A Teen's World by Joanna Johnson (knowledgeable books to read TXT) 📕

disastrous date with Micah. I slid from my car and walked the short distance to my homeroom. I said my good mornings and sulkily took my seat beside Micah.

“You okay?” he whispered.

“Perfect,” I replied with a fake smile as I slouched deeper into my desk. He didn’t even realise he totally friend-zoned me. I would definitely have a word with him at lunch. Mr. Martin finally arrived and marked his register and then we were dismissed to attend our first class. I mostly stuck to myself while Sarah, Isabelle and Micah chatted up a storm while giving me weird looks at regular intervals. Hey, I said to myself as Micah looked over at me with a quirked eyebrow, it isn’t everyday a girl crushes over a guy for weeks and he friend-zones her. I mean, I’m likeable, right?

As lunch finally arrived, I mentally prepared my conversation with Micah as I made my way over to our table. I needed to know if he was interested or not once and for all. Besides, I couldn’t keep stringing Luc along if we were to have an actual relationship. I sat beside Micah at the end of the table. From where we sat, we had a little privacy from the rest of the group.

“Hey Micah,” I said as I pulled out my lunch.

“Hey Jaime. What’s up?” he asked.

“Nothing much. So, how did you think our date went?” I blurted. I had to get to the point before I lost my nerve.

He quirked an eyebrow at me. “It was a date? I thought we were just hanging out... as friends,” he replied.

I mentally slapped myself twice. He didn’t just say “friends”?

“Uh, I thought it was a date... between two people... who like each other,” I said slowly.

He gave me a warm smile and shook his head before he replied. “Umm Jaime, I’m... gay,” he said on a whisper.

I choked on a piece of bread and had to use my soda to wash it down and save my life.

“Repeat that?” I said, my eyes bulging.

“I’m gay. I mean, I thought you knew,” he replied as he turned on the bench to face me.

“I didn’t!” I said loudly. Everyone seated at our table turned at looked at me. “Sorry” I mouthed to them.

“Well I am. I have a boyfriend. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression,” he said with a pitiful look on his face.

I was getting rusty with my gay-dar. Ugh.

“It’s cool, I mean no biggie. Complete misunderstanding. Please excuse me while I go hyperventilate,” I said as I got up and left the table. I hadn’t meant to say the last part out loud but my brain and mouth apparently had minds of their own. I headed to our emotional rock and planted myself there as I stared out of space. I wasn’t angry or sad. I was just shocked. I was also repulsed at the fact that I liked a gay guy. Sarah and Isabelle found me behind the rock and sat gingerly beside me.

“Wanna talk about it?” Sarah asked.

“Micah’s gay,” I said simple.

“Holy shit!” Isabelle exclaimed.

“Yeah, I know,” I sighed.

“That’s heavy Jaime. How are you feeling?” Sarah asked as she placed her hand around my shoulder.

“I’m actually feeling fine. I’m just repulsed at the fact that I actually liked a gay guy,” I said with a smirk. We all laughed at the statement.

“Your gay-dar’s rusty,” Isabelle said as she huddled closer and placed her hand over Sarah’s around my shoulders.

“I know. Anyway, there was a new guy before I even found out Micah was gay,” I replied.

“Oh lala,” Sarah chimed.

“Yeah, His name’s Luc Ducat,” I said with a smile.

“Sexy computer guy Luc from Frankfield High?” Isabelle asked.

I nodded.

“You go sister,” Sarah said as she high-fived me.

We sat in silence for awhile before Isabelle spoke up.

“Since we’re sharing, umm, there’s a guy I’ve been dating,” She said meekly. Sarah and I swivelled our heads to look at her at breakneck speed.

“Do tell,” I said in my fake English accent.

“It’s Matt actually,” she replied as a blush crept up her cheek.

“Told you,” Sarah said, shaking her head.

“Told you what?” Isabelle asked puzzled.

“She told me Matt probably like you. She was right, wow. I mean, wow,” I said in amazement.

“Yeah. Well apparently I was the girl he was talking about at the Korner Kafe. I didn’t even realise I actually liked him too until we hung out over the break we got and stuff,” she said shyly.

“That’s awesome. Good to ear and I’m happy for you both,” I said as I got up from the ground.

“Thanks,” she said as she and Sarah got up.

“I can’t wait to tell the guys that Micah’s gay,” Sarah said laughingly.

“You can’t tell them Sarah. I don’t think he’d be comfortable around us if the guys alienated him. He’s still my friend,” I said seriously.

“Our lips are sealed. Right Sarah?” Isabelle piped up.

“Right,” Sarah agreed. We did our famous and completely lame handshake that we hadn’t done since middle school and headed back to lunch.

We all had new things to adjust to in our lives that were more important than Micah being gay.

*************

Ever since Micah had told me he was gay, I had started hanging out with Luc more often. We have now officially been dating for four months. Micah still hung with our group and his secret was safe with us girls, as long as he didn’t make any moves on Liam, Matt, Michael (he was now officially apart of our group), or Jaden. Sarah and Michael had finally made their relationship officially and she was now sporting her brand new promise ring that I was tempted to steal on multiple occasions. Luc had finally met my parents and I had finally started spending more time with my family and fighting less with my brother and sister. It turns out they both were dating and they actually weren’t stupid. Matt and Isabelle finally stopped hiding their relationship after I lectured Matt about keeping secrets from me and the rest of the group and cussed him out about not telling me he like Isabelle. He claimed he tried to tell me twice but I have no remembrance of that. Liam was dating Jessie. Yes, the leader of the welcoming committee. Turns out they liked each other for awhile but she was the only one bold enough to step to the plate which made Liam look like a total wuss. Jaden and JoAnne are both doing great, as always. Honestly, they’re like the perfect couple, it’s annoying. Ralph was sent to live with my grandparents, something I hadn’t even noticed until my mother told me. I wasn’t ready for a puppy just yet and I would get him back at the end of summer when I began McMillan University.

I guess in the end, we all ended up happy and I learned the true value of family and friendship. My friends were there when I needed a good laugh, comfort and most importantly a listening ear. They were my family away from home. My real family was there when I needed to be reminded of what it feels like to have a complete, somewhat normal family. They also helped to mould me into who I am and instilled values and morals I couldn’t have learned anywhere else. They both are important but there has to be a balance between the two or one will end up being neglected. I’ve learned many things in my senior year at McMillan High and I wouldn’t go back for anything in the world, to change a thing. I was happy for everything and everyone I was blessed with and I can safely say, they complete me every day.

 

“Love, family and friends- a great recipe for happiness.”-Jaime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imprint

Text: Joanna Johnson
Images: Janeille Schaubhut
Editing: Joanna Johnson
Translation: Joanna Johnson
Publication Date: 02-18-2015

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
I dedicate this book to all teenagers, and even adults, who have been through the ringer, but came out victorious. I also dedicate this book to true friends and family, thank you for always being there, especially when I needed you most! -XoXo