Tears Fall: Volume 1

By King Hashim

This is the story of two people. One knows who They are and the other is torn between living his own life or the life society imagined. Making the ultimate sacrifice would he choose to follow society or make his own path?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781663236715

King Hashim

King- "I was born in South Miami. At the age of 7 I started learning a little more about myself. At the age of 12 I started my journey of being a performer, around this time I also found a hidden talent in poetry, which is portrayed in my book "Tears fall". After finding this talent I worked to evolve more as a writer. As My poetry became heard I was offered to Perform in front of different crowds and politicians. At the age of 18 I decided to join the Army after my first year of college didn't work out. At this time during basic Training I decided to come out, something that many of my colleagues suspected but wasn't sure about. I wasn't completely out to family and friends back home until 2021 while on a deployment being brave enough to be my own person and follow my own path. During this deployment I have created my first book "Tears fall". Now 23 years old and finally living my truth I am excited to see what the future has to offer for me. 2.24.22: King- "I was born in South Miami. At the age of 7 I started learning a little more about myself. At the age of 12 I started my journey of being a performer, around this time I also found a hidden talent in poetry, which is portrayed in my book "Tears fall". After finding this talent I worked to evolve more as a writer. As My poetry became heard I was offered to Perform in front of different crowds and politicians. At the age of 18 I decided to join the Army after my first year of college didn't work out. At this time during basic Training, I decided to come out, something that many of my colleagues suspected but wasn't sure about. I wasn't completely out to family and friends back home until 2021 while on a deployment being brave enough to be my own person and follow my own path. During this deployment I have created my first book "Tears fall". Now 23 years old and finally living my truth I am excited to see what the future has to offer for me. 3.1.22: King- "I was born in South Miami. At the age of 12 I started my journey of being a performer, around this time I also found a hidden talent in poetry, which is portrayed in my book "Tears fall". After finding this talent I worked to evolve more as a writer. Now 23 years old and finally living my truth I am excited to see what the future has to offer for me.

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Copyright © 2022 King Hashim.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6632-3672-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-3671-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022903982

iUniverse rev. date: 03/09/2022

Content warning:

This book contains speak of sexual orientation, Sexual activity, Alcohol, offensive slurs and violence – Discretion is advised.

To you.

How can I love when we are so far apart?

CONTENTS

1 —   Our First Meeting

2 —   The Call

3 —   The Word

4 —   Together

5 —   The Party

6 —   The Good Advice

7 —   The Start of Something New

8 —   The Big Announcement

9 —   A Surprise

10 —   The Dance

11 —   Unexpected Conversation

12 —   Is This Goodbye?

CHAPTER ONE

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OUR FIRST MEETING

T he day I met him was a day I would never forget. It was more meaningful to me than I ever could have imagined—like the first bit of joy a person felt when getting a pet for the first time. It was the first day of high school, and I was so nervous that I could see the sweat marks from my jacket. Not only was I a new kid at a different school, but I was also one of the only openly gay kids in the school. As if coming out in middle school had not been enough, now I was in a whole new school with new people, and I faced a whole new coming-out experience I was not sure I was ready for. But this time, I would walk in confidently. The only good thing I could think of was that I did not fit the image of what society called gay .

As the tires of my parents’ car stopped in front of the school, my heart started beating faster and faster. I felt as if a train were coming at top speed as I stood there in the middle of the tracks, trapped, with nowhere to go. As the car came to a complete stop, my pops told me, Son, I want you to watch yourself.

I could barely hear him over the sound of my thoughts telling me, Here we go, but I sat and listened. I’d heard this conversation over and over my whole life since coming out, so what was another conversation?

Son, life is already not easy for people like us, and your life choice isn’t going to make it any easier.

Before he could continue, I interrupted him. Dad, I get it, OK? That was the nicest way I could tell him that I did not want to hear the conversation anymore.

As I opened the door, he touched my shoulder and said, You know your mother and I love you, Son, and we just want what is best for you.

I wanted to say, I understand y’all think it is a choice, but it’s who I am. I never chose this life, but all I said was Love you too, Dad. I got out of the car, putting on the smile I’d put on since telling them. As I closed the door, I stood staring at the new school I would be entering for four years. My parents’ 2017 Camaro pulled off. I could hear it as it drove off into the distance. I knew how I entered the school was how I would be seen for the rest of my high school career.

As I walked in, immediately, my confidence went down the drain. I saw a jungle: people were everywhere, and there was different groups of people like those seen in the movies. The sound of chatter, laughter, and jokes filled the halls.

As I reached my locker, my fear quickly turned around as my best friend, Jeffery` Robertson, walked up to me. Jeff and I had known each other from the age of twelve. He used to sit next to me in church before I knew who I was truly. In church, we made jokes about everything, from the way the pastor would say, We ’bout to get out of here, to the ladies wearing white. Anyone who ever had been to a Baptist church would know what I meant. We went to all the same schools together, and no matter what, he always found a way to make me feel comfortable. Usually, Jeff was happy, but that day, he seemed a little too happy.

Hey, man, you good? he asked me with the biggest grin I had ever seen on his face.

I tried not to show how nervous I was, so I just replied, Yeah.

The look on his face was a mixture of happiness and nervousness, but he was the type who tried not to show his emotions. This is going to be the start of something new. He was always protective when it came to me, but for some reason, he never wanted to leave my side. Are you good, man? he asked again, as if he could see the nervousness on my face.

Yeah, I am. I guess I’m just nervous, I replied.

Nervousness is just excitement that’s ready to burst. Trust me: by the end of this year, we will rule this school, he told me.

I wasn’t so sure.

The school bell rang, so we headed to our first period. Jeff and I looked at each other’s schedule as we walked to class. We have the same first period, he said excitedly. Come on! Let’s go.

As we walked into the class, we looked around, trying to find the perfect seats. There were two seats toward the back, so we decided to sit there.

About five minutes into the class, the teacher, Mr. Jean, introduced himself. He was a dedicated and trusting teacher who wanted the best for each of his students. He was the math teacher at Leadray High and a good one too.

5 minutes into the class as he was teaching, the intercom interrupted: Attention, Leadray High. Can all faculty, staff, and students head to the auditorium for our annual first-day assembly? It is great to see our returning students, and I can’t wait to see the new students.

As the intercom shut off, everyone started grabbing their things as Mr. Jean told us not to rush and to head to the auditorium. Jeff and I got separated somewhere in the commotion, and I found myself near people I didn’t know. As we got into the auditorium full of students and teachers from every grade, I found a seat next to a tenth grader. As I sat, the principal started her speech.

Students, faculty, and staff, welcome to another wonderful year at Leadray High. I am your principal, Dr. Laura Paul, and you are our future doctors, lawyers, and teachers. I would like to have you all watch this presentation. As she said that, the whole auditorium sounded with sighs, but she continued. But before that, I would like for you to meet one of our prize students here at Leadray. I would like to introduce you to Raymond Cole. He is not only our track star but also our student body president.

The auditorium filled with roars and cheers, as if Raymond were the president of the United States or a celebrity everyone wanted to know. He walked onstage, and suddenly, my heart dropped, and I could think only about his chiseled face and smooth skin. He was the perfect shade of tan and white. All I could see was him. I swear if I wasn’t black, my whole face would be as red as a tomato, I thought.

Then he spoke. The sound of his voice was smooth and sweet. I could see why everyone was interested in him.

Thank you all. If I could have all the freshmen stand?

As we stood, I expected to hear boos, but then he spoke again.

Let’s give a round of applause to the students who will take over after we are gone. I was once in your spot two years ago. I ran for president not to be known but to make sure the experience I had my freshman year was much better for you. As he spoke, claps started rolling in. Let’s make this year one to remember, and I hope to get a chance to meet all of you. Our eyes locked, and he gave me a smile.

On the way to lunch, I could think only about his blue eyes. I went to sit alone, waiting for Jeff, as I had in middle school. As I sat, I thought about the tone of Raymond’s voice, which was so smooth it could have calmed any crying baby, and his beautiful face. Whoever his girlfriend was, she was lucky to have him, I thought.

Just then, Raymond walked up to me. Hey, bud, how you doin’? My name is—

Before he could finish, I interrupted. I know who you are. I heard your welcome speech.

He raised