Chapter Text
12 years ago- August 1986
The sun beamed down on Coy as he ran into the ocean. At the age of 5, he had no worries, well, besides the fact that he was moving. He loved New Jersey, especially the coast during the summer. Knowing this was his last day here for who knows how long hurt him. He was going to miss the feeling of soaking in the cold ocean. Most importantly, he was going to miss the only friend he had. Anthony Potero.
They met each other at the beginning of the summer before he knew he was moving. They met on the pier and instantly clicked; they became attached at the hip. Almost every day they met up (with their parents, of course) and played all day in the sun. Coy didn’t know how to tell Anthony this was their last day together. As Coy left the water, he saw his mom and Anthony's mom talking; of course, Coy knew what this was about. He slowly made his way to them.
“Of course we will keep in touch with Coy,” Anthony's mom said as Anthony looked into the sand with a saddened expression. Anthony looked up, and his face immediately softened when he saw Coy. “COY!” The boy ran up to him and threw his arms around him. “It’s okay, I promise to keep in touch. " It's only Illinois.” “I know, but it doesn’t make it any easier,” Anthony mumbles into Coy’s shoulder. “Then let’s make this last day together perfect!”
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10 years ago- July 1989
It had been almost two years since Coy had moved to Illinois; to say he hated it would be an understatement. It had felt much blander. He missed the shore and New York. But most importantly, he missed Anthony. Of course they kept in touch; anytime they could, they would sit on the phone with each other for hours and even send letters constantly. So when Coy's parents surprised him with a trip to New Jersey, safe to say he was over the moon. They spent the month of July doing everything two 7-year-old boys would do. And of course, they made friendship bracelets.
“I'm going to wear this forever,” Coy exclaimed. Anthony smiled and ran over to him. “Well, I’m going to wear mine for eternity.” Coy smiled and lay back on his air mattress. “I can’t believe you’re leaving again. I’m gonna miss you so much.” Anthony said, looking down at his bed. Coy looked up and grabbed his hand. “I know. I promise I will be back sooner this time, and if I’m not, just look at your bracelet and think of me!” “Promise?”
“Promise.”
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The summers of 89-95 went by quickly; most of them were filled with phone calls, letters, and even some summer hangouts all across New Jersey and New York. Everything was perfect. Well, except for one thing: Coy was facing a problem of his own while growing up. Everyone he knew was getting crushes on girls or even girlfriends. The question was always: when was Coy going to get one? And the deep truth was never. During the summer of 93, Coy was visiting Anthony in New Jersey and started to realize that he felt oddly weird around Anthony, not a bad weird. But every time he would look at Coy or laugh at his jokes. Coy felt his face turn red, and he would start to get weirdly happy. It never occurred to Coy what this was until 7th grade.
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4 years ago- 7th grade- 1995
Coy was definitely not the most popular person in school, and he was okay with that. He had a few friends: Toby, Jazzy, and Anthony. He was getting involved in theater and was having a great year. Then he met someone…or a boy. This boy gave Coy butterflies. Coy didn’t understand what he was feeling or what was happening until this boy decided to kiss him backstage at one of the rehearsals. This sent Coy spiraling. He debated for weeks afterwards what it meant. He even started distancing himself from his friends, especially phone calls with Anthony. He avoided the boy at all costs; he couldn’t risk showing his feelings. I mean, how was he supposed to take this? He wasn’t gay..? That’s a sin, and his parents would freak if they knew this. It wasn’t until the middle of the school year and after another kiss that Coy accepted what he was.
He felt ashamed of himself. How could anyone like or be friends with him if they knew? Coy knew no one wanted to be friends with the weird gay boy, so he made a promise that he wouldn’t let anyone know. He would avoid the boy and any questions about his feelings. He couldn’t lose his parents or friends. He couldn't lose Anthony. This worked for months, but all good things can’t last forever. And the boy was mad Coy rejected him.
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3 years ago- 8th grade- 1996
Coy was outed.
His parents didn’t speak to him for weeks.
And he never heard from Anthony again.
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