life as we know it 5

A week had past and Jaycee and Nicole were still not friends. "How long have you guys been like this?" Natalie asked. Jaycee shrugged. "A week." She said. Kendal frowned. "That sucks," she said, "'cause I know you guys have been best friends since kindergarten." Jaycee frowned. "I don't wanna have to choose between my boyfriend and my best friend. Why can't I have both?" she asked. They looked over and saw Nicole flirting with all these guys. "Something tells me that she's moved on." Jaycee frowned.
Since Riley and Zane talk at LGBT seminars, Carsyn and Jaycee usually go to give support. Carsyn sat with Jaycee and saw Manuel come in and sit down next to another person. As they talked, Riley invited anyone to stand up and share a story. Manuel stood up and people looked at him. "Hi," he said with a week smile, "I'm Manny. Recently I found out that I was gay, but not a lot of people are… accepting. There's a kid I was friends with who grew up in a homophobic setting and… doesn't like me anymore because of it. I also tried to tell my dad and… he kicked me out. You know, sometimes I feel like… I'm alone." He said. Zane nodded. "It's very normal to feel that way when you first realize that you're gay. You might be in denile or scared. Just remember that you're not alone and there are people that will be there for you. Whether they're straight or gay." Manny smiled and sat down. The meeting lasted for another hour or so.
Afterwards, Carsyn saw Manny talking to another guy. "There's gonna be an LGBT mixer next Friday. You should come. It'd be a good experience." Manuel smiled. "Okay." He said shyly. The boy had black hair and brown eyes. He resembled Carsyn in a way. The boy smiled at him and walked away. "So," Carsyn said walking over to him, "you meet someone?" he asked with a light chuckle. Manuel smiled. "Yeah. He's gay, so I'd like to call that progress." Carsyn nodded. "Well, I'd better get going. See you at football on Monday." He smiled.
That Saturday the family went to see Riley's football game. It was the last game of the year and if they won, they'd be champions. By the fourth quarter they were tied 30 to 30. Riley had the ball and made a quick decision to make a run for the touchdown line. One by one the defenders dropped like flies. Riley scored the winning touchdown as the whistle blew. They won, 37 to 30. The crowd cheered as the team celebrated. Zane ran over to him and wrapped his arms around him. Riley pressed his lips against Zane's. Photographers took pictures of the team and Riley's family.
Later that week, Jaycee's friends flipped through a magazine. "You know your family's the front cover of this magazine, right?" Aaron asked. "Really?" Jaycee asked. She looked over and saw all these pictures. "That's pretty cool." Aaron smiled. Aaron kissed her on the cheek. "How are you holding up about the whole Nicole thing?" he asked as they walked to class. "She's going back to old habits. Hitting on guys and I wouldn't be surprised if she got intimate with any of them." She said. "Has that happened before?" he asked. Jaycee nodded. "Unfortunately," she said with a frown. Aaron frowned. "What if she tries something?" she asked. Aaron looked at her and smiled weakly. "Don't worry," he said as he wrapped his arm around her, "I'm not letting her get in the middle of us. I like you too much." Jaycee smiled at him. "And you know something else?" Aaron asked. Jaycee looked up at him. "What?" she asked. Aaron smiled. "I would never cheat on you. Not for her, not for anyone."
After winning their football game, Carsyn saw Manuel talking to the guy and then walked up to Carsyn. "How's your boyfriend?" he asked. He laughed as he playfully shoved him. Manny smiled. "We're just friends." He said. Carsyn shook his head. "I don't know," he said, "you guys seem pretty into each other." Manuel laughed. "Well," he said looking back at him, "I am hanging out with him after school." Carsyn slapped his shoulder. "Get it in, Manny!" he shouted. Manuel shook his head as he laughed. "Shut up," his face was beginning to turn red. "Come on, if you're gonna get it in you should at least tell me his name." Carsyn laughed. Many smiled and shook his head. "His name's Jae."
After Manuel left, a girl approached him. "I overheard you helping out your friend." She said standing next to him. Carsyn nodded. "Yeah, he's been having trouble finding someone to date." She looked at him. "Isn't he gay?" she asked. Carsyn nodded. "It's nice that you're still friends with him even though he's gay. Most guys are too afraid to be friends with a gay guy." She stated. Carsyn nodded. "That's true," he said, "that's what happened with both of my dads." She looked at him. "You're parents are gay?" she asked. Carsyn nodded. "It's just like having any other parents really." He said. She smiled. "That explains why you're so open to things like this." Carsyn smiled. They heard a car honking. "That's my ride," she said as she stuck her hand out, "I'm Maya." Carsyn took her hand. I'm Carsyn. I'll see you around school." Maya smiled. "Guess you will." She said walking to a car with a spring in her step. Carsyn smiled at her as she drove off.