Champ
I had a blast spending time with my family on Christmas, but due to my parent's work, New Year's I had to celebrate alone. All my high school friends were either busy or away for the holidays. The day after Christmas, I had called Techno and the guys to see what their plans were.
Techno had said he didn't have any plans for New Year's and that his family allowed him to celebrate wherever he wanted. So I asked if he could celebrate the new year with me.
"Sure," he said, "I heard there's a New Year's party at Jack's. Wanna go?"
"Definitely," I said, "I'll meet you there."
On New Year's eve, I had arrived at Jack's place and saw others heading to the front door. I was halfway up the walkway when someone called out to me.
"Champ," it was May, "What are you doing here?"
"Techno invited me," I answered, " How have you been?"
"I'm still pissed at you," she said, "Because of your friend, my friend had her heart broken."
"You're still on that," I replied, "It's already over and done with. Bryce feels guilty for leading Fae on, and Fae has said, multiple times, that she wants nothing to do with him. What more do you want?"
"For him to get down on his knees and beg for her forgiveness."
I sighed and said, "Look May, Bryce and Fae already handled it on their own. As I said, Bryce already feels bad about this and Fae is over it. You can't force them to be together. Not as a couple or even as friends. Bryce isn't in love with her. Period. You need to let that go."
May scoffed and said, "You men are all heartless."
"Love isn't something that can be forced," I replied, "Leave Bryce and Fae be. Things are bad enough without you meddling in their affairs."
"And what about us?"
"What about us?" I asked.
"God, you're so clueless," she said, frustrated, "I like you, Champ. I like you a lot. What will it take for you to notice me?"
May started to cry and I pulled her in for a hug. "I'm sorry, May. And I have noticed you."
"Then why won't you date me?"
I knew I had to tell her. I couldn't lie to her nor could I give her any false hope. I took her to a spot by the house where she and I could be alone.
"May," I said, "The truth is, I do like you. But only as a friend. You and I dating can never happen." I took a deep breath and took a leap of faith, "I'm gay." I finally told someone and I was glad that she was the first to know.
Silence weighed heavily between us and for a moment I feared that she would accuse me of lying or be hurt that she would out me for revenge. But she did something that surprised me. She hugged me.
"I should've known," she said, "Just my luck, I fall for a guy and he's gay."
"You're actually the first person I have ever told."
"Wow," she said, "Well, I feel honored to be the first."
"Are you ok?"
She nodded, "I'll be fine. How about you?"
"I feel better," I answered, "Now that I've told someone."
"When did you know?"
"Remember when we watched Twilight back in highschool?"
May put on a shocked expression, "Edward?"
"Jacob," I answered, "He was shirtless for about 90% of the movies and I felt…funny."
"Oh my god," she squealed, "You perv." She laughed and it felt like how we were before the Bryce and Fae ordeal.
"Honestly," I replied, "I'm offended that you thought I liked Edward."
We laughed and joked for a while before Techno found us.
"Hey Champ," he said and saw May, "May? Umm hi." Techno had a look of caution as he approached us.
"Techno, right?" May said, "Good to see you again."
"You too," he answered, "So we good?"
"Oh," May said, "I'm over your friend breaking my friend's heart. How about we go and ring in the new year?"
"I'm down." I said.
"Yeah," Techno said, "Let's go inside."
Techno pulled me away from May for a second and whispered, "Don't say anything, but blink twice if you're in danger."
I looked at Techno like he just told me unicorns are real. "Nah," I answered, "we're good. Really."
The three of us went inside and we met up with Jack and Terry. We drank, danced and Jack asked for May's number. The countdown came and went and we were all happy that one year has ended and the next one has begun.
Around 2 am, May and I left the party and talked some more.
"So," she started, "Is there a guy that has caught your eye? There were some cute ones at the party."
My first thoughts went to my roommate Walter. I wondered what he was doing right now. Is he with his family? Was he celebrating with them or his friends?
I didn't realize I was lost in thought until May called out to me. "Hey Champ? Where'd you go? You were lost in thought there."
"Oh," I said, "I have this one guy but I don't think he knows I exist."
"Well," May said, "I can help you with that. Before summer, I'll help you land that guy."
May and I spent the rest of the night talking about guys, but my mind was still on Walter. I was honest with May. I just didn't tell her that Walter was the guy. And unless I'm one of his textbooks, I'm sure he won't look at me twice.
Clark
Another year came and went. My parents went to a New Year's party and left me home alone. I called my best friend Technic and asked if I could come over.
My brother is not going to be here, he replied in his text, Do you still want to come over?
Technic knew me too well. The only reason I came over to his house was to see Techno. He was the only one who knew that I am gay and who my heart belongs to.
It was over two years ago when I fell in love with the one person who showed me kindness when my whole world fell apart. That day, my mother found out that my father was having an affair and was ready to leave her. Just like that. My parents, who before doted on me, their only son, then stopped paying any attention to me and focused more on who gets what in the divorce.
I went to school knowing that I would be going back and forth between parents and making the decision of which to stay with full-time. I had skipped my last class and went out to the parking lot. I sat down and started to cry.
It was then that I heard a voice asking me, "Everything ok, little bro?"
I looked up and saw the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. "I'm ok," I replied, "Just having a tough time that's all."
"Is someone bullying you?" he asked.
I shook my head and said, "No, my parents are getting a divorce."
He sat down next to me and said, "Hey, I know it's rough. But somehow, you'll get through it. Here, you need this more than I do."
He handed me a bottle of strawberry soda. He didn't know it, but it's my favorite. "Thanks." I told him.
"Techno!" called a kid from my grade.
"Technic," said the older boy, "Mom told me to pick you up."
"Awesome," said Technic, "You ok, Clark?" he said to me.
"I'm fine now," I answered, "Thanks Techno."
"I'll see you around, Superman." said Techno.
Since then, I became friends with the Tech brothers, but it didn't take long for Technic to know that I was into his brother. However, that didn't stop me from making Technic my minion to pursue my future boyfriend.
I'll be there in 5, I replied.
Sure enough, Techno wasn't there but I still had a blast with my best friend. After the year started, Technic told me to stay over. And I was glad I did. Techno came back around 6am and I was the first person he saw when he came in.
"Hey Techno," I said, "I know it's late but I was wanting to give you this. Merry Christmas." I handed him the gift I held on to since Christmas, waiting to personally hand it to him.
He unwrapped it and pulled out a stack of comic books and the one on top was the nickname he gave me due to my name.
"Oh wow, Clark," Techno beamed like a kid seeing Santa bringing him his gift, "These are the limited editions for each Justice League member. How?"
"It was nothing," I told him, "Technic told me you wanted them so I got them for you."
"That's sweet of you," he said, "Thank you, Superman."
"Anything for you." I said.
Techno pulled me in for a hug and I had a feeling that this year was going to be a great one.