Ch. 24

By Wednesday, the excitement about Tom and I has settled down somewhat. Not my excitement, or his, but everyone in class knows and has said their piece. No one in our class seems to have any problems with it, and most were obviously expecting it. Neither of us are very demonstrative, though, so we still aren't groping each other in class or anything, but whenever there's a time we can sneak off alone for a moment...

"Okay, class, we have a month and a half left, and in three weeks we are facing our biggest challenge of the semester," Ms Francis explains when we walk into our portable after lunch and find topographic maps sitting on our desks.

"As you know, the last component of our course, aside from exams, is the hiking trip. We will travel over eighty kilometres along the Bruce Trail, from Lion's Head to Tobermory," Mr. Sway explains. "Now this might sound like a picnic after winter camping and our cycling trip, but from looking at the maps in front of you, I want you all to determine why this might not be the case."

Our group of seniors pours over our map, and a few things become obvious.

"There's nothing there," Nicole says, noting that towns are few and far between. Not only that, but they are tiny towns I've never heard of before.

"That's not totally true, there's lots of stuff there, just all nature," Kent says.

"And cliffs," Jen adds, pointing to a particularly steep looking section.

"Holy shit, we're going to die," Kyle exclaims a little too loudly. The rest of the class turns to look, a few chuckling.

"Not exactly, but it is really challenging. We've only had a few classes that we've felt could handle the trip, and this is one of them. Otherwise we'd be doing a section closer to home and less technical," Mr. Sway informs us.

"But this is a great group and we feel that you guys can handle it. Besides, the scenery is completely worth the pain." Ms. Francis turns on the bright links and displays some amazing pictures on the whiteboard. Water as blue as the Caribbean, white cliffs like Dover in England, and all sorts of really fascinating rock formations flash across the room. "These are all things you will experience on your trip, but the hike is very technical and not for beginners."

This prompts Julia to raise her hand. "Aren't we beginners?" she asks hesitantly. "I'm not sure I'm cut out for cliff climbing."

"Now don't worry. We've done a lot of training this semester, and all of you are in far better shape than you were when you started." Kyle goes to protest, but Mr. Sway cuts him off. "Muscles don't mean good shape, they just mean you can lift. Even you have to admit, Kyle, that your endurance and stamina have improved."

"I'm not sure...ladies, anyone interested in testing out that theory?" Kyle says, and the class erupts into laughter. "Sorry, Sway, had to be said," Kyle continues, "but, yeah, you're right. I am definitely more fit that way then I was before, and Julia, you are too."

Julia's face turns red at this, but I'd have to admit, she's no longer anywhere near as heavy as she was in February. Her clothes hang more, where they used to cling.

"Anyway, we'll be doing some little day hikes to stay in shape while we plan everything else. We can take our bikes over to the trailhead near here and do some training, so I expect everyone to be prepared for tomorrow. Bike, packs, and boots," Mr. Sway instructs. "As for the remainder of the day, we are going to the library to research different aspects of the hike."

Our group is assigned animals of the Bruce, which doesn't sound particularly difficult. We need to research what animals to expect and how to handle encounters. As all of us walk through the halls, Tom grabs hold of my hand and we walk together. Interestingly enough, it seems that Jen is walking particularly close to Kent. I hope to god he's gotten it out of his head that she's easy, because that's a sure way to chase her away.

There must be a varsity baseball game today, because as we make our way through the halls towards the library, there's a group of guys in uniform heading in the same direction with their equipment bags.

"Lookit what we've got here, Kev." A tall guy who I'm pretty sure was in my calc class last semester is staring at us. "Looks like we've got a couple of fags. Figured Justin liked dick."

I stiffen up immediately and Tom holds my hand tighter.

"Jealous?" Tom responds.

"I'd be more worried about your little boy toy checking me out in my uniform," he wiggles his hips in a suggestive manner and I look down to the floor.

"Ah, he doesn't seem to like that, Dyl, obviously the emo type is more his style. Either way, they both play ball. Which one is the pitcher and which is the catcher?" Kevin taunts.

I don't know what seizes me, but I don't want anything ugly to happen. Tom can't get into any more trouble and I don't want some stupid idiots to taint our relationship.

"Look, we aren't hurting you any, nor are we asking for you to comment. Tom is my boyfriend so as to who does what where, that's none of your fucking business. What I do know is that if you act like assholes you can get kicked off your precious baseball team, so back the fuck off." I have no clue where this came from, but I'm shaking and furious. Both Kyle and Kent come up and stand by Tom and I as support, with Jen and Faith flanking them.

"Whatever, Losers," Kevin spits in our direction, and the two of them wander over towards the door where they're presumably getting on the bus for their game.

"Holy shit, Justin," Kyle grins at me, "where the hell did that come from?"

I am trying to gather my senses, but I'm still a little shaky. "I have no idea."

Tom leans in and whispers in my ear, "I have no idea either, but it was fucking sexy."

Obviously everyone hears, because they all laugh and we walk down the halls together, my face beet red.

.........................................

"So you mean in addition to having to watch out for bears and wolves, we also have to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes?" Kent complains after we complete some of our research.

"Yep. Massasauga Rattlers. And they're endangered, so we need to make sure to stay far out of their way," Jen explains.

"Let me get this straight. There are cliffs we can fall from, snakes that can kill us, bears that could maim us, wolves, and absolutely no help anywhere nearby?" Surprisingly Andi, who's usually completely upbeat looks a little scared.

"Let's not forget that there's a ton of poison ivy in that area, too," Julia kicks in. Her group had to look at plant species.

"I don't care. I'm excited about going," Tom declares from next to me.

"Yeah, but that's only because you get to spend some time with your boyfriend," Faith says in a singsongy voice which is totally hilarious because of her goth-girl look.

"Maybe..." Tom says and gives me a wink. While Carson makes vomiting sounds.

"No one's ever died from them, the rattlesnakes, I mean," I cut in, trying to get everyone back on topic and off my relationship.

By the end of the day, we all have things ready to discuss in class the next day, and planning for our trip can begin. Mostly it sounds like there's a lot of really cool things to see and we should be fine as long as we all keep it together.

When we're getting ready to go for the day, Tom pulls me behind the portable. The bell has gone and everyone is heading towards the buses, so we're fairly secluded.

"I mean it, you were totally hot today in the hall," he whispers in my ear before nibbling on my lobe a little. The result is instantaneous, as in, I've got a problem if I need to walk to the bus.

"Oh god, Tom, you're going to drive me insane," I try to say quietly and without the moan I can feel forming.

"I think that's the general idea, 95." He teases me again, by moving his lips a little lower and kisses my neck.

I grab his hips and pull him closer, capturing his lips with mine. I can feel him against me, and we're both in a similar state of excitement. After a few more kisses, we split apart when we hear a portable door slam. Holding our bags lower, we walk out towards the buses together.

"Can you call me tonight?" I ask, feeling like an idiot.

"Hopefully," he responds as he makes towards his bus, "I'll try my best." He waves one last time and climbs on board.

When I get on my bus, I grab my usual seat next to Kyle, who spends the rest of the trip home teasing me about why I was late, even though Tom and I were the first ones out of the portable. I can't help but blush, which gives him more fuel, but at least he's supportive. I don't know what I'd do if people weren't okay with Tom and I. The guys in the hall today were the way I'd expected a lot of people to react, and I was surprised that I confronted them, but I just don't want Tom to face anymore painful incidents. He's faced enough. Maybe it's silly of me to think that I can protect him, but I seriously acted like an idiot for long enough and Tom deserves better.

...............................................

"How's it going with Tom?" my mom asks at dinner. She's having plain noodles and some applesauce, her pregnancy still affecting her gag reflex.

"Good, although I'd really like to be able to go out somewhere with him, you know?"

"Why can't you? Are his parents strict?"

I give my mom a brief explanation of where Tom lives and why. She's absolutely disgusted.

"Is that why you waited so long to tell me, Justin?" She looks a little hurt, and while I can understand that maybe she'd feel that way, she has to understand how I feel.

"Maybe some of the reason. You have to admit, some of your ex boyfriends have been pretty vocal when it comes to homosexuals." She considers this and nods. "I'm not saying you'd let any of them hurt me, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't have hit first..."

"No, you're right, Justin, and I'm sorry. I know I dated some serious assholes."

"I'm just glad Paul seems okay with the whole thing."

"I didn't really give him the option. Besides, it's not like who you dates affects him at all."

"Did he have a problem?"

"No, actually, his cousin is gay and in a long term committed relationship. He's pretty open with that kind of stuff."

"Oh, well that's good. I still can't believe Tom's parents."

"Hopefully someday they'll regret what they've done, but if not, then hopefully Tom's okay without them." She thinks for a moment. "You know, why don't you invite Tom for dinner on Saturday. Paul can take us all out to a restaurant or something. Maybe you two can go to the movies first and meet us there? That way it would fit with his curfew."

"Really?"

"Sure. I'd really like to meet the man who dragged my son away from his books." She gives me a big grin, and I get up to hug her before going to the phone to call Tom.