Stephen's POV

After school, I went home to change. Now, I'm at the pizzeria with Pete and Greg. I told them what happened to me, but I left out what I said to Michael.

Greg asks, "You want us to slap this loser around? "

I shake my head and say, "Nah, let's do what we did with Davis. Become his body guard, then force him to pay us. "

Pete says, "It'd be nice to have two clients. "

I look out the window, across the street and see Michael with Davis. I smile and say,

"Looky here, fellas. Over at the arcade. I believe that's Davis. And look who he brought with him... Michael. "

Greg smiles and says, "Well, Stephen, I think you should introduce us. "

Pete laughs and says, "Yeah. "

I get up and say, "Not a bad idea, Greg. Let's go. "

I toss a five on the table to pay for the pizza. Greg, Pete, and I head across the street to the arcade.

We walk in. We all look around. I see Michael and Davis at the pinball machine. I say,

"Over there, guys. At the pinball. "

Pete laughs and says, "What a lame game. "

Greg says, "Let's not waste any time. "

We walk over there. I roughly put my arms over Davis and Michael. They both are startled. I laugh and say,

"Hey guys! Funny seeing you two here. "

I turn them around to face Greg and Pete. I feel Michael shaking and Davis says,

"Oh no... "

I say, "I would like you guys to meet, Michael. Michael this is Pete and Greg. "

Greg and Pete both smirk at Michael. Pete grabs Davis's collar and says,

"Davie, doesn't this pinball machine cost money to play? "

Davis quickly says, "Only two quarters! "

Greg looks at the table near the pinball machine and says,

"Two drinks and two large fries. Now..Davis, I believe that costs.. Oh, I don't know, exactly $15! "

I use my arm to squeeze Davis and say,

"Davis, are you flaking out on us? "

He says, "That's not ours! "

I say sarcastically, "Oh really? "

I squeeze Michael and ask,

"Michael, as your new buddy, you wouldn't lie to me. So, tell me. Did Davis pay for those snacks? "

Michael stutters, "Y-Yes. "

Greg says, "I like this guy, Stephen. "

I let Michael go and say, "Get out of here, loser. Go! "

Michael's POV

I quickly get outside and stop in my tracks. I can't leave Davis in there. He's the first kind person I've met.

I clench my fists and walk back inside. I see that they cornered Davis. I walk up behind the one named Greg. I tap his shoulder. He turns around.

I use my right hand to punch him. He falls to the ground, holding his jaw. Pete grabs me roughly. Stephen won't stop staring at me.

A older man's voice says,

"Now, fellas, I ain't havin none of that fightin in here. I will call the police. "

Stephen says, "No need, Jeffrey. We'll take this out back. "

Greg gets up. He's glaring at me. Pete leads me outside. We're followed by Greg, Stephen, Davis, and the rest of the people in the arcade.

Great, its only my first day and already I'm about to get beat up.

Pete releases me. A circle has formed. I have no where to go. Greg says,

"Well, this is just dandy! All we were gonna do is talk to Davis, Michael. But since you wanted to butt in, I guess we'll just beat y'alls asses! "

Stephen doesn't seem like he wants to hurt me.

I'm a fast runner. It seems I'll have to leave Davis after all. My parents will go berserk if I get home with cuts and bruises.

I'm sorry, Davis.

I break off into a sprint and get through the crowd. I hear Stephen say,

"Don't worry. I got him. "

I run around the building and onto a sidewalk. I hear footsteps behind me. I see a abandoned park and think my neighborhood might be behind there.

I remember my mom saying something about an abandoned park.

I cut into it. Halfway through, I feel arms wrap around me and my body falling. We hit the ground.

He turns me around so I can face him. I brace myself for the punch, but it doesn't come.

He's just staring at me, like he's studying my face. It's been about five seconds when...

Suddenly, he leans down and kisses me. I'm caught by surprise. He kisses me passionately, then stops. He looks at me shocked and scared. He lets go and gets up. He yells,

"Get out of here! Go! Get out of here! "

I scramble to my feet and run. I don't look back.

How did he know I was gay?