What happened?

“Dad I have to tell you something..” Greg looked at his ten year old son. “Is this important Mark? Daddy has work to do.” Mark stared at the floor nervously not knowing where to start. Greg picked up his glass of water carelessly taking a sip. “I’m gay” Greg choked, dropping the glass of water onto the marble floor, not watching it shatter. “Gay? Do you even know what that means? Your ten, you’re not gay.” Mark sighed knowing this would happen. “Yes I do, I know what gay means dad.” Mark stammered frustrated. Greg bent over picking the glass off the floor, one of the pieces sliding into his finger. “We’ll talk later son.” He winced. 1

That was six years ago. Mark bit into his apple. “So what you don’t like soap shows anymore? Not even the famous O.C?” Hailey shrugged her shoulders watching a group of skaters walk past them. “I’m just tired of the drama, you know?” Mark nodded his head in understanding. “I still can’t believe your father thinks you’re straight.” Mark didn’t say anything. The silence between them was making things awkward. “Hi Mark!” Rabbit said smiling cheerfully as he greeted them at the lunch table. “I better go.” Hailey whispered jumping up on her feet and walking off before either of them could say anything. “I think she likes you.” Rabbit mumbled putting his blonde hair behind his ear. Mark frowned. “I don’t know anymore.” “So you up for the movies tonight?” Rabbit asked. Mark thought for a second then patted his friends shoulder. “Sorry homework.” 2

“Hi you’ve reached Hailey’s voicemail-“ Mark hung-up. What’s up with her these days? He wondered to himself, as her dipped his Oreo into his milk. Things were good last year, but after summer things had changed. Hailey had become more distant and closed up. It was like she was hiding something, or scared. Was it her parents divorce? That had to be hard on her. She never even talked about it. He set his Oreos and Milk beside, resting his head on his pillows sleep getting the best of him for the night. 3

“Mom why won’t you just listen-“ Brenda cut her off. “Never talk to me like that, do you hear me!!?” Hailey walked off angrily into her room, slamming the door hard behind her-self. She heard her mom talking to herself in the living room complaining as always. Why did she always have to yell? Hailey reached for the phone then dialing a few numbers. “Hello?” Mark yawned. “Mark I need your help….” Mark sat up in his bed, looking at his clock it was past ten at night. “I’m running away.” Hailey mumbled half sobbing into the phone. “Running away? Why?” Hailey sniffled, locking her bedroom door. “It’s a long story, I’ll explain later. Can you pick me up?” Mark nodded then realizing she couldn’t see him over then phone. “Yes, I’ll be there soon, I promise.” 4

Mark drove his black Honda, going a little over the speed limit. Was what Rabbit said true? Did Hailey like me? She knows I’m gay. He thought to himself. By the time he reached Hailey’s house it had already been twenty minutes. He jumped out of his car, not closing the door. He couldn’t make any loud sounds till at least Hailey was out of the house. He wasn’t about to take any chances. He tiptoed to the side of the house then picking up a rock and tossing it at Hailey’s window. Nothing happened. He tossed another. Still nothing. He grabbed onto the water pipe, slowly climbing up. “Oh my god.” Mark shoved through her bedroom window. Then seeing Hailey curled up in a ball on the floor her face covered in blood. Was she still alive? This couldn’t happen, not to Hailey, not to the girl who still had never kissed a guy. Not to the Christian girl who always said she was saving herself till she found the right guy. He felt her neck for a pulse, slow, but she was still alive. Mark then pulled out his cell phone dialing 911.5

Mark waited in the hospital room, squeezing Hailey’s hand lightly. Her eyelids fluttered. So this is what you’ve been hiding from me. He sighed. “Ma-ark” She whispered sheepishly. “Go to sleep Hailey you need it.” She tightened her hold on his hand. Mark trying not to cry bent over moving her red hair from her face. “Everything’s going to be okay, I promise, I’ll take care of you.” He whispered. Before he knew it she was fast asleep.6

Hailey opened her eyes a few hours later to find Mark gone. Panic took over. Where was he? She sat up looking around the hospital room. Her red hair now almost reached her chest. “It’s okay I was just getting some coffee.” Mark assured her as he stepped back into the room. Hailey layed back down weakly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” She whispered tears filling her eyes. “It’s okay” Hailey blinked. “Where’s my mom?” Mark sighed kissing her cheek. “She’s in jail.” Hailey thought to herself for a second. Not taking her eyes off him. “You saved my life didn’t you?” Mark nodded. “I love you Mark, I always have.” Mark smiled. “ I love you too.” Hailey bit her lip nervously. “No you don’t understand, I really love you.” Mark didn’t say anything. His eyes stared down towards the floor. Hailey got up, wrapping both arms around him. “I love you Mark.” Mark looked up at her. “I’m gay, remember?”7

After that Hailey had to move to Texas to live with her great aunt. Mark quickly walked towards his school locker. “Fag” Some guy from the football team screamed shoving Mark into a nearby locker. Mark ignored him as the guy laughed, walking away. This is life. “What was that about?” Rabbit asked. Hailey had given Jack that nickname since he jumped from subject to subject. Mark shook his head. “The usual.” Rabbit wrapped a friendly arm around his shoulder as they walked. “Who cares if you’re gay?” Mark looked at him as if he wasn’t sure he heard him right. “Do you like Ice cream?” Rabbit asked. “Sure.” Rabbit didn’t say anything. “So Jack Rabbit know any cute guys?” Rabbit itched the side of his head. “I don’t think of guy’s-“ I know.” Mark cut in.8