My Bitterness Re-Write (Chp. 2, part)

The party was already in full swing by the time Devin parked the car amid the other trucks, SUVS, and coups driven by the student body of Walton High. Lydia was dressed to kill –literally, with a spiked choker and matching bracelet with her striped ensemble, while the boys were slightly more conservative.
“So, we’re going to circle around, see if there’s anyone worthwhile, steal some food and drink, and then head back?” Lawrence confirmed.
“Sounds like a plan,” Lydia adjusted her choker. “I can’t wait to see Bradine’s face –she thinks she’s so fuckin’ badass…” She let herself trail off as they stepped throught he side gate towards the party noises. Devin could see Mildred’s parents waching the news on TV through the window –totally oblivious to the destruction of their new pool. The three split up, Lawrence heading toward a group of guys he played football with, Lydia to shove her better outfit in the face of Bradine, and Devin slouched off to get a drink.
The cooler by the picnic table was filled with sodas and beer. He reached into the bottom and came up with a can of Miller. He grimaced, but popped the tab anyway and took a tentative sip. Gross!
“You don’t really like the type to be drinking that.”
Devin turned around to stare at a pretty well toned, chiseled chest. His eyes rose up to an unfamiliar face, water beading down the guy’s cheeks from his damp hair.
“Excuse me?”
“Beer--,” he took the can, taking a drink of it himself. “You don’t look like you like it.”
“I don’t.”
“Then why’d you open it?” Mystery man didn’t return the can.
“Why does it matter?” Devin tilted his head slightly to the side.
“Just curious. You one of Mildred’s friends?”
“Not really.”
“I’m her cousin, Tobey,” he held out his hand. Devin’s eyes shifted from his face to his hand, back to his face. Tobey laughed a little awkwardly, withdrawing the handshake. “You’re cute, you know that?”
“Excuse me?”
“Come with me,” Tobey nodded towards the dark spot along the fence, a little secluded from the people and the noise.
“N-No thanks.”
“C’mon,” Tobey slid up close to him. “I’m a college guy. You can’t say no to me! This a once in a lifetime opportunity.” He tipped Devin’s face up with two fingers. “You know you want to.”
“Want to what?” Devin tried to ignore how smooth Tobey’s chest was as he shoved him away. “Freak. Get off me.”
For a second, he thought he saw a flash of hurt crossing Tobey’s face, but he brushed it off quickly. “Whoa, whoa, Little Man, cool it. I was just joking with you. Shit.” He finished off the beer, crumpling the can before tossing it towards the waste can. It bounced off the rim and onto the ground, but neither one moved to pick it up. “What’s your name?”
He thought about giving a fake name, but then figured Mildred would just identify him later if asked. “Devin.”
“Devin. You go to school with my cousin?”
“Yes.” He was getting irritated with the idle chit-chat. And he was pissed about the beer…
“Hmm, I think I’ve heard about you.” Tobey pondered. “Are you the one they call Sissy? Some incident with a tarantula?”
“No, that’s Lawrence.”
“Ah –you’re the one with the lesbian moms then?”
Devin sighed deeply through his nose, “So?”
“No –that’s cool. What’s what like?”
Devin shrugged, “Like any other family.”
“Is your Dad around?”
“I see him at Christmas. He just got married to some guy a few months ago.”
“So both of your bio-parents are gay?”
“…Yes.”
“Are you?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Just curious. See, from the reaction I can assume you are, but…I take it you’re not out. Weird, given your family situation.
“Are you some kind of psychology student?”
Tobey laughed, “No, no…just trying to get some kind of a read on you is all.”
“Why?:
“I told you –you’re cute. If you’d let me, I’d like to get to know you better. I was a total pig a few minutes ago, I know. Some guys really like that,” he reached up, pulling his fingers through Devin’s hair. “You’re not one of those guys though. Let me redeem myself?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Devin brushed his hand away. “I have to go find my friends.”
“Wait –,” Tobey grabbed his arm, pulling him back. “Can I get your phone number? E-mail? Anything?”
“I don’t think so,” Devin jerked free.
“If you don’t give it to me yourself, I’ll just make Mildred’s life miserable until she gets it for me.” Tobey warned.
“Good luck with that,” Devin called over his shoulder. He scooped up two cokes and bee-lined for Lawrence, who had been watching the exchange curiously from his spot at the edge of the fence.
“Who was that?” Lawrence took the can from him, popping the tab.
“I don’t know; Mildred’s cousin.”
“Oh. Tobey?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“He used to play football. Graduated two years ago.” Lawrence took a sip. “You should probably stay away from him. People already think you’re gay, ‘cause of your moms.”
Devin didn’t even bother trying to hold it back, “I really wish people would stop adding the S to the end of that –I have one mother and Faye.”
“Okay, okay, sorry.”
“And so what if I am gay? What the fuck is your problem with gay people? You’ve known gay people you’re entire fucking life, but every since Ray came out, you’re the biggest fuckin’ homophobe in the world. Fuck you, Lawrence Clements.” Devin set his still un-opened can on the nearby table and turned to stride towards the exit.
“Dev?” Lydia tried to catch him as he moved past her, but didn’t quite make it. She stomped after him in her boots, out of the gate, leaving Lawrence gape-mouthed with his coke.
“What do you want, Lydia?” Devin sighed as she slid into the passenger seat next to him.
“What the hell just happened?”
“Nothing. He just pisses me off.
“Sissy pisses everyone of.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m just sick of his stupid attitude.”
“I saw you talking to Tobey…” Lydia encroached tentatively. “He’s cute.”
“He’s gay.”
“I know.”
“Don’t fuck start in too.”
“Dude, I’ve been one of your best friends since pre-K. You can’t hide anything from me! I’ve known since we were eight that you were a little different. Lawrence is just a fucking retard if he doesn’t see it.”
Devin slid his hands up the steering wheel cover, looking out across the parked cars. “I don’t care what other people think about me, Lydia, but…Sissy is my best friend.”
“I know.”
“I can’t just tell everyone but him.”
“You can’t let one person hold you back either,” Lydia pointed out.
“Shit.” He sighed, closing his eyes and shifting down in his seat. “I hate this.”
“I know,” she reached over to pat his knee, “but you will feel so much better when you aren’t hiding yourself anymore. I’m not saying that it isn’t going to suck, but getting to be yourself is going to be so worth it in the end. Plus, Tobey is totally hot.”
“Yeah, he’s cute.”
“And I think he liked you.”
“Yeah, the bulge in his shorts was pretty obvious.” The both of them broke into laughter, releasing the tension in the car.
“C’mon, lets go back in,” Lydia tugged on his sleeve.
“You go ahead, I’m going to sit here for a minute,” he waved her on.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, really,” he gave her a brave sort of smile which she returned before getting out of the passenger seat. He waited until he saw her slip back through the side gate to the party before reaching for the box of old-school razorblades he kept in the glove box.