Casual Escape by Ophelia Lacroix (chapter books to read to 5 year olds txt) š
- Author: Ophelia Lacroix
Book online Ā«Casual Escape by Ophelia Lacroix (chapter books to read to 5 year olds txt) šĀ». Author Ophelia Lacroix
Iām from a pretty normal family. I got two sisters, a normal functioning mom and dad; Iād say I have it pretty good in life. The big sucker in this situation though, is my best friend, Burke. Weāve been friends for as long as I can remember; since around fourth grade Iām pretty sure. Heās always been there for me, but thatās not the issue. Well, it technically is, but the problem is me to be honest. Iām that one person in the group that doesnāt fit in, the person who is left out of things because Iām different. Iām the faggot of the group. I mean I suppose thatās an appropriate way to state that Iām attracted to guys. Yeah, thatās right. My name is Dakota Smith, and Iām gay.
Iām fifteen years old now, a freshman in high school. I guess you could call my social group athletic. Everyone in the group plays something. I play basketball with Burke, Jason plays football, and Nate plays soccer. Nonetheless, everyone plays something in our group, and let me tell youā¦ Burke is amazing at basketball. The way that he obsesses over it and cherishes it inspires me to go for whatever I plan on aiming for in life; it inspires me to want to succeed. Heās so passionate in every little thing he does; it just amazes me how great of a person he is. Most people my age say that their role models are famous actresses and actors, or singers and songwriters, but my role model is definitely Burke. I look up to him more than my own parents; he himself is such a big inspiration to me. I donāt know if I could ever be like him, or be such a role model for someone the way he is for me. I donāt know if Iāll ever be his equal or anything close to it, I mean I donāt have anything planned for my future. I guess I could be a sports coach, or a P.E. teacher, but those jobs donāt really suit me as a person, I donāt think. Iāll find myself eventually I hope.
Itās a cold, winter day in mid-January. I get to walk to school today because my sisterās car broke, which is just fantastic. My feet are really cold from the snow and these pants are killing me. I hate wearing jeans, my leg hair is real short, so it always gets caught in the fabrics of my pants; Iād much rather wear shorts than jeans for that exact reason. Anyways, here I am walking to school in the cold, dressed only in my blue, basketball hooded sweatshirt, with these super annoying pants and tennis shoes. Lots of cars with some of my friends riding in them drove past me, they didnāt stop though. If anything, they were making faces at me through the windows; calling me a loser, giving me the finger. You know all that good stuff. I guess Iām used to that sort of rudeness though. Itās really cold outside, I wish my sisterās car didnāt break; Iād give anything to be out of this stupid snow and into a nice warm vehicle. But I suppose we donāt always get what we want. Lots of other cars passed me too, and splashed me on their way through the road. Slushed wetness hit my legs, making my pants wet and my legs a hell of a lot colder than before. Oh well, Iām sure itāll dry in a few hours.
By the time I got to the school my feet were soaking wet from the snow, and my pants were practically frozen to my legs. I sighed and inched toward the door, really not wanting to go to school that day; or any day rather. Yeah, I had friends, but they donāt treat me the same as they treat one another. They treat me like an outsider, someone who doesnāt belong in the group. They involve me in group conversations and whatnot, but whenever I try to talk about me or how something I did made me proud of myself for once, itās almost like they āshooā me off and ignore my existence. The only one of my so called āfriendsā that actually seems to give a shit is Burke. At least heās nice to me. Whenever one of my friends call me a name or just are plain mean to me, Burke always stands up for me. Whether itās calling them a name back, or just turning it into a joke to distract them from getting worse toward me. Itās like heās the king and they all bow down to his every command. Though Burke stands up for me and all, I still hate this place and the people in it. I hate how they treat me; you donāt call your friend a faggot. Even though I am one, but they donāt know that. This makes it all the more hurtful. Walking through the main entrance, I sloop my head down. I didnāt do that on purpose, it just happens when Iām in a bad mood. As I walk over to the table we all normally sit at, I hear a familiar voice.
āHey, Dakota!ā A smiling boy with short black hair and a rather big nose waved to me, with the biggest smile planted on his face; almost making his cheeks rose red.
I smile slightly, and sit across the table from him. āHey, Burke.ā I say in a saddened tone.
Burke frowned at me, and leaned over the table, poking me in the nose. āCome on now, donāt be glum.ā He said in his usual happy-ish whining tone.
I blush at him poking my nose; I always do whenever he does that, which is quite often. I wind up smiling though; Burke is my best friend, and no matter what mood Iām in, being by him or having him act like he cares at least makes me feel a little better. He looked pleased with my smile and sat back where he was originally sitting. More of our friends started to pile up on the table we were sitting at. Iām not the popular one; I canāt even call them my friends. If anything, theyāre all Burkeās friends. They only talk amongst themselves, and Burke. I donāt exactly seem to matter with them, and always wind up being ignored. The thing with this group though, is they donāt treat me like I donāt exist until after Burke isnāt around. Itās almost like a mother telling a child not to touch the cookie, but as soon as her back is turned he eats it and then blames the dog or their father; itās the same concept.
āHey Dakota, Iāll see you in second period. Iām gonna split!ā Burke states as he stands up and makes his way down the hall.
I just smile a little and put my hand up, attempting to wave at him even though his back was turned to me. Nate, our tallest friend looked down at me smiling like an idiot and gave me a look of disgust.
āGod Dakota, whatāre you looking like that for? Got the hots for Burke?ā Nate ever so slickly said in a snide remark.
I immediately look up at him, āYou fuckinā wish...ā I say, āIām going to class too. If I get another tardy I got lunch duty.ā I continue, standing up and walking down the hall; hearing all of the laughter of my posse in the background.
Iām so sick of these stupid kids in our groupā¦ Why do I even put up with this? Why donāt I just find another group? Thereās this gay couple that I know of, one of the girls sits near me in geometry. Her name is Alice and sheās really nice; I bet sheād be my friend. Her girlfriend doesnāt seem too bad either, maybe a little buff and man-like, but she seems nice. I never caught her name though; nonetheless, getting to know them better would probably be good for me. Then again, I donāt want to ditch my old group, I mean Burkeās in that group; meaning these are Burkeās friends. As his friend myself, I need to learn to accept his friends. But doesnāt that mean that I have to just sit there and be shit on by them day after day? God, why is this so complicated?
āDamn it, why isnāt this working?!ā Burke shouted angrily at the schoolās computer. He was trying to print out his paper for English, and he isnāt the best with computers. The librarians shushed him, and he cowered down into his chair, slumping.
I walk over to him and take a seat, āYou got the tech-challenged brain today?ā I half chuckle. Burkeās always had some problems with technology. I, however, am rather skilled at the subject.
āNo... Itās just being a... a...ā Heās trying so hard to come up with a witty comeback, but knows well enough that heās just too bad at this to defend himself. He just smiles hopelessly, scratching the back of his head, āYou think you could help me out?ā
I just smile back at him, taking a look at his settings. Iāll always give Burke a hand when needed. āSo hopeless.ā
Burke just sits there patiently, watching me work my āmagicā while setting the printing settings back to the default, āHow the hell did you manage to change the printer location, page view, and the line spacing all in the same minute?ā
Burke just reddens slightly, shrugging with a smile that says Iām a fuck up, āI didnāt do it on purpose, mom.ā
After getting the paper printed out, he gives his thanks and takes off to his English class. My class is still in the computer lab though, since I have computer sciences. I spend the entire class period thinking of Burke, how handsome that smile of his is. Even though it was a hopeless smile of confusion and failure; still cute.
***
Itās finally spring time, and basketball season is over. Burke and Iās team obviously came out victorious and won another cup. You would think that would be enough to get my spirits up, but I was far from being lifted. Burke had started dating my sister, Marie. I canāt blame her though; Burke is a flawless human being. Marie was always sweet to me as a sister, and so she deserved to be happy; even if it was with the man Iāve loved for years. It took her a long time to get over her last boyfriend, so I hope that Burke treats her well. Itās been about two months since they had gotten together, and things are going pretty smoothly. Iām honestly happy for my sister, not mad or bitter. She never knew my feelings for him; if she had Iām sure that she would be overflowing with guilt. Besides, whatās there to be mad about? Burke doesnāt have an attraction to men, and never will. Itās better off this way.
School is still the same olā, same olā. I get there, the group makes some jokes, Burke walks off with Marie, and I get victimized. Itās a cycle that Iām very used to; although, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be in a world without the constant pestering and bullying.
There was always that one way to find out... a thought that would often barge its way into my head. Suicide is so selfish and overrated, so you wonāt ever be seeing me kill myself anytime soon. I have a good family, and it would devastate them to have me gone. Or at least I think they would be; I donāt spend much time with them, since Iām a full-time scholar so they might not even-
āKota? Come on man; get your head out of the
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