Something Unexpected - 17. Chapter 17

“Hello?” I asked into the receiver.

“Don’t hang up," Chandler said carefully.

“Just say what you want," I rolled my eyes not wanting to talk to Chandler.

“Forget it...” Chandler hissed.

I started to hang up the phone but I put the receiver back to my ear. “Go on and tell me Chandler," I ordered, not caring what he had to say next.

“No," I answered sternly.

“Why not?” Chandler asked.

I was surprised by the question. “Well I don’t know, but I think it has something to do with someone’s dick being shoved up my ex-boyfriend’s ass recently," I snapped and slammed down the phone. My anger instantly subsided after hanging up on Chandler. I hadn't really meant to say that and I didn’t really know if that was what had happened between Chandler and that Marcus guy to begin with. It had just been some of that anger that I needed to get out of me and Chandler acting oblivious to what had happened between us that made me want to snap at him. When my phone rang again I checked the I.D and it was Chandler again.

“What Chandler?” I asked immediately.

“Come with me when I come over to pick you up," Chandler said and I thought I heard a car horn beep outside.

“No," I replied walking over to the window that overlooked the parking lot. There was Chandler talking to me on his cell. “Leave Chandler. What part of us being no longer together do you not get?”

“Come on Andy you haven’t listened to me at all. Give me a chance, please?” Chandler urged.

I felt myself starting to think about it, but then I shook my head and frowned. Chandler had this all planned out for me to say yes -- him calling me from his cell and driving all the way over here knowing that I’d tell him no. “Come in," I whispered. "Laura isn’t home," I hung up the phone. A few seconds later when my door opened I was sitting on the couch. Chandler started to take a few steps towards the me but I picked up a pillow and slammed it down on the couch beside me so Chandler would be forced to sit across from me in the chair. He sighed and walked over and sat.

“I know you’re mad at me," Chandler stated evenly. I nodded. “Well I made a big mistake and I just wanted to tell you that I was sorry that I hurt you and that I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was for a boyfriend when you came along, and I’m sorry that you had to be the person I was with when I realized it.”

“Okay," I replied after a short pause. I didn’t really know how to respond or how I was supposed to feel after he said all of that. If he wanted to confuse me, he had done a good job. “Now what?”

“I don’t know," Chandler answered almost immediately.

“Well, then I guess you'd better go," I said.

He stood and left me to my thoughts. Had he realized that he didn’t want a boyfriend or was it just me? I had thought that I hated Chandler, I had thought that I could go through the next few days without him; but after this, the way he looked and the way he apologized and confessed things to me, it made me think that maybe I couldn’t. I had finally learned something about Chandler that he hadn’t shown to me before. He wasn’t ready to commit to me but didn’t know how to tell me. That's why he had done what he had done. Life was getting pretty confusing for me now that I was in high school. If the next three years were going to be like this, I'd be in for a few bumpy rides.

It was late when Laura returned. I had cleaned the house, what little needed to be done. I'd even gotten around to mowing the lawn as my mother had been telling me to do for a while now and I was in the middle of cooking dinner when Laura came into the kitchen. She sat down on the bar stool where I had been sitting that morning and watched.

“So, you’re gay aren’t you?” She asked.

I dropped the egg that I was fixing to add to the cake-mix. “I don’t know Laura," I responded. I hadn't given my sexuality a lot of thought, I just had ended up with Chandler and I thought that’s what that meant.

“Well, do you like girls?” Laura asked.

I glanced at her. “Yes, I’m gay Laura," I answered.

She smiled briefly at the way I answered her two questions. “I’m okay with you being gay don’t think that I’m not," Laura stated evenly.

I wasn’t sure why she told me that. I pretty much knew she approved when she hadn't attacked me with whatever she had to use, that time in the car when she asked if I was involved with Chandler. “I know that, Laura," I countered, grabbing two plates from the cupboard. “Why are you acting so weird though?”

“Because it’s just funny I guess," Laura offered.

I laughed slightly. “Funny?” I asked, not knowing where her mind was.

“Well it’s just, I’ve been calling you a fag all this time and now it’s all true," Laura answered.

I rolled my eyes. “Well I guess me calling you a bitch this whole time makes it true, too," I countered.

Laura stopped laughing and stared at me for a second and I thought I had hurt her feelings. “You’re lucky you’re cooking me dinner or I’d kick your little shit-head ass," she huffed.

“No you’re just scared of your little brother," I countered, standing with my back turned to Laura as I started filling up both plates with food.

“Little, my ass! You’re a foot taller than I am, you freak," Laura snapped playfully.

“So you are scared," I prodded and grabbed the two plates.

“No, I could still take your ass," Laura countered and followed me into the dining room.

“So did you have fun with Robert today?” I asked in a feminine voice.

“Robbie. And yes, I had fun with him today," Laura rolled her eyes. Then she turned serious. “So who all knows about you?”

“Ann and everyone -- and of course Chandler and you," I answered shrugging.

“You’re brave telling all of your friends already," Laura remarked evenly.

“Well, it’s not like I was telling complete strangers or anything. I know them all," I countered.

Laura sighed. “Well, you do know that people sometimes don’t take that kind of information very well, whether you’re a stranger or their best friend or even family," she explained.

“And I know all this already," I countered lightly.

“Well, I’m just warning you before you break out the rainbow shirts or anything," Laura huffed. She took a bite of her food.

“I won’t ever do that," I protested.

“I’m just saying! Damn!" Laura snapped.

“I know, but I don’t like talking about it yet," I explained.

“So, how’s Jase looking to you these days?” Laura asked.

I was taking a drink of my pop and had to force it down which caused me to cough a few times and my eyes to water. “Jase is looking like Jase," I offered wiping my eyes with my fingers.

“So you don’t have the hots for him then?” Laura asked smiling oddly.

“Wait, you know he’s gay?” I asked.

Laura frowned. “Oops," she shook her head, “Well, you already knew so no harm done.”

“Wait. You knew before me didn’t you?” I asked curiously.

“Yes I did, why?” Laura responded.

“When did you get him to tell you?” I asked without answering her question.

“The day you went to Ann’s house," Laura answered, frowning.

“You are one sneaky bitch," I offered.

She smiled. “You can’t keep secrets from me so don’t even try," She shrugged then grabbed the plates to put them into the dishwasher. I went up to my room. Now that I had talked to Laura I felt less stressed out that she might have problems with having a gay little brother. A few minutes later as I lay on my bed relaxing the phone rang but I didn’t get up to answer it, choosing to ignore it and let Laura answer.

Laura's voice snapped me out of my daze. “Can you tell me why Chandler is calling here still?”

“Because he was here earlier?” I replied, unsure myself.

“Well want me to hang up on him?” Laura asked grinning evilly.

“No, give me the phone," I rolled my eyes.

Laura frowned and tossed to phone to me. “Tell that bastard to stop calling," she ordered.

“Okay, just leave me alone for a minute," I waved her out the door and she flipped me off as she left. “What do you want now Chandler?”

“I was wondering if you’d come to a party tonight," Chandler asked evenly.

“There are a thousand reasons why I don’t want to go to a party with you tonight," I countered, turning him down.

“Come on and live a little," Chandler urged me.

“I tried that Chandler and Jase got his ass kicked for it," I snapped, rolling my eyes.

“You partied after that," He almost whispered.

“That was when I was with you, it’ll be different now, and I don’t want to go party with you anyway," I countered. I heard him sigh.

“We can still be friends," He groaned.

“Yeah, well... I can’t," I stammered, for some reason I didn’t like the word "friends" coming from him.

“Hang up, Chandler! He can’t party with you ever. And I have every right to kick your ass for even attempting to have anything to do with my little brother, you sorry sack of shit!” Laura yelled through the other phone in the house.

“Laura!” I whined, knowing she had overheard the entire conversation.

“Andy hang up the phone," Laura ordered.

“I think you need to. You’re not even supposed to be on the phone," I protested. I heard a clicking sound. “Chandler I’ll see you at school if you’re not too hung over to come," I announced, hanging up the phone. I heard Laura’s footsteps charging up the stairs.

“Why didn’t you just tell him to fuck off?” Laura asked rushing into my room.

“Because, unlike you, I’m nice," I answered lightly.

“You have no reason to be nice to that prick," Laura countered.

“I know, but it doesn’t give me the right to be an ass either," I countered.

Laura threw her hands into the air. “You know what Andy? Some people aren’t nice people! And for you to be nice to them is just wasted," Laura spat, shoving me down on my bed so that I would listen to her.

“Laura, calm yourself woman," I ordered.

Laura's eyes narrowed. “You’re not taking me seriously,” she snapped, crossing her arms in that intimidating posture she and mom are famous for.

“It’s because you’re overreacting," I countered.

A look of shock crossed her face briefly, then she sighed. “You’re a guy and a gay one at that, so I don’t really know what goes on in that head of yours. But Chandler cheated on you. Cheated. That means he had sex with another guy...” She trailed off then stared at me curiously.

“No, I didn’t have sex with him, Laura, so get that out of your mind," I stared back.

Laura looked relieved. “Well you’d be the only thing on two legs he hasn’t banged recently," she snapped sarcastically.

“You know Laura, your hatred for Chandler is a little immature," I stated. As soon as the words came out of my mouth I wanted to take them back, but the hand that came into contact with my face didn’t give me time. “What the fuck Laura?”

“I’ll tell you what the fuck! You might just be stupid or whatever, but I remember that he tried to rape me. And if that wasn’t enough for you to hate him I don’t know what is. So then, you don’t just befriend him, you have a relationship with him! Then he cheats on you and you’re still defending him!”

“I’m sorry, Laura," I offered.

“Now, believe me when I tell you that Chandler is bad news. You have your own evidence of that now," Laura stated calmly, but I could tell it was forced.

“Okay, I believe you," I held out my arms wanting to hug her. When she slowly stepped forward her arms still crossed I hugged her lightly before letting her go.

“Thank you.” Laura whispered and then walked out of my room.

My mind was reeling after the fight. I wasn’t standing up for myself with Chandler. A large part of me wanted to, but I couldn’t. There are a lot of things I could have done differently with Chandler and maybe, if I had done them, I would still be with Chandler now instead of having him cheat on me. And there was obviously still time for me to work out whatever I had with Chandler, if I wanted it. I walked over to my door and shut it. Then I stared at my phone for a few minutes. I dialed the number and waited.

“Chandler, I’m coming," I announced in a low voice.

“Andy?” Chandler asked curious.

“Yeah, come get me for the party," I said and hung up the phone. It was still early evening. The sun had almost set so I walked out of my room and over to Laura’s door, lifting my hand to knock and tell her a lie. But I couldn’t think of a good enough excuse for leaving the house. So I let my hand drop and opted to leave a note in the kitchen. I couldn't tell her that I was going to that party after all. It was the truth, but I didn't want to give her the chance to stop me from trying to get back what I knew I wanted, Chandler.

A few minutes later I was waiting out by the end of the driveway. Chandler drove up and I got in as quickly as possible. Then Chandler took off in the direction of the party. At first there was a strange silence. It was the first time that I had seen Chandler since the morning and for some reason he looked different to me. It wasn't the asshole that cheated on me who was sitting next to me, it was the Chandler whom I wanted to see.

“I’m really glad you’re coming," Chandler said, glancing over to me.

“Well I needed some air anyway," I responded, forcing myself to stop looking at him.

“Does Laura know?” He asked.

“Not until she finds the note I left," I answered.

Chandler snickered slightly. “Pissing your older sister off two times in the same day isn’t very smart,” he quipped.

“Please I don’t want to think about that," I countered, frowning. I really was becoming a shitty younger brother, always sneaking around with people I’m not supposed to be with in her opinion. The rest of the ride was quiet, I jostled ideas around in my head of what to talk to Chandler about, but I was too on edge to attempt to talk to him.

“We’re here," Chandler announced and we got out and entered the house together. It was a crowded party with a lot of people there. I noticed that most of the people here were guys.

“Chandler!” I screeched, realizing what kind of party this was.

“What?” Chandler asked stepping closer to me.

“This is a gay party," I stated the obvious.

“Yeah, and...?” Chandler asked, oblivious.

“I’m here that’s the AND! Everyone here will know now," I answered, trying to shield my face from him.

“What are you scared of Andy?” Chandler asked as I ducked in behind him.

“What kind of question is that?” I asked, growing annoyed.

“You’re gay. You’re at a gay party. There isn’t anyone here that is going to judge you any more than that -- and most of them are already too drunk to know who the hell you are, so just please calm down," Chandler offered.

I glanced out from behind him at the crowd that was spread out across the house. “Okay, but if I want to leave we leave immediately understood?” I ordered.

Chandler shook his head. “Of course," he said. Then we pushed through the crowd to find a vacant spot to sit. We found a recliner, which he sat on. I sat on the large arm and we both looked out in different directions at the people. Guys were dancing together. It was the first time I seen this first hand. I saw kissing and touching and how relaxed it all was. And here I was trying to control the knots in my stomach. “Do you want anything?” Chandler asked over the roar of the party.

“Water," I answered. When he got up and left me, I wanted to instantly get up and try to follow, but I didn’t.

“Hey, you! I know you," someone beside me. I hadn’t noticed him approach. I wanted to pretend that I hadn’t heard him, but I was curious to see who it was.

“I don’t think you do," I answered, hoping that would be enough to make him leave me alone.

“Oh, but I do," He countered. Suddenly his voice clicked in my mind.

“Marcus," I stated in a forced voice.

“You guessed it," Marcus announced smiling.

“Go away," I ordered, trying to spot Chandler. But he wasn’t anywhere in sight.

“Why?” Marcus asked, plopping down in the chair that I was sitting on.

“Because you are the last person in the world that I want to see right now," I snapped.

“Well I didn’t do anything wrong now, did I?” Marcus asked.

I looked at him knowing that he hadn't done anything wrong. “No, you didn’t," I answered sighing.

“So don’t be mad at me," Marcus ordered lightly.

I nodded. “I’ll try not to be," I responded. I stood so that I could get a better vantage point to see if Chandler was even close.

“Who you looking for?” Marcus asked, looking around as well.

“Chandler," I answered.

Marcus turned to look at me. “Why?” he asked, sounding disgusted.

“Because that’s who I’m here with," I answered.

Marcus frowned. “You’re here with the person that cheated on you not two days ago?” Marcus asked, bewildered by the thought.

“Yeah," I shrugged.

“Are you crazy?” Marcus asked, instantly amused.

“I guess so, since everyone seems so damn shocked that I don’t hate or want to kick Chandler’s ass for what he did," I rolled my eyes.

“Well hey, let’s drop that loser and get some air," Marcus suggested.

“No, I don’t think I will,"

“Come on don’t be like a little puppy that follows someone around all day for nothing in return," Marcus urged.

I laughed at his attempt. “I needed air and Chandler was my mode of transportation," I lied, turning away from Marcus.

“Just five minutes, please?” Marcus begged.

“Five minutes and you’ll leave me alone?” I asked and he nodded. “Okay, then let’s go outside.

After we were outside he downed his drink and sat down on a swing that was latched to the roof of the veranda. I sat down beside him. “Isn’t this relaxing?” Marcus asked.

It was getting pretty chilly out here, I thought. “I guess so," I shrugged noticing that you could still feel the vibration coming from the speakers inside of the house.

“So what are you into?” Marcus asked curiously.

“Basketball, swimming, and stuff," I offered. I wasn't really used to answering a question like that.

“No I meant in guys," Marcus stated.

I blushed. “I don’t know?” I answered, unsure of myself. Then I heard the door open from behind us and Chandler walked over to me and took my hand, pulling me out of the swing.

“We’re leaving," Chandler stated. He let go of me after he got me on my feet.

“We’ve just gotten here," I said rubbing my arm.

“Yeah well that was before that piece of shit found out. Now, let’s go," Chandler countered and walked out to his car. I turned to Marcus and waved.

“See you at school, I guess," I said.

“You can count on that," Marcus winked, and he waved sarcastically over to Chandler who flipped him off. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, or what a lot of my thoughts were; but, one thing was certain after tonight: I didn’t really know what to expect from here on out.