The Homeroom Bunch

 by: Miguel Sanchez

© 2005-2008 by the author

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

Colin hung up the phone after he said he loved Shawn as well then went and gave his Dad a big good night hug. “I love you Dad. Thanks for understanding. See you in the morning.” As soon as his head hit the pillow, Colin was in dreamland thinking about his love.

Chapter 6

Friday was a day that flew like all the others now that Colin was spending the weekend with Shawn. The gang left school and took their normal way home. Maggie and Billy were holding hands like they usually do and Colin saw this and thought it would be all right if he and Shawn did it also. Soon, Lance and Ray were holding hands like it was a natural thing to do.

The six kids were talking up a storm not thinking of what they were doing or paying attention to their surroundings. As they past one of the high school kid’s homes, the boys were spotted. This kid was in his room looking out his window as the group walked past. He looked at the boys holding hands and thought we have a pair of fag couples here in our neighborhood. They won’t be living here for long when my friend and I get through with them. I know the perfect time to send them the message to get the fuck out of here.

As they walked further up the street, Mark Kelly came out to meet the kids. This was out of character because Mark didn’t socialize with hardly anyone from the class. “Hi guys. Well doesn’t everyone look happy today?”

Shawn gave Mark a death stare and he felt Colin’s hand get tighter in his. “Look Mark, just what is your problem? I thought I made myself clear to you a few weeks ago. Do I have to do it again?”

Mark held his ground but Shawn could see he wasn’t looking for a fight. “Hey Shawn, take it easy. I’m not here to start anything. I’d like to be your friend if that’s possible. I know I’ve been a real pain to you guys and I wouldn’t blame you if you all hated me. I’m trying to say I’m sorry for picking on Colin.”

Mark reached his hand out to Colin so he could shake it and Colin went to accept it but he forgot one thing in the process. He hadn’t let Shawn’s hand go first and he just stood there holding Shawn’s while reaching for Mark’s.

Mark thought this was funny so he busted out laughing. He didn’t want Colin to feel bad so he took Colin’s and Shawn’s hand together and shook it. Everyone got the message of what Mark was doing so everyone was laughing up a storm. Colin did let go of Shawn’s hand and shook Mark’s. Mark even leaned in and gave him a quick hug and said, “Don’t you worry, no body is going to hurt you now either.”

He also looked at Ray and Lance and shook hands with them. Colin smiled at him and said, “Thank you. Would you like to walk with us? We’re heading over to my house.”

Mark had to decline because he was going out with his family but said, “Hey guys, I’d really like to but my family is going out to dinner. Can we do something over spring break? I’d really like that. My dad has a huge tent, maybe we could sleep out one night.”

Lance looked at him and stepped close and said, “You’re sure you would want to have a sleep out with four fags like us?”

Mark suddenly got angry. “Don’t say that. I hate that word.” All of a sudden Mark started crying right there in the middle of the street. The gang walked him over to his yard and they went around back and sat and talked with him.

Colin was the first to speak, “What’s wrong? We can call ourselves that because it doesn’t bother us, so why does it bother you?”

Shawn sat on the other side of Mark and put his arm around his shoulder. Mark leaned his head down and continued to cry for a few more minutes; finally he calmed down enough to speak. He said, “I can’t help it guys. I just hate that word. I have a brother who is 18 and he’s in the hospital. He is very sick and my parents won’t let me see him. I was able to get a letter to him about a year ago and I learned the truth. You see guys, my brother is gay and he has AIDS. When I learned this, I got so mad that I thought his having AIDS was his punishment for being gay. Well, that was until Mr. Williams talked with me a few days ago. He was able to get me to listen to him and I finally realized that one had nothing to do with the other. My brother used drugs and I think that’s what caused him to get AIDS, not his being gay. I wish I could see him. I love him so much and it really hurts not being able to have him with me. I remember the things we used to do together. We would play baseball and football together and we’d talk about everything. I don’t have that any more. I’m so sorry I took it all out on you guys.”

Shawn was real quiet. He was feeling bad because he let his temper over ride his common sense. “Mark, I’m sorry for grabbing your nuts before. I shouldn’t have done that. Can you forgive me?”

Mark hugged Shawn and said, “Don’t worry about it. I started that so I had it coming. That’s all in the past. I meant what I told Colin too. I’m not gonna let anybody pick on him or any of you guys. It’s cool with me if you guys are gay. I think it’s really cool that you have boyfriends. I wished my brother had someone special in his life so he knew what that was like.”

Shawn suddenly got an idea. “Hey Mark, do you know the name of the hospital your brother’s at? I may have an idea on how you could go and see him.”

Mark’s eye lit up when he heard that. “Yeah, I know the name of it and I looked it up in the phone book then on the map and it’s not that far from here. Well it isn’t by car. I know why my parents won’t let me see him. They say he’s being punished for him being gay. I know it’s not true but that’s what they think and I can’t see him because of it. I hate them for that. Damn it, he’s my brother.” Mark started crying again.”

Colin and the gang comforted him this time. Shawn said, “I have a plan. We bring your tent over to my house and then we can have a camp out. My mom doesn’t work so if I ask her, she can take us to see your brother. How does that sound?”

Mark wrapped his arms around as many of them as he could. “Shawn, if your mom would do that, I would forever be in your debt.” Mark kissed Shawn on the cheek then realized what he did. “Oh Shawn, I’m sorry. Colin, please. I’m sorry. Don’t hate me.”

Colin hugged him and said, “It’s all right. I’m not mad or anything.”

Maggie and Billy had to get going because they were going out to the movies. Billy said, “Mark, you’re all right with us dude. It took a lot of guts to tell us what you did. Welcome to the Homeroom Bunch. We are proud to have you as our friend. Maggie and I have to get going but these four screwballs can stay with you for a while. I’m real sorry about your brother. I know there isn’t a cure but there are new medications coming out all the time. I hope there are some that work for him and give him a chance at a life.”

Mark hugged Billy and Maggie and said, “Thanks. You all are real nice. Sorry it took me so long to see that. Have fun at the movies.”

As they left, Mark looked at the others and said, “May I ask you guys a question? I know how this may sound but I am very serious how do you know if you are gay or not? I have read some things and I read it’s inherited, as is your eye color. You see guys, girls don’t really do anything for me. I’ve kissed a few and well, nothing’s happened. I had one rub her hand over my dick and it didn’t get hard or anything. I saw this one guy in my gym class and I thought he was real cute. I looked at him once and boy did something happen then. It was a good thing I had a towel or I would have caught a lot of grief for that.”

Lance said, “Based on what you just said, it does sound like you may be gay but later on, you could end up liking girls to and in that case, you would be bi, or bi-sexual. I guess time would tell.”

Mark was squirming while he and Lance were talking. All the guys were looking at him while he was trying to casually fix his hardening penis. “Sorry guys. I guess that talk about guys got me a little worked up. I hope you don’t get mad now but I think all four of you are real cute. And Colin, Shawn has the best looking guy in the whole school. If you two ever break up, I would be honored to be your boyfriend, but I really hope you two are together for a very long time.”

Ray had more than a grin on his face. “Hehe, you aren’t the only one with a stiffy. Colin is cute all right but you’re not bad looking yourself.”

Mark’s mom came to the back door and said “Mark honey, it’s time to get ready to leave. Tell you friends you’ll see them another time.”

The boys all walked out to the front and before they left, that got into a circle and put their hand in and put them one on top of the other and said, “Homeroom Bunch for ever.” The exchanged brief hugs then Mark had to go inside.

The four were once again on the way to Colin’s house. Shawn was the first to say something. “Man that stinks. If I had a brother or even a sister and they were in the hospital, I wouldn’t be as calm about that as Mark is. I’d be bugging my parents all the time to take me to see them.”

Lance spoke next saying, “Yeah, but when he mentioned his parents, did you see how he looked around when he talked about them, sounds to me like they are real homophobes. Add to it that Mark might be gay too and I can see why he’s cautious. I have seen his Dad outside a few times and he’s one big dude. I think Mark is scared of him and I can’t say I blame him either.”

Colin said, “Yeah guys, Lance is right. I feel sorry for Mark now. He was only going on what his parents had taught him. I’m glad Mr. Williams was able to get through to him and he finally realizes the truth about AIDS. I sure hope is brother can hang on until we get Mark to see him.”

Ray even had something to say. “I know if my brother was suddenly taken from me, I’d be mad as all get out. JP is not only my brother but he’s my best friend just like you guys. I’d be crying all the time if he weren’t here and I didn’t know where to find him. Did you see the bulge Mark had guys?”

Everyone was laughing when Ray said that. Lance replied first saying, “Only you would notice that. I think your eyes have built in homing devices that go right to a boy’s crotch.”

Ray stopped in front of Lance and said, “And tell me love, you don’t check out what they have there too. If you’re denying, you’re lying. So come on, tell the truth. I dare you. In fact, I double dare you.”

Lance was caught. Not only had his boyfriend challenged him he double dared him. “Yeah I look. I look all the time. There’s nothing wrong with seeing what’s on the menu as long as I don’t touch. Now I wish Mark was in our PE class with us, don’t you sweetheart? Now I double dare YOU to tell US if you check out other dudes when you see them.”

Ray was now on the hook but he’s never been afraid to say what was on his mind and he sure wasn’t about to let something like this stop him now. “First off, I do wish Mark was in our PE class, he’s cool. I just wish it hadn’t taken him so long to show us this side of him. And for you’re other question, yeah love, I look and I’m not ashamed or afraid to admit it either. If there’s a dick between his legs and he looks good I’ll check it out. But don’t worry babe, ain’t nothing out there as good as what I have right here.”

Ray leaned over to Lance and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek as well as a pat on the crotch. When they finally got to Colin’s house, he noticed his Dad wasn’t home from work yet. Colin was visibly disappointed. “Damn, I wanted him to meet you guys and now he won’t.” Colin unlocked the front door and stopped in the kitchen to get the guys a soda. As he went past the table, Colin saw a folded piece of paper with his name on it. Colin opened it up and read it.

Dear Son,

I have to work a little later than normal but I should be home by 5:30. I still want to meet Shawn as well as your other friends. I have talked this over with your mom and she says it would be all right if you had your friends spend the night here. I realize this is short notice but have each of them call their parents and see if it is OK with them and if it is, call me on my cell phone and I will pick up some pizzas on the way home. Hope this works out for you.

Love,
Dad

Colin couldn’t believe his eyes. He started whooping it up saying, “Yes, yes. Oh man this is great. Come here guys and read this.”

All three boys came into the kitchen and saw their friend jumping up and down like he had rubber legs. Ray was trying to read the note when he finally said, “Hay man come back down to earth and like let us in on the good news.”

Shawn went over and wrapped his arms around his now very hyper friend while Ray grabbed the note from Colin. Ray read the note and said, “Oh man this is great news. I told my mom I might be spending the night with Shawn and now I can for sure over here. This is real cool. I’m going to call her right now.”

Lance was happy when he heard this too. “This is good news. I finally get to spend the night with Ray and I have my new friends too. I’m next Ray.”

Shawn looked at Colin and said, “Man, this is the greatest. I love you babe. Let’s go figure out how the four of us can sleep in there.”

Shawn brought his boyfriend’s head closer and gave him a very passionate kiss. It had been several days since Colin had released his juices so Shawn’s kiss was having quite the effect on him. He was enjoying this but his now hardening tool was getting very uncomfortable inside his jeans. “Umm, Shawn I like what you’re doing to me” he said. “But I have a problem now.”

Shawn kept kissing his friend and he loosened his trousers, stuck his hand inside his friend’s boxers and repositioned his tool so he would be more comfortable. Just as he fastened the button and slid his zipper up he heard, “Ahem. I hope we aren’t interrupting anything.” Ray was standing there with a big grin plastered on his face with his hands on his hips. Then he said, “Oh and I see someone was enjoying himself too.”

Colin looked at him and flipping him off said, “Faggot.”

The group busted out laughing when Colin said that. Lance finished with the phone then Shawn called his parents and got permission to stay. The boys then went down the hall to Colin’s room to see how they were all going to be able to fit in there and sleep. When he opened the door Colin had a big surprise staring him in the face. Everything in his room had been removed and in its place there was brand new bedroom furniture. Colin’s old double bed had been replaced with a huge king size one. He just said, “Wow! I can’t believe this. My parents are the greatest.” Colin walked over to the new bed and sat down on it. “Man this is a hundred times better than my old one. Come on guys, check it out.”

The others joined him on the bed then Colin saw something he wasn’t expecting. There in the corner from floor to ceiling covered in gold wrapping paper was what looked like plywood. There was a red bow on it and a card that read “Colin.” The lot of them got off the bed and walked closer to see what it was. Colin took the card off and the paper started to tear some. He carefully removed the card and opened it up to see what was written. It read, “Congratulations and enjoy. Love Mom and Dad”

Lance pushed gently on the paper so he could feel what it was under it. He said to the others, “Hey guys, its cardboard.”

Colin set the card down and he ran his hand over the paper and he felt an opening for a couple of fingers. He pushed through the paper and then pulled the cardboard wall down. He gasped when he saw what was on the other side. “Oh my god, I can’t believe it.” Tears fell from his eyes he was so shocked and surprised. There on its own station was a brand new Gateway Computer complete with monitor, all in one printer, fax, scanner and copier. The Ferguson’s even had Colin’s very own phone line installed just for the computer’s modem so they could still use the telephone when Colin was online.

He heard his Dad come home from work and he immediately ran to greet him jumping up into his arms. The tears were still falling when he was saying, “Oh daddy, I love you. I love you. Thank you so very, very much for that wonderful surprise. I didn’t ask for that. You didn’t have to.”

Shawn, Ray and Lance came out of the bedroom to see Colin in his Dad’s arms. They all had a smile on their face when they saw this. Shawn commented saying, “Now that’s the love between a father and a son.”

To be continued...

Posted: 07/04/08