Love on Trial
Chapter 10
I awoke early Tuesday morning knowing that it would probably be one of the most awkward days I
would ever have to live through. I tried to tell myself that no one really cared, except for Stephanie;
but I knew I’d only be kidding myself.
As usual, Dad and Mom were supportive. Dad even volunteered to drive me to school and go in and
talk to the principal; but I told him I’d try and handle things on my own. I was prepared for some
ribbing and teasing. It just comes with the territory of being a teenager. I just wasn’t prepared for
how cruel some people could be.
I trembled all the way to school. It was a miracle that I wasn’t involved in an accident. By the time I
pulled into the parking lot, my palms were sweaty and I was visibly shaking.
When I entered the building, students began to immediately stare at me. I heard one girl ask her
friend, “Is that him.” Then they disappeared down the hallway giggling. One boy, who was standing
beside his locker, grabbed his cock and winked at me. My face began to burn with embarrassment.
I thought about turning around and going home, when Cynthia walked up and grabbed my arm.
“Are you alright?” She looked in my face with concern.
“Just don’t ask me to kiss you.” I tried to make a joke. “I don’t think it’s going to work today.”
“I’ve got your books.” She handed me the books I’d need for the morning classes.
“I’ve got to put some things in my locker.” I turned to walk away, but she grabbed my arm, stopping
me.
“Don’t go to your locker, Taylor.” She sounded desperate. “Let’s go to class.” I looked into her eyes
and could see the anguish in them.
“Something’s wrong.” I pulled away and walked down the hallway. Students started giggling as they
parted a path for me. I stopped suddenly when I was before my locker.
Someone had spray painted it pink; and then in purple paint had written the words, ‘fag’ and
‘cocksucker’ on it. I could hear laughter all around me as my eyes started welling with tears. Cynthia
grabbed my arm and tried to pull me away.
I turned and faced those around me. “Shut the Fuck Up! All of you! Fuck all of you!” I threw down my
books and went running down the hallway. I could hardly see where I was going because of the tears
in my eyes. Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms grab me from behind and push me up against a locker.
“Stop it, Taylor.” I looked in the green eyes of Chris. He had me pressed tightly to the wall. “Don’t
let them see your weakness. They’ll only prey on it.” Through the haze of my tears, I could see the
stern determination in his eyes.
“I can’t do this. They all know I‘m a fag.” I began to cry. He pulled me away and walked me down the
hall. I looked up and saw Mrs. Mason motioning for him to take me into her room.
“Is he going to be alright?” I heard her ask Chris.
“Can we use your room to talk?” He asked her.
“Of course.” She responded. “Let me put a note on the door for my class to report to the library.
Come get me if you need me.”
“Thank you.” He replied. He led me over to a desk and sat me down. Mrs. Mason walked over to her
desk, and then returned a minute later and rubbed me on my back.
“It will be alright, Taylor.” She said comfortingly. I put my head on the desk and continued to cry.
“Maybe I should stay.” She said to Chris.
“Let me talk to him.” He insisted. “I promise to come get you if anything happens.”
She left and closed the door behind her. Chris pulled up a chair and sat down beside me and began
gently rubbing my back.
“Why, Chris?” I cried. “I didn’t do anything to them. I got drunk once and made a mistake. Now I
have to live with this the rest of my life.”
“I know.” He said quietly, as he continued to rub my back. “I wish I had never had that stupid party.”
“It’s not your fault.” I looked up and saw the concerned look on his face. “Sooner or later something
was going to happen. I just wish it hadn’t happened like it did.”
“So you are in love with him?” He asked dejectedly. I couldn’t quite make out the expression on his
face. I couldn’t tell if it was one of concern or sadness.
“I thought I was.” I responded. “After this, I don’t think I can ever fall in love again.” I buried my
head in my hands and started to cry again.
“Listen, Taylor.” He took my head and raised it in his hands. His eyes were also moist with tears.
“If you plan on getting through this,” he said, “then you’re going to have to raise your head and walk
tall. You can’t let them see that they’re getting to you.”
“Easy for you to say.” I replied.
“No, it’s not easy for me to say.” He said. “You have no idea.” I watched as tears formed in his
green eyes. “You have no idea.” He said again.
I sat up and wiped the tears from my eyes. “What am I going to do, Chris?”
“I don’t have an answer, Taylor.” He said sadly. “But it’s only going to get worse if you keep reacting
to everything they do and say.”
“I’m not that strong, Chris.” I looked up and met his eyes.
“Then I’ll help you.” He reached out and grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I looked down as he
began to rub my knuckles.
“Why do you want to ruin your reputation by helping me?” I questioned.
“What reputation?” He laughed. “Don’t you remember? I’m the guy no one ever talks to.”
“But why do you want to help me?” I asked.
“I told you last night,” he said, “I like you.” I once again became aware that he was still holding my
hand and squeezing it tightly. When I looked down, he let my hand loose, as his face began to
redden.
“Sorry.” He blushed.
Just then there was a soft knocking on the door. “Taylor, are you in there?” It was Cynthia’s voice.
Chris looked at me as I nodded. He walked over and opened the door.
“Is he alright?” Cynthia asked worriedly. “Mrs. Mason told me I could find you here.”
“He’s really upset.” Chris said as he looked over at me. “Can you stay here for a few minutes while
I go to the office and let them know where we are? The last thing I need is for them to call my house
and tell my dad I’m not in school.”
“Sure, I’ll stay.” Chris left the room as Cynthia sat down in the chair beside me and grabbed my hand.
“Hey, you.” She smiled. “You going to be alright?”
“Oh, yeah.” I said sarcastically. “I’m going to be just fine. I have an idea. Why don’t you go get the
band director and we’ll have a parade down the hall. I can dress in one of the cheerleader outfits
and give the newest cheer, ‘I’m here, I’m queer.’ Everyone will just love that.”
Cynthia looked down at my legs. “Nope. Too much hair. Definitely not sexy.” She looked at me as a
small grin appeared on her face. Soon, we were both laughing.
“God, what am I going to do?” I lamented. “I’ve still got a year and a half before I graduate. Every
day is going to be like this. I can’t take it.”
“Just give it some time to soak in,” said Cynthia. “It’s just the latest news. Something else will take
its place tomorrow.”
“I’m going to ask my dad to enroll me in Wentworth.” I said. Cynthia looked at me and frowned.
Wentworth was an all-boys school located about five miles outside of town. It was very rigid and had
extremely strict guidelines. Even though I knew I would hate going there, at least they would never
tolerate anything like what had happened this morning.
“Taylor, you can’t run away from this.” She commented. “If you do, you’ll be running your whole life.
You’re going to have to stand tall and hold your head up. You can’t let them know they’re getting to
you.”
I started laughing. Cynthia looked at me like I was crazy. “What is so funny?” She asked.
“Chris said almost the same thing to me before you got here.” I laughed. “Boy, you two really are
meant for one another.” She gave me a quizzical look.
“I think you and Chris would make a cute couple.” I said sadly.
“I don’t think so,” she responded.
“Why?” I asked. “He’s a really great guy. He’s good looking, and you see how he lives. He’s the
perfect boyfriend.”
“It won’t work, Taylor.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not you.” I stopped talking and looked into her eyes.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Jeez, Taylor.” She sounded exasperated. “You really are blind, aren’t you?”
“What?” I was completely lost in our conversation.
“He’s in love with you.” She watched as my mouth fell open. “He couldn’t stop looking at you last
Friday night. When I was dancing that slow dance with him, he called me Taylor twice.”
I didn’t know how to respond to what Cynthia was saying. I was so wrapped up with my feelings for
Jason, I never even gave it a thought that someone could feel the same way about me.
“When you disappeared on Saturday, he went nuts.” She continued. “He was out all day driving his
car up and down the streets looking for you.” I remembered my father telling me that, but I hadn’t
given it much thought.
“I saw him later that day and he was crying like a baby because he thought something had happened
to you.” She took my hand and held it. “He cares deeply about you, Taylor. Don’t hurt him.”
“This can’t be.” I got up and started pacing around the room. With everything else that had
happened to me recently, someone falling in love with me was not something I had expected.
I stood in the middle of the room and looked down at Cynthia. “After everything I’ve done, how can
you say he loves me?”
Cynthia rose and walked over before me. “Because he loves you, he can accept you for who you
are. Just because you made a mistake, doesn’t mean he loves you any less.” She pulled me into a
hug and kissed my cheek. “The same goes for me,” she whispered in my ear. I could feel the tears
welling in my eyes once again.
We pulled apart when we heard a key opening the door. Mrs. Cox, the school’s principal entered,
with Chris following shyly behind her.
“Sit down, please.” She motioned for us all to take a seat. Chris walked over and sat down beside
me. She pulled up a student desk and sat before us.
“I was briefed this morning by the custodian about your locker.” She said as she studied my face.
“As we speak, it is being repaired. If I discover who vandalized it, I will suspend them.” There was
an awkward silence as she moved her eyes from one of us to the other.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she finally spoke, “but I was able to persuade Chris to fill me in on why
someone would do something like that.” I looked over at Chris as he looked away and blushed.
“Although I don’t condone your behavior, Taylor,” she said sternly, “there is still a zero tolerance for
sexual harassment here at school. What you did to your friend was wrong, you surely understand
that.” I dropped my head and nodded.
“We can expect repercussions,” she said. “I’ve been around teenagers long enough to realize that
this is something that is not going to go away quickly. But as long as you are here at Easton High
School, I will do everything I can to protect you.”
“I’m going to transfer to Wentworth,” I blurted out.
“No,” gasped Chris. I looked over and saw a sad expression on his face. Tears began to form in his
eyes, as he jumped from his desk and headed for the door. Before leaving, he gave me one last, sad
look.
“Someone doesn’t want you to go.” Mrs. Cox said after watching Chris’s reaction to my news.
“But I can’t stay here.” I insisted. “Do you know what its like to walk down the halls and know
everyone hates you?”
Mrs. Cox reared back in her chair and started chuckling. “Yes I do,” she smiled. “Remember, I’m the
principal of the school. Everyone hates me. It comes with the job.”
“Seriously, Taylor.” She leaned over and looked into my face. “You’re a good boy. I looked at your
records before coming in here. They are exemplary. You are a top-notch student with a lot of
potential. I don’t think people are going to react as badly as you think they will.”
“I wish I was as sure about that as you are.” I responded.
“Do you have any idea who may have damaged your locker?” She asked. “Do you think Jason is
capable of doing such a thing?”
“More like his girlfriend.” Cynthia blurted out.
“You mean Stephanie Shays?” She arched her eyebrows. “You think she did this?”
“Or her goony brothers.” Cynthia responded. Mrs. Cox leaned back in her seat and sighed.
“This could be trouble.” She said worriedly.
Everyone knew the Shays brothers. You know how every school has a bully, one who intimidates
everyone into giving him their school lunch money since the first grade? Our school had two- Ernest
and Sylvester Shays, or Sly as he like to be called. He once saw the movie ‘Rocky,’ and quickly
adopted the appropriate nickname.
They had bullied me all through elementary school, but had stopped when Jason started dating
Stephanie. They were crazy about Jason, so they left me alone because they knew I was his best
friend. But now, it was hard to say how they would react to what I had done. If Stephanie was
controlling their behavior, I was in for a lot of trouble.
Sylvester was the older of the two. He was a senior, and Ernest was a sophomore. They looked the
stereotypical school bullies. Their father was a police lieutenant, so they liked to emulate him by
strutting around school like it was their territory. Both had red hair, like their sister, only theirs was
cut short. They were also overweight, and from the back their necks seemed to wrinkle up like a
pack of hot dogs. They had pudgy faces that had large red blotches on their cheeks. When they
laughed, they snorted like pigs.
I had always found them grotesque looking. I don’t know how two people can produce a pretty
daughter like Stephanie and then have two absolutely hideous sons. I had always been afraid of
them, but since they left me alone I just ignored their antics around school. Now I was afraid I was
going to be the recipient of their sister’s wrath.
They even bullied the teachers. Neither was extremely bright; and I think most teachers passed them
on to the next grade because they were afraid of having them again the next year.
Their father was also a source who had to be reckoned with. He thought the sun rose and fell on Sly
and Ernest. Any time one of them was referred to the office, he was there immediately, shouting
threats that he would make life hell for whomever had the nerve to accuse his sons of any
misdoings. After a while, people just tried to stay out of their way and ignore them as much as
possible. I know I certainly had.
“I’ll call them into my office and talk to them,” said Mrs. Cox. “I’m sure I’ll be hearing from Lieutenant
Shays. The police won’t properly investigate the matter if they think the Shays boys are involved.”
“Why do the police have to investigate?” I asked worriedly. If a police report was filed, then the
media could pick up the story. That was all I needed was for a reporter to stick a microphone in my
face and ask me how it feels to be the school fag whose locker was painted pink.
“There was some minor vandalism done.” She stated. “I guess we can let it go this time, but any
other incidences, and I will have to make a report.” I let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, Mrs. Cox.” I replied. “I’m sorry I’ve made your job so complicated.”
She started laughing. “Complicated! This is nothing compared to some of the things I have to deal
with.” She then sat forward and stared into my eyes. “I really do wish you would reconsider
attending Wentworth. It’s a fine school, but you’re such a good student here. Looking at your GPA,
you have a chance of being valedictorian next year.”
My eyes popped open when she said this. I knew my grades were good, but I had no idea they were
that good. Being valedictorian was something I had never considered.
“I’ll discuss it with my father,” I told her. “I’m not sure I’ll be safe here anymore.”
“Well, it’s true we can’t watch you all the time,” she said, “but I can assure you I’ll do everything to
keep you safe. Under the zero-tolerance policy, I can expel any student who gives you trouble. You
come to me at the first sign of trouble. My door will always be open to you.”
I nodded my head as she rose and left the room. I looked at the clock and first period was almost
over. Mrs. Mason’s class would be returning soon.
“Are you really going to leave?” Cynthia asked. I looked in her eyes and saw tears form. I walked
over and took her in my arms and held her tightly.
“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “I’m so confused right now; I don’t know what to do. I really messed
my life up.” She raised her arms and put them around me.
“Problems are only temporary.” She whispered into my chest. “They do go away.”
I started stroking her hair and then lifted her chin to look into my face. Her eyes were moist with
tears. “What did I ever do to deserve a friend as special as you?”
“You were just being you.” She smiled, as tears appeared in my eyes. “I love you so much,” she
said. We continued to hold each other for a minute before she stepped back and wiped the tears
from her face.
“Unfortunately, I love you like a brother.” We both started to laugh. “Now somewhere out there is a
heartbroken boy who’s feeling about as miserable as you are at this minute.”
“Chris?” I asked.
“He really cares about you,” she said. “I know that the last thing you’re looking for right now is a
boyfriend, but at least talk to him. He feels about you, the way you feel about Jason.”
“I won’t hurt him,” I assured her. “I promise. I know what that hurt feels like.”
We hugged one last time. We broke away when Mrs. Mason opened the door and lead her class back
in. She walked over to me and asked me if I were alright. I assured her that everything was fine
now. We talked a few more minutes, until the bell rang.
When I exited the class, I stopped suddenly. Sly and Ernest were standing against the water
fountain, looking at me with smirks on their faces. Ernest lifted his shirt and I saw a small can of
spray paint hidden under his belt.