“Marco it’s time to get downstairs…you’re going to be late,” his dad hollered form the bottom of the stairs.

“I’m coming,” he yelled as he strolled down the stairs, trying to put his sweater on at the same time.

“What took you so long?” Usually he was ready the downstairs even before him and his mom.

“Sorry papa, I was up late getting ready for school drama festival. I want to make sure I knew the part perfectly. I want this year’s festival to be a success,” he said putting the last of his textbooks in his book bag.

“Your mama and I will be there this afternoon.”

“Well be sure to get there early so that you can get a good seat,” he said practically running out the door.

*******************************

Alex was sitting around the front of the school with Jimmy, Paige and Hazel. Since the whole pot incident Paige had embraced her as a friend, and invited her to hang with the group.

Just then, Craig and Ellie walked up hand in hand with big grins spread across their faces. She just rolled her eyes at the very sight. They were constantly like this, and as much as Alex hated to admit it, she missed having that special someone. It had been so long since her break up with Jay, and she didn’t want him back but she missed having someone to care about her that way, well before he decided to go to other girls.

“Hey guys,” Craig said as he and Ellie stood before them.

“Hey,” Paige said.

“Well Craig and I need to get inside, I need to talk to a teacher, before class,” Ellie said as she pulled Craig along.

Alex couldn’t remember her acting like this when she was with Sean, she was a lot more girly with Craig, and it made her a little sick. “Those two are so annoying, too happy for me,” she said.

“Oh come on they’re in love, they can’t help it,” Paige defended them. She thought it was great that they were both happy. With all that had happened in the last year with them both losing their loves, they deserved some happiness in their life.

“Love doesn’t last, we’re both examples of that,” Alex fought back, trying to prove a point.

“Hey,” Hazel butted in, “Jimmy and I haven’t broken up, and we’re just as happy as ever.”

Jimmy put on a fake smile when Hazel looked at him. “Alex for one Jay was a total jerk and two when you find that special someone it won’t be the same.”

“I don’t know about that,” she said, glancing at the ground. She wanted to believe that Jimmy was right, but everything around made her unsure. She was insecure about anything to do with guys. Her mom had never had a healthy relationship, and her last one left her heartbroken.

*******************************

Marco walked towards the auditorium to get ready for the play, when he saw a couple of guys pushing another guy into a locker. He wasn’t going to allow bullying happen in the school, not after it ended in someone close to him being shot.

“Hey…why don’t you leave him alone,” he yelled.

“And why don’t you mind your own business,” one hollered back.

“No, I refuse to allow this to happen.” He had to fight to make this school a better place. Stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.

“Don’t you know this guy is gay?” believing that would change his mind.

“So what, does that give you the right to pick on him.”

“Forget this!” he said, walking away with his buddies, pissed off.

The guy smiled at Marco, “Thanks, I’m Josh.”

“I’m Marco, and I would have done it for anyone.”

*******************************

Alex came up behind Jimmy, looking over his shoulder, “I didn’t know you were an artist.” She had always known him to be into his sports, and his band.

“Well it was at first to make the time in the hospital fly by, but then I just got into it, putting all my emotions about everything into it.”

“You should share it, it’s really good.”

“I couldn’t, to others I’m known as the athlete, the side of me that died when I was shot; nobody wants to see this other side of me,” convinced that everyone cared if he was no longer the same guy.

Sitting down beside him, “I do.” This Jimmy seemed so different form the one that he still pretended to be; she liked this one far better. He seemed to have a softer, kinder soul.

“You do,” almost sounding surprised; he never knew that Alex had any interest in being friends with him.

“Yeah.” It made her feel good inside to know that she was the only one to find out this side of him, as if it was a secret between them now.

*******************************

Marco just finished telling Josh the whole story about him coming out, and his experiences along the way.

“So what did your dad say when you told him? Was it scary?” Josh asked, wanting to know what it would be like when he finally told his father.

Marco looked away. How could he tell him he hadn’t found the courage yet, that he was afraid of rejection from that very person once he found out? Before he could answer, Marco’s dad spoke up, “What is this boy talking about?”

Marco was startled by his dad’s presence, “Papa…I’m gay.” He had finally said it, and felt a relief that this dark shadow was no longer hovering over him.

“This is nonsense,” he replied, believing that his son was lying.

“No it’s not,” he stated back.

“I can’t hear this right now, I have to go find my seat,” he said as he walked away, pretending that this conversation never happened.

Why could he not just listen, Marco thought. He now felt guilt at the bottom of his stomach, the guilt of breaking his father’s heart.

“I’m sorry,” Josh said, feeling bad that it had come out like this.

“It’s okay, I really should have told him by now,” he said with a sad tone in the back of his voice.

*******************************

“Where are we going?” Jimmy asked as Alex pushed him down the street. She had escape with him from school, skipping their last class.

“It’s a surprise,” she replied, as she pushed him into an unknown building.

As he gazed around the room, he was amazed by what he saw, “An art gallery!”

“Yeah I thought that you might get a hoot out of seeing some of the most brilliant art that Toronto has to offer, from local artist just like yourself.”

“Thanks, this is wonderful, but I didn’t know you enjoyed art.”

“Like you, it’s hidden. It helps me get through the rough days of having to deal with my mom and deadbeat boyfriend.” No, she wouldn’t get upset, she had to stay strong, she thought. She couldn’t let her guard down, not after what happened the last time.

Lending a hand, “Well since you’ve been such a great listener, I’m here anytime you want the same thing.” He couldn’t believe the different side he had seen of her; he was so used to her tough girl role that it was hard to believe that there was a softer side to her. His heart began to melt just thinking about Alex in this new light. He had to stop himself, he was with Hazel, he couldn’t let his mind wander, and think of someone else like that.

*******************************

Marco slowly walked through his front door. Throughout his performance, he noticed that his father couldn’t even look at him; that hurt. He was his son still, the same person that he had always been.

His mama was sitting on the couch when he walked in, “Where’s papa?”

Turning around to face him, “He went back to work; he said he couldn’t be at home right now.”

“Mama, do you think he’ll forgive me?”

“In time, I believe he will. He’s just disappointed because he had many plans for your life.”

“I wish I could have been who he wanted me to be. All I’ve ever wanted was him to be proud of me.”

“No…no because then you wouldn’t be who you are today, and I’m very much proud of that person.”

 “I just wish he was too,” he said softly, as he slowly walked up the stairs.

*******************************

Jimmy met up with Hazel at the Dot after his trip to the gallery. He wanted to share stuff about it with her. Tell her that for the first time in a long time he found something to be excited about, something he could actually strive for again.

“Hey Jimmy,” kissing him on the lips, “Where did you go this afternoon, you weren’t in class.”

“Went to an art gallery with Alex.”

“Oh, your dad was telling me that your close to qualifying for the basketball team,” she said, changing the subject.

Why could they not talk about the art he saw, why did it always involve the other Jimmy? Maybe it was his fault for hiding away. “Hazel, you know what I don’t want to play professionally anymore.” He felt a sense of relief to finally get that out in the open.

“Why not?” not understanding.

“Because I’m not that guy anymore.”

“Come on Jimmy, you can still do it without the use of your legs.”

“You’re not listening, that guy died the moment Rick shot me in the back. I’m not into basketball anymore. I’m interested in other things like drawing. And as much as I don’t wasn’t to admit it, we’re not the same people who fell in love with each other, we’ve gone on two very different paths.” He really hated the thought of hurting her, but he had been putting it off hoping that things would change, that they would become close again.

“But I love you,” she pleaded; not wanting to be over, even thought deep down they had been over for a while.

“Me too,” with that he left, not wanting to see her cry as he knew she would.

*******************************

Marco crept downstairs, he had heard his papa come home, “We need to talk.”

“I don’t want to hear it,” he said as he began to walk as he had done earlier.

“Don’t walk away,” he yelled. “You’re going to listen,” he couldn’t believe that he had just talked to his father that way. “I’m still your son whether I’m gay or straight. Out of anyone I had to tell, I was the most scared to tell you, because I was worried that this exact moment was going to happen.”

“Then you shouldn’t have said a thing.”

“But you had to of known just a little bit.”

He began to cry, “Yes…but you being gay ruins everything.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you; that’s the last thing I wanted.”

“Marco, I’m sorry that I walked out on you, you didn’t deserve to be treated that way. You already have the world judging you, the last thing you need is a family member doing the same thing.”

Embracing his father, “Thank you,” so thankful that his father had come around.

*******************************

Alex walked down the hall the next day after thinking about Jimmy all night, and their day together. She knew it was wrong, since he was taken, but she couldn’t help how she was beginning to feel. Of course, she wouldn’t act on it because she knew how it felt to have someone cheat; she couldn’t do that to Hazel even if they weren’t the best of friends.

As she got close to her locker, she noticed something was attached to it. She took the envelope off it, and opened it to see what was inside. She took out what was inside to see a portrait of herself, smiling. Without having to ask, she knew who it was from. It put a smile on her face. She guessed they were right; love wasn’t a bad thing.