Brian and Carey

by Colin Sherman

  “I will.”

  When they stood to hug, Carey didn’t want to let go. He held on as Brian tried to end the hug, and kissed him.

  “Oh jeez.” They heard Malcolm’s voice.

  “Sorry,” Carey mumbled. “Goodnight Brian.”

  “Night.” He couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

  “I, uh, forgot to get the movie I came down for before,” Carey’s dad explained. “I wasn’t checking up on you.” He grabbed a DVD and headed back up the steps.

  “Hey, Dad?”

  “Yes, Carey?”

  “Is it . . .is it just Brian or would you have a problem with any guy?”

  Malcolm opened his mouth a few times before any actual words came out.

  “I don’t have a particular problem with Brian. This just isn’t the way I thought things were going to be. I don’t know, maybe I would be the same way if you were down here with a girl. Frankly, I’m hoping Michelle doesn’t start dating until she’s thirty.”

  “It’ll probably take that long for someone to want to date her,” Carey laughed. “I’m kidding.”

  “Don’t let your mother hear you say something like that,” Malcolm said, but he was chuckling too. “Or Michelle.”

  Once they stopped laughing, Carey became serious.

  “Dad, I’m sorry I’m not . . .” he trailed off.

  “You don’t have anything to be sorry about, son. Things may be different than I expected, and it’ll take some getting used to. You’re a good kid. You get better grades than I ever did. And you work so hard in band. I know your mother and I are lucky that you and Michelle don’t get yourselves into trouble, like some of our friends’ kids.”

  Surprised to be choked up by his father’s words, Carey simply nodded and smiled.

  True to form, Malcolm added, “Don’t forget to clean up this mess before you go to bed.”

  “Okay.”

  Carey watched his dad go back upstairs, hopeful that he was finally accepting his relationship with Brian. So hopeful, that he didn’t even mind cleaning up some of Michelle’s mess.

  Chapter 19

  Brian and Carey spent the remainder of their summer busy with band, dance and respective jobs at the movie theater and Swifty Mart. They made sure to talk every day if they couldn’t actually see one another in person.

  By the time school began again in the fall, they each had their prospective colleges picked out, and essays written. Carey had registered to retake his SATs in October and scheduled three auditions before the Christmas break. Brian had scheduled four. As nervous as they were about getting into college, they were more excited to finally be at the top of the high school food chain. Senior year was going to be the best.

  A month into the year, the high school was abuzz with talk of Homecoming.

  “I wonder who got nominated,” Brian mused as he, Carey and Robin walked to school.

  “You know Christine Davies did,” Robin rolled her eyes.

  “I’ll bet Wayne Gilbert got nominated King,” Brian added. “They’ll probably both win.”

  “Why do you guys care?” Carey asked. “It’s just a popularity contest. Christine wins all that kind of stuff. Just like Robbie Crenshaw did last year. I don’t know why they even bother with nominations.”

  “I voted for you, Robin,” Brian smiled. “You too, Carey.”

  “Very funny,” Carey smirked.

  “No, I really did. But most of my class went for Julia Duffy and Michael Russo, so that’s who we nominated. What about your classes?”

  “Christine and Wayne,” Robin said.

  “Christine almost won out in our class, but Mary— oh.” Carey cut himself off.

  “Mary Lockhart?” Brian questioned.

  Carey nodded. “I didn’t vote for her.”

  “Carey, it wasn’t her fault. I ran right in front of her car. I never blamed her for my accident.”

  “I just didn’t want to remind you,” admitted Carey.

  Brian chuckled. “I think you’re still more upset about it than me.”

  “It’s not funny.”

  “No, but it’s okay to talk about,” Brian assured him. “So, Mary got nominated in your class?”

  “Yeah, and Wayne. We have a lot of jocks in my homeroom, so that’s who we went with. Some of the band kids were trying to get other band kids nominated. They were handing out flyers and stuff.”

  “Oh, yeah, I saw one of those,” Brian said. “I didn’t really look at it because I knew I was planning to vote for you and Robin. Dang, I should have run my own campaign.”

  “For King or Queen?” Robin laughed.

  “Queen, of course. Carey’s my King.” He took hold of Carey’s hand as they walked through the school doors.

  “See you guys later!” Robin called, turning down a hallway to her locker.

  Though in different spots than last year, Brian and Carey’s lockers were just down the hall from one another again.

  “See you at lunch?” Brian asked.

  “Yep.” Carey gave him a quick kiss and walked to his locker.

  All students should report to homeroom for morning announcements, a voice came over the loudspeaker.

  Students only attended homeroom for special occasions, such as voting for Homecoming Court, and on Fridays for regular announcements. On those days, classes were shortened by four minutes to make up for the time.

  Carey grumbled as he made his way to his homeroom. He had a Physics test that day, and figured he’d need the entire period, including the missing four minutes.

  He sat down next to Danielle Richter, who smiled at him. She was one of those girls who wasn't very popular, but he couldn’t understand why, like Robin. They were pretty, nice and down to earth.

  “Guess they’re announcing nominations,” she offered.

  “Yeah,” he said, showing a little more enthusiasm than he had. He didn’t care much about who was standing in the court, but he did love performing at the game. It was always well attended.

  The class quieted down as the assistant principal began with some sports team results for the week, and clubs that were meeting for the first time the following week.

  “And, now what everyone has been waiting for,” the Assistant Principal said in an overly perky voice. “First, the Freshman Princess is . . . Lisa Patterson, Sophomore Princess is Ashley Tibault, and Junior Princess is Carrie Watters. Congratulations to them all.”

  “We don’t even know who the heck they are,” one of the boys in the back of the class laughed. Several others joined in.

  Mrs. Brownback continued to make announcements. “The nominees for Homecoming King are . . . Wayne Gilbert–

  Several girls in the class applauded, along with three football players in the class.

  “—Michael Russo, Danny Powers, Will Daly, and Carey Reid.”

  Carey’s stomach flipped as his class cheered.

  “What?” He sat with his mouth agape. “She didn’t just say my name, did she?”

  “All right, Carey!” Andy, a bandmate, tried to high-five him, but Carey only sat there, still confused. “We finally got a band geek in the court.”

  “How . . .what?”

  “I’ll vote for you, Carey,” Danielle said.

  “Quiet down! They’re still making announcements,” the teacher shouted.

  “–to all the boys. Now for the nominations for queen. Christine Davies, Julia Duffy, Mary Lockhart, Kristy Smith, and Shelby Clarke. Congratulations girls. Voting will take place on October seventh. Good luck to all the nominees.”

  “Two band geeks!” Andy held up two fingers in victory. “How awesome would that be if you both won?”

  “She must have made a mistake,” Carey said. “Why would anyone vote for me?”

  “Because of the flyers Dave and Tim passed around. We only needed to get four homerooms to vote for either you or Kristy. I can’t believe you both got in.” Andy jumped up and did a little dance.

  “Mr. Mason, please sit down,�
�� the teacher said calmly. “I know you’re all excited that Carey got nominated, but I still have to pass out some papers for you to bring home. Jake, would you mind?” He held the stack out to the first boy in the row.

  Danielle leaned over to Carey. “You really didn’t know you were on the flyer?”

  “No, they never told me. Why would they pick me? I don’t even like all this sh–stuff.”

  Danielle giggled. “Because a lot of people know you. A lot of girls know who you are.”

  Carey blushed. “Well, I’m going to drop out. I can do that, can’t I?”

  “I guess technically, but why? It’ll be fun. What if you win?”

  “I won’t win,” Carey said emphatically. “I’m going to kill Dave and Tim.”

  During the rest of the day, students continued to congratulate him here and there. He humbly accepted their well wishes but tried to avoid eye contact with most. It wasn’t until lunch, the only period he had with Brian, that he realized he couldn’t completely avoid his supporters.

  “Oh my God!” Brian called out as he ran to Carey, nearly knocking him over. His outburst caught the attention of several tables full of students. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me I was on that flyer you saw?” Carey frowned, sitting down at the table with Josh and Todd.

  “I told you, I didn’t really look at it.” Brian joined him, beginning to look deflated. “Come on, this is a good thing. It means people like you.”

  “Or they want to make fun of me.”

  “I don’t think so, dude,” Josh said. “I think it was a genuine vote. A lot of people I know that voted for you mainly said it was between you and Wayne,” he told them.

  “Now, if I won, it would be to make fun,” Brian interjected. “I’m so jealous.”

  “Don’t be. I’m dropping out.”

  “You can’t.”

  “Yes, I can,” Carey said. “I never wanted to do this in the first place. Dave and Tim didn’t even ask me if they could put me on the flyer. It’s embarrassing.” He looked around to find a few girls still looking at him.

  “Please don’t drop out,” Brian pleaded. “You could be the first gay Homecoming King.”

  “Oh, even better than band geek,” Carey said dryly.

  “The first gay, band geek Homecoming King,” Josh snickered. Todd chuckled too.

  “That’s it, I’m definitely not doing it. I don’t want to be a poster boy.”

  “Then just do it for fun,” suggested Brian. “It’s one more thing you can put on your college applications. Please, do it?”

  Noting the hopeful expression on Brian’s face, Carey didn’t have the heart to say no. He figured Brian was living vicariously through Carey’s experience. He’d always had a hard time denying Brian anything.

  “All right. But you know I’m not going to win, right? So, don’t get your hopes up.”

  “I don’t care. I get to say my boyfriend is in the Homecoming Court,” Brian squealed. “So, let’s plan your campaign.”

  “I said I’d stay in it, but I’m not going to actively go out and try to get votes,” Carey frowned.

  “I don’t think you’ll have to,” Todd said. “Dave and Tim got you nominated and you didn’t even know you were running.”

  “True,” Josh agreed. “I bet they’re willing to do whatever they have to so you and Kristy can win.”

  Carey dreaded the attention he would receive over the following two weeks. But perhaps Josh and Todd were right. He probably wouldn’t have to do anything himself.

  “I guess it would be sort of cool if two band geeks won instead of the usual football player and cheerleader,” Carey shrugged.

  “It would be awesome,” Brian grinned. “You won’t have to do a thing. I’ll help Dave and Tim.”

  “Thanks,” Carey said shyly.

  As they ate their lunches, Carey pondered the contest he always thought had little true significance. Most likely, Wayne would win, but Carey could say that he had participated, and Brian would be over the moon about being involved, even peripherally.

  Todd had been correct in his assumption that Dave and Tim would do anything to get Carey and Kristy elected. At times, Carey passed posters of himself in the hallway and cringed. Brian had clearly given them pictures to use. He didn’t so much mind the photos of him in his band uniform or fishing off the pier in North Carolina. The idea was to portray Carey as an everyman, someone everyone in the school could relate to. Some posters showed a sporty side, like the fishing photo. Some showed his school spirit, and some his intelligence. Though, he didn’t recall ever getting his picture taken while studying. One poster in particular, however, he tore off the wall as soon as he saw it.

  In the photo, taken by Brian during one of their more private moments, Carey was lying on his bed. Though he was fully clothed, the pose was meant to be provocative, and only for Brian.

  “What’s this?” Carey held a crumpled piece of paper in his hand as he approached Dave at his locker at the end of the day.

  “Trash?” Dave laughed.

  Carey smoothed it out a bit and held it out again. “This. I look like an idiot.”

  Dave shrugged. “The girls don’t think so. They love it.”

  “But this isn’t for the girls. It was . . . did Brian give you the picture?”

  “Yeah. We were talking about how to make you appealing to different groups. He said he had a picture that would get you noticed by more girls. You need their votes.”

  “I don’t care about winning this stupid thing. I’m only doing it for Brian.”

  “Then get mad at him. It was his idea,” Dave said. He glanced down at the poster. “I don’t know what you’re so upset about. I wish I could look like that.”

  Dave pushed his glasses up his nose, then ran a hand through his ginger curls.

  “They’re never going to vote a freckle face red head with glasses. You’re like, king of the geeks already. We just wanted to have one of our own win for a change.”

  King of the geeks? Carey was friendly with most of the kids in band, but he’d never considered himself popular. Not even among the music students.

  “Well . . . it’s just embarrassing. I don’t mind the other posters, but can you take these down?”

  “Yeah, all right. Probably enough people have seen them anyway.”

  “Thanks.” Carey walked to his own locker, realizing that homecoming had more significance that he thought. He always dismissed the importance. But now he saw that it meant something more to other people. Dave wanted Carey to represent the entire band, not just be some guy who escorted the Homecoming Queen on game day.

  “Penny for your thoughts.” Brian sidled up next to Carey.

  His first thought was to chastise Brian for sharing the photo. But Brian wasn’t really any different than Dave. He wanted Carey to win for the whole team, too. Just a different team.

  “I asked Dave to take down the posters of me on my bed.”

  “Why? You look so hot.”

  Carey blushed. “That’s exactly why. I don’t want people looking at me thinking I think I look hot or something. That picture was for you. Only you.”

  “I’m sorry,” Brian offered. “But I wish you could see yourself the way I see you. The way a lot of people see you. I wasn’t thinking.”

  “It’s okay. Only two more days and this will be over with.”

  ***

  Friday before the Homecoming game against their rival football team, the entire school gathered in the gym for a pep rally. The band took up a good chunk of the bleachers while the rest of the students filed in. Excitement was in the air as they all anticipated the announcement of the Homecoming King.

  Rather than sitting in the bleachers, Carey was seated in a row of chairs next to a podium. The principal, Dr. Gould, stood and raised his hands for silence. He gave the usual speech about all the good things happening within the school district, accomplishments of some of the sports teams, and sucking up
to the school board members.

  Carey tuned out and noticed that Wayne, sitting next to him, was looking at some index cards.

  “What are you doing?” he whispered.

  “Speech. Don’t you have one?” Wayne asked.

  “No.” Carey gave a little laugh. “Everyone knows you’re going to win. I don’t think Michael, Danny or Will prepared anything either.”

  “I always like to be prepared,” Wayne told him. “I have to write down everything I say in public. But between you and me, I’m a little worried.”

  “About what?”

  “The buzz is that Christine may not win.”

  Carey had to will himself not to roll his eyes. So what? he thought.

  “If she didn’t win, maybe I won’t.”

  Carey did roll his eyes that time. “You’re captain of the football team. What do the rest of us have? Although, Michael has quite a lot of fans from tennis and he seems to always place at the science fair.”

  Carey heard the applause and realized that Dr. Gould had finished his obligatory speech and was ready to move on with the announcement.

  “As you all know, the Homecoming parade will be tomorrow morning at ten o’clock beginning at the corner of Main and Sixth. I hope to see all of you out there supporting your court, as well as the many other groups marching. The cheerleaders, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and even the Vocal Ensemble will among some of the organizations represented. The game against North Valley will begin at one o’clock, and the Homecoming Queen will be announced at half-time. And now, it is my pleasure to announce this year’s Homecoming King.”

  He held up the rather large crown that looked more like a blue fuzzy hat, with white fur trim and gold rickrack, along with a blue sash.

  “And your Homecoming King is . . .” He paused for dramatic effect, then glanced over at the boys sitting in the chairs. “Carey Reid,” he said, almost as a question.

  “Aw, man,” Wayne whined. “Hey, he called your name. Go up there,” he said to Carey, who sat with his mouth agape.

  “Are you sure?”

  Wayne laughed. “Yeah, go on. You have to say something. Do you want my speech?”