Porter pt. 1

Garret is ready for his life to change, he is 18 a senior and a loveable nerd. But Garret Philbin wasn't happy with the life he has lived so far, he's never been kissed by a boy, and doesn't know what it's like to be liked by someone. So far all he knows for sure is that he feels things for Porter Jackson, and that definitely makes him gay.


Walking out of his room Garret heads downstairs joining the rest of his family, "good m-" his mother stops when she turns to look at him.

Looking at his mom and the unnecessary surprised look on her face, Garret replies "hey" taking the plate of food he assumes is his. "Hey dad" he walks past his father going to the table sitting in front of his little sister Harper.

His dad walks to his mom and says "Elaine the boy's smiling?" Dad whispers "I know" Elaine turns to her husband "what?" She asks him confused


"What's up with you?" Harper asks looking at the smile on her usually miserable older brother's face.

Ready to tell them about his change Garret turns to his parents, "I have an announcement" "Oh Craig quick to the table" they rush over


Everyone stares at Garret and he lets them know, "this year is my last and as a senior on the right

track, I'd like to focus on other things." He looks at his parents.

"What does that mean?" It was a confusing announcement

"Was that a question?" His dad asks.

"I'm saying I have a lot of free time now, I'm done with the college stuff, took my exit tests early so it's smooth sailing from here on out, right?"

They nod agreeing, "sure"

"I want to do something normal before I leave, I want to find someone" he admits. "To do what, honey?" Elaine asks

"To date!" He's not being clear enough

"Are you coming out again?" Harper asks after completely checking out of the conversation the minute it started and focusing on her food.

"No" he turns to her, "I'm not talking to you Harper shut up." Then turns back to his parents "are you guys gonna make a big deal about this?"

They think then his dad walks close raising his hand "can I ask something?" Garret nods "what's with all the smiling?" He points to his son's face "and also are you wearing new clothes?"

"Yeah Craig remember I told you a few weeks ago he asked to go shopping for new clothes." His mom says "I'm just trying to do something new, ok? No more sad tortured Garret-"

"You mean miserable weirdo Garret"

Ignoring his little sister, "can I get you guys' support?"

"Of course Honey" she smiles and walks to her seat at the table.

"Yes you have our support" Garret's dad answers and walking to get his cup of coffee on the counter, then joins them at the table.

"Well since that nonsense didn't waste my eating time, I'm all done and I have to go finish getting ready because Porter's coming to pick me up, so don't ask me to sit with you until you're all done." Harper gets up walking to the kitchen with her empty plate "thanks for the food mom" she drops it in the sink and walks away.

"Porter's coming?" Garret watches her leave hoping she'd answer. That knowledge turns his stomach, now the food didn't even matter. "I need to change my shirt" he quickly gets up leaving.

"What was that?" Craig turns to his wife asking

"First day jitters" she assumes shrugging, the Philbin's know what he signed up for with teenagers so they don't even bother anymore.

Going to his room Garret rummages through the new clothes his mother helped him pick, and tries to find a better shirt. The button up is too much, and a regular t just isn't him enough. Feeling stumped in front of his mirror, Harper walks in as she's putting on her jacket "Hey dumbass"

"Fuck off" he continues to stare at himself

"Remember that talk we had when you thought it'd be a good idea to tell me you might have feelings for my best friend?" Garret turns to look at her "remember what you promised?"

Not wanting to answer Garret asks "do you think this shirt is too much?" "Too many pockets" she answers

"There's one pocket!"

"Yeah, one too many!" She retorts and he sighs taking the shirt off "Plain it is" he puts on a plain blue shirt.

"Can you answer me now?" She waits and Garret doesn't say anything, "you said that-"

"I won't tell him how I feel, Harper! I know" he says it fast and annoyed, it's a lie but Harper makes such a big deal about Garret having feelings for Porter, it's better for Garret to lie.

"He's been gone all summer and I finally get him back, so you'll be cool when he's here right?"

"Get out of my room," he says taking his jacket and phone leaving before her. Going back downstairs he takes his bag and car keys "I'm leaving"

"Okay bye," his mom replies and his dad waves.

Garret leaves his house not making it close to his car, he's stopped when he sees Porter Jackson stepping out of his car. It's as if Garret was seeing it all in slow motion, how good Porter looks with his tan and the way his clothes always fit him so well. Shamelessly staring Garret takes it all in, the closer Porter got to him the more he could see how amazingly shiny his hair is.

"Hey Garret" Porter stops with a smile

"Porter" he smiles, "you're back" as if he didn't know.

"Yeah, how was your summer?" He spent it thinking about you

"Fine but not as good as yours I bet. How was Italy with Elia?" Elia is Garret's worst nightmare, Porter's hot Italian boyfriend who for the past 2 years they've been together has promised to take Porter to Italy and he did. Something Garret could never do.

"It was great" Porter sort of downplays his experience, "I spent most of it in Sicily because that's where most of Elia's family lives."