One football season later.

Anger flooded through me as I saw Austin's face as he exited the locker room. He didn't have a bruise forming on his eye and lower cheek before PE class and it sure as hell wasn't from a ball hitting him. Austin smiled as he got congratulations from some of the guys. They were patting him on the shoulder saying that the other guy 'had it coming'.

The same appreciation was being sent to Bradley, who looked a lot more sure of himself than Austin did. For some reason, Austin wasn't as proud of his victory.

"They're treating him like the victor, but he's not." The voice coming from behind me was Whittney's.

"Who? Brad?" I was so confused right now. Looking back at Whittney, he had a split lip and he wiped the blood from it away.

"No. The person who we thought was our friend clearly has chosen a different side," Whittney growled. "He chose his rich and popular jocks over us, dude."

"So you hit him?" I couldn't say that I was surprised that he would hit someone, but Austin? What did Austin ever do to him?

"He hit me first, Harry," Whittney explained. "but clearly hitting him a few times didn't teach him anything. He's got a lot more coming to him."

Before I even knew what I was doing, I was shoving Whitt into the wall behind him. He could have stopped me -him being a hell of a lot stronger than I could ever be- if he had seen it coming, but I had caught him off guard. "Don't you dare touch him!" I didn't mean it to come out so aggressively or desperate, but to my dismay, it did.

His strength quickly took me over as he grabbed my arms and slammed me against the wall in the spot he was so previously occupying. The air was suddenly knocked out of my lungs as pain shot through my back. I looked up to an outrage Whittney. His eyes were glazed over to a point where I barely recognized him. He had become a completely different person in a matter of seconds.

"Two of my friends in one day?" He hissed at me as he pushed me into the wall a second time.

"Austin wouldn't hit you unless it was for a really good reason. What did you do?" I tried to choke out my words through the pain in my back. Call me a pussy, but fighting is not something I've really ever done so I'm easily bruised and beaten.

Whittney rolled his eyes and spoke, "Okay, so I was choking that douche Brad."

"Who is one of Austin's friends." I pointed out. "He was just protecting him."

"Well look who joined the Austin fan club!" Whittney yelled in my face. "Send him any letters declaring your love for him yet?"

I tried to hide the red storming my cheeks, but there was no point in concealing it. He gave me a weird expression, one I'd never seen before. It was almost as if he was trying to put the pieces together and by the look on his face, he was finishing the puzzle.

He released my arms and quickly backed away from me, but not without showing off his triumphant smile. "You can't be serious! Harry, you're gay for Austin?"

Words had trouble coming out. He'd found out. He'd actually figured it out! I assumed someone at school would figure it out sometime, but I didn't think it would be Whittney.

My silence confirmed his accusation as he just stood there and laughed at me. He didn't say anything, just laughed. For some reason, this was even worse than rejection. To be mocked and made fun of was worse than anything in the world. I'd been through it many times before and now it would be more than people calling me Emo, or anorexic. Sure, the emo part was correct, but I wasn't fucking anorexic.

"Dude, I can't believe you like it in the ass!" Whittney continued to laugh for a few more moments and then it ceased, but the huge grin on his face wasn't leaving. "You do know he'd never like you, right? I mean, come on, Harry! If I told him, what do you think he would do?"

My mind was spinning. I could still not utter a word.

"Listen, faggot, you have my word." He laid his hand over his heart. "I will do no physical harm to our mutual friend."

No physical harm? What did he mean by that?

As he walked away, I still couldn't say anything. I hated myself for not standing up more for Austin or even myself, but no words escaped me.

Whittney was up to something, and now that he knew I'm gay, I had no idea what he'd to. He could tell everyone at school and I will be made fun of. Everyone was just fine with lesbians; guys thought lesbians were hot, but gays? Even though it's basically the same thing, people were always more grossed out by it. I'd be the object of torture for I don't even know how long.

What about Austin? Whittney would tell him, no doubt. Austin would hate me and I'd be alone. Completely alone.

Right now, Whittney had the power to ruin my life.

# # #

I stared out the windown, in silence. Charlette was driving and I was in the passengers seat. Luckily she was finally done with cheer so I could ride with her today. There was no way I would ride with Whittney and I was too scared to ask Austin. Whittney could have told him by now.

"Come one, you've been quiet this whole ride." Charlette looked to me, concern in her eyes, as we entered the driveway. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I quickly got out of the car, slamming the door behind me.

"Yeah right," Charlette said, obviously not believing me. "I know when you're upset. Just tell me." She trailed behind me, trying to catch up. I was speeding toward the door, but before I could grab the handle Charlette was in my way.

"Come on, Char, let me through," I pleaded.

"Not until you tell me what's bothering you," she protested. "Didn't you ever hear about not holding in your feelings?"

I sighed and gave in. I knew Charlette was someone to trust. Even though she was a gossip queen, she never spread anything about me being gay or anything else I ever told her. She had her boundaries and spreading stuff around about family was one of them.

"Whittney found out I'm gay," I admitted. Saying it aloud made me feel even worse. I felt like throwing up. Whittney was my friend, yes, but after today would he still want to be? He already called me names and laughed in my face. What more would he do to show his distaste for me?

That was enough for Charlette to look concerned. She knew what kind of person Whittney was, she dated him -against all my various protests. Luckily she broke up with him before he had the chance to cheat on her or break her heart in some other way.

"And Austin?" her eyes were wide as she asked me.

I shrugged. "I don't even know."

"He's a great guy, though. I don't think he'd really hold it against you."

"He may be a great guy and a good friend, but he'd probably hate me if he found out I was in love with him! I couldn't live with myself if he left. Whittney and Austin are my only friends, you know that, right?"

She regretfully nodded and gave me a weak smile. "I'll always be here for you. If your friends chicken out on you they'll be missing out. You're such a loyal friend to them both, even Whittney, although he's the biggest douche in the world."

I grinned at her comment, because it was true. Whittney was a douche, but I would still stand by him if he were in trouble. Right now, it sounded like my loyalty would be tested. Would I stand by the guy that could protect me if I took his side, but in the mean-time get laughed at, or would I stand by Austin, but in the mean time could be disgusted by the very idea of me.

"Just," Charlette caught me off guard by enveloping me in a hug. "make sure you give your loyalty to the one who deserves it."

Before I could hug back, Charlette opened the door and walked inside. I followed and couldn't help but smile as I entered, kicking off my Converse on the matt.

If everything were to come crashing down and I would lose everything, at least I had Charlette.

To the side there is a picture of Austin...--->