Chapter Four

"Jay?" I looked up. We were just coming back from Hershey at around seven, and we were at my car in the parking lot.

"Yeah, Mike?" he hesitated. Something told me he wanted to comment about earlier, so I braced myself. But then he brightened up.

"Can I drive?" I could tell that wasn't what he was going to say, but I didn't want to talk about earlier, so I didn't mention it. Then I realized what he said.

"What?"

"I want to drive." He looked exited. He had just gotten his license last week. He had managed to get the lowest passing grade, so it was still dangerous to let him behind the wheel.

"Well…"

"Please? I'll be careful." He really wanted to, I just couldn't say no.

Let's just say it was the most terrifying experience of my life.

"That was awesome!" Mike screamed when we got to my house. He seemed overwhelmed with happiness. I, however, was still staring, eyes wide, at the windshield, my hands gripping the armrest tightly. I still feared for my life even though we had stopped moving.

"Um…" he laughed. I love his laugh, but I was too scared to pay much attention to it. "Come on, let's go inside."

I was still frozen in place. He walked around and opened my door, pulling me out, and he practically had to carry me in his arms to my room.

Not that I minded.

"Umm…Jay?" Mike seemed a little nervous, which was unusual for him, especially around me.

"Hmm?" He hesitated.

"I was just thinking about earlier."

I felt a giant knot in my stomach. "What about earlier?"

"Well…I just fell like…I mean, did…"

"Nothing happened, Mike."

"Okay." He dropped the subject.

It was true. Nothing happened.

Unfortunately.

"Mike, can I tell you something?"

It was Sunday, and we were at Mike's house. Normally, we went to my house because Mike's parents…well, let's just say they aren't the most loving people. Especially his dad. It still killed me every time I saw him with a bruise or a broken limb, but that rarely ever happened anymore since he was always at my house. Anyway, his parents were out, and would be for a while, so it was safe to be here.

"Sure," he replied.

I've decided to tell him. I think my decision was mostly based on that… I don't know what it was. Nothing happened, but for a second it felt like something was going to.

"If I tell you something," I asked softly, "will you try not to freak out on me?"

"Of course," he told me. "What's up?"

"I…" I bit my lip nervously.

"You know you can tell me anything," he assured me. I took a deep breath and said it before I could change my mind:

"I'm gay."

The very second those two, simple words left my mouth, I regretted it. I hoped that maybe he didn't hear me, but he had frozen in place, so I knew that he did.

"Erm… what?" he asked quietly.

"I'm gay," I repeated.

"Oh, um… I, uh…I mean…it's just…um…wow…" he seemed to be at a loss for words.

I knew it. Deep down, I knew he'd never be okay with it. It's not like when I told him he'd be all like, "Really? Me too!" it's not like he'd confess his undying love for me or anything, more like it would creep him out. And if he wasn't okay with it, I wouldn't be able to stay a second longer, so I stood up.

"You know what? I'll just go, and…um…yeah, I'll go."

He didn't say a word as I left.

I was fighting tears the whole way as I was driving home. I was so stupid for thinking he'd be okay with it.

I got home and went straight to my room, closing the door behind me. I laid down in bed. I was exhausted even though it was still four. I like to read when I'm upset, to distract me, but I didn't think I'd be able to concentrate that well. So I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep…

"Jaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy! Wake up!" I'd recognize that voice anywhere. And even if I couldn't, there's only one person in the world who calls me Jay.

Mike.

I slowly lifted my eyelids, and there he was, hovering over me with a disappointed expression.

"Jay, it's only, like, five. Why the hell are you asleep?"

"Mike?" I was confused, and not because I had just woken up.

"I want to do something; I feel hyper."

"You're always hyper."

"Exactly! Come on, you don't want to waste your time in bed. I mean, if I had a choice in the matter, I wouldn't sleep at all."

He pulled me up.

"Wait…what about what I told you earlier?"

"What about it?"

"You don't…care?"

"Jay, so what if you're gay?" He smiled. "Hey, that kind of rhymes. It's a sucky one, but still."

"You seemed upset."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I was upset. But only because it took so long or you to tell me."

I was confused. "Huh?" He sighed and sat down next to me on the bed.

"I've had a feeling for years you were gay; I was just waiting for you to tell me. When you never did, I assumed that maybe it was all in my head. I just…well, I thought we didn't keep those kinds of secrets from each other, so it kind of hurt that you only told me today."

I blinked in surprise. "Oh… I'm so sorry, it's just that I didn't—"

"It's fine, don't worry about it. Just remember next time that you can tell me anything, alright?"

"Okay."

He grinned and stood up. "Great. Now what do you say we go look for Mrs. Cambell? We can dump soda on her to see if she melts!"

I smiled, glad to have everything back to normal. "You mean water?"

"Yeah, whatever."

A/N: I know it's been a while, sorry. There's actually not much of the story left, so to make it longer, I think I'll add more things to it. Reviews:

Ithinkilikecheese: I'm glad you still like it even thought you got confused. I don't think this chapter clears anything up, but I think it's a pretty decent chapter. Thanks for the review :)

Reader: I'm happy that you love it. I actually don't think my writing's that great, so reviews like yours make me really happy. Thanks :)

Misterjess: Here you go. I don't know if I'll update tomorrow because I'm doing two stories at once, so I'll try to update again Wednesday. Thank you for the review :)

Astir-Lewis: I don't know what it's like to be in that kind of situation (because I have no life anyway), but I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully it'll work out for you, as well as Justin. Anyway, the feedback is greatly appreciated :)

This isn't important, just me rambling, but I'm currently working on three different stories at home when I'm not updating. The one I finish first will be the one I update first, I think.

Anyway, please review :)