“No, thanks.” Carey’s stomach seemed to flip over and over as he stood. The entire band rose to their feet, then broke out into an extremely loud rendition of “Louie Louie.” The cheerleaders, who had practiced cheers for each of the boys, just in case, were drowned out as they spelled out Carey’s name.
Wayne stood and shook Carey’s hand, taking the opportunity to push the new king in the direction of the podium. “Congratulations, man.”
Dr. Gould placed the sash around Carey’s shoulder and the crown on his head, and also shook his hand. Carey knew he must have looked like one of the fish he and his uncle caught over the summer, with his mouth hanging open, but he was in too much shock to do anything about it, while a student snapped pictures. He stood in front of the podium, thankful that the band continued to play as he searched the crowd for Brian. He finally spotted him all the way to the right jumping up and down and waving wildly. Carey smiled.
When the band and the crowd quieted down, Carey leaned forward toward the microphone.
“Uh, thanks for voting for me,” he said tentatively. He desperately wished he had thought to prepare a speech, but honestly, he didn’t think he’d win.
Seeing Carey’s discomfort, Dr. Gould stepped in, and out of mic range said, “You don’t have to say anything more if you don’t want to.”
Carey nodded, and Dr. Gould stepped forward. “Congratulations Carey. Tomorrow, you will be honored in the parade as we welcome back alumni and beat North Valley in the football game.”
“Wait,” Carey said, keeping his eye on Brian. “I do have something to say.”
“All right.” The principal stepped aside.
“Um, well, thanks again for voting for me. I thought for sure Wayne would win,” he chuckled.
A large number of students applauded, obviously sharing his belief.
“But, I . . . I’m glad I won. And I’m proud to represent, not only the band.” He paused as the band stood and cheered again. “I’m proud to represent the whole school. I really think we have the best school district in the area. We still have a lot of programs that other districts have cut. And we have the best music programs on the east coast thanks to Mr. Daniels and Mr. Roberts.”
He waited as the students clapped again, becoming more relaxed, mostly by keeping his focus on Brian.
“And I’m proud of you all for voting for someone like me, a . . . a member of the LGBTQ community. As a lot of you know, last year, my . . . boyfriend was hit by a car in the parking lot.”
There was a lot of murmuring as students who remembered it, talked.
“He was being chased and bullied for being gay. Fortunately, he wasn’t hurt that badly. And he’s bounced back from that incident.”
“You know it, babe!” Brian shouted, earning laughs and applause.
Carey continued. “So, I’m really proud of this school for not only tolerating us, but accepting us, all of us. I hope I will represent you humbly and honorably. Thank you.”
Several students rose to their feet during the ensuing applause, encouraging others to do so as well. Some of the senior low brass band members began to play “Holding Out for a Hero”, a song usually reserved for a football player having an outstanding game.
Wayne and the other nominees approached Carey with their well wishes.
“Good thing you won,” Wayne joked. “Your speech was way better than mine.”
“Thanks.” Carey paused. “Hey, good luck tomorrow.”
The crowd was dismissed, and students began making their way to lockers and buses. Robin ran up to Carey and practically jumped into his arms.
“Oh my God. That was a great speech. You were so sure you weren’t going to win. I guess you wrote something just in case?”
“No, I came up with it on the spot. It wasn’t stupid?”
“No, not at all,” she replied.
Dave and Tim walked by singing “We are the Champions” at the top of their lungs, prompting those around them to laugh.
Finally, Brian was able to weave his way through the masses to hug Carey.
“You look fabulous in that crown,” he grinned.
Carey looked upward, even though he couldn’t actually the crown on his head. “Do I really have to wear this?”
“I’ll wear it if you don’t want to,” Brian grinned. He said it in a joking tone, but Carey could tell that he was dying to wear it.
He took the crown off his own head and placed it on Brian’s head, then took his hand to lead him to their lockers, while Robin tagged along.
“No Environmental Club today?”
“Nope, not today,” Robin answered. “I get to walk home with the Homecoming King,” she teased.
“And his queen,” Brian added.
Chapter 20
“You look great,” Brian told Carey as he straightened out the other boy’s tie. “I wish I could ride in the car with you. Kristy’s boyfriend gets to.”
“You can, if you want. But then you won’t be able to march and sing with the Vocal Ensemble.”
Brian pursed his lips.
“I know you don’t want to have to choose,” Carey said. “But I won’t be upset if you want to sing. Really. I mean, I would love for you to ride in the car with me, but I understand.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
Carey walked to the back of the crowd to get into the borrowed convertible for the parade. Kristy and her boyfriend, Donny, were already in the back.
“Brian isn’t coming with us?” Kristy questioned.
Shaking his head, Carey answered, “No, he wants to march with the choir.”
“Okay, we’re almost ready,” Mr. Dunlap, one of the teachers, and the owner of the car, said. “I’d tell you to put your seat belts on, but I know you won’t,” he laughed. “We’ll be going pretty slowly.”
Carey could see up ahead that the peewee football players and the younger cheerleaders had started to march. He couldn’t find Brian in the crowd, and so decided just to enjoy the ride while he waved to the bystanders. Within a few minutes, the car was moving. Kristy and Donny sat up on the back of the seats and waved to the cheering fans. Carey followed suit by getting on his knees to see over the windshield.
“Be careful there. We don’t want anyone falling out,” Mr. Dunlap warned. He kept glancing in the rear-view mirror to keep an eye on the queen hopeful.
Half a block up, Carey spotted his parents and sister, along with Robin. Brian’s family was also there whistling and catcalling. Carey smiled and waved when Robin raised her camera to shoot him.
Suddenly, he saw Brian jogging toward the car, coming in the opposite direction of the parade.
“Mr. Dunlap, can you stop the car for a second?” Carey asked.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.”
When the car stopped, Brian jumped in next to Carey. “Hi,” he said, out of breath.
“What about the choir?”
“I’d rather be here.” He kissed Carey.
“Over here!” Robin shouted.
The boys both grinned and waved as the car slowly started past again.
Grace hollered, “Aren’t you supposed to throw candy or something?”
“Oh yeah,” Carey said, picking up a bag from the floor. He pulled out a handful, then passed the bag to the other kids.
They all tossed pieces of candy to the crowd as they drove by, until they finally ran out. By then, they were back at the school. Everyone funneled into the stadium trying to find good seats. Carey and the other members of the court had their own section marked off with ribbon, so they took their time.
“Hey, there’s Robbie Crenshaw,” Brian said. “I’m going to go say hi.”
“Okay,” Carey said. He had to admit, he was enjoying the day much more than he anticipated. He’d never been one to look for the spotlight before. And he’d never seek it out the way Brian did, but he was actually having fun.
“Congratulations,” a voice
from behind said.
Carey turned to find Mark Reynolds there.
“Thanks,” Carey said curtly. Mark was the last person he wanted to talk to.
“I see you and Brian are still going strong.”
“Yep. We’re great.”
Mark snickered. “Sorry to hear that.”
Carey frowned. “What do you want Mark? Besides just to annoy me.”
“I didn’t come over to annoy you. I really only wanted to say congratulations. Boy, when you come out, you really come out,” Mark laughed.
Carey glanced around uncomfortably. He didn’t want Brian to see him talking to Mark. But he didn’t see him nearby.
“I wish I hadn’t been a jerk to you when we were younger. Or ever. You look great,” said Mark sincerely.
“Um, thanks.”
“And for the record, I really did write you a note. I was just too chicken to give it to you. Actually, I’ve written several notes that I’ve been too chicken to give you.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Mark shrugged a shoulder. “Because, it’s senior year. Everyone goes off in different directions come June. I figure I’ll never see you again after that. And I thought I’d take a chance . . .”
The way Mark looked at him made him feel uncomfortable. And yet, Carey was flattered, if Mark was saying what he thought he was saying.
“Brian and I are still together,” Carey told him. “We’ve been best friends forever. I can’t imagine not being with him.”
Mark self-consciously scratched his head. “Okay, I was only wondering.”
Carey looked down at the ground, then once again scanned the crowd for Brian. “Well, if that’s all, I should find my seat.”
As Carey sat down in the bleachers, he glanced at Mark, who was still looking at him. Carey quickly turned away. He was somewhat confused by his conversation with Mark, which always seemed to be the case. He didn't particularly like the boy, but he had a way of making Carey feel conflicted. Carey had never been actively pursued by anyone before. It made him feel special, in a different way than Brian made him feel. However, the way Mark spoke to him in private was the opposite of the way he had treated him publicly in the past. Carey didn’t know how he would have responded to Mark’s overtures if he hadn’t been dating Brian.
He put that thought out of his mind when he saw Brian approaching.
“Are you sure it’s okay for me to sit here?” Brian asked before sitting.
“Yeah, why not? All the other boyfriends and girlfriends are here.”
Brian shrugged. “I don’t know. This is different than being in school.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, there are a lot of parents and alumni. And they’re filming it for the school channel. What if we’re on TV?”
Carey smiled. “Then I’ll kiss you, just like people do on the big screen at baseball games.”
Brian grinned. “Okay.”
The game started and swiftly racked up a score of fourteen to fourteen. Wayne Gilbert was having one of the best games of his high school career. But the other team was just as hungry for a win.
With only two minutes left until half time, North Valley scored again, but missed the kick. The score was twenty to fourteen in favor of the other team as half-time began.
Carey had left Brian in the stands to wait on the field for the girls to be announced along with their escorts. Wayne remained in his football uniform, unlike the other boys, who wore suits. Each girl was escorted by a boy of their choosing, mostly boyfriends. Shelby Clarke had chosen her younger brother. As they made their way across the fifty-yard line, the nominees’ many accomplishments were broadcast, including clubs, competitions, and aspirations for the following year.
When Christine Davies was crowned queen, no one was really surprised. Wayne, her escort as well as boyfriend, posed for a few pictures with her before she posed with Carey.
Robin, who was taking pictures for the yearbook, was allowed on the field to snap away, along with Carey’s dad, Christine’s sister, and a photographer from the local newspaper. Others took pictures from beyond the fence as Christine waved in perfect imitation of Miss America. The members of the court were asked to gather together for a group photo.
Carey smiled, but felt awkward posing for so many photos. He was one of only two boys without a partner. Michael Russo’s girlfriend was in the band and was standing in formation as they played.
Suddenly, Carey noticed someone moving toward the group. Brian had left the stands and ran onto the field. He leapt into Carey’s arms, taking him completely off guard.
At first, Carey just blinked in surprise, trying his best not to drop him.
“Are we on TV?” Brian asked coyly.
Remembering what he told Brian earlier, Carey kissed him.
Fans in the stands, mostly students, applauded the display, causing Carey to blush fiercely. Band members nudged Michael’s girlfriend toward the group, urging her to join them as well. She did, in a much less dramatic way.
“Ladies and gentlemen, your complete Homecoming Court,” the announcer said over the loudspeaker.
Carey let Brian down and took his hand. Feeling more at ease with Brian at his side, his smiles were genuine.
Afterward, Brian took a seat with Robin while Carey joined the band in the stands. He missed marching the show before the game and looked forward to playing.
The second half of the game was equally exciting as the first, with neither team allowing the other to score until the fourth quarter. The home team moved the ball down the field but was running out of time. In an unexpected move, Wayne faked a throw and ran the ball in to tie up the game.
The players lined up again, and Darrell Johnson ran onto the field for the kick. As he got into position, the band played “Holding out for a Hero” to add to the crowd’s frenzy. They stopped abruptly as he began his three-step approach. The stadium held its collective breath.
“And the kick is good!” the announcer shouted.
The crowd erupted in cheers. Players on the field hugged and patted Darrell on the back. The last few seconds of the clock ran out, leaving them to celebrate the close win over their rivals. Carey nearly felt sorry for the other team as they walked, dejected, to the locker room.
That night was the Homecoming dance. Not as formal as the Prom, students sometimes looked forward to it even more. There was no pressure to attend with a date. But this was the first time Carey had gone with anyone as a real couple.
He and Brian met up with Josh and Robin. He felt obligated to wear the silly crown into the dance, but quickly removed it. The gym was packed with warm bodies moving to the pulse of the music. The boys had taken off their jackets, and the girls had taken off their shoes as the evening progressed. Ties, however, were required. Most were loosened in order to unbutton the top button of a shirt.
“I still can’t believe all this happened,” Carey said as he and Brian slow danced.
“It’s crazy,” Brian agreed. He glanced around. “I guess nobody really cares that we’re together.”
“Now that David Messner and his friends are gone,” Carey said.
Brian nodded. “This is going to be the best year ever.”
He pulled his arms tighter around Carey’s shoulders and rested his head against Carey’s cheek.
“I don’t think we’ve ever danced this way before,” he said dreamily.
“It’s nice.”
They swayed silently until the end of the song. Another slow song came on, allowing them to continue.
“Brian?”
“Hm?” Brian lifted his head a bit to look at Carey.
Butterflies swarmed suddenly in Carey’s belly as he gazed at the soft brown eyes gazing back.
“I love you,” he murmured.
Brian sighed and smiled. “I know.”
Not quite getting the response he was expecting, Carey leaned back and frowned slightly. “What?”
“I heard what you s
aid to your aunt.”
“Oh.” Carey blushed, recalling the conversation with Dina.
“I was coming down the stairs when you told her you love me. I know I shouldn’t have eavesdropped. But, obviously, you weren’t ready to tell me, so I didn’t want to walk in. You would have known that I heard. I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
Carey smiled shyly, then gasped.
“Is that why you looked like you were going to cry? I thought it was because you were afraid we’d get in trouble.”
Brian nodded and placed his hands on either side of Carey’s face.
“I love you too. I wanted to tell you then, but . . .”
“No, this is perfect.”
They kissed. And it was the sweetest kiss either of them ever received.
◆◆◆
The time leading up to the holidays was a whirlwind. Between college auditions, after school activities and jobs, Brian and Carey were too busy to plan many magical nights like Homecoming.
Brian did indeed get discount tickets to the movie theater, but their schedules were seldom the same, and they’d only gone twice. They settled for cuddle time on the sofa in the basement when they could. Carey was counting the days until winter break, when they’d have nine full days off from school.
During that time, Carey attempted to sneak Brian into his room while his parents weren’t home. However, after the humbling experience down at Dina and Rob’s house, Brian was reluctant to break the rules again.
“But we’re in love,” Carey reasoned. “Adults say wait until you’re in love, so why shouldn’t we?”
Brian picked at his fingernails while he talked with Carey at the Reid kitchen table.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know what? What’s wrong? Don’t you want to?”
Brian shrugged. “Yes, but . . .”
“Come on. My dad’s at work and my mom and Michelle will be out shopping for hours. I think they’re even stopping for lunch. We won’t get caught.”
Brian continued to pick the polish off his nails.
“You don’t want to,” Carey said. He was disappointed but not angry.
“I’m just not ready, I guess. Do you think I’m a baby?” Brian asked, making reference to his experience with Mark Reynolds.
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