Chapter Text
“Hey mate!” Aaron heard footsteps running to catch up with him. He forced a smile onto his face, turning on his heels.
“Hey Jonah. Alright?”
“Yeah….well as good as I’m ever gonna be with Mr Hennessey for geography.” They shared a smile. “What have you got next?” Jonah asked.
“Maths. You?”
“Geography….I just said.” Aaron shook his head in mild embarrassment.
“Oh yeah sorry mate.”
“Tired?”
“I’m fine.” Aaron adjusted his backpack strap.
“Really?”
“I said I’m fine Jonah!” Aaron realised immediately that he’d been too sharp. His mate looked shocked.
“Flippin’ ‘eck Aaron, I was only asking.” Aaron felt very awkward and ashamed at his sudden outburst. “Are you doing anything after school? A few of us are gonna head into town for a bit. You should come.”
“We’ve got football haven’t we?”
“Yeah, I mean after that.” Aaron thought for a moment. “You don’t have to come. To be honest, I’d rather you didn’t if you’re gonna be mardy the whole time.”
“Will you just leave me alone?!” Aaron shouted and stormed off. He couldn’t be doing with this. Not today.
“Aaron! Aaron, I was jokin’! Aaron!”
He spent the rest of his lessons lost in thought. Aaron hated being so angry all the time but he couldn’t help it. Mr Watts gave him a detention for not doing enough work because all he could think of was how horrible he’d been to Jonah and how he was going to apologise. Detentions didn’t really matter to him anymore anyway. He’d had so many he just factored them into his normal week now. As soon as maths was over, Aaron went to the changing rooms. Jonah and the other lads were already there. By the looks on their faces when Aaron walked in it was obvious they’d been talking about him. Aaron felt awkward – unsure whether to say something or not.
Eventually he went for, “Um…..sorry about earlier mate.” Jonah didn’t say anything he just stared at him. “I’ve just had a bad day that’s a…”
“Yeah well we’ve had enough of your bad days. You need to sort yourself out mate. We’re done putting up with it.” Harry (another of the boys on the football team) said sharply, glaring at Aaron.
“I’m sorry.” Aaron said weakly. “I didn’t mean to shout.”
“Yeah that’s what you said yesterday, and Monday, and last week.” Max joined in, walking right up to Aaron. “Come on guys.” He went to leave, beckoning for the others to follow. Before he went through the door he turned back to Aaron. “Oh and don’t think we’re gonna be kind to you on the pitch.” When they’d gone, Aaron slumped down onto one of the benches, putting his head in his hands. He didn’t blame them for finally giving up on him. Aaron was fed up of his own temper so he knew how they felt.
He got changed into his kit and went outside. The others were stood in a huddle over the other side of the field waiting for the coach to turn up. Aaron noticed a new boy who was stood with them. The lad was laughing and chatting to the boys like he knew them well but Aaron was sure he’d never seen him before. He would’ve remembered. The boy turned around and saw Aaron. He smiled but Harry tapped him on the shoulder. Aaron was too far away to hear what they were saying but he was sure Harry was badmouthing him to the lad.
They trained for over an hour. Aaron couldn’t stop watching the new lad. He was a really good player but there was something else about him. Aaron had known for a while that he sometimes had other feelings for boys but he’d never done anything about it. He knew how bad it would be for him if he ‘came out’. He wasn’t even sure if he was gay anyway. He didn’t need the added pressure it would bring trying to work it all out so he just ignored the feelings. He couldn’t deal with any more stick. He just played the game and tried to forget everything else. Nobody would pass him the ball though. They all kept laughing at him like he wouldn’t notice. Just this morning these idiots had been his friends – how quickly things had changed.
Eventually the coach called an end to the training. Aaron started walked back across the pitch in the direction of the changing rooms. Suddenly the ball hit him hard on the back of the head. He turned to see the other boys all laughing hysterically at him. Aaron snapped.
“What is your problem?! Leave me alone you bastards!”
“Aaron!” The coach yelled. “Detention tomorrow. Pick up this gear and take it back to the gym.” Aaron huffed. He wasn’t too mad about the detention, he was used to them, he was just pissed that those idiots had got what they wanted. They’d managed to humiliate him again.
It took Aaron ages to lug all the stuff back over to the gym and by the time he got back to the changing rooms all the other boys were leaving. He stood by the door, allowing them to exit first, not wanting another confrontation. The new boy was the last to leave. He stopped, waiting for the others to disappear around the corner and then walked over to Aaron.
“Hi. I’m Robert.” The lad extended a hand for Aaron to shake.
“Aaron.” He returned. Up close, Robert’s bright eyes were very striking and Aaron found himself staring. He snapped out of it quickly. “Why are you even talking to me? I assume they told you what I did earlier.”
“They mentioned something.” Rob shoved a hand through his hair. Aaron watched him. “Look….I’m new here and I’m not gonna lie, I’d quite like to fit in so…”
“So you don’t wanna have anything to do with me.”
“I never said that.” Robert said abruptly. “I’m sorry they were being such dicks.” Aaron nodded and then stared down at the floor. “I’ve gotta go but…I’ll see you around Aaron.”
“Yeah.” They shared a friendly smile and then Rob headed off along the corridor but he stopped and turned.
“By the way Harry’s still in there.” Robert gestured to the changing rooms. “Just to warn you.”
“Thanks.” The new boy nodded before heading off around the corner and out of view. Aaron sighed and forced himself back into the changing rooms.
He stopped just inside the door when he heard a noise. Harry….singing. Aaron held in a laugh and hoped the other boy hadn’t noticed him enter. When the singing continued, Aaron became confident he hadn’t. It was like Aaron was being offered an opportunity on a plate. He quickly got his phone out of his pocket and held it out around the corner, recording Harry singing to himself. The singing suddenly stopped and Aaron turned the phone off stepping back behind the door into the store cupboard. When he saw the other boy leave, he came out again, immediately posting the clip where he knew everyone in the school would see it. Revenge would be sweet.