Unspoken - 1. Secrets Effect

A boy is walking down a road with tears rolling down his face. The street is in the suburbs of a small town with a few lights here and there, it's dark, but the moon isn't quite out yet. There are houses about medium in size, with a variety of cars parked in the driveways. On the sides of the street, a few houses have TVs and lights on, but most of them only have a porch light on. A blue BMW pulls up next to him with the passenger side window down, we see another boy.

"Come on Marc, get in the car, let's go back to my house and we can talk." the boy in the car says.

"No, you don't want to talk, you don't like talking, remember?"

"Please, just get in. We can just sit here and talk, if you still want to go home, I'll drive you there, deal?"

"Fine, but remember, this was your idea, Sage."

Marc gets into the car and closes the door. Sage rolls up the window and pulls over to the right side of the road. The radio is on and tuned into a pop station. Marc wipes his eyes with his left sleeve, still sniffling a bit sitting closer to the door than to Sage. Sage starts to say something then stops, leaving his mouth open and ending up blowing air out of his mouth in a half frustrated sigh.

"I thought you wanted to talk." Marc says quietly, almost like he's feeling defeated.

"I do, I just don't," Sage sighs, "I just don't know what to say."

"You said enough back at the house. You don't like me the same way, even after everything."

A tear rolls down the side of Marc's face.

"I said I didn't know if I do or don't, I just want a little time to figure things out. That didn't mean I wanted you to leave."

"Well I thought it was the better choice. I didn't want to force you to choose and when we're together I can't stop myself from wanting to be close to you."

They both go silent, the song ends and the radio host announces the next song. Sage reaches over and turns off the radio. Marc relaxes into the seat, puts his seat belt on, and looks at Sage with a mixture of pain and affection in his eyes.

"I like being around you Marc, even the cuddling is nice, because it's with you. It's just what if someone finds out and can't keep their mouth shut or somehow we give ourselves away? I don't want to be pegged as the two fags."

Marc cringes at the word fags.

"I don't care if someone finds out, I like you, a lot Sage. If you like me too then great, if not then drive me home and forget about it. I'll just crawl into a dark hole and disappear."

"I don't want to hurt you, but I don't want to be disowned and a social outcast either. I'll drive you home, but don't think I'm saying no."

"Sure."

Sage pulls back onto the road and drives a few blocks, turns left and drives down to the second house on the right and pulls into the driveway of Marc’s house. Marc gets out and walks into his house.

Sage sighs and pulls out driving back home.

"How did this get so screwed up?"

~Twelve hours prior~

Marc and Sage are walking down the hallway of a typical high school, lockers on both sides, other students of varying ages hustling around, getting into lockers, chatting with friends, etc. They stop at their lockers which are only a few away from each others.

Sage says, "So, my parents are going to be gone, again, and I need someone to hang out with for the weekend, want to come over?"

Marc giggles and says, "Sure, as long as there is actually food this time, I don't want to try to cook again."

"Haha, yeah, the freezer is stocked with the necessities, hot pockets, burritos, and pizza rolls. Plus there's snacks and soda galore."

"Sweet, am I riding with you then or do you want to pick me up at my house?"

"I can give you a ride," Marc blushes. "Brett's going home with his girlfriend today."

"Her parents actually trust him enough to let him come over?"

"Haha, yeah, besides he's all talk."

"True." Marc smiles.

The warning bell rings.

Sage says, "See you in English," and smiles walking away.

"See ya," Marc says as a smile lights his face and walks to class.