Page 34 of Pieces of Me

Gabriel jerked his head toward where Rylan skulked in the bushes, his eyes widening. “Hey. What are you doing here?”

“C’mon!” Rylan beckoned to him. “If we hurry, we can catch the bus at my house! I’ll explain on the way.”

As they walked, Rylan told Gabriel about Scott’s exploits with the “Christian Coalition” and how he’d gotten Gabriel’s mom to give him the discarded clothes. Gabriel was gasping with laughter by the time they hurried up the steps to Rylan’s trailer.

“I was in my room with some earbuds in,” he explained, “so I didn’t hear anything. What I wouldn’t have given to see that!”

Rylan knocked on the door to give Scott warning that he was coming in, but there was no answer. He poked his head into the room, disappointment swamping him once more when he realized Scott was gone. His bed was made with its usual military precision, and his backpack wasn’t there. Oh, well. What had happened hadn’t really meant anything, right? It was an experiment, both of them exploring their sexuality with the nearest convenient guy. Rylan tried to shake it off, enjoying instead the pleasure on Gabriel’s face when Rylan showed him the neat stack of clothes.

“Oh my God, I can’t thank you enough,” Gabriel exclaimed, seemingly near tears. “I know what someone wears doesn’t make them who they are, but…”

“But being forced to wear something that makes you feel even more like a stranger in your own skin. I can’t even imagine, G.” Rylan’s voice was gentle. “You have every right to be mad as hell about all this.”

Gabriel’s face hardened, and he nodded. “Damn right, I’m mad. You’re helping me give all those people a big fat ‘fuck you.’”

“Awesome! But come on, change fast so we don’t miss the bus.”

Rylan turned around for privacy, and soon Gabriel was clad in a pair of cargo shorts and a wifebeater. He pulled a dark blue flannel shirt on and rolled up the sleeves, pronouncing himself ready. Then he moved to Rylan and put a hand on Rylan’s shoulder, his face earnest.

“Thank you again,” he said. “Now I’m comfortable.”

And Rylan could see that he was. He was standing up straighter, and his eyes were free of the abject misery that had been clouding them over before.

“I’m glad,” he said. “You’re all set, and feel free to come over and change anytime you want.” He showed Gabriel how to work the window latch that would let him climb in and out at will. “Just in case neither of us are here and you need to get in. Scott already said he doesn’t mind.”

“How did I get so lucky to have such good friends?” Gabriel whispered. “You’ve saved my life. I mean that, Rylan.”

Rylan didn’t want to think of that, of Gabriel being so unhappy he wouldn’t want to live anymore. He sent a silent curse winging over to Gabriel’s house. Damn those people for not accepting their child. In the next instant he gave thanks for his own dad, who didn’t like the fact his only son was gay, but loved him anyway.

“Anything I can do, G,” was all Rylan said. “Anything.”

They made their way back outside, walking past Bob, who gave them a distracted “Hi, boys” as he slumped at the table, blearily sipping his coffee. Gabriel grinned and gave Rylan a high five as they ran down the stairs to the road as the bus lumbered to a stop.

“That made my year,” he said quietly. “Really did.”

Rylan winked at him. “Good.”

The day flew by, Rylan riding the high of helping Gabriel, and after school Gabriel changed back into the hated dress before hurrying away from the trailer, calling, “I have Bible study tonight, so I need to get right home. I’ll be getting my exercise doing this every day, that’s for sure!”

Rylan waved him off and returned to his room to stuff Gabriel’s dirty clothes in an old duffle bag. Gabriel said he had another sympathetic friend who would drive him to do laundry after school once a week. “My mom doesn’t mind if I spend time with Sara,” Gabriel had explained, his voice bitter. “Especially if I say we’re gonna go get pedis and stuff.” All of a sudden, he’d waggled his eyebrows. “If only Mommy knew that all I want to do is get in Sara’s panties.”

Rylan had laughed. “If Sara’s really on your side with all this, maybe there’s a chance you’ll get to someday.”

Gabriel had given a heartfelt groan. “If only. We’re friends. For now.”

Rylan smiled at the memory of that conversation. He knew Gabriel’s life going forward wouldn’t be an easy one, but maybe, with the support of people who truly cared about his well-being, it could be somewhat close to the life he deserved to have.

After tidying up, Rylan sighed. He’d gotten his homework done in class, and the rest of the afternoon stretched out before him. His new camera sat mostly useless, with no way to download the pictures he’d already taken. Rylan thought of his savings, rolled up in a sock and hidden in his underwear drawer. He pulled it out and counted it, sighing. Only about $250 left after what he’d taken for the earrings and hair, not even half what he’d need to buy even the most basic of laptops. Leaving the money scattered all over his futon, he stood to pace the room aimlessly, catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror over the dresser. Rylan grimaced, moving closer.

Boring brown hair―fading purple notwithstanding―boring blue eyes. Nerdy glasses. At least the stress-related acne he’d been sporting had cleared up, and his smooth complexion was about the only thing he had going for him. He still couldn’t believe Scott found him desirable…Scott, the most beautiful boy on earth who could have literally anyone he wanted. What must it be like to have that kind of power? Rylan snorted. Well, he’d never know.

He was startled when the bedroom door opened and Scott himself walked in.

“Hey. What’s going on?” Scott tossed his backpack in the corner before flopping down on his bed, crossing his ankles, and stacking his arms behind his head. His eyes were heavy lidded as he looked Rylan up and down.

“Not much.” Rylan gathered up his money and put it away, leaning back against the dresser to hide how shaky his knees were at Scott’s proximity. Fuck, he needed to get a grip. He started babbling nervously, telling Scott about his adventures that day with Gabriel, which earned him a lazy grin and a thumbs-up.

“That’s awesome, Ry,” he said sincerely, glancing toward the doorway when Bob knocked and stuck his head in.