30. Crossroads

Nate's POV

I  was walking down the hallway, holding hands with Tom. He said he was  ready to come out, and people seeing us being together like that was the  best way to do it. He not only wanted to show the entire school his  sexuality, but he wanted to 'show me off', as in he wanted to tell other  people not to mess with me, as 'Nate belongs to Tom now'. He said he'd  stop being friends with his group, as just like Billy, he believes  they're all toxic and fake.

I  walked Tom to his class, as I didn't want him to have to walk all the  way to my classroom and then have to go back to his. He, of course,  resisted, saying that he wanted to be a good 'date', as I guess we still  weren't an official couple yet. After Tom kissed me goodbye, I went on  my way. I was stopped in my tracks as I heard a voice behind me calling  my name.

"Nate,"  Billy said, "Nate, wait up. We need to talk." Now he wanted to talk,  after he ditched me like that? He can't leave me alone, can he? I guess  this had its toll on him as much as it's had on me.

I turned around and replied with, "What? What do we need to talk about?"

"I...  I'm sorry for ditching you back there. I shouldn't have done that," he  said. Do I believe his apology to be genuine? I have no idea. Maybe he  just wants to be 'friends' with me for emotional support or something. I  don't think Tom's gonna be happy if we cuddle though. "C-can you...  forgive me? Again?"

Again. How many times are you going to fuck up, and how many times am I going to have to forgive you, Billy?

"...Alright,"  I agreed, "And... I-I'm dating Tom. I know how much he's hurt you, but  there's more to him than his jealousy," I said, not knowing if I  believed that myself. I guess we're gonna have to let time do its thing  and show me the truth. "C-can you look past the fact that I'm now dating  him?"

Billy looked  thoughtful for a moment, wondering if I was going to backstab him like  that and pretend that it's okay from both sides. "I... alright. Just be  careful around Tom, okay? He may appear charming in the first few weeks,  but it's not uncommon for him to cheat on his partners."

"I...", I was shocked. I didn't know how to reply. "I didn't know that, but I guess his former partners were girls?", I asked.

"Yeah."

"Well,  maybe he'll be different this time, considering the fact that I'm a guy  and he's finally come to terms with his sexuality." There was doubt in  my voice. Even I didn't believe what I was saying. Let's just hope this  wasn't going to be a cliché case of 'I can change him,' and then I just  end up ruining myself in the process as I fail miserably.