A Good Enough Reason Read Online Free PDF Page B

were never this boring with you around.”
    “No boyfriend in view?”
    “El, I live in Texas now. I don’t think anyone even knows I’m gay, let alone wants to be my boyfriend.”
    “Any crushes, then?”
    “Nope. It’s a pity, because I thought I’d meet some hot cowboy when I moved here, but they’re all so painfully straight. What about you?”
    “Same, apart from the fact I’m stuck working on a gay rights project with Dale Stephens.”
    “What?”
    “It’s an AP English project, and Dale was actually the one who chose the topic. We have to write an argumentative essay and each try to convince the class to support our views. I’m the pro, and he’s the con.”
    “So what? He’s against gay rights?”
    “Actually, no. He said he’d take the cons only because it’s so obvious I’m gay.”
    “He what ? Are you sure you’re not joking, El?”
    “I’m not. He’s… not so bad, I guess.”
    “Are you sure we’re talking about the same Dale Stephens?”
    “Why? Is there more than one in school?”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “Then we are.”
    “But… why?” Matt sounded flabbergasted. “Did I miss something? Trust one of the hottest guys in school to come out of the closet only after I moved all the way down to Texas.”
    “He didn’t come out, Matt. He even has a girlfriend now.”
    “Yeah? Who?”
    “Stephanie Walker.”
    “Mmm, short, dark curly hair, always wears purple?”
    “Yeah, her.”
    “I guess I can see the appeal.”
    “Please. You’re as gay as I am.”
    “It doesn’t mean I don’t have eyes or that I live under a rock. I remember she was nice.”
    “Still is.”
    “Anyway. Why did Dale choose that topic?”
    Ellis shrugged, though he knew Matt couldn’t see him. “He said one of his cousins is gay and couldn’t go to the prom with his boyfriend. Dale thinks it’s not fair.”
    “Well, it’s not.”
    “No, but you have to admit, not a lot of straight guys would agree on that, let alone try to do something about it. Oh, and you haven’t heard the best part of this yet.”
    “What? He offered you a foot massage?”
    “Nope. First he asked me if I didn’t want to go to prom because my boyfriend left.”
    “Huh?”
    “He thought you were my boyfriend, Matt.”
    “Oh, eww. No offense, El, but it would be like going out with my brother.”
    “I know, right? That’s what I told Dale, so he decided he’s going to find me a date for prom.”
    “Seriously?”
    “That’s what he said.”
    “How is he going to do it? Put an announcement in the school paper?”
    Ellis scowled at the wall since he couldn’t scowl at Matt. “What the heck? That’s what he said he was going to do.”
    Matt laughed. “Really? What can I say? Great minds think alike.”
    “Actually I was the one who suggested it, but it was sarcasm. I’m not sure he understood that bit, though, so now I’m scared to even look at the paper.”
    “Gosh, I wish I was still there to see this.”
    “I’m not going to let him find me a date, Matt.”
    “I wonder who he’s going to come up with. Do you know any other gay guys in school?”
    “Matt! I’m not going to go anywhere with whoever Dale chooses, if he even chooses someone. He’ll probably have forgotten about this by the next time I see him.”
    “Are you sure he will?”
    Ellis frowned. “He better.”
    “Ah, El. You should know by now not everyone does what you want.”
    “I know.”
    “I still think Dale is going to keep his word and find you a date. I swear to you, I’ll do everything I can to be there and see you.”
    “You want to come here for prom?”
    “It’s not like I’m looking forward to the one here. I’m not even sure I’ll go.”
    “Why not?”
    “El… I already told you I haven’t made many friends here, and I want to go to prom with my real friends, the ones I grew up with.”
    “You could be my date. In a friendly kind of way, of course.”
    “Oh no, you’re not getting out of this so easily,