and to go to sleep. But it was hard to sleep with so many things going on in my mind. The dinner, him, the kiss, Stacie moving, the new set of bullies, dad, and much much more. Things usually only got like this when I was stressed and overwhelmed with school. I could overthink easily about anything it seems.

The only way I could be able to sleep is to try to ignore it. So I tried, and failed. I typed everything out that was going through my brain, what I wanted to do. I would apologize to mom about the dinner, my behavior. Dad would be coming back soon, he always did and mom said he would. And Stacie wasn't my problem, that was Alan's. And Alan...

Do I like him?

I laid back quickly breathing hard. I blinded up at the ceiling with my phone laying on my pillow next to me. It was glowing up at the ceiling, waiting for me to type more, an answer. I sighed grabbing my phone and staring at it for a while. Almost everything was released, I was more relaxed where I could sleep. I turned off my phone and out it away.

I won't like him. I don't like him.

That was the last thing I thought before closing my eyes and falling asleep. When I opened my eyes again the sun was shining right into my room, burning my eyes. I closed them for a while before opening them again and getting up. I ignored my bed hair and the need of toothpaste, looking for my mother. I found her in the kitchen washing dishes.

"Sorry." I said hugging her from behind. I felt her go still then eventually relax.

"It's okay, I know you're not perfect with talking to people." she says continuing to wash the dishes.

I sigh letting go gently and grab a towel. I started helping her but drying the dishes and putting them up. Afterward I helped her with breakfast, a simple toast and eggs.

After eating I went upstairs to find my phone lit up. I went over to see texts from Alan's friends...then from Alan himself. I was debating whether to reply or to just flat out ignore him.

Alan

Alan: Hey?

Me: Hey.

Alan: Look. I know I was kinda shitty

Me: Kinda?

Alan: Alright. I'm shitty, and I can't promise that I'll not be shitty. But I can promise I'll work on it, and won't forever be shitty.

Me: Can you?

Alan: I hope.

I wasn't sure how to reply to that. I guess I also hoped things wouldn't continue to be like this. But I couldn't think or worry about that, I had other things to do. Such as looking up the weather, figuring out who's birthday it was going to be for the week, and more. That all came down to me, the announcer?

Most of my break I did that. And when I came back to school, that was all that was on my mind at that moment. Until I started to get more looks than normal, whispers and snickers going around. I wasn't use to this much attention. Being ignored was one thing, and I think I liked that much better.

But it all made sense, as soon as I saw a huge picture of Alan and I kissing on the bullet board. On the lockers, on the walls all in the halls, doors, and I could go on. It was like posters of them were everywhere. Me being gay wasn't really the problem, was it? I mean there was a lot of people who swung the other way or both ways. And then some who didn't swing at all, now those may have been the lucky ones. But I wouldn't know, because I'm stuck where I am. And I don't even swing that way! Do I..? I don't....I don't know.

So many thoughts invaded my brain at once. I couldn't process, all I know is that my new bully group was making their way over to me, smirks on all their faces.

"So I guess that's how you got into the party." The leader says snickering. "I guess I should have known the fattie was a fag, who knew that guy would be into you though."

"Wh-Why would you do this?" Is all I could process to say.

"I didn't." The leader scoffed as I felt my throat burn and eyes sting.

I couldn't cry, not again. Not in front of so many people. A voice spoke and brought me back to reality.

"What is this?!" Alan yells walking up to one of the posters tearing it down. "Did you do this?!" he seethed towards me and I just blinked.

"Excuse me?" I say choking out my words almost laughing a little.

"Did you do this?" Alan growled shaking the ripped up poster in my face.

"Why would I-" I started to say glaring but he threw the poster and started ripping down the other's.

Then I caught a familiar figure in the crowd. It was none other than Stacie, who was trying to push past people. Alan turner back glaring my way after tearing some down then his face relaxed when he saw Stacie. But she looked at him frowning.

"This isn't what it looks like-" Alan tries to explain but Stacie puts her hand up.

"It's exactly what it looks like, you're taking your anger out on someone instead of getting the facts. I thought you were better than that." Stacie says shaking her head and turns away. "I just wanted to say goodbye and maybe stay a few minutes longer, but I think I will just go now." she says and with that walks away pushing past them to leave out the doors.

Sorry I didn't get to update yesterday! I finally got to my word goal!