Worthington Manor - 15. Chapter 15

He sat down right next to her and stayed silent for a few moments, but then opened up.

“Mom, I know that this looks really bad, but I love Luke, I really do.” said Justin
“Then you should be with the one you love, Justin. Don’t drag Hunter along; you’ll only cause unwanted damage.” said Julia
“I know, and as soon as he gets back I will tell him.”
“Tell me; how do you expect to live with him, knowing that you’ve done this to him? Because I tell you one thing, I’m not firing John.” said Julia
“We’ll manage.” said Justin
“Mom, I’m sorry.”
“I’m not the one that you should be apologizing to.”

A few days later, on Saturday, Hunter and his father arrived back home. Hunter hadn’t even settled in yet and Justin confronted him. Hunter wrapped his arms around Justin’s neck and kissed him, but Justin pushed away. Hunter looked back at Justin with a puzzled look.

“What’s wrong?” asked Hunter
“I need to talk to you; privately.” said Justin
“What’s happened?”

Justin took himself and Hunter to Hunter’s room.

“What did you need to talk about?” asked Hunter
“You know that one day, at school, when you hadn’t seen me at lunch and I told you that I was with a teacher?” asked Justin
“Yeah, why?” asked Hunter
“Well, I wasn’t with a teacher. I was with Luke, in the back alley behind the school.”
“What were you doing?”
“He was confessing his love for me.”
“What” he said in a laugh.
“He confessed to me that he loved me.”
“I heard you the first time. What did you say to him? You told him that you weren’t available, right?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“What are you saying?” asked Hunter
“I’m saying that I’ve been sleeping with Luke. I’m saying that I love Luke and I he’s the one that I want to be with.” said Justin

Tears swelled up into Hunter’s eyes.

“I’m sorry.”
“Just Leave!” Hunter yelled underneath his tears.

Justin quietly left the room and headed to his own. He felt sad, but not sad enough to cry. He was even less attached to Hunter than he thought. This was yet another confirmation that he made the right choice, and Luke is the one that he loves. He sat on his bed and got out his cell phone. He dialed Luke’s number.

“Hey Luke”
“Hey Justin; what happened?”
“I had to break up with Hunter today.” said Justin
“What did you do that for?”
“One, because I love you and not him; two, because of my mother.”
“Well, I hope you don’t expect me to break up with Jessica.” said Luke
“Well, I know the circumstances of why you can’t, but I have to say that it’s not fair to her if you don’t tell her the truth.”
“I know, and I will when I’m ready.”

Hunter and Justin hadn’t talked for the rest the day, and then the next day, Justin went off to Mikey’s to think. He walked into the diner to find Luke making out with Jessica and making love faces with her. Justin practically fell to the floor. He didn’t think that it was going to be this hard to see Luke and Jessica together.
He tried to avoid them, but Jessica saw him and called to him. Luke stopped her, but Justin ignored her anyway. Justin walked to a booth that was very much isolated. He ordered a soda, and kept to himself. He didn’t want to face anyone, especially not Luke or Jessica.

“What is up with you? Why are you so hostel towards Justin? I thought you two were friends?” asked Jessica after he stopped her from calling him.

Luke didn’t answer. So, she turned to Noah.

“Noah, can you please talk to your friend? I’m going to go talk to Justin.” said Jessica

Luke tried to stop her, but she had her mind made up. Noah dragged Luke outside to talk.

“What in the hell is up with you man? Why are you treating your girlfriend like shit?” asked Noah
“I can’t tell you.” said Luke
“Can’t tell me? That’s crazy, I’m your best friend, of course you can tell me. You can tell me anything.” said Noah

Luke was going through the situation in his head, trying to figure out if he should tell Noah or not. After about a minute, he decided to tell him. He figured that Noah was his vest friend and would understand.

“If I agree to tell you, you have to first promise me that you won’t tell a living soul.” said Luke
“Of course I wouldn’t, Luke.” said Noah
“The only time that I ever treat Jessica like that is when she wants to hang out with Justin.”
“Why? It’s not like he’s going to try and steal her from you.” said Noah
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then what; you don’t have a problem with him being gay do you?”
“No”
“Then what in the hell is it, Luke? I don’t like to play twenty questions.” said Noah
“I’m having an affair with Justin.”
“Ha, ha, ha; that’s funny. You’re funny, Luke. Now tell me the real reason.” laughed Noah
“Noah that is the real reason. I’m sleeping with Justin.”

Noah looked at him with a face of shock and disgust meshed into one. He said nothing. He paced around, sliding his hand through his slightly ear length black hair.

Jessica walked up to the booth that Justin was sitting in and sat across from him. He looked up at her and then back down to take a drink of his soda.

“So are you going to tell me why you and Luke are avoiding each other or am I going to have to beat it out of you?” asked Jessica
“Jessica, I honestly have no idea why Luke is avoiding me.” said Justin
“Well, it’s not just Luke. You’re avoiding him also.”
“I just want to be alone right now.”
“Why? What happened?” asked Jessica
“Hunter and I just broke up yesterday and I just want to be alone.”
“Oh no, I’m so sorry. Does Luke know?”
“Yeah, that’s probably why he’s avoiding me. He probably knows that I need my space.”
“But this has being going on longer than just today. I want answers.”

***Back to Luke and Noah***

“Are going to say anything?” asked Luke
“What does someone say when their best friend tells them that they have been having sex with another guy?” asked Noah
“That they won’t tell anyone” said Luke
“I really am disgusted with you, Luke.”
“What?” asked Luke in a shaky, sad voice.
“Are you gay?”
“Y-Yes”

Luke was in a light tear session.

“Well, I want you to know that that isn’t why I’m disgusted with you.”
“It isn’t?”
“No. I’m disgusted that you couldn’t admit it and instead you go out with a great girl like Jessica and break her heart, because you know that that’s what you’re going to do when she finds out.”
“I know, but I wasn’t ready to come out, so I couldn’t tell her the truth.”
“Wasn’t? Does that mean you are now?”
“No, I’m still not ready Noah, so you can’t tell anyone.” said Luke
“Of course I won’t, I don’t like it, but I cherish our relationship to much.” said Noah.

***Back to Jessica and Justin***

“Jessica, you’re going to have to Luke about all of this stuff. I really do not feel like talking right now.”
“I’m just trying to figure this out. I don’t want you to be friendless in this town.” said Jessica
“Jessica, I’m not a retard, I can make my own friends.”
“I didn’t mean it like that Justin. I’m sorry, I’m just trying to help.” said Jessica
“Well don’t. I’m fine.” said Justin

Jessica left Justin alone as just as she was leaving the booth, Luke and Noah walked back into the diner. Luke and Jessica quickly made up and Justin left as soon as he spotted them kissing once again. Luke heard the door slam and looked up and saw Justin walking away outside and guilt built up inside of him.
He was looking away, but Jessica quickly brought him back to kissing her. Noah looked at the two of them in disgust and left the diner also. He also slammed the door. This time Jessica looked back.

“What is up with everyone today?”
“Who cares?” asked Luke and brought her back to kissing.

Although he did not enjoy kissing Jessica as much as he loved kissing Justin, Luke knew that he had to keep up appearances in order to keep her from suspecting. He then looked out the window and saw Trey’s car and got an idea. He should go and see how Justin is doing. He most likely went home, so he should ask Trey to give him a ride to Justin’s house.
But what if Hunter was there? He didn’t know if he could face Hunter. Nonetheless, he knew that he had to go see how Justin was doing or else the guilt was going to eat him up. He had to make a decision and make it fast. Of course it was no contest between Jessica and Justin, Justin always came first, but his only obstacle was Hunter.

“You know what, I see Trey’s car parked across the street and it reminded me that I have a project due on tomorrow. So, I’d better go.”
“Okay Hun, see you tomorrow at school.” said Jessica in a loving tone.

Luke ran out of the diner to try and catch Trey before he drove off. Trey happily took him to Justin’s house. Luke rang the doorbell and Julia, Justin’s mother, answered the door. She gave him a look as if she wanted to kill him.

“He-Hello ma’am, is Justin home?”
“Yes, but I don’t think that you should be here; just out of respect for Hunter.” said Julia
“Ma’am, I know that you don’t like you very much, but things weren’t so good the last time I saw Justin, and I just want to know if he’s okay.”
“You have ten minutes and then you’re gone. We have some family business to take care of.” said Julia
“Yes ma’am.”

Julia got out of the doorway and Luke walked in and straight up to Justin’s room. He was sitting at his desk, writing his notebook.

“You never go a day without writing in that thing do you?”

Justin stopped writing, closed the book and turned his char toward Luke.

“What are you doing here? Why aren’t you with Jessica, making out?” asked Justin
“I’m sorry Justin.”
“Sorry! Do have any idea how much it hurts to see you with her; kissing her, touching her, her touching you?” asked Justin
“Yeah, that’s how I felt when I saw you with Hunter.” said Luke
“I want to be the one kissing you and touching you.”

Luke waited a few seconds and then spoke again.

“Justin, you know what I think of as I’m kissing her and as she’s touching me?” asked Luke
“What?”
“I imagine that it’s you that I’m kissing. I imagine that it’s you touching me. You have to know that the only one that I think of is you.”
“That’s not going to make the pain of seeing you with her go away. In fact, it might make it even worse.”
“How”
“It makes it worse thinking that you would rather be with me and that you’re too chicken to admit it or maybe you are embarrassed to be with me.” said Justin.
“You know that that’s not it. I’m just not ready to be an out gay.” said Luke
“I don’t see what’s so difficult.”
“I didn’t have anyone when I came out, but you have me to lean on. If anything it should be easier for you.”
“It’s not as easy as you think.”
“I know it’s not, but I think that you should at least make an effort.”
“I’m willing to admit it to you and to Trey and now to Noah.”
“Wait, you told Noah?” asked Justin
“Yeah, I did.” said Luke
“What did he say?”
“He said what everyone else said. He said that we need to tell Jessica.” said Luke
“Well, okay then.”
“Well, I need to go. Your mom gave me ten minutes.” said Luke
“Okay well, see you tomorrow at school.”

They pecked on the lips and Luke left. As soon as Julia made sure that Luke was gone, she called all of her kids to the living room.

“What’s this about mom?” asked Kevin
“Well, Mark and I have decided to take in a foreign exchange student from England.”
“What that’s so cool!” yelled Justin
“Are you crazy? This is totally not the time for that.” said Kevin
“Really, because I think that this is just what we need.” said Julia
“Well, I think it’s a horrible idea.” said Kevin
“Well that’s too bad because he’s arriving in about an hour.” said Mark
“What!” yelled Kevin
“Me and your mom thought it would make a nice surprise.” said Mark

Justin was so excited that he paced in his room, waiting for an hour to go by. Then, sure enough, about fifty-five minutes later, the doorbell rang. Justin came barging out of his room and ran down the stairs with Ashley and David right behind him.

“Kids this is Craig Baker and he’s going to be staying with us for the next two years.” said Julia
“Hey, I’m Justin.” said Justin stretching out his arm.
“Craig, a pleasure”

Justin loved his accent. It was smooth and so sophisticating.

“This is my little brother David and my younger sister Ashley.”
“David, Ashley; you alright?” Craig greeted them,
“Why wouldn’t be alright?” asked Ashley
“Oh no, you must forgive me. In England that’s a greetin’, the same as hello. Even though we say it as a question, it’s just a simple greetin’, which is usually returned with yeah.” said Craig
“Oh cool.” said Justin. “Let me get some of your bags, your room is right next to mine.”
“Ah, cheers mate.”
“What?” asked Justin
“Thank you.” said Craig

Justin led him to the room and set his bags down on the bed.

“I hope you like it.”
“It’s brilliant, thanks.”
“You can decorate it however you like. You’re going to be staying with us for a while so you might as well make it homey.” said Justin
“Yeah, this’ll do just fine.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, how old are you?” asked Justin
“I’m sixteen.”
“Cool”
“Oy! Do you have a tele?”
“A What”
“I would really love to see American Football.”
“Well, the game’s been over for quite a while. I’m sorry.”
“That alright”
“Well, I’ll leave you alone.”
“No don’t leave.”
“Well, I just figured you would want to get unpacked.”
“Yeah, but later; what I really want to do is get to know ya.” said Craig

Justin shut the door and then walked into the room.

“What do ya want to know?”
“Well, do ya have a bird?” asked Craig
“No, I hate feathers?”

Justin thought that that was a really strange question.

“No, you silly, a girlfriend.” said Craig
“No, actually I have a boyfriend.”
“Oh so ya gay. That’s great, me too.” said Craig
“Really! How awesome is this?” asked Justin
“How about mates? You gotta lotta mates?”
“You mean friends?” asked Justin
“Yeah, sorry; I’m still getting used to the language.”
“No it’s okay. It’ll take me a while but I can learn the little sayings. But to answer your question, no I don’t really have a lot of mates. We just moved here so I haven’t really had the chance.” said Justin.
“Well things will look up mate, now that I’m here. So, what about this boyfriend; give me the dirt.”
“Well, this is sort of complicated.”
“How complicated” asked Craig
“Well, I had a boyfriend. He actually lived in this house. He’s the gardener’s son. Anyway, I wasn’t really as into him that I thought it was and I ended up falling love with a friend of mine, only to find out that he was in love with me too. I started to sleep with Luke behind Hunter’s back.”
“Bloody hell; you did the dirty on your boyfriend.” said Craig
“Yeah, I feel really bad about it, but Hunter knows the truth now and I’m almost entirely free to be with Luke, the one that I love.”
“What do you mean, almost?” asked Craig
“Well, he’s not really exactly ready to come out and he has a girlfriend.”
“This is straight out of a tele program.”
“I know, it’s a very sticky situation, but I can handle it. Listen, why don’t I let you settle in?”
“Yeah, but come ‘round later. We could have a chat.” said Craig
“Okay”