What Does It All Mean?
#7 of New Kid
Part Seven: What Does It All Mean?
Chapter notes: Will put something here later
Art was difficult this day for me. All I could focus on was sketching out otters in artistic poses. Thankfully the way the class worked was that the teacher didn't really teach but a few things and then left us to work on the project assigned. I merely sketched a few feral otters playing around through class before it was time to get to my last class.
Psychology went rather quickly as well as art had. Jarrod was still no where to be seen and I was just glad that I wouldn't have to deal with him for awhile. I was still thinking over the events of the day when the bell rang and I got my stuff together and then went to meet Matt and drove back to my home.
We drove along silently for a few minutes before I remembered what I'd seen today. I decided to ask a few questions of Matt to confirm my suspicions. "Hey, Matt... What do you know about Jarrod's family?"
He suddenly looked over at me and then looked up as if he was thinking for a moment before answering. "Hmm... well, he's the son of Mr. Mitch Oswald, he owns a bunch of building contracts so they're a pretty well off family, they've lived here since Jarrod was really young, his dad's a pretty nice dude but can be hardcore at times I've heard. As for his mother..." he just looked at me and shrugged, "I heard she died from complications while giving birth to him so I don't know anything else and no one really knows that much about his family, he's pretty touchy on that subject. Why do you ask though?"
I thought this little bit of information over for a minute while we got close to my house, "Hmm... I think I found something out about him from our fight today, but it's not really important."
Matt tilted his head but didn't pursue the subject as we pulled into the driveway and got out. I unlocked the door and we went in and did the same thing we had done yesterday and a few minutes later we were both comfortable and watching T.V. while doing some homework.
Matt was studying for the quiz in anatomy we were having tomorrow and I was working on my art project. After awhile of studying Matt decided that he was good to go and sat down to watch some T.V. again. I was still working on my sketch for the beach scene and the playful otters when Matt got up and sat beside me to watch what I was doing.
"You know you're a really good artist... but what's this supposed to be?" He was referring to the sketches of the beach I was working on and I told him I was supposed to draw a tranquil scene for my art class and I was just trying to get an idea of what it should look like.
"I just wish I had a reference to work with, it's easier to work on when you can see the image in front of you, ya know?" I put down my paper and looked over at him and he nodded his head and looked up in the air again like he was thinking.
"Ya know..." But before he could finish his thought we heard the door open and someone come in.
"HONEY I'M HOME!" My dad walked in, and after putting down his stuff and kicking off his work shoes, he joining us in our living area. "Ahh... another humble visit from young Matthew huh...? Hmm...?" He gave me one of his smirks and I just rolled my eyes. "So you two have a good day today? Do anything interesting...?"
I swear if he wasn't my father I would have killed him right there from that comment, but instead I thought I'd just tell him the truth. "Yes actually, I did. I beat up a rhino, a hyena, a griffin, and a puma today when they came up to us today and the rhino hit Matt. Then I took a nap at school, I worked on a poem for Matt, and worked on an art assignment. How about you?"
My dad looked at me a little wide eyed and then smiled gently, "Way to go son, sounds like you've finally found out if you can protect someone..." He looked at me warmly and then gave me a small smirk as he looked from me to Matt and back to me. "Anything else I should know about, now?"
I just chuckled and looked at my dad straight in the eye, "Yes dad... I found out that Matt does like me..." Matt looked over at me like he'd just seen a ghost and then looked back at my dad even more afraid. I took a hold of his paw and gave it a gentle squeeze and gave him a warm reassuring smile, "Its ok, my dad knows about me, and he won't tell anyone either about you so don't worry."
Matt returned the squeeze and I looked back at my dad who was grinning ear to ear, "but we're going to take things slow and just get a feel for things, but regardless we're going to always be friends."
My dad nodded and we continued to talk about the fight and what happened and he said that we shouldn't have anything to worry about since even if they tried to report it that I fought back in self defense. As we were talking I noticed that Matt seemed to be thinking about things. After we had stopped talking Matt spoke up and looked at my dad.
"Um... Mr. Thomson?"
My dad looked up at him as he waited for Matt to go on. Matt took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he went on, "I humbly ask permission to take you son out for a while not on a date or anything but just to this one area I'd like to show him, if that's alright, sir."
My dad and I both looked at him weirdly and my dad just burst out laughing while I was feeling a tad bit insulted. He was asking permission from my dad and not from me first, but I suppressed my anger at reminding myself that he's still new to this all.
Once my dad calmed down he gave me permission to go and Matt smiled and told me to bring my sketches and pencils with me. We slipped on our shoes and went out to his car and drove off.
"Okay.... What was that all about now...?" I asked looking at him a bit meanly, "Why'd you ask my dad if you could take me somewhere and not me first. And what was up with how you asked?"
He lowered his ears and kept his eyes forward as he spoke, "I-I-I just thought that it would be a nice gesture. I mean I was going to ask you but I wanted your dad's permission too, like so he knew I wouldn't try anything and was a good guy..." he sighed and looked over at me for a moment, "I'm sorry, I just don't know how to... ask a guy out you know...?"
I chuckled and rolled my eyes, "I can see we've got a lot to talk about sometime..."
He nodded his head and said a bit melancholy, "Ok deal... but for now close your eyes and keep them closed, I want this to be a surprise. That is if it's ok with you?"
I nodded and closed my eyes and took a deep breath through my nose to see if I could figure out where we were going when I felt something on my nose, "nose plugs for swimming... I said surprise and I wanna keep it that way." I chuckled, Matt might have been a bit shy, insecure, and timid, but he wasn't a fool and I respected that.
I kept my eyes closed until we pulled off an area and Matt got out and lead me around. I carried my stuff and after a few minutes of walking he took off the nose plugs and I sniffed the area smelling the ocean and plants all around us.
I slowly opened my eyes and gave a slow whistle and looked around the area. We were on top of a grassy cliff that was about 20 feet high that you could easily climb down if you were careful and was over looking a beach that sloped up to a small forest on the side of the road. I saw that this was far from the road and off the beaten path so it was unlikely many knew about this place. It had various trees all around and the grass was getting green. The sun was setting in the west and was giving everything in the area a soft golden glow. I took in the entire area slowly and admired the soft beauty of it all before I could even formulate any words.
"Whoa... Matt... this place is beautiful..." I turned around to face the smiling otter with his paws in his pockets and smiled back at him, "How'd you find this place?"
He moved over and sat on the ground motioning for me to do the same as he explained. "I was just driving around one day and got out and started exploring and found this spot. I don't think many people know about it so it's a good place to come for some peace. This the kind of area and image you needed?"
I sat down and nodded, "Yeah this place is perfect... it's beautiful..." I tried drawing out a rough sketch of what I saw while I had the chance. While I was looking around and making some simple designs and symbols of how things would look I noticed that Matt had grown real quiet and was looking off over the sea looking a bit sad.
"Hmm? You ok buddy?" I put a paw on his shoulder for him to look at me and he just sighed and looked back over at me.
"Yeah... It's just...just... I don't know how to be gay or anything... I mean, there's this Dalmatian that's gay and he acts really flamie, he walks weird and talks with a lisp and all that... And am I going to be like that? Is that what it means to be gay? Do I have to be like that now?" He pulled his legs up to his chest and sighed as he looked over the ocean.
"You really are clueless about this aren't you...?" Matt looked over at me and I gave him a warm reassuring smile. "I'll tell you what it means to be gay. It means that you have a preference towards someone of the same gender... That's it. You don't have to be a flamer, butch, or any other kind of stereotype...," I pulled Matt to me and ruffled his hair playfully and held him next to me for a moment, "All you have to be... is yourself. I like you Matt, you're a good kid and a good friend and I like who you are so far. Being gay just means that you like guys, nothing more nothing less; is doesn't mean you're a pedophile or are some sex crazed creature... it just means that you're a guy who likes guys instead of girls...," I smiled and nosed him playfully, "You understand what I'm trying to say, Matthew?"
He nodded, "I guess I do... I just... I never had any idea what it meant to be like this, so the only thing I did know was something I didn't like so I grew to resent myself for it even though I couldn't completely suppress myself... as I guess you saw," he chuckles and leaned against me. "I just was confused, but I guess with you around you can help me and maybe help me to be brave like you."
I was surprised to hear him say that. I had never thought of myself as brave, just bull-headed and that often got me in more trouble than being brave would have. I told him this and he nuzzled me softly and said that that wasn't true and that it took a very brave fur to do all that I had done for him, protecting him and helping him so much like I had.
I sighed though, "When I saw you fall like that... I thought back to when had happened to my brother and me that one time. I wasn't able to do much then, and I didn't want that to ever happen again... I was scarred that you had been hurt and that just... Unlocked something in me... I'm not really brave, just protective...," I blushed and smiled softly as we leaned together and watched the scenery.
"Ok now it's my turn to explain something to you...," I looked up at Matt as he went on, "You're very protective and were willing to put yourself in harm's way to keep me safe. I'm not sure what many would call that but I'd call it brave."
I smiled and wrapped an arm around him and thanked him as he wrapped his around me and we sat and watched the scene start to take on an orange like glow as the afternoon sun started to set.
Matt got up and stretched before offering me a paw and helping me up next to him, "Well... I better get you home. Your dad will probably kill me if I get you home late."
I just scoffed, "Please... The first thing he'll say when we get there is..."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"I hoped you two used a condom!" And with that my dad stood outside our front door and laughed good and heartily.
I looked over at Matt and smirked at how embarrassed he looked, "Told you..." I knew my dad would make a joke about this sort of thing and once again I was proven right all to soon.
My dad saw though the look on Matt's face and the anger I had on mine, "Ehh... I'm just kidding no worries... Zeke, I got us some pizza so say goodbye to your... whatever he is now and come inside."
I rolled my eyes and walked up to the door with Matt who had calmed down some now. When we got to the door I turned and smiled at him, "You know you're real cute when you blush..., and I was thinking... Maybe... we could go see a movie tomorrow, I hear that new action flick is pretty cool and their's a comedy I wouldn't mind watching."
He smiled and nodded to me, "Sounds good, but..."
I looked up at him funny, " But...?"
"But wouldn't a romance be better for... you know... a date?" He chuckled embarrassed looking at me with a smile and I gave him a smirk.
"I don't care much for romance movies, and besides a horror movie is better for a first date," I folded my arms over my chest and smiled, but he gave me a confused look that just made me smile. "I've got so much to teach you... but for now, you should get on home... Oh, and I'd like my clothes back sometime in the future please." He smiled and before he could say anything else I leaned up to his 6 foot plus body and gave him a soft kiss on the lips before rubbing my paw across his muzzle and smiling to him. "Have a safe trip home Matt, and I'll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams."
He smiled and got in his car and drove off giving me a wave before he drove out of sight. I went inside to find my dad reclining with a plate of pizza in his lap and a plate for me. I took off my jacket and hung it up. "How'd it really go between you two now, pup?"
"We went to this nice spot near a beach; he wanted to show it to me to help with my art project."
My dad and I talked for awhile and about random things, and before long it was getting late so I headed off to bed. My dad kissed me on the head good night (I wasn't lying about coming from an open family and my dad still did kiss my forehead and cheek from time to time like I said) and I headed up to my room.
Once inside I took off my shirt, shoes, socks and pants before I laid back on my bed for a moment. I looked up at my ceiling and thought about all that had happened today. I'd gotten into a fight, protected a dear friend, helped him come to terms with himself, and perhaps even found myself a suitable boyfriend. I'd also found out a bit about Jarrod that could prove useful and hoped that I could use that to get a clean start with him. If what I thought was true then I knew why he was such a bully and punk to everyone and why he had this overwhelming need to prove himself.
I got up from my bed and went to brush my teeth as I thought about tomorrow and double checked the things I'd done to make sure I was prepared. I'd finished my poem, my homework, could start on my project at last, and done all that I was supposed to do, but deep down I just couldn't help but worry about Jarrod. I knew we were going to have to face off at some point and settle things, but I just didn't know what to do to keep things from getting out of hand and one of us getting hurt. I spit out the toothpaste and rinsed as I thought about what I'd do. I kept running countless scenarios around in my head until I just couldn't think anymore. I finished up in the bathroom and went back to my room.
What really concerned me was what would happen if Matt got hurt because of this thing between Jarrod and me. If all went well I could settle this without violence and I was seriously hopping that would be the case. I laid down and looked up at my ceiling and decided to just let it go for now, I had better things to think about for once.
I let my mind drift to thoughts of Matt and I smiled to myself as I imagined what it would be like to hold him next to me. I'd run my claws gently through his fur just slightly touching the skin as he nuzzled into my chest. I squirmed around getting under my blanket and took a deep whiff. I could smell his scent still in my bed. He smelled a bit humid and salty like the ocean and that mixed with his natural musky scent. It was such a good smell and I just rubbed my nose all around the sheets to get it all in. I smiled and curled up in bed smiling as his scent continued to fill my nose and slowly drifted off to sleep.
That night I had happy warm dreams, and when I woke up I just smiled as I curled up in the blankets. I felt like a pup again and was so at peace with things that I could tell this day was going to be a good one. I got up took my shower, singing and whistling the whole time, got groomed and ready, ate breakfast and headed off to school with all my stuff.
When I got there I finally got to see my homeroom and that's when things took a sudden turn. There sitting in the back off by himself, and surprisingly reading a novel of some sort, was Jarrod. He didn't notice me at first and so I just went to sit next to him. When he noticed someone near him, he looked over and saw me sit down next to him. He growled softly just loud enough for me to hear and shot me a glare.
"What do you want, freak?!" I could tell that this was going to not go well if I didn't do things right.
"I just wanted to call peace, a truce, a bargain, whatever you want to call it... I don't want to have to put up with you for the rest of the time I'm hear so I just want to know if you'll just either leave me alone or let me start over and be your friend and..."
"Friend?! Why would I want to be friends with a punk ass tail-dragger like you?" He practically spit that slur out at me but I ignored it.
I leaned in closer to him, looked him square in the eyes, and said in an unwavering voice, "Would your mother approve of you saying such a slur?"
He got this look on his face, and you could almost see the color flush from his face, "W-what do you know about my mom?! Who told you what!?"
He was pale and anxious, I could tell that my suspicions where true about him, "No one told me anything... I could tell by your scent, your actions, your movements, what little people know about your family, and a few other things I guess. Anyway..."
He growled and gave me a murderous look, "So now you're going to blackmail me?! You no good son-of-a-"
"Ehh!" I held up a finger silencing him and smiling to myself at how wrong his comment would have been had I allowed him to say it. I smiled sincerely though and went on with what I had to say, "I ain't gonna blackmail you... Like I said, I just want to start over with you, wipe the slate clean, maybe be friends... I know what you must be going through and maybe I can help you deal with it."
He sighed and looked at me beaten, "What makes you think you can help me, when so many others would just as soon kill me as look as me?"
I smiled and gave him a pat on the back, "Because I don't judge and I think you're only a jerk, no offense, because of what you are. I want to help you and think that I can help you too... but maybe we shouldn't talk here..." I got out a piece of paper and a pencil and wrote down my cell phone number and address before I gave it to him. "If you want to talk sometime about this call me and I'll set up a time and place to meet and we can talk alright? If you want you can even come to my place and talk about things for awhile."
He took the paper and put it in his pocket and gave a soft chuckle and a smirk, "Heh... Guess you ain't such a freak after all..." He rubbed the back of his head and looked away for a second before turning back to me and mumbling softly to me, "S-sorry about attacking you and Matt yesterday. I ain't really that bad a guy, I just gotta image I have to keep around my so called friends..."
I nodded and told him I understood. I sat down and listened to him talk for a few minutes about a few random things before the bell rang. He told me before we left that he was sorry for being a jerk and that this could be the start of something good. I nodded and he went off to our first period class.
I got the chance to walk outside on my way to class and looked up and the sky, it was pretty cloudy and slightly windy this morning. My kind of day, and tonight I had a movie date with Matt. I sighed happily and whistled as I walked to class. Today was going to be a good day, I'd miraculously made peace with Jarrod, and I had a date tonight, things were going my way at last. I finally felt at peace with the world around me, but only time would tell if it would stay that way and for how long it would last.