Plaid Skirts and Handcuffs

Chapter 16

I stood with Pete and Brendon in the hallway the following Monday morning. It was just like any other day as the three of us stood by the lockers. Usually Bob was here too but he was out sick.

“Dude, look, it's the tranny,” Pete said.

I glanced over at Gee who was walking down the hall, oblivious to our presence. He wore a black pinafore with a white button up underneath, black thigh high socks and black high heeled ankle boots.

“Hey, tranny!” Brendon called. “Come here!”

Gee looked over at us nervously. He glanced at me and I mouthed to him to keep walking. He bit his lip, turning and continuing on his way.

“Hey, what the hell?” Brendon muttered. “I feel offended.”

The two caught up with him. I followed behind tentatively. Brendon grabbed the back of Gee’s backpack, pulling him back, spinning him around, and slamming him against the locker. Gee whimpered, looking at them in fear and at me for help.

“Look at the little faggot who tried to run away,” Pete spat, making Gee cower away and his eyes water. “You little worthless piece of s**t. Nobody wants you here so you should just go back to your little school with all the rest of your stuck-up, snobby bitches and be the little tranny fag there before--”

“Hey,” I interrupted.

“What?” Pete snapped, looking at me in annoyance.

“Maybe you should lay off him a bit,” I suggested.

Brendon and Pete looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“God, you're the faggot now!” Pete exclaimed.

He pushed me and I fell back to the ground. They walked away and Gee kneeled down beside me, wiping away his tears.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“Go away,” I muttered, not looking at him.

“But--”

“I said go away!” I repeated loudly.

He whimpered, standing up and hurrying away. I stood up in humiliation as people watched in awe at what happened. I don't want Gee to see me like this.

I walked to the bathroom, seeing two people in there washing their hands.

“Get out,” I hissed.

They hurried out and I locked the door behind them. My friends are gonna hate me now. I'm gonna be alone. I don't wanna be alone.

I need to go back.

I hurried out of the bathroom down the hall. I searched around before stopping when I saw what I wanted. I wrapped him up in a hug, stroking his black hair lovingly.

“I'm sorry for snapping at you, baby boy, I was just upset and embarrassed,” I whispered.

Gee sniffled quietly, returning the hug.

“It's okay,” he muttered.

I cleared my throat, stepping back. Nobody was in the hallway at this point, which I was glad about. I wasn't exactly ready to come out to the whole school. Only Gee and my mom knowing is good enough for me.

“Okay, I have to go now,” I said.

“Bye!” Gee chirped.

I looked around again to make sure no one was watching and leaned down to give him a quick kiss. I ruffled his hair as he shut his locker.

“Can you walk me to my class?” He asked hopefully.

I bit my lip.

“Fine,” I agreed.

Gee giggled happily and we began walking to his class. I felt his hand grab mine but I jerked mine away. Gee looked hurt and I frowned.

“Sorry,” I muttered.

I looked around again to make sure no one was around and nervously reached over to hold his hand. It was surprisingly comforting. I haven't held someone's hand since I was a child, other than my mom’s.

Gee swung our hands gently as we walked, a small smile on his face. My heart was racing, mind clouding with thoughts. Someone could catch us. If I was caught then I would be outed. I can't be outed, I don't want to come out. I can't handle the torment I would receive.

“Here we are!” Gee chirped when we stopped outside one of the English classes.

“Okay, i guess I'll see you later then?” I asked.

He nodded with a big smile. Gee turned and headed into his class while I walked away. My eyes glanced up and I saw the security cameras on the ceiling. Oh god, what if someone releases the footage of Gee and I holding hands.

Wait, now I'm just being paranoid. I took a deep breath, running a hand through my hair. I really need to stop freaking out so much. I walked to my class. I sat beside Jamia in the back.

“Hey, where've you been?” She asked.

“Places,” I replied.

She rolled her eyes and I smirked.

“So, I heard you and the guys got into a little disagreement in the hallway,” she remarked. “Apparently you were defending Gee, what was that about?”

“Well, I wouldn't exactly say defending,” I muttered. “I was just bored and didn't feel like bothering him today.”

“Seems out of character of you,” she said and I shrugged.

“People can have different moods sometimes, I don't always stick to the same f*****g routines,” I stated.

“Wow, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” she muttered.

I rolled my eyes, looking at the teacher who was giving a lecture at the front of the class. She chuckled and I couldn't help but smile too.

After the class ended, I headed down to the locker room. Brendon stopped me on the way with a frown in a hall that wasn't used very much.

“Hey, fag,” he greeted snidely.

I frowned. “I'm not a f*****g fag.”

“Yeah?” He asked. “Seemed like you were this morning.”

“I'm not,” I denied, crossing my arms.

“Pete should be here in a moment,” he said, looking down at his phone.

The hall that before held a few stray people was empty now that class was about to start. Just then, Pete came around the corner, dragging Mikey behind him.

“Let go of me!” Mikey exclaimed.

“Stop resisting,” Pete grunted, pulling on Mikey's hoodie.

I raised my eyebrows as he made it to us, a very unhappy Mikey at his side. Pete stood behind Mikey, holding his upper arms tight to keep him in place.

“If you're not a faggot, then hit him,” Brendon said.

“What would this prove?” I asked.

“That you're not becoming a p***y,” he said. “You've been all soft now and it's really irritating.”

“I'm not soft,” I denied. “I'm still badass.”

“Okay, punch him then,” Brendon said.

I looked at Mikey, who was looking at me with both anger and fear. I took a deep breath, punching him right in the stomach. Mikey groaned, Pete letting him go as he doubled over in pain. He dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach. As I watched him, I couldn't help but feel a bit of remorse, which is something I haven't felt before. What the f**k, maybe I am going soft.

Shit, when did this start happening? I'm not soft, I'm badass. I don't have feelings, everything is easier without feelings. This didn't start happening until I met Gee. f**k, I can't be going soft. I'm too punk rock for feelings.

“Well, I think that's good enough,” Pete Said.

I nodded and walked off with them down the hall, leaving Mikey on the floor. I looked back at him guiltily before turning forward again. Pete went to his class while I went to mine with Brendon. I changed into my gym clothes, shaking my hand at the slight pain. Damn, that kid was actually pretty bony.

We headed out into the gym but was immediately sent to do seven laps because we were seven minutes late. Those were pretty easy and soon we were done and sat with the others. Gee sent me a smile, one that I returned while Brendon wasn't looking.

“Let's just have a nice and relaxing Monday,” Coach Carlson said. “How about a game of kickball?”

People around us cheered. God, can't we just take naps?

“Line up and ill count you off,” he ordered.

We got into a line while he assigned the teams. Gee and I were on a team while Brendon was on the other. We were “batting” first so we were standing at the side by the wall to wait our turn. Gee stood next to me, close enough to touch but not close enough to raise suspicion. Every time his hand or arm brushed against my skin, I couldn't help but feel my stomach do a little twist with nerves.

“Alright, Gee, you're up!” Coach Carlson called. “You got this?”

“This is easy-peasy pumpkin peasy, pumpkin pie mother--”

“No cursing,” I muttered.

“Mother-fricker!” Gee finished, sending me an innocent smile and batting his eyelashes, something that made my heart skip a beat.

He walked up to the plate as Brendon rolled the ball. Of course, he had to get the biggest part of the team because Brendon loves being the center of attention. Gee went to get it but ended up failing miserably. Others laughed while he pouted and crossed his arms.

“It's okay, Gee, you get two more tries,” Coach said, patting him on the back.

He tried again but was bad again. The last time he went he managed to kick the ball. It wasn't a very strong kick but it worked enough as it rolled forward. Gee stood there happily, bouncing from foot to foot.

“C’mon, son, run!” Coach exclaimed.

Gee seemed to remember the whole point of the game as he started running towards first base. I watched as the red ball rolled to Brendon’s feet, a smirk on his face that made my stomach drop. Gee was halfway to first base when Brendon chucked the ball, nailing him right in the head. Gee toppled over as the whole room fell silent.

“Urie!” Coach yelled.

“It was an accident,” Brendon said innocently, lying right through his teeth but only him, Gee, and I seemed to be the only ones to know.

“Come here,” Coach Carlson muttered, helping Gee to his feet. “Hey, Jude, you're in charge!”

Jude nodded and Coach Carlson helped Gee into the locker rooms. Brendon jogged over and I frowned.

“You did that on purpose,” I said.

“Of course,” Brendon agreed.

I scowled, shooing him away to continue the game.