Standalone Tales - 1. Ethan's Enigma

November 16 2021

West Hills, Indiana

Landon Miller and I were hanging out talking about school, life, and our romantic feelings. Surprising, given that he’s a popular 8th grade football player, and I am a shy nerd. I only made the 8th grade basketball team because I’m tall for my age. Landon was super buff, wearing shorts, and not wearing a shirt. I was just in a tank top and gym shorts. Landon leaned in and kissed me before pulling off my shirt and smiled, running his hand over my 6-pack abs. He held me in his arms and I fell into bliss............

I woke up in my bed. A little disappointed that it was a dream and not real. I missed my in-dream abs... which are gone now. My copper-colored hair was sweaty and in a messy bedhead. I rolled out of bed and got dressed in a t shirt and jeans, for a day at school.

“Hey, Ethan,” my step dad James greeted me in the kitchen. “How are you?”

“Hey,” I said, grabbing a bowl out of the cabinet to pour myself some cereal. “I’d probably be doing better if my real dad was back...”

“Ethan, be nice,” mom scolded me. “I know you’re upset about James moving in with us, but it’s for the best.” I rolled my eyes as I poured some dry cinnamon cheerios into the bowl. They’re better dry and I hate milk. Don’t judge me. “Hey, where is your sister?”

“Probably putting on makeup or something stupid,” I rubbed my tired eyes, still not fully awake.

“Yes, I was doing my make up, and it’s not stupid, Ethan...” Emily entered the kitchen. She had on a hoodie and jeans for school. She was shorter than me by 5 inches, but we look pretty similar. We both have ginger hair, turquoise eyes, and fair skin. Oh, and we share a birthday (August 15). Yeah, she’s my twin sister, older than me by about 15 minutes. She loves rubbing that in, mainly because I’m the stronger twin physically. But, she’s smarter and she really enjoys taunting me about that, too. Anyways, I have 2 siblings. An older brother named Isaac and my twin sister Emily. My real dad passed away when I was 9 years old and mom’s now engaged to James with a planned wedding around Christmas.

“Yeah, it’s pretty dumb...” I crossed my arms.

“Not as dumb as you being shirtless all the time at home,” my sister taunted.

“That’s a different thing. It’s more comfortable for me to be bare chested.” I said, my voice cracking as I took a bite of cheerios with a spoon.

~~~~

After an awkward breakfast, brushing my teeth, and getting packed up for school, I had to deal with an awkward car ride with Emily and James. I stayed silent as we drove through our suburban town. I had my earbuds in so I could tune out James and Emily talking about whatever. The two of them had become close, and it made me want to puke. I wanted nothing to do with James since he’s trying to replace my now dead dad.

“We’re here,” James broke me out of my mental train of thought.

“Um, thanks, James,” I mumbled, climbing out of the back seat.

“No problem, bud,” he responded as I closed the door, rolling my eyes.

“You know, you really should be nicer to him,” Emily nagged.

“Look who’s talking…” I rolled my eyes. “ The bossiest, meanest girl in 8th grade…”

“That is so not true!” She huffed. “Hey don’t walk away when I am talking to you.”

“My point…” I said dully.

“I’m not mean… Am I?” She asked one of my basketball buddies, Seth, who was nearby.

“Uh, yeah, you kind of are.” Seth said matter of factly. “Especially to Ethan. You’re kind of a bitch.” For that comment, she slapped him across the cheek and stormed off into the school. Seth and I simply laughed before also walking inside.

“I think she teases you because she has a crush on you,” I joked. Seth blushed and laughed in response. My sister pretty much hates all my friends, which are only two guys, Seth and Lucas, but still.

“Speaking of crushes. That school dance is coming up. Anyone you wanna ask out?” Seth asked me as we stopped at our lockers. Seth, Lucas, and I each got lockers next to each other, with mine in the middle.

“Dude, you’re crazy. The guy I like probably isn’t even gay,” I brushed my bangs out of my face. “I have no hope.”

“Shush,” Seth said, reaching up to put a hand on my shoulder. “You’re awesome. Landon’s the loser if he doesn’t like you back.”

“Yeah,” Lucas opened his locker. “You should totally ask him out, dude. The worst he can say is no.”

“That’s the scary part!” I shut my locker after grabbing my spiral notebook for ELA class. “I saw him smooching that girl yesterday. He’s totally straight and taken.”

“You don’t know that,” Lucas shook his head. “He could be bi.”

“Did you see who he was kissing?” Seth questioned me further.

“Naw, I didn’t see,” I frowned as we entered the ELA classroom. All my classes were regular level while Emily got into honors classes for ELA, Math, and Science. As a result I only share one class with her: History. Not that I’m complaining. I like having time away from that show-off. “All I know is she’s a ginger.”

“That really narrows it down,” Seth rolled his eyes as the bell rang and class began.

~~~~~~~~

Basketball practice was during 3rd period, and brutal, as usual. We had to run suicides and do pull-ups and crunches. Basketball season was coming up and we had to be in shape. As expected, my practice clothes, made up of a tank top and a baggy pair of basketball shorts, were soaked in sweat. I would have loved to shower, but the showers were closed after an incident the previous year. I wasn’t told what happened, but yeah, there’s no more showering in the boy's locker room. So, I generally just clean myself with a wet wipe and use a lot of deodorant or cologne. I changed back into the t-shirt and jeans I had on, and made my way to the cafeteria for lunch when the bell rang.

I was going to sit with my friends Lucas and Seth, but my sister grabbed me and dragged me to her table. How did she do that? I’m taller and heavier than her! “Ethan?” Seth asked.

“He’s sitting with me and my friends today,” Emily said. Seth and Lucas shrugged.

“What the hell was that for?” I sat down.

“I want you to sit with me, Ethan,” Emily smiled and sat at the table. “And if you try to go back to those dorks, I’ll just drag you back here.”

“Oookay...” I blinked twice before getting my lunch out of my backpack. I had a peanut butter sandwich packed along with a pear and some water.

“Um, Ethan, you smell sweaty...” Emily’s friend Kayley mentioned. “Not that it’s a bad thing.”

“Yeah, we can’t shower after basketball practice, sorry,” I mentioned.

“That’s so gross...” Emily rolled her eyes.

“I think it’s hot...” Kayley said.

“What?” I asked, surprised. Does she have a crush on me?

“She thinks you’re hot, idiot...” Emily snapped.

“Um, okay...” I shrugged.

“I don’t have a date for the fall ball...” Kayley began, blushing. “Do you want to go with me?”

“Um, Kayley, I’m flattered, but I actually am going to ask someone else. I’ll go with you if he says no, though,” I smiled. It quickly faded when I realized I revealed my sexuality in front of my evil sister.

“Oh... um... I didn’t know you were gay. Sorry,” Kayley blushed. “I hope he says yes, whoever he is.”

“Thanks,” I smiled. Kayley took that better than I expected.

“Ethan, you’re a fucking idiot,” Emily scolded. “I can’t believe you would make up a lie about being gay to avoid going with my best friend to the dance.”

“I’m not lying!”

“Who are you asking out then?” Emily asked.

“Um... Landon Miller...” My cheeks blushed.

“Bull crap... he’s my boyfriend. He’s going with me...” Emily rolled her eyes. I put two and two together and realized she was the girl I saw kissing Landon. Gross!

“Um, okay, I’m sorry. I guess I can go with Kayley now...” I shrugged.

“It’s ok...” Kayley said meekly. “I’m not interested in a sympathy date from a gay guy...” she huffed.

“My friend Seth needs a date. You could ask him.” I pointed at their table.

“Ooh... he’s cute,” Kayley blushed.

Emily stood up on her chair. I knew trouble was coming. “Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” she said. The rest of the 8th grade class had their eyes on her. “My brother, Ethan Henderson is a fag. And he likes Landon Miller, the football player.”

I hid my face as I blushed like a cherry, almost as red as my hair. A bunch of other students began laughing. I stood up, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Some sister you are...” I muttered before running off.

“What the fuck is your problem?” Lucas and Seth came over to confront Emily as I was leaving. Seth had to hold Lucas back, as the latter was fully prepared to throw fists at my sister.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I ran to my fourth period classroom. The door was unlocked and the light was off. No one was in here. Good. I walked to my seat and sat down. I didn’t get to finish my lunch. I wasn’t hungry anyways. My life is over... I thought. I continued crying for a while until I heard footsteps enter.

“Um, I thought I’d find you in here.” I recognized the voice. It was the silky voice of Landon, with the voice cracks that I found incredibly cute. I looked up and saw Landon walking over to sit next to me. He had long chin-length brown hair, green eyes, and a dimpled smile with colorful braces on his teeth. I blushed. “Hi, Ethan,” he took a seat.

“Y-you know my name?”

“Yeah,” Landon smiled. “Ever since 7th grade.”

“Um, about my sister...”

“I dumped that loser...” Landon shook his head. My eyes were fixed on the way his long hair moved when he shook his head. “She’s a jerk for outing you like that.”

“Y-you’re not going to make fun of me for being gay?” I sniffled.

“No,” Landon said with another head shake. “You’re completely normal,” Landon looked me in the eyes. “Now, finish your lunch with me. Don’t want you goin’ hungry.”

I was glad I could finish my food. I had barely started eating before my sister’s outburst.

“Hey, um,” Landon said a few minutes later when he finished his sandwich. “I’m no longer going with anyone to the dance. Do you want to go with me?” Landon blushed.

“Y-y-yes!” I smiled. “But... wait... I thought you were straight...”

“Nah, I like some boys too...” Landon shrugged. “And you’re pretty cute. And, you apparently already like me.” He smirked. I leaned in and kissed Landon on the lips.

“S-sorry… I shouldn’t have…”

“Sorry? That was awesome…” Landon’s cheeks blushed pink

“I’m really glad my sister outed me,” I joked.

“Me too,” Landon went back for more kisses on my lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~

At the end of the day, I was going to hang out with Lucas and Seth at Seth’s place to do homework and play video games. I was bubbly and skipping on the walk to Seth’s house, as I was in a very good mood after my lunchtime makeout session with Landon.

“You’re in a good mood today,” Lucas smiled. “Especially for someone who, just a few hours ago, was humiliated in front of the whole school by an evil twin sister.”

“Yeah, Ethan,” Seth began. “What happened?”

“Landon met up with me, he made me feel all better,” I smiled. “He broke up with my sister and then asked me to the dance.”

“Wait... Landon and Emily were DATING??” Seth’s mouth gaped open. I nodded in response as the three of us walked along the sidewalk. “Damn, I feel sorry for him.”

“I’m glad he’s going with you to the dance,” Lucas smiled. Lucas was also gay and going to the dance with Jackson, his boyfriend since the start of 8th grade.

“He KISSED me!” I squealed. “It was so amazing!”

“Emily’s cute friend asked me to the dance,” Seth blushed. “Honestly she’s super shy, so I wasn’t expecting that...”

“I may or may not have had a role in that,” I smirked.

“You’re the best, dude...” Seth high-fived me.

~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday Nov 20 2021

I was getting ready for the dance in the bathroom I shared with Issac, my sixteen-year-old brother. I buttoned up my plaid dress shirt and tucked it into my khaki pants. I tried to do the bowtie, but was having trouble. “ISAAC!” I called out.

“Ugh... what is it?” Isaac groaned from his room next door. “I’m trying to play Splatoon here...”

“I need help with this stupid bowtie,” I sighed. A minute later, Isaac came into our bathroom and helped me with the bowtie. “D-do I look good?”

“Yeah,” Isaac nodded. “You look great, dude. She’s gonna like it.”

“Um, my date is a he...”

“Oh,” Isaac nodded. “Well, good luck,” he patted my back. “And have fun.”

I left the bathroom and slipped my pear phone into my pocket. I was glad Emily was prevented from going to the dance by the school, as she had gotten in major trouble at school for her homophobic outburst. I wanted to feel bad for her, but she definitely deserved it.

The front doorbell rang, and I excitedly ran down the hall to the foyer to answer it. As expected, Landon was there, in a dress shirt and jeans. I invited him in. “Mom, James, I’m going to the dance with Landon,” I blushed as I introduced my new boyfriend to my parents.

“Nice to meet y’all,” Landon smiled.

“Ethan, I’m so happy for you!” Mom hugged me. “You two make such a cute couple!”

“Mom!!” I whined, slightly embarrassed and blushy. Landon chuckled.

“Ethan,” James smiled. “Thank you for telling us.” I blinked in surprise. I thought James would be a homophobe like Emily.

“You boys want some dinner before you go?” Mom asked. My stomach growled. “I’ll take that as a yes?”

Landon sat down at the table with me. James, Emily, and Isaac soon joined as well. Mom brought over the baked potatoes and pork tenderloin. “Thank you so much for having me for dinner, Ms. Henderson,” Landon smiled.

“You’re always welcome here, Landon,” she put a potato and some meat on his plate.

Emily rolled her eyes. “Mom, can I please eat later?”

“No, sweetie. There’s no reason you can’t stay and eat with our guest.” Emily stood up and left. “Ugh, I’m sorry about her. She’s just upset she can’t go to the dance, I guess... She got suspended earlier this week.”

“Yeah, for being a homophobic bitch...” I said.

“Ethan! Language!” Mom scolded me.

“What? It’s true. She outed me to the whole school.” I explained. Landon nodded in agreement. “That’s how she got in trouble.”

“I will go have a word with her,” James stood up. “I’ll be back.”

Mom hugged me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know that happened. Your sister told me she got suspended for too many tardies.” I chuckled. What a lie that was. Landon sighed.

The rest of dinner went by without problems. Isaac and Landon talked about football stuff and mom got to know my boyfriend a bit better. Pretty soon after we finished eating, Landon and I left to go to the dance with Seth and Lucas and their dates.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hey, I had a really good time tonight,” Landon said to me outside after the dance. Seth’s mom was going to give Seth, Lucas, and I rides home.

“Me too,” I smiled before kissing the shorter teen. “You want to come back to my place and watch movies?”

“I can’t,” Landon said. “I have a curfew of 10:30...”

“Aw, that sucks,” I frowned. “I’ll see you around at school, then,” I blushed.

“Definitely,” Landon planted a kiss on my nose. Landon began his walk home, and I happily walked over to my friends. It had been a perfect night.