Neal

A young man struggles with his identity

Neal was gay. He knew it, his best friend Sarah knew it, and everyone else didn't. Not even Neal's mother knew. But Sarah did.

Neal had known Sarah since they were 5. When sixth grade came around, and Neal realized who he was and who he was attracted to, Sarah was the first person he told; he told her everything, and vice versa. They were freshmen in high school now, and today had been the first day of classes.

In all of their classes and in homeroom, students were seated in alphabetical order. Thank God Sarah's last name is Carter, thought Neal, as his last name was Cartman; he would sit right behind her.

But that wasn't the problem; the boy behind Neal was the problem. Meet Steve Darling.

Steve Darling was known as the nastiest kid in the neighborhood since third grade. He "accidentally" knocked a kid down the stairs that year, and he had gotten worse since. Now, he stood at 6'1", tallest in the class, and acted like he was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Neal had begun to wonder how he could come out appropriately. He didn't want any awkwardness to arise in his class, so he began researching stories of how others had come out. He was reading a story online about one person's self-titled "coming out party," when Neal was alarmed by a sudden laugh right in his ear.

"Dude, you're gay?" sneered Darling, practically spitting the words at Neal, "What the f**k?"

"Please, Steve, please," Neal begged, "Don't tell anyone! Please!?!"

Darling answered "Tomorrow morning: a hundred bucks, or everyone finds out."

The bell rang, and everyone shuffled off to class. Neal ran to the bathroom to vomit.

Neal went the rest of his day feeling sick. More than once, Sarah had to turn around and poke him with a pencil to make sure he was ok. He was really a nervous wreck.

Mercifully, the 2:30 bell rang, and Neal bolted home, not even thinking to wait for Sarah. He got home, and made a beeline to his bedroom. He threw his face into his pillow and cried. What was he going to do?

Neal sat, alone, on his bed, and pondered what to do. After hours of internal deliberation, Neal decided tomorrow was the day.

He walked into the cafeteria in the morning, over to the area where his class sat. He saw Sarah seated in a corner, giving him a wary look. He returned it with a smile, reassuring her that everything was ok.

Suddenly, a hand gripped Neal's shoulder from behind.

"Got something for me, f****t?" Neal could feel Darling's slimy breath on his neck.

He turned to face this ruffian that stood over him. Neal looked him in the eye, and said "I'm gay."

Darling was stunned, "What'd you say, fairy?"

Louder this time, enough for everyone to hear, Neal answered "I'm gay."

People began to look over, and Darling snickered, "I can't hear you, princess!"

At last, Neal exclaimed, loud enough for the whole room to hear, "I'm gay!"

Darling burst out laughing. He couldn't believe that he had gotten Neal to embarrass himself that way! "Way to go, twinkletoes!"

Neal was red-faced and angry. Suddenly, he felt an arm intertwine with his right arm; it was Sarah. Another arm locked around his left; it was Paul, a classmate.

Suddenly, the entirety of Neal's class stood up from their tables, and locked arms. They all stood, facing down Darling. Neal couldn't hold back a laugh.

Darling was stunned.

Neal was out.

The world was at peace.

Author's Note

This one is dedicated to a close friend of mine, as well as the entire LGBT community. May they find the courage to stand up to Steve Darlings everywhere.

Reviews

[ℰmerald ⚓]

I hate it when people are bullied because they're gay..If they don't like it then that's fine for them they don't have to be gay nobody's forcing them into it....This is good.

[Will]

I definitely feel the same way. I like to paint somewhat real pictures through my writing, and I feel that too many people suffer this kind of abuse.

[JayParamo]

If this isn't about me or Isaac, I don't know what it could be.

[Will]

Ha! Inspired by the latter though, not based on. Just something that came to me

[Britt]

I enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing. When my ex best friend came out gay, he struggled a lot. and was bulllied.

[Careline]

I know the almost exact scenario. Except that he led me on and I really really liked him only to find out that...

[Britt]

aw. :/ im sorry. i dont talk to this guy anymore, so he means nothing to me. but i just dont understand why people cant treat them the same way..

[Careline]

Yeah. It was really painful and shocking at first, but now we're really good friends still. I have no problem with homosexuals or anyone, for that matter! I love everyone!

[Britt]

me too.

[Careline]

:)

[Britt]

:]

[Will]

Well I'm pleased my writing can spark interactions between people. Thanks for reading!

[InsanityWriter]

Nice story. :) I wish everyone just accepted others for who they are. (:

[Will]

Life would be so much better and simpler, wouldn't it?

[XxYoung.WriterxX]

why the name darling? thats all that confused me but other than that it was good.

[Will]

Finally someone asks! I did it on purpose, irony for the sake of irony. Thanks for noticing!

[XxYoung.WriterxX]

(: your welcome lol

[Mary Christabel George]

To stand by what you are and a beautiful message of peace. I look up to you with lot of respect. Great work!

[Will]

That means alot, thank you!

[Mary Christabel George]

Welcome Will....!

[PurpleQuartz]

Great story! Wouldn't everything be so sweet if everyone could just get along!

[AWickedMoon]

Great story, have you every read the short story "I Am Blue" ? :)

[Inda]

If only the world was indeed at peace. Great write!

[Will]

If only... In this piece, at least Neal's world was at peace. Thanks for reading!

[N!LoC]

this is the first "story" i have reviewed... so kudos to you!!!

[Will]

Im honored. Thank you very much!