Chapter Eight (I think)

There was a buzz from my phone, I couldn't help but smile as I saw it was Dan asking me to meet him at an IHOP.

"Hey Adam, Dan invited me to hang out, ready to face your fear?" I asked my friend who was currently mixing his cocaine.

"Yeah sure," Adam told himself as he was about to inject himself.

"Can't you be sober for an hour?" I sighed and he actually listened to my advice.

"Fine," Adam groaned before putting the substance away.

"This is the most normal you have ever been," I told him as we exited his room.

"Yeah. I do drugs 24/7 until I pass out. Numbs the pain," Adam remarked as he took the keys from the counter and opening the door to the outside.

"How are you not dead?"

"I'm trying."

"Don't say that," I frowned.

"Get in, where we going?" Adam asked as we got into his dark green van.

"Ihop."

"I never been there, I'm going to put GPS," Adam told me before asking the GPS to take him to the nearest IHOP.

"Keep gay for two miles," The machine beeped at us and I was surprised at the words.

"Did you hear that?" I questioned Adam.

"Hear what?"

"Nothing." I must have misheard the GPS. As we drove off my mind wandered to Dan, it was nice of him to want to hang out even after I told him I wasn't gay. Although I wouldn't mind being with him if I was, he was pretty cute with his ginger hair and not to mention with his muscular body on that motorcycle of his.

"In two hundred feet turn right queer," the machine beeped again.

"Do you mean right here?" I questioned the machine, my chest filling with fear.

"What?" Adam questioned.

"Nothing."

What the hell was wrong with the GPS. Why am I the only one that could hear it? It was as if it was telling me I was gay. I wasn't gay, I never had sexual thoughts towards a boy. However I do feel different around Dan, he is a very nice person to hang with. I honestly like being around him, he makes me happy.

Holy shit am I gay?

"You have reached destiGAYtion," The GPS sounded one last time as we reached I hop.

"Really?" I sighed at the machine, I was done with its shit.

I spotted Dan leaning at the entrance of the restaurant. He was in his leather jacket and was scrolling through his phone.

"Hi Dan!" I yelled out and waved once I got out. He smiled and waved back but his expression changed as he saw Adam exit the car.

"Well... A big Hetero Hello to you two," Dan greeted us with sass, his eyes glaring at Adam.

"Actually..." Adam started and Dan's facial expression changed to show confusion.

"You're... not high?" Dan exclaimed and took a step back. His eyes were now soft as he looked into Adam's eyes in absolute shock. To be this set back by Adam's sober state weighed me down as I realize how long Adam has been this way.

"Daniel, I'm... I'm gay."

"But," Dan started but changed his thought, "Okay."

"Really? Okay? That's all you got."

"What am I supposed to say? Welcome to the club and bake a cake."

"That would be nice," Adam smiled at the thought of a cake and partying.

"Shut up," Dan laughed at Adam's idea. There was a silent moment after that but it wasn't without purpose. They looked into each other's eyes with a certain understanding that things will get better for their friendship.

"So like does this place have waffles?" I questioned them since I never been here.

"Yeah, I eat here all the time," Dan answered as we walked to the establishment.

"You guys go ahead, I better get home," Adam told us and I noticed he was tapping his right foot and his hands were slightly shaking.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow, yeah?" Dan asked worried for his friend.

"Yeah, bye," Adam said quickly before leaving the entrance and speedwalking to his car.

"He really worries me," Dan muttered under his breath and I realized why Adam wanted to leave. He couldn't spend one hour away from his fix.

"He'll be fine," I assured him with a smile and he returned it.

"So what did you do to him? That's the first time I've seen him sober in 5 years and he comes out as gay?" Daniel questioned my involvement with his friend.

"I just forced him to tell me the truth and I listened," I said quickly as we sat down on a booth near the window.

"However, is there any reason he hated you so much?" I asked and Dan stayed quiet for a second, trying to remember what he did.

"Well..."

*Flashback*

Adam's POV

"Dan! The shows starting!" Rebecca yelled out as she laid down comfortably on the side couch, her head on Chris's lap as he played with her hair.

"I'm going!" Dan replied as he hurriedly prepared the popcorn for us.

The television show My Babysitter Is A Vampire started and everyone cheered, it was our favorite show and we watched every episode together. I couldn't help but smile as my favorite character, Benny, showed up, he was really stupid but cute.

"Snack distributor in the premises!"Dan yelled as he handed us our snacks, popcorn, a Twix bar, and Twizzlers for Chris and Rebecca. Popcorn, cotton candy, and a snickers bar for me and Dan. There was even a three musketeers bar for Bandon if he decides to show up.

"Thanks, Dan," I smiled as he took his place on the left of the main couch and held our snacks, I decided to lay my head on his lap as we watched the show.

For ten minutes we watched the show comfortably until it cut to commercial, during the break we all talked about our thoughts on the episode but this time we didn't get to finish.

"HEY," Bandon burst through the door with a smirk on his face.

"Yo dude you're late," Dan mentioned, ready to tell him what happened in the show.

"Dan would you kiss Adam for 20 grand?" Bandon asked Dan who was admittedly gay this year at 12.

"No," Dan scoffed and Bandon threw stacks of money at him, he was silent before looking down at me.

"NO," I yelled in panic as his lips came closer to mine. Everyone in the room was laughing as Dan held me down on the couch. I shook my head violently, I didn't want to be kissed, I'm not ready.

"GET OFF ME! I DON'T WANT TO. PLEASE," I yelled my heart was racing and I was blushing as Chris pulled up his phone to record.

"I GIVE YOU HALF," Dan offered as his lips touched mine in a harsh kiss. After a couple of seconds, Dan let go of me.

I covered my face with my hands in embarrassment as the others laughed at the scene. Tears rolled down my face as my heart pounded like a rally against my ribs.

"Here," Dan handed me what looked like 10 grand.

"I don't... I don't want your stupid money," I stuttered as I removed my hands from my face.

Dan's eyes widened as he realized I was crying. Being 11 and almost 12 at the time, crying in front of my friends was a blow to my reputation and my feelings.

"I'm not gay," I lied and walked towards the exit.

Flashback over

Back to John's POV

"Wow, Dan what the fuck," I responded to the story as I finished my waffles and cup of hot cocoa.

"Yeah, now that he told me he is gay... I must be the reason he..." There were so many thoughts going through Dan's mind and I could almost read them as they whirled through his eyes.

"Everything is fine now, no matter what you did in the past, he's giving you another chance," I told him and he seemed to calm down.

"Yeah, thanks to you."

"It was nothing."

Dan finished the last of his pancake and milk, the story took a while to tell and put pieces of my understanding of their friendship, hopefully, they will mend their relationship on their own.

The sun was setting after an eventful day that felt short for me, usually, the day drags on for what seems like ages but not today. The orange glow of the sunset intensified Dan's ginger hair in some places making it look fully bright orange almost yellow.

"Ready to go? I texted an uber." Dan mentioned as he caught me staring at him.

"Sure, do you mind if I stay at your place for tonight?" I asked him, hoping not to raise any suspicion but instead, his eyes brightened up.

"Yeah! You're welcomed at any time."

We walked outside to where our uber was waiting for us, the sunset was now calming down into a deep violet which I enjoyed the view of.

"343 China street North," John told the man the address and moved over down the seat so I could sit down. I shut the door and the taxi man went on without a word, he was really quiet and didn't ask questions.

"Dan, how did you know you were gay?" I questioned him and it surprised me as much as him.

"It was slow at first," Dan took out a flask from his pocket and took a sip, "I didn't like girls all that much but boys were just so damn cute. I experimented with both genders and well boys were my preference."

"Oh... have you had sex?" I asked and my face got red, Dan gave me a chuckle and looked me in the eyes.

"Yes. I have experience."

"John are you gay?"

"I don't know."

Dan put the flask back in his jeans and held my head in his hands. His brown eyes glared into mine as if he was trying to find something in them. Dan's face got closer as he looked at my lips and back to me.

"Is this okay?" He asked me before he did anything and I nodded. His lips touched mine and I felt my chest overflow with emotion as I gave him my first kiss, something that was so precious to me. The kiss heated up as he added tongue to it, I let him guide me as I put my arms around him. The taste of cherry vodka was the strongest taste in his mouth among with a lingering chocolate hint.

"Get off my Taxi." The man's voice surprised me as the car stopped instantly.

~~~~~