Surviving Elite High (11 page)

“And now, introducing to you, the Cinderella story of the decade: the Elite Hawks!!” the sportscaster shouted as the entire crowd stood. They cheered even more when the team strode through the banner shouting and screaming. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for! He is the man of the night and the one who'll lead the Elite Hawks to an undefeated season, Nick Wild Hawk!!!”

The entire crowd went insane when Nick ran into the field wearing a black-and-white shirt with the number one imprinted on its back. In a form of triumph, he lifted his helmet in the air. Even the opposing fans stood to welcome him. The marching band, which had been quiet all along, stood and played their victory anthem. They worshipped him as an idol, a god and a hero. Madison and Kitty were jumping up and down while they screamed his name. I sat in my seat while I laughed at their excitement.

“Come on, John! That's your man out there! Cheer him on!” Madison exclaimed, smiling.

“Madison! Someone might hear you,” I answered her as I looked around.

Madison laughed and continued screaming her lungs out. While the referee stepped into the field, both teams made their way to their respective sides. With a high-pitched sound, the game began. Nick quickly received the ball and ran as fast as he could towards the opponent's goal line. He scored the first touchdown of the night. The crowd went insane while the girls chanted his name. I watched the game in silence since I had no idea what was going on. I simply admired Nick's grace and beauty as he moved from side to side.

“Hut!” Nick shouted as he ran forward and received the ball again.

He made another touchdown. The crowd instantly responded by chanting his nickname. The game continued and both teams proved why they were fan favorites. When Nick scored the last touchdown, he gave the Elite Hawks the division title. Everyone rushed to the field after the buzzer and lifted him off the ground while they chanted his nickname. They took Nick to the center stage where Mr. Lewis, our school principal, gave him the division trophy. He lifted it into the air while everyone continued to chant his nickname. I was extremely proud of him. The moment was picture perfect. Suddenly, Jessica jumped onto the stage and hugged him in front of everyone. Madison and Kitty slowly turned to me as I watched the events unfold. Jessica wrapped her legs around his waist and passionately kissed him in front of the entire mob. They cheered even louder.

“That horny bitch!” Madison shouted angrily.

I stood and turned to Madison.

“That horny bitch is his girlfriend!”

“John!” Madison and Kitty shouted in unison as I made my way towards the steps.

I ignored them. I tried my best to hold back my tears as I glanced back at Nick. He was holding the trophy in the air and staring into the crowd. That was when my teary eyes made contact with his own. Nick froze. His smile quickly faded. He did not expect me to be there. I shook my head and ran towards the exit. I heard Madison and Kitty running behind me and screaming my name. I just wanted to run and never look back. When I reached the parking lot, I continued running. Suddenly, I crashed into a garbage can and landed face first on the grass.

“John!” Kitty shouted she reached my side.

I stared into her face and hugged her. She instantly replied with a warm embrace. As I sobbed inside her arms, Madison reached our side. She wrapped her arms around us.

“I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have made you come,” Madison conceded as she sobbed.

“It's my fault too. I thought it'd be a good idea,” Kitty added.

“No! It's my fault! I shouldn't be in love with that stupid and whorish jock!” I shouted, crying.

“I love you John,” Madison whispered. “I love you Kitty.”

“I love you Madison. I love you John.”

“I love you Kitty. I love you Madison.”

“No more crying!” we shouted in unison.

We did that every time we would cry together. That way, we would stop crying and talk our pains and problems out. We let go of each other and wiped our tears. Madison had her hair roughed up while Kitty's mascara was all over her freckles. I laughed at them.

“Why are you laughing?” Madison asked as she removed a banana peel from my head.

We laughed again but quickly stopped since someone cleared his throat. We immediately turned around. Jacob came out of the darkness of a nearby tree with a huge smile on his face. As we stood up, we hurriedly picked up the garbage bin and tried to act natural.

“How long you been there?” Kitty asked as she cleaned her face.

“I was at the game, but when I saw John's reaction to Nick's kiss with Jessica, I followed you guys.”

“Oh, you saw and heard everything?” Madison asked as she fixed her hair.

He nodded while he stared at me. I blushed, and hung my head since I was so embarrassed. All of my friends knew that I loved Nick.

“Oh,” I muttered as I turned to the girls. “I think we should get going then.”

“Wait!” Jacob said, smiling. “I thought we were going to see a movie.”

“You still want to go with me?” I asked him as I glanced at the girls.

“Yes, right after I spray you with some Frebreze.”

We laughed. Madison signaled me to go with him while Kitty smiled.

“Take good care of him,” Kitty told Jacob as I walked to where he stood.

“Yeah, don't play nice and only do dirty things,” Madison added with a wink.

“Madison!” I shouted while Jacob laughed.

“Follow me,” Jacob directed as they walked away.

He took me to the motorcycle parking section. By now, people were leaving the stadium and going home. We reached the spot where a black ninja bike was parked. I realized that it was Jacob's bike. He climbed on top and turned to me. He signaled me to sit behind him, but I was reluctant.

“Come on, I won't bite unless you want me to,” Jacob teased.

I laughed while he smiled.

“It's just that I've never been on one before.”

“Really? Don't be afraid. You're safe with me. Hop on.”

I smiled while he handed me his helmet. I put it on and carefully sat behind him.

“Okay. Now, wrap your arms around me and hold on tight.”

I was reluctant again.

“Don't be afraid. If you don't hug me, I'll go Tokyo Drift with this motorcycle! Believe me, you don't want to experience that.”

We laughed. I slowly wrapped my arms around him. Jacob started his bike and slowly sped down the parking lot and into the street. He was the second guy I ever hugged. I slowly lay my head on his back. His body was warm and welcoming. We did not talk since talking on a speeding motorcycle was close to impossible; however, it was a revitalizing journey.

When Jacob parked his bike outside the cinema, I took off his helmet and looked around. At the end of the street, I thought I saw Nick's car, but I knew that Nick was celebrating with his hot girlfriend. I shook the thought from my head while we walked into the cinema. Jacob bought everything on the counter for us to eat. I tried to pay my share, but he ignored my request. The theater was full, but we managed to find two empty seats at the back.

“So, how was your first motorcycle ride?” he asked me while we waited for the movie to start.

“Good. I was afraid at first, but I loved it. I love old fashion motorcycles, though. I think that they look cooler than the new ones.”

“Oh, you like the classics. I've got three of them and two ninjas. They're more comfortable and smooth to ride. I'll take you on another ride one of these days. We can go to my parents’ beach house.”

“That sounds great,” I answered him as the movie began.

Jacob smiled. We watched and discussed the movie while we ate tons of candy. He had actually read the seven books and had seen the six movies, well, seven after that night. After the movie, I could not wait to see part two. We made plans to see it in three-D. As soon as we stepped out of the cinema, I glanced at the car that resembled Nick's car. It was still there. Jacob got on top of his bike and I sat behind him. While I hugged him tightly, Jacob smiled.

“The movie was great!” Jacob shouted as he tried to talk to me while we drove through town.

“Yes! It was awesome! It was the best so far!”

“I'm glad you liked it! I hate to see you sad because of that jock prick!”

“Thank you for caring!”

“Don't mention it!”

I did not want to talk about Nick. It hurt too much to talk about him after witnessing his love for Jessica. Jacob took me home and walked me to the door. We silently stood looking at each other. Jacob smiled nervously.

“I'm sorry about Nick.”

“Oh, Nick is an impossible dream.”

“Yeah, you aimed too high with Nick. He's a huge vibrator and a slut.”

I laughed while he chuckled. Jacob continued.

“If you ask me, he's really stupid to miss out on an amazing person like you.”

His words were shocking and scandalous. My heart skipped a few beats when he stared into my eyes. The same knot, which developed in my stomach for Nick, formed for Jacob. He continued to stare at me in complete silence. I slowly closed my eyes when Jacob leaned forward. I clearly felt when his soft lips tasted my own. My heart came to a sudden stop. At that moment, I also heard the screeching of the wheels of a car at the end of the street. The car took off, but I kept staring at Jacob. He glanced at the street and turned to me.

“Who the fuck was that?”

“You kissed me,” I mumbled still thinking about his kiss.

Jacob sighed.

“I'm gay and I've always been in love with you, John.”

“Oh, my God.”

“Yes, I know I've been a huge dick to you in the past, but deep inside I always had these feelings towards you. I know that you love Nick, but if you give me a chance, I can help you forget that cheap tramp.”

I was speechless. There are no words to describe how I felt after Jacob's revelation. It was too much thrown at me at once. I thought of Nick and Jessica's public display of affection. I was still upset at him, but I should not have felt that way towards him. At the end of the day, Nick had the right to date anyone he wanted.

“I don't know what to say.”

“I understand. It's a lot to think about, but Nick has a girl and he's straight. I know that I can make you happy if you give me a chance. I'll protect your heart with my life. I'll take care of you like no other person in this world would.”

I nodded. I remembered what my mom told me a few weeks ago.

“Okay, Jacob,” I told him, smiling. “Help me to forget him.”

Jacob's face enlightened.

“Really?”

I nodded again.

“You won't regret it, John! I promise.”

He leaned in again. This time, he kissed me passionately. After he finished kissing me, a huge smile developed on his face. He gently grabbed my hands and kissed them as well.

“Good night, John,” Jacob told me as he walked away.

“Night, Jacob,” I replied as I opened the front door and walked inside.

I silently watched as Jacob put on his helmet and hopped onto his motorcycle. He slowly rode down the street. Suddenly, he did a wheelie. Jacob was beyond happy, but I couldn’t say the same for me. I went into my room, buried my head on my pillow and cried. I wanted Nick not Jacob, but I had to let him go so I could find happiness with Jacob. The kiss meant absolutely nothing to him. It was a simple goodbye kiss. I needed to move on with my life. Nick proved to me that we would never be together. He wanted Jessica and he would never desire me. I was a fool and in love with the wrong person. As I closed my eyes, I drifted to sleep.

* * *

It was around three in the morning when I heard someone banging at the front door. I jumped out of bed and grabbed the baseball bat that I had behind my bed for emergencies. The banging continued as I tiptoed towards the front door. Suddenly, the banging got louder. I silently stood behind the door.

“Who is it?”

“It's me! Nick!”

I opened the door. Nick was holding onto the side of door for support while he held a beer bottle with his other hand.

“Why?” he asked me with a drowsy expression as I dropped the bat on the floor.

“Nick? Have you been drinking?”

“Why?” he asked me again as he zigzagged his way into my house.

“What happened? You don't drink,” I told him as I closed the door.

“Why?” Nick asked louder as he smashed the beer bottle on the floor.

It scared me a little, but I knew Nick would never hurt me.

“Why what?”

“Why did you kiss that fucking bitch?”

I knew he was referring to Jacob, but I said nothing.

“Why did you say that you love me and then kiss that fag?”

“Nick, he kissed me. Why do you even care?”

Nick made his way to where I was standing.

“I do care!”

“Why?”

“Because I love you!”

At that point, I thought I was dreaming. It was impossible for Nick to be inside my house telling me that he loved me. I closed and rubbed my eyes in an attempt to wake up. Suddenly, Nick cornered me by placing his hands on the surface of the wall behind me. He stared into my eyes.

“Ever since I kissed you, I can’t stop thinking about you. I discovered something inside of me that I didn't know was there. Yes, I like fucking women for pleasure, but I love you! I love your heart and soul! I figured out that I've been fucking around so I could hide that part of my life away from everyone else including myself. What I’m trying to say is that I'm bisexual, John. I wanted to tell you the other day, but I lost the courage. But today, when I saw you crying, running into his arms and kissing that motherfucker, it drove me the fuck insane!!”

Nick punched the wall behind me. I could not believe my ears. Nick Wild Hawk was bisexual. I couldn’t manage to speak so I just listened to what he was saying.

“You can't love that bitch! You should only love me! Me! You're mine and no one else's!”

Nick pulled me into his arms and kissed me with such passion that I felt it all the way down to my toes. Not only was his desire there, but his love as well. He wanted me. Me! Suddenly, he stopped kissing me and spoke to me in a desperate tone.