And here . . . we . . . go . . .

***

I smile down at our intertwined fingers as I'm laying on Bradley's chest. We're in his bedroom now, cuddling on his bed with soft music playing in the background. It's the perfect amount of peacefulness that I've been needing so desperately lately. A break was more than overdue.

After having talked everything out earlier, he had asked if I wanted to stay the night. We've done nothing but cuddle in silence since I agreed, and as nice as this is, I start to lose patience. I move so that I'm on top of him. My hands are placed on either side of his head before I start kissing him.

When I move my hand down to his pants and start unbuttoning his jeans, he grabs my hand, stopping me.

"What are you doing?" His eyes are wide as they look up at me.

"Oh, I just thought-" I roll onto my side, confused. "You invited me to stay the night so I just figured . . ."

Bradley raises his brows. "You thought we'd have sex."

"Well . . . yeah." I frown a little, rolling onto my side next to him. "I thought this meant you were ready. That you want me to be your first."

With a small sigh, Bradley turns to face me, his hand cupping my cheek. "I do want you to be my first. But not tonight."

I close my eyes and nod, leaning more into his hand. When I open my eyes, he's smiling at me and kisses my lips softly. "Soon?"

His body pulls away so that we're no longer touching, a more serious look in his eyes. "I don't want to sleep with you only to have you run back to Whittney."

"I'm not going to run back to him."

"I don't buy it."

A frown pulls at my brows. "Then why am I still here?"

Bradley's eyes bore into mine, not looking away for a second. "Because I like you too much not to try and make this work."

My lips twitch and I use both hands to pull him to me for a kiss. There's a moment of hesitation before he kisses me back and I wrap my arms around his neck and his curl around my waist, pulling me closer. He stops and looks over my face as he strokes my cheek.

Tugging at his lip between his teeth, Bradley glances at my mouth before returning to my eyes. "I've never liked anyone this much before, and it kills me that you also have feelings for him."

"But I'm not with him right now." I smile and tap his nose. "I'm here with you."

Bradley's serious look breaks into a grin before kissing me. "Yes, you are."

* * *

There's something familiar about the feeling I get when I walk into the lunchroom after the weekend. Eyes are on me like they have been since I came out, but today, a voice I am not expecting calls my name, making me glance down to see Rodney smiling at me.

He scoots over on the bench at his lunch table, sitting across from Cole and Brett. The both of them don't look at me with the condescending looks they usually had. Austin is nowhere to be seen, which is surprising since he usually sits with them and makes me wonder where he is.

"What are you waiting for? Sit down, man." Rodney jerks his head to the spot next to him.

My backpack falls off my shoulder and to the floor before I sit down, but not without a little hesitation. It feels as if I've teleported through time and space the way they're looking at me right now. I flinch when I feel Rodney's hand patting me on the shoulder as he shows me his pearly whites.

Glancing around at the three of them, my eyes narrow slightly, not fully trusting this sudden comradery. "What's going on, guys?"

"Relax and just eat, man." Cole sends a warm smile my way before glancing down at my hand gripping my lunch bag. I didn't realise how tightly my fist was enclosed around the paper sack, my fingers slowly uncurling. The three of them don't really say anything regarding our falling out a couple years back.

I lean towards Rodney. "What are you doing?" I ask in a hushed voice.

There's a look in his eyes that brings me back to sophomore year, followed by a genuine smile. "A better apology."

A grin stretches at my lips and it only widens when I feel warm lips peck my cheek. Bradley sets down his tray and sits before wrapping his arm around me.

"I always knew you were too stylish to be straight, Stuart." Cole chuckles, his teasing nature making an appearance. A piece of broccoli flies in his direction as a repercussion, Bradley's aim unfaltering. Cole is hit on the cheek, but he seems unbothered, still laughing. "Come on, I know it's a false stereotype. I mean, look at Harry, a simple man with simple fashion."

The remark makes me roll my eyes. I've always known that I'm not exactly a fashion icon, but Cole doesn't have much room to talk since he's usually just wearing rolled-up plain white T's. It's frustrating how well he pulls it off, though. Especially when he throws it together with converse and a leather jacket.

"Well, I love the way you dress." Bradley pokes my cheek with a baby carrot, smiling sweetly.

It's nice of him to say, but I know he's just being supportive. Regardless, it makes me blush.

Brett clears his throat, my attention now in his direction. "Listen, Harry. I'm sorry I was a dick to you in class before homecoming. I didn't know about the whole . . ." He points between Bradley and me before letting out a sigh. "Not that it's an excuse, but-"

"Water under the bridge, man." I take another bite.

Cole claps his hands together, getting our table's attention. "Alright. Enough of the damn apologies. Can we finally get back to talking about Austin's-"

"Hey, everyone shut up! I've got something to say."

The sudden interruption makes Cole groan in annoyance. "For fuck sakes."

I whip around in my seat to see Whittney standing on top of a lunch table a few tables down.

"Oh god," I murmur, feeling Bradley's eyes on me immediately.

When some people keep chatting, he stomps down hard on the table with his heel. Now the whole cafeteria is silent and I just know he's nervous from the way he's looking around the room. He licks his lips and lets out a huff of air, possibly gathering the courage for whatever he's about to do. My heart is racing and I'm literally sitting at the edge of my seat.

"I just, uhm, I wanted everyone's attention." Whittney's voice isn't as sure of itself as it was a moment ago. He closes his eyes and visibly winces when he bites down hard on his lip before opening them. "There's something that I was never brave enough to admit before. Not only that, but I did something horrible to the fucking love of my life. The truth is. . . I'm pansexual, and-" He cuts himself off to take a deep breath.

"I'm the one who outed Harry, so now I'm outing myself."

Our eyes lock for a split second and I almost smile, but suddenly Whittney's whole chest and face is splattered with milk, making me gasp instead.

"That's for Harry, asshole!"

Whittney wiped the milk from his eyes only for someone else to throw mashed potatoes. I grip Bradley's hand hard as I watch it all unfold in front of me. More food and drinks are catapulted in Whittney's direction.

Two people are brave enough to help him down, getting caught in the crossfire as teachers yell for order in the lunchroom. His friends, one of them being the girl with the dreads, runs away with him.

One thought pushes me forward. Follow them.

When I get up, I'm pulled back by a firm hold on my upper arm. "Chase after him, and we're done."

Even though the only thing I really want to do right now is make sure he's okay, I sit down.

Whittney came out . . . for me. 

***

Well that took a lot longer than we could have anticipated. I really hope you guys are still with me on this extremely long ride. Please leave a comment telling me what you think and maybe even vote if you think the chapter was deserving.

Thanks so much for your continuous support and for sticking with me!

Until next time,

TheWriterD