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Rescue Me
chapter 4

~Benji's POV~

I gaped at Annie for a minute, trying to figure out if she was just messing with me, but that seemed unlikely. After all, it certainly sounded like something that would come out of Robbie's mouth. The kid had a way with words, that much was sure.
"W-what?" I studdered. Did she believe him? A faint smile tugged at the corners of her perfect lips.
"Well, this shouldn't be a surprise to you. he said he used to tell you the same thing every day, but you just got really pissed off at him." She started doodling in her notebook again. I slowly same over to sit next to her, a million questions bubbling in my head. One over-powered all the others, however.
"Do you know where Robbie is?" i asked. His parents refused to tell me (or anyone, for that matter) where they sent their son. They were afraid of the wrong people finding out.
"Yes...But i'm not supposed to say anything. I'll tell Robbie that you asked about him, though." There was a subtle edge of confusion in her voice, something i didn't quite understand.
"Okay..."
"If i ever leave here, Benji, i swear i'll tell you where i go." Rob said slowly, scratching a bug bite on his ankle as we sat in his back yard.
"Sure, sure. And then you'll keep bugging me about stupid nonsense." I felt my eyes roll to the sky and back to him bright eyes.
"I...want you to know where i am. You more than anyone." The look on his face now was clearly discomfort.
"Why me?" I whisper. He blushed and stared as a beetle made it's way across the dirt.
"I would think it was obvious."

I jumped up from bed, willing myself not to recall that moment in Robbie's backyard. My shirt was covered in sweat. I held my head in my hands and, for the first time since Robbie left, allowed a few tears to run down my cheeks. That moment, so perfect, was ruined...by me.

~Annie's pov~

The bus was unusually loud the next day, i realized as i stamped my way up. I noticed benji wasn't sitting with the jocks today, instead sitting in the seat that i sat in yesterday. He smiled shyly when he saw me and patted the seat next to him. I was only faintly aware of the loud gasps coming from the back of the bus. They knew what was about to happen.
"Just so you know," i muttered as i took the seat he offered, "if i sit with you today, your reputation in trampled." benji shrugged indifferently and eyed my clothes curiously.
"IMRU?" he asked. I giggled and pointed to myself.
"I am...are you?" I teased. He blushed and looked out the window. Yup, Robbie was right.
"So, i spoke to Robbie last night about you."
"What did he say?" he sounded worried. I lowered my voice so our conversation would remain private in spite of the curious faces all around us leaning toward us to listen harder.
"He wanted to know if you came out yet...or atleast accepted who you are to yourself. He said until you do, he doesn't want to speak to you." I saw the color leave his face.
"He d-doesn't want to speak to me?" he whispered back in a strained voice. I felt bad about that, so i tried to make him feel better.
"Not exactly. He just wants you to accept who you are, and THEN he'll talk to you. He said he's fed up with the closet jock, and just wants a friend who isn't ashamed of who he is."
"Well," his face turned red abruptly. " Not all of us were raised by pro-gay parents in a pro-gay neighborhood." His anger vanished as soon as he realized what he just admitted to.
"So you ARE gay."
"No, i just-"
"Too bad. You know, all you have to do is admit it and i can give you Robbie's number." I knew this would make him think harder. his eyebrows pulled together in thought for a few minutes, so i turned my head away. The talking in the back was suddenly brought to my attention and i listened to what the stupid jocks were saying.
"Maybe he's just trying to get her to make out with a chick in front of him. Admit it, that would TOTALLY be worth sitting next to her."
I grimaced in dusgust. Of course, making out with a girl is fine, but enjoying it is just wrong, right? Stupid boys.
"Fine." Benji's blunt answer dragged my attention back to his. I looked at him, only to see his face guarded for the first time since we met.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"I'm...I'm gay. please don't say anything to anyone except Rob." His expression was so serious and yet i could see his face crumble as he said the words out loud.
"Of course. Don't worry, it only gets easier once you admit it to yourself." I stood up as we pulled up to the school and Benji sighed with relief.
"Thank you."