New School Blues

By: John Bowling
(© 2011 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 1

Even though I hated the thought of leaving my friends, I knew it would be an adventure. Adventures are exciting, aren't they?

We were moving because Dad's job transferred him across the country to some town in a state I'd barely heard of and knew nothing about. I knew that I would hate the new place and school after leaving my friends behind. At least it was during the summer break from school, so I could get a fresh start. They gave Dad two weeks off to travel to the new location, and a big raise with all expenses paid on the move, so it was good for him. And Mom assured me that the school they were going to enroll me into was top notch. The movers came and packed everything.

The adventure? We had to drive both cars so we would have them when we got here, so four days of riding for me, part with Mom and part with Dad, and the same boring fast food. Why are there no convenient freeway restaurants with good food that is not boring? Well, at least I saw lots of scenery, trees, farms, and towns I've never been to, and probably won't see again. Yep, boring after the first four hours, and a literal pain in the rear after the first day. And the truck with most of our furniture got there on Saturday at the end of the two weeks, so we had to do without for a couple of days and them rush unloading and unpacking. And there is still another truckload that's late, and it's the one with our clothes and stuff.

We finished moving the stuff from the first truck in, about 11:00 PM Sunday, and there were lots of things still boxed up. Then I found out that school started here a week before it does back at my old town, so I'm already behind, and I don't have many unpacked and clean clothes to wear, with most of them not even here yet. I can hear them now: "Look at the new kid. He's worn the same clothes for three days - must be really poor."

So my first day at the school: I didn't get to go to classes that morning, paperwork, faxing, signing, interviews, etc., so I'm sitting, bored, most of the time in the office with no one to talk to while they process things. The adults there had their stuff to do so they were not able to talk and all the students were in established classes. Finally, I got a schedule and a map of the school. I walked around the school trying to find where my classrooms were, with only numbers to identify the class rooms, and my class list only had teacher's names. They told me that someone would show me around, but no one ever did. I finally found one class room with a Mrs. Carbuncle in it, teaching a class I was in, so I went in and sat down, about 15 minutes after they started. She continued with her lecture and just looked daggers at me. After the bell rang, she walked out and didn't even acknowledge I was there. Several of the other students looked at me, but no one even asked what my name was.

I asked a couple of students where history was, and they just pointed 'over there'. Over there were three doors, and none of them were history, so again I'm late and don't have any idea where to go, and now everyone is inside class rooms with closed doors. So I went back to the office, and they were closed up for the day. In mid-afternoon? I wandered around some more and the office did not re-open so I just went home early.

I could have done homework, but I didn't have any. And they only have three TV stations and no good programs. Boring night, and nothing to unpack or put away, so I went to bed early.

Back at the school's office early on Tuesday, and it was not open for students before classes started, even though adults were walking around busy inside, so I had to wait, and just sit watching people walking by, ignoring me. I tried talking to a few students, and they either just said "Hi." or nothing and walked by. I again wandered the halls and stumbled onto a couple of other classes with some sleuthing and good luck on my part. Don't ask me how, 'cause I don't know.

OMG!, I thought, as I saw a hottie walking across the lunchroom. I didn't really know anyone yet. I had been in a couple of classes this morning, after hunting down the rooms, but there wasn't anyone there that I thought looked nice or who was willing to talk. I like guys, and especially guys with nice muscles and a cute face, sort of like myself, even if I do say so myself. The guy I saw in the lunchroom was really, really hot. I watched him walk over to another table and sit with a group there. It was rather disappointing to be sitting at a table all by myself, but no one invited me over or came to sit with me. So I ate quickly. I left the lunchroom and went over to the empty lounge. Bored! I was berating myself for even thinking that a guy that hot could even be friendly.

I still didn't know the layout of the school, well, just those few classrooms I lucked my way into. The morning I checked in, they said someone would show me around, but all I got was this drawing with just numbers on it and a class list only had teacher's names, no room numbers. Sorry if I'm repeating myself, but I was still lost. My day continued to be like that, no one I could talk to or who talked to me. Again I said 'Hi' to several people, mostly got ignored, and there was no one I really wanted to get to know, except that cutie in the lunchroom, and I didn't see him in any of my classes. But then, I may not be in the right classes.

On my way home, I though about how boring it was, and how I didn't like this school any more than the last one, even less. And everyone ignored me. OK, I'll get them to at least notice me. Before leaving for school on Wednesday, I painted my finger nails crimson and tinted my hair a bright green. I got to school, and heard someone say, to someone else, of course: "Is it Halloween already?"

"No, just some freak." And they walked by and didn't even say hi to me. So that day went just as bad, everyone avoiding me, but I have finally found all my classes (or what I think are my classes). And my lunch was just as lonely. I didn't even see the cute guy. When I got home, I washed out most of the tint so my mom wouldn't notice it, and removed the polish. And Thursday I went into school in a dress shirt and slacks - most of my clothes were still in transit, so I had dozens to choose from, right? I still got ignored. What do these people want? This time at lunch, I saw the hot guy and followed him, sitting at the next table where if he looked up he could see me. He didn't. There were some other guys at the table who got up and left just after I sat down, and no one else came over and said anything. Classes were even more boring that day, but I found one more after a teacher told me I was in the wrong room.

On Friday, I looked as normal as any teen could look, except, a tight t-shirt to show off my muscles, and tight jeans with a bulge. Yea, I know it hasn't been the in thing to show off with tight pants, but I was tired of no one noticing. Actually, those were the only things I had left clean to wear. And the trend from years ago is coming back (I hope). I had a body to notice, and wasn't afraid to let people know. Classes were about the same, though I did find some of the students looking at me (finally!). Not that they stopped to talk. At lunch, the hot guy looked over at me and whistled. Then this cute chick walked by behind me and he put his arm around her and kissed her cheek. Shit! He was looking past me and whistling at her! Like I ever had a chance with someone that hot!

So I left my lunch setting there, untouched, and almost ran from the room. I went outside and walked around, then got to my next class late. I had to go see the principle. I went, but I knew it was time to vacate this crap of a school and never come back.

"You have been tardy and absent several times this week. Better not make a habit of this!"

"Why not? This school is crap! At least now I might finally be able to find my way around if I were staying here, which I'm NOT!"

"We have the top academic record and offer several classes you can't get elsewhere."

"Yea, everybody here has had several years training in snobbery and how to keep the cliques tightly closed from new people."

"Well, we are better than other schools."

"So the whole school is one big snob mob! B fk'in S! I'm leaving! Any school is better than this one, even if no one ever learns anything!"

"Greg, how did he get this impression?"

"Mr. Heath, are you referring to --" I turned and looked at the nice voice, and it was him, the hottie.

"Yes, this is Mike Vargan, and you were supposed to welcome him, show him around on Monday and introduce him to everybody."

I interrupted, angry: "No one introduced me to anyone, and I had to find my own classes. Stupid maps are useless!" I was pissed! "And you can all just fuck off! I'm out of here, and I'm reporting everything to the school board. Stick that up your damn school record!" I walked out and slammed the door.

By the time I reached the outside door, Greg had caught up with me.

"Please, Mike, don't walk out."

"Why not? You messed up, screwed up my whole life, the school is messed up, and now you want me to just forget it. You were not even around on Monday. I would remember someone hot like you! And after that, you ignored me."

"K, walk out. See if I care that the hottest guy I ever met is walking out on me before I even get to know him!"

"You've had all week, and never even said hi. Like everyone else who ignored me when I talked to them! I've even seen you a few times in the lunchroom and you didn't even bother to look at me."

"The picture they gave me of you doesn't look anything like you. So I've been trying to find the wrong guy."

"You could have still been just a tiny bit friendly. Which no one at this school is any friggin' good at. How many new guys are there this week to confuse you? Two or three dozen? And you ignore someone sitting by themselves at a table that seats eight! At least twice I was all alone and you just walked by me and didn't even look!"

"When I tried, Sara got in the way, and no one ignores Sara."

"The one you kissed in the cafeteria? This is Friday, and I've been here since Monday."

"K, so I screwed up. How about we ditch the rest of the day and I take you to get a good lunch?"

"Look, you're cute and have a hot body, but that's not enough. The guy I go out on a date with has to be honest, friendly, and follow through with what he says. And I haven't seen any of that from anyone here."

"K, I deserve that, but you've got to give me a chance. I promise - AND will keep it - to introduce you to lots of people on Monday."

"Yea, friends of yours that will be nice to me when you are there, and then ignore me after that."

"Can't you just accept that I am trying to be nice …"

"Trying? Why not just BE nice?"

"Cause you won't let me! Did you go ask for someone to show you around? Did you talk to people and be friendly? No, you dressed weird and sulked because no one offered to help. So why do you deserve someone honest when you're not!"

"I asked several people and they just walked past and ignored me, and the office was closed most of the time. The most unfriendly place I've ever been to! And can I help it if most of my clothes have not even arrived yet? K, I'll just leave and we can forget the whole thing. I'll find a different school. And forget the boyfriend bit. I'll do it all by myself!"

"And have the same problem there. How many schools have you just walked away from? And how many potential boyfriends? Go ahead, I don't care, I can easily find another guy, even if he's not as hot as you!"

Just then Sara walked up and said: "Just kiss and make up! You two make the hottest gay couple in the whole school! And right now, the angriest!"

"What?" We both turned and asked.

She then pushed me against him and said: "Just do it!"

Neither of us were really into it, but we did kiss briefly, arms hanging down. Not the friendliest kiss, with no passion, but I knew I wanted to do it again, but not yet. I'm not over my royal pissoff yet, the one I deserve to have after the last week.

"You guys kiss like your a tired old married couple about to get divorced. Greg, I've known you were gay for the last three years, and it's about time you started living it."

"You knew?"

"Duh...  I've watched you flub up with several potential boyfriends, so this doesn't surprise me one bit. And you, newbie, that poor spiteful loser attitude has to change." Sara continued. "If you can't get over it, I'll get several of my girl friends and we'll smother you with love and attention. That IS a threat!"

"She would, too. I've been putting up with her mothering me for years."

"It sounds like we have a triangle here, two gay guys and their mother!" I laughed at us. "K, about that date? Do you want mother to chaperon us?"

"Geez, some chaperon, she'll have us f'ing before we even get our lunch."

"Greg! You need me to keep you two from getting mad at each other. And you never introduced this hottie!"

"My name is Mike. I've not been properly introduced to anyone, yet, including him. I'll go to lunch with you if you promise to show me how to find all my classes and tell me what there is to do in this town on weekends."

"How about if I take you and show you what there is to do?" Greg asked.

"I suppose that's some better than doing it alone."

"What's your favorite kind of food?"

"I have no idea what's available."

"I do, so give me a clue."

"Genuine English style fish and chips."

"There's one close by that has a good variety of decent sea food."

"K, what are we waiting on?" I looked at both of them.

"The ink on my chaperon license to dry?"

Greg drove us over, and I loved the variety of well-prepared fish. As we ate, Sara asked me: "Mike, can you be with Greg, or have Greg stay with you this weekend? His parents are out of town for the weekend and he really needs someone around."

"I'll have to check with Mom and Dad, and we have lots of unpacking still to do."

"I hate unpacking, but if it keeps me around you, I'll do it. To help make up for this week!" Greg said.

"Thanks."

We dropped Sara off at home and drove to my place. Mom met us in the living room with boxes still piled high. The second truck had finally arrived.

"Mom, this is Greg. A new friend from school."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Mrs. Vargan. I can see where Mike got his good looks from." She smiled.

"Mom, could I go to Greg's for the weekend, or have him stay here?"

"Before you run off for the weekend, at least get these boxes up to your room. Then we'll talk about it."

"How about we both do that and then I help unpack everything? I was going to just have a boring weekend at home. At least here we can get to know each other," Greg added.

Mom looked at Greg, and I knew she was checking him out as to what kind of a friend he would be.

"Mike needs good friends, at least one really good one, to help him recover from stuff at his old school. I'll let you both stay here in Mike's room this weekend if your parents agree."

I knew what she didn't say was if he screwed up ... I would have to find a different friend. I don't think I could handle that after the last week. I could see that he got that impression also.

"I know I can be a really good close friend. And I think, or at least hope, he can replace the one I lost last year."

We started off to my room with boxes, with Mom helping us carry up some of them.

"You lost a friend? How?" I asked.

"He was special, someone I went all the way through school with and life just caught up with him."

"Special?" Mom wondered.

"Yea. We were more than just friends, doing everything together."

I had to interject here: "Mom, Greg is gay. Sorry, Greg, if you don't want people to know, but my family knows about me after my problems last year."

"And that will make you a better friend for Mike. Just be discrete with other people. And it's OK with us if you guys want to sleep together," Mom replied.

Greg broke out into a huge grin and said: "Thank you! I know it would help me get through it."

"Me, too, even if all we do is cuddle."

Greg stayed at my house, and we unpacked and stowed my stuff away in my room, Friday night.

"Greg, thanks for helping me with this after my being such an ass all week."

"That's what friends are for, and I did screw up at school. I was late Monday morning and you must have been wandering the halls when I got there."

"Yea, I was mad, before we left, at having to move here, even though it's a good promotion for Dad. And then we had a four-day drive through the same boring countryside. And then no spare clothes. When I got to school, I was ready to scream at everybody."

"Yea, and then I had to screw up and make you even madder. Is it okay if I hug you?"

"I make no guarantees about letting you breathe or stop hugging all weekend!"

"Good, cause I want to hug you tight forever." By the time he said that, he was nose to nose with me with his arms wrapping themselves around. I leaned forward a bit and kissed him as we hugged. Time seemed to drift as we held each other, and it seemed like a few seconds later Mom was calling to say supper was ready.

"Mike, I've called you three times now. You guys gonna skip supper?"

"We better … mnn ... more ... "

"Yea, we better. Remember she's fixing your favorite ... "

Finally we broke apart and ran downstairs. As we walked into the current storage and future dining room, they both grinned when we quickly sat down.

"Sharon, it looks like we have our new son-in-law visiting with us," Dad said.

"Do you think he is good enough for our Mike? 'Course, that hot bod of his is really cute."

"I heard that he has quite the reputation at school..."

"Mom, and Dad. He's right here in front of you. And if you don't quit, I'm going to take him back up to my room and we'll get proof of his reputation. Just the two of us, together."

"Well, it's obvious that our son has grown up quickly."

"Yes, Carl, all this talk and watching the young studs, I'm ready for an all niter myself!"

"Ewww... Get a room."

That last line was in unison, from the two of us teen-aged boys.

To be continued...

Posted: 10/28/11