•͟U͟N͟D͟E͟R͟S͟T͟A͟N͟D͟ ͟c͟a͟r͟t͟i͟u͟z͟i͟•͟

VII

I looked at Symere confused, who leant over to me, whispering, "They're not actually my parents, they just have this thing where they're some weird ass married couple, and I'm their son; it's really fucking confusing." I nodded, somewhat understanding better now; I looked at Rakim and Amala and smiled, returned with two other smiles.

I turned around to see that Caleb had locked the car and ditched, wanting to avoid another introduction, of course. "His antisocial ass has already fuckin' dipped, of course." I thought to myself. "Well, Jordan and I have to go to class, so I'll see y'all later." Symere told them, once again grabbing my arm, and nearly pulling me through the parking lot.

"You good?" I asked, as we approached the courtyard. "Yeah," he responded, "just bored, that's all." He released me once we reached the courtyard, where he instructed me to follow him into the school. "Why don't we stay out here? Class doesn't start for another 15 minutes." I asked.

"Nah, it's too hot out here." he replied, pushing the door into the hallway open. "Uh, ok, I guess." I replied, as I followed him through the doorway into the hallway.

RAKIM:

"I'm so proud of him, Rakim," Amala told me as we walked through the parking lot, "he's found someone he really likes." I laughed, "Yeah, our son has finally fallen in love."

Symere ended up telling Amala the truth about his sexuality the prior Tuesday, after he had told me a week prior outside a Dairy Queen in Austell. I was proud of him, and Amala, obviously, felt similar.

"And I'm super excited about he trusts us." Amala added, "Has he told Miles and Sheyaa?"

"Nah, he said he would tell them 'when the moment is right', so I guess that honestly just depends on whatever pace he wants to go at." I replied. She nodded her head in agreement. We approached the courtyard where we found both Sheyaa and Miles waiting for us, with both confused and pissed off looks on their faces.

"Who the fuck is with Symere?" Sheyaa asked loudly as we approached. "Don't ask me, ion know shit." I responded. "Don't bullshit me," Sheyaa responded, getting in my space, "I saw both of you talking to that muhfucka' in the lot."

I shoved him back, "Chill the fuck out; it's just some friend of his, damn." I told Sheyaa. "I think that's some kid named Jordan in my European History class." Miles chimed in. We all looked towards him. "Uh, yeah, he doesn't really say much. He's new, I think." Miles continued.

I returned my sightline to Sheyaa, "See, just a new kid; calm the fuck down." Sheyaa rolled his eyes, "Come on Miles, let's go to class." he told Miles, nearly pulling him into the building.

"Ok, baby, I gotta go to class," Amala told me, giving me a kiss on the cheek, "I'll see you at lunch." I returned with a kiss on her neck and a tight hug, as I ran off to my first period.

SYMERE:

Ever since sitting and talking with Montero on Tuesday, I had really began to consider the already distant relationship I had with Jonathan. Now that I knew he was wildly homophobic, I really started to judge him more. While I didn't say much to him outside or even during Chemistry, I had limited it to almost zero exchange of words for both Montero and I's own good.

Aside from that, I had taken advantage of the time I had, and spent it with Jordan. He seemed to start opening up to me more, telling me about how he moved from the not-so good part of Charlotte to Atlanta on extremely short notice, and how he was living with Caleb and his family and everything. I could sort of connect the dots; something happened, wether it financial or familial, that required them to jump ship in North Carolina to come here. It sorta made me feel sorry for Jordan.