Copyright Statement

SMITTEN WITH HIM © FROZENRAINFALL

All Rights Reserved
This novel, 'Smitten With Him,' including all chapters, epilogues and associated
content is copyrighted. All rights reserved by the owner and creator of this book
and any unauthorised copying, plagiarism, manipulation, distribution or telecasting
constitutes as a transgression of copyright and therefore is punishable by law.
=========================================
Do not steal my work.
I will slit your throat.

Foreword
Zachary Hamilton to the side :D >>>>
-------------------
I questioned my sexuality around the age of thirteen, I completely went off the
female race and stopped having girlfriends because quite frankly, I didn't enjoy
the relationship, all the kissing, handholding and such. It made me sick to my
stomach.
I didn't accept my sexuality until fifteen. Before that, I kept denying all the
feelings and the signs that said I was gay.
I forced myself to have girlfriends, in a hope that I'd begin to like them again.
I was Zach, brother of Liam, the most popular person in the school, I had a
reputation to upkeep and so did he. What if everyone knew I was gay? What would
everyone think of Liam?
He has no remorse whatsoever so he wouldn't think twice about dragging me six feet
under.
His reputation is the most important thing to him, he believed that it is more
important than his own family, that's why he asks me to stay away from him at
school even though everyone knows we're related because even though I'm not as
popular as him, I have my own reputation.
Zachary Hamilton, womaniser.
After I accepted my sexuality, I knew I would have to cover any evidence of it,
meaning having girlfriends (bleugh) and dumping them after a little while.
I know what you're thinking. I'm a horrible person aren't i? I've heard it a
million times already, I've had pointless lectures by Liam, telling me that I
should keep a girlfriend for at least two months before dumping her to get rid of
my bad reputation.
Liam? Of all people, Liam is the one to help but that's only because he doesn't
want everyone to know him as the brother of a womaniser.
He has to keep his reputation remember?
It's only because everyone will think that Liam would otherwise be another copy of
me, meaning also a womaniser and therefore a horrible person.
However, high school is funny because even with my bad reputation, I still have
flirty, clingy and overly-perfumed members of the female race falling at my feet.
You want to know what's worse? It makes me even more popular.
Liam's reputation is the captain of the soccer team, cliche yes? He's also a
swimmer, like me but I stopped after six years and he's still going, he's on his
ninth year. He is also known for being loyal (unlike me) to his girlfriend of two
and a half years.
But Zach, you're a mediocre you can't possibly have women falling at your feet?
Sometimes, being popular has it's perks and it's something every girl thrives for,
they also thrive for the a particular ornate and sacred bracelet given to a very
small proportion of students to give to their partner.
Liam, for example, had given his to his girlfriend. It's a stupid pointless symbol
in the shape of a snake that warns people to stay away from his girl. It marks the
partner as a 'possession' if you'd like.
It gets even more confusing though, when you give the bracelet to another person,
you must have this ridiculous ceremony held by the 'Torvux'.
There's a small clique in our school called the 'Torvux'. These people are the most
powerful students in all the school and they hold the ceremony for their fellow
'brothers'. Members of the Torvux are given these sacred bracelets.
Guess what?
I'm a Torvux. Boo me.
There are multiple ceremonies for all different occasions but I won't get into that
too much because it is B-O-R-I-N-G.
The ceremony in which the bracelet carriers give their bracelet away to their
partner is called the 'Light Ceremony'. It basically involves the Torvux member and
the partner of the member lighting the fellow Torvux's member's candles and asking
for acceptance of the fellow members.
It's ridiculous, see?
Now do you think my fellow Torvux brothers with accept me if I come out to them,
let alone accept any male partner I may have?
What if everyone in the school sees another male student (who isn't a member of the
Torvux) wearing a particular sacred bracelet that once belonged to me?
What would everyone think then?

1. Torvux? Pssht More Like Starbucks.

Liam Hamilton to the side :D >>>>
------------
I stared down at the ornate bracelet that was tightened around my wrist, I took in
its beauty, it was so delicate and stupefying. It just reels you in and causes you
to study it.
The most prominent thing on the bracelet was a gold snake engraved on its navy blue
leather background. The actual bracelet was fairly thin and two strings tied in a
knot kept it on my wrist.
"Come on, we need to get to school," my brother announced at my bedroom doorway
with a bored tone.
I turned around to face him, taking in his jock style appearance. Brown shaggy hair
that matched mine, plain black tee, dark jeans and sneakers then taking in Naomi's
appearance. Long bleach blonde hair cascading down her back, black leggings, green
jumper and Liam's brown Torvux bracelet on her wrist with the same gold snake.
"Shut up Pissy," I snarled at my brother and shoved past him and smiled in triumph.
Hah, 'Pissy', I should use that more often.
"Pissy, don't be so mean to your brother," Naomi spoke in that incredibly high
pitched voice of hers.
"But Nao-"
"So you want to argue now?" Naomi interjected and cocked her eyebrow.
If there's one thing Liam can't do, that would be arguing with Naomi, she can win
any argument, any day and Liam knows better than to even attempt to start an
argument.
I headed out to Liam's car and made myself comfortable in the backseat, meaning
stretching my legs across the black leather seats.
"Hey hey hey! what are you doing, get your dirty shoes off my seats or walk. It's
only a forty-five minute walk afterall." Liam yelled and this time, he was the one
to smile in triumph.
Naomi jumped into the passenger seat and Liam in the driver's seat, throwing his
backpack into the backseat, as a result hitting me in the face.
"What the frick Liam that hurt like a bi-" I got cut off when Liam went at about
60mph on a small road that was crowded with other cars, coming close enough to them
to scare me shitless.
I gritted my teeth and crossed my arms, soon enough, we arrived in to the student
car park and got our of the car. Liam and Naomi quickly disappeared as if I was the
plague and found their own friends.
I walked through the tiny corridors and met with my own friends who were all
huddled around a table in the canteen.
I was already dreading the day and it hasn't even begun yet.
"Flynn, Ryan." I greeted my bros and fist bumped them.
"Yo G, how's ma homie," Ryan had a problem, he was unable to speak basic English,
he always spoke as if he was from the streets and it annoyed me so I chose to not
talk to him often.
We are still buds though.
"There's a Torvux meeting after school," Flynn informed me, fist bumping me again
flashing me his yucky yellow coloured snake bracelet.
Flynn, like me was a Torvux and he hasn't given his bracelet away yet.
We started walking towards class, I had Mr Shultz's class while Flynn and Ryan both
had Miss Green.
"I dread this class, so so much. It's full of pathetic losers." I groaned.
I walked the rest of the way to class and walked in, sitting at my usual space in
the middle rows.
I ducked my head down into my textbook, ignoring all the girls surrounding me and
trying to get my attention.
Sometimes I wish I could just burn my bracelet and my popularity along with it.
"Toby, would you please read the first paragraph?" Mr Shultz asked the boy sitting
next to me.
It was silent for an awkward minute or two before he started speaking about The
Battle of Gettysburg but he kept stuttering, unable to read the paragraph properly.
The class snickered to themselves and then the teacher looked at me.
"Can you carry on, Zach? From where we left off please?"
I read the next three paragraphs with ease and then looked at Toby, who glared at
me.
I mouthed a 'what' then shivered from his heated glare.
Man, the boy sure could glare.
We covered the next two pages of the textbook before the bell rang and everyone
rushed out of the room and that's how it continued the whole day. It was now
nearing to the end of the day and I had one more lesson before the meeting.
I made my way to maths, the lesson I dreaded even more than History. I just didn't
like History because none of my friends are in the class but I hated maths because
of its actual content.
I sat down in my usual seat, in the corner of the room where nobody else sat. Toby
was in the class and he glared at me as he walked in to the room, sitting at the
front.
I closed my eyes, it was only meant to be for a couple seconds but instead, I slept
through the whole lesson and soon, the teacher was shooing us outside, everybody
happily ran out the classroom, leaving just me and Toby standing outside and
sorting our bags out.
I was still sleepy so I grudgingly zipped up my bag and put it on my shoulder but
Toby was all set to leave but instead of leaving to the heavily place called home
he stared at me.
He walked towards me, like a cat slowly walking towards a mouse, ready to pounce
then-
"Ow, what was that for?" I yelled when Toby shoved me into the lockers.
"You think you're better than me? I'll show you." He held his fist up, ready to
swing and I closed my eyes, readying myself for the blow but it never came.
I cracked open my eye, seeing a tall dark figure with a hood over their head - his
shiny, exclusive bracelet glistened in the light.
The shiny bracelet? Yeah, not for me but instead for the Highers.
My Torvux friend shoved Toby with such great force that he fell to the floor and
kicked his stomach.
"Don't kill him for crying out loud!" I yelled.
The higher stopped and pulled his hood down to show a grinning Calvin. One of three
highers.
"Come on we have a meeting and you're late."
We walked past tons of corridors and into the basement of the school where we had a
kind of Torvux shrine set up and a podium for the Highers. It was dark and the only
light were a few candles here and around.
Do you want to know what makes it even more pathetic than it actually is?
You probably don't but I'm going tell you anyway.
We have cloaks but they're strictly for the Highers as they're the most respected,
however, because they're literally just black hoodies and not actual cloaks, we all
liked to wear our hoods up outside these meetings because for some reason, everyone
liked to look 'gangster' or 'badman'. Two members already had theirs on and Calvin
was yet to put his on. One day, I'll be a higher and I'll be wearing a 'cloak' too.
It's something that's passed down.
I sat down with the rest of the brothers, in a small huddle opposite the Highers.
It looked like a Recruitment Ceremony, I took in all the chairs put in a line and
the people sat down on them with bags on their head to cover their faces. I was
once sitting with a bag over my head in those chairs and so was Liam, and Flynn.
"Brothers," Calvin greeted, "we have finally made a decision on our new recruits.
It was tough and these four bagged people are very lucky."
"Show yourselves." He ordered the two other Highers with masks over their faces to
remove the bags.
One by one, the new recruits were shown. I was really bored and I almost fell
asleep. I would've if it weren't for Liam slapping me every minute. He knew I hated
these things.
An hour later, I was heading home with Liam.
"Why do you hate ceremonies? Zach, you don't know how lucky you are to be in
Torvux. You're taking your position fore granted."
"How?"
"You use it so you can get girls to fawn over you," he smirked.
"I'm not. I hate all the attention." I said matter-of-factly.
"Right sure," he said while pulling into the driveway.
I walked in to the house, grabbing a chocolate bar and kissing my mum on the cheek.
"Zach, I'm going gym in a bit, do you want to come?" Liam said ten minutes later in
a pair of joggers and loose fitting t-shirt.
"Do I look like I want to go to gym?" I said with a mouth full of whipped cream.
"Gross man. Suit yourself." He waved me off and went to find his gym bag.
I smiled and turned around, "would you like help with dinner mom?"
"No I'm fine, go do your homework."
"You complain that nobody helps you in the house. I see why." I smirked.
"Can you just set the table then, please?"
I smiled in triumph and strolled to the cupboard to get the plates and cutlery,
trying to balance four plates and four glasses as well as forks and knives.
I don't make two trips.
-
"So Liam, why was Naomi at our house this morning?" I smirked and put a carrot in
my mouth. It was clear she's been here since last night, with Liam.
His face flushed and he said something along the lines of an upcoming project
deadline. The thing was, Liam was a terrible liar and be spoke way to quickly for
anybody to comprehend.
"Are you using protection?" Mom asked, knowing just as well as I do that he's
lying.
"Mom! Can we not do this here? Come on, At the dinner table?!" Liam yelled.
"Son, answer your mother's question. I'm quite curious too." Dad said.
"That's it. This conversation is over." Liam announced as he got up from the table
and washed his plate.
And that's how dinner went. Just me, mom and dad discussing the use of protection
and why it's important.
Of course, I'm gay and if I have sex with another guy, they can't get pregnant.
I haven't had sex for a couple months, just relationships and it's because of my
damn womaniser status so nobody wants to have sex with me until they're sure that I
won't just dump them afterwards. It's not like I sleep around or anything, no,
I've only had sex once.
-
The next day came a bunch of surprises.
My physics teacher informed me that I'm failing the class and that if I don't
improve then I would be kicked off the basketball team.
He also set me a tutor, somebody called Jace Chapman. A name I've never heard of
before but it does have a nice ring to it.
It was weird for me not to know his name. Being a Torvux, it was vital to learn
everybody's name.
I was meant to meet my new tutor now in room 35.
It's been fifteen minutes and he still isn't here. Obviously punctuality isn't key
for this Jace person.
I was just about to leave when the door was pushed open just as I was headed out.
The door opened inwards so it hit me and sent me sliding over a table top and
falling on the floor.
"Oof," I huffed as I fell and winced at the sudden pain in my legs and arms.
"Oh my gosh! I'm terribly sorry, that wasn't meant to happen!" An unfamiliar voice
spoke and got louder as textbooks and papers fell to the floor and feet rushed
towards me.
I stared up at the most gorgeous blue eyes I had ever seen. Never have I seen such
stunning eyes, they reminded of an ocean.
Ha, how cliche.
"I'm sorry! Ha what a a great first impression r-right?" He helped me stand up
straight and held his hand out for me to shake.
"Jace,"
"Zach," I smiled and shook his hand.
"How can I make it up to you! I really am sorry. How about Starbucks later?" He
grinned.
This guy just read my mind.
Double chocolate mocha frappachino, here I come.
-
"Do you mind?" I turned to a grinning Jace who kept poking me because I was
apparently taking so long to drink my frappacino.
"No."
"Shut up."
"I don't know if I can."
"You're such a bastard."
"I know you are but what am I?"
I turned to him again, mouth wide open. He's playing that card? That was so five
years ago.
"Keep your mouth open any longer and you'll catch flies. Oh and also you'll take
longer to finish your drink. Hurry." He pushed.
"We wouldn't be here if you came on time. I did."
"I told you, the printer got jammed when I was printing out those worksheets we
did."
I rolled my eyes and went back to drinking my beverage. We had our first lesson
before coming here. Jace was a miracle tutor, I understood everything he said
unlike in lesson, where our teacher talks non-stop and doesn't let us ask
questions.
Jace also explained everything with such enthusiasm I didn't know existed when
teaching Physics, unlike in lesson, where I fall asleep to the sound of the
teachers very monotone voice.
I finished off the drink, slurping and slurping until all the froth and cream was
gone.
"You know, slurping is bad manners." Jace announced.
"Your mum."
And just like that, I knew Jace and I were meant for eachother. Not in that sense
but I mean, we could become the best of friends.
And I'll also get my required grade in physics of course.
----
A/N: Torvux? Ah yes, I do watch too much tv. (Zoey 101 anybody?)
It's a fictional book, so uh.. Yeah.
2. To Ploy and Perceive
Jace to the side. HE LIKES CATS GUYS ASDFGHKL <3<3 >>>>>>
-------------
"I was thinking about our next sess-"
"Buzz off, I'm trying to sleep." He said, then ended the phone call.
It was coming up to ten in the evening and I had only just checked my phone, I had
three text messages from Jace and one from Flynn.
Jace: when should we do our next session?
Jace: hello? Anybody home?
Jace: gosh, you should really check your phone more often.
Flynn: where is you am i?
Of course, Flynn wouldn't make sense because he's probably higher than your
granddad's jack ups.
Jace however, is a certified clingy little bastard. He also slept really early, it
was only ten to ten and it was an extremely boring Friday evening.
Since our little Starbucks trip, we have and one and a half other sessions. I say
'half' because I walked our of the second one halfway through due to me being
extremely tired and lazy.
Usually, our sessions lasted two and a half hours. Come on, does he expect me to
stay for even two hours?
I still had no clue what time our session was meant to be tomorrow because Jace was
too tired to talk to me.
I still rang him again though.
Ring
Ring
"What do you want?" I heard a sleepy Jace on the line.
"You know, hanging up on people mid-sentence is really rude." I pointed out, all
sassy like. "And what time is our session tomorrow?"
"I'm exhausted, alright? Am I not allowed to sleep anymore now that you're under my
wing?"
"Wha- how does that even make sense. I'm not 'under your wing'."
"Shut up. four tomorrow afternoon, my house. I'll text you the address. kay?"
"Sure. Gosh, someone's on their man-period."
"Goodnight Zach,"
"Night J. Don't let the bed bugs bite."
"J? How is that ev-" I cut Jace off mid sentence, which was exactly what he did to
me and grinned to myself like the Cheshire Cat before falling asleep in my own
peaceful slumber.
--
"Hey hon, where are you heading out?" Mum asked me while hovering over the stove.
"Meeting some friends."
"You have friends?" Liam asked, awestruck.
"Yes. Do you?"
"You hang out with my friends and convert them to nice people." He said and
shivered.
I convert them to nice people? Did Liam just compliment me?
I started walking to the door. A compliment from Liam is rare, like really rare. I
felt all full of myself as I stepped over the threshold.
"Where do you think you're going?" Dad's deep voice rung.
"Meeting some friends. Problem?"
"I have news. Come and sit."
I rolled my eyes and slouched my shoulders and shut the front door then stomped my
feet to the kitchen.
"What?"
"Your Aunt Stacy and Uncle Frank are staying over next week, with Trisha and
Molly." My dad announced, causing me and Liam to look at eachother simutaniously
and share a look that meant 'oh shit'.
Let me tell about my dear cousins, Trisha and Molly. They're about seventeen and
they're twins of the female species. Meaning they're hormonal, whiney and reckless.
They stayed over Christmas last year and threw a new years party at my house while
mum and dad were out.
They stole mine and Liam's phones and rung every contact, informing them of the
party. They even blackmailed Liam and I into shopping for them. If we didn't obey,
they'd tell our parents that the party was mine and Liam's idea.
Consequentely, my mum's favourite vase was smashed and someone had sex in our
shower. Liam and I had to tidy up everything with minimal help from Trisha and
Molly. Clothes were strewn all over the place, red cups scattered the front lawn
and people were all over the place. Our living room was renovated- all the sofas
were put to one side and the coffee table acted as a 'stage'.
"Mum! No! Molly and Trisha are horrible. They treat us like slaves." Liam seethed.
If anything, Molly was the worst. She flirted with all our friends- which Liam
wasn't too happy about- and she also decided that she would sleep in Liam's room
while Liam crashed with me just so she could have her own bed. We called her Queen
Molly, she got everything she wanted at the click of her fingers. Trisha, on the
other hand, shortly trailed after Molly, so we called her Trish The Bitch.
"Yeah! Mum, please don't leave us home alone with them. Please." I begged.
"I wanted to show Frank the garage." Dad stated.
Last year, when they stayed, their parents weren't with us so mom never got the
chance to take Aunt Stacy to the pottery making classes and Dad never had the
chance to show off his new car and the car garage he worked at then.
Aunt Stacy and Uncle Frank are probably the most snobbiest, stuck up people I have
ever met. At least, that is what they gave the impression of to me. They spent
their money like water from a running tap, buying the best perfumes, make up and
clothes and they still hadn't forgiven me and Liam for our little prank.
We egged their Mercedes at Halloween.
They can be nice people, they are nice people to mum and dad but seriously, their
moods change like the damn weather. It's unpredictable.
Liam and I groaned in unision, then he gave me a pointed look, nodding slightly to
the stairs. I got out from my seat and followed Liam upstairs. I hope he hurries
up, I had errands.
"What are going to do?" Liam said as he paced back and forth in his room with his
hands pulling at his hair.
"Make sure we lock Mol and Trish in the basement?" I suggested.
"We don't have a basement."
"I meant garage, or shed. Ok?"
"Really, though, what will we do?"
I thought for a moment, then I had the perfect idea. If this were a cartoon, I
would have a lightbulb on top of my head.
"How about, I take on Trisha and you take Molly. We don't allow them to push us
around and we put cameras around the house?"
"That's ridiculous."
"But not impossible." I smirked.
He gave me a funny look, one the basically screamed, 'you creative little ass'. He
should really cool it with the compliments, it's kind of freaking me out because he
only gives compliments like three times a year.
"Can we plot something? I love love love missions like Halloween." I said. I
watched a little too much of The Crystal Maze as a kid.
"Like what?"
"I don't know. I did the plan before so now it's your turn. Now, if you excuse me,
I have errands."
I walked out the door then out the house and grabbed my bike out the garage then
started riding to the address that Jace gave me. He lived on the same road as
Oliver, A brother from Torvux.
"You're late." Jace stated once I got to his house.
"Your point is..?" I said.
"Well it's not me whose going to fail physics."
He proceeded to walk into the house and I followed him, closing the door behind me.
We walked past the kitchen, were I saw a middle age woman and a small girl with the
same hair as the woman. Straight and blonde.
"Is that your mum?" I whispered to him. The house was really quiet, irritatingly
and abnormally quiet.
"Foster mum." He said nonchalantly. "Come on, take your books out."
I realised Jace took me to his room in the basement and it was immaculate. It was
quite big, actually, scrap that, it was huge.
On one side was a television with beanbags and sofas dotted around it. On the
opposite side was his double bed, all neatly put together. He had a desk against
the wall but It was covered in reading books and scraps of paper. The walls were
covered in posters and photos and there was only a minimal amount of wall showing.
"Uh, where?"
"Here," He said, sitting down cross legged near the beanbags.
I emptied my rucksack on the floor. Two textbooks, a notebook and a pencil case.
"Right, how much do you know about electromagnetic radiation?" He asked.
"A little." I said sheepishly.
He rolled his eyes and flipped my textbooks to the correct pages. The whole lesson
was one hour longer than expected, the time just flew by and by the end, I covered
everything there is to know about electromagnetic radiation. Jace explained
everything as precisely as he could and made up a few examples to help me.
"Uh.. I'm tired." I whined, laying back on the rug.
My neck and back ached and my stomach was rumbling. I felt horrible.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Jace asked.
"Sure." I smiled.
I packed up my books and went upstairs to the kitchen, where Jace's family were
already sat down at the dinner table.
"Sorry im late for dinner, we went a little overboard with revision." Jace
explained to his family.
"Don't let it happen again!" his mom scolded playfully. "Hello dear, you must be
Zach, yes? I'm Janine, this is my husband Vince."
"Nice to meet you." I said, shaking Vince's hand. "What's for dinner? It smells
heavenly."
Vince was bulky, tall and I could see his muscles popping through his t-shirt. He
must be a trainer.
"That's my mum's special casserole." Jace said, making a plate for me.
"I had to make it, it's Jace's birthday, tradition." Janine said.
My eyes opened in shock, it was Jace's birthday and I didn't get him anything or
take him anywhere? I feel horrible.
"Happy birthday man, sorry, i don't have anything." I said to Jace.
"It's fine. I don't want anything."
I looked at him skeptically and started eating my dinner. How could Jace be so calm
about this? Doesn't his birthday remind him of his real parents? I wonder what
happened to them anyway but then again, it's not my place to butt into his life.
If something traumatic had happened to him, he showed no sign of it. He always
seemed happy. He was probably the most smiliest person I had ever met.
After finishing dinner, I helped tidy up. It was the least I could do. I did
afterall, stay unintentionally for dinner.
Jace's mum's cooking reminded me a lot like my grandma's cooking. Mum's cooking was
alright but it tasted nothing like my grandma's or Janine's.
What I'm trying to get at is, Jace's mum's cooking is better than my mom's.
I walked through the hallway to grab my bag but then I was stopped by Jace.
"Hold up," he yelled. "You have to try my mom's brownie cake."
How can I say no to cake?
"Alright fine."
I sat opposite the little girl at the dining table. When I walked in, she was
swinging her dangling feet back and forth, patiently waiting for her cake.
"So what's your name?" I grinned.
"Why do you wanna know huh?" She boomed.
I guess she learned well from Jace. You wouldn't have expected that of a small
girl.
"My name is Camellia."
I turned around, seeing Jace hovering over me. "You're nothing like Jace, I mean,
seriously, the guy looks like an rat faced- ah!"
I yelled as I felt the chair moving and abruptly fell to the ground. Jace didn't
actually look rat faced, but it was hilarious to joke about it.
"Oops. My bad." Jace snickered.
I rapidly got up, wincing at the sudden pain in my legs and arms. "Oh no you
didn't! I'm so gonna get you."
I chased after him. He didn't run track like I did so I was gaining on him. We ran
through the living room, back through the kitchen and through the hallways. I was
millimetres away from him and I would've grabbed him if it wasn't for Janine
interrupting us.
"No running in the house!"
I groaned and made my way back to the kitchen but not before shoving Jace into the
wall.
"Brownie cake!"
This time, I ran to the counter where Janine was serving the cake and I stuck my
plate out in her face so she could give me a slice and waited like an obedient dog
as she cut it.
"So how old are you Camellia?" I asked, shoving some cake into my mouth.
"Too young for you." Jace interjected.
"Nobody asked for your input." I replied vaguely.
"I am thirteen next month." Camellia said, holding up ten fingers.
"My birthday is next month too. On the 17th of March."
"Mine is the 20th." She giggled. "We could have a joint birthday party!"
"Obviously we will." I smirked, looking at Jace.
"So you steal my mum and now you steal my sister." He gasped.
"How did I steal your mum?" I cocked my eyebrow.
"She likes your company and believes it would benefit me with being more social and
whatnot." He waved off.
"Well, I'm off now." I said, putting my plate in the sink and waving at Jace's
parents in the living room.
"Oh. So soon?" Jace's mom asked.
I started tying my shoelaces up an putting my leather jacket on before Camellia
interrupted me by giving me a giant bear hug.
"See you Zach!" She grinned.
"Bye Cammie, bye J." I snickered at the nicknames and grabbed my rucksack.
"Cammie? How is that even-" Camellia said at the same time Jace said, "Stop calling
me J!"
I didn't hear the rest of what they had to say because I had cut them off mid-
sentence by closing the front door. It's funny that Camellia said the same thing as
Jace when he first heard his nickname.
I grabbed my bike from the front porch, noticing I messed up a small part of
Janine's gardening.
"Whoops." I shrugged off.
-
"it's like nine o'clock. Where were you?" Liam asked.
"I was meeting some friends, like I told you."
"I know that's not true."
"Well screw you then." I threw one of my shoes at his stomach and ran upstairs.
"You little bi-"
"Liam! Language!" Dad yelled, then muttered 'asshole' for only me to hear.
"And for you," Dad pulled me down the stairs. "What took you so long huh?"
"I was with some friends and we had dinner out." I said simply.
Why I couldn't tell anybody about my tuition sessions with Jace I would never know.
All I could do was suggest.
I think it's probably because dad's demeaning sense of protection. He would need to
interrogate anybody new I meet and 'verify' that they're suitable.
And I don't want Jace having to go through that. He would probably run away from me
and not tutor me when I'm so close to my exams.
"Early bed time for you. Now shoo, off to bed." Dad waved me off and went to the
living room.
I groaned and stomped upstairs, Liam following behind.
"We need to discuss the royal family coming over next week." Liam said, walking
into my bedroom and looking through my bookshelf.
"Do you mind not looking at my things." I said, stripping myself and putting on a
pyjama top.
"What are we going to do man? I can't handle been around them."
"Why don't we discuss it with the guys? They must have bratty relatives."
"If we bring them into it, they would do team up with Molly and Trish. I mean,
according to them, they did throw an awesome party." Liam pointed out and flicked
through an old Beano comic I had.
"Fine fine. How about we manipulate them. You're good at that aren't you?"
"Shut up."
"We can tell them we'll take them shopping and leave them somewhere."
"To die and rot?" Liam grinned.
"No. We'll be close by."
"Oh." Liam slouched his shoulders and frowned.
"That's boring though. We need to make it interesting."
"We can take out the book."
"The book. We haven't used that for years."
"Exactly."
Let me tell you something about 'The Book'. It was never named because we weren't
creative little kids.
The Book was filled with pranks and all thing hilarious and embarrassing (including
funny pictures of the twins) It was something Liam and I made when we were really
close and extremely bored one summer.
It included funny things to do with the twins too, such as them wearing slutty
clothing at ten years old which is something they're parents wouldn't be too happy
about.
Come to think of it, Liam and I only became temporarily close when we needed
eachother more than ever- for example, our bratty cousins coming over.
I grinned evilly to Liam and he mimicked.
"Do you know where it is?"
"Yeah," he said, walking to the corner of my bedroom and opening up the little
crevice in my room. It was a tiny little space for all the crap, such as Christmas
Trees and decorations. It used to mine and Liam's hiding and plotting space to make
us feel all badass like when we did pranks or something to make my parents angry.
When it got filled up with crap, Liam and I slowly drifted apart because we no
longer did any pranks.
"Are you just going to stare at it or are you actually going to help find it?"
I shook myself out of my reverie. All the memories came flooding back. Me and Liam
were inseparable as little kids, after mom and dad had finance trouble, we didn't
get much attention so Liam and I grew fond of eachother.
But then, our fondness died when the crap cupboard started getting filled up.
I walked to the cupboard and opened the latch and pulled the door open, only to see
a Christmas tree In my face.
"This is going to take ages. Can't we just memorise the book?" I whined. "Actually,
there's no point in finding it anyway because it's just stupid and full of crap."
"Nope. I want to find it and look at our six and eight year old stupidity."
I rolled my eyes and pulled the tree out, as well as all the boxes of old toys.
There were tons of boxes, to say we were spoilt little children was an
understatement. The cupboard had an old cot, a pushchair, a play kitchen and about
twenty five boxes of stuff like appliances and blow up beds.
I don't actually know why Liam wanted to find the stupid book so badly, it was
just... Stupid.
"Found it." Liam grinned at the view of a small bright blue book on top of a large
box.
I turned around and saw my room was a complete mess, boxes were everywhere, on my
bed, desk and draws.
Really? All this for a pathetic book?
Liam grabbed the book and sat cross legged on the floor. I went and say next to
him.
He blew the dust off it and looked at it as if it held all the answers to life.
I snatched the book out if his hand and opened it to the front page. "You're taking
too long." I said.
The first page was a contents page, It was written in messy crayon handwriting of
all different colours. On the back of the front page read 'Liam and Zach's magical
book of power and survival' but magical was written with a 'j' instead of a 'g'.
I flipped through the pranks. There were a ton but majority of them were just plain
stupid and risky.
I looked at Liam, half expecting him to grimace because of the stupid ideas but
instead he was staring at the book, smiling a little.
Liam can smile!
"Do you remember we did that one on Maria?" Liam grinned.
I looked at he page he was pointing at, it was titled 'how to send back a cootie'.
I rolled my eyes at the stupid name and read- or attempted to read- eight year old
Liam's writing.
Step 1. Fill up some waterballoons with water. (Maybe even mayonnaise or pickle
juice).
Step 2. Throw the balloons at the enemy.
Hint: you can throw from high buildings for better effect and, you can mix things,
like honey and peanut butter).
Majority of the text was spelt wrongly, like peanut butter was 'peenut butter' and
effect was 'affect'.
"We did it because she held your hand through nap time when you didn't know until
you woke up." I laughed.
"We did it on her twice. She kissed you before summer vacation." He reminded me.
"We were kid-sluts. Oh god." I groaned, face palming myself.
"Correction: you were a kid slut. She didn't kiss me."
"Well many other people did, way more than me."
"You're jealous. I got more kisses than you."
"Am not!" I yelled.
"What is all this shout- what happened?!" Dad yelled, walking up to my room.
"We were looking for something. We'll tidy it up. Gosh."
"You better." He said and left the room.
"Do you remember this being our hiding spot," Liam grinned, walking into the tiny
little storage room thing. It was actually just the extra space under the roof,
because I had a loft room.
"Yeah. I was just thinking that actually."
"How about we play for ol' times sake."
"How about no."
What was he thinking? That we would have the same imagination as we had ten years
ago?
"Come on! It'll be fun. We did clear out the area so we may as well."
I thought for a moment, pondering on what it would be like to play with Liam again
as we did ten years ago.
"Hmm... Fine." I said, grabbing two toy guns from the toy box.
I joined Liam in the little roof space and ducked under the threshold of the door,
which was slighter higher up in the hiding area.
"Hamilton, your mission is to- screw it. I don't like this, we don't have the same
imagination as we used to." I sighed.
"Yeah you're right, we're too grown up for this now." He frowned.
"Help me put the tree back in and all the boxes and oh yeah!" I remembered another
small book Liam and I kept.
I searched through the toy box and found the book. It was brown, leather and long.
I opened it up to the first page, seeing lots of bits of paper fall out as well as
photos.
"I made this book. It was supposed to be for your eleventh birthday but we had some
argument I can't remember so I didn't want to give you it." I grinned.
"W-what is it?" Liam asked.
"It's a memory book. All the pictures we took on that vintage Polaroid, all the
drawings we made and all the small adventures we had."
I gave the book to him, seeing him take it out of my hands like a delicate glass
vase. He studied every page, every photograph and every drawing for at least two
minutes before moving on.
"I remember this too well," he grinned and pointed at a picture of our camping trip
from boy Scouts. It was the first time we both went camping and we hated it.
We were the most hated people on camp, mainly because we pranked everyone single
individual that attended the trip, whether it was the common whipped cream prank or
the obnoxious rumour.
"We were badass. I'll tell you that." I smirked.
It had only just occurred to me that Liam and I were... Bonding.
It was alien for both of us, we never bond like this. Reminiscing and catching each
other at vulnerable moments.
I felt as though I had my brother back from wherever he disappeared off to after
our hideout was taken away. Right at this moment, with Liam, I felt like I has seen
another side to him, as cliche as that sounds.
"New York, 2006." He pointed at the Polaroid picture of us standing in the middle
of the road, surrounded by yellow taxis. In the distance you could see a very young
looking, but furious mum and dad. We did afterall, nearly die. It was for a picture
though, and what a greet picture it turned out to be.
"Yeah, mum and dad didn't want to ground us because it would ruin their holiday."
"Do you remember your ninth birthday party? When I stuck your head in the cake?" I
grinned and pointed at the drawing that I made of Liam with his head in a cake and
the photo of the situation. What actually happened was I was about to feed him but
instead grabbed his head and shoved it in the cake. Nobody ate it afterwards, so I
spent the rest of the evening tidying up and eating all the cake I could ever want.
"You're draw horribly." He laughed.
"You can't say that now, I'm better than you." I hit his shoulder playfully.
"I had cake up my nose after that. It was gross. I should've stuck your head in the
cake too."
"Why didn't you?"
"Because I'm not horrible like you."
"I learnt from the best, which is you." I said triumphantly.
"I'm not horrible."
"Lies."
We reached the end of the book, I remember making it. I thought if the idea when I
decided to steal my dad's Polaroid because I was so interested in photography. I
thought that I could put all the pictures taken to use and make something that's
worth looking at.
"There's some pages spare." Liam said, lifting up the few pages that were left.
"Yeah, I saved those for after I gave you the book, so we could fill it up
together..." I said a little embarrassingly.
"Thanks, bro." He said, leaving the book on my bed, "let's tidy this all up before
dad freaks out."
------
A/N
So you learnt about the childhood of the brothers (; kinda cute huh?
Yes, they were pretty close as little kids but then drifted apart. :(

3. All You Need In Life Is A Clingy Girl.

"It's easy!"
"Maybe for you!"
"No, a five year old can do it."
I looked at Jace with no amusement whatsoever. "Teach me it so I can do it!"
"What do you think i'm doing?"
"You're not doing it properly! I've taught you it like two thousand times. What's
up?"
"I'm just distacted is all." I sighed, "Our exams will come soon and I don't know
anything."
He looked at the work and then took out his textbook, showing me and page in it
that explains how to work out the answer a particular formula. He started reading
it out loud to me.
"Now, try this example." He said, giving me a worksheet.
I picked up my pencil (because my pen ran out of ink and Jace wouldn't give me a
new one) and underlined the most important parts of the question.
I worked out the first step of it, which was pretty easy in the first place but I
got confused at the second one.
"You need to multiply that sum first. Here's a calculator."
I multiplied what he said and I guess it kind of made more sense to me.
"So," I said, sticking my pencil in my mouth, "after you multiply you need to
square root?"
"No, you square it then multiply 0.5 by the difference from that."
"Oh for god's sake." I groaned and hid my face in my hands. "This is bullshit."
"Fine. We'll come back to it. Try this." He said swapping my worksheet with
another.
For the next hour, we went through dozens worksheets, and I finally completed the
first one with a lot of help.
When we finally finished, I sighed in relief and packed my bag. "Next Thursday
after school?"
"Can't. Vince is having a barbecue with his friends. You should come it'll be fun."
"I'll try. Are you free the day after?"
"Yeah. We'll do the Friday."
"Cool." I said, walking out the classroom that we studied in.
"Hey. Can your mum give me a ride home? I don't have one and Liam will be pissed if
I ask him to get me." I said.
"Ever heard of public transport?" He laughed.
"Shut up." I said jokingly, "can she then?"
"I'll ask " He sighed and rolled his eyes as of giving me a lift was the worst
thing he could ever do. We met Janine in the kitchen and Jace asked her, she just
nodded and told us to get in the car while she finished putting the plates away.
We raced to the familiar black Toyota highlander and got in. The outside and inside
was spotless, it looked as if it was brand new.
"Is Janine a clean freak?" I asked.
"That's the understatement of the century. It's funny because Vince is a total slob
and his car is the opposite of this." He chuckled before Janine pulled open the
door for the drivers seat and got I'm.
I kept reaching over to the heater and turning the wheel that closes and opens it,
Jace kept slapping my hand away from it so I just finally stay put and looked out
the window at all the shops and restaurants.
"Do you think we'd be friends then? You know, with university and all, it would be
hard."
"Awh you think we'll be friends."
"Shut up."
I fell out with all my friends from primary school, they all changed and became
completely new people. Then again, I could say the same thing about me, I was a
mute at some point, an emo and a nerd.
Now I'm respected by the whole school.
"It'd be cool if we did," I pointed out, "we make a good team."
"Correction: I make up the good in the team and you just tag along."
"No!"
"Yep."
I narrowed my eyes and glared at the don't bastard. "At least I'm not clingy."
"What?"
"You spam me with texts and missed calls."
"Do not."
"I wouldn't be surprised if you asked me 'where are you and who are you with?'
Every time I picked up the phone."
"I just wanted to know when our next session was, what's wrong with that?"
"Mhm."
"It's true! You never pick up the damn phone." He huffed.
"That's because I have a life." I smirked.
"I so have a life."
"Whatever floats your boat."
"You're so annoying."
"Hey! At least I don't pull people's chairs down so they hurt themselves."
"If you're going to bicker, then I'll happily kick you both out the car and you can
walk." Janine said, glaring at us both through the rearview mirror.
"I'm a guest at your house and you hurt me!" I whisper shouted.
"That was the point." He grinned goofily.
I rolled my eyes and got out of the car as soon as it came to a halt outside my
house.
"Thanks for the ride babe!" I said to Jace as soon as he rolled down the window.
"Kisses!" I blew him kisses as he rolled his eyes and laughed.
"You weirdo."
"Call me!" I spoke in a girly tone and held my thumb and little finger up to my
face like a phone.
Jace just hid his face in his hands as tried to not laugh. I was totally
embarrassing him and it was hilarious.
"Son. What are you doing?" I heard my dad's deep voice behind me and a hand on my
shoulder. It turns out he was laughing at the fact my dad was behind me, or maybe
it was because Janine was far too into her phone to care.
I swiftly turned around, mouth agape. Did he just hear that?
"How much did you see?"
"Majority of it. I didn't know you were so girly."
I started laughing, thinking about my reaction if I was I dad's place. How would
you react to your son acting like a clingy girl?
I mean, I was only doing it to show my impression of a girly Jace. Clingy, annoying
and embarrassing.
"It's just a joke!" I held my hands up in surrender.
"Thanks for giving him a ride, Janine." Dad shouted. She just smiled and said a
subtle 'your welcome'.
I turned around to face Jace, who was still trying to stop his laughs. "Bye Jace-y
poo!" I yelled at him, causing him to look at me in pure disbelief.
"See you in school Zach!" He laughed as Janine started driving off.
"Teenagers these days." My dad scoffed and I followed him Into the house.
I snickered to myself. With Jace I felt like I wouldn't be judged. So what came
over me when I acted like a girl in front of him I'll never know.
Obviously, it was a joke and I'm not what people would call 'camp' and I wouldn't
have done the same thing with anybody else.
I've only known Jace a little under a month and I've discovered a lot about him.
I know that he always sees the best in people and he believes everybody has
potential.
I mean, he did put up with me after endless complaints didn't he?
I've never met anybody like Jace. He's the person that everybody would want to
befriend if they knew him that is.
Nobody noticed Jace's presence.
"Dude. What are you staring at?" Liam's voice rang in my air.
"Nothing."
"Weirdo." He said and walked off.
I shrugged and went up to my room and took our my game boy.
It's a nineties kid thing.
Twenty minutes into a game of Puss in Boots my phone rang.
I leant over to the other side of my bed and retrieved the phone from the bedside
table
"Yello."
"Serously, who says 'yello'- oh wait, you because you're abnormal and you can't say
a basic 'hello'. Instead you say a colour, and yellow is a gross colour like it's
so much like the sun and the sun hurts my eyes and-"
"Shut up, please." I chuckled at Jace's stupid rambling and nagging.
"You left your book at mine."
"Oh. Can you give it to me tomorrow?"
"Sure but.." He started and I could actually feel his devilish smirk, "I need a
favour."
Of course, Jace would be the one to make some sort of crazy deal.
"What?" I groaned. All for a textbook?
"Well prom is coming up in two and a bit months and there's some help needed on the
prom committee."
"You want me to help." I deadpanned.
"Yes. We need to find caterers, DJ's, a venue. It's a long and boring process. We
could use your help."
"Jace. If you give me my textbook tomorrow- with no catch- I will not come to your
house and kill you."
"Oh come on... We need people on the prom committee. I'm actually performing, and I
know that you have some musical talent."
"I know, I can play the triangle. I'm actually pretty good at it." I snorted rather
unattractively.
"No. I know you can rap and you're a good singer. I've heard you."
"You creep. How could you have heard me?"
"You sang in the toilet when you came to my house and also, you write lyrics in
class instead of learning. Oh and by the way, the fact that you rap to Eminem is
awesome. He's awesome."
Just for the record, nobody was meant to know that I sing in the toilet and the
shower.
And I am certainly not a lyricist. Yes, I attempt at writing lyrics but the outcome
sucks.
"You little ba-"
"So can you help?" He said hopefully.
"Fine. Take this as my pay back for the tuition."
"Hey, my parents cooked for you. That also deserves something in return."
"They cooked for me because they're generous. Not to receive something in return."
He huffed and stopped talking. For a few minutes the line was silent but not dead.
"Jace?"
"Wha- oh, I was getting ready for bed."
"Right."
"Jace, you know the rule of no phones after nine thirty, it's now nine forty-five."
Jace's dad said.
A good person would hang the phone up and let Jace handle his business with his dad
with no eves droppers.
But I'm not a good person.
"Right, sorry dad I'm talking to Zach." Jace said.
"You saw him not even three hours ago. Obsessed much?"
"I am not obsessed," Jace stated, "I was telling him that he left his textbook
here."
"Whatever floats your boat, now put the phone away."
He sighed and spoke on the phone to me again, "I gotta go dude. See you tomorrow."
"I understand." I smirked, "you're still a child so you can't have phones out at
this time."
"Shut it."
"Make me." I said smugly.
"Oh I will."
He cut the phone off.
-
Two days later, I was sticking posters around the school that asked for people to
join the prom committee.
"What are you doing man? Joining in all this prissy stuff?" Liam seethed at me.
"I'm getting involved."
"Dude. You're such a downer."
Remind me why Liam cared so much?
Oh yes, his reputation.
He isn't known to be 'soft' so getting involved wasn't his kinda thing. The only
thing he likes to get involved in is booze and girls.
"Hey, Zach. Wanna go prom with me?" A random girl asked as I walked down the
corridor on the East Wing. She reminded me of a chipmunk. Her face was perfectly
round, she was pretty- and she was only wearing some mascara- and she didn't look
like the usual type of people who throw themselves at me.
So why was she getting involved in this? It seems as if all the good people in the
school at changing into violent popular-boy-eating monsters.
"I have a date." I lied "I'm sorry.. I mean, I have friends who might wanna take y-
you."
"But I wanted to go with you." She sighed and ducked her head like a total diva.
I felt guilty.
Yep, I was definitely turning soft.
"Sorry."
She sighed and walked away. Obviously, she only wanted to go with me because I'm
popular. Come on, everyone wants to go with a popular guy right?
Or not.
I can't tell if people just like me because I'm popular or because I'm Zach and
nothing more. Just plain old boring Zach who by the way, would make a great friend.
I pondered on this while Jace took brightly coloured posters out of the pile in my
hand and stuck them all over the school- on the signature blue lockers, decayed
walls, classroom doors and filled up pin boards.
"Are we done yet?" I sighed after half an hour.
"Almost. So are you performing at the prom?"
"No. I'm not a performer." I deadpanned.
"I am. You should it'll be so much fun!" He grinned.
"Nah. What are you performing?"
"That's a surprise, but I'll be playing my guitar."
I've never heard Jace play guitar, or sing for that matter. I'm sure he's
brilliantly talented, he told me he's been playing for nearly eight years.
"We should do a duet. Me on guitar and you singing."
"I can't sing. That's why I only sing when I'm supposed to have my alone time..
Such as going to the restroom. But nooo, you have to eavesdrop on me." I chuckled.
"Hey!" He defended, "I was not eavesdropping. I walked last and I heard you."
I scoffed, "that's eavesdropping. You're cleverer than me you should know."
"Fine. I did but that's only because you're a good singer. Otherwise I wouldn't
have carried on listening." He said, grabbing another poster and sticking it on a
classroom door.
"You're a creep." I smirked, "and no, we're not doing a duet."
"I wanna hear you rapping though!" He frowned and jumped up and down like a whiny
little girl.
"And I want to hear you play guitar. Or the drums, I think I saw drums at your
house."
"They're my dad's." He stated, "why don't you come round my house next week
Thursday, at the barbecue and I'll play the guitar in exchange to hear you sing or
rap."
"Fine."
We finished sticking all the posters up and we parted ways to go to our own
classes. I missed the first class and the first ten minutes of the second class in
order to print and stick the posters up.
I walked through the empty halls, and out into the open to get to the other side of
the school.
"Hamilton. You are late." My teacher got a ruler and slapped it on the table.
"I was doing something with the prom committee," I stated. It was the truth and I'm
guessing it would get me out of an after school detention.
A few people snickered in the class, wondering why a person like me will be on the
prom committee.
I just glared at them all and sat in my usual seat in the back row.
"Ow. Fu- I mean... Fig sticks.." I winced at the pain caused due to my knee hitting
the top of the table. I mean, come on, it's a high school, shouldn't they have
higher tables?
The rest of the day went pretty easily, a few hiccups here and there, and a few
glares also- even though I have no idea why people would glare at me for just being
me.
I'm fabulous.
I found Liam waiting in his car and sank into the passenger seat, seeing four of
his friends squished up at the back in a three seater couch.
"Do I need a explanation?" I cocked an eyebrow.
"We're going to watch the game. It's about to start and you took ages to come."
"Oh come on. I wanted to watch the new season of Misfits!" I whined.
"You'll have to wait." One of Liam's friends said.
"Yeah. What team are you on? Arsenal or Liverpool?" Liam asked me.
Ah right, the FA Cup.
"I couldn't give a shit. I'd rather play football than watch it." I snorted.
I used to be on the school's football team, but last year I quit because I got
depressed over my granddad's passing away.
I didn't eat, sleep or socialise.
Grandad was the only person who knew about my sexuality. I told him because he
admitted to me that he thought he was once gay and he's also had gay fantasies.
But he married my grandma and they were happy, which gave my Granddad the idea that
he wasn't gay, but instead, just curious or bisexual.
He never told me which one he was.
It was beyond awkward for him to tell me this. I still remember the day, he kept
talking and talking while I squirm in my seat.
Apparently, it's normal to be curious when you're a teenager. It doesn't
necessarily mean you're gay.
I had gay fantasies, so worried, I had to tell my grandad and he explained
everything.
I realised I was gay when my gay sexual fantasies were too common. I no longer had
sexual fantasies with women, I tried to but nope, nothing about women turned me on.
We arrived at the house and instantly, the guys shot out the car and ran to the
front door, Liam locked the car once I (very slowly) got out the car.
"Woah." Mum held her hands up and the guys quickly said 'hi' and ran in to the
house as if it was their own.
"Hey mum." I grinned and kissed her cheek.
"Do I need an explanation?" she cocked an eyebrow. I chuckled because it was the
exact thing I had said.
"No, you really don't." I said and went into the house and straight for the snack
cupboard, where I grabbed a packet of malteasers.
"Oh no you don't. It's unhealthy." Mum tsked and took the packet out of my hands.
"I don't care."
"i don't want an obese son."
"So if I were obese, you'd disown me?" I opened my mouth and held a hand to my
chest, faking hurt. "That cuts real deep mum."
"I mean, I don't want you to be obese."
"Of course." I said saracstically and grabbed the packet out of her hands again and
ran to my room.
"Arsenal! Arsenal!- No! Liverpool!!" was all I heard from Liam's room and a series
of yells. I decided to join them, half an hour later later because I was feeling
lonely.
----------------------
A/N.
I feel there's too much Jace/Zach in this part.. nevermind. x]

4. The Royal Family Deserve A Royal Kick Up The Backside.

Picture is of Molly and Trisha :] >>>>
"Aunt Stacy, always a pleasure to see you." Liam greeted sickly sweetly and all
posh-like, making me snicker to myself.
"Uncle Frank! I'm so glad you're here!" I fake-grinned at him. Uncle Frank wasn't
as snobby as Aunt Stacy, but still snobby nonetheless. Sometimes I got along with
him and other times I hated his guts.
I'm pretty sure that he doesn't feel the same way and in fact, hates my guts
twenty-four seven.
"Zach!" I heard my voice being yelled by a rather familliar and irritating nasily
voice.
"Oh. Ew." I cringed as Molly and Trisha both hugged me at once. "Please don't touch
me."
Trisha and Molly, even when they realise we don't like them, don't like holding
grudges.
They act as if nothing had ever happened. I mean, after the whole New Years party
chaos, Liam and I had to lecture them.
And now, they're hugging me as if we're the best of friends.
They let go and I wiped off invisible dust from my shoulders. "What's up." I said
monotonously and without enthusiasm. I didn't really care what they had to say.
Trisha and Molly changed. A lot. Liam also noticed this as he cocked an eyebrow and
had a questioning face. His eyes were focused on Molly's bare legs, because she was
wearing shorts.
Well, Liam will always be the perverted and hormonal boy he really is.
They both grew a lot taller and even with heels on, it was very visible. They
matured. Molly wore light denim shorts and a tank top and Trisha wore dark denim
jeggings and a cropped t-shirt with the words 'Eat, Sleep, Repeat.'
I couldn't believe they were wearing heels, just to visit us. I mean, I understand
for occasions but really? To travel for two hours in the car?
I thwacked the back of Liam's head and he shook out of his reverie, I glared at him
through slitted eyes and he started to greet them both.
"Frank!" My dad's voice boomed throughout the hallway. "How are you?!"
"Mick!" Frank grinned and walked to my dad just to give him a noogie.
"Our bags are in the car, you should go get them." Molly said without even looking
at me or Liam but instead, her red painted nails.
"Get your own damn bags." I huffed and earnt a slap from mom.
"Go get the bags. Now." she said.
I sighed and walked with Liam to their Mercedes S Class.
I grabbed two Chanel bags and Liam grabbed two Louis Vuitton bags.
"You have a perverted mind." I stated.
"Come on, they've changed right? I'm a man. It's normal."
"She's your cousin. Ew."
"I appreciate a nice set of legs. Not Molly. Ew. Don't you?"
"Uh..Sure." I said and walked to the house.
I put the bags down by the stairs and went back out to get the rest, seeing Liam
struggle to carry three bags.
I shoved him, making him drop all the bags and he glared at me, then realised what
I was doing and chuckled.
They're not our bags after all.
I took out the last of the bags, another Chanel one that must've cost a fortune.
"Come on." I said to a struggling Liam and went into the house.
I put the bags near the rest and followed Liam into the living room, where we all
sat.
"Aunt Jen," Trisha directed to my mom. "How do you do your eye make up? It's really
nice."
"Oh yes; the eyeshadow is a really nice shade."
Suck ups.
Well actually, they sounded as if they genuinely did like my mum's make up. It was
that , or they're just really good actors.
"Oh, thank you dear. I use the Nars palette. It's called Summer Dream."
I cocked an eyebrow at the situation. My dad and Frank were in a deep conversation
with eachother and Aunt Stacy, my mum and the twins were talking really nicely to
eachother.
This is so wrong.
I turned to Liam, who was one again, staring at Molly's legs so I, once again,
thwacked him over the head and earned a glare.
"We're going to talk. Come on." Molly said, dragging Trisha, Liam and I to the
kitchen.
"Right," she said and leaned on the counter. "I'm taking Zach's room. It's the
comfiest and it's an ensuite."
"No. we've decided the sleeping arrangements." I stated. "You're sleeping on the
air bed. In the spare room next to your parents or in the living room."
"Shut up. You're listening to me, got it?" Molly seethed and glared at us through
slitted eyes.
Kind of reminded me of a snake.
"Er, how about no. Stop being such a bitch. Trish is alright, why can't you be?"
Trish grinned and came to stand in between Liam and I.
"Fine." She said and spoke normally; not through gritted teeth like before. "Can
squish in with one of you?"
"Trish can, you can't." I said and grinned. I figured, it was hilarious to make
Trisha turn against Molly. Wrong but, hilarious.
"What? That's unfa-"
"You have to be nice to us and earn our respect." I said and recieved a look from
Liam that said 'hell nah.' Probably because Mol would end up having to sleep with
him if she's bearable.
"Actually I'll sleep on the air bed with Mol." Trish said.
Molly huffed and stomped her feet. "ok fine. The blow up bed it is."
I grabbed a suitcase and hauled it upstairs hastily and put it in the spare room.
Liam followed and the twins grabbed the last ones.
"By the way, heels just for a two hour journey? Bad idea." I said.
"Yeah. My feet kill." Molly sighed and Trish agreed.
I walked into my room and everyone seemed to follow when I didn't want them to.
They made themselves comfortable on my bed and I cocked an eyebrow while I grabbed
my laptop and phone.
"Can you like.. Go?"
"Why? We can watch a movie. I brought 'The Princess Diaries' it's my favourite
childhood movie" Trish announced and pulled the disk out from behind her.
"What? No." I gave them a weird look and opened up my homework on my laptop. "I
have things to do."
"Like jerk off?" Liam chuckled and I glared at him.
"Shut up."
"It's normal." He said and ruffled my hair. Then he continued on talking about how
normal it is to jerk off when you're a teenager.
I slapped his hand away "Go away, get out!" I said and he scoffed and stopped
talking.
"Are you not cold? It's winter and you're wearing stupid outfits and there's no
heater in this room." I stated vaguely. Mum is pretty strict when it comes to the
house bills, even though there isn't a heater in my room, she's choosy about when
to put the heaters on around the rest of the house.
"My outfit is fabulous." Molly said.
I grabbed two hoodies out of my closet and gave them it, only to hear them complain
about the strong aftershave smell which didn't appeal to them and the colour not
matching their outfits.
"This colour sickens me." Trish started, "dark green? Yuck."
"My favourite colour actually," Liam faked hurt.
"It's disgusting. D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G." She drawled out slowly as if I was a five
year old.
"If you're going to do that you can make your way out of my room now. I don't even
know why you're here. When I'm here, I prefer to be alone. It's my own space." I
rolled my eyes.
Molly got up and started to investigate my room, touching my photos and posters on
the wall and my aftershaves.
She sprayed the air in front of her with Naive, one of the aftershaves that I use
most. "This smells good."
"Stop wasting it."
I continued to do my homework, I found it hard to focus with the continuous
chatting.
"Seriously, get out my room." I said and buried my face in my hands.
"Fine. We'll go to Liam's." she said and in a millisecond, Liam stood up and ran
down the flight of stairs to his room, probably to lock it. Molly followed, in an
attempt to race him to his room but that's unlikely because Liam has been running
track for three years. I snickered and opened up an excel spreadsheet. As a member
of the prom committee, my part was to record how much we spend and on what. I also
had to find some caterers and a DJ and most importantly, a venue.
"Ooh prom. I wanna help!" Trisha's voice rang in my ear and I felt the bed dip,
meaning she's sat down behind me.
"No."
"Oh please! I remember my prom. I was on the prom committee as well you know."
"I don't care."
"What do you need help with?"
"Finding a venue first of all."
She took the laptop off me and typed something in to google, it came up with a
website that had the headline, 'find the perfect palace'.
She did some more clicking and typing before showing me a particular venue, it
looked like a country house, everything was wood and it was surrounded by gravel.
"No, too old. Something modern." I said.
She showed me another venue, it was large and it had a car park and drop off point.
The inside looked like a dream prom place, it was perfect but overpriced.
One picture showed the white tiled dancefloor lit up with small white dots and
colour changing lights moving around the room. Another picture showed the dance
floor with people on it and DJ playing.
The last picture showed a very pretty garden with a large array of flowers in
different colour with benches for eating and a buffet table.
"Overpriced."
"Keep it in mind. It's a nice place."
"Thanks."
"No problem. We have lunch time now so come downstairs."
I started to walk downstairs, but then I was shoved and nearly fell down the
stairs. My breath caught and I steadied myself. I turned around and gritted my
teeth. "You bi-"
"Come on, you don't think I've become a better person? I still hate you and you
still hate me."
I walked down the rest of the stairs, turning around every now and then to make
sure Trisha doesn't try anything else. I finally reached the bottom and noticed she
was a few steps behind me so I grabbed her wrist and pulled her down aggresively,
only to earn slaps on my arm and shoulder multiple times.
I dragged myself to the kitchen and saw my mum and Aunt Stacy cutting up some salad
and chatting.
"What's for lunch?" I asked.
"Quesadilla. Would you mind setting the plates?" Mum said.
I groaned and took some plates out of the cupboard and put them in to Trisha's
hands, only to see her jaw dropping as if I just offended her by saying that her
Louis Vuitton bag didn't match her Jimmy Choo's.
"Stop being a drama queen and set the table."
She scoffed and lay the plates down on the table, putting in more effort than I
thought she would. She set the granite placemats that we never use and basically
made it look to perfection. Every plate had a bowl, a napkin and a ring and a
glass.
I didn't even realise we owned napkins and rings, isn't a little farfetched? I
mean, it's only us eating, not the Queen on England. She didn't even allow me to
set the table because she thought I'd ruin her perfect setting. She asked mom for
the napkins, placemats and napkin rings.
"Oh, Trish, the table looks stunning, almost like a restaurant. Thank you for
that." Mom smiled and Trish smiled back.
I've noticed that both Trish and Mols are sucking up to my mum big time. They
probably talk behind her back or something. I came to realisation that Molly and
Trisha are kinda, sorta, bearable. Molly wasn't as reluctant as Liam and I thought
she'd be about the sleeping arrangements and she actually said she'd sleep on a
blow up bed.
You see, these guests are like the royal family, only wanting the best. With no
doubt, Molly and Trisha slept in a queen sized bed back at their house that was
perfectly made up and matched to their bedroom. Now, they are sleeping in a blow up
bed that can barely fit two people.
Aunt Stacy has decided to ignore me, which is probably for the best. If I open my
mouth, the only thing coming out of it would be cusses.
"Smells good, what is it?" Liam said, walking into the kitchen smiling with Molly
trailing behind, laughing but not because of the plate setting just oddly laughing
for whatever reason.
I cocked an eyebrow, Liam and Molly laughing together? Isn't that like illegal in
our books?
Molly and Liam must have conversed about something that's unknown to me, without me
or Trish. It was expected, Liam was usually the most liked and if Molly had to tell
one of us something, it would be Liam. It's fine, it was used to it but I would
always get the same annoying thing said to me ever so often: 'Why can't you be more
like Liam?'. I was always compared to him.
Whatever happened between Molly and Liam, it caused them both to become happy.
Probably Liam and Molly worked some things out and they no longer held a grudge
over eachother.
But Liam hates the twins.
So it was a little freaky and it's only been half an hour.
I was completely lost. Maybe I shouldn't look so deep into this. It was a little
weird though for them both to come downstairs together genuinely happy. Something
happened and I was beyond curious. I needed to know. It was as if my life depended
on it, I doubt it was even about me but come on, It had only been half an hour
since everyone came in to my room, hating eachother's guts and complaining about my
hoodie choice.
I sighed, I will find out at some point. Just not right now because right now, I'd
like to enjoy my Quesadelia.
I sat down at the table, next to Liam and made my plate, deciding now is the right
time to interrogate Liam as everyone was distracted.
"What went on in your room?" I asked and cocked an eyebrow.
"Um.. nothing. Just.. Molly told me something. It's not important." he said. "And,
it's nothing about you, don't worry."
I sighed, I wanted to know more. "told you what?"
"She.. wanted to throw a birthday party for uh, her friend and wanted my help." he
said almost questionably.
I knew whatever he was saying was lies. He never usually stutters or thinks about
what he had to say, meaning he never says 'uh' and takes thinking time in between
his sentance.
Something was up.
"So how long till you leave?" I asked casually to the guests and earned a cold hard
matching brown eyed stare from dad.
"Well, our house is getting repainted. I'd say for two weeks." Uncle Frank said.
"What about Molly and Trisha. Don't they have school?"
"They're already on half term. They finish earlier than you."
Ah, yes, the end of term is coming up. That means I have to see Molly and Trisha
for all of it meaning my week off is officially ruined.
I groaned loudly which mum wasn't too happy about.
Two weeks of Molly and Trisha? I'd rather move out the house.
"We'll have so much fun. Isn't it Zach?" Molly grinned evilly.
"Hooray.." I said with no enthusiasm whatsoever.
---
A/N
I said there was too much Jace/Zach but come on, the story is based on them so..
Meh.

5. Tomfoolery
Jace to the side xD
--------------------------------------------
"Trisha you do know I was joking when I said you could room with me?"
"Yeah. I don't care."
"No. Go away, I don't want you here."
"Is it so you could jerk off like Liam said?"
When I said Trisha could room with me because she's bearable, I meant it as a joke.
It was only to make Molly annoyed. When Liam suggested that I wanted alone time to
jerk off, Trisha uses it against me.
Presently, Trisha was holding her bright pink pillow by my doorway, asking if she
can room with me. Hell nah. She was dressed in her pyjamas- joggers and a vest top,
ready for bed. It'll be weird to room with Trisha, even though I have a double bed,
we're both at that age were hormones spill out everywhere.
"You still said I could room here now move up." she said, shoving me to one side of
the bed.
Just my luck, Mum walked past the room and glared at me. "Zach, if Trisha finds it
hard to sleep on the blow up bed then let her sleep in your room. She's a guest and
she deser-"
"Mum, no."
"Zach, move up for Trisha, now."
I groaned loudly and scrambled to the other side of the bed. I faced my back to her
and felt the bed dip. "I'm not rooming with her again," I said and mum replied with
"I don't want any of that attitude."
Mum left and it was silent for a few minutes until Trisha asked me to stop being
greedy with the duvet.
"So," Trisha said. "I bet you've had other girls in this bed. Liam told me that
you're asked out by a lot of girls."
Did she really just say that?
I turned around to face her and gritted my teeth. "That's none of your business."
"I think it is. My cousin, a girl magnet. That's cute."
"There's nothing cute about it. Anyway, I haven't had a girlfriend for a while." I
closed my eyes, hoping to get to sleep again. I think my last comment was a total
conversation killer anyway.
"Why?" Trisha blurted out after a few moments, causing me to sigh. If Trisha isn't
satisfied, she'd keep talking until she is so I have to talk to her.
"Because, I dump them after a month- or less." I said truthfully. "What about you?
Any boyfriends?"
"I'm in a relationship at the moment, with a guy called Kian. We've been going out
for a year."
I just nodded and closed my eyes again, but then, Trisha had to open her mouth
again.
"When was your last hookup?"
"I'm not saying. Gosh, stop being nosey." I said.
"But don't you get lonely? No girlfriends, hookups?"
"I don't need a girlfriend to keep me from getting lonely, I have friends."
"Molly's the same, she hasn't had a boyfriend for a couple months." she sighed, "I
get worried. She's pretty depressed most the time."
Could Molly be in the same boat? I mean, it's very unlikey but she could be a
lesbian. Who knows right? Coming out the closet is a freaking difficult task. I
haven't succeeded in it, i'm too worried about all the judgements from other
people.
That's the thing about me, I actually care about what people's judgements are of
me. It's not good and I know that I shouldn't let other people change the way I
think.
"Go sleep Trish." I said and turned around. The room was eerily silent and the last
thing that could be heard was a sigh and a yawn.
-
"Can we go to the cinema?"
"No, let's go shopping!"
"You have enough clothes!"
I cocked an eyebrow to Liam, who did the same. Obviously, Molly and Trisha couldn't
agree on one thing. They never can.
"Can you just shut up." Liam yelled. Both girls went silent. "We'll go shopping. I
need to get a few things. Zach, you up for it?"
I nodded, "Yeah ok but can I invite a friend?"
"I'll invite a friend too. Molly, Trisha, we don't want you around us, got it?"
They giggled and went out into the hallway to put on their shoes. I went upstairs
and got my phone to ring Jace.
"Hello?"
"Yo, you wanna come to the mall for a bit? My cousins are over an they wanted to go
and I can't deal with them around."
"Yeah ok."
"I'll be at your house in ten."
"Cool bye."
I hung the phone up and went upstairs to change out of my joggers and actually in
to outside clothes. I wore light denim shorts that are tight at the bottom and end
just above the knee and matching sky blue and white tie dye top.
Once I was happy with my appearance I came downstairs. Molly and Trisha were
already ready and waiting.
"You take longer than a girl, jeez." Trisha commented.
We all headed out into the car and made a stop a Jace's and then Calvin's.
"Guys, why did we take a five seater car when we have six people?" Jace groaned as
he sat in the car. "I'm all squished."
I studied his attire. He wore a plain t-shirt and red capri's that were rolled up
at the bottom. To top it off he wore red toms and a beanie that actually suited him
well. He looked like a true hipster.
"Guess what," I asked. "Nobody cares."
We arrived at the mall, without reviving a ticket for speeding or having too many
people.
"We should see a movie." Calvin said, making Molly scoff.
We parked the car and headed inside, where we parted ways. Calvin and Liam went off
together, Molly and Trisha went off together and Jace and I went off together.
"Wanna get fro-"
"Who goes shopping on a Sunday? Really?" Jace complained. It seemed all he does is
complain.
We walked in the direction of the frozen yogurt stall, I went chocolate overload
with Oreo, chocolate buttons and chocolate sprinkles. Jace went a little more
healthier and had bananas, strawberries, blueberries and mini m&m's.
I took my wallet out of my back pocket and stood by the counter to pay for our
yogurt.
"Don't worry." I said just as Jace took out his wallet. I handed the woman at the
register the money for both our fro-yos.
"Zach, you didn't have to pay for me."
"It's cool," I said. After all, He's tutoring and he's even feeding me at the
barbecue.
We walked around the mall eating our frozen yogurts. We didn't want to go to any
particular stores.
"Can we go there, please?!" Jace said and pointed to The Disney Store.
"Really? They don't even have your size- woah." I was cut off when he grabbed my
hand and dragged to the Disney store.
He let go and I couldn't help but want his touch again. I don't know whether it's
because it's Jace or because I've been pretty lonely for a long time. Trisha had a
point, you can fulfil your loneliness just with friends. It couldn't be Jace
though, I haven't even known him long.
"They have my size. Over there." he pointed to the corner of the room, under a
section called 'adult'.
"I'm so getting this." Jace picked up a dark grey hoodie and showed me it. It had a
cute picture of Mickey and Minnie.
"You're such a child." I chuckled.
"Hey shut up."
"Make me."
He huffed and walked off to the mugs. He fumbled with them all, there were loads.
Winnie the Pooh characters, Monsters Inc, Tinkerbell, Wall-E and way more.
I went back to the adults section and looked at the collections. One sweatshirt in
particular caught my eye. It was black and there was a white outline of Winnie the
Pooh and Tigger.
I picked it up, and maybe I'm being a hypocrite but it is childish. It's not girly,
like Jace's.
I went to the till to pay and Jace was behind, holding a mug that had Goofy on it.
I paid for my things and Jace paid for his. He got really happy when he received a
Disney themed bag to put the stuff in. It was made up of multicoloured squares and
in the squares were different Disney characters.
He reminded me of an excited little kid.
"Do you wanna get a pretzel?" Jace asked half an hour later while walking past the
different shops.
"We just had yogurt."
"But they're right over there. They're calling me."
"Ok fine fine." I agreed, "I can't say no to pretzels."
"Exactly my point." He grinned and fast walked to the stand.
"Which one do you like?"
"Salted." I said.
"One salted and one cinnamon please." Jace ordered the pretzels.
I started to take my wallet out but I was beaten to it when he paid for mine and
his pretzel.
"Why did you do that for?" I groaned.
"You paid for my fro-yo."
"Yeah but you're tutoring me... And giving me barbecue food."
He just said 'whatever' and walked off way in front of me and ate his pretzel.
"Fine you wanna walk off, I'll do the same." I said smugly and walked in the
opposite direction.
I started walking and after a few moments I felt arms on either side of my
shoulders and a pair of legs wrap around my waist.
"What on earth are you doing?" I yelled because I got all panicky for nothing.
"Enjoying a piggy back. You're the pig."
"Hilarious."
"I'm going to fall so can you like maybe, I don't know... Hold me legs in place?"
"You could've kept walking off." I said and grabbed the back of his knees so I held
him in place.
"I don't have a ride home."
"I could drop you any moment you know.. Like you pulled my chair down."
"I know, but I'm too special to you so you wouldn't." He said and took a bite of
his pretzel.
"I wanna eat my pretzel though." I whined.
After I heard a few crumpling papers from the paper bags, a pretzel was shoved in
my face. I took a bite and chewed.
"Thanks."
"No problem," he said with a mouthful of pretzel.
"Now get the fuck off me." I said, trying to sound intimidating.
"Oh, I don't wanna walk. My feet hurt. I'm not a jock like you, I can't do long
distances. I just sit on my butt and play guitar or stand for five minutes tops."
"I'm not a jock, I don't do sports. That's all Liam."
"Whatever you say." He sang and put the pretzel in front of my mouth again so I
could take a bite.
We walked a little bit, Jace's weight didn't affect me that much. "Isn't that Molly
and Trisha?" He asked as we walked past Topshop.
I looked to where he was looking and surely, Molly and Trisha were there and they
were flirting with the cashier.
Molly looked my way and waved with a big grin. I just rolled my eyes in return.
"Jace you're fat. You're gonna break me." I whined. He wasn't actually fat, I bet
he works out.
"It's all muscle." He replied with smugly.
"What do you want to do?" I asked. It hadn't even been long since we got here and I
already want to go home.
"I don't know." He asked and put the pretzel bag in my face again.
I took a bite and carried on walking. "You're more of a nerdy hipster. Don't you
want to get Starbucks or something?"
"I am not a hipster and I hate coffee. Gross."
I dropped him on his butt and looked at him as if he was alien. "You don't like
coffee? I can't even look at you anymore." I went all drama queen like and turned
my back to him while he got up.
"My butt hurts. Why did you drop me. Ow." He came in front of my and rubbed his
butt and frowned.
"How can you not like coffee? It's like the greatest thing ever created."
"It's gross."
I walked off, leaving him in the dust and went to the shop Molly and Trisha were
in.
"Erm, where's Jace?" Molly asked. "He was literally on you, you can't lose him."
"I dropped him on his butt because he doesn't like coffee." I replied with.
At that moment I was gripped around the stomach, twisted around and pinned to the
floor. A person, who I quickly realised as Jace, was on top of me and holding my
wrists down. My legs were in an awkward angle and it was pretty painful when I was
slammed to the floor.
It was weird- him being on top. Usually, I'm on top of a girl, if you know what I
mean (wink wink).
Zach, now is not the time for thinking dirty thoughts. Get your head out the
gutter.
"What the hell, Jace? Get off me." I winced as he put more pressure on my wrists
and grinned evilly - like the Cheshire Cat. I tried pulling him off but he had an
advantage because he was on top me. If we were in another position, I could easily
tackle him.
He was leaning forward to hold my wrists down and if he sat down, his ass would be
on top of my crotch. He was still grinning menacingly and it was then I noticed
that we were in a pretty dirty position.
God sakes Zach you get your head out the gutter. Like seriously. Now is not the
right time.
"Not until you say sorry." He smirked. His breath fanned my face.
"Sorry." I said loudly in his face and whispered "not.." When he wasn't looking.
He got off me, and I took a deep breath like a drama queen. It was only then I saw
that a small crowd had gathered around us. Mainly girls, including Molly and
Trisha.
"That's what I thought." He smirked and gave me a hand to lift me up but I refused,
because I knew he'd just let go.
I looked around, a few people from the crowd has left and I looked to Molly and
Trisha who just giggled to each other.
I rolled my eyes and shoved Jace hard on the shoulder and walked out the store.
"We have the barbecue coming up, you still up for it?" I heard his voice behind me.
"Hell yes. I love barbecues but I'm not going for you I'm going for Vince."
"Alright fine. Your cousin's can come if they want."
"No frick way. No way. That would be the only time I don't have to see their
faces."
An hour later of just lollygagging, we were finally heading home. I thought about
the events today. I felt comfortable hanging with Jace, it was never awkward- even
when he was sitting on me or hanging on my back oddly enough.
I didn't know what we were. Friends? Best friends? Frenemies?
----------
A/N
Bleugh, filler chapter.. hmm. It was really just so you guys realise how close Jace
and Zach are as friends. They are in fact, really good friends :)

6. The Real Zach Shady

Yay lookie at the youtube video on the side. It's 'Kiss My Friends' by The Downtown
Fiction. My character as Jace is actually the lead singer (Cameron Leahy). He's the
one that apprears first wearing the suspenders/braces.
-----------------
My wardrobe looked empty, everything I had ever owned just looked inferior,
unappealing even. Just a pile of useless cotton.
If you're wondering, I can't decide what exactly to wear. It's a barbecue from the
mid afternoon to late at night, so it has to be a daytime outfit as well as an
evening outfit. Let's not forgot it's warmer in the day than it is at night.
Only girls overthink their outfits Zach.
I stared blankly at the my wardrobe for another five minutes until my door slammed
open and giggles erupted. Molly, Trisha and Angelique all came in the room.
Trisha's arms were looped with Molly's and they stopped their giggling and just
looked at me cross legged on the floor in front of my wardrobe.
"We heard you're going to Jace's barbecue. Can we come?" Molly grinned.
"No." I deadpanned and saw Molly's grin subside but then light up again, almost
menacingly.
"He said we can though, I'm not deaf."
I shooed them out of my room after that. They pretty much know that mum is my only
weakness. A mum is everybody's weakness. You can never underestimate the power of a
guy's mother.
I looked back at my wardrobe and decided to get off my butt and actually look
through the clothes. Layer after layer, I peeled off the different clothes.
Something warm but not too warm.
I finally decided on a pair of chinos, much like the ones Jace wore to the mall but
instead, mine were dark blue with a few pockets but still rolled up at bottom.
I also picked out a white t-shirt that read, Parental Advisory: Explicit Content. I
also wore white converses.
I headed downstairs and fumbled with my phone. Once I was at the foot of the
stairs, Molly and Trish came in my view all dressed up in matching outfits: Jean
shorts and a white t-shirt.
"Zach, you're taking Molly and Trish." Mum said and shooed us out the door.
"But wait! It's not-"
"Go!" She boomed and closed the door behind us.
We walked to my mum's small grey Volkswagen Polo. The plan was for Liam to take me
but Molly can drive so there's no need.
"Don't get in my way ok?"
They both nodded and giggled, again.
We arrived in front of Jace's house and parked round the corner. We all got out the
car and Trisha complimented my outfit.
Twenty minutes of staring at your wardrobe does things.
We entered the garden through the back door at the corner of the house and I was
greeted by Jace.
"I'm so glad you're here seriously, I was getting so tired of Vince teaching me how
to do a barbecue." He said, "I thought your cousin's weren't com-"
"I know what I said, let's go."
We walked off just as Trisha and Molly did. They probably went to find some guys to
talk to because that's pretty much all they do.
I had never been in Jace's garden before, it was pretty big. Lanterns adorned the
walls and fences and also sat on small tables. They weren't on yet because it was
still day. Loud music pumped through speakers, it was almost deafening.
I walked to the barbecue and picked up a burger and put it in a bun with salad.
"This burger is heavenly." I moaned as I took another bite.
"I know," Jace grinned, "it's awesome."
I finished the rest of my burger and we headed in to the house and downstairs to
Jace's room.
Instantly, he went to his Playstation and I looked at him as he set it up. I
studied him, like I've never studied him before and wondered if I could come out to
him. He didn't seem judgemental.
I felt like this secret that I've been keeping has been hanging on a thin piece of
thread and it's come to that point where that string is really close breaking.
I need to tell someone, I thought.
"Here's your controller." Jace said and passed me it.
I sat down next to him, cross legged in front of the tv. The game loaded on the
television and soon, we were playing 'Death in Time'. The aim was to try and kill
these freaky monsters and stop the stop clock before it causes the world to blow
up.
Jace and I were racing to the stop clock, both just as good as each other. I blew
up his car to slow him down and he blew up mine.
Soon, I got pretty bored and we switch to playing Call of Duty. "I'm so going to
beat you at this." I grinned.
"You wish, I'm way better." He drawled out.
"Yeah right," I scoffed.
We played for what felt like hours, both eager to kill each other. I'll have to
admit, Jace is pretty good a this game but I'm not going to let him win.
"Shit shit shit." I repeated over and over again as he threw a grenade.
"Told you!" He dropped his controller on the ground and fist pumped the air in
victory.
"Shut up."
"Aww don't be sad Zacchy." He came closer to me, till our faces were inches apart.
We stared at each other for ages. It wasn't awkward, nor was it comfortable. I
could feel his breathing on my face. I could just lean in right then and do
something stupid such as kiss him but then I'd be exposing my sexuality and he'd
get creeped out and never talk to me again because I don't even know whether he's
gay or not.
He was almost leaning on top of me, his muscular arms at either side of my body and
his chest parallel to mine. We weren't laying down but I was leant back, my hands
behind me supporting my body.
Still, I couldn't help but feel intoxicated in his aftershave, being this close to
him felt so right. I wish I could just stay in this moment.
I liked the way he was so cool and collected about all this. If he weren't, and was
instead like me, it'd be pretty awkward. I could tell how calm he was about this;
his breaths were coming out slowly and uniform and he had a smile on his face and
his eyes were kind of closed.
Me on the other hand, my breathing was unsteady, my heart raced and my eyes were
wide open like a deer in the headlights.
Then I came to the realisation of something. I liked Jace more than a friend. Why
else would my breathing become unsteady? Why else would my heart beat quickly?
Funny how that works out huh?
It all came to me all at once, I like-liked Jace. I even remembered what the
bastard wore on our shopping trip and even compared his to my outfit.
I finally decided on a pair of chinos, much like the ones Jace wore to the mall but
instead, mine were dark blue with a few pockets but still rolled up at bottom, I
recalled thinking.
I remember how much I enjoyed messing around with him at the mall. Especially when
he pinned me down and sat on top of me.
"Jace. I need to tell you something." I whispered and he moved back a little,
concern filling his eyes.
It was at the tip of my tongue. I'm gay and I may have a tinsy crush on you.
I couldn't do it. I don't know why, I just couldn't.
Exposing to him my feelings? I've never been good in that sector. Exposing my
feelings. Making them known. It had always been alien to me.
You know what? I might just be feeling lonely again, I haven't had a girlfriend for
a long time and your friends can't fulfil all your loneliness.
Yes, that just might be it. Loneliness. To think I had a crush on that bastard? I
must be crazy.
Jace? Of all people. To think I liked Jace. Gross. He's a friend, nothing more,
nothing less. Wow, I'm such a loser.
My heart was only beating a million beats a minute because of the position. This
position with him hovering over me was foreign to me. The same reason why I had
unsteady breathing.
The position. That was it.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Erm, nothing. Let's go outside, I think I need some air." I got up and shoved him
back down as he tried getting up.
"Hey! That's not nice!" He whined.
"Neither is your face."
We were back to our usual friendship. I didn't like-like Jace. I didn't even know
if he bat for the same team like me.
I just felt a little lonely.
I don't usually get asked out by girls anymore. I used to, a lot but now that I've
been given the reputation of 'womaniser' nobody really wants to be with me and I
don't really want to be with them for two reasons: A. They're girls and of course,
I don't roll that way and B. I'm trying to get rid of my bad reputation. I don't
like it, Liam doesn't like it. It's been like that since last year when I actually
were a womaniser and hopefully, it'll be changed soon.
We were back outside and it was dark out, I checked my phone. It was nearly six
o'clock. I came about two hours ago.
My eyes adjusted to the dark and I noticed all the hanging lanterns were now lit up
and the people who sat at the table glowed with the similar lanterns at the tables.
"Your garden looks pretty awesome right now." I stated.
"Thanks. It was all Janine, she has a nick for decor and perfection."
"I'm craving chicken." I said.
"It seems all we do together is eat but I'm not complaining. The pretzels were
tasty."
"I know right. Chicken?" I asked and put a some on my plate. He nodded and I put it
in his plate.
"Can your dad become my personal caterer please?" I scoffed my chicken down. It was
cooked to perfection. Like I said, Jace's dad cooks better than my mum.
"Vince is a chef after all." He stated then scrunched his eyebrows together
in...confusion? "You still need to rap to me."
The deal had completely slipped my mind, "and you need to show me how well you can
play guitar and sing."
"No, singing wasn't in the deal."
"Oh come on, you can't just play a song and not sing to it!"
He pursed his lips and smiled. "Hmm maybe."
We finished our meal and headed upstairs in the house. It had crossed my mind that
I've never been upstairs in his house. Only the ground floor and his room in the
basement.
The upstairs hallway was decorated in family pictures. A little smiling Jace was
perched on top of a brick wall that was in front of a huge ocean, an ice cream in
hand. Two young men were on either side of him. Little Jace had two front teeth
missing and his hair was cut shorter. They all looked like they were having a lot
of fun.
Another picture was of Vince and Janine on their wedding day. Janine looked
flawless, her hair was styled in a side bun with a few strands of hair hanging
down. Her dress was beautiful, it was designed with small laced flower patterns.
There was another, an older Jace and his younger sister. It was on Christmas, I
could tell because their was a Christmas tree and half opened presents. He looked
around thirteen and Cam looked ten or so. He wore the same huge grin as his other
pictures.
I smiled, Jace said he had been fostered since he was a baby. I wondered what
happened that sent him in to foster care. Could I ask? Would he really mind?
"That was over Christmas, when I was twelve and Cammie was nine. I know, I look
older than that
"Who are they?" I asked and pointed to the picture if Jace and the two young men on
either side of him.
"My uncle and his husband. Cute couple, moved to California, haven't seen them in
years." He summed up and we went up walked through the rest of the hallway and
stopped in front of a very modern door that didn't match all the other doors in the
house.
He pushed down on the handle and opened the door and switched in the lights. The
room inside was kind of small and cramped. The floors were made of tan wood and the
walls were a nice shade of berry red.
Guitars hung on the walls and were on stands on the floor and amplifiers scattered
the small room.
"My music room." He grinned and opened his arms wide then he knocked on the walls,
"soundproof."
"You have a music room?!" I boomed, "that's awesome dude."
He grinned and sat on a tall stool. "So you going to show me how you rap?"
I leaned against the wall and embraced it's coolness. "Or you could show me your
guitar skills."
He nodded and picked a sleek black electric guitar off the wall as well as a blue
guitar pick. "This is my most expensive guitar, it's like my baby but I might play
acoustic instead."
He hung it back on the wall and took an acoustic guitar off its stand. The acoustic
guitar was tan and it's pick board was black. The fret board as well as the bridge
was dark brown.
I slid down the wall and sat cross legged on the floor. He fumbled with the pick in
his hand and strummed a chord perfectly. He played a very irritating and very
recognisable song - 'We Found Love' by Rihanna.
"Seriously? Rihanna. You're playing Rihanna. That song sucks monkey balls- actually
she sucks monkey balls." I complained.
He turned his face to me slowly from his guitar and chuckled quietly even though
we're in a soundproof room. It was a velvety, heartwarming chuckle that I'd very
much like to hear again.
"Fine. I won't play Rihanna." He held his hands up in surrender and purposely
dropped his pick on the floor.
He played another recognisable song that wasn't irritating at all. He played the
tune to John Mayer's Your Body's A Wonderland. He was delicate with his picking, it
was much harder for him as it was finger picking instead of using a guitar pick.
As soon as the singing part was meant to begin, he didn't sing. I wanted to hear
him sing.
"You're not singing?" I frowned.
"Fine fine, I'll sing." He said and started playing the song again.
He made a small mistake, causing him to groan in frustration. I pushed him to start
over and to keep calm because he wasn't even playing that bad to begin with. He did
so and carried on from where he left off.
"...and if you want love, we'll make it."
God. His voice was perfection. I don't know why he was reluctant to sing. It was so
good, I could just... eat it. Yeah. Eat it.
"Swim in a deep sea of blankets..."
I could just melt in to him right now. To say he was good was an understatement. He
was undeniably brilliant.
It was kind of calming hearing Jace sing and play. I loved his voice, I loved his
playing. Call me cliche but when Jace plays his guitar, it's like he's in another
world. It's like he's another person, he's definitely not himself when he's
playing. He - without a doubt - loves playing guitar.
"Take all your big plans, and break 'em. This is bound to be a while."
Just as he finished the verse, his eyes pulled away from the fret board and glanced
to me on the floor. I smiled and tried hiding it as I pulled my knees up to my face
and hid my mouth and chin behind it. He gave a small lopsided smile and went back
to focusing on the guitar.
"Your body is a wonderland."
He sung and played from his heart, you can really tell the difference when somebody
sings with passion, as if it's their lifeline, and when somebody is just singing
like they were forced to.
He came to an end and I felt the need to keep hearing him play. I really wanted him
to play the whole song again. I wanted him to keep singing and playing till the
ends of the earth.
I would've clapped and hollered except, my body wasn't reacting. I was just
awestruck.
"Wow." Was all I could say. Really Zach? Just 'wow?'.
"Jace. That was amazing."
"Thanks." He said, "I now really like that song."
"Why?"
"Because I played it in front of you." He put the guitar back on the stand and
picked up the guitar pick from the floor. "Your turn."
Because I played it in front of you. What did that mean exactly? How did I change
his perspective on the song?
He stood up from the stool and loomed over my sitting form on the floor. I sighed
and got up, matching his 6'1 frame.
"So what song?" I asked.
"I don't know..." He scratched the back of his head, "you like Eminem right?"
I nodded and pursed my lips. "Lose Yourself is my favourite, do you know the
words?"
I grinned, did I know the words to that song? Of course I did.
I fumbled with the phone and soon, the instrumental version of Eminem's song
played. I closed my eyes and took a breath. I opened them again, seeing Jace
sitting back on the stool, hands gently gripping the front edge of his stool.
I sang, and it helped to see Jace sitting there. I don't how, he made me feel more
confident. Of course, I knew that he wasn't judgemental and knowing that helped me
get through the song. I've never preformed in front of anyone that's not my family.
"You better lose yourself in the music, the moment,
You own it, you better never let it go."
I looked up at Jace, who was sat in complete silence. I wondered if he was trying
to stifle a laugh or something, to be honest, the whole situation is a little
cringy.
"The soul's escaping, through this hole that is gaping
This world is mine for the taking,"
At this point, my heart raced at all the adrenaline. Rapping was my thing. I love
it. I probably wouldn't go as far as saying 'it's my life' though.
"Make me king, as we move toward a new world order
A normal life is boring,"
Jace looked impressed. Good, i'm glad.
It only grows harder, homie grows hotter
He blows. It's all over.
I looked away from Jace. That last line is my favourite. I looked back at him. He
was standstill, like he had always been before. It was just his facial features
changing. His hands were still gripped on to the edge of the stool.
I reached the last verse and belted it out.
"No more games, I'ma change what you call rage
Tear this motherfucking roof off like two dogs caged."
I didn't know whether I should have muted that swear word, it's not like Jace cares
about swearing, he does it himself.
"So here I go it's my shot.
Feet, fail me not, this may be the only opportunity that I got,"
The song finished and I was relieved. It was finally done and I had preformed in
front of someone outside of my family for the first time. It was nerve wrecking but
something about Jace's presence helped me.
He stood up from his stool and clapped and cheered and hollered by himself.
"That was so good!" He jumped up and down like a little kid. "Again?"
"No."
We headed back outside into the twilight. It was getting pretty late and we had
school tomorrow but I wasn't given a curfew because mum and dad wouldn't be home
till one in the morning earliest. They went out for dinner and they'll probably go
out for drinks after that.
"Hey!" Molly and Trisha boomed as they walked up to Jace and I, a familliar
shirtless hot guy linked to them.
"Hey, Brandon. You made it!" Jace greeted and gave the shirtless hot guy a high
five.
"Uh, hey," I greeted him. "I'm Zach."
I was trying to focus on his face. He had a handsome face, like a model's but I was
more concentrated on his body. He ripped, he had a six pack. His body was tan, and
his shorts hung low, showing off his V line.
I couldn't stop staring at that V line.
I was dragged away from the group by a pair of frail hands and I was spun around.
Up close in my presence was a concerned Molly. Her eyebrows were scrunched together
and her mouth agape. Then she spoke, and my breath caught in my throat.
"Dude, are you gay?"

7. Coming Out
Molly to the side >>
--------------
Every sound subsided except for her voice. She and I were in a soundproof bubble.
The temperature had suddenly dropped by about twenty degrees and I was getting
goosebumps. Her teeth clenched but not in the way that showed she was angry but
instead concerned.
Dude, are you gay?
Are you gay?
Gay.
Her voice echoed in my ears, just drumming in to my head. The one word began to get
louder and louder.
Gay.
Is this what it's like coming out? It's frightening as hell. Your blood runs cold
and you automatically just think coming out is the worst ever thing to do. Ever.
You bring up all the reasons in your head of why you shouldn't. It really depends
on how long you've been in the closet.
Think Zach. Think. You need to calm down.
I took a few breaths and closed my my eyes. Feeling calm once again.
Of course I'm gay, and I've been in the closet for so long I've overthought every
minuscule detail, every bad thing that could ever happen to me if I do come out the
closet.
I fear the consequences, such as not being accepted in our society. Gay marriage is
legal in this country after all but that still doesn't change everyone's opinions.
That's the thing, people have their own opinions, I respect that, just not when
they use theirs against mine.
And I care about what people would think of me. I don't want to be frowned upon for
my sexuality. Since I'm pretty high up the the school's student hierarchy, I care
about what people think of me a little too much. I'll be downgraded just as fast as
Usain Bolt running a kilometre.
What if my whole family fall apart because of me? I've only just started getting
close to Liam again.
What if I wasn't accepted by my parents? They're pretty old school and have strong
beliefs though they're not very religious.
It happens. People get thrown out of their own home just for being different. The
thing is, we're no more different than straight people.
If Molly figured it out by herself then wouldn't other people be able to figure it
out eventually?
Its only her asking, I could always lie.
"Why would you say that?" I asked her. There, I didn't admit nor deny it.
I needed to tell someone though. At least one person. Besides, Molly would be
leaving in a weeks time. Could she keep a secret?
"Come on man, it all adds up now. You're together with Jace and you're angry
because you think Dixon will steal your boyfriend." She laughed as if she knew
everything. "Don't worry, he's Jace's cousin."
How was she acting so cooly about this? Surely, if she knew I was gay, she'd freak.
What would her parents think about this? They're just a bunch of rich snobs.
"No. I'm not gay." Deny deny deny.
"Would it help if I told you I was in the closet too? Zach, I've always had a
feeling you were gay. Just admit it."
Would it help if I told you I was in the closet too? The words echoed in my head.
"Molly, you're a lesbian?"
"Yes, and you're gay."
Oh wow. I so called it. Trisha had told me she acted depressed and she wouldn't
talk to anybody. I went through that same stage. I felt like I didn't belong
anywhere.
"I'm gay, yes but I'm not together with Jace nor am I thinking that Dixon will
steal him."
Wow, that felt so good. At least now, Molly can't tell anyone my secret because I
have her secret. It's a win-win.
"Who else knows that you're... Lesbian?" I asked. "And how did you guess about me
being you know... Gay?"
"My best friend knows and now you." She grinned. "and Trisha told me you've stopped
having girlfriends and you stare at shirtless guys like you want to jump them right
then and there."
I blushed. Do I seriously stare like a rapist? "But you said you've always had a
feeling about me."
"Yeah. At the New Years party, you didn't join in or check out any girls there.
Liam was all over it; commenting on legs, boobs, everything."
I nodded. It was true, I didn't do much at the party other than talk to my guy
friends and play Never Have I Ever. I haven't done many things so I didn't get
drunk.
"I think you should tell Trisha about your sexuality." I advised, "she's your twin
after all and your only sister."
"I think you should tell Liam about your sexuality." She mimicked, "he's your only
brother."
"Liam cares about his reputation more than me. If he knows my sexuality, and other
people find out, his reputation and I would both die." I laughed. "I'm sure Trisha
cares more about you than anything else. The way I see it, she looks up to you."
She thought for a minute, then, as if a light bulb had flashed above her head, she
grinned. "We could come out together- just to our family though."
It wasn't a bad idea. We were both in the same boat.
"Alright, when?"
"How about tomorrow? That way, we'll both still have eachother in the house for
support if our families decide to drag us six feet under."
"Tomorrow it is. We'll come out together."
She looked up at me from her 5'5 form, eyes twinkling and then she did the one
thing I hate.
She hugged me but I didn't pull away. I felt like Molly and I had kind of a
connection. It's weird, but true. She was the ultimate pick-me-up at the moment,
she understood me.
»«
I woke up, the sunlight blinding me straight away.
I closed my eyelids abruptly and tuned the opposite way and opened then again,
seeing Trisha a mere two inches from my face. It reminded me that Liam and I hadn't
done any pranks yet.
I sluggishly grabbed my phone from the bedside table that was cluttered with wires
and books and snapped a quick picture of a sleeping Trisha. Her nose looked much
like a pig's because her arm was tucked under her head and in the process, her arm
pulled up her nose.
I groaned and sat up on the bed. The barbecue was a blast, I ate so many burgers
and played video games with Jace and Dixon two hours straight.
I yawned and walked to the bathroom and washed my face. Just as I pulled the towel
away from my face, I saw Molly's reflection in the mirror, smiling. Honestly, I got
scared shitless. It was like in those horror films where the mirror door closes and
standing behind the victim is a mass murderer carrying a gun and wearing a creepy
grin.
"Woah- can you not fucking do that again. It's way too fucking early and now I'm
using too many fucking fuckings." I groaned.
"Well somebody is on their man period gosh." She walked to the sink and pulled her
hair back in to a messy bun. "Today's the day."
"Yes it is."
I walked out the bathroom and heard the sound of a lock click behind me. I dragged
myself downstairs and walked to the kitchen, slumping myself down on at the
breakfast bar.
"I'm exhausted." I groaned to my mom, who gave me a bowl filled with warm milk and
Coco Pops.
I mindlessly poured Coco Pops into my bowl full of milk and grabbed a spoon. "I
don't wanna go school. Don't make me go, please."
My mum chuckled as she sat down on the stood next to me and sipped her coffee. "You
think I'm going to write you an ill slip?"
"No."
"Good, I wasn't going to. Now hurry, you'll be late."
I ate the rest of my cereal and caught Liam on the stairs. He had just woken up and
was now going down to eat his breakfast. I flipped my phone open and went to my
photos and showed him the picture of Trisha sleeping. He chuckled quietly and went
down the rest of the stairs. Molly followed behind him, looking wide awake. She was
coming from upstairs because she now slept in Liam's room after complaining to my
mom and thinking it was unfair Trisha was allowed to sleep with me.
I'm pretty glad that I wasn't the one sleeping with Liam. He uses ever inch of the
bed and sometimes snores. He also sometimes has his girlfriend over and they
frickle frackle, do the dirty, whatever you call it. If he isn't with his
girlfriend, then he's on the phone to her all night.
He is whipped. He just doesn't admit it but then again, who would?
I sluggishly showered and changed and touched up my hair which was near to
impossible to tame. In the end, it sat on top of my head without being combed or
gelled.
Why was I so exhausted? I got home around half twelve.
I waited by the the front door for Liam who came downstairs putting on his shirt
and bag.
"We haven't pranked the twins yet. Have we?" I smirked to him as we drove out of
our street.
"Nope. I think I've got an idea though, using that picture of Trisha." He smirked.
"Like what, stick posters of it around town?" I said saractically. He just frowned
and said something like 'it's not a bad idea'.
It is a bad idea. Our prank has to be witty, unexpected and hilarous.
We parked in the student car park and as usual, Liam went off to find Naomi and I
walked through the coridoors to reach my locker.
I put the combination of my locker in and opened the tiny red door that opened up
to a tiny space that could barely fit anything.
I replaced the book I had in my backpack with the ones I needed today and slammed
the locker shut. Jace was walking with some people from the prom committee up to my
locker.
"There's a meeting afterschool in room 54." Jace said.
I nodded and started to walk to my first class, Jace walking closely next to me.
The rest of his group went their own ways.
"You had an awesome barbecue. Are you not tired, I'm so exhausted." I said and
yawned right after.
"Kinda. At my house, lights out is at quarter to ten, remember? I need my nine hour
sleep.
I recalled the night I was on the phone to him and he was told to put his phone
away at around ten to ten.
"Awh," I cooed, "Jace has a bedtime."
He frowned and punched my shoulder and I punched his back, twice as hard, he didn't
seem as affected and I guessed my punch didn't affect him that much.
My face contorted into a poker face as I walked through my first class and sat down
in my designated seat, Jace sitting directly behind me on the next row.
The whole lesson just dragged on, as did the day. Lunchtime rolled around and I
felt lonely walking to the lunch hall alone, usually I would have a group of
friends- Liam's friends.
The rest of the day went a little quicker mainly because Jace was in those lessons
and we just messed around- well I messed around in physics and Jace told me off for
not taking notes and gave me a lecture about how physics is the key to life and
it's an important subject and how I'll fail and be miserable if I don't buck up.
He got so deep into the conversation that I kind of zoned him out.
We headed over to the coffee shop together after the boring prom meeting. The first
thing I saw when I was looking for a seat was a lesbian couple and I felt a
familiar pang in my chest. It was jealously. They were so openly together and
nobody in the coffee shop showed any signs of disgust but then again, they have
their own lives to deal with and nobody else's.
Just as we found a table, Calvin and Oliver walked in to the coffee shop, laughing
and then their eyes found mine and they walked over to our table.
I greeted them, fist bumped them and introduced Jace. They looked at him as if he
was a puzzle to be pieced together, as if he was alien to them. It occurred to me
they were looking at Jace in confusion. I wouldn't blame them, I didn't know who
Jace was until we were set up together for tuition.
Oliver looked at Jace longer then Calvin did, scrutinizing every detail of his
face. He was thinking deeply and I wondered what it was about. Jace kind of shrunk
in his seat, not wanting to be stared at.
"Jace Chapman." Oliver finally said. "We were in year four together."
Jace just looked to Oliver, trying to figure him out but to no avail. Jace sighed
and told Oliver he couldn't remember him to which Oliver replied something about
being unrecognizable to a lot of people anyway.
Calvin averted his attention to the lesbian couple and grimaced and frowned before
turning his attention back to us. I cocked an eyebrow, I hope he didn't see me see
him.
We finished our drinks and I went home by bus. Jace offered to give me a lift but I
said no. He was getting pretty cozy with Oliver and I didn't want to interfere.
I thought about what will happen when I get home and come out to my family. I feel
it's time and I don't want to hide who I am- especially to my closest family. I
feel like I'm lying to them but technically, I'm not lying but instead, not saying
anything at all.
The bus came to a halt a street away from my house and I walked the rest of the
way. It was early March and it seemed to be oddly cold. The ground beneath me what
wet, indicating it had rained. As my feet slapped against the ground and into
shallow puddles, I thought about Molly. Yeah, something I don't do often. Nobody
would've thought she would be lesbian and I can't believe she didn't even tell her
other half the secret but then again Liam comes close to my other half so I'm just
being hypocritical.
I walked up to the familiar navy blue door. In one quick movement, I stuck the key
in the keyhole and opened the door.
I threw my bag down on the hallway floor and kicked my shoes off before taking my
jacket off and hanging it up.
Mom greeted me in the kitchen, where I, as usual, grabbed a snack and this time it
was a flapjack. Mom as usual, told me off and said I'd get fat eating junk but
she's the one who buys it.
Molly walked in to the kitchen, glancing at me and giving me the indication that
she's ready for our little confession then she glanced at my mom, who looked
oblivious to it all as she chopped up carrot sticks.
I took a deep breath before saying, "mum, can I talk to you in the living room?"
She stopped her chopping rather abruptly and looked at me with concerning eyes then
she wiped her hands on her jeans and nodded.
"Mol can you go get everyone else?" I smiled and she frowned because she had to
upstairs to get Liam and Trish. Aunt Stacy, Uncle Frank and dad were already sat in
the living room.
I leaned against the wall and soon, everyone else came down the stares sharing
matching looks of confusion.
Molly switched the tv off and waited for everyone to settle down. My heart was
racing and my hands were shaking. Molly, as if sensing my discomfort held my hand
and squeezed it reassuringly.
I cleared my throat and started to speak. "This is probably really weird for you
but it has to be done."
"Yeah, we kind of need to tell you something. It feels like we have to tell you and
whether you like us or not after that shows who you really are." Molly said.
I looked to Molly and nodded and I came round out and said it.
"I'm gay."
"I'm lesbian."
The air was thick with tension, I felt relieved yet scared for what was to come.
The room was quiet for a few moments but then Liam shattered it. "Well shit." He
got up and went to his bedroom, not even sparing me a glance.
Mum was the second to stand up, she trudged dad along too. She stood In front of
Molly and I and looked at us both... Smiling?
She held me in a tight embrace and kissed my cheek over and over again muttering
something about loving me for me and not for my sexuality. Dad was next and he
patted my back reassuringly.
They stood to the side and I watched Molly tremble because none of her family were
reacting but then Trisha stood up, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Why didn't to you tell me? Molly we tell each other everything."
"I was scared." She replied, tears also filling her eyes. They hugged and I was
pretty ecstatic at how accepting everyone was being, that is until Aunt Stacy stood
up.
"Molly are you sure? I understand around this age you're just confused and-"
"Mom I've never been so sure of anything else ever."
She replied with an 'OK' and gave Molly an awkward hug. I could tell that Aunt
Stacy was trying to be accepting because Molly was her daughter but there was a
powerful hold on her that didn't like Molly because she was different. I guess it
was really a fake act all together.
Uncle Frank was the last to get up, groaning at his aching back before walking over
to Molly and I. He hugged her, seeming more accepting than his wife. He muttered
something that sounded very similar to what my mom said before letting go of the
embrace and giving her a reassuring smile.
Soon, everyone dispersed and left to their own devices and it was only Molly and I
standing in the living room.
"Sorry about your brother." She muttered.
"It's fine. It's a shock for everyone. Liam's always wanted me to be like him,
hell, everyone wanted me to be like him. Girls, drinking, sex and cars."
"I'm sure he'll come around. Maybe you should talk to him."
"If I wanted to get punched I will but I don't want to get punched so I'll have to
decline that offer."
She laughed and jumped on to the sofa and put on Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
I rolled my eyes and left to go to my room where I spent the rest of the day.
I wondered what was going on in Liam's head next door.

8. Bondage and Nandos

"Our eyes are going to go square."
"So..?"
Jace and I were playing video games, just we had been for the past four hours since
we finished our session.
I thought I was a master at this game but it turns out, Jace is better as much as I
hated to admit it. I actually managed to blow his character up and I got a little
too happy that I shoved him on the floor. He was sat cross legged on the sofa so he
fell in a pretty painful way.
"Fucking yes! I win! I win! I win!" I sang.
"That hurt goddammit." Jace muttered as he rubbed the sore spot on his butt. "Lets
play again."
I agreed and Jace and I were both head to head, equally as eager to win. I look to
my left where he sat and might i add, he just looked so trained on the game. His
lips were pursed together and his eyebrows were furrowed in concentration. I wanted
to stare at him more but I had to tear my eyes away from him and concentrate on the
game in front of me.
I wanted to carry on looking. He always made the funniest and most adorable
expressions such as gritting his teeth together when he's almost winning or about
to die. Sometimes, he facepalms himself when he looses in a stupid way and when I
win, he tries to pull off a poker face or groans loudly.
"Who gets to say 'fucking yes' now?!" he yelled jokingly as he won. He shoved me
off the sofa and I was sitting cross legged just like him so I fell face first. The
pain erupted everywhere; my legs, arms and face were all sore.
"You shouldn't have done that." I smirked, I stood up from the floor and while his
eyes were wide open in fear, mine were narrowed menacingly. He was kind of leaning
on the sofa handle so I took that chance to pin him down by his wrists. I awkwardly
straddled him in the process and I stared into his eyes, simply to make me look
serious.
His brown eyes turned from fearful to humour and he turned it around so he shoved
me off of him and instead, pinned me down in the same postion as I pinned him down.
He did it all super fast, I didn't even get the chance to process it all and it
reminded me of our shopping trip when he pinned me down to the floor.
"Six years tae-kwon doe bi-atch." He laughed.
"You mother fu-"
"Shh, do you hear that?"
"What?"
"The sound of me winning of course."
I groaned loudly at his idiotic comment and soon, we were both laughing. Our
chuckling turned into loud fits of laughter and my gut hurt from all the laughing.
I didn't even know what was so incredibly hilarous, it was just pathetic and
childish.
"Jace, are you a sadist?" I said and met his eyes.
"I- what?"
"Does bondage really, you know, excite you?
He this point he looked all flushed and perplexed. I knew how to toy with him.
"Wha- no-"
"Then why are you sat on top of me, pinning me down, huh?"
He shook his head in confusion and then, in a click, his eyes widened and he
scrambled off me hastily and I just laughed.
I was just laughing too much and it got to the point where I wasn't even making any
sound and probably looked like a complete idiot. When I finally stopped, I steadied
my breathing but then saw his face and chuckled.
"Don't make me karate chop your balls off, Zach."
"So you do like bondage?"
He groaned and we were silent for a few moments.
"I'm hungry." I whined. "Let's go Spaghetti House!"
"No, I've had Italian food like all week long."
"But-"
Jace interjected, "how about Nando's?"
I thought about it for a moment and nodded so we put our shoes and coats on and I
carried my school bag to the car because it was unlikely of me to come back after
here after Nando's.
I threw the backpack in the backseat and joined Jace up front, immediately, before
I even clicked my belt in, I plugged my phone in to the car's auxiliary before Jace
could and flashed him a cheeky grin, and not in the suggestive way either.
I played Eminem's album The Marshall Mathers LP and turned the volume all the way
up.
We were finally sat down in Nando's after waiting for a table for half an hour. The
half an hour that included Jace being his freaking adorable self and looking down
at his shoes as if they were the most interesting thing in the world. I didn't
particularly know why he had his head down.
I took the opportunity to you know, scrutinise him. Not in some pervy way but
just... Scrutinising.
I liked how messy his hair was, we just rushed out the house without even fixing up
our hair from all the tackling and play fighting. His hair was just so long and
silky and sits perfectly on top of his head, I wanted to just put my fingers in it.
I restricted myself though because shit.. That would just be awkward for both of
us.
"What do you want?" Jace asked as we skimmed through the menu.
"A half chicken, bottomless drink-"
"Don't tell me, you need to go order at the till, Idiot. Table number is forty-
one."
I frowned at him and stood up with as much dignity as I could and waited at the
queue to order which was right across from where we sat. Jace followed, muttering
'stupid'.
We sat down after we ordered. We split the bill because Nando's is seriously
overpriced and waited.
"Why are your parents never around?" I asked bluntly. I never actually think about
what I say, it just comes out and I don't always regret it. If I want to know
something, I don't really want to wait for someone to trust me enough to tell me.
"You can't just ask that Zach!" He stated and gritted his teeth.
"I'm curious. I've only actually seen them twice."
"Your bluntness is just amazing. Really, it is." He leaned back and crossed his
arms.
"They go away for work a lot. Abroad sometimes."
"Wittle Jace doesn't get scared by himself?" I cooed and chuckled while he just
glared at my comment.
"Portobello mushroom and Halloumi pitta, Medium." The waiter came round and placed
the food in front of Jace.
"Half chicken, mild." He placed my food down in front of me and also placed down
two empty glasses. Jace silently chuckled at me having mild food.
We ate and talked, it was mostly us humiliating each other and telling each other
to shut up when we laughed louder than the already loud restaurant.
I couldn't get over how bloody tempting it was to just hug him right there and then
without him questioning me. I just wanted to hug him, weirdly enough. He just
looked so cuddly, especially when he would laugh. His laughing was contagious and
completely and utterly addictive. I liked how he looked when he laughed too- his
eyes would brighten and he would show his pearly white teeth.
Look at me being all sappy.
Sigh.
So I liked Jace more than a friend. It was a fact and I realised it during our
tuition session. Why else would I be calling him 'cute' and 'adorable' like I had
been recently?
I wasn't used to having a stupid 'crush'. Usually, people had a crush on me, it was
all too foreign to me.
It was when he gave up teaching me one topic. He had to repeat it around twenty
times by I still wouldn't get it. He just go frustrated and wiped a hand down his
face.
He looked cute when he was irritated.
It's was weird. When I had admitted it to myself I felt like a whole weight came
off my shoulders and I was just left grinning... Causing him to ask me why I
grinned but I just waved it off.
I went to refill my drink from the machine, filling half the glass with Fanta and
the rest with coke. I earned a funny look from Jace when he saw my drink. It was a
light brown.
"What's that exactly?"
"Coke and Fanta." I stated.
"That's gross man."
"But it tastes like heaven."
He gave me another funny look and asked if he can have a taste but I shook my head
as if to say 'no' and he frowned.
Adorably.
Dammit, I really need to stop with this! I don't even know if Jace is gay!
After finishing our meals, we headed back to the car. It was a Friday night so
there was tons of traffic.
We stopped at a set of traffic lights.
"Can I stay over?" I asked. With Molly and Trisha over, I would take any
opportunity to get away from them.
"If you want?" He said questionably as if he didn't actually care.
I knew he did, having me staying over is like a privilege.
I'm Zach, aren't i?
We got to his house and I kicked my shoes off and ran to the cloth room, propping
my feet up on the coffee table.
"Don't you get lonely with your parents not around? I know I would."
"Nah." He said and sat down on the sofa, putting his feet on my lap like he owns
the place.
Well, he pretty much does but that's my lap. Not his.
"Get yo stanky feet off me, fool." I snapped.
He chuckled but didn't take his feet off so I just let him keep it there in the
end.
"Do you want to watch Insidious?" I asked when I noticed that it was on Netflix
after I flipped through the different movies.
"No."
"Scared?" I snorted and pressed play. "Don't worry, you can grab on to me of you
need to."
I wish he would.
I quickly texted mum that I'm staying over a friend's house and turned the
brightness down. From the corner of my eye, I saw that Jace's eye were as wide a
saucers.
Just hurry and cuddle up to me already.
It had only been five minutes and the movie was still building up. Nothing spooky
has happened yet and Jace was furiously biting his nails. I'll admit, I was kind of
scared too but there's no way I'm going to let down my guard like he has because
otherwise, he'd tease me about it.
His feet were off my lap and he was now sat up straight next to me. My arm was
behind his head, on the backrest of the sofa and my feet were still propped up on
the coffee table.
A few more minutes and someone was stupidly opening the shower curtain when there
was something behind it. We saw the face a little abruptly and Jace shrieked and in
the process came a little closer to me.
"Shut up Jace, I'm trying to watch." I complained.
I wasn't actually watching the movie, but instead watching him.
He didn't take his attention of the screen. He was brain washed, his breathing was
uneven and he was drumming his fingers as if waiting.
I smiled, I bet, if I flick him he'd scream.
I felt the need to comfort him. I did offer to didn't i?
I waited and waited for a scary part, it was imminent and you could easily tell by
listening to the music. I shuffled a little closer to Jace so his shoulder was now
in the crook of my underarm.
Thankfully, he didn't notice. I liked being this close to him, it made me happy.
We were now at the part of the movie where two people known as Tucker and Specs
were investigating the house. Tucker was looking through binoculars and changing
the colour.
Red, blue, green and- oh shit.
A two headed thing appeared and this time, I got scared. My breathing hitched and I
jumped in my seat as did Jace.
"Shit."
"Fuck."
In the process, he shuffled even closer but I don't think he actually noticed how
close we were right now. We were moulded together and I was enjoying it.
A lot.
I pulled his fingers away from his mouth, biting your fingers is a bad habit and it
just annoyed me when people did that.
About half way through the movie, Jace's legs were in a tangle with mine but his
hands were in his lap though I wish they were elsewhere.
If you know what I mean.
His eyes were trained in the screen as were mine.
The movie ended, sadly and Jace looked to me and quickly moved away to the other
end of the sofa as if I was the plague.
"I.. Er.." He said, lost for words as for why we were so close to each other.
I cleared my throat and stood up, shoving my hands in my pocket.
"Let's go sleep, yeah?" I said and turned the tv off and lamp off.
We both went upstairs to his room, he threw me a pair of joggers and a t-shirt and
I thanked him, quickly changing.
He changed too, after me. Everything seemed to go in slow motion as he pulled his
top over his head.
I saw how his back rippled and how his hair got even messier and dishevelled.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, but I didn't want to anyway.
He slipped another top over his head and moved on to pulling his jeans off and
changing in to a pair of joggers like mine but instead, grey ones.
I thought I could just melt right there to a pool on the floor.
He didn't notice that I was looking at him because when he turned to face me, I
tore my gaze off him and started taking off my socks.
I flicked the light switch off and climbed into his bed.
Sharing a bed with Jace should be fun.
"Did you like the movie?" I asked him but faced the ceiling.
"Of course.."
I recited a song from the movie, a creepy song that would probably haunt me for the
rest of my life.
"Tip toe.. Through the window."
"Zach, shut up."
"By the window..."
"Zach."
"Through the tulips-" I didn't get a chance to finish because Jace had perched
himself on top of me in a very.. Sexual position.
He put his hands on top of my mouth to stop me from speaking. "That song is fucking
creepy as hell."
[A/N: It actually is creepy as hell, i'll put a link to the side.]
I couldn't stop thinking about his position. Even little Zach felt a little..
Excited.
Before I could get any more hard, I shoved him off me so he didn't notice, that
would've been beyond awkward.
"Fine I won't sing it."
"Good." He said and faced the ceiling just like me. One hand was behind his head
and the other was laying on his stomach on top of the duvet.
I pulled on the duvet so it was up to my chin and sighed as I began to relax.
Half an hour later and I still couldn't sleep. I just couldn't stop thinking about
about nonsense.
I looked to the sleeping idiot next to me. His breathing was steady and his eyes
were shut. He looked like a small child in his sleep.
I shuffled close to him and cautiously lay my head on chest.
Ok, I'm a creep, shoot me.
Besides, he's asleep so he wouldn't know until he's awake.
His chest went up and down when he breathed and my breathing matching his.
Gradually, I fell in a peaceful slumber.
God I hope he doesn't freak out seeing me in this position.
-------------
A/N: YAY CHEESE :D the next few chapters are going to be overly cheesy but cheese
is good, especially in toasted sandwiches..
It's simply just because of Zach getting used to his feelings and well, he's overly
cocky so be prepared.

9. The Morning After

I promised you cheese, and here it is. Cheesy chapters.. Nom nom nom. ;)
------------------
[Jace's POV]
I woke up to the sound of tweeting birds and the smell of freshly made crepes with
sugar and-
Kidding.
But I wish I did. I would kill to eat a crepe right now. What actually woke me up
was something heavy on my chest and the blinding light coming through the curtains.
I looked down and saw a head on my chest, I remembered that Zach slept over last
night for reasons unknown.
I didn't know how to react, how should I react? It didn't help that I felt
something poking at my thigh. I knew exactly what it was and I knew it couldn't be
helped. It's a guy thing and I couldn't blame Zach, it's happened to me millions of
times.
But it's still disturbing that I could feel it.
I didn't know whether to shove him off or not, I don't want to wake him up and to
be honest, he was warm so it wasn't all that bad.
After a few moments, I tried to untangle our legs and he stirred in his sleep. I
managed to untangle them eventually but after a lot of carefulness.
Zach came up even higher up my chest and his hair tickled my chin. I liked his
hair, it was the perfect proportion of thick and thin. Thick hair, like mine, takes
ages to look after and thin hair just makes your head look big. Zach was
practically on top of me and his arms were across my body tightly as if I was just
a huge teddy bear to him.
He like to cuddle!
I don't know if he'd be embarrassed if I knew his little... Tendency.
Let me just clear up that Zach Hamilton was laying on my chest as if we were some
kind of couple. He was also cuddling me and I didn't even offer. He can't just
cuddle me without permission!
But it's Zach. Everybody loves Zach and any girl would kill to replace my position.
Maybe I should just embrace this moment...
Nah.
I grabbed one of his pillows and lifted up his head gingerly, as if it was a
priceless antique ornament, and placed the pillow beneath him and slid out of my
bed. He stirred a little more and I was worried he'd wake up. I went to brush my
teeth in the bathroom and when I came back to my room, Zach was slept diagonally on
my bed, taking up all the space.
God, he likes to hog the bed doesn't he?
Actually, it's pretty much what I do as well, I guess we both like to embrace all
the space.
One hand was behind his head and the other was above the duvet to keep it in place.
His lips were parted and his head was on the very edge of the pillow so that he was
just sleeping on the actual mattress. I took one last glance before I went
downstairs, the wooden floor creaking beneath my weight. I made my way to the
kitchen groggily and got myself a bowl and spoon and some cereal.
I was nearly finishing my cereal when Zach came downstairs rubbing his eyes, he sat
down next to me and slammed his head down on the table.
"Cereal?" I asked.
He just nodded in return as I grabbed a bowl for him and took the milk out the
fridge. He lifted his head, silently thanked me and started pouring the cereal. I
wondered if he realised that he was cuddled up to me when he slept. I had a theory
where he usually slept with a teddy bear but I was an alternative because he didn't
have it with him.
It's a stupid theory.
I didn't know whether I liked it or not. It wasn't as if we were intimate or
anything and I know he's straight because he's had way too many girlfriends in the
past. He's probably an expert in pleasuring a girl.
Another theory was that he was scared of the movie but that's unlikely because he
looked as solid as a statue when we watched it, the only time he got scared was
when the two headed freak showed up unexpectedly.
I probably would've had nightmares from that movie if it weren't for Zach by my
side, even when he recited the stupid song from the movie I was creeped out.
So yes, I do get scared. So what?
[Zach's POV]
Waking up is like a nightmare. I'd rather just sleep for the rest of my life
cuddling up together with Jace.
I'm sure he wouldn't mind, I mean, he looks pretty chill right now just finishing
off his cereal, he hasn't said a word about how close I was to him last night.
Maybe, during the night I moved away from him so he didn't notice this morning.
I slept like a baby last night, I felt so warm and safe by Jace and I wish I could
just do it whenever I wanted.
Maybe when we're married with ten kids, we will.
He got up and went to the sink to wash his bowl and put away the milk and cereal. I
would've expected him to have a go at me for sleeping practically on him even with
my raging boner.
Ok, too much information.
It's a guy thing and it wasn't my fault, I wondered if he noticed it. God I hope
not, that would be so weird.
But he's also a guy so he must have it as well.
Knowing Jace, he probably just shrugged it off if he noticed mine and moved on in
life. What would he actually say to me anyways?
Oh hey Zach, got the ol' morning wood ey?
Yep, It was so bad.
Ah, that sucks.
I'm not going to lie, I was pretty sad waking up to an empty bed but it was
slightly warm so it probably hadn't been long since he woke up. I felt so greedy by
taking up all the bed space but hey, that's just me. Even Trisha gets annoyed and I
just attempt to kick her off the bed because she doesn't like it.
"Have you got anything planned for the day?" He asked me.
"Nope, you?"
"I have a gig but I'm free after that. We could do a session."
I didn't know Jace did gigs but hey, he has a talent so why not show it off? It's
also a good way earn some money and get experience.
"Uh. No way man, we had one yesterday and my brain hurt a lot after that one." I
scoffed, I can't handle any more physics for the rest of my life. "We could watch
Insidious 2 after," And maybe cuddle up again subconsciously and this time, make
out instead of watching it.
I seriously need to sort my thinking out, it's too influenced by my dirty minded
friends and a stupid crush.
"No man, no way." He shook his head vigorously.
I grinned and cooed, he was scared of the movie. Maybe I did him a favour by
sleeping over at his house and cuddling him in his sleep.
"I need to get changed so you should get ready and then we'll leave to go to my
house and I'll get ready there and we'll go out of town. God, that was a mouthful."
He nodded and as he walked up the stairs he said, "you won't break anything while I
shower will you?"
I gave him the 'are you serious' look, "No."
"Good." And then he went upstairs.
I finished off my cereal and put it in the sink, careful to not smash it or
anything. I headed upstairs and sat on Jace's bed as I waited.
Jace, guitar and singing.
That's hot.
I lay down and covered myself with the duvet. The bed smelt of Jace, he had this
unique vanilla smell, I wonder what aftershave he uses.
A little while later, Jace came out the bathroom, I don't think he expected me to
be here because he was just his towel that hung dangerously low.
That V Line though.
I couldn't look at anything else, he just looked so damn pleasing.
He was about to strip when, "Oh shoot- Zach!" Jace yelled and scrambled to cover
himself properly with the towel.
"What?"
"Get the fuck out my room and let me change in private."
I rolled my eyes and crawled out of the bed. I silently walked to the door and
closed it shut behind me.
I remembered last night when I saw him change and oh my god, his back rippled and I
thought I was literally going to die. Too bad his boxers were on though.
I sound like a stupid fangirl.
He came out the room a few minutes later with his guitar zipped up in a bag and I
put my shoes on and headed to the car. He followed and sat in the driving seat
after putting his guitar in the back and we went to my house. He knew my address
already, seeming as he's been round so many times.
As usual, I shot gunned the auxiliary and played my music.
We reached my house and got out the car, I took my bag out the backseat and after
knocking on the door we went inside. Molly and Trisha came out of the living room
just as Jace and I were about to go upstairs.
"Bed hair, borrowed clothes... Did you have sex?" Trisha smirked. I widened my eyes
at them and shook my head as a sign not to tell Jace about me being... Gay but
that's if you call frantically waving a sign.
"Get a life, jeez." I said and went the rest of the way upstairs.
I grabbed a pair of boxers and went inside the small bathroom. I knew Jace was in
my room because he was playing his music on the iPod speaker.
I felt like I hadn't showered in years. I let all the water droplets wash over me,
I shampooed and conditioned and that nonsense before I went back inside my room in
just boxers. To be honest, I didn't actually care if anyone sees my body, I was in
my boxers so it was ok.
I opened up my wardrobe and quietly sang along to the current Panic! At The Disco
song that was playing.
I quickly changed, dressing in a simple white v-neck top and black jeans and turned
my head to meet Jace's gaze that was focused on my ass.
"Stop looking at my ass."
"What? I'm not. I'm looking straight ahead because I don't know where else to look.
It just so happens that you're stood directly in front of me."
I nodded and smirked then closed the wardrobe and put some socks on and my
converses.
I didn't actually mind Jace checking me out. I mean, now that I had a teeny tiny
crush on him, doesn't that mean that my body is only for him because that's what it
felt like to be honest.
He got up off the bed and went inside the bathroom muttering something about being
close to pissing himself.
I walked down the hallway, passing Liam's room. The room was dark and the curtains
were drawn. His eyes were trained on the laptop that sat on his lap and on his
right was Naomi, his girlfriend who had Liam's greatest possession, his bracelet.
He took it real seriously.
His eyes met mine and it was just plain awkward, he just stared for a few moments.
I wondered what was going on in his head.
This faggot is my brother.
You see this girl by my side? Yeah, that's normal.
You wanna quit staring? You might infect me with your gayness.
Ok, truthfully, whatever he was thinking probably wasn't as cruel as the last two.
I was still very curious as to what he thought about me. I'm still Zach, I'm not a
new person. It's still me.
I wanted my brother back. Ignorance is not the answer, he has a problem? Tell me.
Ignorance doesn't fix anything, shunning yourself away doesn't help anything, it
only makes matters a million times worse.
I tore the eye contact away, I really couldn't believe him. I was so confused, how
should I feel?
I walked back to my room and saw that Jace had made himself comfortable and was
laying down my bed and playing on my Gameboy.
"Let's go." I said and grabbed my fat Superdry coat as we finally headed out the
door and got in the car. I would've thought the twins would stopped me and
interrogate me like my mum would.
This time, Jace got the auxiliary cable and he played Ed Sheeran.
We got to the pub where he would do a gig. It was cold when we stepped out the car;
Jace's cheeks were tinged pink and mine were most probably flushed too.
We stepped inside the pub, into the warmness. The atmosphere was alive and buzzing.
The pub wasn't big, it wasn't plush either but it looked very... Authentic. It was
pretty packed and I wondered if Jace felt even the slightest bit nervous. He's
probably been doing gigs for a long time because he just told me as if it was
nothing whereas, if he's new to gigs then he'd be excited.
The audience were quite diverse, there were children, women and old people mixed in
with all the men that wouldn't usually be at the bar.
I looked to him behind me, his eyes were focused on the current act playing. They
looked not much older than Jace and I and what surprised me were they were a swing
band. They were currently singing the familiar tune of I'll Make Love To You that
is originally sung by Boyz ll Men - an ultimate classic.
They weren't bad singers at all but Jace can, and with no doubt, sing way better
than anybody here. Except for me because I'm awesome. [a/n: damn you cocky Zach!]
The crowd had their arms around their partners' shoulders and moved left to right
slowly. Jace took me by surprise and placed his arm around my shoulder as he joined
the crowd in going left to right. I swear, I heard him muttering the lyrics too.
I'll make love to you, like you want me to.
I joined in the singing too. No doubt, this song has always been a favourite of
mine. It's a favourite of everybody's really.
And I'll hold you tight, baby all through the night I'll make love to you, when you
want me to.
I smiled, I don't know why. Perhaps it was Jace's arm around my shoulder or it was
the fact the song was about sex and boy, That's something I've lacked in recently.
The song came to an end and the audience clapped and cheered. the group left the
stage and instead, a man came on.
"Next up, Jace Chapman!"
Jace's arm left my shoulder and instead, coldness just replaced the comfort.
He shuffled through the crowd and unzipped his bag and took out a beautiful
acoustic guitar that was black on the outside and faded into a wine red as it
reached the middle.
He swung the strap over his head and plugged in the lead to his guitar. After
adjusting the mic and bringing the round wooden stool close, he spoke.
"This song is called Superman, it's kind of special and a nice song for all you
happy couples out there."
And with that, he commenced, taking a breath before adjusting his fingers to their
correct places and strumming quietly so it doesn't drown out his voice but loud
enough for everybody to hear.
There are no words to paint a picture of you girl,
His voice was just, it was better than the first time I heard him sing. It was rich
and deep but also sounded boyish.
Your eyes and those curves, it's like you're from some other world,
He glanced to me and I noticed he tried to not break our laughing. Perhaps he was
embarrassed because I'm the only person he knows here because everybody else here
it's out of town.
He crowd was silent and all focused of Jace. He looked calm and now completely in
focused on his music. His eyes darted from his guitar to the glass doors to the
empty wall on the left and then to the bar.
It's like he's avoiding all eye contact.
The song went on and it was beautiful, might I add. It was a nice song choice but I
wondered what made it 'special' like he said.
If I could be your superman I'd fly you to the stars and back again, 'cos every
time you touch my hand you feel my powers running through your veins.
I tried making sense our if the lyrics. Who's hands did Jace touch? Oh god, he's
serenading and it's for a girl, like it's clearly pointed out in the lyrics.
So I'm just gonna write this song and tell you that I'm not that strong because I'm
no superman, I hope you like me as I am.
My heart literally dropped to my stomach. I expected this, it's not like he said he
was gay and I guess I just...expected it but I really didn't want to believe it.
Lighten up Zach. It's the lyrics, of a straight lyricist and artist obviously, I
thought to myself.
I guess it was pretty stupid of me to think that but then again, it might not be.
He finished up the song, with me melting at each word. His voice was just so
calming and so addictive and then his guitar playing was incredible.
With each strum, I felt the need to pick up a guitar myself. It looked like a lot
of fun. It's better than the year of piano lessons I've had (and I had that when I
was ten) and I've pretty much forgotten everything I've learnt now, I wasn't too
into classical music so I just left it and instead, took an interest in rap.
The crowd cheered and hollered like a bunch of hyperactive teenagers. I joined in
the cheering as well, of course.
Jace carefully unplugged the lead from his guitar, bowed and exited the stage. The
same man from earlier got on and announced the next act.
I felt a prod on my shoulder and turned to see Jace looking down at his shoes as if
they were the most eye catching and glorious things in the world.
"That was amazing," I grinned at him. He met my eyes and chuckled. "No really, it
was just... Oh my god it was perfection."
"Thanks."
"Who's the special girl then?" I asked, though it pained me to even mention it.
"Umm," he smiled a little and turned his head to look into the distance on the left
of him, though there was nothing there. He turned his head back. "Can't tell you."
I shrugged it off,it's not like I wanted to know right?
"What do you wanna do now? We're out of town.." He asked.
"Insidious 2 in the cinema, big screen." I grinned for obvious reasons.
"We are not going to watch another bloody insidious."
"Fine fine..." I sighed and starting walking out the door, Jace followed.
"The football's on, can we please stay and watch? Pleaseeee?" I begged.
He snorted. "You're such a boy. That's like ninety minutes long, no way."
I huffed, "god you're so bloody irritating."
He gave that look that screamed 'bitch please'. "Let's go... ice skating."
This guy.

10. Skating and Awkward Dinners

"In March?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes."
After a little thinking, It didn't seem like a bad idea, ice skating. I wasn't bad
at it, I'm actually pretty good. Like those dancers on Dancing on Ice, minus the
costumes.
We went back to the car and Jace shoved his guitar in the boot, the drive to the
ice skating rink wasn't far and I started to feel excited about going.
It's been ages since I've last skated, probably two years. We reached the ice rink
and walked inside the glass double doors and then through a few more doors until we
actually reached the ice rink. It was cold and it only got colder the closer we
got.
We replaced our normal shoes with skates and we both put our coats on. I could see
my breathing as we got on the rink.
I almost fell as I stepped on to the ice, I was about to fall and I braces myself
but the fall never came because two skinny arms came under my underarms.
A brilliant idea popped in to my head, I didn't know whether it would work or not
but it was worth a try.
"Jace I can't skate."
"Then why would you agree to come here?"
"Because we'd end up going anyway because you're so stubborn."
"Erm, ow." He feigned hurt and came on to the ice and stood in front of me. "It's
easy, put a hand on the rail here."
I did as he said. "Yep."
"Okay now, just slide your feet but don't let of the rail."
"Keep going." He pushed once I finished the first quarter of the rink.
I grabbed the rail with my right hand and let the other one drop to my side. I
irritatingly slowly skated as if I've never done it before.
"Can we go in the middle?"
"Don't get too ahead of yourself."
"Look," I let of of the rail. "I can balance!"
He pursed his lips then grabbed my hand and intwined our fingers. I felt a surge of
electricity pass through us and my eyes widened in surprise but I hope Jace didn't
see it, god, that wouldn't be a great thing.
Jace started skating towards the middle with a tight grip on my hand. He skated
slowly just so it was easy for me and I appreciated how understanding he was.
It was hard to concentrate with Jace's iron grip, I bet my hands were all gross and
clammy at the moment.
We stood still at the middle of the rink, we weren't really getting in the way
because there were only parents and young children and maybe a few teens.
"Okay, so just do what you did when you held on the rail. Just walk..." He held on
to both my hands and skates backwards as I skated towards him.
I followed his instructions and just walked, I was building up speed and Jace kept
encouraging me to keep going on.
"My feet ache." I whined, that was one thing I wasn't lying about.
"So are mine but come on, keep going." He let go of one hand and I let it drop to
my side. I went faster and faster and soon, matched his speed which was quite fast
but not too fast. We actually looked like one of the couples here that we're
holding hands, skating, smiling and laughing.
"You're doing really well." He smiled.
"You're a good teacher." I stated. What couldn't he do? He was clever, he could
skate, he could play guitar, he could sing... The list is endless.
He was about to let go of my hand and I really didn't want him to so just as he let
go, I fell to the ice.
"Oh crap, I'm so sorry." He stifled a laugh and helped me up, once again grabbing
my hand.
"It's fine." I brushed some ice of my jeans.
He grabbed both my hands again and was giving me his full undivided attention. He
was so concentrated on me that he didn't notice that he was backing up into a man
who looked around thirty.
Then, the man fell and Jace fell next to him.
I couldn't help it. A laugh escaped my lips and soon, I was in fits on the ice next
to him. I couldn't even help him stand up because I was just chortling. He wasn't
able to stand up by himself because he kept slipping back and it only made me laugh
harder.
Soon, a whistle was heard and I had to help him stand up. The man stood up by
himself and glared at Jace before going back to skating.
"You should look where you're going, go apologise to the poor man!" I told him and
he frowned and slapped me jokingly so I shoved him back so he almost fell again.
Almost.
"God, and I thought I was bad at skating." I tsked and rolled my eyes.
"Right, more physics for you." He said triumphantly.
"Wha-"
"Yep, half an hour extra."
"And what if I don't want to?"
"Then I won't tutor you at all."
"You can't do that!"
"As a matter of fact, I can."
I crossed my arms together and frowned. I muttered a 'dickhead' before slowly
skating away, not forgetting that I was faking being a newbie.
He caught up with me and skated next to me. I sped up a little and he caught up
again. We were pretty obnoxious to everyone around us because we were skating on
the edges where mothers with small children were trying to skate.
He bumped into me from behind and we both fell down together, he fell on top of me
and I took all the pain.
I twisted around so my back was on the ice and Jace made no move to get off of me.
"My backs cold, get your fat ass off me!"
"Fat ass?"
He stayed on top of me as he waited for an apology, one that I wasn't going to
give.
"Yes."
"I don't have a fat ass. Say sorry."
"Jace my backs freezing!"
"Mines not. I don't care." He grinned. "Say sorry."
I realised he was sat on my crotch and being the horny and perverted bastard I am,
my crotch decided it was a good time to wake up.
"Sorry and fuck you." I quickly said and he stood up, helping me get up as well.
"Thanks for breaking my fall by the way."
I gritted my teeth and shoved him, hoping that he'd fall but be didn't because he
grabbed on to the edge.
We skated more an again and soon, we were tired and ready to get off the ice. I
took my skates off and switched them for my trainers. I stood up and and cringed at
the weird flat feeling.
"This feels so weird." I paced back and fourth getting used to the flat feeling.
I looked to Jace who just chuckled looking at me acting like a fool, he shook his
head with his signature grin plastered on his face then looked away to finish tying
up his shoelace.
He's so...
Adorable.
We headed out and decided that we would take a walk around the park nearby seeming
as we're out of town and we should be productive. It wasn't far away from the rink
so we decided to walk and leave the car in the car park here, it would've been hard
to find parking outside the park anyway.
We got to the park and it looked incredible. It was a gorgeous day and the sun was
shining, it shone down by the play ground where children climbed everything and
parents tried getting a little peace by sitting on a bench. Everything looked so
picturesque.
We were following a path that went around the perimeter of the park, it was shaded
by trees and I was thankful.
Up ahead, my eyes caught upon two women, they stood together, holding hands. It was
definitely a rare sight to see and it made me feel a little more content than I
already was.
The couple giggled with each other and stood so close, it just looked as if they
were glued together. I didn't really see anybody staring or giving them looks of
disgust, after all, we're in the twenty first century and people have different
views now.
"Beautiful day, right?-" I started.
"Zach, I need to tell you something." Jace suddenly blurted out.
"Shoot."
"In private?"
"I.. Sure." I smiled.
He smiled back but it was forced, I followed him as he walked across the middle of
the park to the other side and stood next to a small building that I guessed were
the toilets.
"What is it?" Jace kind of scared me now, he looked really pale- like a ghost and
to be honest, I was scared for what he had to say.
"I.." He started and looked down at his shoes.
"Don't do that," I reprimanded and lifted his chin up with my index finger.
"What?"
"Stop looking down at the ground."
"Right.. Sorry." His cheeks flushed and he met my eyes. They looked all dark and
glum.
"What was it you wanted to say?" I pushed.
"Zach, I'm pansexual."
Pansexual? What the hell does that mean? It sounds like somebody who's in love with
pans.. As in kitchen pans but that's weird, it's not true. It can't be, can it?
Damn, well Jace isn't going in my kitchen anymore.
I didn't say anything, it takes balls to come out about your liking for pans, I
just stood still, confused.
He literally slapped his forehead, "it means that I don't care about labels, who
needs them anyway, love is love right? It means I'm gender-blind, you get me?"
"You're..." I trailed off, at loss for words. One part of me was in complete shock,
the other was happy mainly because I could have a chance with him. Pansexual means
he's attracted to the same sex.
Oh wow, that would turn out great, wouldn't it Zach? First, Jace isn't even in your
league. Secondly, he's pansexual, he could date anybody and the third? Why would he
even like a guy such as yourself? You're a Hamilton.
"I.." I started, at this point, I was just looking at him in disbelief, "I don't
know what to say, I'm sorry."
"I understand." He bobbed his head, "y-you don't hate me, right? Like, you're not
gonna throw a bible at my face are you?"
I didn't know how one could make a joke of such a serious conversation but this was
Jace, he could be witty about anything.
I stifled a laugh. "What? Of course not."
"Does anybody else know?" I asked, curious.
"My family and my gay uncle, everyone practically except for Camellia and my
friends." He smiled, recalling his younger sister.
He face contorted back into one of glumness. "I can't help it.. I just, it's not my
fault. Why would I choose to be hated by society-"
"Jace, that's probably the most stupidest thing you've said." I laughed.
"Yeah, I know..." He shrugged and scratched the back of his neck.
"C'mere."I said and wrapped my arms around his slim body. For a second or so, he
just stood still with his hands in between our chests then slowly, gradually, he
wrapped his arms around my body.
"So, have you got anybody you know, in mind?" I asked, curious as to whose head I
need to bash in.
"Yes,"
"Who?"
"Someone from my band, you don't know him."
I think I just died a little inside. He's right, I probably didn't. I don't exactly
mix with that crowd, though I wouldn't mind to because they'd probably be a dozen
times better than the crowd I hang around with. The only thing people do in my
crowd is play sports.. And gossip.. And hook up.
"Ah, well, he'd be lucky to have you." I say with a forced smile.
"Thanks, I didn't know that a Hamilton could be so nice-"
"Fuck you, you fag." I said seriously and then grinned when I saw his jaw drop to
the floor. "Kidding."
"I take back what I say. Hamilton's are mean."
We began walking into the open and back on to the path, we were in comfortable
silence and just left to our own thoughts.
I wonder who Jace like-liked, I can't believe that he's pansexual and single. He's
too incredible to not belong to anybody.
For some reason, after that thought, I found my mouth twitching, fighting a full
blown grin. It seemed that the only thing that's been on my mind recently is Jace.
No, I am not completely and utterly head over heels for him but more... Infatuated.
He's taken over my mind and my body (in ways only you dirty ones can point out) and
everything around me makes me think of Jace, such as food, I would think something
along the lines of 'that's Jace's favourite food'. He interests me, he's like a
discovery that I want to unravel.
Jace was one of those rare people you find that you don't want to let go of,
whenever I'm with him I just get a bunch of surprises. I'm never upset when I'm
with him, he's practically the only one who can really brighten my day, other than
my mum who is pretty great at it too.
It was now starting to get dark out, the sun was setting and making the sky look as
if it was lit on fire. We got back to my house, I didn't have a lift so I had to
rely on Jace. "Today was fun, I never actually go out with friends and spend time
like that." I say.
"No problem, I know how you jocks spend your time."
"Yeah, it's no fun." I frowned and ignored the fact he called me a jock once again.
"Zach, invite your friend inside." Dad yelled from the window upstairs. He was
spying on me, thinking Jace and I would just have sex then and there on the front
porch.
The perks of coming out to your family.
"Dad!" I yelled.
"Zach!" Mum stood at the same window next to my dad and yelled back.
"Oh my god." I groaned and turned back to Jace who was already getting out of his
car.
We went inside my house just like we've done together a million times already.
"I think you should invite your parents here one day so my parents stop fawning
over you but the rest of your family instead." I chuckled and we sat down for
dinner.
"Yup."
"So what sports do you play?" Dad asked casually to Jace as if he was assessing
whether Jace would be a suitable boyfriend.
"Dad!" I growled.
"Quiet Zach, he's just asking." Trisha said and turned to Jace.
"None, I'm not sporty but I do play musical instruments and such." Jace answered. I
wonder if he realised what my parents were actually doing.
I slapped my forehead and turned away to face Liam who was sitting at the corner of
the table appearing very amused at tonight's dinner conversation.
"Oh brilliant! You know Zach once played piano but he raps now which isn't the best
choice because-"
"Mum!" I cut her off.
She always does this, makes the conversation about me and puts me on the spot. I
hate it.
"Hush child." Molly snickered.
"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, he raps and it makes him appear
rough and shady."
I didn't understand my mum's thinking sometimes. Rough How?
"Ah yes, I know he does and he's brilliant at it." Jace commented and stuck is fork
in to the food. "It's not exactly my most favourite type of music however."
We finished dinner and Jace started arguing with my mum and aunt about who would
tidy the table so I pulled his arm and dragged him out the dining room and in to
the living room.
"I'm a guest... It's my duty." He argued as we walked to the room.
"Hey Jace..." Trisha sat on the sofa in a somewhat seductive position. "We should
talk more."
Jace cleared his throat and sat on the other sofa. I joined him and we were soon
joined by mum and dad who walked in the living room with a box full of VCR's and
picture albums.
"Who wants to see Zach's baby photos? I do!" Mum announced.
Oh for god's sakes. My family.

11. Disney Onsies And Cute Employees.

A/N I kind of do realise the plot line is moving very slow... There was a point in
earlier chapters some time ago that I worried the story was moving too fast so from
now on, I'll move the story faster :)
Who's that on the side you ask? ITS ZACH *drools*
----------------------
It was nearing mine and Camellia's birthday so Molly and I decided that because I
missed out on Jace's birthday (because the bastard never told me) that I should at
least buy a present and card for his sister.
So here I was, mindlessly walking past tons of shops in the shopping centre with
Molly, there weren't many places to go other than clothing shops and I didn't even
know Camellia's size or style so there wouldn't be any point getting clothes.
"Let's go look in there, come on." Molly tugged on my arm violently and dragged me
towards a blue and red store. I didn't get the chance to look at the name of the
shop given the fact my arm was literally being pulled out of my socket but It was
quickly recognisable as we stepped inside. A huge tv screen was on the wall and it
previewed new movies, statues of Minnie and Mickey Mouse were placed at the front
and there was a tall shelf of themed mugs.
"Why would she like anything from The Disney Store? She's going to be thirteen." I
pointed out.
"Who said it was for her?" Molly laughed and skipped (literally skipped) to the
section that sells themed clothing in her size.
"We need to look for Camellia, get yo ass here now." I yelled, earning a few stares
from the people in the shop. I even saw a mother covering her daughter's ears.
Oops.
I awkwardly cleared my throat and grabbed Molly's arm just as violently she tugged
on mine. She growled and muttered cuss words, forgetting the fact we were in a
children's store.
We walked around more before I saw a particular shops in front of me. I pointed it
out to Molly and grinned.
"Perfect."
We walked inside Build-A-Bear, both just as awestruck as eachother seeing the big
stuffing machine and the various shelves of clothing and shoes.
We walked to the right of the store, seeing baskets and baskets full of unstuffed
teddy bears in different forms; tigers, pandas, elephants and the original and
classic teddy bear.
I picked up the tiger and faced towards Molly who was holding up a bunny. We both
frowned at each other.
"She'll like the bunny more." Molly grabbed my tiger and put it back in its
designated basket.
I reluctantly agreed to getting the bunny. This was the thing with Molly, she's
such a bit-
"Let's also get a happy birthday song chip built inside." Molly grinned and went up
to the sound station, putting on the headphones and pressing all the buttons.
We finally got the bunny stuffed or more like watched the bunny get stuffed by the
employee who was overly perky. She was quite pretty and she looked around my age.
Her blonde hair was in two pigtails and I noticed the tips of them were dip dyed
pink. One other thing I noticed was that while I was watching the stuffing slowly
build up the shape of the bunny, Molly's eyes were elsewhere, on the girl stuffing
the bear.
I smirked and slapped Molly's arm. She gave me a deathly glare as I wiggled my
eyebrows suggestively.
"There you go," the shop assistant handed us the teddy bear after stitching it up
and testing the sound by squeezing the paw.
"Thanks." Molly giggled to her (literally) and took the bear. The exchange seemed
long and I noticed how Molly's voice changed.
I rolled my eyes as I waited for the shop employee to leave us and go back to
sorting some shelves out. I frowned at Molly who had a smile plastered on her face.
"What?" she asked and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Seriously? God Molly, you'll be gone by next week." I told her.
"If you can appreciate someone's looks then so can I." She replied smugly.
I was trying to get at what she was saying, she sighed and spoke again.
"You're whipped," She laughed. "Over Jace."
"I am not whipped," I scoffed. "It's a small infatuation, that is all."
"Yeah sure..."
I rolled my eyes at her tone and went to the other side of the store where all the
teddy bear clothes were hung.
We left the pricey store after buying all sorts of stuff. Pyjamas, daytime clothes,
slippers, trainers, sandles and hair accessories - all for the bear of course.
We even received a stupid birth certificate for the bear with it's name on and
everything. Speaking of which, we had named the bear 'Taffy'. I thought it fitted
nicely because I remembered Jace telling me Camellia loved taffy more than any sane
person should.
The actual bear cost around £20 and on top of that, all the other stuff added up to
an extra £25 but no, I can't complain because it is for Camellia after all.
So why do I keep getting the feeling that i'm doing it for Jace?
His name actually caused my whole tummy to flutter.
"Did you get her number?" I asked Molly who shook her head in return. I was
referring to the shop employee. "Go get it then!"
Molly walked back inside the store, hands to her sides and her head down. She came
back a few moments later, paper in hand and a rosy tinge on her cheeks. "Her name
is Cassie."
I nodded and slapped her back as my way of saying 'well done' she just returned the
gesture the pinching my ass.
We went back to the Disney store soon after because Molly wanted to get some Disney
themed clothes. I groaned, but agreed nonetheless. She would've forced me to go
anyway.
She ended up buying pretty much the whole store and walking out with a two huge
bags of Disney stuff. She brought a bloody Pooh onesie too and forced me to buy
myself a matching tigger one; she probably felt bad that I was waiting around and
not buying anything while she brought everything.
We were walking back to the car, lugging around a house shaped box full of
Camellia's Build-A-Bear stuff and two huge bags that were practically stretching
enough to split open as well as a bag with a birthday card inside it.
I came to the conclusion that Molly, as annoying and obnoxious as she once was, was
now mature now- or as mature as she'll ever be.
She was no longer that cousin that you just despised but instead, the one who you
can talk to without having the need to slap. Trisha too, I bet Liam can agree. I
can't say the same about their parents though.
"Remind me to never take you shopping again. Ever." I snarled.
"Whatever, hurry up and get in the car."
You know what, just forget I ever said she was actually a better person.
We got home and lugged all the stuff in the house, mum came out of the kitchen
asking if we had brought her anything as she always did whenever I went shopping
without her.
Saturday came around and I was greeted by Trisha's breathing on my face and her
head about two inches from mine. I pulled back instantly and reached my hand over
to my bedside table to see that the time was nearly eight o'clock.
I knew that I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep if I tried so I crawled out of
bed quietly and left the room. I went downstairs to the kitchen and saw a few
colourful envelopes scattered on the floor by the front door.
I took the envelopes in the kitchen and saw more envelopes on the breakfast bar as
I perched myself on the bar stool. I opened a bright blue envelope that had my name
written on the front in scrawny but neat writing, I knew who it was instantly.
The front of the card had a funny picture of a camel and a cheesy joke, I chuckled.
I opened it up and saw about a dozen different colours in my face.
Dear Zach,
Happy birthday, don't eat too much cake either (because you should save some for
me!).
Really though, I hope you have a fantastic day, tell me all about it on Facebook.
Lots of love, Tay.
Tay was my second cousin, she lives in America so I don't get to see her often.
I opened up another, I knew that only two people would get me a card with a mugshot
of my twelve year old face on the front and a massive arrow labelling the person in
the picture as 'LOSER'.
Zach,
Happy birthday. You're finally sixteen and legal have sex! (Hooray).
Love Mol and Trish.
I placed both cards aside and opened up the other ones. There was one from mum and
dad and another from Aunt Stacy and Uncle Frank and a few of my other relatives;
they were just simple ones saying a basic 'happy birthday!'
There wore none from Liam though, and to be honest, I did feel a little upset about
that.
It's just like he doesn't even want to know me now, he doesn't want to even take a
moment to say 'happy birthday'.
I felt a tear slip down my cheek, why the hell would I cry about such a thing?
Footsteps were heard coming down the stairs and hastily, I wiped my tears away with
the back of my hand. The kitchen door opened and I was attacked in a bear hug from
behind by mum. She handed me a colourful gift bag, it literally had rainbow stripes
all over it.
I smiled at her, hoping she wouldn't notice that I had been tearing up. I just
ducked my head and shoved my hand inside the gift bag, I took out a cube shapes
present, it was neatly wrapped up in red gift wrap so I tore the away all the
paper. My eyes landed upon a glass figurine of two men kissing, it was small and I
made sure to hold it diligently.
"Thanks mum." I smiled, confused to no ends why she would give me this. "It's
beautiful."
Maybe to show her acceptance or some shizzle like that.
"It's alright honey," she came up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek, which I
returned.
I smiled as I went back upstairs and placed the delicate glass object on a high
shelf in my room. The shelf was any old boring shelf that was screwed on to the
wall, it was dusty and had books as well as trophies on from my past achievements.
I pulled open the curtain and let the bright light outside seep in to the room,
Trisha immediately tugged on the blanket and covered her eyes with it.
So I tore the blanket away.
Evil, I know.
Do I care? Nope.
"Zach you fu--" she groaned and threw my pillow at my face.
"Woah, watch your language there," I laughed and watched as the pillow fell near my
feet, about a metre away.
"Nice throw."
"I dont play sports like you, Jock."
I was reminded about Jace but when am I not thinking about Jace? Oh wow, shit.. I
sound so..so... nevermind.
He always calls me jock, as a joke of course. He very well knows I am not one
however, even though I do the cliche jock thing and play sports, but only
basketball. If I were a jock, I would've dreaded to be near such a dorky person
such a Jace but I like his dorky, vibrant and flamboyant self.
I kinda missed that idiot, i wanted him here, with me, right now instead of Trisha.
She can leave, I don't care really.
I tugged on Trisha's leg and she squealed, grasping the bed sheetsand trying to get
back on the bed. She mouthed off and cussed a few times at me too, but I get that a
lot from everyone really. Her floral pyjama shorts that she wore last night were
riding up her ass and her matching vest top was doing a bad job at covering her
lower back and stomach.
My dad made an appearance and slammed open my bedroom door; he looked beyond pissed
and It made me laugh for some odd reason, his hair was all dishevelled and sticking
out in places.
"You had to wake me up at eight, didn't you?" He groaned and rubbed his eyes with
his index finger. Uncle Frank showed himself behind dad, looking equally as
annoyed.
If waking my dad up was a bad thing, imagine his face when he sees me pulling
Trisha's leg violently. He always lectured us on being nice to the stuck up side of
the family, no matter how annoying and irritating they are.
"Dear lord, Zachary, let go of the poor girl's leg." He sighed at my foolish
behaviour, the kind of disapproving way and left the room. I burst out laughing and
so did Trisha, even with her leg flying up in the air by me.
I was distracted and she took the chance to kick me hard in the stomach, I doubled
over in pain, crouching down to the floor and grabbing my stomach in pain. I
literally got into a fetus position on the floor and groaned. What a great
birthday.
"Oh god, I'm sorry.. actually, no, I'm not." Trisha laughed and left the room. I
picked myself up, still wincing at the pain and followed her out.
It was ten o'clock when I finally decided to go for a shower, I look a long shower
too. The twins weren't too happy about that and I don't know about Liam but to be
honest, I feel like a fool beating around the bush for him and his homophobic ass.
I was just putting my t-shirt on when the door bell rang, as usual, my mum answered
because I couldn't be bothered. I stood by the stairs to have a peek at who it was
that came.
My eyes landed upon Jace.
I think my day just got brighter.
I literally ran down the stairs, almost tripping on my own feet along the way. Mum
left to go back inside the living room as I reached the front door and she winked.
She actually just winked.
Jace was holding an envelope in his hands, he passed it to me and I didn't hesitate
to rip it open.
He grinned as my eyes landed upon a basketball themed card, even though It was
childish, I loved it.
Dear Zach,
Happy Birthday.
From Jace. :)
Okay, so it was simple but I'm probably going to treasure it forever.
"Thanks," I grinned at him. "You didn't have to come all the way to my house to
deliver it." I pulled him into a hug because it's probably the only way i'll be
able to touch him without seeming weird.
I felt a weird sense of nostalgia from when we hugged at the park, when he told me
he's pansexual. I smiled, recalling that memory and feeling absoloutley amazing
because he wanted me in particular to know. He trusted me enough to not go mouthing
off. Of course, I feel the same way, I know that Jace is a hundred-and-one percent
trustworthy but I just can't bring myself to tell him.
I reluctantly pulled back and felt the need to just hug him again.
"So where are we going then?" I asked. I felt kind of bad that I never even did
anything for his birthday but that's only because I had only just met him and he
never told me.
"Umm, I'm not going to tell you." He informed me and I frowned as I laced my
trainers up.
I was grabbing my jacket when Liam decided to come downstairs in his boxers and t-
shirt, half asleep. He rubbed his eyes as he jogged down the stairs. He frowned at
Jace and I before leaving to go in the kitchen.
Jace gave a questioning look and I shrugged and pushed him out the door. We sat in
the car and he asked me something to do with whether I've been revising my physics.
"Can we not talk about physics on my birthday?" I sighed.
He rolled his eyes and reversed out of the driveway. As usual, I claimed the
auxillary.
He rolled his eyes but jammed to Eminem with me nonetheless. I couldn't miss the
foot tapping and the head bopping of course.
I felt pretty darn happy right now.

12. A Little Footie Can't Hurt Nobody.

Check out the video on the side, it's the person I casted as Jace acting like a
loser xD He's actually doing an impression of someone from another video lol >>>>

You'll like this chapter.

----------------------------------

The sun was up and even though it was March, it was warm and I was actually
grateful to be living in England where the weather is never what it's meant to be.

I took my coat nonetheless, like I said, the weather never makes sense.

"Are we there yet?" I asked for the hundredth time.

"Shut up."
"Fine." I huffed and turned to look out the window. Minutes past with only the
sound of the air conditioner and the music making a noise.

"Don't actually shut up." I turned to look at his frowning face. His eyes were
concentrated on the road but I could see that his lips were in a frown.

I tried stifling a laugh but failed to, I started giggling but not in a girly way.

I couldn't miss how Jace's rosy lips quirked upwards too.

We finally arrived and It was almost impossible to not see a bunch of people
dressed up in similar colours. Stripes were painted across their face and many of
them wore football shirts.

"We're watching Chelsea play against Arsenal. Surprise." He grinned and took out
two rucksacks from the backseat.

I grinned, recalling the time when I was at his house watching Arsenal play against
Barcelona instead of doing revision. I was obviously an Arsenal supporter and Jace
was a Barcelona fan.

I didn't know how much Jace actually liked football and I thought it was unfair for
him to persevere ninety minutes of watching a bunch of lads running around kicking
a ball, it could get a little boring sometimes.

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" I was generally concerned.

"I do watch football you know." He rolled his eyes and unzipped the navy rucksack,
throwing the other one on my lap.

He pulled out two brand new Arsenal football shirts; they were the new season's
edition with a completely new design and everything. I hadn't got one of these ones
yet but now didn't have to worry about buying one.

After taking them out of the plastic packaging, he handed me one and I stretched it
out in front of me, seeing my name written in big, bold letters at the top.

"Jace-"

"Don't mention it," he cut me off, "it's your birthday present."

I grinned and didn't hesitate to strip my top off and replace it with the new
football shirt. It fitted snugly and I saw Jace looking at me, not at my body (not
that there was much to look at anyway) but at my face.

He changed his top too and I saw that he had his name at the back of his shirt. We
both threw our old tops in the rucksack that the football shirts were originally in
and got out the car.

"The game doesn't start for an hour and a bit still." He informed me I nodded in
understanding. He took the second rucksack - a red and brown one - out of my hands
and zipped open the front pocket to take out the tickets. He zipped it back up and
slung the bag over his shoulder.

We walked towards the enterance which was quite a long walk from where we parked.
We walked past all the different cars in the car park and my I was practically
squealing (on the inside of course) with excitement. My tummy once again felt
uneasy, just like it did when I was with Jace the other day.
"I just realised that you're wearing an arsenal shirt but you support Barcelona." I
pointed out. He looked good in the shirt, his black chinos and black vans went well
with the shirt.

"I can learn to like Arsenal." He stuck his tongue out at me and I returned it. I
swear, we were acting more childish than all the children that were actually here.

We had our bags checked and it turns out that the rucksack Jace had over his
shoulder had just his jacket in it and some drinks.

"Ready, good sir?" I faked the ultimate sterotypical posh english accent, it was
much different to my actual accent which was a little upper north.

"Yes, we shall go." He replied with the same accent but much better than my
version. Seriously, was there anything he couldn't do?

We scanned our tickets are the front of the stadium and were finally inside. Jace
pulled my arm and dragged me towards some stalls that had face painting going on.

There were tons of other people wearing similar red shirts to ours either with
their own name at the back or one of the players on the team.

We got our faces painted, I was reluctant so I had only got the Arsenal badge on my
cheek. Jace however, loved the idea of getting his face painted but didn't want to
have a massive badge on his face if I didn't so he got the same as me.

With forty five minutes still to spare, I went to the beer stand and got myself and
Jace some beer. How can you enjoy a game without beer? He was reluctant to allow me
to pay for it because it was my birthday but he's already paid for the tickets and
they were really good seats.

We were finally sat down in our designated seats. The stadium looked better than I
had ever imagined, every little aspect about it just made you want to jump up and
down cheering. The benches where everyone was sat down was steep and I would
probably be risking my life if I stood up and jumped because I could fall forward.

I've only been to a few football games in my life but they were when I was very
young so I can't remember much. They were usually with Liam because he too was an
Arsenal fan. Just the thought of him made me frown and feel the need to cry it out.
Of course, I didn't; I didn't want him ruining my birthday even when he's not here
in person.

A bunch of girls our age were sat on our row, right next to our seats, or more
like, right next to Jace because I had the aisle seat. They also wore clothes that
had the Arsenal colours and it just made me sick how they were wearing it. They
were practically half naked, i never understood why girls would dress in such a way
but then again, it's somwhat attractive to about ninety percent of the guys in our
school.

They were chatting to Jace and he looked flushed, obviously not used to such slutty
girls talking to him. I tried to listen in to what they were saying and I could
only barely make it out.

"I'm Ashley, I love your hair." she complimented and ran a hand through his hair.

Bitch, only I can touch his hair.

Jace was just sat staring forward and as still as a statue. He turned to face me
with wide eyes and a very uncomfortable expression.
I leaned forward so I could see this Ashley girl's face. I introduced myself to her
and winked, hoping that she would bug me instead of Jace.

She winked back, of course, being the kind of girl that she is. We started chatting
and I noticed how Jace seemed a little more relaxed, he let out a huge breath, as
if he had been holding it in for quite a long time.

"You both have such perfect hair." she commented. Seriously? did she have a hair
fetish or something?

"Thank you." I said and leaned back into my seat because the game had already
started without me realising.

The players came out of the tunnel and I stood up, dragging Jace up with me. If I
fall, he falls too. I held my free hand to my mouth and cheered as the game
commenced but then booed when Chelsea started coming out as well.

I sat back down just as everyone else did and took a sip of my beer, I hadn't
noticed but it was already nearly half empty. Jace's too was nearing the halfway
line and It had only crossed my mind that he looked as if he wasn't enjoying
himself.

"Jace, what's up?" I asked and purposely put my hand on his knee.

"Nothing, just one of those days." He sighed and made no move to move my hand.

"Don't give me that attitude, you're going to enjoy yourself whether I get you
wasted or not." I joked. He was my only ride home.

He laughed and I saw how his eyes crinkled at the edges, it's like he's revived or
something because he was once again, looking happy.

I turned back to the game and cheered whenever I should and booed when the opposing
team scored.

The game did drag on quite a bit mainly because I thought the Chelsea players were
faking being tripped over and stuff just so they could get free kicks. I've never
liked Chelsea, I had always thought they played violently.

It reached halftime and nobody made any move to get up to take a piss so I stood up
to get some more beer. I left Jace with the girls, thinking he would be okay.

Outside near the food stands was complete chaos. There was no space to move
anywhere and the queues were literally a mile long. I waited in the queue for
drinks and regretted leaving Jace with those girls.

Right now, if he was here we would've been joking about how poor Chelsea were
playing or about how our goalkeeper was practically unbeatable.

I finally did get my beer and headed back up the stairs to the seats. I was glad
that Jace wasn't looking completely uncomfortable, he looked pretty relieved when I
sat back down in my seat on his left.

Ashley who was sat on his right was talking abut her ex boyfriend and I felt the
need to staple her lips together or something else equally painful.

She was done talking about her ex boyfriend and instead moving on to putting the
conversation on Jace, making him uncomfortable.
"You single?" She asked. Jace silently nodded and looked bored as fuck.

I put my beer on the floor, cleared my throat and I don't know what came over me
next but my lips were soon smashed against Jace's. A bunch of gasps were heard and
I swear I heard the word 'faggot' being thrown about by some people behind. Of
course they would all be able to see, the seats got higher and higher and we were
near the front.

His whole body turned rigid but then relaxed as my left hand caressed his right
cheek and his left hand went round to the back of my neck. Our spare hands had
nothing to do but sit at each-others waist.

It was really happening.

My lips were moulded with his and to be honest, I didn't really wanted us to
separate but I knew I had to soon. It was only a closed mouth kiss, which I felt
unhappy about. It would've been even more gross for everyone else around us to see
us making out with tongues. I'm pretty sure they were grossed out enough seeing two
guys kiss.

His lips were much softer than I had ever imagined; they usually looked so small
and thin but in a kiss, they felt full and plump.

My stomach clenched as we both separated and I turned to see a revolted Ashley; the
rest of her friends seemed unaffected and didn't really care.

For the first time, I didn't want to look at Jace's face. I was scared about what
his expression would be. I mean, in the kiss, which only lasted a number a seconds,
it seemed he was okay because he wasn't pulling back nor taking it further and he
was even kissing back, I mean it would've been so weird if I was kissing him and he
didn't kiss back but instead stood as still as a statue.

Wrong timing there buddy.

I took a deep breath before glancing his direction. His face was contorted in to an
expression of confusion and surprise which was actually expected and I felt pretty
glad it wasn't anything bad.

I sighed, picked up my beer and took a massive gulp. I faced back to the game,
which was still in an interval.

Part of me what glad for doing what I did, the obnoxious girls next to us were now
silent, well Ashley was. There was was another girl, Ashley's friend, who was
talking kindly to Jace about school or something like that. She had red hair in
scene kind of haircut and had to admit, she looked awesome. You see, I would never
be able to pull of red hair, or a scene haircut.

Ashley was slumped in her seat, looking moody and irritated. It made me want to
laugh but of course, I didn't. I didn't want to get slapped or anything.

The game finally started a little while after and I couldn't help but miss Jace's
touch. I wanted his lips on mine again, our breaths mixing and the warm touch of
his hands on my cheek.

I grabbed his hand as if it was an urgency, intwining them together and laying them
on his lap.

What actually made me smile was the fact he wasn't pulling away.
13. Break Down These Walls.
We remained holding hands for the rest of the game, even when we had to stand up to
cheer. Like I said, if I fall, he falls with me and vice versa.
I felt like I was over the moon and no, it wasn't all because of the alcohol. I
think I was high on Jace. Yeah, that's exactly what it was.
The game soon ended and the score was 4-3 to Arsenal and as content as I felt
sitting down next to the most incredible person in my life, my butt felt sore and
my throat hurt from all the shouting. Not only that, it was getting cold and I
could see grey clouds.
I had to let go of his hand to put my coat on, Jace too was unzipping his bag to
take out his hoodie.
I laughed.
"What?" He cocked his eyebrow.
I stared at his hoodie, it was the one he brought when we went shopping. It was a
grey Minnie and Micky mouse hooded sweatshirt.
He looked down at his attire which I was currently staring at and he blushed.
I rolled my eyes, slung his backpack over my shoulder and started walking out the
aisle in the crowd of drunk fans who were all trying to exit the stadium. It was
close to impossible given the fact there were thousands of people who were all
exhausted and rowdy.
I kind of lost Jace on the way but I could just meet him at the front or near his
car. He's old enough.
I smiled just thinking about him. What did this mean for us exactly and what did he
think of his crush now?
I had this doubt at the back of my mind about Jace not liking me, either not at all
or not as much as I liked him. It just made my stomach churn and my mood to drop
instantly.
I was stood near the exit, trying to spot him through the crowds of fans. I finally
did spot him, the dude with a grey hoodie. The hood on it was up and it was funny
to see that the it actually had floppy mouse ears on top.
I ran to him and jumped on his back. My legs wrapped around his torso and he held
them in place.
"Having a good birthday?" He asked in a weird kind of cooing tone and turned his
head.
"A very good birthday." I grinned and spoke in the same voice. He puckered his lips
and my eyes widened, was he really about to kiss me or was it just an illusion of
my mind?
I kissed him anyway.
I noticed that the girls who were sat next to us were nearby, grinning and staring.
All except Ashley of course.
The kind one walked up to us, her hood over her head and bits of red hair sticking
out. She smiled and Jace greeted her, addressing her by the name 'Lori'.
"I've always wanted gay best friends. Let's be best friends." She joked.
"But-" Jace started but got cut off.
"Come on, we have to go." Ashley sighed and dragged Lori away from us. Well I guess
that's the last time I'll ever see her.
"To Narnia!" I yelled and stuck one hand out in front of me and tightened the grip
of my other one around Jace's chest.
Jace chuckled, obviously amused by my more... Nerdy side. I think he's rubbed off
on me.
He started walking and I bounced at each step he took given the fact the ground
here was very uneven.
It was just like when we were at the shopping centre together. All he needed to do
now was pin me on the floor and sit on my stomach.
We can't forget the bag of pretzels too. God, I love those. Anybody who doesn't is
not sane.
"And he we have, the Toyota." Jace spoke in a posh show presenter's voice as we
stopped in front of his car. He crouched down slightly to allow me to get off his
back.
I did and sat in the passengers seat. Jace made his way to the right side of the
car. He opened the doors to the rear seats first and threw the rucksack in there
then opened the door to the driver's side and sat down.
He stuck the key in the ignition and instead of claiming the auxiliary, I turned
the heater on full blast and rubbed my freezing cold hands together.
"By the way, for Camellia's birthday, I wanted to take her out. All of us. Like a
joint birthday party." I announced.
"But I'm the one who's driving. As always." He sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Yes. That you are."
A few minutes passed in comfortable silence. I was still trying to collect as much
heat as I could and Jace had the sleeves on his sweatshirt over his hands.
"Thanks for... What you did back there. Those girls were like savages." He laughed.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Yeah, that one girl was bugging me to no ends. I think she would've made a move if
you didn't act like you were gay with me."
I looked away from him and took in what he had just said. How could I have been so
stupid thinking we could be together forever just because we kissed? did he just
see it all as a joke? As a way to get rid of that girl?
I had three options here, I could: A. Tell him about my feelings, B. Go along with
the flow, even though I don't know what the hell the flow is or if it would take us
anywhere or C, tell him I'm gay.
If I tell him about my sexuality, it doesn't necessarily mean that I'll be telling
him about my feelings because dammit, they're both frightening things for me. What
if he rejects my feelings? He has a crush himself after all.
I went with B, whatever the flow is, I hoped it would mean I would technically be
more intimate with Jace in some (very rare) situations.
"No problem, those girls were bugging me too." I said but then added in something
else, "That Ashley girl was hot though."
"Jock." He scoffed and rolled his eyes.
I turned to look out the window, almost feeling as if I wanted this journey to end
already, I reckon I needed a lot of time to myself to think. I needed to know what
my best steps would be.
"What are we doing now?" I asked and slumped in my seat.
"Lunch." He said just as we pulled into the car park of a vintage diner. "This is
my favourite place to eat."
In bright blue neon lights, the name of the diner read Lucinda's.
I smiled, places like these Were a rare find and now all I needed was some cheesy
80s music to make this experience a little better than it already was.
We walked side by side walking to the diner; not holding hands but just together
and as content as I felt being here with Jace for my birthday, I was still
questioning what he meant in the car; trying to find alternatives for my negative
thoughts.
A small gold bell that was tied to the ceiling rung as we opened the door. I felt
like echoing a chorus of ooh's and ahh's at the sight. The diner looked a lot like
the diner in Grease but this one had a lot of colour. The walls were pink and
turquoise, there were random objects hung on the wall like an old fashioned bike
and some old Elvis records as well as some old black and white and monochrome
pictures with vintage frames.
"This place is amazing." I voiced my thoughts to myself.
"I know." Jace smiled and a lady with short blonde curly hair walked up to us. She
could've easily been mistaken for a twenty year old but her makeup failed to cover
up the very few wrinkles she had.
She didn't say a word, she just stood still with her head cocked to the side but
when realisation hit her, her hand flew to her mouth that was gaped open.
"Jace?!" She practically screamed and breathes heavily. Her arms went to Jace's
shoulders and face.
"Linda." Jace nodded curtly once her arms and hands left his arms and face.
"Table for two?" She grinned.
Jace nodded again and she picked up two menus and told us to follow her. She took
us up a short set of stairs and to a table for two where it was a little quieter.
We both thanked her once she left us. I had a dozen questions for Jace and he was
going to answer them.
"Who's she?" I asked and caused Jace to tear his attention away from the menu.
"An old friend." He put vaguely but I wanted more answers.
I simply asked him for more details and he huffed but told me nonetheless. "I used
to live here, that's how I knew this place. I came here basically everyday after
school because the food here is the best I've ever had."
I nodded, satisfied with what he told me. I read through the menu at the huge
variety and my mouth watered at everything.
Linda came back to our table with a notepad and pen. Jace was the first to speak
up.
"I'll have the chocolate shake, extra whipped cream, a double cheeseburger and
mozzarella sticks on the side." My eyes widened at how much this boy could eat yet
remain healthy.
"Always the same Jace." Linda sighed and turned to me, ready to take my order.
"Um, an ice cream soda and a barbecue ribs." I told her. There was literally so
much choice but I would choose ribs over anything. She left and I was still giving
Jace the whole 'what the fuck' look.
"You can't be serious bro." I gave him a pointed look and his lips that were
straight quirked upwards.
"It's what I always got. My mum wasn't too happy about it because I did get really
fat. I was like nine stone at fourteen years old."
I failed to stifle a laugh when I thought about a chubby Jace who was short with
chubby cheeks and chubby fingers-
"You better not be thinking about a tubby Jace." He frowned and crossed his arms
over his chest.
Woah, this guy is a fricking mind reader.
I held my arms up in surrender. "I'm not!" I yelled but it was clear I was lying.
He pursed his lips together and slapped my shoulder from across the table, I only
laughed more.
Our meals came eventually and I was surprised at how fast it had arrived given the
fact that the diner was actually pretty busy, even at three o'clock.
We were eating our food in comfortable silence, making snide jokes about our eating
methods and such but I still couldn't help thinking about our conversation in the
car.
"What did you mean in the car about saving you?" I asked tentatively as if I was
treading on dangerous waters.
His face didn't change from his amused look and I was pretty glad about it. I
didn't want this conversation to be very serious. "Those girls were literally all
over us and they thought we were straight so they kept making moves."
"That part's obvious." I snickered.
"Yeah well, I mean, if they thought we were a couple then they would back off. A
gay couple at that. You should've seen their faces." He laughed. "They looked
pretty heartbroken but then they were happy for us."
I nodded and waited for him to continue. "I know, I'm beyond gay. I do like girls
too but they were just..."
"Sluts." I finished for him.
"Tarts." He corrected. "Anyway, it was awesome of you to kiss me even when you're
straight. I mean not like that but..." He blushed. "It's not your thing but you
still did it."
I got a grasp at what he was saying and frowned. I felt like an idiot right now.
"Yeah well, you looked kinda uncomfortable actually, scrap that, you looked beyond
uncomfortable." I laughed and he laughed along, finishing the last bits of his
burger.
I was finishing off my cream soda, it was literally the best soda I've ever had and
I was well up for taking a whole crate home just for myself.
We had both finished our meals and Jace paid, I wasn't too happy about that but
then again, who wouldn't want free food?
We left the diner before Linda could come up to us and force Jace to stay so she
could feed him lots.
We were stood outside freezing our asses. I could see my breathing from my nose and
mouth.
"You have a little..." I smiled and kissed him on the lips, tasting the familiar
taste of chocolate milkshake and whipped cream on my lips.
His eyes were wide open but soon closed as did mine. We stayed like that a for a
few moments, our lips locked together and moving in sync.
Damn, this guy sure is a great kisser, I mean, he's better than I expected. I
thought to myself, trying to not let my cocky side drop.
I leaned away from him, breaking the kiss. "You never know where those damn girls
from the game could be hiding," was my crappy reason. I jogged to the car, eager to
embrace it's warmth. Jace was behind me, just walking slowly and looking confused.
It made me grin to myself. My lips trembled to steal another kiss but I knew I
couldn't.
He's clever enough to realise that I, obviously, am gay. I didn't mind him knowing
by now, it was one less job for me to do. I wanted him to know that I'm gay.
I wasn't sure whether he's realised that I may have developed a small crush on him.
God, I sure hope not.
He opened up the door of the driver's seat and looked like a ghost. Everything he
was doing, pulling the key into the ignition, turning up the heater and taking his
ridiculously long hair out of his face, it was all done robotically.
I cleared my throat, hoping that it would get rid of any awkwardness but nope, it
just made it even weirder.
The pressure of his grip on the steering wheel kept changing, it was as if he was
thinking really deep. I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't though, with the kiss
and everything.
"Stop thinking." I sighed. "You'll crash the car."
He stopped moving so robotically and breathed out. "I just have a lot of questions
in my head."
- -
[Jace's POV]
I was confused to no ends. As I lay on my bed, in the dark, staring up at the
ceiling with my arms to my sides, my thoughts were only of the puzzle that was
Zach.
Two months.
That's how long I've known him and yet, I have never once questioned why he was
never in a relationship or why he couldn't tell me about his sexuality.
At least that one thing was clear.
He was gay.
Well, I mean, there's always that one person in the family, I thought and then
snickered to myself but then burst out laughing as if I was crazy. I was crazy, I
think I needed help.
I wondered why Zach had never told me about him being gay even after I came out to
him but then again, I know how terrifying it is.
I was such a idiot, judging him prior to getting to know him, it was never what I
was accustomed to. I assumed he was straight because he was already known by the
entire school by the second week of year seven- he had an older brother after all.
I've always wondered what it was like having an older brother. I was the oldest
sibling of my family.
The door creaked open and the light from the hallway flooded into my room. A small
figure appeared and I instantly recognised that figure as Camellia.
"Yes?" I called out.
"Pudding." She spoke in a soft tone.
"Alright. Now go away." I groaned.
She eventually left, closing the door behind her. I was left to my own thoughts
once again.
I would have to see him again in two days time. We had decided to treat Camellia
for her birthday by taking her to London. We could go visit M&M's world and see
Buckingham Palace. She would love that. We had argued about taking Molly and Trisha
with us, I heard that they were leaving soon to go back to, as Zach said, 'their
rich home in the South East'.
I wasn't sure who won that argument, I really hoped Molly and Trish did come though
because otherwise, it would just be awkward between Zach and I.
You see, that boy was flooding my mind again. I mean, he was so bloody hot and
nobody could be that hot and be straight. I should've noticed the signs earlier, he
literally slept on me for God sakes, no straight person would do that.
I wondered what he felt towards me.
Ok, why the hell did I just think that? That was a such an absurd thought.
I was just plain, boring Jace after all and he was Zachary Hamilton.
I finally did get up off the bed after some more dwelling and hurried downstairs to
get pudding before my dad finished it all, I was practically blinded by the sudden
light but whatever, I wanted pudding.

14. Quite The Birthday.

a/n: Watch the video on the side, it's really good and even though it has nothing
to do with the chapter (mainly), it will deffo spark your interest. :)

------------------------

[Zach's POV]

I had a good birthday.

It was just good, not brilliant. I mean, it was going brilliantly but there were a
few downsides.

Coming back home in a silent two hour journey from the football stadium was
probably the worst of it, a part of me felt as though I've become more closer to
Jace and we've become better friends but another part has this irk, thinking Jace
no longer trusts me.

I nearly had a heart attack sauntering into the kitchen with my Arsenal shirt.
Everyone (but my dear brother) stood round a cake and yelled 'Happy Birthday!' to
me. It was freaking scary, let me tell you that.

I blew the candles out, thanking everyone and then we sat down in front of the
television watching Neverland, one of my most favourite movies. Liam joined us but
sat next to Molly, who was well away from me.

I liked small things like this; the whole family gathered round and chilling out.
It felt really good and made a great almost-end to my birthday- we can't forget the
cake for dessert now can we? Or the fact that my mum made my favourite meal for
dinner. A very heavy meal at that.

I went up to my room after that, announcing that I felt tired.

I sat on my desk chair, clutching my hurting stomach. The heavy lunch mixed with a
pretty heavy dinner was really taking a toll on me. I wondered how Jace took it I
mean, that guy could eat. The milkshake itself was heavy but he had that along with
mozzarella sticks and a double cheeseburger.

Just the thought of him made me feel... I don't know how I felt actually. One part
of me only felt lust for him, my teeny-tiny crush was now turning into more than
that. I was no longer crushing on him like a little school girl but instead, more
that I've ever felt for anyone. It was way more than a crush, way more. Another
part of me felt irritated that we couldn't be together- not when we're polar
opposites.

Opposites.

Just imagine the hate we'd receive being together. The people at my school school
were open minded, well

majority of the people were. It wasn't as if being gay was frowned up on here, the
only thing that was frowned upon at Kingston High were the lower classes on the
social hierarchy. The outcasts, Emo's, nerds and such.

People like me did not mix with people like Jace.

I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I was tearing up. Jace was messing with my
head without even being here with me and I didn't know whether I liked it or not. I
just needed to take a while to get my head around everything.

Tears slipped down my cheek and I reached over to turn my bedside lamp on so that
it lit up a little more than half of my room.

Suddenly, sitting down on my bed felt uncomfortable. My hands trembled as did my

legs, I needed to stand up, I needed to do something with my hands... I went across
the room, picking up my Physics textbooks and throwing them across the room.

It felt good.

My hands went round to the back of my head and gripped my hair, doing so caused
some relief for my fingers that were once again, trembling.

A set of footsteps were heard getting closer to my room and I ran to the door to
lock it before they could get in. A series of knocks and yelling were heard, they
echoed in my ears. Everything was way too loud right now.

I needed to be alone. I needed to be alone because otherwise, I might hospitalize

someone.

My mind was a whirlwind of emotions: Realisation, anger, heartbreak, fear,

exhaustion, lonliness. I didn't even have a reason to most of them, I just felt
what I felt.

Questions bounced around in my head, unanswerable questions.

Why did my place on the social hierachy of the school have to make such a huge dent
in my relationship with Jace? Why?

Why do I feel rejected?

Why did Jace have to crush on somebody else?

Why does Liam not want to talk to me if he's okay with Molly?

Why did I have to like Jace so fucking much?

Why did Jace have to be so damn perfect all the time? He was too perfect for me, I
knew it.

I went back to my desk and picked up my schoolbag, throwing it on the opposite side
of the room. It caused a huge thud as it hit the wall and fell to the foor, causing
all of its contents to spew out. I heard Female voices screaming through my door,
telling me to stop it and to calm down and take deep breaths.

How could I possibly calm down at a time like this?

I gripped my hair once again, not once wincing at the pain of my iron grip but
instead at the pain I felt inside me.

I tried to take deep breaths but I just couldn't, I was too far in to my most
angriest of thoughts.

Was I being pathetic? I probably was but who even cares right now?

Was I being a girl by crying? Nope.

My fingers stook violently in my hair and I clenched my hands. My nails were poking
the palm of my hand and it knew it would hurt like a bitch.

No, I was not an 'emo' I did not embrace or endure pain, but at this moment, I
couldn't feel the it, not when I had far too many other things to worry about.

I looked down at my attire and slid off the football shirt, throwing it aside. Too
many depressing thoughts.

I felt like shouting for no particular reason, I was quiet all this time, the only
sounds were my sobs and all the objects being thrown at the wall.

I heard more knocks on the door and more people. It seemed that everyone was now at
my door trying to get me to chill the fuck out.

I bet Liam wasn't there though.

I bet he was damn pleased with himself for whatever twisted reason.

I cried even more thinking about my crappy brother, all this time, I've been trying
to not let my annoyance of Liam get to me. I was trying to hold it in. He literally
tore me apart but with a click of his fingers, he could piece me together again, it
was the fact he didn't want to. It was true, I did like Liam more than Jace. Liam
was affecting me more than Jace was by far.

I grabbed another item, a trophy, and threw it against the wall. I heard glass
smashing from the impact and wondered which of my trophies were made of glass.

None.

I walked up to the smashed glass and inspected it using the little light from the
bedside table lamp and saw two male heads, kissing. I quickly recognised the item
as the present mum gave me only this morning and knocked my fists against the wall.

My ever so caring, ever so supportive mum gave me that present.

And now it's smashed. This only made me angrier. I was angry at myself for doing
such a thing.

If Jace was here he'd say something like 'Well done, Einstein'.

I regretted thinking about him after that thought because it caused me to take out
the draw of my bedside table and throw the whole thing on the floor. It was the
only thing closest to me that was throwable but not smashable and it made the
loudest noise.

"Zach." Liam yelled through the door.

"Zach." I heard his voice again.

"Please open the door, please." He begged. Oh my idiotic, good-for-nothing brother.

I walked the small distance to the door but made no move to unlock it. I sat on the
floor, near the shattered glass and leaned against it.

"Zach, open up." Liam tried again, sounding exhausted and irritated.

"Why?" I yelled. "Why should I open the fucking door for a traitor like you?"

There was a moment of silence before I heard his voice again. "Lets talk yeah?"

I wiped some tears from my face but more just fell down my cheeks, it was no use
getting rid of them. "Who else is there?"

"Everyone but if you want, I'll tell them to go."

I agreed and I heard him telling everyone to leave. I unlocked the door, seeing him
sat cross legged on the floor with his back to me. He hastily turned his head,
seeing me then standing up to pull me in to a hug.

This was so weird.

He was hugging me.

I hugged back of course, rejuvenating in the feeling but then felt anger course
through me and shoved him away from me with a harsh force. He stumbled back but
caught himself using the door frame before he could fall.

"Come on, don't be like that." He sighed and walked into my room, eyes widening at
the huge mess. I pushed him back before he could step on the glass and dragged him
around it.

I remained silent, still sobbing.

"I wasn't trying to be a traitor, let me explain, ok?"

I gulped, attempting to stop my tears but it was no use. As well as crying, I was
hiccuping from crying too much.

"It's a shock to me, alright? A huge fucking shock." He made large, weird hand
movements, emphasising said shock. "I'm not homophobic or anything, hell no. Our
parents raised us better than that, didn't they?"

I nodded, thinking about how good our parents really are and how much I truly loved
them. Some people weren't so lucky. The thought of my mum caused more tears to
escape; I smashed the present and now I was filled with regret, guilt, sorrow and
more anger.

My hands shook violently again but I continued to listen to Liam instead of

throwing something.

"I always spoke t' you about girls and shit, you were pretty much the only person
who would give me an honest opinion." He continued.

"But," HIC, "y-y-you have lots o-of," HIC, "F-f-friends." I stammered.

"I probably would've punched them if their opinion was different to mine because
they like slutty girls." He let out a small laugh. "I appreciate your opinion more
than theirs."

"Who am I going to talk to about girls now that you're gay? It was a surprise to
me, that is all, Zach. Understand that, alright?" He stared into my eyes.

I nodded and looked away from them and down to my shaking hands that were in my
lap.

"Punch me." he suddenly said louder than everything else he had said.

"W-what?"

"Punch me, please. I beg you, do it." He closed his eyes as I stood up and lifted
my fist up, ready to punch the bastard.

My fist collided with the right side of his face, immediately sending pain through
my hands due to how freaking hard his jaw is. He gripped the side of his face and
winced.

"Good, coulda' done better though." He commented and stood up.

I frowned at him, not that I wasn't frowning the whole time before. My anger for
him diminished, I had the wrong side of the stick the entire time but could you
blame me when all he did was act as if he didn't want to know me?

"Wanna go downstairs?" He asked and I nodded, breathing in deeply and exhaling a

massive amount of air. I was deprived of air the whole time with my anger boiling.

As shit as I felt comparing myself to Jace, I had the support of Liam right now,
and it was very much needed.

Jace may be on the other side of the social heirachy of Kingston high, he may be
smarter than me, better than me and able to eat more than I could in a day, he was
the one I wanted, he could literally make me swoon (yep, that's Jace for you
alright) and love had no boundaries, neither did whatever I felt for him.

I don't love him just yet, but I'm seventy percent there, I'm sure of it. I just
really really like him.

He just doesn't know it yet.

Or at least I hope so.

If i wanted to get with Jace, I will do just that, even if he's that kind of person
to hang in the computer rooms at lunchtime playing Minecraft while I'm the type of
person to join a sports club or whatever.

"Dude, stop zoning out." Liam groaned and waved his hand frantically in my view.

"Sorry." Hic. Dammit, I thought those were gone.

I grabbed a t-shirt, remembering that I had taken mine off before. I wiped my wet
face with it before throwing it over my head.
We walked down the stairs in silence, side by side. Mum was waiting at the bottom
with the twins. Though, the twins weren't right by the foot of the stairs like mum
was but they were trying to hide behind the door of the living room so I doubt my
mum noticed.

I pulled her into a huge bear hug, my arms wrapped around her waist and I
practically fell to the floor. I was dragging her down too.

"I-I-I'm so sor-r-ry." I cried. "I smashed that-" Hic "p-p-present."

She hoisted my up by my arms so that I would stop dragging her down the floor, she
was a little old to be bending down to the floor swiftly. "Don't worry about it, I
can get another." she cooed and ran her fingers through my hair. My arms were
wrapped around her waist and she was shorter than me so my knees were slightly
bent.

"I love you." I breathed. I really was so thankful for having such great parents,
really. She returned the geature by kissing my cheek and prying my arms off her
before I break her fragile body with my overly tight hug.

Trisha and Molly both gave me reassuring smiles and nods as I walked in to the
kitchen to quench my thirst. I was shaking all over and I could barely walk
straight.

That was so punny.

Oh wait, more puns.

I grabbed a tumbler glass out of the glass cupboard and poured myself some water.
My nose scrunched up at the fact that there was no taste. I was never a water fan.

Molly walked in the kitchen with Trisha, my dad and Liam, who now held an ice pack
to his cheek. I stared at them blankly, expecting them to laugh at me for acting
like a child with temper tantrums.

"You doing better?" Molly asked.

"Yeah, just a lot of unanswered questions that are unanswerable." I sighed.

She nodded and pursed her lips. Trisha was quiet, It was expected of her anyway, I
mean, I wouldn't know what to say if I was in her positon.

You see? I don't even know how to cheer myself up right now.

All I could think was: What an eventful birthday.

It was a good birthday to be honest, I did manage to steal four kisses from Jace,
including before I stepped out the car to go inside my house.

I was glad I stole them.

I really hoped he felt the same way.

15. Make It Rain

Dafuq? 300+ reads? Somebody pinch me... Actually, no, don't do that. I might
hospitalise you. *evil laugh*
Enjoy because I know I did while writing it!
P.s, this chapter will be split in to two parts. Maybe three, I'm not sure.
------------------------
"Happy belated birthday Cammie!" I shouted from the doorstep as said person jumped
out of Jace's car.
She grinned at me as she skipped to the door where I was standing.
"I'm thirteen now." She informed me even though I knew already.
"I know you are, happy birthday!" I repeated and moved out the way just a little to
allow her small frame to go inside the house.
It was only nine in the morning and I was still half asleep; Saturday's are meant
for lie in's.
I felt my cheeks get hot as My eyes darted to Jace who had just clambered out the
car. Molly was nearby, talking to Camellia and I tugged on her arm to grab her
attention.
"Slap me." I demanded her as I dragged her next to me.
I watched as Jace locked his car and got closer and closer to the house or more
particularly, me. I panicked and frantically urged Molly to slap me so that Jace'll
think that I'm not actually all flustered over his stupid face.
Why do you have to blush right now, cheeks? Why?
Molly did as she was told, I reckon she noticed my massive blush when she saw my
face. I winced at the sting I felt from her slap and she covered her mouth with her
hands as she laughed.
"I feel like asking why she just slapped you but I don't really care." Jace
snickered as he reached the doorstep I was currently standing on.
I smiled at him and shoved his shoulder playfully. "Of course you do." He returned
the gesture by placing his hands on my waist. What was he doing?
Hey pushed me backwards and I quickly realised it was all to make space for him to
get through the door.
"Ready for a big day?" He asked and I nodded. I was excited to go to London, I've
only been a couple times but it's changed quite a lot since the last time I went
when I was thirteen.
"My mum packed us some food even when I told her that we'd buy food there." I
sighed. She literally packed the whole kitchen in a couple Tupperware's.
"Are the twins going?" He asked and cocked his eyebrow. I liked it when he did
that, I never knew why though.
"Unfortunately." I frowned. Trisha came running down the stairs wearing a matching
outfit to Molly. They both wore shorts, tights and graphic t-shirt. I told them
both that it'll be a cold day but they never listened.
"You'll freeze." Jace laughed at their attire. Seriously, was he a mind reader?
Trisha flipped him off and Jace feigned hurt. His hand flew to his chest and he
faked dying. It was actually hilarious and he wasn't bad at all at acting.
Camellia came round to us looked beyond confused as to why her brother was laying
on the floor in front of the house door. She kicked his arm with her foot and his
eyes shot open and glared at the culprit but when he only saw his sister, his whole
face softened.
"Why'd you 'ave to go and bully me for?" He huffed and stood up, brushing himself
off.
"Because you were being your usual loser self, loser." She snickered.
After that whole scenario, we all loaded the car. We were only going for a day but
we had two rucksacks, both full of food and shit, one for the car and the other for
when we're out an about and Molly and Trisha both had their purses with them.
"Shotgun!" I yelled so that everyone could hear. Trisha frowned and gritted her
teeth while Molly just shrugged, as if for once she actually didn't care about the
front seat. Remind me to question her about that after.
Though, I'm pretty sure I already know the answer.
I ran outside to the car, threw the bags in the backseat and hurried into the
passenger seat.
Molly and Trish soon joined me in the car and Jace was still in the house with
Cammie, they were probably stopped by my mum.
"Trisha you don't need to be moody about Jace having shotgun." Molly said. "You
know why I let him don't you?"
I turned my head, "stop talking about me, gosh."
"Shut up you faggot." Molly laughed.
If my jaw wasn't dropped to the floor already, it just did.
"Yeah but..." Trisha trailed off with no indication that she'll continue speaking
more after that.
"Spill." Molly giggled in the backseat. "How did your birthday go? He stole you
away from us."
"It went... Perfectly." I smiled and thought to when we kissed.
"Do tell." Trisha smirked.
"We..." My eyes darted outside to see that Jace was still in the house. "kissed
four times."
"Four times? Holy shit, man. Does he know you like him?"
"Jace is gay?" Trisha looked taken aback, perhaps because she made moves on Jace
before.
"No he's pansexual." I answered. "And no, he doesn't know I like him but I'm sure
he knows I'm gay."
Suddenly the driver's door opened and I jolted from the surprise. Thank god he
saved me, I felt annoyed that Molly and Trisha were butting in to my personal life.
Camellia sat in the backseat and clicked her belt in. We finally left my driveway
and instantly, Molly, Trish and Cam were in a conversation.
It just left Jace and I, who were currently just silent. I clicked the radio button
on but it was only static.
It was so weird, Jace and I are always talking, about anything really. We just talk
nonsense all the time but we're both content.
I was about my slip my phone out of my pocket to plug into the auxiliary but the
idiot beat me to it, slapping my hand away and plugging his iPod in, playing a song
by Bowling for Soup. Hmm, what a name.
I was hard to not miss the feeling I got when he slapped my hand away, it felt so
foreign, I even got goosebumps.
"You're cold?" He asked, referring too said goosebumps. I didn't say anything but
he fumbled with the heater and turned it up.
"Thanks." I mumbled as I pressed my cheek against the window.
Because she's watching' wrestling, creamin' over tough guys, listenin' to rap
metal, turntables in her eyes.
The lyrics were annoying but catchy. And that was what was annoying about the song,
it was too catchy.
"Oh my god, can someone talk?" I said as the whole car went silent.
A bunch of um's were heard before Molly started speaking to Camellia about GCSE's,
which she will be doing soon.
I frowned, yeah thanks Molly. Thanks a whole bunch for not speaking to all of us.
Jace shifted a little in seat, he looked quite uncomfortable. "So... You're um, you
know."
"Yeah, and they know." I said, referring to the twins in the back.
"That must be pretty hard when you're in that stupid school clique thing."
"Yeah, and I can't even drop out of it. It's not like an after school club." I
snickered. I turned around, seeing Trisha texting on the phone with both of her
earphones in and Molly talking to Camellia; she was always the most chatty one.
An hour passed. Jace and I were making little conversation and everyone in the
backseat was now asleep.
I felt like doing something.
That something behind grabbing his hand, I mean, why the hell not?
It just looked so temping resting on his lap, it looked lonely.
It did it because, YOLO right?
My fingers intwined with his skinny, long ones. Pssht, guitar players with their
skinny ass fingers.
A smile was plastered on my face the whole journey, I couldn't even take it off.
The bad part? It was only him and I holding hands, I mean, how would it feel to do
other things?
I think that one of the girls might've seen but right now, I could care less. They
could just watch and be jealous.
"We're here." Jace sighed and he let go of the steering wheel and slumped in his
seat. I wouldn't blame him, he's been driving for two and a half hours.
"God, finally." I let go of his hand. As much as I wanted to hold on, I needed to
stretch, my legs felt like jelly.
I stepped out the car and stretched my back, I saw Molly give me a knowing look.
Trisha still had her earphones in, probably listening to some overplayed pop music.
We were parked in the midst of a car park and it had only just struck me that we're
in London. I found myself grinning, I'm actually here and with Jace.
We weren't in the area where Big Ben and Buckingham Palace were but instead where
M&M's world was, of course, We had to go there first.
I paid for the overpriced car parking fare and earned a disapproving look from
Jace.
"We have parking here for the whole day." I informed them, placing the car parking
ticket on the dashboard of the car. We decided that because of the lack of car
parking space in Westminster, we would get a train or a river boat there from where
we were now.
"M&M's world!" Camellia shouted as the huge building came in to view.
We all walked in grinning and man, this place looked like an absolute nightmare. It
was crowded everywhere, on all three floors and they even have mini trolleys for
the kids, who were pushing them around and bumping into people by the looks of it.
"Let's say we meet back here by the entrance in an hour and a half and then we'll
grab lunch." Jace told us all and we all nodded. "Make sure you're with somebody,
don't run off, don't go outside and don't eat anything, as tempting as it may be."
Camellia grabbed both Trisha's and Molly's hand, dragging them away so it just left
me and Jace together. Obviously, I didn't mind at all.
"I think they're going to influence your sister, they're evil." I snickered and
Jace shrugged. He hastily grabbed my hand, entwining them together and dragged me
towards the giant tubes of m&m's.
"Woah, what's the rush?" I asked as we sped walked through crowds of people.
"We only have one and a half hours in here and in case you haven't noticed, it's
fucking huge."
I stared down at our entwined hands and literally almost lost my breath, it was
weird... We were in public, in the midst of London.
He'll probably use the 'you'll run off' excuse on me, I just know it. I probably
would get distracted and run off but I'm not a kid!
We stood in front of the massive M&M's tubes, they towered over us and looked like
they could fall on us any second.
I looked down at the funnels that they come out of, it looked a lot like a tap and
I had the strong urge to press down on the button to make some fall out.
I dragged Jace over to one that didn't have a trillion people lining up for it, it
was probably the grossest one but oh well.
Letting go of Jace's hand I pushed down on the button and kept my hand under the
tap. Quite a lot fell out and I quickly closed the tap again, grinning.
I showed Jace the yellow coloured M&M's in my hand and even ate one but he gave me
a disapproving look.
"Come on, lighten up, it's your sister's birthday."
"Belated birthday." He corrected, breaking out into a smile.
I shoved my hand full of M&M's in his face and he sighed and picked three out,
eating them all at once.
I ate the rest of them and hoped nobody saw. I saw Camellia waving from the second
floor and I waved back. I wasn't sure if Jace did.
Jace went back to the same tap and took out some more in his hand.
"Make it rain, Bitch." I said and looked at him smugly. I made tsk sounds as he ate
the yellow coloured M&M's.
I took one from his hand and popped it in my mouth, he gave me the most offended
look I've ever seen and it just made me laugh.
"Oh you want it back? Take it." I stuck the M&M that was still intact out of my
mouth. I have yet to bite into it.
Jace frowned then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he leaned forward and
locked his front teeth onto the M&M hanging out of my mouth, taking it into his own
mouth.
"Dude, that's gross."
"But you're the one who initiated it and you can't say you didn't like it."
He's right. I loved it. As gross as it may be.
I just shook my head and starting walking away. I kept wondering if somebody we
know from school would see us but hell, it's London. I looked around where we were
standing, seeing two girls just looking at us as if they had just seen the cutest
kitten ever.
"I think we have some fan girls." I put vaguely as Jace's eyes darted to the two
girls.
Both our faces flushed, we weren't even a couple, or at least, I don't think we
are. Are we?
I looked down at our hands that were intwined together- I don't even remember
holding his hand again after I ate my M&M's.
I still wasn't sure if Jace requited my feelings or if he even knew I had feelings
for him. Probably not; the guy is just as oblivious as he is clever academically.
"I think we should embrace it." I laughed.
"What do you mean?"
"well, obviously, you don't get the most attention so- ow!" I winced from the hard
punch that Jace threw at my shoulder. "You're such a bully!"
I rubbed the arm that Jace hit and gritted my teeth.
"I'm sorry, you're right." He sighed and I snickered.
"Isn't that what a boyfriend should reply with to their partner to get them to shut
up?"
His face flushed and I couldn't help but bright my fingers up to his cheeks and
pinch them as if he was a kid.
He slapped my hands away and walked away from me. I knew I had to do something.
"Jace baby! Don't leave me!" I cried.
He turned his head, his eyes wide like saucers as he stood completely rigid.
I was practically dying from all the laughing, I wondered how many people actually
heard me; I didn't shout it loud enough for everybody to hear and everybody in the
store was talking much too loud.
But then again, there was a lot people... Near everything and everyone. Near us to
be precise.
Jace walked up to me again, smirked and then let out a full blown grin. We were
both accustomed to being so weird and oddly girly around each other and I guess it
was always just for the laughs. I swear, we act like children most the time...
Actually, children were probably more mature than us.
We walked up the stairs, our hands were once again, intwined together, subliminally
of course. I turned to look at his face, it was completely phlegmatic, not a single
expression that I should worry about.
What if...
What if...
What if he was enjoying this just as much as I was?
My stomach literally did flips, whether it was front he feeling of imminent
rejection or that wonderful feeling of contentment, I wasn't sure.
Of course, that doubt. It's always there and the only way to get rid of it would be
to ask Jace one simple question.
Do you like me?
Of course, it's way too risky so I'll just keep to myself and ponder on whether
Jace is too good for me or I'm just too popular and not his type.
He calls me a 'Jock' all the time and we're not even American.
I took my phone out of my pocket with my free hand and tapped on it to make it
light up, I had a message from mum, a few from Molly and some from my friends who I
need to catch up with since I haven't spent as much time with them as I used to
before I met Jace.
We haven't had a Physics session for about a week and a half now and to be honest,
I was relieved but worried at the same time. Our exams were coming up in July and
dammit, I really need to cram in some revision.
Molly: I spy with my little eye... Two horny teenagers by the name of Zach and
Jace.
Molly: we said an hour and a half right?
Molly: where do we meet?
Mum: Are u all ok? Did you get there alright?
I not-so-quickly texted Molly the details and replied to my mum who was probably
frantically walking around the house worrying about us. It was hard to do it
quickly though with one thumb.
"Oh my god, I want this so bad." I picked up a blue M&M themed cushion. It had legs
and arms dangling off and it's eyes bulged out.
"Get it but I'm not paying." Jace said. Honestly, I didn't mind, he must've paid a
lot on petrol.
I put the cushion in the basket Jace was carrying, I hated carrying baskets with a
passion so I just kind of shoved it in his hands.
We looked around every single crevice of the store, every level, every shelf and
had a basket full of shit we probably will only make use of once. It got to the
point Jace and I brought useless crap like the stress reliever balls that you
squeeze. We weren't even hot headed but those things were fun to fiddle with.
"We should go pay now." Jace looked at his watch. I twisted an bent his wrist,
taking a look at the time too.
The touch left me shivering, a good kind of shivering.

16. Duckface Selfies

Seriously? I had like 300 reads a few days ago and now I HAVE 600+.

WHAT THE FUDGE.

I just wanted to say thank you so much and omgggg I still can't believe it *wipes
tear from eye*

This is such a.. *wipes more tears* I CAN'T EVEN RIGHT NOW.

I'm sorry for not updating in a while, I was really stuck for ideas, it was
basically up to the point of writing a paragraph a day from just random ideas in my
head.

Enjoy!

--------------------

We were sat in Wagamamas- probably the best restaurant ever. I chuckled as I

watched Jace struggle with his chopsticks.

"Hold them like this." I showed him how I was holding mine and how I was making the
two sticks go further and closer together.

He tried to copy the way I was holding them, sneaking glances my way but then he
frowned, placing the chopsticks down and replacing them with a fork.

I rolled my eyes and continued to eat the rice out of my chicken teriyaki. From the
corner of my eye, I could see Jace finding difficulty in eating his soup and
noodles, like seriously, the portion is huge but I never thought that somebody like
him wouldn't be able eat it, he could literally eat the same amount of what I eat
in a day in just one meal.
"If you're not going to eat that then I'd happily have it." Molly grinned and
stared down at Jace's food like a predator about to pounce on its prey.

"Leave me and my food alone." Jace groaned and hugged his bowl. He got some weird
looks from the people next to us. They were on the same table as us because the
restaurant is set out like that. I didn't like it all that much because then you're
super close to random strangers and it seems like they're inspecting everything you
do.

"You're such a loser." I rolled my eyes at him and shoved some rice into my mouth.

"He's right, you are." Camellia laughed and I gave her a high five.

It's like we're the Anti-Jace team, with the exception we don't want Jace to leave
us but instead, be annoyed at us even though he can't stay mad.

Jace grumbled and carried on finishing his dish.

"Who's stupid idea was it to go on the London Underground on a Saturday?" Trisha

complained as we all stood amongst a ton of other people all trying to get on the
next train.

"It would've been much worse driving, trust me." Jace commented, "but you're not
the one driving, I am, so you wouldn't know."

Damn that... Friggin' hot, sexy, snarky idiot.

Trisha rolled her eyes and stayed silent as the train arrived. We all jumped on and
it was literally the most impossible task. A ton of people hopped off and another
ton got on. All at the same time.

Trisha ran towards an open seat and glared at anybody who tried to beat her to it.
There was one woman; an elderly woman might I add who a looked Trisha up and down
and scoffed, going towards the middle of the carriage to stand like everybody else.

The rest of us were stood up at the end of the carriage. It was less cramped here
than the middle but still squishy nonetheless. I felt so claustrophobic, There were
two guys much taller than me (which is surprising because I'm pretty tall myself)
and their backs were faced to me, making it seem as if they were looming over me.

Jace and I were stood pretty close together but hey, I'm not complaining. I'm
talking about back to chest close. My left hand was grasped around the pole on the
ceiling of the carriage to support my weight and Jace's back was all up against my
torso. He had nowhere to hold on and I guess he settled to using me as his support.

I lifted my free arm up and brought it over his broad shoulder, letting it flop and
arm rest against his abdomen. The train started to move and he jolted forward do
with as much strength i could muster, I pulled him back against my chest before he
went flying to the other side of the carriage.

His weight against me was seriously distracting, it was making my tummy flutter and
my breathing to become so uneven; I felt like it was way too loud so trying to
steady it was becoming extremely difficult with the idea of Jace hearing my heavy
breathing and catching onto that I may have a tiny gay crush on him.

I snapped out of whatever trance I was in, and took in all the smells of the train.
It stunk bad, and I'm talking about body odour and sweat. I looked to see if
anybody was watching Jace and I but surprise surprise, nobody was. They were all
minding their own business.

I wondered how the twins were coping, if anything, they would usually be
frantically spraying themselves and everybody around them with whatever expensive
perfume or body spray they could find in their purses, probably causing somebody to
have an asthma attack.

I felt a familiar touch on my fingers that were laying against Jace's stomach. I
soon found out that it was Jace himself playing with my fingers. I had no idea what
I'm the worlds name he was getting at or even if he was getting at anything.

He pressed his index finger and thumb against my middle finger, the pressure on it
fluctuating.

Hold on, was he massaging it?

No, this can't be good, it can't be. My whole body tensed and the butterflies in my
stomach were acting more like vicious beasts, as much as I wanted to move my hand,
I really wanted to keep it there. He moved on to the next finger and it was sending
my whole body in to a frenzy, I just really wanted to kiss him right now, those
rosy lips sure looked lonely.

I decided against it though and remained standing still and allowing him to massage
my fingers.

With Jace touching my fingers, I had this weird feeling come over me, it was like a
sense of nervousness or something, why was I nervous?

It could've easily been mistaken for something else, like shyness. The feeling was
extremely foreign like seriously? Shyness? I reckon that if I spoke, there would be
no voice coming out or I would sound like a mouse. I haven't felt shy around
anybody since maybe twelve or thirteen years old when you're family introduces you
to distant relatives who you've never met before and they look scary as hell.

Lately, I haven't been sure about many things, I've been completely lost in my
thoughts, and dammit if i can't get my head sorted out. I've just been so
overwhelmed with so many damn emotions and half of them don't even make sense -
like how timid I just felt.

I snapped back to reality as the train braked hard as it reached the next stop,
people all around me were both trying to get on or off and Jace and I came even
closer, if that was even possible.

Jace momentarily stopped touching my fingers when I put my arm across his throat to
drag him back. I was probably strangling the poor kid but really, he had to move
out the way if he didn't want to get run over by the stampede of people.

My left arm was starting to ache but I knew I couldn't take it down. Jace's right
hand starting rubbing the arm that was around his chest and throat. His touch felt
like fire against ice and at each time his right hand went up and down my arm, I
felt more and more aware of the simple act.

Seriously, what was he doing? Does he not bloody realise how much of a reaction
he's getting out of me?

I could see the side of his face and his whole face was placid, as if even he
didn't know what the hell he was doing at all. He seemed deep in thought and I had
the sudden urge to slap him just to snap him out of whatever stupor he was in.
He looked kind cute, his eyebrows were furrowed together and his lips were pursed
but ever so slightly moving, showing whatever emotions he must have in said
daydream.

Being on the London Underground was not as exciting as I thought it would've been,
I was literally starting to sweat and I was getting impaitent waiting to arrive at
our stop.

Two more stops.. come on.

I reckon that as soon as I get off the train, I'd want to get back on but only for
the affection of Jace. He had this strong hold on me and dammit, It really needed
to go because it's no fun when I can't tell Jace that I really do like him.

The train came to a halt and so did the warmth and fluttering as Jace moved away
and got off the train. My ragged breathing was now stable but my heart was still
racing.

We finally got out the station, seeing the beautiful landscape in front of us. You
could clearly see Big Ben and Westminster Bridge.

All our eyes were glued on to the view in front of us, I mean, seeing it on New
Year's Day on TV with fireworks and shiz is one thing but seeing it right in front
of you is another.

"Holy shit." I let out but then covered my mouth.

"My little sister is here if you haven't realised."

"I hear swearing all the time when you're on the phone with him every night."
Camellia snickered to Jace, about me and instantly, Molly's eyes lit up.

"So that's why you always spend ages in the bathroom sometimes. I thought you had a
toilet problem." Trisha cocked an eyebrow and snorted.

I scratched the back of my head, completely out of awkwardness. Yes this was
awkward as hell, it sounds worser than it is though. Camellia and Trisha made it
out as if I have phone sex with him and no way, I do not do that. Nuh uh, nope.

Jace doesn't ring me every night, and if it's not me he's ringing then who is it?

"Awww!" Molly cooed, it was as if she was holding it in for ages.

I frowned at her and I would've said something about her smiling at her phone all
the time when she's texting that Carrie girl from Build-A-Bear but my mind was
elsewhere.

"I don't talk to Jace every night." I sighed. "Jace who else do you talk to?"

He looked at me with amusement. "You sound like a clingy girlfriend, I can talk to
whoever I want."

"Yeah sure whatever but... Who is it?" My eyebrows were furrowed and I was kind of
disappointed. I had this sinking feeling inside of me, it didn't make me feel too
good.

"If you really just know it's that girl from the football game, the redhead." He
rolled his eyes.
I gulped, I tried my best to remain calm and composed because I didn't want to give
off any signs about my tiny... Crush.

Was it a crush? An infatuation? I don't quite think I could pop the L word in
there, it's too soon.

This feeling came over me, It was anger, or was it? It wasn't the feeling of
revenge or fury. It was jealousy. Really, Jace could date who he wants.. It's not
like I-

Oh who am I kidding.

We were just in silence, all five of us. It wasn't a comfortable silence either.

"Let's go see Big Ben." I grinned, trying to get rid of the awkward silence.

"Yeah, sure." Trisha said and tugged gently on Camellia's hand towards the
direction.

I cleared my throat, it was silent between Jace and I and it was even worse because
we were stood behind everyone else.

"So uh.. are you into that redhead?" I tried.

"She's alright, easy to get along with, you'd absolutely love her." He smiled, as
if recalling something. He never does that when he recalls something with me!

You'd absolutely love her.

Yeah, I sure as hell will when I hold her up by her hair from fifty floored
building.

Okay, that was kind of low but come on!

"I have a wedgie." Molly complained as we stood in front of Big Ben. Everyone else
was stood closer, taking pictures and Molly and I were standing behind, enjoying
the view from a distance.

"Good for you." I said after a moment and rolled my eyes.

I didn't get a reply and I glanced to the girl beside me who was smiling down at
her phone and her and thumbs moved rapidly over the keypad.

"Who're you talkin' to?" I smirked and shuffled closer to her to take a peek at the
phone.

"That's none of your concern." she pulled her phone towards her chest. "dude, get
the fuck outta here."

I smirked back, a mischevious smirk and grabbed her phone that was hugging her
breast, who gives a shit about boobs anyway?

"Hey- stop! Zach-"

I turned my back to her and finally caught a good look at the screen of the phone
in my hands, she was talking to Carris or Carrie or whatever her name was. Well, I
mean, that was obvious.
Hastily I typed Hey, you wanna meet up tomorrow? and pressed the send button.

"Zach!" Molly screamed from behind my shoulder.

"Molly!" I yelled back at her face.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, remember? I can't possibly meet up with her." She whined.

"You're leaving after dinner, at least, that's what my mum said. You can go out
together in the afternoon." I informed her.

She punched my shoulder but it was a pathetic punch and I had on a thick coat so I
didn't actually feel anything.

"You want to thank me really," I smirked.

"No." She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Why not?"

"Because if I start to like her, we'll be almost three hours away from each other."

I didn't know what to say to that, I've never been in a long distance relationship,
what could I say? It wasn't as if they were in different countries but still, being
three hours away from your potential lover must be pretty sucky.

"You'll figure something out." I countered pathetically. "So what are you going to
do together tomorrow?"

She smirked at me and shook her head, saying something about me stalking them if
she eventually did tell me.

"Hey, it's not as if you don't join me when I go out with Jace." I rolled my eyes
dramatically. "Honestly, since you've come the only alone time with Jace I've had
is when I go over to his house for tuition and when I see him in school and the
football game."

"Hey, Trisha and me are your biggest fangirls." She grinned and held her hands up
in surrender.

I just rolled my eyes dramatically once again, starting to feel exasperated. Having
fangirls is a cool thing but having Molly and Trisha as your fangirls? Not a good
thing. They would literally claw your eyes out if you didn't tell them every tiny
detail.

"Right, bye then." I waved and walked up to Jace and co. They were currently taking
selfies, Trisha had her phone out in front of Jace and Camellia and herself and
they were all pulling duckfaces.

I pulled on Jace's arm and dragged him away, no way is he going to turn like Trisha
with all her duckfaces and cleavage pictures. Nuh uh, no way.

"You chav." I laughed.

"Shut up." He snorted and tugged his arm away and slipped his hand into his pocket
only to take out his own phone. "Selfie!"

I frowned and he stuck the camera in front of our faces, he did like ten different
facial expressions while I just frowned the whole time.
Eventually though, I did actually pose
was beginning to look a little annoyed
higher and to the right a little so we
who was in the background oblivious to
the middle of the selfie.
a little, just for Jace though because he
at my frowning face. I moved the camera
were on the edge of the picture and Molly,
everything and everyone around her was in

I started laughing as she looked up from her phone and looked pissed, she started
to walk over to us but got caught in between the crowd passing.

Jace and I both erupted into fits of laughter, the crowd was dragging her away and
she was physically unable to get out of it.

"Anyhoo, selfie?" Jace grinned.

"We took like fifty."

Jace didn't say anything, he just went back to his phone and put it out in front of
us, he came super close and snaked one arm around my waist. His left cheek was
brushing up against my right one; It was warm, and I just wanted to stay like this,
even if my tummy was curling up like crazy. My cheeks grew hot which actually
wasn't a bad thing because it was freezing cold.

"Duckface!" Jace grinned and pulled his lips together and out.

"No way!"

He turned his attention to me and pouted. I was a fool for pouty faces, Jace's
especially so after rolling my eyes and muttering an 'okay' I pulled my lips
together and out just like his.

17. Hella Flirty

OH MY GOSH.

1K reads?!! Seriously guys, I'm going all cray cray.... That's not a good thing.

Thank you so so so so much!

P.s. I can't actually believe that just one day in the story has taken three
chapters.

----------------

We were all hanging around a few benches that faced the River Thames eating our
M&M's. It was a beautiful view, really.

There were quite a few boats out and I felt kind of jealous. We didn't go on them
because apparently Camellia gets seasick.

Damn, why did Camellia have to come again? Oh yeah...

The sun was about to set and I could see that it looked like it was going to dip in
the water, it looked a burnt orange colour too. The sky was a mix of purple and
blues and I could see the moon too, and I loved seeing the moon and the sun at the
same time, I never knew why though.

"It's so gorgeous." Trish commented and we all muttered back agreeing with her.
"Can I have a moment with Jace?" I whispered in her ear. Immediately, she nodded
and dragged herself and Camellia away and went to sit with Molly on the bench a few
metres away from us. I couldn't miss the wink she sent my way or the giggling with
Molly. They both took out their phones too, probably ready to take a picture.

I took a sharp in take of breath but tried to remain as quiet as possible because
right now, there was a pin drop silence between us and it was agonising. I glanced
his way at stared at the side of his face, I just loved how you could see his cute
button nose and long lashes. I smiled, in bliss, this moment was just so wonderful
and so was this person sat next to me.

My tummy started fluttering more than it was when we were sat idily and the M&M's
in my hand didn't look so appealing right now so I put them aside. I watched as he
scrolled down the touch screen phone with his skinny ass thumb and ate his M&M's
two at a time, sometimes three with his other hand.

"So unsociable, jeez." I rolled my eyes and tried taking away his phone. He was
probabaly texting that red head, Lori. At her name, a surge of some emotion ran
through me, it was probabaly jelousy, anger and rejection all together in one.

"Hey hey, you do not touch my phone. Got it?" He snatched his phone back and
glanced up at me for the first time since we sat down. For a second, our hands
touched and as cliche as it was, everything was starting to slow down and I felt my
face get hot. I hope he doesn't notice the redness, that would be embaressing but
he could probabaly sense something because my eyes were wide like a deer caught in
the headlights.

"Who're you texting?" I asked casually, or as casual and not in a I-want-to-punch-

her-face-in kind of way as I could.

"Lori."

I knew it!

"Come on, we're in London, man. Put the damn phone away and talk to me." I growled
out. Call me harsh or possesive, I don't care.

"Alright, fine." He slipped the phone inside his coat pocket. I shuffled closer to
him so were thighs were touching eachother. He gave me a funny look but didn't move
away.

"So..." I trailed off.

"So..." He mimicked.

I took another deep breath, my heart was pounding in my chest.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

"Can I kiss you?" I asked awkardly. Something was bugging me, and kissing him would
resolve it.

"Okay?"

I smiled at him before wrapping my arms around his waist like a side hug and coming
closer and closer to his lips but when our noses were practically touching I wasn't
so sure of the idea. I've kissed him before, it's no big deal but those times at
the game, It meant absoloutely nothing. We were faking being a gay couple for no
reasonable excuse other than slutty girls flirting with my Jace.
The distance between our lips were so close yet, I still couldn't kiss him. I could
feel his hot breath fanning my face and usually, it would make me want to kiss him
more but nope, that was not happening.

I backed away from him, mentally face palming myself. My arms were still wrapped
around his waist but we were no longer at such a close proximity.

I felt his arm soon wrapping around my waist too, he brought his face closer to
mine and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. His eyes scanned my face and he licked
his lips before closing the distance. My lips moved in sync with his but as soon as
the kiss started, it ended and his lips were pulling away from mine. Cheekily, he
bit my bottom lip a little as he pulled back so it was jutting out before letting
go of it completely.

My eyes opened slowly, I was still half stuck in the moment.

"That good huh?" He snickered.

"Shut up." I crossed my arms.

"I'm not going to ask for a legit reason why you wanted to kiss me but I can't say
I'm not curious." he shrugged.

I glanced back out to the river, now, the sun was completely down and the moon was
bright and high up in the sky; It was nearly full too and the strong wind was
practically dragging me away.

My arms tightened around his waist, It was like a little twitch just to make sure
he was here right now with me. If my heart was thumping like crazy before then it
was practically wanting to jump out my chest right now. My hands were all gross and
clammy too, why was Jace making me feel like this? It was so unfair.

The kiss, I guess you could say It just kind of made sure that my feelings for Jace
were legit. They were, obviously. It was a stupid to 'double check' but hey, at
least I got to kiss him, right?

No regrets.

At all.

Nope.

We soon had to leave after that if we wanted to catch the train and my alone time
was Jace was now nonexistant when Camellia came over and thanked me for the
birthday surprise and she wouldn't stop talking to me about the trip. All the way
to the London Underground, through the whole train journey and the ride home. Man,
this girl could talk.

I still had to give her the Build-A-Bear present though, so Jace drove us all back
to my house just in time for dinner.

Mum and dad and the smell of chicken and mushroom stew greeted us as we walked
through the front door.

"Hey mum! Dad!" I shouted through the house, not bothering to greet anybody else-
I.e My uncle and aunt. I wasn't all that sure if Liam was home, he goes gym
sometimes in the evening.
I kicked my shoes off and practically threw the rucksack off my back. I felt so
relieved then, that rucksack had so much shit inside and my back was killing me.

Everyone mimicked me and took their shoes off but it was Jace who neatly tucked his
away so nobody trips over.

"Hello Jace, it's nice to see you again!" Mum greeted my cough boyfriend cough
friend.

"You too, Mrs Hamilton. My sister is with me too, she's with Molly though." He shot
her his award winning smile. Damn, how are his teeth so white? That's not right, we
British people drink enough tea a week to fill a paddling pool to the brim.

"He has manners!" Mum grinned. "Zach, you should be more like him."

I just shrugged and joined everyone in the kitchen. Molly and Trish were already
sat down with Camellia and they were filling our plates, making sure to give Jace a
huge portion. I'm so proud of my munchkins, knowing my (boy)friend so well.

Wait what?

I think I need some sleep, I'm getting all crazy in love like Beyoncé except, not
so much in love but more in lust. Wink wink.

I sat down at the table in the corner with Jace opposite me and Trish to my right.
She handed me my normal sized portion and Jace his giant portion. He didn't
complain, typical Jace.

We finished our dinner, it was hard to eat quickly when Jace and I kept glancing to
each other and snickering for no absolute reason.

Jace stood up with his bowl in his hand that looked like it was licked clean and I
followed. I just put it in the sink but Jace turned the tap on and starting washing
it. Sigh.

I had to turn the tap off and haul his ass away from it.

Soon, the table was cleaned and we were all sat back down with Camellia sat in the
middle. Mum brought a cake to the table with eleven candles lit up singing Happy
Birthday to her and giving us all glares to join in.

The cake was put down and all I wanted to do was devour it right now, even if the
candles were pink or if it had princess patterns and pink ribbon on it. I will eat
that shit.

"Make a wish!" Aunt Stacy said before allowing Cammie to blow out the candles.

It was at that moment Liam walked in to the kitchen, sweaty and still in his gym
clothes.

"Dude you smell like a rat's butt, go take a shower." I groaned.

"How would you know what a rat's butt smells like?" He wiggled his eyebrows
suggestively and I turned back around to face the cake which was now being cut.

"Cake cake cake! Gimmie!" I stuck my arms out and received the first slice of cake.
Praise the Lord.

When everyone had cake, we all dug right in. The jam filling was sweet but yummy
nonetheless and there was the perfect balance between icing and sponge.

Soon enough though, we all finished our cake and went inside the living room where
Liam was sat still in his gym clothes with his feet propped up on the coffee table.

"Ew, you're getting your sweat all over the sofa!" I cringed for a moment and sat
in between him and Jace.

"Is it me or are you getting more feminine by the hour?" He laughed and then
clamped his mouth with his hand.

"It's cool." I snorted. "He knows."

"He is very feminine." Jace agreed with Liam.

"You're way more feminine than me!" I shoved him hard on the shoulder.

"Well, two bottoms, that's kind of awkward. It wouldn't work." Liam pointed out for
everyone to hear.

I just stared at him, and glared. Why did he have to go and say that for? I'm
obviously a top... Aren't I?

"No way, I'm a top." Jace smirked. He's a mind reader!

As giddy as I felt with Jace subconsciously pointing out we'd have sex, this top
and bottom conversation needed to be resolved.

"Please." I snapped my fingers all drama queen like, "you're not a top."

"I so am!" He laughed. "You're probably a switch..."

"No you're probably a switch!" I groaned. I was glad that the adults were all in
the kitchen. Molly, Liam and Trisha were here though with Camellia but I doubt
she'd know what we're on about. She's too enthused in her new Build-A-Bear gift.

"Oh my god." Liam groaned and slapped his forehead then slapped me. "Shut up!
You're making me cringe!"

"We need to resolve this issue now!" I said.

"Can't you agree on both of you being versatile..." Liam said.

"Fine." I huffed and cross my arms.

"No because I'm a top." Jace snickered. "And you just admitted that you'd bottom."

"Every top has to bottom at some point..."

"That's not necessarily true."

"Oh for god sakes, shut up or get the hell out of my home." I said jokingly but
Jace was already getting up.

I stood up quickly and followed him. "Don't go, Don't leave, please stay, with me-"

"That song sucks." He pointed out and I gave him the most offended look I could
muster.
"You suck!" I crossed my arms.

"Damn right I do." He winked and I smirked before walking closer him, wrapping my
arms around his waist and bringing my face closer to his ear so that I could
whisper.

"For a virgin, you're pretty good at getting me all hot by saying things like
that." I felt comfortable joking around like this with Jace, he already knew my
secret. "oh and you just admitted you're a bottom too."

He shoved me back and his face was all flustered. "Camellia, we're going!"

I turned around to face the door of the living room, seeing Molly, Trish and Liam
all stood in the doorway. You want to know what's worse? Trish had her phone out
and I reckon she recorded the whole thing just so she could taunt me with it.

Camellia emerged from the group and ran up to me. "Thank you for the present!"

"It's fine, remember to kiss it goodnight before bed." I said and glanced up to
Jace and winked.

"Jace stop zoning out!" Camellia said to Jace who seemed a little fazed. She poked
his tummy and he flinched and looked down to her.

"Bye!" We all said as they got in the car and drove off.

I turned around just in time to face the music.

"You two are so flirty!" Molly said.

"What the hell did you even say to him to get him so red? Poor guy." Liam cocked an
eyebrow.

"I ship it!" Trish laughed.

Message From The Author

Hey there.

For those of you who were expecting a new chapter, I'm sorry. I know how it feels
to see an update, get extremely excited but then realise that it's just another
annoying author's note.

I know I haven't updated for a while but please don't get annoyed, the thing is,
there's just been so much crap happening recently and it's been keeping me from
updating by draining me of my motivation to write.

I've just been so unmotivated recently and haven't visited wattpad to read or write
for a while now which is as surprising to me than it could potentially be to you.

To all to readers: thank you so much for all the comments, votes and reads and I
love you so much but please don't keep asking me to update when I am literally
unable to. If I force myself to write, it will be a terrible chapter that is just a
bunch of poop.

Thank you for your patience and do remember that I hope to update as soon as I can
and whenever I can.

On to other news,
7 thousand reads.

Wow.

The reads have just being sky rocketing and you don't understand how unbelievably
happy I get seeing it. Starting this book, I hardly expected no more than one
thousand reads but OH MY GOD, 7 thousand is just honestly so amazing, I can't even
right now.

Hope to update soon. Xoxo

18. The Music Room

A/N: Thank you for your paitence, I put an asterisk (*) where the teaser chapter
had been left off.
Oh and this chapter is REALLY long so I hope you don't get bored too quickly. ;)
Flynn Hopper to the side yo! (from the first chapter) - Played by Francisco
Lachowski
------
I was in love with Jace.
I was fucking head over heels in love with my dorky best friend.
I was smitten with a dude that I've only just met three months ago.
In love.
Jace.
The word love, what does it mean exactly? Does it usually feel like you want to
vomit whenever you see or think about your lover? Does it always feel like my
insides are twisting and just about to explode all over the place? Is this normal?
Love.
It's just one of those words that people don't take seriously. It's powerful, let
me tell you that. Right now, it feels like I'm in a life or death situation. Love
is such a funny play on words, it can either make you or break you.
If someone told you they loved you, would you take them seriously? Especially at my
age, Jesus fucking Christ. If someone told they loved me, I wouldn't think of it in
such a powerful way, I'd reply back the same thing because I would usually mean it
in a friendly way, heck, I love my friends and family more than anything in the
world.
But this love was different.
This love was not the same love I felt for my best friends or my mum.
It wasn't the same love I felt for the dog I had when I was little.
It wasn't the same love I felt for my ex's either- me saying 'I love you' was just
bullcrap, basically.
This kind of love I felt for Jace was a kind of love I can't even comprehend.
Does the word love just sound weird to you now? Love. Love. Love. No?
The feelings I felt for Jace was far beyond what I've felt for anyone, ever. It
felt like I was just intoxicated in Jace. Yeah, that sounds more like it.
It felt as if Jace was my everything, as silly as that may sound.
But at this moment, he is my everything.
I can't be 101% sure of my feelings though, I don't even think that the two of us
would work out anyway, we're polar opposites.
Is it just me or did saying that make you feel like your heart was breaking into
two? Does love hurt this much? I don't think I can handle it.
Whatever it was, it was definitely not something I wanted to feel again, never.
Albeit, that is a good point. Jace and I are opposites and let's face it, it is
unlikely to happen. While he's off learning how to hack into the school system with
that highly intelligent brain of his, I'd probably be off drinking some booze that
I find lying around the house or in Liam's room - I know where his stash is.
We are opposites and I'm really starting to hate that word.
Opposites.
Opposites.
Its inevitable that Jace and I just won't work together.
Imagine the hate too:
"Hey look, Liam's brother is gay. That's so disgusting."
"He's going to hell."
Then again, our school was generally open minded, especially the older children
given the fact that they've matured.
Our school wasn't terrible, it wasn't a place of segregation or discrimination but
of course, there would be the odd homophobe though would a handful of close minded
idiots stand against an army of fan girls?
To be honest, an army of fan girls would scare me more than any homophobe would, I
mean, take Trisha for example - she's completely mental in the head.
Phew; glad she's gone as well as her stuck up parents whose heads are shoved far
too deep inside their asses.
Liam thought it would've been a great idea to snap nearly all of Molly and Trisha's
lipsticks and I thought it would've been a great idea to squirt shampoo into their
bags and all over their neon bras but it didn't even work out that well.
In the end, I was caught squirting the white stuff in the bags and ended up having
to wipe them out - even when I argued that their bags could smell like strawberries
because come on, who doesn't want a strawberry scented bag?
I mean, I would totally want that.
I was rudely snapped out of my reverie by my mum who was banging on the the door
and yelling at me to get up out of bed and get ready for school but I wanted to
stay put, laying in my bed under the comfy duvet cover in the warmth. It was
freezing outside and I was yet to prepare.
I twisted around so that I was laying on my back, arm under my head and eyes
staring up at the blank white ceiling. Today was going to be a difficult day, I'll
have to see Jace and go over his after school for another physics revision session.
I've always hated those, they were terrible but they were also worth it for obvious
reasons. You would expect Jace and I to just muck around during those and not do
any work but education is Jace's top priority and to succeed with flying colours is
his biggest dream so he doesn't let me get distracted.
There I go again, thinking about that loser. That handsome and witty loser.
I sighed at the unfairness of it all, It was quite obvious Jace was starting to
like Lori, that girl from the football game. He's texting her nearly all the time
and he even smiles at his phone like a complete doofus whilst doing so.
I sighed again and slapped my forehead with my free hand and dragged it down my
face, feeling its sweatiness. Gross, I thought.
The cold air bit at my skin as I stood up and though it was coming to the end of
March, the British weather was well suited to the early days of December. The
weather was still in zero below temperatures in the early morning and I prayed for
it not to randomly snow - That stuff was annoying as hell.
It would most probably all icy outside and I just can't handle shit, not when a
friend of mine fell over last year and had to stay in crutches for quite some time.
I was finally ready and out the door at 8:45 my class started in fifteen minutes
and Liam ditched me so I mentally prepared myself for the forty minute walk that is
to come. I reckon that because of the ice, I would most probably trip over and I
told this to my mum but she only just nagged me about time keeping and learning
from my mistakes.
Pfft, women.
As my hiking boots slapped on the pavement, my mind was elsewhere, sorting through
things I've buried at the back of my mind.
I thought about the most random things such as what I would've been doing this time
last year or what it would be if Jace and I got together and lived happily ever
after and then I also thought about other things such as what it would be like if I
didn't pass with flying colours this year.
The cold breeze started to nip at my fingers and I found it rather difficult to
change the current song playing on my phone. I stuffed my phone in my jeans pocket
and clasped my hands around my mouth, breathing on them with the warm breath from
my mouth to help warm it up but alas, it was no use.
I finally arrived at school without tripping over or dying and felt rather
relieved. My feet felt funny as I walked through the front doors into the warmth. I
was late so the usual morning rush with year seven midgets running around like no
tomorrow was non-existent.
On my way to my first lesson, I saw Jace sitting in the music room just like every
Monday. Usually he was alone and fully concentrated on his guitar but this time he
was with a band friend and I instantly felt jealous. I usually try to make it out
like I wasn't looking through the window but I was just too distracted right now.
Who was this dude?
Jace's bandmate who had his back turned to me looked awfully muscular, that part
was obvious hence why Jace had yet to notice I was standing right outside the door.
He wore a checkered yellow shirt that matched his blonde hair well, he also had on
a beanie with a bobble and next to him was a guitar bag.
Aw hell no.
This person was trying to steal Jace from me! I could see Jace's skinny fingers on
the guy's triceps. I felt like storming into that room right now and taking what is
mine.
"Zachary Hamilton! Why are you not in my lesson?" My favourite English teacher
yelled with a stack of papers in her hand.
I groaned. Great timing, you annoying little-
"Stop swearing at me in your head." She smirked, knowing fully well what my
tendencies are.
"Oh Emily, I would never do such a thing." I snorted.
*
I took one last glance through the window of the music room, feeling my blood boil
at the sight in front of me then the most incredulous thing came to my head: I was
whipped. I felt jealous but of course I would be, of course I'd want to kill person
who is clearly touching him up or maybe flirting with him.
I remembered when Jace came out as pansexual to me, I remember him saying something
about having his eyes set on his band mate.
"Zachary, don't make me give you a late mark."
I rolled my eyes. Emily- or Miss Lancaster once gave me a late mark and my mum went
all hulk on me, flipping shit and everything. You know that meme with the table
flipping? Yeah, that was basically her.
I started walking down the hall towards said English class with said teacher.
"So why are you out of your lesson then?" I asked her, smirking.
"I had to collect some worksheets." She muttered in that velvety tone.
I just lifted my eyebrows up, it was clear that she was just getting some
worksheets given that she had a nice cup of hot coffee in her hand. The smell of it
lingered in the air and I suddenly felt a craving for coffee.
We finally reached the classroom after some awkward conversation. Never have I
actually spoken with a teacher for so long about stuff that isn't related to my
academics.
How's your family?
What did you get up to during the weekend then?
How is your brother?
Jesus this woman needs to stop butting in on my life.
The lesson droned on and the only thing in my mind was a constant replay of seeing
Jace and his band mate through the window, my heart ached, my entire mood just went
from jolly to depressed in just a matter of seconds and my jealousy just incresed.
Overall, it was a terrible experience, i felt like... like... throwing something or
hugging that guy round the neck with a rope.
The bell finally rang and everyone ran out the classroom as quickly as they could
but then there was me, putting all my shit in my bag with no effort whatsoever and
sluggishly walking towards the door. A frown was plastered on my lips and after so
much hair touching, there was no doubt that all the hardwork I put in to get such
perfect hair this morning was now useless. It probably looked like I had just
gotton out of bed right now but I didn't care, I didn't want to think about that
stuff because that it was not something that would cheer me up right now.
"Zach you seemed a little out of it today," Miss Lancaster spoke. "If you want, you
can talk to me. You're more than welcome to."
I flashed her a reassuring smile and told her that I will be fine and she just went
on about helping as much as she possibly could even though she has already gone
past her teenage years. I knew she meant well but I don't think anybody but Jace
could help me with my issue.
"Thank you." I said as I walked out the room. I dragged myself to my next lesson,
head down and heart in my stomach.
To be honest, I should just go home. There's no point of me being here, there's no
point sitting in lessons and faking interest when someone tries talking to me.
There's no point at all because all I'm doing is sulking, overthinking, giving
myself a headache. I'm not even learning either; screw school, it's a fucking
abomination, all you do is walk around getting judged on everything. Your grades,
your place on the school's hierarchy, your looks and lastly, your partner; that's
why I have so many girls chasing after me and crushing on me. I don't even want
this shit, not at all.
The one thing that hurts me the most though? The fact I can't make them happy
because I just don't roll that way, I'm constantly hurting people when I don't want
to. I can't date girls just for the fun of it anymore, that was the old Zach. The
ruthless heartbreaker Zach.
I realised that I had walked all the way on the other side of the football field, I
didn't even realise where I was going because I was just overthinking so much so
now here I was, standing near the forestry at the end of the football field.
I sat down on the grass in the most shaded part, I had a clear view of the current
PE lesson going on and by the looks of it, they looked like year nines. Our field
was huge and there were three different classes going on; the same year but
different groups.
I brought my legs against my torso and leant on my arms that were rested on top of
my knees and just stared at the group of teens closest to me playing a game of
Rounders.
So maybe I did freak out earlier, maybe I did act like a total drama queen but can
you blame me for feeling this way?
My phone buzzed and I reached in my coat pocket only to see I've received a text
from my dear friend Flynn. I remembered that the current lesson I'd be in was Maths
and that would be with him.
Flynn: Bunking Miss T's class? Tut tut tut Zachy.
Zach: don't tut me when you're clearly not meant to be texting in lesson time
Flynny.
Flynn: seriously bro, why you gotta ditch me for?
Zach: meh.
Flynn: helpful. Just so bloody helpful. Tell me where you are.
Zach: field.
There was no reply after that so I stuffed my phone back inside my coat pocket.
A couple minutes later, right on the other side of the field I saw a dude wearing a
familiar pair bright red high tops. He was jogging towards me and all I could do
was stare.
"Hey man." Greeted Flynn. He threw his bag down next to mine and took seat a little
too close to me but it was cool, I didn't mind. He was my best friend after all.
"Hey." I flashed a fake smile. "You honestly didn't have to bunk class because I
did."
"Oh I did because I noticed how shit you look today."
"Thanks."
"Welcome, so are you going to tell me what's up?" From my peripherals I could see
that he had mimicked my sitting position.
"I don't know. Maybe when I'm ready." I told him truthfully. Who knows how he would
react to my sexuality. Would he treat me the same? Would he see me as the scum of
the earth? Would he even want to be friends with me after? Who knows?
Then again, Flynn was one of my best friends, he was an amazing friend and probably
my oldest one. Not a mean bone in his body, the only time he is actually offensive
is when he's just being blunt because Flynn is literally the most bluntest guy I
know.
"When you're ready then." He nodded to himself.
"Thank you."
"Ah it's okay," he grinned and wrapped his arms around my body. It turned out to be
an awkward side hug where my shoulder is basically all up against his chest. It
felt good to hug him, it felt good to just have someone's arms wrapped around me
because they wanted to.
"No really, you're too good to me." I breathed. "I wish more people were like you.
I love you, bro. You know that right?"
It took him at least two seconds to answer and just before he did, he sported a
mischievous smirk. "Who doesn't?"
What was worrying me was the fact that he looked confused, almost concerned during
those silent two seconds.
Another period went and I was still sat out on the field with my best friend. As
time passed and passed, I saw how grey clouds started to take over the clear blue
skies as if it was just eating it all up and soon enough, I felt raindrops fall on
my skin.
I wasn't honestly all that bothered right now because my hair was already messed up
and I didn't wear make up so it wouldn't just melt off but Flynn on the other hand,
he was panicking like crazy.
"Oh crap crap crap!" He cried as he began combing his hair back with his fingers.
The brunette hair that had once been neatly gelled up into a perfect quiff had
managed to fall on his forehead and because it was just that long, it had fallen in
front of his eyes too.
I just snickered as I watched him panic even more and complain about his new
converses getting muddy.
Flynn was one of those people who always dress to impress, even in situations
unneeded like today, for example, he had worn a nice shirt, black skinny jeans and
bright red converses. He never ever wears hoodies or joggers unless he's going gym
and somehow, his hair is always so perfect, it could make a hair stylist cry.
"You wanna head inside?" I asked.
He momentarily stopped panicked and turned to me. "Hell yeah!"
We shuffles our way inside the school and somehow found ourselves standing in front
of the music room. Perhaps it was me that dragged us here subconsciously or it was
the jealousy that was coursing through my veins to take back my Jace. Whichever it
was, it didn't matter because the music room was empty.
"Do you play any instruments?" Flynn asked as he played a familiar rhythm on the
piano.
"The triangle." I answered back nonchalantly but then came the moment I let out an
unattractive snort and laughed.
Flynn joined in as I laughed and soon, we couldn't control ourselves. I was
laughing and how Flynn's nose scrunched up as he laughed or how wide his mouth
opened and he was laughing at my laughing.
Tears felt like they were going to spout out my eyes and I found it hard to
breathe, ten minutes after, we had finally calmed down a little.
"It wasn't even that funny..." I snorted.
"Yeah, your joke sucked, like they always do." He winked.
"Do you want to know what else sucks?" I grinned mischievously, "you."
I saw as his face turned from one of amusement to one of concern, then back to
amusement. Something was up with this kid.
He stepped closer to me, "you... Bastard. That's gay."
Then it was my turn to step closer, "you love it though, right?" I was talking
about my jokes, they're hilariously terrible.
The proximity between us was way too close, he was all up in my space but for some
odd reason, I didn't mind. I felt like a midget compared to him, my head only
reached his ear.
His hot breath fanned my face, it smelt of mint. "Who doesn't?"
Then, the weirdest thing happened: subconsciously, my hands found themselves at
either side of his waist, reeling him closer to me. His hands were resting on my
shoulder, conjoined together behind my neck and the only thing I could hear right
now was our breath that was mingling between us and the loud thumping of my heart
in my ears.
He brought his face closer to me as did I and his plump lips met mine, they tasted
like cherries.
Chest to chest, lips to lips, I knew somewhere deep down that if I really loved
Jace, I wouldn't be liking this right now and I certainly would feel like I was
betraying him but to be honest, I didn't feel that way at all because this moment
right here was one that I was enjoying far too much.
--------------
I hope you liked this chapter, I know I did! ^_^
So... Thoughts? I'd like to hear your feedback!
Oh and, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! <3
Lots of love, Rainfall.

19. The Music Room (Cont.)

(Photo: Benjamin- played by Freddie Stroma)
Flynn tightened his grip around my neck and did the impossible by coming even
closer to me; we were now moulded together. I traced the outline of his lips with
my tongue and he opened up, letting me prod my tongue in. For a while, our tongues
fought for dominance and then the most disturbing thought came to me: Flynn is the
first male I've actually used tongues with.
The thought was soon waved off as Flynn let out a sexy moan and scrunched my hair
up in his hands. It was getting messed up but I didn't seem to care that much
because it was already messy and the simple act felt amazing.
Soon enough though, something down below started defying gravity but can you blame
me? Both mine and Flynn's hard-on crotches were rubbing together and the entire
situation we were in was heated enough.
Flynn started grinding against me, forcing out a moan. The feeling was so amazing
and sent shivers up my spine and a wave of pleasure through me. I buried my head
into his neck and he did the same to me. His hot breath fanned my bare neck and as
he sucked and licked on my neck I felt like I was in pure bliss.
My jeans felt constricting but we were at school and I can't just drop my pants
anytime I wanted. My hands subconsciously ran from Flynn's waist to his butt, to
which I squeezed... Just a little. He let out another moan and that didn't exactly
help mini Zach at all.
Before anyone could happen though, I forced myself to pull away because if that
something happened, it wouldn't make a great statement when I walk out the of the
room.
"Zach." Flynn whispered and be pulled away, breathless.
His eyes were still shut, relishing in the moment and a small smile was plastered
his lips.
"Flynn... As feminine as I think you are," I whispered, slightly breathless, "I
never actually thought you were gay."
He snorted unattractively like I had earlier and peppered my face with kisses. "I
could say the same."
"Hold up," I stepped back a little, "I am not feminine."
"Yeah, you are- maybe not as much as I am but you still are." He came close to me
again and put his arms around my waist, running a hand up and down my back and then
he came close to me again, placing a kiss on my lips.
Guilt washed over me and I took a step back. "Flynn, you have a girlfriend." As
much of a dick I could be, I was not a cheater.
I wasn't betraying Jace, he and I are not together, I can do whatever the hell I
want with whomever.
"I...Marcie..." He recalled his girlfriend's name and seemed almost lost at that
point.
As much as I wanted to go right in and kiss his again, a surge of guilt was just
bubbling inside of me. Every time I see Marcie's face, I'd just feel so regretful
and hell, I'm like an open book, she'd be quick to realise something is out of
place.
I couldn't bring myself to look at Flynn's face so instead I settled for looking
down at the ground though, the decision wasn't so great because Flynn still had a
hard-on. I had managed to turn myself off after thinking about me as a relationship
wrecker.
"You might want to sort that out." I trailed off and nodded down at his pants. The
zip was literally bursting out.
I felt his finger underneath my chin; forcing me to look up at that oh so
attractive face of his. High cheekbones, plump lips, perfect nose, chiseled
jawline, it was obvious that he had inherited the good genes.
He took small steps towards the piano stool and then shrieked, making me look
everywhere around the room rapidly.
"There's a girl..." Flynn said. What the hell does that even mean?
"A what?" I looked next to Flynn, near the curtains and my face blanked.
A girl, who looked like she was in year ten was stood in pure distaste. She was
brunette and had one long side plait going down to her waist. She had a beautiful
complexion too but it was only noticeable if you looked long enough at her face and
pictured her without the huge, thick rimmed glasses that took up a lot of her face.
"You saw nothing." Flynn seethed.
The girl, who's name I had yet to find out looked almost... Scared. "Flynn shut up,
don't be an idiot. I'm sure she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"I was in the right place. I was supposed to have my guitar lesson with Benjamin
Matthews." Her tone was soft, quiet.
The name rang a bell, somewhere.. I knew of this guy but I couldn't put my tongue
on it.
"Benjamin is a dick." Flynn pointed out. "Since he got all muscly, he's just cocky
and annoying."
Then as if a lightbulb had flashed above my head, I remembered that Benjamin was
some kid in my year group that Liam would accidentally-on-purpose trip over or drop
the books of or just simply laugh at. This was all back when I was in year eight
and Liam year nine. Since Liam's group of friends are so close to my group of
friend's, Flynn was involved and eventually, he was the one who took the worst of
it just because he looked the easiest to bully.
Flynn had been all kinds of bullied, whether it was getting thrown into the bin or
even having his lunch stolen off him or thrown on the floor so it's inedible and
this was after Benjamin had grown up and gotten himself hench enough to scare a lot
of people and before Flynn joined Torvux.
You see, the Torvux all group together, nobody messes with them because otherwise
they'd get a lot of shit coming towards them and Flynn was only made a member
because I requested the highers when I was in year nine so people stopped bullying
my best buddy just because of his height or his ability to set new fashion
statements or even match clothes perfectly.
"Benjamin is actually very nice." The girl stated.
"No he's not, he's an idiot with no life." Flynn argued, wanted to get his opinion
through to the naive little girl.
"Not true!" She yelled.
"It is true!" Flynn yelled back.
"Will both of you just shut up?" the devil himself came storming through the door
with his bright yellow checkered shirt, the same one I saw earlier in this music
room with Jace. "Can you fags just get out of here?"
He walked up to Flynn, gave a scary looking smile that looked a lot like the
Cheshire Cat's and flicked him on the forehead.
"This is gold. Zach and Flynn, fags." He whispered so that the young girl couldn't
hear him.
Even though whatever he said didn't make sense and was offensive, Flynn didn't even
try throw a swift punch like I thought he would, he didn't even speak.
"Let's go." I dragged Flynn by his ruffled up shirt towards the door of the music
room. He picked up his messenger satchel that was thrown by the door and put it
over his shoulder and fixed his hair.
I did the same with my rucksack and made myself look at least a little presentable
and not like I just had sex.
I glanced at Flynn, seeing him looked a mixture between worried, lost, regretful
and scared. He had this weird look on his face that resembled it, his eyebrows were
lowered, he was staring off into the distance, his face was in a frown and he just
basically looked like he has just found out that he's killed a puppy.
We left the music room and pushed through the lunchtime rush of people in the
corridors until we eventually made it to our table.
Since the rest of our group hadn't arrived yet, we found an empty table and Flynn
and I sat across from each other. With trembling fingers, he took out his
sandwiches from their foil wrapper.
"Dude, calm down." I tried.
"I can't... Ben's going to kill me or even worse, tell everyone about me being...
You know."
"I'm worried too but I doubt it would happen. Besides, we're in this together
right?"
"Guess so." He sighed. "Nobody knows about me being... You know... And now the last
person I'd want to tell, knows."
"Come on, it's not like this school is just surfacing with homophobes, right? I've
told my family, they're alright with it." I shrugged.
"You know my dad... He scares me." For a moment, Flynn looked almost terrified, as
if his life's been threatened, which it has, basically.
Flynn's dad is pretty scary an Lord knows what attracted his mum to him. Perhaps
it's the huge arms or the abs or even the tallness but whatever it was, his mum was
blinded by it to not realise the anger problems and short temper.
"Flynn, deep down, your dad loves you to bits and will go to the ends of the earth
for you." I smiled.
"That's true. Maybe I should come out to him, it's been long enough." Flynn nodded.
--------------------
A/N: I think this chapter was pretty important even if it is boring. I wanted to
point out that Flynn really is a sweetheart with a bad past and that he really is
just a little boy disguised as this courageous teenager. :)

20. Burleywood
[A/N) heyyyy people. I'd just like you to know that I now have a pretty clear view
of how the story is going to go so hopefully, there won't be things all over the
place ;)
Enjoy!
------------------
The burning desire to feel Flynn's lips on mine was strong- too strong for me to
fathom.
Why didn't I have these feelings with Jace? Of course, I had thoughts about kissing
him or cuddling him and all that cutesy stuff but the more sexual part of my
thoughts? They were of Flynn.
It's been three days since the music room situation and no rumours of it have
spread around the school yet, which is surprising really considering it was
Benjamin and the mysterious little girl who knew.
It's been two days since Flynn came out to his parents who took it surprisingly
well, especially his dad who still scares me shitless. Of course, like Molly's
parents, they asked if he was sure that he was bisexual but of course he was.
Today was going to be one hell of a day, there was a Torvux meeting as well as a
meeting for the prom committee. It's kind of ridiculous of them to plan the prom
four months in advance. It was only coming to end of March.
I felt like it was dire to talk to Ben, I needed to warn him what would happen if
he leaked my biggest secret but then again, would talking to him make him pissed
off enough to leak it? Sure, I'd have warned him but what is done is done and I'm
not one to take revenge. Plus, there's not much I could offer to warn him with
other than getting him beaten up.
But wait, would the Torvux beat him up for me if they found out that I was gay? Oh
damn, I didn't think this though. Would they kick Liam, Flynn and I out? Would they
ever have our backs? Who knows.
I feel stupid, assuming everything would go to plan- it never does for me anyways.
I thought over every single time something doesn't go to plan for me from the short
walk from my locker to the classroom where the meeting would be held. There was a
time when I agreed to not allow my bratty cousins take authority over me in my own
home or let them sleep in my bed.
Oh and what about that other time when I told myself I'll never buy a play station
because it would distract me or when I agreed at the beginning of the year that I
would get better grades.
I arrived early in front of Lab 4, where our meeting would be. I wrapped my hand
around the metal handle, feeling the coldness of it on my palm.
I suddenly dreaded attending this meeting and seeing the faces of all the members
on Torvux and knowing I'm keeping something from them. I felt guilty, i mean, would
they really have a problem with my sexuality because they're like my family and
family means ohana and-
Let's not go there and reference Lilo & Stitch.
I couldn't work up enough courage to push down on the metal handle. I just... I had
no strength whatsoever.
A familiar deep voice sounded behind me and I had to stop myself from grinning like
an idiot.
"'Sup lil' bro?"
"Oh nothing, just contemplating life and death matters." I turned around to the
culprit of the voice.
"Nice. You gonna open that door or what?"
At that, I just stood there, doing nothing but staring at the dull grey door in
front of me but then Liam got frustrated and moved my hand away from the handle.
"Can't even do a simple job." He rolled his eyes and flung open the door to an
empty lab room.
We both went inside and sat down at separate tables across from each other.
I remained quiet and he mimicked. You could literally hear a pin drop because
that's how quiet it was.
"What's up?" He seemed concerned... Well finally.
"I don't know... Boy problems." I massaged my head, the amount of thinking I was
doing annoying as hell.
"Elaborate." Liam raised his eyebrows.
Should I tell him?
Should I not?
Oh what the hell.
"I really like Jace but then I kissed someone and I liked it... Now I'm not sure."
I sighed and lay my head down on the table.
Liam seemed almost amused, "you slut."
"Thanks."
"What made you like both of them?" He questioned.
"Jace is... Cute, he's funny when he doesn't mean to be, he's cheeky and he's just
as childish as me." Just thinking about that loser caused me to grin from ear to
ear. "The other guy, he's... Hot, muscly and quite experienced but underneath all
that, he's incredibly caring and kind and I know him really well." Just thinking
about Flynn and our awesome make out session, I did get kind of turned on.
Naughty Zach!
I looked up to see Liam texting on his phone, looking as if he just ignored
everything I just said. Great.
"Hello?" I glared daggers at him and he slipped his phone inside his pocket.
"When I have a dilemma similar to yours, I get it on with both of them and decide
which ones better-" Liam was cut off by the raised voices down the corridor outside
our room.
As the door flung open, he gave me a look that meant 'we'll talk about this later'
and took his phone out again and typed on it in record speed.
Calvin, and the rest of the brothers all walked in and sat down; immediately
bantering and conversing with one another. Like nearly every single meeting, Flynn
sat down next to me. It should be a fact to everyone that we're literally
inseparable.
"So we held this emergency meeting because somebody in Torvux has given their
bracelet away recently." Calvin summed up. Everybody looked to Daniel, already
knowing about the recent event.
"You should understand that the bracelet is so important and you should be a
hundred percent sure when giving it away. Only four of us have actually given it
away in the past year and a half."
I kind of zoned out after that, nothing he was saying was really affecting my life
in a huge way so I didn't really care about what he was saying. My eyes felt tired
and they remained just staring at Calvin, just pretending to focus so that I didn't
get told off.
His lips were moving for what felt like hours and hours but I wasn't reading them.
I wasn't doing anything.
In the midst of my half awake half asleep trance, I was slapped on the arm by none
other that Flynn.
"What." I groaned out.
"Are you even listening?" He asked.
"Not really."
"Typical." He rolled his eyes.
After that, I carried on just staring up at the front, doing nothing but
contemplate the chances of this meeting ever ending anytime soon so I could go to
the prom committee meeting.
"Zach." Is what I read off Calvin's lips. Did he just say my name or was I just
picturing things?
His dark brown eyes looked towards me in the most demeaning manner.
"Wha-"
"We were just saying how you're definitely not a great example of a Torvux due to
your lack of caring in these meetings."
"Oh, right." I nodded and leant my head on on my hands that were propped up on the
table by my elbow.
As much as I could piss Calvin off by my lack of caring, he wouldn't kick me out or
anything, not when we're such great friends.
"So Zach," Calvin smiled in my direction. "Any ideas who you're giving your
bracelet to?"
That bastard. He was putting the spotlight on me.
I absolutely hate being in the spotlight and everybody knows that.
"Somebody I love." I said bluntly, pointing out the obvious.
"Because any girl would be so happy to have you." He snorted and caused everyone to
laugh.
"Hilarious." I rolled my eyes. The fact he said 'girl' just cut deep. He could've
said 'anyone' instead.
"But honestly, any ideas? I mean, you've had your bracelet on for like three years
now man."
"Can't I give it to like a best friend instead? What if I'm non-committal?" I said
as chilled back as ever; I didn't want to accidentally slip up.
There were a few snickers heard around the room at my stupid comment, it would've
be a whole new revelation if I was allowed to do that.
Only Liam knew what I really meant.
"No, that's like ridiculous." Calvin scoffed. "Meeting is finished."
Everyone scurried out the room and slapped each other on the back. Liam came behind
me and told me to not take too long in the meeting I was going to next otherwise
he'd drive off and I'd have to walk... Again.
"Zach, you mug." Calvin snickered as he walked beside me down the corridor.
"I was being serious!" I told him.
"If that's what you want then fine. I don't see any girls chasing after you as much
anymore anyway."
I almost squealed with joy, I felt over the moon and felt like I could take on the
world. I also felt like Spider-Man, being able to climb walls and shit.
"R-really? You serious bro?" I cocked an eyebrow.
"Well, I mean, at first I was a little taken aback but it doesn't seem like a big
deal. If you're non-committal then so be it."
"Thanks man." I grinned from ear to ear and hugged him.
"No problem." He ruffled up my hair and took off in the general direction of the
car park.
I walked alone after that through the empty halls of Kingston High. I was already
late for the prom committee meeting and I contemplated just skipping it but in all
honesty, I haven't seen Jace in a while and I'd very much like to.
I flung open the door to the classroom, earning everyone's attention. I stifled a
laugh after seeing Jace nearly jump out his seat.
I took a seat next to him and like usual, felt warm and fuzzy next to him. I didn't
get the same feeling sitting next to Flynn which was quite odd.
The meeting droned on and on and I was seriously ready to go sleep. My eyes stung
and I was rubbing at them and yawning.
I earned a poke on my left side by none other than Jace and I nearly fell off my
seat from how much it tickled me.
"Zach, you get the lovely job of figuring out the table plans. For example, how
many chairs at each table and how many tables. You also need to decide how the
tables will be set and they need to match the colour theme." Said the queen bitch
herself, Rebecca Jones.
Ever since I broke her heart, all she ever does is glare daggers at me and now,
she's finally got her revenge- she gave me the most crappiest job ever.
"And the colour theme is?" I asked rudely.
"Burleywood."
"What the fu-"
"Can we reframe from the profanity please."
I just rolled my eyes and slouched in my chair, slumped for ideas. Burleywood? What
in god's name is that?
"Isn't that like a gross brown colour? Why not all white?" a new voice piped up.
"I like burleywood." Rebecca said.
This time, I got pissed off and stood up from my seat. "This is why we never
worked! You always think it's about you, well it's not." I refrained myself from
calling her an offensive name.
"We didn't work because you're a cocky dickhead!" she huffed.
"Partially, yes, but does my cockiness not allow anybody to have an opinion
different to mine? Nope. Didn't think so." And at that, I walked out the room.
I was just so sick and tired of everyone today, for some odd reason. I just wanted
to get home and lay down in my bed and sleep.
"Woah." Liam was the first to speak after I angrily slid into the car and slammed
the door shut.
"Can we just hurry up and get home." I sighed and clicked my seatbelt in.
He fumbled with his iPod and put on Ariana Grande before he pushed down on the
pedal and drove out of the student car park, never have I felt so relieved.
We finally got home and I was just about to open the car door when I was pulled
back in to the car. "So, boy problems?"
"Can we not speak about it right now?" I sighed and propped my feet up on the
dashboard.
"Come on, we won't get another chance. I'm not going to be back till late today."
Liam sighed and I took a wild guess and guessed that he would be going gym.
"There's nothing else to say. I thought I was in love with Jace but after kissing
somebody else, I was wrong." I shrugged. "I still have strong feelings for Jace but
I also like the other guy for all the opposite reasons.
"All the opposite reasons?" He quoted.
"His body is just... to die for and oh my god, his face." I imagined Flynn's face
in my head. The chiselled jawline, the light stubble, the shaggy hair that I love
running my hands through. "Underneath all that though is just... a caring and kind
little boy."
Liam smiled.
I smiled.
"Jace seems like a great person." Liam said. "The other guy seems to me that you
like him more because of how he looks like. It's something you miss out with Jace,
he's not the most muscly or fit. He's always sat down with his guitar, that boy."
Okay, now he's just pointing out facts.
"Is that why you asked Calvin at the meeting about giving your bracelet to your
best friend?"
"Yup." I popped the p.
"Once you give the bracelet away... you can't just take it back because you made a
silly mistake with deciding who you like."
"I know and out of all people, I ask for your help but you're just talking facts."
I rolled my eyes.
"It'd be helpful if you tell me who you the other person is." Liam shrugged.
I contemplated on it.
Still contemplating.
"It's..." I closed my eyes, working up the courage to say it. "It's Flynn."
I opened my eyes, seeing shock on Liam's face, just shock. Nothing else. I felt
nothing but regret telling him, he's always accidentally slipped up and I just hope
he doesn't make it obvious to people. I felt bad for Flynn too, it was our secret
to tell.
------------------------------
A/N: I'm getting good with these updates... well, just for this book. I hope you
enjoyed the chapter, who will Zach give his bracelet to? Which 'best friend' (wink
wink) will it be?
FEEDBACK GUYS. I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS AND I DO TRY TO REPLY TO AS MANY AS I CAN! ^.^
.... oh and if anybody wants to make fan art... then please do feel free to<3

21. Pizza Party

(Photo; Zach) (Video; the most amazing song in the entire world).

Zace fans, behold, the awaited chapter....

Also, this chapter does break the PG-13 barrier just a bit... ;)

----------------

"To be honest," Jace cheeks went pink and he looked down at the various worksheets
on the table, "it was kind of hot."

"Really?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"Well somebody needed to tell her off, she can be such a bitch sometimes, you
know?" He had worked up the courage and looked up, exposing more of his rosy
cheeks.

"Yeah I know, too well actually." I put my head in my hands and grumbled. What even
possessed me to go out with her?

"So back to physics..." He said, changing the subject completely.

"Oh fine." I rolled my eyes, "I hate physics with a passion."

"Physics is amazing." Jace snorted.

"I know, protons are oh so sexy." I mimicked him.

For about five seconds, he tried his best to hold a poker face but when his nose
flared and his lips were pursed tightly together, I knew he couldn't hold a it,
even when I'm mimicking him.

He spilled out with laughter and covered his face with his hands, eventually
stopping him from going into a laughing fit.

"Sh...shut up!" He said in between breaths.

So adorable.

"Continuing on..."

For the next hour, we carried on with the revision session. I kept falling into a
half asleep half awake phase and its now become a habit. Weird.

"Zach!" Camellia grinned from ear to ear as she saw Jace and I making our way
upstairs from the basement.

"Oh hey-" the wind was knocked out of me in an instant as Camellia's body collided
with mine.

I felt like I couldn't breath and I was struggling to inhale. I could only take
small, raspy breaths and to be honest, it genuinely felt like I was going to die.
My vision went all blurry and I felt lightheaded but goddammit, I can't even yell
at Cammie because she's just a little kid.

I saw Jace having to stifle a laugh at my suffering, gosh, what a nice person he
is.

When I finally recovered, I punched him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of
him and seeing him in the same position as me. I didn't punch him enough to hurt
him badly or bruise him... Hopefully.

I felt something inside of me, a sense of remorse.

Was it remorse?

Nah.

"You... Dick." Jace clutched his stomach and his voice was drowned out by
Camellia's mad laughing fit.

"Boys, what is all that noise?" A familiar female voice shouted from the kitchen.

"Nothing!" Jace shouted back and glared at me. "You twit."

"You're a twit."

"No you are!"

"You are-"

"You're both so childish." Cammie rolled her eyes and made her way to the kitchen.

I took a glance at my watch and read that it was quarter to seven. "Damn, I need to
get home, my mum is going to kill me!"

"Chill out, there's no school tomorrow. You can stay if you like, I bet Janine has
already cooked for you."

"Oh fine." I smiled.

I followed him into the kitchen and sat down at the dinner table. Janine was still
cooking at the stove and the heavenly scent of freshly baked pizza was in the air,
causing a loud rumble from my stomach. I don't think anybody actually noticed
however, not when the radio was playing on full blast.

"While the food is cooking, the table needs to be cleaned and set so get on it."
Janine said.

"Go clean and set the table, Jace." I snickered and he rolled his eyes.

"That means you too, Zach."

I groaned and stood up from my seat, grabbing a wet cloth to wipe the table with.
It currently had pencil sharpenings on it of every colour in the rainbow and lots
of eraser rubbings. Cammie.

I wiped the table down and threw the rubbish in the bin. Jace brought over all the
placemats and I went back to get some plates and cups.

"It's so nice to have you round, Zach. Maybe next time I can meet your parents?"
Vince said as he walked into the kitchen in a suit, briefcase in hand. He walked up
to Janice and pecked her on the cheek.

"Yeah, I'll ask but no promises, they're pretty busy people." I shrugged. Of course
I'm not going to ask, imagine all the embarrassment and humiliation towards me.

"Great." Vince smiled and slapped my back. Um, ouch?

I sent a quick text to my mum telling her I may be spending longer at Jace's but
i'll be home soon but I doubt she would read it because she's always complaining
about the technology we have nowadays so I sent the text to Liam too. Shortly
after, I received a reply back:

Liam: just make sure you're using protection.

Zach: yeah, whatever bro.

I was snickering to myself as the food was brought to the table, making everyone
give me a puzzling look. Jace sat beside me, trying to take a peek at my phone so I
decided to push my palm against his cheek and move his head away.

"Dude!" Jace cried and he moved my hand away from his warm cheeks.

A pepperoni pizza was places in front of Jace and I and it had at least 10 slices.
Jace glares daggers at me and moved the pizza close to him at the same time.

"Jace, share your pizza." Janine sighed. "You know I never give you a whole ten
slices unless it's to share."

"But why does Cam get her own!" Jace huffed and pointed his finger accusingly at
his younger sister dramatically.
"She only has like, six slices and she's the only one who likes olives." Vince
smirked, causing Cammie to giggle.

"Zach likes olives." Jace retorted.

"I do?" I smirked.

"You do!" Jace cried and sent me a look as if to say 'play along'.

I'd rather not.

"Nah, I'm- gah!" I nearly choked on the pizza I was eating when I felt clammy,
skinny hands on my thigh and getting closer to a particular area. His touch felt
like fire against ice and right about now, something sure felt on fire.

Vince cocked an eyebrow, whether he knew what was going on under the table or not
was unknown.

I hope he didn't.

I slapped Jace's hand away hastily and glared at him; his cheeks flushed in return.

The dinner continued and there was only small talk being thrown around here and
there. Most of it was at me so Jace's family could know about me better but I was
never good at small talk.

I helped with tidying up so I didn't have to see the wrath of Janine when she yells
at Jace to tidy up. I already get told off by my mum who hates having to deal with
all the kitchen work alone.

I followed Jace to his room and while I sat down on the bed glancing aimlessly at
the room, he went to the bathroom. My eyes found a collage of photographs clearly
taken on a Polaroid. Many of the pictures of Jace looked like they were taken just
last year because his face didn't look that much different.

A couple pictures caught my eye. Jace partying, Jace with his friends, Jace as a
little boy flashing a toothy smile, Jace on his sixteenth birthday and then... Jace
with his two gay uncles.

I frowned at the picture, the people in it just looked so happy being just them.
They were holding hands, not even caring about the people in the background seeing
them together.

Little Jace was in between the two, he looked around nine or ten and he had two
thumbs up, grinning at the camera.

Cute.

The door closed behind me and I jumped, seeing Jace combing his fingers through his
hair. He flashed me a smile and came closer to me until I could feel his body
warmth behind me and his breathing fanning my neck.

"Oh yeah, you know about my uncles. That was when we went on holiday to LA." Jace
spoke quietly in that deep voice of his; It sent shivers up my spine.

"You look cute." I commented.

He never said anything after that, what was left was just silence between us,
comfortable silence. Soon enough however, he rested his head in the crook of my
neck and on my shoulder. His arms snaked around my waist and I felt so comfortable
in this position so without any speaking, we just stood in this position for what
felt like hours.

A few moments passed and I twisted around in my spot, ducking my head down at my
hands that were placed on Jace's chest. With arms still snaked around my waist, he
came closer and brought his head back to the crook of my neck. I brought my hands
up, deciding I should actually do something with them and touched his silky, thick
hair, combing my fingers though it. I've always liked it when someone does it to
me, it felt really nice. My dad used to do it for me when I was little and we were
sat watching telly together while everyone would be upstairs sleeping. My dad and I
were never ones to go bed early.

However, the present situation I was in didn't feel the same as it did with my dad
because I was wrapped cozily in Jace's embrace and I was the one stroking his long
black locks.

"This feels nice." Jace muttered into my neck. I couldn't help but shiver at his
warm breath as it fanned my neck. Goosebumps arose on my skin but it didn't bother
me too much. As a reply, I only nodded.

"You know, I should uh.. get going." I sighed as I thought about the interrogation
I'd get from everyone at home.

"No, stay." Jace whined like a little kid. I couldn't help but listen to every
command he says so I made it clear to myself that I will stay.

"Whatever you want." I whispered.

We seperated a few minutes later and Jace walked over to his dresser, taking out a
pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. I watched how graceful he was, in the way he
walks, in the way he picks up an object or puts it down. I can never be that
graceful, I'm just ashtonishingly clumsy.

He handed me the clothes and I hastily whipped my jumper off, feeling the coldness
of the room for a moment or two before going back to slightly warmer temperatures
when I had put the t-shirt on. I did the same for my pants, stripping off my jeans
and socks and finally changing into something more comfier and less constricting.

I scurried outside the bedroom and slipping into the bathroom, quickly taking a pee
and splashing my face with cold water. I couldn't help but feel a little embaressed
thinking about last time I stayed over here. I remember how I cuddled up to Jace
and woke up to nobody at my side. On top of that however, I did feel pretty
excited.

By the time I had walked back inside the room, Jace was changed in his pj's, under
the duvet and ready to sleep. I also noticed he put two extra pillows down and I
smiled at him remembering I sleep with two pillows.

I shuffled further inside the room, turned off the lamp and lifted the duvet up so
I could slide in. I wrapped myself up and let the warmth embrace me before turning
to face Jace who was already looking at me. I flashed him a huge grin and he
flashed me one too before shuffling closer to me so he was practically on my
pillow.

"I needed to talk to you about something." I whispered. I received a confused look
from the boy next to me and sighed. "Your friend... Benjamin... He hasn't told you
anything right?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary, but he didn't need to." Jace put vaguely and now it
was my turn to give him a confused look. "So are you Flynn like a thing now?"

I could've sworn that I could have a heart attack right then and there. "No, we're
not."

"But you-"

"Yes, I know... But we aren't. I'm just really freaking confused right now." I told
him. I was no longer speaking in hushed tones, I was talking normally.

"I understand." He looked me dead in the eye with a pleading look, he looked pretty
glum. "So... Do you think you and Flynn could..."

"I'm not sure. I have my eye on somebody else." I smirked just as he ducked his
head down and went into some kind of daze.

He finally came back to reality, during the time he spent thinking, I was just
staring down at him but not in that creepy way that looks like I want to eat him or
something but more in admiration. Jace was so sweet, so gorgeous. He wasn't the
most muscly or the most flawless but I just liked him for him.

"Are you done?" Jace snickered. "Take a picture, it'll last longer."

I didn't reply, just simply cozied myself up on the duvet more. I closed my eyes
but then opened them again when I felt small caresses on the side of my face. Jace
was running his thumb up and down my cheek.

I leant in closer by instinct, it wasn't even my mind controlling my body right

now. It was some kind of invisible force that objects any command my brain throws
at it. So cautiously, I brought my face closer to the boy next to me, his scent
filled my nose and his warm breath felt nice on the bare skin next to my neck. Jace
didn't move a muscle, he only just stared up up my eyes and my lips and I most
definitely knew what that meant.

My eyes fluttered shut as my lips met Jace's plump, moist ones. For a few moments,
we stayed like that. Not moving any part of our body but our lips that were moulded
together. Finally, I worked up enough courage to go right in and run my hands up
and down his torso. I loved how Jace would flinch slightly as my hands went pretty
low down his front and I loved the feeling of his calloused thumb caressing my
cheek.

Tearing my lips apart from his, I sat up and brought one leg over his body so that
I was straddling him. His hands ran up and down my front, mimicking the same thing
I was doing to him. The only difference was that his hands were under my shirt. His
touch felt electrifying, making me flinch when he ran his hands down my sides or
past my nipple.

I leant down, once again joining our lips together. I flicked his bottom lip with
my tongue, I didn't know whether I was rushing anything because I didn't know how
much experience Jace had, he's never mentioned anything about an ex to me. Whatever
though, he wasn't complaining because he opened up, allowing my tongue access to
roam his mouth. Our tongues fought for dominance for a while, the kiss was filled
with so much passion, so much want, and that confused me a hell of a lot because I
didn't feel the exact same way as the time I kissed Flynn.

We parted so that we could breath and I brought my head to the crook of his neck,
ready to give him a hickey. I looked to Jace and telepathically asked if I could
give him one. In return, he angled his neck so that I had better access and
smirked. Jace's hands roamed up and down my abs as I sucked and licked all around
his neck and behind his ear, trying to find his sensitive spot.

I was about to move to his shoulder when Jace's hands went a little too low down my
front but in all honesty, I didn't mind. His hands played with the waistband of my
sweatpants and he stuck a finger between the waistband of my boxers and my skin. It
was beginning to get hard to focus on finished that sensitive spot when he was
going back and fourth into deciding whether his hands will be in or outside my
sweatpants and as annoying as it was, it was only causing me to get majorly turned
on... In a good way. A kind of way that makes you writhe and suffer before it
actually happens and oh boy, when it does...

However, it was not going to happen because I personally felt like it wasn't the
right time to get too deep into it, especially with Jace. Sure, this moment is like
a dream come true but then there was this feeling, at the pit of my stomach that
didn't have the same need to do anything like that with Jace so soon as I would
want to do with Flynn. It was odd.

"Jace, I'm not ready for... That." I looked him dead in the eye.

"Me neither. No rush." Jace breathed out and gave me a close lipped smile, to which
I returned.

I buried myself in the crook of his neck once again, eager to find his sensitive
spot. I retraced my steps, sucking and licking from his neck to his ear. I went
back down his neck, now in the awkward place just underneath his jawline.

"O-oh... Zach-" I saw Jace's eyes squeeze shut as I carried on sucking and licking
underneath that chiseled jawline of his. It was a funny place for his sensitive
spot but hey, I finally found it right?

My elbows were starting to hurt from all the weight I was putting on them because I
was crouched over Jace and technically, not touching him. I relaxed my whole entire
body and stopped keeping myself upright and instead, laying right on top of him so
that we were sandwiched together. He snaked his around my neck and I sucked even
more on his jaw, making the hickey as obvious and as dark as I could.

Jace was moaning out my name, only making it even more difficult to handle the pain
I was feeling down there but nope, I was not going to do anything like that... Yet.

Finally, happy with my mark on his jaw, I brought my head back to and my lips once
again moulded with his plump, pink, swollen ones. I dove right in, using my tongue
to massage his, pleasuring the both of us. A lot of minutes passed, part of me was
in agony, having a hard-on but not being to turn it off mentally was just pure
agony. I could feel Jace's own hard on near my butt but he too, was not doing
anything about it.

We reluctantly parted, quite breathlessly might I add, and stared up at the ceiling
for the longest time. The only thing heard was our raspy breaths.

"Damn... My parents are just... Down the hall." Jace groaned.

"They didn't barge in telling us off so..." I shrugged.

He turned towards me, one arm under his head. "That was amazing."

"I know." I smiled. I turned to face him and told him to turn around so that I
could wrap my arms around his chest. I leaned up, pecked his exposed shoulder and
fell back into the pillows, allowing sleep to take over my body.
I was in pure bliss.

-----------------

A/N: The chapter you've been waiting for... ;)

I've never actually wirtten so much on an intimate situation, sure... i've done
bits like when Zach and Flynn had their moment but quite a bit of this chapter is
intimate... it's new to me.

So... how was it? Be honest and tell me how I could improve... pretty please with a
Zach on top? ;)

22. The She Wolf

(Photoset; Camellia)

A/N: I'm changing Camellia's age to thirteen because we all underestimate twelve
year olds xD

Also, I was wondering whether or not it would be a good idea to make more chapters
in Jace's POV. Personally, I think it might give some important information away so
I will not be making chapters in his POV during this period of time in the story
but maybe later in the book I could do it. If not, then I can add bonus chapters at
the end of the book. Tell me what you think. Xx

---------

I awoke to the sound of soft snores that sounded far too close to me for my liking.
Don't you just absolutely hate the word 'snore'? Snore. Snore. Snore. Nope?

My eyes fluttered open and I remembered all of last night, causing my mouth to
contort into one great big creepy smile. You know what they say, a happy thought in
the morning brightens up your whole day. I was glad that he had blackout curtains
in his room because I did not want to be blinded by the sun streaking in through
the top of the curtains. Jace's arm was limp across my chest and his head was in
the space between my head and my shoulder, laying on my pillow.

I twisted my head towards the sleeping boy next to me, peppering his face with
kisses. Ok, so maybe I was evil for attempting to wake him up but I was extremely
bored and hungry. Finally, a beautiful green eye replaced Jace's closed eyelid and
I smiled. Something was at the tip of my tongue, and whether I should say it or not
depended on how completely and utterly weird it would sound.

"Morning beautiful." I murmured. There, I said it. Shoot me. Jace just gave me a
black stare then grinned, showing off his pearly white teeth. He buried his head
into the pillow, face down, and I was no longer able to see his face.

"You're like the cliche monster." He mumbled into the pillow. "You don't realise
how gay you just sounded."

I snickered at him using 'gay' as a term to describe what I said and twisted my
whole body just a little so I was able to comfortably comb his hair with my
fingers. He unburied his face from the pillow and I brushed away some hair that was
in front of his eyes. I moved my hand from his long black locks to his face so I
could caress it with my hand. My thumb ran across the love bite I gave him
yesterday, the once very red mark was now adorned by patches of a dark shade of
purple. I smiled at myself at my accomplishment.
"I'm hungry, go make me food." I ordered him jokingly. He flashed a small, lopsided
smile in return. I was about to pull my hand away when Jace's left hand covered
mine and rested it back on his cheek. He intwined our fingers together and pecked
my swollen lips.

"What time is it?" He whispered and rubbed at his eyes.

I let go of his hand, and twisted around to look at my phone that was sitting on
the bedside table. I saw the time and also saw that I had like fifteen messages
from both Liam and Mum.

"It's nearly ten." I said as I felt Jace's arm snake itself around my waist from
behind.

I squinted at the bright light of my phone as I brought it closer to my face and

went to the messages app and groaned at the fact that a message from mum is never a
good one, especially if there's more than two.

Liam: you never said you're staying over.

Liam: wait, you stayed over right?

Mum: where are you?

Mum: Zach please text me when you're near home.

Mum: do you need picking up?

Liam: mum's pissed, you're in sooooo much trouble.

It was now my turn to bury my face in my pillows. I let out a huge groan and
dreaded my imminent death.

"What's up?" He spoke tiredly.

"I didn't tell my mum I'd be staying over and now she's pissed."

I could only wonder why mum is suddenly growing overprotective of me. Just
yesterday morning when I received a pointless phone call she interrogated me about
it all through breakfast.

Jace didn't say anything after that but I felt a lot of movement next to me and
soon, the warmth of having another person sleep next to me was gone. Jace came in
front of me and I looked up to see a mischievous smirk creeping on his lips.
Forcefully, he clasped his hands around my wrist and heaved me upwards, I always
thought that he would have never had enough upper arm strength to lift me up but my
theory was soon put to shame when I literally face palmed the floor.

"Ow!" I whined as I rubbed at my forehead, I looked up to Jace who looked as if he

had just kicked a puppy. My frown was soon contorted into a smirk and I grabbed
Jace's skinny wrist and pulled him down to the ground but in the end, I only ended
up hurting myself when his body collided with mine.

"Zach!" Jace rolled his eyes but didn't try to get up off me. He lifted up a hand
and for a second, I thought he'd slap me or something but instead, he moved the
area of my forehead that I was covering with my hand and leant down to place a kiss
on it.
I for one, do not like forehead kisses and grabbed his head, smashing my lips
against his.

My mind was so occupied with my lips against Jace's and didn't notice that Cammie
was stood by the doorway until she cleared their throat.

"Mum!" Cammie screamed.

In a heartbeat, loud thumping sounded by the stairs and they got closer and closer.
Jace scrambled off me and ran over to his little sister and clasped his hand around
her mouth. I stood up hastily and pretended that I was making the bed... The thing
is, I never make beds.

"What? What was it?!" Janice panicked as she opened up the whole door.

"N-nothing!" Jace said.

"Oh hello Zach, I didn't know you stayed over."

"Morning," I said and even waved. I waved. "It was a last minute decision."

"Did you tell you mum? She'd be worried." She glanced to Jace and her eyes widened.

"No.. I erm, forgot."

Janine nodded, smirked, and left the room, I let out a breath that I was holding in
and dug my head in my hands.

"Ew! You licked me!" Jace cried and wiped his wet palm against his trousers. Cammie
stuck her tongue out and crossed her arms.

"You were kissing Zach! I saw!"

"So..so what?" Jace huffed. From what he had told me before, Jace has yet to tell
Cammie that he's pansexual but I guess now, he doesn't need to.

"So what?!" She looked pretty angry right now. Wow, talk about a thirteen year old
going crazy. "You didn't tell me that you're... Gay!"

"I'm not gay. I'm pansexual."

"Panna-what?"

"Never mind."

I walked over to Cammie and crossed my arms. "Please don't tell anyone."

"Well, I have to tell my friend Jessica so she can add it to her scrapbook of
'favourite gays' and of course, I must tell my other friend Nelly, she will be so
happy-"

"Don't tell anyone." Jace told her sternly, but his facade didn't last every long
because Jace can never be serious.

"Fine fine." Cammie rolled her eyes. "I would have never thought Zach would be gay
but then again, it's always the hot ones that are gay."

"Excuse me?" I questioned and cocked a brow.

"Nothing." She waved off and left the room, but not before saying something along
the lines of, "I took a picture so don't get on my bad side."

I rubbed my tummy after it had made some weird gurgling sound. "I'm hungry."

Jace rolled his eyes and motioned for me to go ahead of him out the doorway and I
did, but not without feeling him slap my butt.

"Bastard." I muttered and he chuckled.

* * *

"You could've at least messaged me! I do read my texts you know!" Mum shouted,
furious. I still don't know why she's all of a sudden caring so much about my
whereabouts.

"I forgot!" I yelled back. Yelling at your mum, good one Zach.

"You could've been anywhere and I was sat here panicking! You could've been
kidnapped or taken hostage!"

"Don't give me that look young man!" She crossed her arms when she noticed the
incredulous look I had given her. Taken hostage? Really?

"Sorry." I mumbled.

"What?"

"I'm sorry." I said louder.

"Sorry doesn't replace all the panic I felt, so I'm going to punish you." She
picked up a drying cloth and started drying the crockery.

"What? You can't do that! You haven't done that in like, forever!" I raised my
voice once again.

The last time mum punished me was a couple years ago when I refused to finish my
food when I was visiting some family so my mum gave me the ultimate punishment by
not allowing me to eat until I appreciate food and give a phone call to my aunt
apologising for telling her out loud, in front of everyone, that her food sucks.
It's not my fault though that my aunt's food tastes like cow dung, not that I would
know how that tastes like.

It was a major dick move to embarrass her but come on, we all knew that she
couldn't cook.

"I don't care." Mum glared at me, "you panicked us all! I don't even know Jace well
enough to allow you to stay over, he could've raped you."

It wouldn't be rape if I enjoyed it, I thought.

"What about that time when I stayed over before? You didn't tell me off then."

"I didn't know you were gay then."

"Fair enough." I rolled my eyes and saw that Liam had come downstairs, tiredly
might I add, only in his boxers. "What's the punishment?"

"You're not allowed to go over Jace's house for the next two weeks." Mum said
smoothly and she looked down at her perfectly manicured nails. "And that means no
going out and about with him either during that time."

I turned to Liam, seeing him trying to stifle a laugh. "Mum, that's ridiculous!
Where will I revise with him then?"

"At school."

"Oh come on! Mum, you can't do that, Jace is like my best buddy!" I cried.

"Yeah well, you should know to ask my consent next time you stay over someone's
house."

"Fine." I huffed and crossed my arms, knowing that arguing back would make things
worse. "Night." I stormed out the kitchen and in to my room.

Angrily, I slammed the door shut only to hear a noise that sounded a lot like a
strangled cat and hastily opened it up again, only to see Liam on the floor curled
up into a giant ball.

"You... Twat." He said breathlessly.

I couldn't help the smile that crept upon my lips. What am I, A sadist?

He finally recovered and welcomed himself inside my room, taking a seat on my bed,
or more like, taking up all the space with his huge frame.

"Pretty tough punishment. You can't see your lover now." He said.

"Shut up." I replied grumpily, I was not in the mood to deal with his shit.

He glanced at me from the corner of his eye, "so what went down at Jace's?"

I shot him the most annoyed like ever, why does he suddenly care a lot about my
relationships? He never cared about my relationships with my past girlfriends.
"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

"Gosh, I don't have to tell you! I don't butt into your relationship with Naomi
now, do I?"

He just frowned, then nodded in understanding and sluggishly left the room, leaving
me once again feeling lonely as ever.

I walked over to the door, locked it and fell back on my bed, just staring up at
the ceiling as if it was the most interesting thing I've ever seen. We had a rule
in the house to not lock the doors but to be honest, I don't care anymore.

I stripped myself down to only my boxers and wrapped myself in my bedsheets,

silently hoping that at any moment, Flynn would come flying into my room so we
could just gets wasted and have a good time.

But that is never going to happen because one, my window is locked and I can't be
bothered to go open it, two, Flynn doesn't have the superhuman ability to fly and
three, he's not legal to buy drinks.

These two weeks are sure going to be rough.

I could already feel myself wanting to be wrapped up in Jace's embrace again,
repeating the moment we had last night and doing more. Spending one night with
someone and not having anybody to cuddle with the next night sure makes it hard to
sleep peacefully.

Since when did I become so needy?

* * *

The next morning, I felt myself getting a headache and also an upset tummy coming
along. Gosh, what a way to make my day even more terrible.

Sluggishly, I hauled myself downstairs, wiping my hand down my face in an attempt

to wake me up a little but of course, clumsy ol' me just had to lose my footing and
roll down the rest of the stairs on my back with both arms flailing in the air like
crazy in an attempt to catch the railing but it failed terribly.

"He really is finding it hard to live without his lover." I looked up to see Liam
with an amused look on his face and my mum standing nearby with a concerned
expression.

"Are you okay baby?" Mum cooed.

"Well no, I'm obviously not." I said grumpily and stood up, walking past the both
of them to get to the sofa in the living room.

"Zachary Michael Hamilton! You get your butt here now!"

Ooh. She used the middle name card.

I didn't listen to her and instead, threw a cushion at the door so that it closes
on her face, the last thing I saw was a furious Mummy Hamilton and an shocked Liam.

"You are so rude!" She yelled as she threw the door open and picked up the auburn
coloured cushion, "do not throw my cushions!" She nearly put it in its designated
spot on the living chair and grabbed the neckline of my t-shirt, hauling me up off
the sofa and stood in front of her.

Maybe I shouldn't underestimate this woman, if she can lift me up by my t-shirt,

she may also be able to drag me by my ear.

"Mum!" I groaned and straightened out my t-shirt again.

"Don't 'mum' me, you better apologise this instant."

"Sorr-"

"Sorry won't make me feel better after you threw the cushion." She said, picking at
her manicured nails. I vaguely remember her saying something similar yesterday,
before she gave me my punishment.

I looked to Liam who was stood by the door with his phone out and facing me as if
he was-

"Mum! Liam's recording it!" I complained and I ran past her and to my idiotic
brother, whose phone I tried taking. He shoved me away with one hand as held the
phone up high in the other, snickering to himself.

"Liam, stop making him shout. Honestly, he's doing my ear drums in." Mum said,
causing Liam to instantly stop whatever he was doing and frown. "Delete it." He did
as he was told, and left.

"Zach, grow the hell up! For throwing cushions at me, you're doing the laundry this
week." Mum walked past me, muttering something about me acting like a five year
old.

I slumped down on the sofa, wiping a hand down my face and throwing more cushions.
I rubbed my tummy, trying to sooth the pain but it didn't even help in the
slightest. It felt like it had been prodded with a million pins and my head felt
heavy on one side, as if at any moment, it would like slide off my neck like a
scoop of ice cream sliding off a cone and going splat on the floor.

Now I knew how it felt for girls during periods.

---------

A/N: it's a filler chapter (hooray) and now
probably hate her guts right now, but she's
of mothers, she's only looking out for Zach
and stuff like that. She's also reasonable,
punishments upon himself. xD
you've met Mummy Hamilton and you
not actually so... Annoying. Like a lot
and trying to prevent him having sex
you could say Zach brought those

23. R U Mine?
And satisfaction feels like a distant memory and I can't help myself, all I wanna
hear her say is "Are you mine?"
- - - - - -
A/N: sorry for the confusion but I'd like to clear up that Zach, Jace and Flynn are
16 and not 17, this is due to the fact that it wouldn't make sense with them being
17 and in year 11 unless they were all held back a year.
For those readers outside the UK, Year 11 is basically THAT horrible year where you
take loads of exams before you turn 17 and move onto Sixth Form, College or get an
apprenticeship. xD
On a side note: Go follow @ezraelasitgets and check out 'HIM' because it's a great
book!
- - - - - -
It's been four days without talking to Jace. Of course, during school I've been
speaking to him but after school, I just get extremely bored.
Today has probably been the most unproductive day in my entire life, all I've done
is lie in bed and play games on my phone. I called Flynn twice and we just spoke
for God knows how long about nothing, just... General stuff about coming out,
dealing with hate, etc. It was a nice conversation, it just flowed and I kind of
missed that because I haven't been talking to Flynn so much recently and when I
talk to Jace, most the time all we're doing is trying to talk on top of each other.
I found out a lot about Flynn during our phone call such as the fact that he is
most definitely not a butt virgin, which was quite unexpected, I also found out
that his mum absolutely loves gays so accepting her one and only son wasn't a
difficult thing to do.
"Hey." I greeted him on the phone as I called him yet another time.
"Let me guess, you're still lazing around in bed?"
"Yup."
"Why don't you come over? Nobody's home right now. We can chill and play games-
like old times."
"Ah, might as well." I twisted around in my bedsheets and lay on my side with the
phone on the pillow next to me on speaker. "I really cant be bothered to get up
though!"
"Dude, it's fricking what? four in the afternoon?"
"I know..." I elongated out. "Can't you come over instead and sneak through the
window like we used to?"
"The thing is, i'm lazing around in bed too." he laughed.
"Goddammit, why am I the one who has to get up?" I groan into the phone and rip the
duvet off me, immediately shivering at the dropped temperature. Goosebumps appeared
on my arms and legs and felt itchy.
I walked over my dresser and left the phone on the top, on speaker, and picked out
a pair of joggers and a t-shirt.
"The things I do for you." I roll my eyes even though he wouldn't even be able to
see.
"I know, you love me." I can almost feel him grinning into the phone.
"More like... I hate you."
"Then I hate you too."
------
Twenty minutes later, I was knocking on Flynn's front door. After getting an
interrogation from my mum, she took it upon herself to ring Flynn's mum later on to
check that I was actually at his house instead of Jace's.
Mrs Hopper opened up the door for me, looking as giddy as ever as she squeezed me
into a hug or more like, suffocating me with her huge boobs. "I haven't seen you in
a long time, Zach!"
Flynn's mother was the type of women who would head out of the house wearing
nothing but a skirt and a t-shirt even on the coldest days, she had once tried to
persuade Flynn that she's 'hip' and can wear whatever she wants because it's
'setting a trend'. A trend that could give you pneumonia, that is.
"Yeah..." I trailed off, still pressed up against her boobs.
"Flynn is just upstairs, you can head up." She released me and shooed me off as she
shut the door and went into the living room.
I hurriedly ran up the stairs, feeling just as excited as all the other times I
come over to see Flynn. I threw open the bedroom door and walked in, seeing Flynn
jump from the loud bang as the door collided with his wall, just adding to the huge
dent in the wall from the other times I've threw open the door.
"Holy..." Flynn trailed off and lay back down on his bed, eyes focusing again on
the current TV show he's streaming on his iPad.
"Whatchu watching?" I jumped on his bed and made myself comfortable after kicking
off my shoes.
"Oh nothing, just some kind of new series that's a lot like Twilight."
"Sounds so cool." I said, making sure he can hear the sarcasm that's practically
dripping from my voice.
"Oh shut up." He playfully punched my arm and naturally, as if it was by instinct
or an everyday thing, wrapped me up in an embrace.
He twisted around so my back was pressed up against his chest and brought the iPad
in front of us. I was confused for a moment, how Flynn could work up the courage to
do such a simple act when he was generally one of those people that are hesitant to
do such things.
Nonetheless, I didn't complain about it, it was nice to be cuddled and I accepted
the fact that I am a lot like a needy girlfriend who constantly needs affection.
My eyes felt tired after about half an hour of watching the same programme and they
closed and I felt sleep take over.
I awoke to some kind of scuffling next to me and a series of odd noises that
sounded a lot like... Sex?
Instantly my eyes opened, and I twisted around so that I faced the ceiling, the
noises got louder and louder until...
"Ohhhhhh!" I shot out of the bed, and headed straight out the bedroom door,
throwing open the door to the room neighbouring Flynn's room and there, I saw a
sight that would surely scar me every time I see that brown haired boy.
Flynn was sat on the guest room bed, shirtless with his dick hanging out of his
jeans and a white substance all over his insanely attractive torso. I looked across
from him, at the TV and saw some kind of BDSM stuff going on between three men and
two women but my eyes were more focused on the men.
I began to notice myself growing a little horny at the sight of it and moved my
attention reluctantly from the television, to Flynn and then out the window.
"Zach!" Flynn yelled and put his jeans on properly, using his shirt that was thrown
aside as a cloth to wipe up his mess.
Watching Flynn rapidly wiping away the mess and hiding his (huge and shaved) d**k
was definitely something that was not helping me brain function properly enough to
turn myself off.
"Flynn dammit!" I wiped a hand down my face, something I've been doing a lot
recently.
"I'm sorry!" He stood up off the bed, almost tripping over his own feet and came in
front of me, pulling my hand away from my face. I just grimaced and slapped his
hand away, knowing fully well where it's been.
Almost resembling a solider, he moved his hands to his sides and stood up straight.
"Why would you... When I'm right next door?"
"That doesn't matter." He waved the issue off and looked down at the ground.
I wasn't peeved at him... You know.. But seriously, when I'm right next door?
Didn't his mum hear? If so, the sympathy I feel for her is sky high.
Flynn looked up, showing off those twinkling, dilated, cobalt eyes of his. He was
still shirtless and my my, was that a sight to see. I couldn't help but train my
eyes on his defined four pack and his pants that were worn pretty low, giving me a
clear view of his V-line. My fingers traced the outline of his abs until I reached
the waistband of his jeans. I slipped a finger in, then two and then dove right in,
feeling the outline of his hardening member through the thin material of the
boxers.
"Zach." Flynn said in a soft tone. "Let me show you what I can do, and you can tell
me to stop at any time."
I looked up to his beautiful eyes, and contemplated on the offer. Should I or
should I not? I trusted Flynn, so much that I'd sell my soul to him, or I'd go
cliff diving with him, or I'd let him have his way, knowing fully well that he'll
stop when I think it's getting too much for me.
So I nodded and smiled at the smirk I saw on his lips, I knew that he'd be extra
gentle, I knew he would be careful and I most definitely knew that he'd stop when I
ask him.
- - - - - -
A/N: THERE IS MORE TO THIS CHAPTER
This is not the end of the chapter! What's that? Huh? Well, for those smut lovers,
you can read Zach and Flynn's sex scene that's available on my profile as another
book called 'Bits & Bobs'. Obviously, it's restricted (you don't say?) and you
would have to follow me to view it.
Once you've followed, it might take a while for Wattpad to register that you've
followed me so you may not be able to read it straight away. You can try deleting
the book from your library after following me and then adding it again if it
doesn't work.

24. Behold, The Over Protective Mother.

thank you guys for 100k+ reads! Honestly, I never thought I'd get that far but
turns out that people actually like the content that I write xD

We haven't had a picture of Liam for so long so here you go guys! The oh so sexy
Matt Lanter.

--- --- ---

I felt like crap.

Waking up in Flynn's embrace scared me shitless and I bolted it out the door but
then, realising I was butt naked, I had to go back in and borrow some clean clothes
off Flynn from his dresser because mine were sticky from last night.
And that was how I ended up sitting in the freezing cold outside my house, waiting
for somebody to open the door. Dad's car wasn't in the driveway so I guessed he
were at work so that meant Liam and Mum were at home and those two sleep like logs,
let me tell you that.There was no use ringing anybody either, my phone died ages
ago.

Just for safe measure, I stood up off the front porch and knocked again on the
door, really hard.

A couple minutes passed and then I heard the door make unlocking noises as somebody
fumbled with the keys and then finally, a voice spoke. A female.

"Zach? What are you doing?" I twisted around from my seat and stood up straight, as
if I was a soldier.

Naomi was only wearing hot pink knickers and bra and nothing else. Seriously? Who
answers the door with only that much clothing on? Her hair was disheveled and she
smelt funny, kind of like Flynn's room. They both had funny smells to them, it
smelt like sex.

My eyes shifted from her petite frame to the postbox on the wall, she might've
thought I was staring at her in a pervy way even though that was most definitely
not the way I was looking at her.

I hurried inside the house and kicked my shoes off before running upstairs and
jumping in to my bed but that was when I realised I wasn't the only one in my bed.

Liam was there and that meant one thing.

He had sex in my bed.

He had sex... In my bed. What's wrong with his bed?

I quickly got temperamental and slapped his arm and threw the duvet off him and he
sluggishly pushed me away but it didn't really make a difference.

"You had sex in my bed?!" I yelled at him.

"No."

"Yes, you did!"

"Shut up. It's too early for this."

He twisted around under the duvet and faced me, rubbing at his eyes. Naomi walked
in behind me and cussed. I twisted around to face her then regretted it when I saw
a boob. She had a towel in her hand and scrambled to cover her boobs up.

I looked to Liam who just shrugged and sat up, throwing the duvet over my head as
he got up. I hastily threw it off me and cursed when I saw Naomi and Liam sucking
each other's faces off. My first instinct was to split them up but that wouldn't
really work so I settled for a hit-and-run and kicked Liam in the shin and ran down
the stairs as if there was a swarm of bees chasing after me.

Liam yelled cusses at me and I almost tripped down the stairs from the adrenaline
rush. Mum walked out of her bedroom, looking confused and all, her hair was
dishevelled and stuck out in places it shouldn't and walked up to Liam. Upon seeing
Naomi, he dragged Liam by the ear to her room and all I could hear was a bunch of
yelling.
I went back upstairs and walked into my room, wincing at Naomi being more than half
naked.

"Breakfast?" I asked her with my back turned as she clasped on her bra again.

"I'll make French toast if you want?" I only nodded and walked up to my dresser,
throwing her a hoodie and seeing that she already took the curtesy to put on Liam's
sweatpants. It had been a thing for a while now- Naomi would make food for us when
mum wasn't around because Liam and I were pretty sucky at cooking and would end up
setting the kitchen on fire one day.

Soon enough, the smell of toast and eggs were in the air and Naomi and I were
making small talk.

"Where were you last night then?" She smirked.

"I... Er, nowhere."

"Really, because I know those clothes aren't yours. They're much too big and not
what you would usually wear. Plus, they look kinda familiar to me."

"It's just...super skinny jeans and a t-shirt? How could it look familiar?"

"I don't know. The shade of brown on the jeans maybe? I might've seen it
somewhere." She shook the thought away as she served me some French toast.

I just waved it off, Flynn isn't the only one to go all colour mania on his choice
of jeans. Looking into his wardrobe, he had more coloured jeans than I could ever
imagine. He's just as bad as those girls who buy different lipsticks in so many
similar colours.

"What's cookin' good lookin'?" Liam said, which was quite cringey might I just add.
Sure; he was whipped but honestly, seeing him all lovey dovey is extremely painful
to watch.

"Enjoyed the lecture from mum?" I snickered.

He glared at me before clearing his throat. "Actually, I told her you screw Jace
every time you see him, just to make it fair on me."

My mouth literally gaped to the floor. Naomi was standing right there and he just
said something he really shouldn't have said.

"It's fine, I kinda guessed it ages ago." Naomi waved off. "It's not exactly
difficult to guess, ey?"

"What? How?!"

"No straight guy can perfectly coordinate a outfit quite like you." she snickered.
"And I have my own gay-dar."

"Oh my god, please don't tell me you're another crazy fan girl?"

"Uh, I wouldn't put it that way but-"

"You are, aren't you?"

"She is." Liam answered for her.

I nearly face palmed myself, I thought I already had a whole army of fan girls
squeezed into one tiny form- Trisha.

Obviously I didn't.

Fuck it.

"If you guessed that I was gay then... Does that mean-"

"Probably." She shrugged. "I don't see what the big deal is."

"You don't see- Nobody can know!" I tugged at the end of my hair.

"So who's this Jace person then?" Naomi wiggled her perfectly shaped eyebrows
suggestively.

"His lover." Liam butted in.

"He is not my lover." I glared at him. "He's a friend."

"So, who's house were you at last night then?"

"None of your business!"

The pair just smirked and Naomi went to the cooker and started on Liam's slice of
French toast. "You didn't do the dirty, right?" Naomi asked.

I blushed, "no, I didn't."

"He's lying! Who was it then?" Liam stifled a laugh.

"None of your-"

"It was Flynn. Like I said, I could tell who those trousers belong to. He wears
them like everyday." Naomi squealed. "You totally banged Flynn!"

"Mum is right upstairs!" I shushed her.

"Right, sorry." She pursed her lips together but there's was still that hint of a
smile playing on her lips.

"Flynn?" Liam questioned. "Doesn't he like, have a girlfriend?"

"It's an open relationship." I shrugged. Flynn was definitely sexually active and
his girlfriend was also and everyone knew it. Flynn did not seem like some amateur
while we... Did it.

"That's so... Wrong." Liam grimaced.

I shrugged and put my plate in the sink. "Just for the record, we did not go all
the way."

Liam cringed, "thanks for the picture, lil bro."

"No problem." I snickered.

Mum came downstairs some time after and didn't look very happy. Quite the opposite
actually.
"Zach, did you go and see Jace yesterday?"

"No! I swear." I told her.

She came closer to me slowly, too slowly, like a cat about to pounce on its prey.

"I'm going to ask once again, did you-"

"No! I didn't, for God sakes, don't you trust me?" I crossed my arms.

"Of course I do but if your going around sleeping with him then you should tell me
right now."

"Mum, believe when i say that I am still you're little virgin boy." That was a
white lie, technically, I'm a butt virgin.

She nodded and went to the kitchen. I turned around and took a long exhale, pulling
at the strands of my hair.

"I don't understand why she's banning me from seeing Jace." I whined at Liam.

"It's only two weeks." He countered.

Naomi grinned and came over to me, ruffling up my already dishevelled hair. "Time
will pass quicker than you think."

Yeah, I sure hope so.

25. You're More Of A Klutz Than My Uncle

My body trembled as I felt Flynn's fingers burning my skin as he traced around my
abs. His glorified muscles were soon being touched all over by my own hands and his
lips were soon moulded with mine.
It's been like this for the past few days since mum gave me the punishment. Flynn
had been ever so kind to allow me to come over nearly every day just for pleasure
and damn, did he deliver it.
He didn't seem to mind that I was just 'using' him for pleasure, he's accustomed to
it after all, being a sex machine. Usually, he'd get phone calls from random men
and women but today, and all the other times I had been with him, he left his phone
on silent.
Jace was far back in my mind, brushed off to the side. To think I actually loved
him was beyond me. I'm too young to be thinking about love. Like, what is love?
It's a crazy concept that I cannot fathom even if I had tried. Growing up is weird,
I don't want to grow up but I can't help but think about what great things would
happen in the future for me. I could become an uncle, who knows?
Anyway, back to the former thought process, Jace had that Lori girl after all, if
he liked anyone, it was most definitely be her. I mean, she's undoubtedly beautiful
with wavy red hair and a smile that could practially make you melt at the knees.
It's crossed my mind multitudinous times that Jace could possibly be dating her.
He's not the kind of person to spew out everything about him like me. I'm an open
book and he's just closed in.
But right now, all I could think about was Flynn. Handsome Flynn. The same Flynn
who was right now kissing down my torso and getting even lower.
-
I held Jace in an embrace as we met for the first time in donkey's years. Okay,
perhaps not years but it sure felt like it. It was Wednesday and that meant I only
had about a week left until I can see Jace outside school and it also meant my
laundry punishment was nearly over- thank the lord. Hauling baskets of clothes and
hanging them up on the washing line was definitely not the highlight of my life.
Laundry punishment had been interesting; mum usually checks the pockets of all our
clothes before they go in the wash and now that it was my job, I've come to suspect
something is a little dodgy with Naomi.
And before you ask, yes, we do wash her clothes because she's here so often and she
gets on well with my mum.
Last Sunday, I found some condoms in Naomi's pockets and you're probably thinking
'so what?' But here's the interesting part, they weren't the ones that Liam
prefers- they weren't even his size.
Ok, now I sound like a creep.
I knew Liam's condom preferences because where else could I have gotten condoms
from last minute before I lost my virginity to a girl named Claire a few months
ago?
No, I'm not a mug so I know that something's up with Naomi that she isn't telling
us. It's made question her faithfulness- she could be cheating on Liam for all I
know. I could only begin to wonder why she would want to cheat on him, even after
he's given her the stupid bracelet. Sure, Liam could be a right dickhead sometimes
but he's whipped so he wouldn't ever show that side of him to Naomi, he really only
shows it to me and that's hardly ever. It's hard for me to say this but Liam is
actually kind hearted and lovable; everyone likes his company and he likes everyone
else's. That guy- despite his huge obsession with gummy bears - would let you have
the last few pieces.
I'm not that lovable, I've been told that I am pretty gobby and maybe a tinsy bit
selfish but I can't help it. Just on Monday, Calvin had asked me for my honest
opinion on some girl he had been chasing after for a few weeks and well, I
expertise in bluntness so my response wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear. In
fact, he blanked for the whole day after that.
So what? I'm allowed to be honest. I do tend to be brutally honest but honest
nonetheless.
"Earth to Zach." Jace clicked his fingers in my face.
"Oh hey."
"You alright there mate? You seemed to be in a bit of a daze." He snorted.
"Yeah, I'm good." I said.
He shrugged his shoulders. "One moment you're hugging me and the next, not even
realising it."
I shoved his shoulders and he stumbled back but then pulled him towards me so that
I could actually hug him and pay attention to it. I liked his hugs, they made you
feel all warm and cozy.
I stepped backwards but it turns out there was a table behind me. I nearly tripped
and hit my head but Jace grabbed my shirt and pulled me towards him again.
"Calm it, you plonker. Don't want a repeat of history now, do we?" He grinned as he
smoothed out the crease he made on my shirt.
"If it means I can have Starbucks after with you then I'm up for it." I grinned,
remembering the first time I met Jace and he hit me with the door. "My inner white
girl is screaming." I added.
We walked to the usual place we sit and I nearly tripped over a chair that wasn't
tucked in.
"Even my uncle isn't as clumsy as you."
The next two hours passed rather quickly, much to my disappointment. The next time
I'd be able to see him would be Friday, during lunchtime. Our physics teacher had
told us we could use the classroom to do a simple practical that involves pushing a
car down a ramp... Fun.
"So your mum is actually serious?" He asked as we made our way to the front of the
school.
"Yes, it's been ages since she's given me a punishment. I don't know why she's all
of a sudden being all strict on me and not on Liam." I sighed.
"Are you sure there's no favouritism going on?"
"If there is, I am and always will be her favourite." I grinned. "Liam and her
hardly ever do stuff together but when I'm with my mum, I help her cook and garden.
Ever since I came out to her though, she's been bugging me to go shopping with her,
it's annoying as hell."
Jace didn't answer with a stupid comeback like usual and I glanced to my left,
seeing his with his hands clasped over his mouth and his eyes crinkled at the
edges.
"Hey! Stop laughing!" I shoved his right arm with mine and he stumbled away a few
steps before charging at me and making me stumble towards the right from the force.
I started laughing and used my hands to shove his entire body and he shot me the
most offended look ever. With a glint in his eye, he charged at me again and pinned
me against the desk at the reception violently. His hands were at my waist, burning
me through the thin jacket I was wearing and then, with one swift movement, he
pulled down the hood on my head and seduced me in a close lipped kiss. My hands
found their way to his shaggy hair and I completely messed it up by running my
fingers through it.
By now, the school was deserted. It was late and everyone had gone home. The only
people in the school were teachers that were sat in their classrooms to finish off
some marking but nobody was in the reception at this ungodly hour.
Jace's eyes flitted from my eyes and then back down to my lips after we had
separated. He gave me a small peck, causing my insides to explode before stepping
back a little to a reasonable, breathable proximity. The warmth of his body against
mine and soon gone and had been replaced by a sudden coldness. My puckered lips
turned into a frown and my arms reached out, motioning Jace to hug me.
And he did, but not before adding something like "God, you're needy." Warmth and
affection filled my chest once more and I nuzzled my face in the crook of his
shoulders and by his ear. When I say nuzzled, I literally do mean nuzzled, as in
moving my head left and right like a creep.
He shoved me back harshly again and muttered huskily in my ear, his hot breath
fanning my ear and sending my body into a frenzy. "You might want to sort that
out."
It didn't take a genius to know what he was referring to.
Liam was waiting outside the reception doors in his car and I jumped in the
passenger seat, relishing in the warmth.
"You took your bloody time." He groaned and reversed out of the car park at about
20mph, not even looking properly if there was a car coming. This guy is one
dangerous driver.
"Yeah.. I, uh...uh...umm..." You know that time when your brain basically fails on
you and you have no idea what to reply with? That was one of those times.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Liam smirking, his entire face lit up with
amusement. "You do realise... The reception has a lot of glass windows that you
know...people can see through?"
I slumped in my seat, muttering curses.
"I never actually took you as a romantic but.. You're whipped."
"What? No I'm not.." I crossed my arms. I wouldn't go as far as saying I'm whipped;
I literally just had sexy time with Flynn for god's sakes.
"My my.. What a manwhore you are." He snickered as he turned into the driveway.
I had said that aloud hadn't I?
"Shut up, I'm just confused." I slapped his arm pathetically and jumped out the
car.
"I like Jace." Liam shrugged. "Flynn has sex with like... Everyone. At least Jace
doesn't have some crazy sex addiction."
I already knew Flynn was quite the man slut. His entire room just smells of sex all
the time and he's on his phone to random people 99.7% of the tine.
"Whatever," I sighed. "I'm absolutely knackered."
The warm and fuzzy smell of freshly made pizza filled my nose and dragged me to the
kitchen where mum and dad were both cooking. Mum was placing a pizza in the oven
and dad was spreading sauce all over a base.
"Oh my god, it smells so good." I walked up to the counter and grabbed some cheese
and shoved it all into my mouth, earning a glare from dad.
"Your father insisted we make fresh pizza instead of getting a take out." Mum said
and then turned around to face me, "go get changed and take your bag off. That
hoodie absolutely stinks of extremely strong aftershave."
"Hey! It's a nice aftershave." I crossed my arms over my chest, defending Jace's
heavenly aftershave.
My mum stared me down and pointed towards the kitchen door. I sighed and clambered
up the stairs and flung open my door.
I threw my bag down somewhere by my bed and found a package waiting for me in my
room, a rather huge package, like, it was at least half a metre in length. I walked
up to it and began picking off the tape and then:
"RAWR." A female voice screamed in my face, a female with long brown hair and a
Tiffany & Co necklace. The abrupt greeting scared the life out of me and I moved
backwards.
"Molly?! What the fu-"
"I came to visit you!" She boomed, "...and Cassie."
"And nearly give me heart attack?"
"Are you going to help me out or are you going to stand there and complain?"
I was beginning to help her out when a thought crossed my mind. "Do you not have
school?"
"I have until next Tuesday off." She shrugged.
"Why?"
"Suspended."
Typical Molly.
I cant actually believe that I once hated her, I mean, once you get to know her,
she isn't all that bad. I mean, you could joke around with her and whatnot but one
thing you cannot do is snap her lipsticks or even go near her make up.
That's what I learnt later on that evening when she dipped my toothbrush in the
toilet bowl and made herself comfortable in my bed, taking up every inch of the
space.
"So, you and Cassie huh?" I smirked, remembering the employee that caught Molly's
eye in Build-A-Bear.
"Can we not talk about it right now?" She asked, grinning sheepishly and hiding her
face with the duvet.
"If you don't want to talk about it then I'm not going to complain if you get the
hell out of my room."
"Oh for crying out loud," she uncovered her face, "we're seeing each other.. That's
it."
"Oh really? Are you sure that's it?" I wiggled my eyebrows.
"Yes.... So you and Jace?"
"It's complicated."
"I have time." She grinned.
And then I spewed everything out to her and it all just flowed out so rapidly, I
don't even know if she caught half of it. I told her every small detail, unable to
shut my mouth. Open book, remember?
"So.." She gathered up her thoughts and took a few moments after I had finished,
"you're ass over elbow for Jace but not for Flynn?"
"Well, no, I like Flynn and Jace for different reasons. They both trigger different
feelings. If only I could combine them, then that would be the perfect man for me."
I giggled. I actually giggled.
"Huh." She bobbed her head slightly, "well, I mean, you're confused and you need to
gather up your thoughts and figure this out because right now, you're leading on
the both of them."
"Guess so."
"It's not going to turn out well in the end because they're both close to you."
"I know."
Dad came charging in the room a few minutes later while Molly and I were talking
about Cassie.
"It's two o clock! Go to sleep!" He yelled and rubbed at his eyes.
"You fo real?" I cocked an eyebrow. It can't be two in the morning already.
"Yes! You have school tomorrow, sleep, now." He ordered. "Goodnight Zach, Goodnight
Molly."
"Night." We both answered and wrapped ourselves up in the duvet.
"Night Zach, don't think of Jace too much." She giggled after my dad left and
turned the opposite way so her back was facing me.
Like that was possible, he's nearly always on my mind.
-----
A/N
YAASSS. So, come on, I had to bring back Molly at some point because she's a great
character and what better time than in the middle of current dilemma Zach is in
between Flynn and Jace?

26. The Name Is Not Jimmy.

Jace's POV (this will surprise ya-- it's something I've been planning and I figured
some people could relate)

I set down my keys on the mantlepiece when I got home and took of my jacket and
left it on the staircase to take upstairs later on. As usual, I scurried into the
living room and picked up the remote, Deal or No Deal was waiting for me.

"Jace, here, now." My father boomed from the kitchen. It's cool, I was used to it
by now. He was so loud that once, our neighbours had a go at us for being obnoxious
and disturbing their beauty sleep.

I groaned into the cushion before slamming the remote down and sliding open the
glass door that separated the living room and the kitchen. The kitchen tiles felt
cold under my feet and the room carried a stench that smelt a lot like whisky.

"Jimmy," my dad started in his usual drunken slur, I wanted to correct him but I
knew I shouldn't. "Shouldn't you be a little more caring of your sister?"

"What?"

"Shouldn't you be a little-"

"I heard what you said but what do you mean." I mentally face palmed myself a
million and one times.

"She was home alone while you were galavanting with that boy of yours!" He all but
yelled.

"She..I... Wait- she's your blooming daughter! Why do I have all the
responsibilities huh?"

Nice one Jace.

Shouting at some old drunken dude.

"I work so that we can afford this house and so we can eat! What do you do?" He
yelled.

I crossed my arms over my chest, my heart was racing. I so badly wanted to go and
punch the wanker in the face. He wasn't always like this, he only goes on a binge
maybe two or three times a month. When he's sober, he's the most friendliest, most
loving person you would know but when he's drunk, he's an absolute disgrace of a
father. He's just mean and for some reason, he blames everything on me. Whether it
was because I'm not his biological son or because we can never relate to each
other, I don't know.
The worst part? I actually believe all the accusations thrown at me.

To think I get compared to this guy because of my friendliness is beyond me. I feel
insulted.

"She can't stay home alone! She's far too young, she could get kidnapped or raped
and it'll be all because you care more about that boy than your own sister.
Honestly Jimmy, you should've been home. It was lucky that I finished my shift
early today."

Oh god, if something did happen, it'll be all my fault. Sure, Cam is like what?
Thirteen? But she's naive, she's easily manipulated.

"You already know fully well about those girls that are hurting her! What they they
snuck in and attacked her like the rabid animals they are?"

"Shut up! Shut up!" I wiped both my hands down my face, feeling the tears that
slipped down my face.

Oh for fucks sake Jace, man the hell up, you big baby. How are you going to protect
your sister when you're a wimp.

"Why are you crying now?" Dad groaned out and took a big gulp of beer.

"Just shut up." I never say shut up to him when he's sober because he'd probably
flip out and there's never really a reason to say it to him anyway. "Where is she?"
I yelled.

"Upstairs." He muttered.

I shot upstairs, tears streaming down my face. Camellia has been bullied for a few
weeks now. I have no idea why they'd pick on her, but they do.

I flung open her door and saw her laying in bed, tucked under the duvet cover and
staring up at the ceiling. The room was dark and it was eerily quiet, almost
haunting. Her blonde curls were all tangled and her pink pillowcase had dark spots
from liquid on them.

"Hey there." I spoke calmly, nothing like the yelling I was doing earlier.

"I heard you shouting. It's that time of the month I guess." She spoke
monotonously.

I sat on the edge of her bed, and grabbed her arm. She wasn't reluctant to show me
at all, which made me happy because I knew she trusted me. She trusted mum too but
she will never tell her about the bullying because as soon as my mum hears about
it, she'd probably be coming after the bullies with chainsaws.

Just a slight exaggeration there.

Scratches marked her tender skin, each mark a new injury. They usually faded after
a while so nobody really sees them unless they stare intently for ages.

"What did they do this time?"

"Jessica got her nails out. They're like cat claws."

I took a sharp intake of breath. It was weird, just a few weeks ago, Camellia was
jokingly threatening me about how she wanted to tell this Jessica girl about mine
and Zach's misadventures but now, she hates Jessica's guts because she was kicked
out of their friendship clique by her for a stupid reason- she was too kind.
Camellia is probably the most sweetest girl in her class and that's probably the
reason these girls hate her so much. Apparently kindness isn't appreciated these
days.

"Cam, just one more year and you can move to Southside for your GCSE's." I smiled.

"I hope the grades I earn this year will allow me to move there." She muttered.

Southside was a school that was quite a few miles away from here, right on the
other side of the county, on the border of it in fact. Camellia had been planning
to go there ever since she joined secondary school because even though it's a
little pricy, it's a gorgeous all girls school with top of the line teachers. The
only problem was that it only taught year 10, 11, 12 and 13.

As devastated I would be no longer having Cam in the same school as me so I can

keep a watchful eye on her (whenever our timetables aren't clashing), I wanted her
to be happy. She's clever and she is actually able to progress onto a better future
and deep down, I know the people that go to Southside aren't bullies like the few
people at Kingston.

I ran my fingers through her long blonde hair, mimicking what Zach did when I lay
on his lap. It was a simple action but it felt nice and relaxing. "Cam there is no
way you're not going to get the grades."

"You used to believe you could get the grades but you never did so you stayed at
Kingston." She sighed.

It was true, I used to dream of going to the all boys Southside school which is a
couple minutes walk from the all girls one but I never met the grade expectations.

"Yeah well," I shrug, "I still don't doubt you meeting the expectations."

"I'm scared to go there though." She said quietly.

"What why?"

"Because... I'll only be home during the half terms." She groaned, "living there
will be weird."

"I'm sure you'll do fine." I kissed her on the forehead and she gave me a perplexed
look.

"What?"

"Ewwww." She made a grossed out face and rubbed rapidly at her forehead.

A few silent moments later, she composed herself and looked up at me with big brown
eyes. "I have a confession."

"What is it?"

"You know when I said i'd tell Jessica about you and Zach..." she looked back up at
the ceiling, not bothering to finish her sentance.

"You didnt." I stood up off the bed. Me and Zach weren't even a couple! Oh my god,
I'm totally screwed. Jessica is going to screw up mine and Zach's life with no
hesitation, she'd going to force us out the closet, she'd going to-
"Why?" I crossed my arms. "I told you not to!"

"She was my best friend!" Camellia retorted.

"Well look at her now!" I held up arms up in the air and ran my fingers through my
hair. "For god's sake Cam!"

And then I walked out.

- - - -

Zach's POV

I brought this nifty piece of jewellery while going to the market with Molly.
Apparently she just loves going to the market and looking at all the spices and
fruit on sale there.

Yeah right.

The piece of jewellery I brought was a necklace that had some weird symbol. It was
an plus symbol on it with ninty degree legs and dots in each square. It looked
pretty but I still didn't understand it. Luckily for me, Molly knew about it and
thats partially why she likes going to the markets. The necklace had a stringy kind
of chain that looked like twine and it was a brownish colour. The pendant was gold
and had tiny little ornate patterns on the symbol.

"It's beautiful." she smiled as she put the necklace around my neck and clasped the
lock together.

"Thanks, I totally rock it, I know." I snickered.

"No, ew." she smirked. "You just make it look abosolutely rubbish."

"You know thats a lie." I wiggled my eyebrows.

Cassie popped up behind Molly, long blonde hair falling on her shoulders and down
her back. She wrapped her arms around Molly's neck from behind and I made a gagging
noise.

"Oh quit it." Cassie said in her thick austallian accent and rolled her eyes.

"Never!" I yelled and earned a few stares.

Cassie glanced around the area,"you're so embarrassing."

I stuck my tongue out at her and skipped off. Yup, you heard it right, skipped off.
I found myself stood infront of a Moroccan themed market, it looked quite busy and
it smelt so nice. I found out that it was a bodycare and skincare market, selling
all different types of oils, shampoos and conditioners.

"Why don't you get this massage oil for Jace." Molly said, wiggling her eyebrows. I
scoffed and waved her off, looking at the body scrubs.

"Oh come on, i'm sure he'll love it.. I know you would." Cassie giggled.

I rolled my eyes and walked close to where they were stood, snatching the small
bottle of oil from their hands and reading it.
Jasper's 'Love You' Rose And Camomile Scented Massage Oil.

Love Your Body with the 'Love You' range. Camomile and Rose leaves your body
feeling stress free, glowing and feeling absoloutely devine! Enjoy by yourself or
with someone special, they'll Love You!

"We'll get the entire 'Love You' range." Molly said and pulled out a fifty pound
note from her purse casually.

"What? Molly!" I tried to stop the man from picking out the entire 'Love You' range
but he wouldn't stop. Instead he kept repeating something like 'oh yes, very good
very good.'

"Molly!" I groaned out loud and tried to snatch the money away from her so she
couldn't pay but it crossed my mine that she could have a whole wad of fifties in
her bag. I mean, I have no clue why she all of a sudden think i'm going to jump
Jace at any given moment. And with massage oil? that's a little weird.

"Aww you're blushing!" Cassie grinned and pinched my cheeks and jiggling them and
putting them into a frown and-

"Leave my cheeks alone!" I slapped her hands away and crossed my arms over my
chest, glaring at the two evil demons stood infront of me.

"We're kidding Zachy-poo!" Molly giggled, "But we're seriously not kidding about
giving Jace these oils."

"And what if I don't give Jace the oils?" I cocked a brow.

"Then we'll give it to him."

Goddammit.

"Now we need to find a gift bag." Cassie grinned.

Back at home, I decided to sit around in my room aimlessly. My eyes were trained on
the red gift box in front of me that was big enough to fit the oils that Molly
brought and something extra.

Something like a familiar blue ornate wristband with a leathery feel and a gold
snake pattered on it.

So maybe I wasn't thinking this through, maybe I was just being stupid but then
again, I really wanted to give the bracelet to Jace and Jace only.

Ok sure, it's a stupid concept, you know, the bracelet thing and Torvux but
Calvin's given me an earful about hogging my bracelet, being unaffectionate and
about the fact he's giving second thoughts about the best friend thing.

Part of me hoped he wouldn't because I don't quite want to come out of the closet
to my school just yet but another part of me wanted to, my cocky side. Like I said,
my school is generally open minded and if someone did try picking on me about being
gay then screw then because hurtful names don't affect me but physical pain
however, did hurt. I've never been bullied before but I know that if someone messed
around with me, they get the wrath of Liam and my mum and that's the worst kind of
wrath.
Of course, Liam's reputation would be on the line and that's partially what's
holding me back. Maybe in a year or so when he's gone off to university, maybe
that's a good time to come out.

Glancing at the box again and then the bracelet that I was fiddling with, I kept
having the exact same thought process.

I just really wanted Jace to wear this bracelet.

In between me miming 'Jace, I love you' multitudinous times to see how it feels,
Molly walked in the room with a towel turban on her hair and another towel wrapped
around her body, showing off cleavage.

"You look constipated."

"I have a dilemma."

She glanced around the room, looking from the oils to the box to the bracelet and I
guess she got the picture. "you want to give your bracelet away?"

"Yes and to Jace." I sighed.

"Why?" She grabbed some clothes from her suitcase but froze in the spot when she
heard what I said next.

"Because I fucking love him okay?" It was easy to say that out loud given the
amount of times I've practiced. The words just rolled off my tongue and this time,
were voiced instead of mimed and this time, I really felt it.

I loved Jace.

I know I thought it before but to be honest, I really, honestly, loved Jace and I'm
sure about it.

"And you're serious about this?"

"I'm as serious as a baby being hit by a truck." I deadpanned.

"So do it then." she shrugged. "He'd be ecstatic."

"Really?"

"Yes, why wouldn't he? If your real serious about this then you should give it to
him but only when you stop fucking around with Flynn."

There's always a catch.

----

A/N: I've attached a picture on the side of a bracelet that's kind of close to what
I pictured in my head of the Torvux braclets. Unfortunately, I couldn't find one
that looked even closer to what I pictured so yeah.. oh and instead of the charm in
the middle, picture it as a gold snake (and not as a charm but a pattern on it
instead)

Colours of bracelets: (not really that important)

Zach: Midnight Blue

Flynn: Manky green (lol)
Liam's: Brown

27. It's What Best Friends Do

flynn to the side

--

"Our school could have a gay-straight alliance." Jace chirped in while we were fake
listening to our English teacher. He was fiddling with his pencil and I could tell
his palms were sweaty because it left wet marks on his paper, the pencil and the
desk.

"Maybe." I shrugged. "I don't think anybody would join it though."

"Maybe if you did then..." He glanced my way, a cheeky grin playing on his lips.

"Woah woah, that's a conversation for another time."

I fiddled with my bracelet, loosening it then tightening it and repeating. I so

badly just wanted to reach over and put it on for him but I couldn't and I felt
like am absolute coward.

"By the way, I wanted to tell you something." he said and played with his hair. I
just nodded, urging him on while my mind skimmed over to what he could potentially
say.

Zach, I think I love you.

Do you want to come over after school? we could play video games.

I liked the latter one because he and I both knew that we weren't actually going to
play video games. No, we were going to do other stuff. I liked the former too
because It meant my feelings weren't unrequited.

"We need to spend some time apart." That was not what I was expecting. Is this his
way of saying he didn't like my company or that he's found somebody else he could
spend time with?

I was so excited this week because my punishment would be over tomorrow and now
he's saying he wants to spend time apart? The bell went and I still hadn't fathomed
why he wouldn't want to spend time with me? I thought he liked my company!

We both shuffled out of the classroom together and made our way to the science
block where Jace had his lesson next and I had another lesson not too far from
there, just like every Friday.

"I don't understand why?" I sighed as we both leaned out backs against the wall
near his classroom and we waited for the next class to get out. Mr Donovan was
always keen to get all of the powerpoint done, even if that mean letting the class
out ten minutes late.

The door opened and a bunch of year eights shuffled out, talking to their friends
and causing havoc by blocking up the coridoor. A girl with long brown hair put in
to a messy plait stood infront of us and made a heart shape with fingers motioned
it towards Jace and I, grinned and then she stamped on Jace's foot.

Yes, you heard it right.

"Ow! What the fuck!" He yelled for everyone in the coridoor to hear.

Cam came out of the classroom also, swinging her satchel on and caught Jace's eyes
and then mine. She glared at the girl who hurt Jace. "Jessica, that's my brother!"

"Oh shut up you priss." she gave all three of us a glare and caught up to her
friends. Cammie caught Jace trying to recover from the pain, it wasn't that hard,
he was jumping around like a lunatic. I was just stood still, frozen in my place,
with no idea what to do or say.

"Um, wow?" I tried.

"We'll explain later, right now, I have class." Jace sighed and relaxed into
Cammie's hug. Where Cammie's sleeves rolled up her arm from leaning up, I saw
marks.

"Uhm, Cam, are you self harming?" I cocked a brow. Okay, boo all you want, I'm
terrible at these things and I'm blunt as fuck, so don't blame me.

"No?" she said and then glanced at her arm and hastily rolled her sleeves down
again.

I wiped a hand down my face and then pulled at the roots of my hair, messing it up.
This was all too overwhelming.

Jace turned to me and placed a hand on my shoulder and looked me dead in the eye
with a pained expression from the whole foot thing. I frowned, I seriously wanted
to go find that girl and pull her stupid plait right out of her hair. "Let's meet
at lunchtime okay?"

I just nodded and made my way to my next lesson. I couldn't concentrate in it, it
was difficult to even write today's date in my notebook because I couldn't even
remember it with so many thoughts running around in my mind. I tried to piece
everything together but I just couldn't. Who the hell did that girl think she was
stamping on Jace's foot and calling Camellia a priss, huh?

"Zach, the bell went like, 5 minutes ago." some dude informed me and I packed away
everything in to my rucksack and bolted it to Jace's room.

When the entire class came outside except Jace, I walked into the room and saw him
talking to Mr Donovan. Jace saw me and ushered me over and put an arm around my
shoulders.

"Zach was a witness." Jace told the teacher who was writing away at a notepad. "So
can you seperate my sister from Jessica, it would be so helpful and if you could
also get Jessica's parents in, that would be great."

"This is a serious issue and I'll be taking this up with the safeguarding team at
the school. I'll seperate the two and keep a close eye out aswell as warn the other
teachers of the classes they have together but it's up to the safe guarding team to
get things like suspension involved." Mr Donovan explained with his hoarse voice.

"Okay, thanks." Jace muttered and scurried out the room. I followed.

"So... explain, please?" I asked him. The coridoors were relatively empty because
It was lunchtime and everyone would either be in the cafeteria or the quad so It
was okay to discuss it here.

"Well, Camellia's getting bullied by the girl who stomped on my foot. They used to
be best friends."

"Why?" I cocked a brow and took all the information in.

"I guess it's because Camellia is too... pure? Too kind? I don't know the right
word." Jace scratched the back of his neck. "That's why Jessica called her a
priss."

"Oh right."

"Please don't tell anyone. I don't want to add fuel to the fire." Jace said.

I contemplated it. If there's one person that could be a living nightmare, it was
Molly and it too tempting to tell Molly so Jessica would never bother Cam or Jace
ever again. I had to make my decision fast because Molly was leaving Monday night.

When I didn't answer, Jace sighed.

"Why did you want us to spend time apart?" I felt like my heart was ripping in two
and I also felt a little dizzy.

"Oh right.. Jessica knows about when Cam saw us in my room." His cheeks flushed and
he fiddled with his fingers. "And she might tell everyone, even though we're not
together."

"Whatever happens, if the school finds out, we're in this together." I gave him a
reassuring smile and grabbed his arm, pulling him to the far back corner of the
school's field. It was windy and cold and it was deserted except for the other
corner of the field where the smokers hid. You could literally see smoke coming
from behind the trees but the teachers never actually tell them off because they
never listen.

"I know but still, we'd be forced out of the closet and you have your reputation
and Liam's and-"

"Jace, just shut up." I snickered and pulled him into a hug. "It'll all be okay." A
familliar warmth fillled my chest and I hugged him tighter.

"I hope so." he sighed. "I hope Jessica stops hurting Cammie too."

"Me too."

"You wanker!" Flynn roared.

"Stop getting mad!" I yelled.

"No! I really liked you, Zach."

"We can't be together!"

"But I really like you." he whined and almost resembled a cute puppy.

"No, you don't, we only lusted after each other and you know that," I rolled my
eyes. "Plus, if you're going round having sex with everyone then we can't be
together because it's noncommittal."

"But Zach..."
"You're already in a relationship, Flynn." I told him. "You can't even properly
keep that one, I'm sorry but it's true." He looked down at the floor and sighed, a
drop of water fell to the ground and I pulled him into a hug. "You'll always be my
best friend, but that's it."

He sniffled, "Fine. Who's the lucky person then?"

A small smile placed itself on my lips, "Just, someone."

"Come on, give me a name." he urged me.

"Jace Chapman."

"Never heard of him."

"Not many people do." I said. "Thank you for understanding."

"That's what best friends do." he sighed.

We separated and he walked to his dresser, changing from a dress shirt, sweater and
cargo pants to a comfy pair of grey sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt. It was
weird seeing him so casually dressed when he's always wearing smart clothes.

"You wanna play PlayStation then?" he cocked a brow and I smiled and nodded. It was
just like old times. "Don't cry when I win."

"That happened once, when we were like eight! It's not going to ever happen again
anyway because I'm going to win." I flashed a cocky smirk.

"That was funny. You couldn't stop crying even when your mum came to pick you up
and you ignored me the day after that."

"It's in the past, okay?" I sighed and sat cross legged in front of the TV while he
changed the CD in the PlayStation. He handed me a controller and then we quickly
became completely immersed into the game.

"I win! In your face!" I stuck my tongue out at him and he crossed his arms over
his chest.

"Whatever, I let you win."

"Right, uh huh." I snickered and got up and went to his kitchen.

I was in the middle of pouring some pepsi into two glasses when Flynn joined me and
leaned his head against his hand that was propped up on the table by his elbows. He
looked unhappy and I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, Flynn, I am sure of my feelings."

"But come on... I could be a way better boyfriend."

"No because you're what we called a prostitute."

"Ouch." He mimicked hurt. "I perfer the term 'bum boy',"

"How is that any better?" I snickered.

"It's not." he laughed. "I don't know about it though, Marcie wants us to have a
proper relationship."

"Really? That's great."

"No it's not." He sighed, "I love sex too much."

"Wow." I took a sip of my drink and he copied. "I think it would be good for you."

"Yeah but, I don't want to." He shrugged.

"You know Calvin gave me permission to give my bracelet to a best friend." I said,
"I want to give it to Jace but not because he's my best friend."

"You know, talking about Jace with me isn't a great idea."

"I'm just saying, you can get a committed boyfriend if you want and give your
bracelet to him and the school won't care because they think it's a best friend
exchange."

"Yeah, but, I don't know. I'm not into relationships like that, I just like sex."

"You'll grow out of it, I'm sure." I poured more soda in both our glasses and took
a sip.

He sighed and we sat in silence for a few moments but then he stood up and went to
the drinks cabinet, taking out a bottle of Jack Daniels. He mixed some in with his
Pepsi and offered me some but I decided to pour it in myself and only put a tiny
bit in.

"Zach Man, you gotta tell that boyfriend of yours about us. He'd be absolutely
devastated if you kept it in." Flynn slurred a few drinks later.

And that was when I realised Flynn has morals.

"I know but he's caught up with some shit at school so I don't think now is a good
idea." I sat on the bar stool next to him and he poked my arm in an attempt to grab
my attention as if he didn't have it already.

"Bro, you gotta tell him before you're both official." Talking to drink Flynn was
weird, he was actually making sense and he wasn't trying to make moves either. "I
really like you man and as happy I'd be if you two didn't get together, I'd feel
horrible too. I want you to be happy."

"I am happy. Jace is very understanding." I rubbed at my eyes, beginning to feel

tired. "I'm gonna go home."

"Why don't you stay? We'll have separate beds if you want."

He is so understanding, Drunk Flynn is weird. The last time we had separate beds
was at our first sleepover, when I felt hesitant to share my first night with
someone else outside my family. After that, instead of taking out the extra bed
from underneath his, we slept top and tail because if I felt his breathing on my
face, I'd flip. Flynn breathes like a damn horse.

"Fine." I nodded and put the drinks away in the cabinet. "Thank you."

"Why?" He shot me a goofy smile.

"Just.. thanks. You're my best best best friend in the world and that'll never
change."

"Yup." He popped the p as he handed me a change of clothes.

I got dressed and helped him take out the extra bed from underneath his and have it
stand up on its fold up legs and then helped him lay down the mattress cover and
duvet. I sent a quick text to my mum who'd worry if she didn't know my whereabouts
and probably punish me again before wrapping myself up into a burrito with the
duvet and falling asleep.

The morning after, I felt a headache coming along and I shakily walked in to the
bathroom and grabbed a new toothbrush from a cupboard because a Flynn has an
infinite supply of toothbrushes.

He joined me a little while after and unzipped his pants, relieving himself before
zipping up again. "What's the time?"

I mumbled something incoherent, it was kind of hard to form a normal sentence with
toothpaste in your mouth. Even I didn't know what I was trying to say. Flynn looked
at me from the mirror that covered the whole wall infront of the sink and I saw
tears well up in his eyes.

I spat the toothpaste out and rinsed my mouth before walking over to where he stood
and swiped my thumb across his cheek, getting rid of a tear that slipped.

"I just.. I like you so much." he sighed. "But I literally can't be commited."

"You'll grow out of it," I repeated what I told him last night. "You'll find your
prince. I'm sure he'd come around and sweep you off your feet."

"Or princess." he chuckled and rubbed at his eyes.

"Or princess." I smiled.

28. Award Winning Father

[Zach's POV]

Today had been a strange day. Jace was quiet and not his usual self during our
session. It was a Saturday and even though we had no school, the building was open
because of a theatre performance so Jace really wanted to have it at school instead
of at his house like usual, before the punishment.

Today was the day that marked two weeks since I slept over Jace's house and I was
finally able to see him after school hours. I thought, that he'd want me to come
over his house so we can get it on, like last time but apparently there's
renovations being done so it's too noisy to have a physics lesson there and
somebody might walk in on us at the wrong time.

So we had our physics session at school, in room 42 and you could hear the school
musical going on down the hall because we were directly under the auditorium. They
played Michael Jacksons Blame It On The Boogie and I started awkwardly dancing in
an attempt to cheer a certain someone up but alas, it didn't work. He just held a
phlegmatic expression the whole time.

"Dude? What's up?" I asked him as I tucked my chair underneath the table.

"Camellia." He sighed.
"Come on, I bet that's not even everything."

And then he looked at me the same way I look at the last jar of Nutella.

"How'd you guess?"

"I know things." I smirked, "so what is it?"

"Nothing for you to worry about." He sluggishly swung his rucksack on and took off
his black thick framed glasses, using his t-shirt to clean them and then putting
them back on.

"You're weird." I pointed out, blunt as ever of course.

"Gee thanks, tell me something I don't know."

"I'm just saying, you're being all quiet and it's bugging me and for the first time
ever, you're wearing your glasses on school grounds instead of your contact
lenses."

"Didn't realise my glasses annoyed you that much." He said monotonously.

"They don't, I like them." I smiled. He just made a 'hmm' noise as a response.
"Stop being moody, come on, Molly's waiting outside." I grabbed his hand and
intwined our fingers, dragging him out the room. His touch sent shivers up my spine
and It felt nice.

"Molly?" He cocked a brow.

"Yes, she came over because she had the week off. Suspended."

He snickered, he actually snickered, he showed some sort of emotion!

"Why are you sad?" I asked him once again and put my lips into a frown.

"Nothing."

"That's so believable."

"I know right."

I wondered how somebody could be witty and sarcastic while they're sad at the same
time and then I remembered that Jace wasn't just somebody. This was Jace and he
could never lose his wit, even at the rough times.

"Spill."

And then he hugged me, and this was one of the very few times he has initiated the
hug. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist and his head fit perfectly in the
crook between my shoulders and neck. I used my free hand to comfort him by running
it up and down his back.

I didn't care that we were stood outside in the school's car park where people
might spot is. Jace was obviously very upset and he needed comforting and I was
going to be the one to help him no matter what. It hurts to see someone so close
you so upset, it literally tears you apart. We were together in whatever his issue
is and I was not going to drop out, ever. Not even if I was offered a million
pounds or an infinite supply of pizza.
"You don't want to tell me? Fine." I sighed. I wasn't going to force it out of him,
that's just mean but I really wanted to know at the same time.

"I do... I just, I don't know." He mumbled into my shoulder.

"You know, keeping it in isn't good for you." I informed him. The best way to
resolve something is to share it with other people who can offer their help.

"It's my dad." He looked up at me with sad pale blue eyes. He looked like he was
going to burst into tears at any given moment.

"Vince? What about him?"

"I'm an absolute failure of a brother and son." He said with shaky breaths. He
really wanted to cry.

"No, you're not. Don't say that." He didn't say anything after that but instead,
relaxed his head onto my shoulder again. I continued running my hands up and down
his sides. "Let's go to your place, I'll ask Molly to drop us off there."

"No." He said sternly and gave me an almost pleading look. I could only wonder what
Vince had done to make Jace so upset.

"Why?"

"Because my dad is home and mum's gone abroad for work, again."

"You can't resolve something by walking away from it." I informed him, "you need to
face it head on."

"Ugh, you're always right." He cracked a small, teary smile and pecked me on the
cheek.

"Oh, I know." I said with a smile plastered on my lips. Now he's initiating a
kiss... Now, I could say that I prefer depressed Jace but that would be ruthless of
me; I'd prefer a happy but unaffectionate Jace any day because depressed Jace just
makes me feel sad.

My mum's car pulled up a little while after. I actually heard it from the front of
the car park with the loud music booming through the speakers. You could literally
hear the lyrics word for word because that's how loud it was.

"Come on lovebirds." Cassie grinned as she rolled down her window. Jace gave me a
confused look and I just smiled and told him that it was Molly's girlfriend even
though they weren't dating.

"So this is the infamous Jace." Cassie snickered.

"You weren't supposed to make it obvious to him that I told you!" Molly sighed.

"Oh right, whoops." Cassie grinned sheepishly.

"Molly can you drop me to Jace's house and tell Mum that I'll be home for dinner."

"Kay."

Jace stepped out the car first, I followed suit but was violently yanked back by my
sleeve and rucksack. Jesus Christ, these girls were going to be the death of me.
Cassie grinned at me from the front seat as she chewed on some gum and pulled out a
familiar red box and instantly, my eyes widened.

"Bad time." I told them and Cassie pouted, pulling the box back to her lap.

When Jace and I arrived at the door, I noticed how weary he felt about unlocking
it. When he finally did he kicked his shoes off and put them nearly against the
wall and I copied and then he grabbed my hand, looking down at the ground.

A strong smell of alcohol filled my nose when the door to the living room opened.
Vince was asleep on the sofa, a whisky bottle in his hand and plenty of other
alcoholic beverages surrounding him. Jace's eyes were still glued to the floor and
for a moment, I felt hurt. Hurt for him, hurt for his family, hurt for the lack of
love he receives, hurt because... I felt selfish.

I was always complaining about my own family and when Liam turned his back on me
when I came out, I was upset when really, Jace's issue was ten times worse than
mine. His parents are always away abroad, just like he had once informed me and
Vince being a drunken sod was definitely not a prime example of a loving father who
wants to spend as much time as possible with his children whenever he can.

"He's only on a binge twice a month or so." Jace muttered and shook his head. "It
lasts for a few days."

"Oh." Was all I was able to say.

He started picking up all the glass bottles and taking them to the kitchen so I
helped and soon enough, the living room was decently tidy and Vince was wrapped up
in a warm, wooly blanket.

I left Vince's phone on the coffee table because it had fallen to the floor and I
noticed that it kept flashing because someone kept calling and texting him
continuously. I didn't bother to pick it up or anything but I did catch the name of
the annoying little twat, it was a he and the name of his caller id was 'Eli'. I
just shrugged and faced the phone downwards so that I wouldn't have to see the
screen of it flashing every minute.

"You should find some help for him." I said as we sat down on Jace's bed.

"We've tried." Jace sighed and brought his knees up to his chest.

"But?"

"But it doesn't work. I don't want to go as far as rehab though, I don't want him
to suffer like that. He's still my dad."

"I see."

"I just.. He's so nice when he's sober but when he's drunk, he's just..." A tear
fell down his cheek. "He's awful to me."

My mind wondered to what Vince could do when he's drunk. "He doesn't abuse you-"

"No of course not, he's never laid a finger on me like that ever. He's just...
Mean." He rubbed at his eyes, "yesterday he said I was being a bad brother to
Camellia and it shocked me because he's never said something so horrible."

"Hey," I wiped a tear away, "you're an awesome brother to Camellia and even though
she's being bullied, there's only so much you could do."
"Stop being right!" He cracked a small smile.

"Whatever Vince says, it's all lies. I think you're doing a better job at being a
better person than he is, I mean, it's completely downgrading to be a father of two
and be an alcoholic, right?"

"God, your bluntness is..."

"I know." I grinned, "can't help it." He looked down at the floor again, to his
black socks and glanced to the left of him to his disgraceful father, "we'll help
him together ok?" I caressed his face and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. He
brought his hand up to mine and kept it there, on his cheek.

"Yeah, ok." He mumbled almost inaudibly.

"First we'll start by gathering up all the alcohol in the house." I told him, "and
we'll limit the amount he is allowed."

"It's a start, I guess."

And that's what we did. We gathered up all the alcohol and even snuck into Jace's
parents room to see if there was a hidden stash. As expected, there was. I wasn't
the one to find it because I didn't want to go snooping through Jace's parent's
things but I gave Jace ideas of where it could be in the room. We found two bottles
in the wardrobe, four under the bed and one in the bathroom, hidden behind the
shower curtain.

Then we went searching through the rest of the house. I waved to Cammie when we
walked into her room while she was watching Netflix and she seemed confused. We
explained everything and she flashed the biggest grin I've ever seen on her and
then she made Jace smile too. She closed her laptop and started helping us but she
wasn't doing a good job at searching in the high places because she's a midget.
Jace was a little taller than me and he managed to find a bottle on top of nearly
all the wardrobes of the bedrooms. God, Vince must've been crazy planting bottles
in everyone's rooms.

When we had finally searched through the entire house, we hid it all in the shed,
under the gardening tools and behind the infinite array plant pots. Janine must've
loved gardening. Speaking of Janine...

"Does your mum know about Vince's problem?"

"She's caught him on a binge once, but never again." He shrugged. "I don't want to
tell her about him being on one every single month because she'd get a heart
attack. He only drinks when she's away."

"Do you have any clue why he'd drink so much? Is he depressed or something?"

Jace scratched his head and straightened his glasses on his nose. "It started after
grandpa died, he would never leave his room, he never ate, he was just so...
Detached from the world you know?" I nodded. "Within a couple months, he and mum
earned promotions and started going abroad more than usual for ages at a time..."

"And?"

"Well, they're madly in love obviously, he probably misses her or something, or at

least that's what I think. The man can't even do any housework himself, except for
hoovering of course, but even then he manages to overflow the vacuum bag or he
sucks something up that wasn't meant to be vacuumed. Camellia and I cook on most
nights, the rest of the time, we live off takeaway."

What did I say? Love can do funny things.

"Hey, it's a better love story than Twilight." I countered and chuckled but Jace
just gave me an 'are you kidding me' look, which of course made me chuckle more. I
was only trying to lighten the mood. He didn't laugh at that either, no, he just
stood rigid in his place with fury in his eyes. They once bright blue eyes were now
just a darker shade and they looked stone cold.

"What is it?" I brought my hand back up his cheek and almost resembling a cat, he
hugged his cheek all up against it. "You're so adorable." I say, all my worries
flying out the window at this absolutely adorable sight.

"Now is not the time, Dickwad." He sighed and moved away.

I really did wonder what exactly it was that made his face suddenly contort into
one of fury, I hope I found out soon. I hate being left hanging.

"So uh..." I started, a few silent moments later.

"Um." He replied.

I wiped a hand down my face and pecked his cheek then stood back again, looking him
dead in the eye.

I really like you Jace.

I had to say it.

I just...

But it was such a bad time!

"I..I.." I could feel my face getting hot as well as my entire body. My heart
drummed at an abnormal speed against my chest, it was as if It would just explode
out of my chest at any moment.

Jace took his fingers into my own and raises his eyebrows, ushering me on.

I took a deep breath and took a few moments to compose myself, maybe here wasn't a
great time to say it. It was disturbing that we were in the living room and Vince
was right there. I tugged on his arm and pulled him into the kitchen, closing the
glass door behind me.

"You don't have to tell me you know-" he said but I cut him off.

"I really like you." I confessed to him and had my eyes squeezed shut, even after I
felt a familiar set of lips connected to mine. The kiss ended as soon as it started
and when I opened my eyes again I saw Jace staring up at me with a grin plastered
on his lips. This guy was definitely bipolar or something.

I scratched the back of my neck and brought my other hand to his waist, pulling him
towards me. "I was wondering if you wanted to go on a date?"

"Sure." Was all he said and I let out a long exhale. I felt like a weight had been
lifted off my shoulders. I just confessed my feelings to someone I really like for
the first time ever.
And it felt amazing.

Now I could only wonder where I could take Jace on a date. It's cold and muggy in
England so it has to be indoors. Jace doesn't like sitting for too long either so
dinner is off the list, it's so mainstream, it has to be something practical.

But first...

"You know, you're welcome round my house anytime when your dad's like this, or
anytime in general. I like having you around-" shut up Zach, just shut up! "It's
nice when I get to see you because it brightens up my day and my mum absolutely
loves you. Speaking of her, I think she loves you more than she loves me-"

"Hey," Jace clamped my mouth shut with his hand, "you're rambling."

"I know." I mumbled from behind his hand.

"You're cute." He said casually and sneaked in a cheeky wink.

"I, Zach Hamilton, am not cute!" I crossed my arms across my chest stubbornly.

"You are."

"I learn off the best, obviously." I stuck my chin high up in the air as I motioned
to the boy In front of me.

"Hey! Did you just- did you seriously just backfire my own joke on me?"

"Indeed I did. You're not the only one good at being snarky." I stuck my tongue out
at him and walked back into the living room.

29. Sacrifice
Jace and I stepped in to the leisure centre and instantly embraced it's warmth. He
looked perplexed because I didn't tell him where we were going. The only thing I
did tell him is to wear a pair of sweatpants so that he is comfortable.

The leisure centre was buzzing with all sorts of people, I stepped up to the
reception desk and a man that had 'Lionel' written on his name tag put his phone
down.

"You alright lads?" He asked.

"Hi, er, where is the rock climbing?" I asked.

"Over there on the left, through that archway." He pointed to the right direction
and I thanked him and ushered Jace to follow along.

"Rock climbing?" He asked incredulously.

"Yes." I grinned, "you'll love it."

"But... Rock climbing?"

"Just shh." I shook my head to myself and grabbed his hand, pulling him to the
direction we were told.

There was another reception desk where we could get our gear, I was met with a lady
in her twenties. "Hiya,"
"Hello, could I get a space for two?" I asked.

"Of course," she typed on her computer and asked for my details as well as a pretty
hefty payment but I didn't mind, this was my date with Jace after all.

When we finally received our helmet, shin pads, elbow pads and knee pads and a set
of ugly brown trainers, we went through a set of wooden doors and saw the Rock
climbing facility. It was absolutely enormous and had lots of walls to climb on and
also a ball pit and this giant pit that was like a ball pit but instead had spongy
shapes instead of balls.

The excitement was coursing through me, I was just itching to take Jace here for
the past few days and now the day has come and I'm here with Jace. My first idea
was to do something boring like hang around my place watching a bunch of movies and
eating a gluttonous amount of food but I knew he'd rather get out and do something;
he's always been that kind of person and that's one of the things I liked about
him- it's a change from my lazing around all weekend routine.

"Woah." He glanced around the area.

It was an early Saturday afternoon so there was a lot of children younger than us
running around and making noise and then their parents trying to chase after them.

"Thanks you for this." He grinned and pecked me on the lips.

"Hey, there's nothing to thank me for." I said and pecked him back but on the nose.
He wasn't happy about that.

I knew that Jace would like Rock climbing, it was better than going to some fancy
restaurant where we'd have to dress up like every kind of mainstream date. That
wasn't our type of scene, he'd just be bored. Seeing him with a grin plastered on
his face, now that was something I loved seeing.

We put our gear and specialist shoes on and hurried to the ball pit, of course,
we'd go to the ball pit first.

As soon as we were stood in front of it, Jace dived in as if it was a swimming

pool. He didn't even check if there was anybody within his landing space so if
there was a little kid hiding beneath the balls, he'd probably have broken a bone
by now.

I followed suit and dived in, landing on Jace's back, he let out a loud 'oof' and I
rolled off him and let all the multicoloured plastic balls surround me. I starting
sinking into the balls more because of my weight and there was a point where you
couldn't even see me anymore. Jace walked past me, unknowing that I was right
beneath him and I kicked my leg out to trip him up. It wasn't a very good idea
because he ended up falling on me and intentionally elbowing me.

"Ah, shit... I'm so sorry, oh my gosh... I didn't mean to do that! Honestly, I'm so
sorry!"

"Jace, shut the hell up." I smirked at him and pulled him to me, kissing him hard
on the lips. The pain in my ribs almost disappeared because I was too hung up on
kissing the boy I loved. His knee was pressing into the private area and my arms
were all running up and down his back and the area behind his neck. I turned over,
sending him on the ball pit and me on top without breaking the kiss and I ran my
hands through his long hair that he still hasn't cut.
"There are children around!" He gasped and scrambled away from me.

"We're making a political statement and teaching them that gay is ok." I snickered.

He cracked a smile, thwacked me on the head and pulled us both out of the ball pit,
running to one of the rock climbing walls like a little boy high on sugar. I nearly
tripped over my own feet because he was running too fast.

We put on our harnesses, and even though they were pretty uncomfortable around the
forbidden area, Jace wanted this and I was prepared to go through with it. We
started climbing up the walls at the same time, the idiot was already beating me by
far. His arse was right in my face and I had to stop myself from slapping it, I
mean, it was right in my face and stopping me from climbing higher up. You don't do
that to people.

"You know," Jace started one I caught up to him, "I'm forever grateful for this."

I didn't answer him and instead let him continue.

"Zach this is the best date ever!" He boomed. "I really like you too by the way."

I really like you too.

I like you.

He likes me!

I was caught off guard and fell back, the harness stopped me from face planting the
floor. I had a mini heart attack and then kicked on the rock walls to bring me back
down the floor while I saw the idiot laughing to himself from above me.

"Ha! You flop!" He yelled from the top and then rang the bell, meeting me down on
the ground.

"Shut up." I huffed once he was stood next to me.

"Can we go there next?" He asked and pointed to behind me and to the weird shaped
rock climbing walls.

"We can go wherever you want." I smiled at him and he dragged my arm towards the
other climbing area.

Jace started climbing on the wall and eventually turned upside down due to the
shape of the wall and the placement of the hand and foot bits; he looked all red In
the face and his fingers started to go white, he climbed a little more before
flopping on the safety mat beneath us.

He lay down next to me, on the safety mats while we just watched the world go by.
Hopefully nobody would fall on us, I mean, we were pretty far from the walls but
you never know.

"Having fun?" I asked.

"So much fun." He grinned at me. "Thank you so much for this."

"You already said that, you wally." He stuck his tongue out at me.

We fell into a comfortable silence and I intwined out fingers together and let them
rest on my abdomen. Jace was playing with his hair with his other hand and we just
sat.. Literally for the next twenty minutes or so. It felt like twenty minutes, I
didn't know how long it was really.

He pulled me up with him after being told off by one of the employees and I sighed.
I was comfortable.

We walked over to the pit filled with spongy shapes and Jace started climbing on
the wall next to it, it wasn't a very high wall and didn't require a harness. Most
of the walls didn't need harnesses, it was only the really tall, shapeless ones
that just went straight up.

Once Jace got to the top of the short wall, he completely let go of it and fell in
to the sponge pit and popped his head back up some time after, his black hair all
disheveled and sticking up in random places, my hair was probably like that too,
though, he had longer hair than me so it wouldn't be as messy. I was tempted to
copy what he did, it looked like so much fun.

"That was amazing!" He cried and clambered out of the pit and ran straight to the
wall again. "Are you not going to try it?"

I shrugged and ran to where he stood, climbing up on the wall and sticking my bum
in his face like what he did to me. When I reached the top of the wall, I let go
and fell back, feeling my t-shirt ride up my abdomen and the wind through my hair.
I fell back on the sponge pool and scurried away before Jace fell on top of me.

A little over two hours later, we started making our way back to where we left our
belongings. We both kicked off our shoes and went back to the reception desk to
give all our gear back and then we stepped back into the cool air after ordering a
taxi. You would think that it's April and it would be a little warm but it wasn't,
it was barely reaching ten degrees.

"This was the best date ever!" He boomed and ran up to hug me, I opened my arms
wide and allowed him to fit snugly against my chest.

"It's not finish yet." I grinned.

"Oh, seriously?"

"Yep." I breathed against his hair, "when's the goddamn taxi going to show up?"

When the bloody taxi came to take us away from this stranded area, I gave him
directions to a nearby carnival that starts in about half an hour.

Brights lights flashed in our faces as we passed the carnival. It looked amazing,
you could see a huge tent where there would be a circus and lots of mini concession
stands everywhere. Lots of people wore costumes, it wasn't Halloween, but it felt
like it. I had my face glued to the window, my nose squished up against the glass,
taking in the beauty of the view.

"We're going there?" Jace asked.

"Yup." I grinned at him and grabbed onto his hand.

"But we're wearing sweats?"

"Who cares?" I smirked and him and pecked him on the lips.
He shrugged as a reply and the taxi came to a halt near the entrance. Jace jumped
out the car in lightening speed and came round to my door and waited for me to get
out. He almost resembled an obedient dog and that one thought alone made me
chuckle.

I payed the taxi driver and got out and then Jace and I walked to the entrance that
was lit up with lots of different coloured lights. Nearby, lots of people standing
on tall sticks and clad in suits with extra long leg length walked past us, they
were at least two meters tall.

"Oh my god, it's like the carnies you see in movies!" Jace let out a huge grin and
I could tell that he was just bursting with excitement to hurry and go further into
the park.

"Come on then, slow coach." I winked before running as fast as my legs could carry
me.

Jace caught up to me and jumped on me from behind. I caught him with my hands and
held him on my back.

"The last time we did this was at the shopping centre." Jace pointed out, "look
where we are now! Who would've thought, huh?"

"I know right. You probably thought that I was straighter than a pole or
something." I snickered jokingly.

"Actually, no. I have an awesome gay-dar but it only worked when we started hanging
out more." He commented, "I mean, you stopped getting with girls all the time too
and I don't think a straight person could perfectly co-ordinate an outfit and keep
it simplistic at the same time quite like you."

"At first, with all the girlfriends and all, I would have never thought you were
gay because of the clique thing and Liam and keeping up appearances..." He
continued, "but oh my god, I'm so happy you're gay because now you're all mine."

"Wouldn't go as far as that," I winked and he frowned. "Kidding! I'm all yours."

"Oh good, I'd be annoyed if I had to share... I'm not good with that, I wouldn't
want to share you anyway even if I was good at it."

My cheeks heated up at that and I pulled him higher up my back, he kept slipping
down though because let me tell you something, this boy weighs a ton. In the end,
we found a step so that he could climb on my shoulders instead. It was fun and all
except for when Jace kept complaining about nearly crashing into the fairy lights
everywhere because I didn't duck.

We brought some candy floss and a shit load of sweets and a bunch of other stuff
and then we just ate and ate until our stomachs hurt. Jace's wasn't happy about the
candy floss being pink, he kept complaining about how there is no gender diversity
and that he should sue the candy floss company because of it.

I hoped he wasn't serious though because this candy floss tasted like heaven and I
had the sudden urge to buy my own candy floss machine.

Batman walked past us, as did many other fictional characters like The Hulk,
Spider-Man and even Barbie. They had frickin' Barbie.

I guess it was a reason for girls to put on a crap-ton of make up and wear short
skirts and crop tops and unbelievably high heels.
"Oh my god, now she is absolutely mouth watering. Did you see her chest? I bet she
was like I don't know, an E?" Jace stared like a creep to one of the Barbies that
walked past us.

I felt a pang in my chest.

"I'm gay." I reminded him. "I don't care."

"Oh right."

"She wasn't hot, she was a slut. Like, who wears foundation on their lips? It looks
stupid." I said and shook my head as yet, another Barbie walked past us, this time,
with the tiniest skirt ever and her hair in pigtails.

"Mean." He said and turned his head, following the direction of the girl.

"Dude. We're on a date, stop staring at other people." I rolled my eyes.

"Awh, is wittle Zach jealous?" He cooed, "don't worry dude, you're always at the
top of my list."

And here comes the heated face and goofy grin again...

I stepped up to the biggest tent, where the circus was going to be held and brought
tickets for a show that was going to start in ten minutes. That gives us enough
time to buy some more snacks and a good seating space.

Jace got off my shoulders and we brought another candy floss and also some hot
dogs, it wasn't a brilliant combination of food but oh well. He didn't like the
idea of me paying but I insisted because after all, I was the one who asked him on
this date. We headed back to the tent and showed the doorman our ticket before
heading inside.

There were tons of people here, benches were set up in rows and small children were
sitting on the floor near the make shift stage that was actually just a wooden
floorboard with a rope around it.

Jace grabbed my hand and walked towards the front, right near the stage. The bench
was already filled up but Jace managed to squeeze us in at the end. My butt was
sorta hanging off the edge of the bench.

But it was fine, because as long as Jace was comfortable, I was happy.

Because being in love was making sacrifices and that meant I had to made sacrifices
for him.

I could've sworn, not even that long ago that I tried to deny becoming absolutely
smitten with the fool for stupid reasons. Stupid reasons like the fact that I
thought I was too young or because I thought that I was too lonely.

I should've listened to my head, we always get asked to follow our head or our
heart but really, they're both the exact same.

They both wanted Jace.

I shouldn't have ignored the feeling that grew at the pit of my stomach every time
we held hands, kissed, touched and spoke. I shouldn't have been such a dick about
it and try to deny my feelings and on top of all, I shouldn't have used Flynn due
to me being restricted from seeing Jace.

Now I was in deep shit and I had to tell him the truth at some point.

30. Way to Be Prompt and Forthright Zach.

a/n: it's a short chapter but OH MY GOD. (;
-----
Circus clowns danced around in the audience. They barely looked like circus clowns
but hey, you could tell they tried. They're faces were painted white, their noses
red and their hair coloured green. Some of them had an awesome eye make up thing
going on, but some of theirs kinda sucked.
Another group of circus clowns, these looking slightly different, rode around on
bikes on the make shift stage, some of them three to a bike and I could only feel
sympathy for their discomfort.
Jace looked as if he was having a blast and was even invited on stage at one point
but he declined. He didn't want to be stood there awkwardly while everyone watched
as clowns danced around him.
A big grin was plastered on his lips and he clapped along with the audience while a
bunch of bikers did awesome tricks on ramps and skateboards. Jugglers were in one
corner, entertaining the audience that couldn't see the bikers well and a bunch of
carnies with long sticks as legs walked around the make shift stage aimlessly.
Tense music boomed from the speakers and the spotlights landed on a new, taller
ramp that had been moved to the middle of the stage. A bunch of bikes lined up
before the ramp that towered over them as they prepared to do their tricks,
clicking their helmets in and running their sweaty hands against their palm. A
drumroll echoed from the speakers and Jace gripped my hand and kept one hand
clasped on his mouth, awaiting some kind of near death situation. I was picking at
my nails with my teeth as the tension coursed through me. My eyes were wide open
and it felt as if I couldn't blink because if I did, I'd miss everything.
The drum roll stopped and the first biker clambered up the ramp and did a whole
three-sixty from right to left before gravity took over and he rolled down the rest
of the ramp. The audience cheered and clapped and then the drum roll began again.
Another biker prepared for his near death and cycled up the ramp and let go of his
bike, hanging in the air for a while before he fell back on it and wheeled down the
rest of the ramp.
And then one by one, each cyclist performed a trick after a tense drumroll, Jace's
grip on me tightened and loosened every now and then and was far too enthused into
the show to take notice of me noticing him.
I cracked a small but soft smile, he was just so adorable. How can somebody be so
freaking incredible? Jace was just, he was indescribable. Let's just put it this
way- if everyone was like him, the world would be a much better place.
To be honest, I was glad that Jace was better than me in most ways, I was glad that
he was more clever and I'm glad that he would take the time off to help me in
school. It was great that he was around because I had a role model; somebody to
look up to, to adore, to learn from.
The way he just deals with everything is amazing; I would've never thought that he
had an alcoholic father or parents that never took the time off to spend time with
him because he stay so strong; he's kind of indestructible if you look at it in a
new perspective. He was always trying to put on a happy face, he was always keen to
make other people feel happy or help them cheer up.
And that was why I loved him.
Jace was just...Jace.
"And now," the announcer spoke through the microphone. The sound echoed through the
tent, "prepare yourself for the big finale!"
My attention caught on all the bikers lined up again in front of the same ramp. The
music sped up and they all started cycling up the ramp one after another, maybe a
second or two apart from each other. From the corner of my eye, I could see Jace
struggling where to look; there was so much going on at once.
There were about five people in the air, some of them have high fives to each other
and then rolled down before peddling to the front of the ramp again and clambering
back up it.
I didn't blame him, I mean, there was literally so much going on right now I didn't
even know where I should look. There were cyclists jumping in the air, doing three
sixties, performing other tricks like bouncing on one wheel on top of the ramp a
even swapping bikes while in mid air. It was a absolutely crazy but that's what
added to the excitement right?
My heart raced, I mean, I could do tricks on BMX's but I'd be scared shitless to go
up a ramp higher than two meters. Honestly, these people were making a living off
having plenty of near death experiences and they needed to be applauded more.
And giant flaming hoop lit up and about six cyclists jumped right through it. The
audience got louder and louder and they continued to clap until the big finale was
finished and all the bikers gathered together and were bowing and blowing kisses to
the crowd.
The clapping went on for a really long time and soon enough, people were bombarding
the exit, all trying to get out as quick as possible. They were all so silly, they
just talked and talked and walked slowly without giving a shit about the people
trying to get out.
"Oh my god! It's all finished! I wanna watch it again!" Jace yelled out over the
noise from the audience.
"Come on," I smiled and pushed him towards the blocked up exit.
"That was so fun!" He grinned at me and intwined our fingers. "Thank you fo-"
"Stop thanking me goddammit, you don't need to." I rolled my eyes and broke our
fingers apart, and pulled him over my shoulder. He kicked and yelled while I ran
through the carnival and out of it and went to the grassy area beyond it that had
been dimly lit up with lanterns. It looked absolutely gorgeous, it was around seven
o'clock and the sun was beginning to set on the horizon. We carried on walking and
walking until we were far from the carnival and near a cliff that overlooked the
city instead.
My first instinct after letting Jace off my shoulders was to grab his hand, pull
him in for a long, hard kiss and confess to him my actual feelings.
But I didn't.
Instead, I plopped down on the grass and Jace did too. I let my head relax onto
Jace's right shoulder and allowed him to grab my hand and rub his thumb over my
hand in circular motions. It felt nice, it felt relaxing, it felt all too new to
me.
My past relationships were never really like this. Sure, they were all lovey dovey
and cute and all but in all honesty, I was just young and inexperienced. My lack in
actually having true feelings in a relationship led me to feeling naive when I'm
with Jace so all of this, confessing my feelings, dealing with Jace's family
issues, it was all so foreign to me.
We sat for a few minutes in silence. The only sound that was being made was our
synchronised breathing and the distant sounds of children screaming from the
carnival and the rushing of cars on the motorway. The city lights were twinkling
and looked really pretty, the sun that was starting to set left the sky with deep
shades of orange and red and left a nice reflection on the ocean in the distance.
I lifted my head and glanced to the boy next to me, his eyes were trained on the
view before us but my eyes were trained on the cute button nose of his, the messy
black locks and his twinkling sea blue eyes that seemed to suck you into a daze.
"Jace." I uttered.
"Zach,"
"You know I really like you, right?" I lifted my head once more and smiled at him,
bringing my head down to relax on his shoulder again. I hope he did believe that I
actually had a huge friggin obsession with him and that me liking him was far from
some petty school girl crush. Given my reputation as 'womaniser' I would've thought
that he wouldn't believe me.
"I know."
"I mean it, I want to travel distances with you, Jace, because as long as you're
with me, I'm happy." I sighed in contempt, "nobody's ever made me feel the way you
do. You drive me crazy."
He didn't say anything after that and I glanced to him and saw a tear that slipped
down his cheek, dear god, emotions were not my thing.
That one thought didn't stop me from continuing though, I was speaking my mind. I
wanted Jace to know how much he means to me. It seems that he's deprived of
realising his importance recently.
"I want to be with you every day, I don't think I ever want to live a day without
seeing your face. Goddammit Jace, you honestly have no idea what you're doing to
me. You've pulled me in and now it going to be extremely difficult to get rid of
me." my entire body felt heated up, I was extremely new to this. I hope I didn't
make a silly mistake and accidentally poke him in the eye or something stupid like
that.
He cracked a smile before wiping more at his eyes. I turned around and faced him
fully, he did the same. It was just us two, sat cross legged on the grass with the
distant sounds of the cars and the wildlife around us and the rustling trees from
the seemingly cooling winds.
I took both of his hands in mine and rubbed circles with my thumb on his knuckles.
"I want you to have something." I whispered. If was as if there was a whole crowd
gathered round us but I only wanted Jace to hear what I was going to say.
I started loosening the bracelet on my wrist and I finally took it off, feeling the
odd emptiness on my wrist. I brought Jace's wrist closer to the bracelet and he
violently pulled back, only confusing me.
"Wait.. Whaa- I? Me?" His voice was raspy and coming out in stutters.
"Yes. I want you to have it." I breathed in and out slowly and tried to calm my
racing heart.
"But... Me?" He pointed to himself and looked baffled.
"Only you." I tried grabbing his wrist again but he clearly didn't want the
bracelet because he pushed the bracelet in my hand as If it was the plague. "Oh
come on!" I sighed, "please?"
"No." He looked down at the grass.
"Why?"
"Because.. It's a stupid concept, and it'll mean we have to come out of the closet
and.. And... I don't know, why me?"
"It's a stupid concept, totally agreeable." I replied, "but I still want you to
have it. Only you, nobody else. I spoke to a mate too; he said it's okay if I give
it to a best friend but only between me and you will it be more. The school won't
suspect anything. We can come out whenever you're ready."
"Re- really?"
"Yes. I'd kill for you Jace, but more than that, I'd die for you. Do you want to
know why?"
Dear God. It's really come down to this, hasn't it?
"I think I already know..." He trailed off and gulped.
"It's because I fucking love you." I squeezed my eyes shut and heard a gasp before
I heard loud movements and the crunching of grass going further and further away.
The little warmth I had completely dissipated and all I felt was an ice cold chill
that ran down my spine.
I dreaded opening my eyes because I knew what was to come, I knew that there would
no longer be another person sat in front of me.
And I was right.
----
a/n:
AND IT ONLY TOOK THIRTY CHAPTERS. xD I was so excited to put this chapter up, i
know it's short and all and could've been written better but oh my god, THE SECRET
IS FINALLY OUT PEOPLE. IT'S OUT AND GAH, I CAN'T EVEN STAND MY OWN WRITING RIGHT
NOW.
Another note... please be sure to follow my new account, @obnoxiouspenguin it's run
by me and my friend and though there aren't any books up yet, there will be VERY
SOON.
p.s. please dont chase after me with chainsaws because of how i left it.. >.>

31. Whenever There's A High There's Always A Downfall

[Zach's POV]
I sluggishly hauled myself down the road with my mind in a complete jumble. The
date was not supposed to be like this! Jace was meant to accept the bracelet and
confess his love to me and then we ride off into the sunset. Don't you hate it when
people change your plans like that?
Tears were streaming down my face, my nose was all runny and gross and just to make
it even worse, it was raining. Only a little, but raining nonetheless.
The rain, slowly but surely, pattered down faster and soon, as if it wasn't
expected already, it was bucketing down.
It was like the rain symbolised how I felt right now, how the emotions grew and the
deserted area I was in symbolised my loneliness. I should've kept my confession to
myself, this was our first ever actual date for Christ sakes, and I had to go and
ruin it completely. I wasn't sure if all the other places we've been to together
were dates because neither of us asked each other out as if it was a date. Sure, we
may have kissed in some of them but really, to me, this was our first official
date.
I walked and walked, continuing to take right turns so I end up back where I was
and didn't get lost in this area. There were weird noises around me and I felt kind
of scared for my life just being outside, in the dark. Somebody could be following
me, hell, I even thought that I heard noises of footsteps because that's how much I
was thinking about it.
It's like when you think there's a spider on you and you start feeling things in
your body because you're actually believing there are creepy crawlies on you.
I sighed, Jace and I were having so much fun, we were enjoying the date then It's
had to screw it up! I had to go and offer the bracelet. You know what? I blame this
all on the bracelet. Forget my confession for a moment, you could tell that Jace
was taken aback when I tried giving him the stupid thing.
I surge of energy coursed through me and I stopped momentarily and brought my wrist
up to my face and glared at the evil thing. I ripped it off completely, breaking
the tassels on it that keep it together and then I threw it on the ground and
walked away, letting it get all dirty and wet in the puddle.
Who even cares for the darn thing? Not Jace, obviously.
His name brought more tears to my eyes, my vision blurred and for a second, I saw
him, standing there in front of me with open arm and a big grin on his face but it
was just my imagination, it was too good to be true. Jace was long gone, he shot
off and I have no idea where he is. He could be getting attacked right now and I'd
never know about it.
I turned around. The design on the bracelet twinkled in the light and I
contemplated going back and getting it, but I thought the better of it and left it
there. It could burn in hell for all I care. My feet felt heavy, my heart ached, my
head hurt and I was cold and soggy stood in the rain. Tomorrow would be a joyful
day, I'd have a killer flu coming along and I'd have to see Jace.
I plopped down on the ground and rested my back on the wall, taking out my phone
and sending my mum a text and telling her to come and pick me up from outside the
carnival entrance. I finally took in my surroundings and saw that I was on a lively
high street that had terrible lighting. In front of me was a shop that sold
pleasure toys and surrounding it were plenty of pubs with a bunch of people
crowding it and smoking, laughing and drinking. I could tell I wasn't exactly in
the right place right now. I knew I was supposed to get up and wait outside the
carnival entrance just like I had told my mum but honestly, I just wanted to sit
here.
My eyes started to feel drowsy and to be honest, the concrete seemed so comfortable
right about now. As a matter of fact, It seemed too comfortable. I rested my back
back against the wall and watched as people walked past me, giving me odd looks.
They all went in some motionless blur, I was really only paying half of my
attention on them.
For ages, I just sat and sat. It felt like hours, it probably was. I don't know, I
were quite far from home and with the evening rush of traffic, I could only predict
that it would take about an hour for my mum to reach me but there's also the issue
that she never looks at her phone so It could probably add an extra hour.
As people went past me, I started to feel more and more out of It. My head hurt and
my eyes were extremely heavy. I was barely able to keep myself awake. I shifted a
little so I was a little more comfortable but it was difficult when I was sitting
on concrete. I inhaled, exhaled and shut my eyes. It felt nice to block out the
lights that flashed in my eyes that read 'PLEASURE' and 'SEX' and 'CHEEKY' and
'DRESS UP' and 'PLAY TIME'.
I focused on the pattering of the rain, it was starting to slow down. It was nice,
I was finally able to avert my thoughts. Even though it only worked for a little
while, the short amount of time I had to think about things other than Jace was
something I haven't been able to have lately and it only made me able to relish in
the feeling more.
But when there's a high, there's a downfall and the Jace infested thoughts
bombarded my mind once more. All I could picture was that look of absolute horror
when I confessed to him that I love him.
I loved Jace.
I loved him a lot.
I don't think I could ever get over such an incredible person. Do I want to get
over him? I'm not sure. What if he changes his mind and gives us a chance? Even
though he doesn't love me back, I would wait for him as long as it takes because
when- if -I ever read 'I love you' from his lips, I'd be over the moon.
Time passed and still, no sign of my mum. Where was your mum when you needed her?
She would understand my dilemma straight away, she's my mum of course. Nobody could
ever compare to her, I feel glad knowing that I couldn't have asked for anybody
better.
My spinning head was starting to calm down, my thought process however, still
hadn't changed. God, is this what heartbreak feels like? It's terrible. My entire
mood just dropped and I think it's going to take a while before I can be happy
again or even crack a genuine smile.
I tried to stand up but I fell back into my place because my legs just stopped
working. So instead, I was left limp and frail on the concrete in the rain. My mind
was screaming at me to get a jog on and try real hard to walk to the carnival
entrance but my body was telling me no. I was literally unable to move. I didn't
want to move. I just wanted to stay here and drown myself in my tears and sorrows.
I didn't even know where the damn carnival entrance was. Jace and I had walked so
much to make it to the cliff that overlooked the pretty view and then I walked a
lot because I wanted to get away from the area I had my heart broken into tiny
fragments.
I buried my head in my hands to try and block out the noises of cars beeping at
each other. I just wanted a moment of silence, is that too much to ask? I screwed
my eyes shut as soon as more tears spewed out.
I wondered where Jace was, as much as I felt scared for my life right now in this
weird area, I wanted to know that Jace was safe and sound, even if he did just
break my heart into shreds and feed it to the dogs. He ran away and he's in this
completely new area, for all I know, he could also be bursting into tears in some
back alley.
A smartly dressed man with a briefcase walked past me with a can of beer in his
hand, he was with a friend, who had a bottle of vodka in his hand and dressed like
they belonged in the parliament. They were laughing uncontrollably, literally, you
could hear them from the next street. He glowered down at me with pity and started
taking out his wallet.
"Dude I'm not a homeless person!" I cried out at him, my voice laced with emotion.
I had this lump stuck in my throat and it felt difficult to say a coherent sentence
without me choking on my words.
"Then why are you sitting out here? It's freezing cold." He looked towards his
friend who shrugged.
"Because I just had my heart broken." I felt the need to rant my problems out,
maybe this random stranger could listen. It's not like he knew me and I didn't know
him so once I tell him, he won't give a toss.
"Poor thing." He made a pity face, I hated pity. "She must be a right bitch"
"He and I'm not sure about that."
He raised his eyebrows, "this is my boyfriend, Reese."
"Nice." I said nonchalantly. I didn't really care.
"How old are you, boy?"
"Sixteen." I sighed and he looked down at me with more pity. Jesus Christ. He
didn't say anything after, just kinda stood there with his vodka bottle in my face.
This was beyond awkward, I just wanted to left alone right now. My mood keeps
changing, I thought company would be nice but it just turns out all I'm getting is
pity.
"You want some vodka?" His boyfriend asked and giggled and stumbled.
I shrugged. Should I drink? Should I not? I didn't really get a chance to answer
anyway.
"Here, this bottle is almost finished. Should be alright." He handed the almost
empty bottle to me and I stared at it. Even drunk people don't trust a sixteen year
old with a full bottle...
"Reese!" The other guy whined, "he's going to get alcohol poisoning and-"
"It's fine Nick, Its almost finished." He reassured his partner.
The guy that handed me the bottle took out a can of beer from nowhere and started
drinking from it.
I looked down at the bottle in my hand. I've never drunk straight before. In fact,
I've never really drank anything above a 6% alcohol volume.
I wiped the top of the bottle with my sleeve and I brought it to my lips. The glass
felt cold against my dry lips but it didn't bother me too much. 'Nick' looked down
at me while I drank from it and then nodded and walked off.
The contents trickled down my throat and it burned. God, how do people drink this
stuff straight? I know that Liam can chug down straight vodka.
I swallowed it down before taking another gulp. I relaxed against the brick wall
and did more slow inhales and exhaled. For a millisecond, my eyes blurred and it
quickly went. Everything was starting to become weird looking, it was all starting
to slow down and the area looked like it was spinning.
I looked to the bracelet that was sat soaking in a puddle next to me and glared at
the evil demonic thing.
"It's all your fault!" I pointed to it but it didn't reply. Rude much?
"Don't you see what you've done! You've messed up my relationship with Jace!"
Still, no reply. "We were.. We were on a roll and you had to ruin it for us!"
"We.. He probably hates me now, r-right?"
Yeah, damn right, I thought to myself.
I was no longer speaking to the satanic thing and instead to myself.
"I fu- I love him! I want Jace, I want him, I want him!" I wiped at the tears in my
eyes. A rustling sound came from near me and I could only assume it was a cat.
Yeah, a cat that was in the bins like in those movies.
"Jace, why can't.. Why can't he love me back!" More tears fell from my eyes and my
whole face was soon wet from tears as well droplets from the rain.
Jace was beyond compare. I always thought that I was lucky to have people like him
around in my life but now, well now, I've just ruined it haven't I? I've ruined any
chance of us being together and I'v ruined our friendship too.
"Why does heartbreak feel so bad?" I whined to myself, taking another gulp. "Why
does my brain hurt so much?"
My vision blurred again when I looked ahead of me. The bright lights from the
stores and pubs in front of me flashed in my eyes. Everything seemed so blurry and
the flickering of the street lamp was in slow motion... in fact, so was everything
else.
My mind continued to complain and question, they were all Jace infested thoughts.
"Why doesn't Jace want me? what have I done to deserve this?" I waved my hands
around me, motioning to the so called 'mess' that's i've gotton myself in.
"Is it because I'm really that pathetic?"
"or maybe it's because I don't deserve somebody as amazing as Jace."
"or it's because he loves someone else!" I stood up, stumbling a little and nearly
face planting the floor. I didn't though, but I also did. I walked up to the pub
next to where I was just sitting. "Jace can't love someone else though! He just
can't! Oh... it hurts too much."
I took another gulp, the burn I felt as it trickled down my throat was something I
was starting to get used to. Just... That look of horror, I can't get it out of my
head. I can't get the pain from rejection out of my body, all it's done is made me
feel completely worthless and limp.
A bald man stood in front of me and shook me a little. Why was this git shaking me!
It's made my headace worsen! Godammit, you evil satanic spawn.
"Go away evil spawn!" I yelled at him.
"What the-"
"Yeah, you 'erd" I glared at him.
"What are you, fourteen? where's your mother?"
"Leave me alone, evil demon! Haven't you done enough?"
"Bro.." another guy came in front of me and placed a reassuring hand on my
shoulder. I glanced at it and didn't take my eyes off.
"It's evil mini satans like you that caused him to reject me!" I said. The bald man
just stared at me with a blank look.
"Where's your phone?" he asked.
"Up your-"
"Don't even continue that." the other guy said. Who does he think he is trying to
tell me what to do? I can't stand these people, I'm too fabulous for them.
I walked away from them, trying my best to balance. I finally reached the place I
was just sitting at, opposite the pleasure shop and plopped down, resting my back
against the cold, hard bricks. My eyes felt tired but I didn't want to get some
shut eye yet, I still had a bunch of ranting to do.
"Jaaaaaceeeee!" I yelled out as if he was nearby and I wanted to call him over.
"Jaaaaaaceee!" I tried again, still no answer. It's a bit rude, if I must say
myself.
I slumped back against the wall and huffed, taking deep breaths and keeping my eyes
closed. Even when a car pulled up next to me with a familliar engine sound, I
continued talking.
"Why does it hurt!"
I heard some mutters of 'oh fuck' before I felt warm hands enclose around me,
burning me through the soggy hoodie and t-shirt I was wearing.
"I want Jace! Jace, where are you!"
"Jace... Oh he'll never love me..." I muttered quietly to myself.
"Oh my baby!" A womanly voice shrilled in my ears.
"Oh god." A manly voice spoke, laced with relief, worry and tiredness.
"I see he's a chatty drinker, then." a female spoke.
"Great, just great." The same manly voice said.
I didn't want to open my eyes, I didn't want to face the reality just yet. The
world was on hold for me right now and I was willing to let it stay like that for
as long as possible.
"I'm just... I'm so pathetic." I started tearing up again and wiped at my eyes.
"I'll never find anyone."
"Oh honey..." The womanly voice cooed and I felt my cheek being touched I'm with
skinny, frail fingers.
Finally, I opened my eyes. The relief I felt seeing my mother staring down at me
with a messy bun in her hair and slippers on her feet was something I had been
longing to see.
"Oh, mum!" I chocked on my tears and grabbed her hand, just to make sure she was
actually there.
I turned my head a little to see sat in the front seat was my dad. He had one of my
beanie's on that he likes to wear and his glasses instead of his contact lenses. In
the passenger seat was Molly and next to me was Liam, who was staring out the
window, distracted.
"I had the worst first date ever." I sighed and sniffled, "Jace doesn't love me!"
"Why doesn't he love me, huh? What's not to love?"
Nobody replied to me, they just all sat still, silently, with sad looks on their
faces.
"Mummy!" I cried, "why?"
"Oh hush, child." Molly said. "You're so loud."
I ignored her, God, what is with everyone telling me what to do nowadays? I'm sick
of it! I just want to make my own choices!
"Dad.." I slurred, he hummed, urging me to talk, "boys suck!"
"You're right." he sighed. He probably thought the better of it and knew that I'd
keep talking to him until he answers to what I ask.
"I mean, first he's all like 'I really like you too' and then I let out the big L
word and then it's.. It's all out the window.."
"Poor baby," mum cooed and pulled me into a hug.
"I'm sure your big bro can go and beat him up." Molly countered and I glared at
her. My head turned so quickly that it urged on another headache and my vision to
blur again.
"N- no! No beating up!" I turned to Liam, and continuously poked his shoulder.
"don't g-go after him!"
"Where is he, speaking of which?" Liam asked, his voice deep as if he just woke up
or something.
"I... I don't know! We have to go back and get him because otherwise he'll get
eaten by man eating carnies!" I cried and grabbed mum's hand and shook it.
"Oh dear..." She sighed and poked her husband on the shoulder, muttering something
in his ear before leaning back in her seat again. "Come here." she cooed in that
motherly tone of hers and lay my head down diligently on her shoulder.
She moved the soggy mess that was my hair out of my eye and began running her hands
through it. The heaviness of my eyes won over and I shut them, feeling a chaste
kiss on my forehead and slowly drifting off into sleep.

32. Initiation
My alarm clock shrilled to life and I groaned internally, wincing at the sunlight
streaming through the windows. my hand slammed down on the snooze button and rubbed
at my eyes.

It was then when I smelt booze on me, on the bed covers, the entire room just had
this disgusting stench. I rolled over in my bed and cozied up in the blanket,
trying to drift off into a another sleep but then my alarm clock ring just as I
closed my eyes and I rolled over quickly enough to nearly get whiplash and slammed
my hand down once again on the thing. A headache came along and my stomach felt
like it was eating me from the inside so I curled up into a ball.

It helped ever so slightly but then the pain worsened and I felt like I was going
to vomit. Lazily, I rolled myself to the edge of the bed, sneezed then sat up and
rushed to the bathroom as soon as I felt something defying gravity and trying to
exit out my mouth.

Then I sat on the floor, In front of the toilet and threw up whatever I had last
night. The vomit didn't stop for a long time so when my mum came in the bathroom
and rubbed circles on my back, the vomiting came to a halt eventually and I wiped
my mouth with my hand and clutched my tummy.

"Do you remember how much you drank yesterday?" She asked while she grabbed some
medicine from the medicine cabinet and filled a glass up with water.

I shook my head at her and sat limply against the bath.

"There was an entire bottle of vodka in your hand! You could've got alcohol
poisoning."

Memories flashed in my head, all of last night and with shaky legs, I stood up from
the floor. "There was only a quarter of the bottle left when the guy gave it to
me."

"Guy? What guy?" She didn't look too happy as she handed me the medicine and the
water.

"This.. Guy who found me on the ground drowning in my sorrows." I sighed, "he gave
me what was left."

"You know you shouldn't take candy from strangers... This is the same thing!" She
fumed. "And you're not even legal to drink yet!"

"Yeah yeah.." I swallowed down the pill, "you're making my head hurt more with the
loud voice."

"What else do you remember?"

"I... I don't know, something about evil satanic spawns." My head hurt trying to
think of what happened after Jace rejected me and I sneezed about three times in a
row. Curse this flu.

"Ok..." She gave me a funny look before flushing the toilet for me and walking out
the bathroom. "And by the way, you're much to ill to go to school today, so go back
to bed."

I finished the rest of the water and brushed my teeth, trying to get the vile taste
of sick and alcohol out of my mouth. I didn't know how long I had been brushing my
teeth for with Jace on my mind when all the toothpaste started dribbling out of my
mouth I realised that it had been far too long than usual.

"That's gross." Liam said as he walked into the bathroom all dressed for another
boring day of school. He grabbed for the tub of hair gel that we shared.

I didn't answer and he carried on talking, "so, the big L word, huh?"

"Oh my god, please shut up..." I flicked some cold water on my face.

"I remember saying that to Naomi, now two years later... It wasn't even worth it."

"What?" What did he mean by 'it wasn't even worth it'?

"She's been cheating on me." Liam confessed and I heard that he was choking on his
words. "For the past few months. Right under my nose!"

"Whaa-"

"You tell your fucking pansy best friend that he better watch out." Liam had this
look in his eye, something like fury. And if looks could kill, I'd be six feet
under right now.

"Flynn? Really?"

He didn't answer and instead left the bathroom, leaving me to process the new
information.
"Guess we're both heartbroken then..." I muttered under my breath.

I walked out of the bathroom that stunk badly of vomit after grabbing an entire
roll of toilet paper and went back to my room, crawling into my bed and ripping a
few pieces of tissue off to wipe my runny nose.

I reached for the remote to the DVD player on my bedside and clicked a buttons
before GBF started playing. God, I loved this film. Dad gave it to me after I had
come out to him and I've just been watching it on repeat.

Mum walked in sometime after with a tray of food and I paused the programme. There
was buttered toast and tea as well as another pill to ease the pain. I could get
used to this, I thought.

"Watching TV isn't going to help your headache."

"Meh." I said and sat up, accepting the tray of food. "Thank you."

"So what went down yesterday?" She asked and sat next to me on the bed.

"Mum... Don't sit so close... I'm only in my boxers...." I dragged out, feeling my
face get hot.

"Zach, I have wiped your butt and fed you from my breast and you're shy of me
seeing you in your boxers?" She glowered down at me.

"Mum...." I whined out.

"Zach, darling, just shut up and eat. You're all skin and bones."

Well, I can't say no to food.

I took a bite of my toast and felt a bit weird eating when my mum was watching me
eat.

"Jesus woman, must you watch me while I eat?"

"Zachary Michael, you better not talk like that to me again!"

"Sorr-"

"Don't even.." She rolled her eyes, "so what did go down yesterday? Who dared to
upset my little boy?"

It was then Molly decided to step into my room, "yeah, Zach, who upset the mummy's
boy?"

"ok... firstly, I am not a little boy. Two, I am not a mummy's boy and three, I
think you both know who it was."

"Do tell." Mum came close to me and gave me her undivided attention. Molly joined
me on the other side of the bed.

"God sakes, can't a gay boy get some privacy around here?" I cocked a brow, "to be
honest, I don't want to think about it."

I remembered when we were sat in the circus and Jace's hands were intwined with
mine the whole time. He was smiling, physically unable to even frown in the
slightest.

Then we went to the cliff and I really thought that this was it. This was when I
was going to confess. This was when he'd confess back and then we'd live happily
ever after.

Of course, that was only a petty fairytale but my mind was so corrupted with love
that I really thought it would become true.

And then finally, the look of absolute perturbation on his face when I said it out
loud and clear.

"Honey... You're tearing up." Mum cooed and pulled me into a snuggly hug. Molly
joined in the hug and I felt safe. I felt like I could cry all I want and I'd feel
comfortable doing it with the people around me.

That was exactly I did.

"I know that.. I know I'm quite young but I'm madly in love with him." I cried,
choking a little on my words. "And.. And he ran away when I told him!"

I blew my nose into a tissue, my nose was beginning to get insanely runny. "I don't
think he ever wants to talk to me again. What if he doesn't even want to be friends
with me? Wait, what if he only wants to be friends? I can't do that!"

"Not this again..." Molly rolled her eyes.

"Oh shut up.." I wiped at my eyes and flicked her forehead when I calmed down a
little.

"I was meaning to ask a favour." I told her. "You're good at giving someone a
living nightmare, right?"

"Gee, thanks."

"His little sister is getting bullied at school and she's so nice and doesn't
deserve that shit."

Mum coughed and glared at me, warning me about my profanity.

"You want me to deal with the demon, right?" I could see an evil smile forming on
her mouth and her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"That's exactly what I want."

"It has to be sometime today, I'm leaving this evening."

"Nothing of such is happening." Mum said and Molly and I let out a series of
whining.

"But come on! This girl is a total bitch!" I sighed, "she stomped on Jace's foot in
the school corridors!"

"You're just adding fuel to the fire.." Mum said. "You need to step up and be the
bigger person."

"I hate that saying so much! Honestly, I'm sick of it. I want to fight back.
Haven't you ever been bullied?"
For a moment, her complexion changed. It was like she was stuck in a daze from
remembering or imagining something.

In this instance, it was obvious she was remembering something.

"You have haven't you?"

"It's in the past. It was nothing bad, nothing physical." Mum waved off but I could
tell she was deeply affected.

"You can tell us." Molly smiled.

"What is this now? The pity group?" I snickered. It was turning out like one, we
were all sharing our problems here.

"It was in university, I was getting cyber bullied." She started and took a deep
breath, "it was really nothing.. It was just some person who was jealous of mine
and your father's love for each other."

"That's it?" I asked.

"She kept trying to seduce your father but he was too smitten with me. There was
one time when she got him drunk and got away with it and did the dirt-"

"Oh god, I do not need to know... Do not even continue that." I took a long sip of
my tea. It was green tea, always something great for bad mornings- well, for me
anyway.

"Why don't you find that girl and give her a right slap in the face?" Molly
smirked.

"Molly..." My mum warned.

"I mean... A slap in the face as in.. As in.. Show her you're married to the love
of your life and.. And-"

"You and I both know you didn't mean it theoretically." I told her and she sighed
and stole a slice of toast and dipped it in her English breakfast tea that I just
realised she had.

"As much as I love your eagerness for violence, Mol, it's not the right way." Mum
said.

"So we've shared our problems. What are yours Molly?" I asked her with a grin as
big as the Cheshire Cat's on my lips.

"I don't have any." She shrugged.

"Lies."

"Fine. Jesus Christ... It's not a big problem but it turns out that Cassie doesn't
want us to be together a lot because we'd get attached and then I'd be back where I
live meaning I can't see her as often as I'd like." She sighed.

"Why don't you ask her move in, you have like twenty spare guest rooms at yours,
right?" I snickered, "I don't think she'd be staying in a guest room though." I
wiggled my eyebrows suggestively.

She glared at me. How are women so good at making me fear for my dear life just by
their eyes?

"She has her own life here, idiot." She rolled her eyes.

I took another slice of toast and munched on it while I thought.

"You could work something out.. You're old enough to live out, right?"

"Woah.. That's a little far fetched."

"Just a tad..." Mum added.

"Who cares?" I shrugged. Was it the fact I think very far fetched things that Jace
rejected me? Come on, I blew our first ever official date.

"My little gay boy, you have so much to learn..." Molly poked my nose.

"Dude..."

"What should we have for lunch then?" Mum clapped abruptly, scaring me shitless.

"Oooh how about Mexican?" I said eagerly.

"No, I'm feeling sushi." Molly said. Mum agreed.

"Where the hell are we meant to get sushi from?" I asked. "And how do you even make
it?"

"Let's go out for lunch, yeah?" Mum said, "just us three and your dad."

"Dad's home?" I asked incredulously. Dad was usually working, he's like a
workaholic. He will not leave work until he's accomplished something important and
he will always find a reason to work even more. He was weird.

"I can ask him to take the afternoon off, I'm his wife after all... Not that bitch,
Serena."

"Mum!" I yelled.

"What?" She put her hands up in surrender and got off the bed. "Feel better soon."
She said and left the room.

I pressed the play button on the TV and continued watching my programme. Molly
sipped her tea and I sipped mine, but of course, sneezed.

"You were so messed up yesterday when we found you looking like a hobo." She
deadpanned. "It was weird seeing you like that, you usually try to look as good as
possible whenever. I mean, if you weren't soaking wet from the rain then you
could've totally pulled off the sweatpants and hoodie look.

"Aw, I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me!"

"Yeah well, don't get used to it." She smirked and sipped more tea. "I now have
plenty to blackmail you with."

"Wait, what?"

"You're a chatty drinker, you know." She started snickering, "you kept calling
Jace's name and you wouldn't stop talking about evil demonic spawns."
"Oh god..." I buried my head in my hands but made a little peeking hole so I could
see the GBF.

"You left your bracelet too. I picked it up but it was broken."

"I swear, that thing is cursed. When I try getting rid of it, it just keeps coming
back." I sighed, "I don't want it back. Throw it in the bin for all I care..."

"You what?" She asked, "you ought to remember that you'd be in deep shizzle if you
threw it away."

"It's a stupid concept."

"Oh come on." She drawled out, "maybe Jace was overwhelmed..."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"You have to at some point."

She had a point there. There will be a point where I have to face my fears and
march right up to Jace and ask him why he did what he did. There must be a valid
reason, I'm sure I knew of it already but I needed to make sure.

"Can we just drop it for now? You're making me miss my movie!"

"Fine... For now we'll leave it but before I leave, I want you to talk to Jace."

"No promises."

She rolled her eyes at me. "We need to discuss what we're going to do with that
bully too."

"She's a thirteen year old girl, there's not much you can do except take away her
Barbie dolls."

"Don't be like that..." Molly said, "Barbie dolls are for all ages!"

I sent her a funny look but didn't say anything, she covered her bare legs with the
duvet cover and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Why don't you just give the girl a devilish warning, she'll thirteen for Christ
sakes, she'd be scared for her life.. Especially by you." I smirked and she slapped
my arm, nearly making me spill my cup of tea.

"Hey hey hey, watch the tea!"

"I was hoping it would spill on you and scald you."

Living nightmare, see?

I finished off the movie and my breakfast and finally got out of bed and wiped the
crumbs off of me. The clock on the bedside table read that it was ten o'clock.

As happy as I felt being at home Instead of at school, I felt lonely and bored. I
met mum in the kitchen after I put on some sweatpants and sat down at the breakfast
bar where Molly was listening in to mum's conversation on the phone.

"Will you be able to come home for lunch?" Mum said, "I'm your wife, you will do as
I say. Forget your work and spend some time with your sick son!"

I started snickering and Molly joined in.

"This is one of the few times I feel glad being gay." I muttered quietly.

"Actually, I'm pretty sure Jace will be telling you what to do all the time." Molly
said then I glared at her and she remembered, "oh.. Right, sorry..."

"We're going out for sushi, ok? And you're going to be there no matter what unless
you want me to drag you by your ear- ok, it's settled then, see you in a few hours.
Bye! Love you." Mum made a kissing sound in to the phone and hung up.

My eyes widened, "Jesus woman.."

Mum sent me a warning glare and started washing up some dishes. Molly cocked an
eyebrow and nodded her head as if she was saying 'well played' or 'I approve'.

"Mum, I was meaning to tell you that Molly and I are going to pick Liam up from
school."

"He didn't take his car?" She asked.

"He did but uh... He just texted me he needs to take it for MOT after school..."
Molly quickly made up.

"Very well," mum said, "don't go hunting down that little girl, ok?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever.." I said nonchalantly.

"Zacha-"

"Mum!" I groaned and buried my head in my hand, knowing fully well she was going to
use the full name card again.

"Micheal, stop being rude to your mother." Molly snickered and I glared. Nobody
calls me Michael because the actual Michael, AKA, my father, would think somebody's
calling him. Plus, Michael is such a boring name, Zach is a million times better. I
should consider getting my middle name changed.

"God, I wish my family were more like yours." Molly said, "they're all so boring
and they never have time for me and Trish."

"Aw, too bad you're going back tonight!" I grinned and ran out the kitchen and
plopped myself on the living room sofa.

"Molly, you're welcome here anytime." I heard mum say from the kitchen.

"It's like a... two hour drive." Molly said, "It's so boring... I nearly crashed
into another car about fifteen times too."

"It wouldn't make a difference to you though because you could just get the BMW of
yours fixed in no time..." I shouted from the living room an snickered to myself.
I'm sure that getting the damage of their car done wouldn't even make a difference
to them. They're rich after all.

I took my phone out from my pocket and saw that I had a bunch of texts from Flynn,
Liam and some other people. From the preview, a lot of them were asking about my
whereabouts and if i'm okay and then Liam's said something like this:
Liam: I take you haven't told your so called backstabbing best...

I didn't want to unlock the phone to read the rest of the message because then it
would tell the rest of the contacts of the messages I got sent that i've read them
but it didn't take a genuis to figure out that Liam was pissed. He never really
texts me unless he: A) has been asked my mum or dad B) is upset or C) is angry.

Liam wasn't the most calmest of people and It didn't really take him a long time to
get infuriated and judging by the spamming from Flynn, something happened between
those two and it must've been something very bad.

I did kind of dread thinking about the possibilies because they were all pretty
horrid.

33. Dealing With The Demon (Part One)

As we were piling into two separate cars, I sat in Molly's BMW and squirmed when
she came all close to me, her boobs in my face and everything. When I realised she
was hugging me, I kinda just sat there all rigid and still squirming. I didn't mind
hugs but a hug from Molly is just... Icky.
"Uh, can I help you?" I asked.
"Well, when people are going through a tough time like you, they need hugs so I'm
giving you one." She shrugged.
I didn't say anything because it was getting weird and awkward so instead, I opted
for pressing on the button that turns on the radio. Some Ed Sheeran song started
playing and Molly jumped giddily in her seat.
"This song is SO good." She practically screamed.
"Yeah, cool, I'm just going to change it now..." I was about to change the station
but she slapped my hand away and gave me a death glare.
Seriously, what is it with women and glares!
Whatever it was, I don't think I wanted to receive another.
"Oh, here you go by the way." She reached in the glove compartment and put
something in my hand, it was my bracelet.
"I don't want it." I sighed and started opening up the window. This stupid cursed
bracelet is going to leave me forever.
I was about to throw it out the window with my amazing throwing skills from
basketball when Molly poked my waist and made me squeal in surprise.
"I don't want it!" I squealed even more and tried to throw it out the window again.
"Keep it!" She told me and closed the window from her door which had all the
buttons for all the windows in the car. She put it on child lock and I frowned.
"But come on!" I groaned and spun it around on my fingers.
"I'm just going to take that away from you before you accidentally-on-purpose drop
it down a drain." She snatched the thing off me and put it in the small compartment
on her door.
"Yeah right..." I rolled my eyes. Dammit, she found out my plan B. Time for plan C,
it involves a toilet and a flush.
"Zach, stop being annoying. You'll thank me later." She muttered and then stepped
hard on the brake when a car coming from her left went round a roundabout when he
wasn't supposed to.
Knowing what was about to come, I shrunk in my seat and covered my ears. All I
could hear was muffled noise and then Molly sticking her middle finger up at the
stupid driver. I could faintly make up swear words from lip reading and the muffled
words and I didn't really want to think about what she was saying.
She slapped my hand, "didn't you see what he did? Stupid fu-"
"Chill the hell out otherwise we'd have an accident okay?"
"But-"
"Stop."
She rolled her eyes and waved off the issue and continued driving. We finally
arrived at the sushi place and I could literally see that Molly was bouncing like a
five year old on the inside by the massive grin plastered on her lips.
We both hopped outside the car and I could see that Molly stuffed the bracelet in
the glove compartment again and locked it. She actually locked it.
I glared at her but my glare was probably really sucky compared to the ones she
gives me. Mum and Dad stood by the entrance impatiently, tapping their foot and
looking at their watch. Dad didn't look too happy being away from work, he was
dressed smartly in a suit and tie because he didn't change his clothes after work.
"Sushi!" Molly squealed and hurried inside.
We were met by a man in his early twenties. He wasn't all that bad looking and I
could see was checking Molly out, too bad she doesn't bat for that team.
"I'm David." He greeted, "table for four?"
She nodded and he took us to our table. The restaurant was Japanese themed and even
had a nice, small waterfall in the middle. The restaurant was dark and there were
only very small fairy lights and lanterns lighting up the restaurant, it was
relaxing but with the soft sound of the trickling water and the simplistic music,
It was enough to help me fall asleep.
We sat down near the back and Molly looked liked like she was physically unable to
frown. I just shook my head and looked at the menu In front of me.
David came by a few minutes later with a notebook in his hand and a pencil on his
ear. "Ready to order then?"
"I'll have a peach iced tea, please." Mum said politely.
"Me too." I said in unison with Molly.
"And for you sir?" David asked. Dad just ordered a coke and then we ordered our
food, which consisted of loads and loads of avocado sushi rolls and sticky rice and
Thai green curry.
David went away but not without sending Molly and wink. I started snickering and
Molly just buried her head in her hands.
"He was all over you." I smirked, "shame you don't bat for the other team."
She looked up, "it's not my fault I'm just oh so irresistible." She said looking at
her perfectly manicured nails.
Our drinks arrived and I literally gulped it all down in one go, God, I loved peach
ice tea. I left my glass at the edge of the table so the waiter would take it and
get me a refill.
Molly was sipping on her ice tea through a straw and was texting on her phone with
a small smile on her face. I too my own phone out and finally decided it was a good
time to check my messages:
Ryan: wag1 homie, there's some serious shit going on w/ flynn n Liam.. Where u at
bruh?
Flynn: I'm scared. You brother's giving me death glares..
And then there was a small scared emoticon and a curious one.
Liam: I take you haven't told your so called best friend to stay the hell away. The
kid is on my tail and expects us to become instant friends after all he's done.
Then there were a few texts from girls that were worried about where I was and if
I'm feeling okay. They all sounded about the same and they all had a unanimous
amount of X's and O's and hearts and/or hearty eyes emoticons at the end.
So they were more like this:
Tasha/Louise/Megan/Holly: Hey! Where are you? I haven't seen you at school. Is
everything okay? Do you want me to come over and take care of you? Hope you're in
tomorrow! Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo <3 <3 <3
I let out a groan and stuffed my phone back inside the pocket of my hoodie, and
then realised I was wearing the Disney hoodie I bought with Jace and I groaned
again.
I saw mum and dad giving me a weird look and I buried my head in my hands but I
could still feel eyes on me and I looked up.
"I bought this hoodie with Jace." Just the sound of his name on my lips caused my
heart to drop to my stomach and a lump to form in my throat.
"Ok..." My mum drawled out.
When I was leaving the house, I just stuffed on a random hoodie. Turns out it had
to be this one. It didn't help that on the front of the hoodie, there was a cute
silhouette of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.
I had to walk through the school gates afterwards too for when mine and Molly's
plan to deal with the demon is a go. I didn't feel like walking through the school
gates with a Disney hoodie on. I wasn't wearing anything but a vest beneath the
hoodie either.
There were some guys around school who wore Disney clothing but it was mainly a
girl's thing... What if somebody suspects something they shouldn't?
Maybe I'm being an idiot and overthinking but, it's a possibility.
Our food finally came and filled up the whole table. The sushi took up most of it
because I have to have my own and then Molly had to have her own.
We started eating and I was literally moaning to myself because the food was so
good.
When I had almost finished my thai green curry, mum's phone blared to life and she
took it out of her bag and had a confused look plastered to her face as she picked
it up.
"He's done what?"
"You're not serious are you?"
"Oh dear, it can't be true."
I was just sat there like everyone else and listened in while I quietly munched on
my sticky rice.
Mum hung the phone and sighed, then turned to dad. "Liam went and punched someone..
Or more like, some people- including the head teacher.
I looked to Molly and she was frozen in her place. "Do you have any idea why he'd
do such a thing?" Mum asked me.
"Uh... Well, I..." I stuttered.
"Come on, spit it out." Dad said.
"Naomi was cheating on Liam with Flynn and I don't know why he's gone and punched
the head though..." I quietly trailed off.
"Hurry up and eat then, we need to get there." Mum sighed with an angry look on her
face.
We finally scoffed all our food down and paid the bill before we all headed outside
and to the car park where we all hopped in our cars and took the junction that goes
towards the school.
To be honest, I wasn't all that surprised about Liam punching Flynn, As bad as a
friend it makes me, Flynn kind of deserved it. The idiot knew that Liam and Naomi
were dating and that he's given the bracelet to her. Whatever's possessed him to
jump his best friend's brother's girlfriend was beyond me.
What surprised me though was Liam punching the head teacher. I mean, seriously?
Everyone knew the head teacher deserved a punch once in a while but nobody's had
the balls to do it. My brother was certainly a legend, I didn't know because of his
new infamous popularity whether I should be happy or sympathetic for him.
Molly pulled into the school's car park and then she turned to me and stuck her
hand out for a high five but I declined and hopped out of the car after making sure
I had my USB stick and some cellotape. I rolled the sleeves of my hoodie up and
almost jumped up and down in excitement- Jessica is definitely in for a surprise.
It was lesson time so the only people wandering around the school were those in
sixth form because it must be their free period.
Then, just like every morning, I casually strolled into the school as if It owned
the place. There was this feeling at the pit of my stomach that was warning me to
keep to keep my emotions together if I see Jace wandering about. I heard murmurs of
students as they scurried through the halls to their next lesson while I walked
down and I suddenly felt a little nervous for some reason.
I guided mum, dad and Molly to the principal's office and I saw through the small
window that Liam was slumped in one of the chairs outside. When he caught my eyes
and mum's and dad's he looked down to the floor in destain.
The principal, who had a bruise on his cheek, ushered us inside the room where two
teachers were stood by the window, including Mr Donovan and we all took a seat and
then the head just looked at us with a blank stare.
"I'm sure my receptionist has told you, Mr and Mrs Hamilton, why you are here." The
head said.
Mum and dad nodded and he continued, "Liam has violated school property as well as
hurt two of our students and myself."
Dad glared at Liam and muttered something to him under his breath.
"You must know that one of the students was Flynn Hopper, who is seemingly very
close to your family. So, why has this all of a sudden happened?"
"It's none of your goddamn business." Liam said and slumped back in his chair with
his arms folded over his chest.
"I'd like you to watch the CCTV cameras of the quad, Mr and Mrs Hamilton."
My ears perked up and I scurried my chair over so that I could see the screen of
the CCTV tv. At the top of the TV, you could see that it said the incident happened
about an hour ago.
At exactly 12:23, I could see a Liam shaped figure walking up to a Flynn shaped
figure who was chatting to a group of girls. Liam twisted Flynn around and punched
him square in the jaw, sending Flynn stumbling backwards. It was actually a pretty
good punch, might I add. Flynn shoved Liam back, who easily just peeled Flynn off
like a sticker and pushed him back with a stronger force.
Liam didn't stop there, nope. Right after the punch to the face came a blow to the
stomach, causing Flynn to crouch over.
The girls on the video all had their hands clasped over their mouths as they
watched Flynn being beat into a pulp and a giant (and I literally mean half the
school kind of giant) crowd had formed around the two. Liam didn't care though
because he continued on kicking and shouting at Flynn who was on the floor, curled
up in a ball.
Somebody immersed from the giant crowd who looked a lot like somebody from Torvux.
He grabbed Liam's collar and tried separating him from Flynn but failed and
received a punch instead. I don't think Liam knew who he was punching then because
his back was turned when the guy tried separating him.
The poor guy who got unintentionally punched started arguing with Liam and trying
to get him to calm down. I could tell because of his hand movement while Liam's
were high up in the air.
Then finally the head teacher immersed from the crowd and tried to pull Liam away
but Liam swiftly grabbed him by the collar, shouted in his face and pushed him
against the fence, giving him a punch in the cheek.
Liam was on a rampage here but could you blame him when he's just found out that
his his long term girlfriend had cheated on him?
I had only just realised, but Molly and I were choursing a bunch of ooh's and
ahh's. Mum and Dad looked absoloutely furious, well, Mum mostly. Dad looked
surpised and there was only an inkling of furiousness on him. It was like there
were two sides of him battling between cheering his son on and scolding him. It was
quite humourous actually.
I knew that if Liam was my son, I'd be cheering him on. Not because he's hurting my
best friend since forever, but more because he actually has the balls to go right
in and do something.
At 12:29, a few other teachers immersed from the crowd, the same two that are stood
in the office by the window. Mr Donovan dove right in and grabbed Liam around the
waist from behind and around his arms so they couldn't punch anyone else and
dragged Liam away from the crowd and the other teacher attempted to shoo everyone
off.
I could see Flynn in the corner of the CCTV struggling to get up and then Liam
trying to escape from Donovan's strong arms and then the guy who unintentionally
got punched getting comforted by a bunch of people. It was funny because nobody was
really trying to comfort the head teacher.
"So Mr and Mrs. Hamilton," the headteacher started, "we can't let Liam get away
with this-"
"Exam period is starting soon," Mr Donovan quickly walked up to the desk, "the time
tables will be changing for revision lessons and Liam is on a roll for getting
extraordinary grades and getting into a great university."
I glanced to Liam, slightly weirded out. He always acted dumb and such, I would've
never thought he'd be getting these 'extraordinary grades'.
Dad and Molly glanced to Liam too with this expression that basically screamed 'ITS
ALL LIES'. It seems nobody really expected Liam to be as good as he is in school. I
had to stifle in a laugh.
"If you suspend him then it'll be on his permanent record." Mr Donovan was
practically begging for Liam and all Liam was doing was sitting there with his cold
look on his face.
The head teacher cocked his furry eyebrows at the pleading teacher and sighed,
taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes before putting his glasses on again.
"We can't give this a blind eye." The head said, "He's injured three people!
Including me!"
"But are you dead? I think not." Molly added.
"So build a bridge and get over it." I added after and gave Molly a fist bump. Mum
turned her head in my direction and just gave me this look of pure fury and I was
fearing for my life right now.
The head teacher didn't look too happy and started typing on his computer before
bringing up Liam's projected grades for the year on the wall behind using a
projector. That was when Liam sat in his chair properly and glared hard at the head
teacher.
"I'm sure you've got a copy of this," the head said and mum and dad faced each
other with their eyebrows furrowed together.
"When Liam gave me his last school report, they were all C's and D's..." Mum
trailed off.
"Liam, why does this one say you're getting all A*'s and A's and the one you gave
us says you're flunking?" Dad asked.
Liam looked down at his shoes as if they were the most interesting thing in the
world before glancing up at us. "Because I changed the grades on the report I gave
you."
"Why the hell would you do that?" I burst out.
"Because I didn't want you to know my grades!" He yelled out, marching my raised
voice.
"Thats stupid!"
"You're stupid!"
"Why do you have to act dumb?"
"I'm not a nerd!" Ah right, his reputation.
"Boys." Mum warned and we both quietened down.
"Now, usually, if a student does what Liam did, they'd get suspension for a week."
The head said. "Given Liam's grades and the fact that exams are starting soon, I'll
have to make an exception."
"I'm giving Liam two weeks of lunchtime detention and litter duty as well regular
meetings with the school's councillor."
"Counselling?" Liam stood up, looking absolutely flabbergasted.
"Yes, and after that, you will be forced to continue them wherever your university
is until there's improvement in your anger issues." The headteacher said.
We were all shocked for a while and then Liam broke the silence by leaving the room
and slamming the door shut. This wasn't the first time something like this has
happened, Liam did often leave the classroom when he's angry and everyone knew to
just let him be so that he could cool off. What was new to me was the fact that
Liam had never ever been this incandescent before.
Almost instantly after his walking out, I also got up out of my seat and caught up
to him down the corridor, he was walking really quickly and with his broad
shoulders slumped over, he kind of resembled the hulk.
"Liam!" I yelled out.
He carried on walking down the corridor. We were probably disturbing the lessons in
progress right now but who cares, my brother was going through a tough time right
now.
"Liam!" I called again and ran up to him and stood in front of him.
"What?"
"I.. I.. Just stop walking for a moment okay?" I held my hands out in front of me.
"Look, I know what Flynn did was wrong and you have every right to punch him or
whatever but within a few years time, you'll be finishing university or something
and you'll just look back at high school and ponder on why your stupid self decided
to fight for Naomi, that's why you punched Flynn right?"
"I love her." He chocked on his words.
"And I love Jace but I'm still alone. The idiot ran off for crying out loud. I
don't think he even wants to associate with me anymore."
"Can you just do me a favour... Stop hanging out with Flynn."
"Fine." I told him, "I'll stop hanging out and talking to him."
I knew that if I wasn't sick right now, I'd be in biology class with Flynn and we'd
be mucking about because he's always distracting me and making me laugh.
I didn't really want to unfriend Flynn, we've known each other for several years
and a relationship like ours is kind of hard to come around. I know everything
about Flynn but if Liam is saying to unfriend him, then I will because Liam is my
brother and my best friend.
My Flynn driven thoughts changed and I started thinking about how much he's hurt
Liam. Out of all the years I've known him, I didn't think he'd do something as sly
and as cunning as this and it made me kind of angry.
Liam was my brother and my best friend and if anyone tries to hurt him, he knows
I'd be right there for him, even if it meant hurting myself.
I walked up to mine and Flynn's biology room and through the window I could see
that the entire class was sympathising for him. Judging by the huge black eye on
his left side, Liam definitely made his punch count.
"Hi, can I borrow Flynn, please." I asked the teacher as I walked in the classroom.
Flynn stood up from his chair and began walking up to me and I did what I had to
do.
I gave him a punch to mirror the one Liam did.
And it felt great.

34. Dealing With The Demon (Part Two)

Don't wanna let you down
But I am hell bound
Though this is all for you
Don't wanna hide the truth.
p.s please don't hate me after you've read this chapter. :3
------
I didn't know how I felt punching Flynn, I guess I felt kinda sympathetic because
he's already been beaten up by Liam. Sure, the nurse said there was no damage done
to any bones but still, judging by the bruises on his face and arm, he was in pain.
I guess his pain could compare to Liam's. Flynn is a horrible, horrible person for
backstabbing the one person that was always there for him. I remember when me and
Flynn were talking about Liam and he had told me that Liam was like a brother that
he's never had.
So why would you go and screw your brother's girlfriend?
I guess when Flynn said that he likes sex too much, he really means it. Maybe he
was driven by lust when he went and seduced Naomi or maybe he was so compelled when
she seduced him.
I wasn't sure which was the right answer, I didn't take Naomi to be a backstabbing,
conniving bitch but I also didn't expect Flynn to be the same.
After my incident with Flynn, I walked out of the room. Even when our biology
teacher was barking orders at me to head to the principal's office, I didn't listen
because I still had stuff to do around school before classes end and that involved
a lot of printing and a lot of cello tape.
I headed back towards the principals office and saw Molly walking out with mum and
dad. She ran up to me and I dragged her and pulled her towards the school's
library.
The school's library was a nice place; not too shabby, not too full, not overly
decorated with posters motivating students to use protection and such. I liked the
school's library, nobody really went inside it though because apparently it's a
'nerd hangout' but when I come in here from time to time to get some space and the
enjoyment of reading various books, I didn't see nerds, I just saw well educated
students trying to get some peace of mind by reading or trying to study.
I sat down at one of the computers. The library was empty considering that everyone
was in lesson; the only people in here were those with free periods, the staff and
the students with learning difficulties who were studying with the learning support
helpers.
I quickly logged in and plugged in the USB that I had brought with me from home and
opened up the file that was an image of Jessica's face photoshopped onto a llama's
body.
Don't get me wrong, llamas are awesome but they also look funny, even without the
photoshopped head of a human.
Molly started snickering to herself when she saw the picture for the second time
today. I had to quickly scramble this image up in the morning, before we had to
leave to get sushi.
My finger clicked on the enter button and the printer came to life and began making
loud noises that could be heard throughout the entire library. Page after page, it
printed humiliating photoshop edits.
Molly was going to go for something evil, like throwing Jessica in a bin like they
did to Kurt in Glee but I decided against it and thought of this idea, purely
because it's absolutely hilarious and it would mean I wouldn't even have to lay a
finger on Jessica to get revenge.
So yes, I still do want to get revenge on Jessica even thought me and Jace aren't
on good terms. I keep trying to make myself believe that I was doing this just for
Cammie but I knew deep down that it wasn't just for Cammie, it was for Jace too.
Nobody gets to stomp on his foot and get away with it- except for me of course. I
would never do such a thing though.
Molly collected the dozens of sheets of paper and got all giddy as more were being
printed out. The printing finished and I logged out and collected the last few
sheets and met her by the door. It was still lesson time and it still will be for
the next twenty minutes. After that, everyone will be going to lunch.
I started tearing pieces of cello tape and using it to stick the sheets of paper on
the walls. We stuck it everywhere, on doors, lockers, tables, chairs... soon, the
entire school was covered with posters.
Then we waited, I sat down with Molly in the quad, the area was serene and the
weather was holding up. It was actually sunny and kind of warm. The quad was a nice
place to hang around, it's right in the middle of the school and its surrounded by
all the buildings and the cafeteria. There's plenty of benches too, they're usually
all taken up during break and lunch however. Too many students at the school.
The bell eventually rang finally after one hell of an embarrassing conversation
with Molly. I can't believe I thought she was decent company, I swear all she wants
to do is humiliate me whenever she can.
Students piled out of their classrooms and when we saw a huge crowd forming near
one of the posters, I turned to Molly and fist bumped her, we had this telepathic
connection also and we were silently admiring our piece of work.
I stood up, casually as ever and strolled towards the pin board. A huddle of people
crowded round, staring and laughing at the photoshopped edit. For a second, I felt
something at the pit of my stomach but it quickly faded away.
I felt eyes on me, it was weird. Being the tallest person in this crowd of people,
It was easy for somebody to spot me and it was easy for me to spot someone else.
Cautiously, I turned ninety degrees and look to my left, seeing sea blue eyes
directed at me.
I didn't know what to do, should I go and talk to him? Should I keep a distance?
My tummy began fluttering like crazy, it was as if there were monkey's on drugs
jumping around in it. I didn't like the feeling, it felt weird. Even though I've
been feeling it for quite some time, I still couldn't get used to it. All these
feelings were so foreign to be, it was pretty unbelievable.
I wondered If i ever made Jace feel this way, It was a mystery if he even liked me
or not. I really really realy hoped for the former because If I ever found out that
my feelings were unrequited, it would literally break me.
Jace glared at me, shook his head in disapproval and angrily stomped away.
Instantly, my eyes darted to Molly who saw the entire scenario and she motioned me
to go follow him. I shoved through the huddle of people, not giving a shit if they
bumped into somebody else or fell on the floor from the unexpected force. I need to
find Jace, I needed to talk to him. The silence was driving me absolutely insane, I
can't handle that. Jace was like my medicine that I had to take every single day,
maybe even a few times a day.
I chased after him and ended up in the art coridoor. Posters were scattered on the
floor, they were stuck on the doors and alot of the wall wast taken up by them too.
Jace was walking way too quickly, his entire body was stiff, and as his lean body
stomped down the coridoor, I kept calling out his name but he didn't listen.
"Jace!" I tried again and ran a little. The spacious coridoor was overflowing with
students and it was beginning to get harder for me to see him.
I shoved past all the students, trying to catch up with him but he was walking way
too fast for my liking. It was literally like he was running, I could tell he
really didn't want to talk to me, but he had to because for me, It wasn't a matter
of wanting to talk to him, it was a matter of needing to talk to him. He was my
everything, and without him, It was difficult for me to live my life back how it
was.
"Jace, for god's sakes.. please slow down!" I whined and he stopped and turned to
face me. He didn't look happy at all, he looked infurtiated. His eyes were wide
open like a deer in the headlights and his lips were pursed together. He looked
like shit, as if he hasn't slept or taken care of himself, his had dark circles
under his eyes and his hair was spiked up in places they shouldn't be. For a
second, his eyes widened and he moved his head to the left a little to see behind
me. I curiously twisted my head so that I could see behind me and the sight I saw
was definitely not a great one.
Apparently, luck wasn't on my side today because Jessica stomped down the corridor
I was standing in and began yelling something along the lines of 'whoever did this,
I will end you. I will rip off your balls and put them in my trophy case'. She was
absolutely seething, her composure was all rigid and her fists were clenched to her
sides and if this were a cartoon, there would be steam coming from her ears.
"You did this, you prick." she spat out as soon as she saw me.
Come on Zach, she's thirteen. You an deal with a thirteen year old in a mature as
responsible manner.
I should probably start digging my grave now- she knows my biggest secret.
I decided that I should buck up and stop being a wimp. I was Zach Hamilton, I can
deal with this. It's time to bring back the old Zach, the one that existed before I
met Jace. The anger bubbled up inside me and I turned around a little to see Jace
walking towards us. I was beginning to lift my hand up so that I could point all
dramatically but Jace grabbed my wrist and brought my hand down again. I turned to
Jessica and with a tone that I've never ever used before, the words spilled out:
"You want to know something, bitch? You deserve it. Karma's just come to bite you
in the ass." I snapped and grabbed Jace's wrist in an iron grip and dragged him
past the witch. I made sure to bump the side of my body into hers to make her
stumble over. I didn't even bother looking at her reaction, I didn't care to be
frank. Right now, all I cared about was making sure I talk with Jace because I
don't like the silence at all.
I could feel Jace's skinny and calloused fingers trying to pick off my fingers that
were on his wrist, probabaly hurting him. I wasn't trying to hurt him, in fact that
was the last thing I wanted to do but I knew that if my fingers were any looser
around his wrist, he'd be able to escape.
You can't run from your problems after all.
I was making my way to school's field, where I'd be able to talk to him without any
interruptions. It was usually deserted. Jace kept trying to pull his hand back and
he was constantly whining and pleading so eventually I had to lift him up over my
shoulder. I was trying to refrain from it because he's heavier than he looks and it
would seem weird to people to just happened to walk past but I had no choice
because he did almost escape.
"Zach!" Jace cried and continued to bang his fists against my lower back and arse.
"We're talking." I told him, "Whether you like it or not."
I finally reached the school's field, as expected, there was hardly anybody here. I
went to the far back corner, where nobody would see us and put Jace on his feet. He
straightened his clothes out and rubbed at the wrist I was holding tightly. I
honestly didn't mean to hurt him, I did feel really bad because of it.
Jace looked down at the ground and I started taking slow breaths to help calm
myself down, It didn't work very well, I was hyped up from the whole Jessica issue
and the fact that Jace doesn't want to talk to me. It honestly hurts to know he
doesn't want to talk to me.
"Hear me out-" I started but got cut off.
"No." he crossed his arms over his chest and finally looked at me in the eye with
his gorgeous blue eyes, "You hear me out."
"Fine."
"Who do you think you are getting involved in trying to sort out Cammie's bulling,
huh? You've just added fuel to the fire, you absolute knobhead. You probably
thought it was a great fucking idea at first well guess what? It's not!" he put his
hands up in exasperation and then brought them down again and poked my chest with
his index finger, "You had no right. Cammie's issues aren't any of your concern!"
"For god's sakes, Jace. You've been taking the safe route the whole time and it's
done nothing! I did this all for you and her! I was fed up seeing that witch
calling Cam names and hurting you!"
I was pretty sure that with all the yelling, our secret spot wasn't exactly secret
before. The field was huge but the yelling we were doing was really loud and the
smokers that hang around by the other corner of the field could probably make out
what we were saying.
"You know what? Fuck you!" he yelled and walked away, across the field and back
towards the school's quad, stiff as a plank and furious.
It took me a little to process everything that's just happened, I was absolutely
mind blown. How comes when i'm trying to help someone, all I'm doing is screwing it
all up? I should've known from the start that Jace was too good for me, he was too
reasonable. If it were anyone else, they'd be cheering me on for getting back at
the bully.
All I want to do right now was curl up into a ball, fall asleep and hope to never
wake up again. Who knew meeting Jace would bring a ton of baggage? All I wanted to
was help but it turns out that Jace wanted to deal with his own problems.
i just stared at the field while I watched the one person whose ever made me feel
amazing and like shit at the same time stomp away from me, from our friendship,
from any love life we might've had together.
To say it broke my heart would be the understatement on the century.
Because not only did it do that, It smashed into even tinier pieces with a hammer.

35. Listen
Beautiful song, beautiful voice, beautiful meaning. Need I say more?
(And yes, it's originally by Beyoncé but this cover in my opinion is way better)

------

Days passed in a blur, and it was soon Friday. I wasn't focusing right, I was
starting to flunk my classes too, all because I had too much on my mind. Sure, we
were starting exam period and our lessons have changed slightly so we can revise
but I couldn't process anything.

I suppose I kind of expected getting told to 'fuck myself' by Jace, the one person
who could say it with such acrimony and would still have me falling to his feet. I
did force him to talk to me, I mean, nobody should be forced to be talked to but my
emotions got the better of me and actually caused me to hurt Jace's wrist by
grabbing it so hard.

I felt terrible about it, what kind of monster had I become? I physically hurt him
and I feel like I've just commited mass murder.

I didn't like Jace being angry at me, it was odd. He's practially the happiest
person I know, during school that is. When he gets home to his flop of a father,
he's not like that. It's more like the father figure to Camellia than her actual
father will ever be.

Vince wasn't terrible, I suppose. He was a good father but that's only when he's
sober. I had only seen him at Jace's like twice or something, as Jace said, his
parents are usually abroad.

Thinking about Jace only caused a lump in my throat, literally every time I see him
or think of him or hear his name. My tummy flutters and my hands become sweaty and
it's terrible.

I didn't know if I should try talking to him again. I know that I wanted to because
I told him that is help with his drunk father and help with Cammie's problems. It's
not something I could walk away from, if I see trouble and not do anything about
it, I'd feel absolutely terrible and angry at myself. I am ready feeling that way
and I don't want another reason to add to the list.

I still had to tell him about me and Flynn, I felt bad keeping it from him even
though I didn't necessarily have to tell him, right? It wasn't like we were dating
or anything during that time.

Were we?

I didn't even know.

Nonetheless, I felt compelled to tell him but how can I do such a thing if he's
just avoiding me and running away all the time? The idiot doesn't even want to hear
me out.

I felt like I was annoying him by keeping trying to get us to talk. I hope I
wasn't, maybe I should leave him be? Give him some time alone? It's only been four
days since I confessed to him and I don't think that's enough time for him to
process it all.

I just wish he'd hear me out though, honestly, I wanted to explain, I wanted to
help him understand. Avoiding me isn't going to help, we have to talk to each other
at some point in life.

We were supposed to be having a physics session today but to be honest, I didn't

feel like going. It would be awkward and we wouldn't even be focusing on physics. I
reckon one thing will go through one ear and out the other just like everything has
for the past few days because I just have too much on my mind. Why is he
complicating things for?

I just wish he'd listen.

Maybe if I did go to the physics session today in hopes of him showing up, I'd be
able to talk to him.

He wouldn't pass tutoring me because he was the teachers pet and it was his duty to
tutor me.

But then again, I pulled out the big L word too early, he probably thought it was
best to forget the session.

I suppose the only way to find out was to show up.

My fingers trembled as I walked down the corridor, fashionably late of course. My

head was spinning with negative thoughts and my emotions were all over the place.
What should I feel?

Right now, all I was feeling was regret, guilt and rejection.

I took a breather before putting my hand down on the cold metal and pushing it
down. Everything seemed like it was slow motion, the door moved slowly I pushed it
open and even while I walked in, everything was just... Slow.

Jace was sat at the usual desk we sit at, his head buried in his hand, his hair a
mess and his shirt all scruffy.

"H-hey." I said awkwardly then cleared my throat and locked my eyes on his form.

Jace looked up, his eyes were puffy and he still looked like shit. His eyes had
dark circles under them and his lips dry and cracked.

He didn't answer, he just watched me as I put my bags down on the floor and sat at
the table that was next to his. I propped my feet up on the chair next to me and
leaned my back against the wall.

"You're not going to tutor me today." I stated and he looked confused, "you're
going to hear me out."

I was surprised by the confidence that was etched in my voice and cleared my
throat, "are you going to listen?"

"No."

"You are going to listen. I'm going to give you time to process and then you're
going to reply with what you think."

"Stop being annoying."

"I'll give you a few moments to compose yourself."

I watched as Jace gave me an incredulous look and rolled his eyes before sitting up
straight and leaning back on his chair.

Then he started fidgeting and learning forward in his seat, propped his elbows up
on the table and intwined his hands together and leaned his head on them.

"Ready?" I asked.

"No."

I rolled my eyes and propped one of my elbows up on the back of the chair and
leaned my cheek against it. Jace ran his hands through his hair, messed it up more
than it already was and looked at me with baby blue eyes.
"I love you, you know that." I said. What a great start, Zach.

"No you don't." He said. It was almost as if he was trying to believe it himself.

"I do, and it kills me when you're ignoring me!" I exasperated and sat up. "You
don't feel the same and I know that and I will wait for you."

"You what?"

My heart starting racing and my hands began to get sweaty. "I was us to be a
thing."

Jace didn't answer and combed his finger through his hair a few times so I
continued, "I'm being honest, I really like you and nobody's ever made me feel the
same way you make me feel."

"Look," Jace said, "that's sweet and all, but, I don't know."

Does heartbreak feel like your heart is ripping violently into two pieces? That's
how I felt at the moment.

"Please," I said with a crack in my voice.

"You went behind my back and put stupid porters around the school!"

"Don't let that come between us, please." I pleaded.

He drummed his fingers on the table and looked deep in thought, his eyebrows were
furrowed together and his lips were pursed together.

"I.. I don't know." He said.

"What are you scared of?" I huffed and brought my legs down on the ground.

"Everything." He muttered almost inaudibly.

I locked my eyes with his and stood up completely before propping down on a chair
that was next to his, at the same desk. "Elaborate maybe?"

"I'm scared of the school finding us out, I mean, too many people know already and
God knows what Jessica would do and Ben and Kristie."

"Kristie?" I asked.

"Ben's student." Jace cocked a brow.

In a flash, I remembered a young girl standing in the corner during mine and
Flynn's misadventure. I wondered how Jace knew about her and Ben knowing, he only
saw me and Flynn in the music room, apparently and that Kristie girl was in the
shadows.

"How do you know she was there?"

"Ben tells me everything, I do have friends you know."

"Then why are you worried about him telling the school? I should be worried more,
the guy hates me!"
Jace shot me a funny look, kind of like he was constipated or something. I couldn't
really tell what it meant.

"What?"

"He uh.. Liked me.." Jace said awkwardly and I could believe what I had just heard.

"You mean he's..."

"Oh, nope. He was questioning. He still is. I turned him down because I didn't want
to just be his little experiment. He wasn't happy about that."

Jace buried his head back in his hands and continued to comb his finger through his
long black hair. My tummy fluttered when I remembered how much I loved combing my
fingers through his hair, especially during our little make your session before
Camellia interrupted us.

"Jace."

"Mmph." He muttered into his hand.

"I really like you." I tried again and turned my entire body around in the chair to
face him. "Please give me a shot. I can't stand you ignoring me."

Tears started welling up in my eyes and I looked down at my lap. I was being
incredibly pathetic but I could help but let the tears fall down my cheek. I didn't
even know why I was crying, which was really weird. I felt like I was my ex on her
period- that was an absolute nightmare.

"Why are you...." Jace's forehead creased and his eyebrows furrowed.

"I... I don't know!" I exasperated and brought my hands behind my head. By now, I
was full on crying, and the most terrible part was that I still didn't even know
why.

"You're weird." He muttered and I tried to calm myself down. He was seriously not
being helpful here.

When I did finally calm down and stopped hiccuping, then with a trembling voice, I
spoke again. "Please give us a shot? You said you really liked me too."

Jace drummed his fingers on the table again and ruffled his hair up, "don't pull
anymore stupid shit that could get you suspended, okay?"

"Yes, yes I won't pull any stupid shit that could get me suspended."

"Fine, I'll give us a shot."

Suddenly, my heart was sewn back together and my mood heightened, as then I pulled
a genuine smile that seemed so foreign to me in the past few days and stood up off
my seat, launching myself at him and sitting on his lap with my arms wrapped
tightly around his neck.

"Thank you!" I practically screamed and hugged him.

"You have to officially ask me, so I can stick how sappy you are in your face." He
smirked.

I frowned and rolled my eyes, "will you, my darling Jace, be my boyfriend?"

"Hmmm..." He brought his fingers to his chin and looked at the wall behind me with
such focus.

"Stop!" I whined like a little kid and tore his hand away from his chin and
intwined it with mine. His hand fell limply to his sides and caused me to fall
forward in an awkward embrace.

"Yes." He finally answered. "As long as there's no stupid shit."

I was leaning forward to kiss him, to taste those lips that I've been craving but
he turned his head to the side and caused me to kiss the light stubble on his cheek
instead.

"Can we just take it slow." He muttered.

"But we've kissed before..." I cocked a brow.

"Yeah but, I'm still freaked out about all this," he motioned his hands to the area
around us, "I'm scared."

"Of what? Me?" I frowned.

"No, of what you said and... What you did and the future."

When I didn't answer, he elaborated, "like when you offered me your bracelet and
said the big L word and what we would happen next year when exams are over and what
would happen to us if we were forced out the closet-"

"Jace, shut up." I smiled, overwhelmed with so many emotions. I leaned forward to
try for another kiss but again, he turned away. Goddamnit.

"Oh come on! I've been craving your lips for so long- oh my god, I said that out
loud." I closed my hand over my mouth and squeezed my eyes shut. Jace started
chuckling and traced his finger down my torso.

I leaned into him again and lay my head down on his shoulder. I've missed times
like this, for so long, I wanted him to hold me forever or vice versa.

The air felt awkward around us and comfortable at the same time which was weird,
and I mean, really weird. How could something like that even occur?

I knew it would take a while for Jace and I to go back to normal, he was probably
doubting the relationship in his head right at this moment, doesn't everyone?

I knew that I was doubting the length of our relationship, how long would we last?
How long will it take for Jace to realise how pathetic I could be sometimes?

How long will it take for Jace to start loving me? Will he ever love me?

I snuggled further into him and he wrapped his arms around me limply. I threw my
arms back around his neck and nuzzles into the crook of his neck. Maybe I should
stop thinking about the future, maybe I should just relish in the present.

"I love you." I said nonchalantly.

"If we're going to date then you need to stop saying that." He murmured into my
hair.
"Isn't that kind of backwards?"

"Doesn't matter." He said.

"I want to let you know every day though, every hour, every second." I made this
kind of satisfied sound from the back of my throat, "I'll wait for you, you know."

"I know." He rubbed his hands up and down the sides of my torso. "I don't know what
to say when you say it though."

"Just listen then," I cleared my throat, "this is going to sound cheesy, okay, so
don't laugh because I know you will and then I will just cry under my duvet sheets
when I get home."

Jace cracked a smile, "okay, I won't laugh."

"I don't really- well, I don't know how put it, I just- your incredible and
probably the best thing that's ever happened in my life. I really really hope we
stay together forever because there's no way I will let go of you, I frickin' feel
things okay, especially for you, I just feel butterflies and then my whole body
heats up a million degrees and that's just when I see you," I combed my fingers
through his hair for a while, feeling a huge wave of nostalgia and continued, "the
feelings are so new to me and they're only triggered when I see you, when I talk to
you, when we kiss or touch..."

Jace cracked a grin and I frowned, "you said you won't laugh!"

"I'm not!" He held his hands up in surrender.

"You want to."

"But I'm not." He stuck his tongue out and I leaned forward, desperate to capture
it but he quickly put it back in his mouth.

"Oh come on! One kiss?" I pleaded.

Jace leaned forward with his lips parted, my breathing began to get ragged and all
of a sudden, I got self conscious of my breath and whether or not I put nice
aftershave on. Jace and I were inches apart and I was so ready for this kiss, I
have been dreaming of this moment.

Then he stopped when our noses were about to touch and grinned, showing his pearly
white teeth. I frowned and he went for my cheek, giving it a kiss and backing up.

"Aw don't be sad," he grinned and brought both of his hands up and stretched my
lips into a smile.

"I will be sad and it's all your fault." I stated and he faked hurt by bringing his
hand to his chest.

"Ouch."

"God, I don't even know why I love you, you're terrible." I said dramtically and
turned my head away from him and out the window, seeing the sun about to set.

"Just a few moments ago you were saying I was incredible." He smirked.

"Yeah yeah. I was just adding to your already enourmously sized ego."
"Come on, don't be like that." he tried.

I turned back to face him and gave in to him, leaning my head on his shoulder and
taking in his aftershave. "God, I missed you so much."

"It's barely been a week."

"Felt like years, dude. That's not nice, you can't just ignore me like that. Don't
do it again."

"No promises." he said and started stroking my hair with his skinny fingers. I
seriously just wanted to fall asleep like this, with me in Jace's arms and, as much
as it annoys me, my tummy fluttering and my heart racing because I could feel
Jace's heart racing too, hammering against his chest.

Thump, thump.

It was a reminder that there was chemistry between us and my feelings were
requited. Jace may not love me, but he admitted he liked me, a lot.

"You better promise, otherwise I'll get my army of fangirls after you."

"Fine! I promise!" he seemed scared, jokingly of course.

"How's your wrist. I feel terrible, It made me feel like shit the way I could just
do that... I didn't mean to okay?" I snuggled futher into him.

"You better feel like that."

I wrapped my arms tighter and tighter around his neck and started whining a ton of
apologies and then he kissed my cheek, "I was joking! It's fine, it's fine!"

"Lies."

"Honestly, It doesn't hurt. Never did."

"You were rubbing at it!"

"Because it was just-"

"Save it, Chapman."

"Honestly, Zach, it didn't even compare to the way my wrist hurts after I play a
ton of guitar. It's absoloutely fine."

I sighed and intwined our hands together. I still couldn't get used to being this
close to him after being away from him for so long. My tummy was fluttering like
mad, the hairs on my arms were stood up, my heart was beating faster than Usain
Bolt and my hands were gross and clammy.

I checked the clock on the wall in front of me and it read that it was coming up to
5:45.

We've been in this room for more than two hours.

"Well, guess our physics session is up, why don't we go over to my place to
actually do some physics, seeming as we missed out here." I chuckled.

"Oh, hilarious." Jace said monotonously. "Unless you mean reading off a textbook,
then I think i'll pass."

I got up off his lap and sat back in my own chair and waited for Jace to pack his
stuff up in his bag. My bag was already packed.

"I'm glad we made up, how about we make out now." I said out the blue and he gave
me a 'watch it' look.

We walked out of the room together and down the empty coridoors. Part of me was
bursting with giddiness, the other part of me feared for the future, just like
Jace.

36. Bedroom Talk

[Jace's POV]
It was all like a dream come true, whether or not I was relishing in the moment
right was questionable.
Zach just felt so right in my arms, it felt so right as he stroked my hair and it
felt so right with his hands intwined with mine.
I wanted to stay like this forever, I really did but I had to get downstairs to my
drunk father and make sure he eats and goes to sleep. Mum still wasn't home,
usually she wouldn't be away for this long but there was some extra work for her to
do in Scotland but she will be home when I come back from school on Monday.
After Zach and I made up, he wanted to come over mine to check on my father, I knew
he wasn't the kind of person to just leave me to deal with him myself. Zach was
like that, he wasn't a dick. He could be, I guess, but that's only rarely. I could
be too, in fact, I was feeling like one.
We were laying in my bed, cozied up under the duvet covers. He kept telling me
about how much he missed me and how bad he felt after I ran away like a wimp. As
much as I'd like to admit, I didn't feel really bad for running away. At that
moment, it was the only thing I could think of doing. I didn't want to stay there
and hear him throwing the word 'love' around.
"-so, I didn't leave the bed after you ran away from the school's field unless I
had to go to school and I was so depressed and I felt like shit for hurting your
wrist. Still do."
"Will you stop babbling about that?" I asked as I caressed his cheek, "I told you
that it's fine."
"I'm not convinced, honestly, Jace, I'm not like some secret abuser or anything."
"I know you're not. You're an angel." I smiled down at him and caressed his face
more, feeling the light stubble.
A few moments passed and I sat up, taking my contact lenses out and throwing them
in the bin near me. Contact lenses always made me feel tired but sometimes, glasses
just feel heavy on you. I've always worn lenses but since Zach likes my glasses,
I'm going to go back to wearing them at school.
I lay back down the bed, finally comfortable and with my eyes slightly blurry, I
moved closer to Zach and brought my leg over his thigh and my arm around his waist.
"Jace?" I opened one eye and saw Zach look up at me and almost resemble a cute
puppy.
"Mmm...?" I said groggily.
"If I gave you my bracelet again, would you accept it?"
I took a sharp intake of breath and finally opened both eyes, my hand instinctively
rubbed up and down his side, across his shoulder and to his jawline, caressing it
and feeling the light stubble.
I liked feeling his stubble, in some way, it made me jealous. I had always been a
baby face, I would grow the smallest amount of hair in three months or so. I didn't
like keeping it either, it didn't suit me that much.
"Jace?" Zach asked and I snapped out of my reverie about facial hair.
"I don't know, Zach." I sighed, leaning down and kissing his temple.
Zach turned on his back and crossed his arms around his chest, glaring up at the
ceiling.
"Oh come on, don't be like that." I combed a hand through my hair.
Sure, I was being an absolute cock and limiting him from doing stuff and I was
being a bitch about not accepting the bracelet but can you blame me? I was scared.
I was just a scared little boy really, always had been.
I could only wonder if Zach was really as committal as he said he was. Reputations
last, and Zach's 'womaniser' reputation wasn't definitely not helping me make my
mine up.
To be honest, would I be able to handle the popularity? If Zach gives me the darn
bracelet, how would that help me?
I didn't really care about the bracelet to be honest, unlike all the girls in our
school who wanted it so badly, they'd donate a kidney.
If Zach gave me his bracelet, I'd be come instantly popular, I'd have more than the
five friends I already have. There was no going back either, the popularity lasts.
What if he have another argument? I can't just give the bracelet back like that.
Once you have it, it's to keep and to be honest, the bracelet was probably cursed
or something because Zach definitely doesn't like the concept either. He thinks
it's overrated and in some way, I feel glad about him feeling that way because it
just proves to show that he doesn't give a shit as much as the next person about
the damn thing.
I personally think the bracelet would cause more arguments between us, in some
twisted way.
"Please?" I tried. I didn't like it when Zach was upset.
"Mmfgh." He mumbled as he dug his face into the pillow.
I felt kind of pressured right now, if I didn't accept the bracelet, Zach would be
unhappy. If I took the bracelet, he'd be happy and I'd be unhappy. Sure I was
always up for being selfless. I'd do anything to make anybody I care about, happy.
The bracelet however? Now that was an exception.
I took off my sweatshirt so that I just in my t-shirt and threw it aside. I cozied
up next to him, my boyfriend, and rubbed soothing circles on his lean back.
Boyfriend, I thought, it sounds so... New. So odd. So real.
Don't get me wrong, I love having Zach as my boyfriend. I couldn't have asked for
anybody better to share my life with in this way.
There's just... Too much pressure. It was frightening.
Zach turned his head to face me but kept on his stomach. His brownish gold hair
flipped over his eyes and his plump lips just looked so compelling.
I moved the flop of hair covering his eyes and stoked his hair that had once been
styled to perfection. "Stop being angry with me."
"I just... I like you so much, it's killing me inside that you don't even want to
accept the stupid bracelet before Calvin changes his mind and you don't want to
kiss me... Sometimes it feels as if you don't even see me that way and you're only
giving it a shot with me because you sympathise." He said, "I hate pity."
"Uh, Calvin?"
"Yeah, he uh, said that I could give my bracelet to a best friend and I want to
give it to you but as my boyfriend, my lover."
"So you keep asking me all because Calvin is pressuring you?" I leaned back a
little, taking my hand away from his hair.
"No! It's not like that!" He saved and intwined one hand with mine. "there's no
timer or anything, it's just that, if Calvin changes his mind, we would have to
come out if you accept the bracelet."
I face palmed myself, running my thumb over his hand. "I get it."
"Good, didn't want you getting the wrong end of the stick."
"So you'll accept-"
"Still no." I sighed. He dug his face back in to the pillow and pulled the duvet up
higher to cover half of his head.
My heart dropped and I frowned, god, he was so upset, he was probably tearing up
there and I'm just being so selfish. Can you blame me?
Bracelet + reputation + popularity + social life + jealous girls attacking me = NO.
I sat up and straddled Zach's hips over the duvet, I pulled the duvet lower down
his body and brought my hands to his shoulders, digging my fingers into them and
massaging him.
"I'm sorry." I told him, and brought my thumb to his neck, digging it in there and
going back and forth.
"That's okay." He mumbled into the pillows. "Whatever makes you happy, right?"
"Don't be upset with me." My fingers went back to his shoulders. Zach let out a
sexy moan and I had to control my emotions before something in particular gets a
little excited.
He turned his head to the side, allowing him to breathe and speak clearer. "I'm
not, I could never be."
We just sat in silence, my hands running up and down his body and then he spoke out
again.
"Wheres your sister?"
"I don't know, I think she had an after school flute lesson. It's Friday, right?"
"But it's like seven in the evening."
"Then she should be downstairs."
"You never answered my question." He pointed out.
"Uhhh...." I thought stupidly.
"You're not with me just because you pity me, or because of my rep?"
I took a long glance to him, he looked so cute, so fragile. "Of course not, and I
don't care about your rep."
"Ouch."
"No no no no, I don't mean like that." I quickly saved and played with the hem of
his sweatshirt.
We just sat in silence for a while, well, Zach was laying down beneath me.
Eventually, I opted to lay down next to him and we both just stared up at the
ceiling.
"Are you sure your sister is at home because she's unusually quiet." Zach asked and
sat up, suddenly fearing for the worst. Usually, Cammie would be listening to loud
music on the TV.
Zach and I both scurried downstairs, and sure enough, Cammie was laying on the sofa
in a somewhat peaceful looking slumber. It was as peaceful as it could be on a
sofa, at least. Her long legs were falling off the edge and her head wasn't even on
the arm rest, it was just rested on top of the seat. I clutched at my heart and
took a sigh of relief, Zach did the same.
We both walked down the rest of the stairs and Zach wrapped a blanket over her. I
smiled, the view in front of me was too adorable. Two of the best people in my life
were in the same room, same area. I had friends, but it was only Ben who was a
really close friend to me.
To be honest, and I know i've thought it countless times, but I feel like Zach
could drift off me easily. I've always feared it, as his friend and his boyfriend.
It was probabaly because he's had countless girlfriends, week after week and he
doesn't even give a second glance to his ex's.
I hope I wasn't just one of 'those people'.
Sure, he's admitted he loves me, he admits I make him feel special, he admits that
nobody's ever made him feel the same way and I'm glad about that and all but, I
feel like I have the right to have these irrational thoughts. I've always been an
hopeless romantic, what if this is just one of those situations where Zach suddenly
comes to the realisation that he doesn't need me? What if he just adds to the list
of my 'failed relationships'.
The room was silent, only the soft snores from Cam could be heard and mine and
Zach's breathing. Dad was hell knows and for the first time in a while, I was the
least bit worried. With Zach around, it was as if my worries were all thrown out
the window.
Speaking of the goldish-brown haired boy, his tummy rumbled and I had to stifle a
laugh. He clutched his tummy and his face flushed.
He could be so adorable sometimes.
"Do you want to for dinner? I don't think there's any groceries in the fridge." I
trailed off.
He looked deep in thought before glancing to Cam and then, almost as if a lightbulb
appeared on top of his head, he grinned.
"We could buy some groceries and cook here. I can make pasta." He winked.
"Any more exciting than pasta? I'm thinking chicken." Just the thought of bourbon
chicken made my mouth water and I had to resist not drooling.
"I might poison you." He flushed.
"I'll cook the chicken. You can learn." I said and winked before grabbing mine and
Zach's trainers from the coat closet, my wallet and my jacket.
"We don't have a ride..."
"I started learning like ages ago, we can take the car my grandparents handed down
to me." [a/n: for those who don't remember, I changed their ages so now Jace hasn't
got a proper driving licence but a provisional one instead (the legal age to learn
to drive a car in England is 17, which he has only just turned about 2 months ago,
in February)]
"Don't you need an experienced passenger?" He cocked a brow and I shook my head,
"we'll just have to avoid the police." I said.
"Ooh this feels so awesome. I feel like James Bond." Zach spoke up as we slid into
the car. I just did an unattractive laugh that sounded almost like a snort and
stuck the key into the ignition.
A few minutes later, we arrived in front of the grocery store in one piece and
hopped out. Zach skipped in like a little kid and I almost felt like doing the
same, it wasn't as if anybody cared around here. They all just minded their own
business.
The sliding doors opened and Zach grabbed a small trolley and jumped inside it. I
laughed and took hold the handles and wheeled it towards the first row and started
grabbing some salad and dressing.
We finished off the section and headed over to grab some chicken. I threw it in the
trolley on top of his head and he moodily crossed his arms over his chest and
glared daggers at me but it didn't affect me that much and I only just left the
trolley with him inside of it outside the next row that was crowded with other
trolleys.
When I got back to the trolley with my hand full of things to season the chicken
In, Zach was nowhere to be found, I shrugged and threw the stuff into the trolley
before wheeling it to the section that has drinks in it.
It was fine if Zach was nowhere to be found, that guy had like his own Jadar, which
was a Jace-Radar. He always creeped up behind me and scared the life out of me, I
guess I kind of expected him to pop out of nowhere any moment now... Any moment-
"AGH." I screamed like a little girl and stared at the creepy donkey masked guy in
front of me before I realised it was Zach and pulled it off. He started laughing
and I just frowned at him, even though I knew it would happen at any moment, I
still couldn't help but scream.
"YOU EVIL BASTARD." I yelled at him and pushed the trolley away, I felt a slap on
my butt and I tried to stop the smile creeping up on my face.
I continued on with the shopping and filled the trolley up with junk food and fizzy
drinks. Zach caught up too and I knew it was him because of his musky scent and the
fact he was hungrily kissing up my neck and peppering small kisses over my
shoulder.
Soon the shopping was done and it only took two hours. Yup, two hours. I think
we've broken a record. If it wasn't for Zach pestering me, I would've had it done
in half an hour, or at least I try tell myself that.
We were sat back in the car and the grocery bags were in the boot. Zach giddily put
his seatbelt on and bounced in his chair, I had a feeling that he thought he was
James Bond again.
I almost felt like James Bond too, almost.
The drive back to the house was quiet with only small talk being thrown around here
and there. It was a comfortable silence after that, and I remembered being in a
similar situation a while back. There was never really an awkward silence between
me and Zach.
Cam was still sleeping on the sofa and we silently walked past the living room to
get to the kitchen. We both just threw the groceries on the kitchen counter and
started preparing the food straight away. I was already starting finding the knife
to cut the chicken into small pieces and I told Zach to start cooking the rice.
I heated some oil in the pan and chucked in the small prices of chicken in and soon
approximated the measurements of the seasoning and sauces. Zach found a box of
herbs and seasoning that my mum kept in a cupboard and chucked a few in, there were
too many herbs for me to remember in that cupboard but somehow, he knew what each
of them were best suited for. I saw him in a new light then and there, you know
when reality just slaps you right in the face and then you see something or in my
case, someone, in a different perspective?
Yeah, that's how I felt; it wasn't as if I didn't see him in a different light
before, it's just that, I'm seeing him in an even brighter, even newer light.
Come on, you wouldn't expect the school's basketball star to be able to name and
describe basically every herb, ever?
You wouldn't expect him to fall madly in love with the school's outcast, band geek
either.
However, all expectations were thrown out the window eons ago because Zach was far
from your average, mainstream popular.

37. The Truth About 'E'

I'd like you to know that there are BIG PLANS and I'm so excited! You'll find out
soon what it is but for now, enjoy this chapter!

P.s. Let's all appreciate the photo collage to the side of Jace who is portrayed by
Cameron Leahy, we haven't had a photo of him for a looooong time.

P.P.S. It's not my collage, found it on tumblr :)

--- --- ---

[Zach's POV]

Dinner was slow, I was just teasing Jace the whole time about not being able to
measure out properly because there was still a ton of food leftover and way too
much sauce and chicken compared to the amount of rice he told me to put in.

It was funny to wind him up, he goes all red and starts glaring but Jace could
never hold such a serious face because he wasn't the kind of person that would
glare and be in a strop everyday and act like there's something shoved up his arse.

Cammie was still sleeping, Jace had told me that even though she fell asleep early,
she would still struggle to wake up in the morning and will eventually be late,
like nearly everyday. When I fall asleep early, I always wake up super early or I
keep waking up multiple times during be night.

I helped Jace tidy the kitchen and during Jace's story about something that
happened during his day while he washed the dishes, I crept up behind him and
leaned my hands against the counter, locking him inside the small gap, and peppered
kisses up his neck. I loved feeling him shiver under my touch and flinch when I
tickle him. He continued to talk and talk but I wasn't really focused on what he
was saying, because I wanted to kiss him on the lips and I was intending to do
exactly that by the end of the night.

My arms wrapped themselves around his waist and as if it was possible, I came
closer to him. His back felt warm against my chest and I'm pretty sure he could
feel my heart thumping violating against my chest. My head nuzzled against his
shoulder and his arms eventually stopped moving which meant that he had stopped
washing up, he didn't move at all, it's not like he could anyway.
The front door started rattling just as I ducked my face in to his shoulder to
pepper more kisses. We shot each other a confused look and I moved away from him to
grab the hand towel so that he could dry his hands.

Vince came walking into the house looking sober and smartly dressed, I could've
sworn that Jace's mother won't be here for a few more days, why is his dad sober?

"Hi, Dad." Jace said quietly and motioned for him to come inside the kitchen.

"Dinner ready?" he asked and plopped down at the breakfast bar. He took off his
long black and very smart trench coat, only to reveal a suit and tie.

"Wow, well you're smartly dressed." I spluttered out and mentally facepalemd
myself.

"Indeed I am, Zach." He loosened his red tie and flashed me a million watt smile.

Vince is weird. Very weird indeed.

Jace placed a plateful of food in front of his father as well as some cutlary and
leaned against the counter with his elbows propped up on it.

"So why are you smartly dressed exactly?" Jace asked, eyeing his father
skeptically.

"No reason." He struggled. His phone started ringing, shattering the awkward
silence.

Vince looked in his suit jacket for his phone and stared at the screen once he
successfully found it. I studied his facial expressions right then, I was getting
good at it now. First, Vince looked puzzled, his brows were knitted together and
then it changed to questioning, as if he was debating whether he should or should
not take the phone call; I noticed this because he had his finger hovering over the
green button and then it moved over to the red button and then it went back to the
green.

He pressed the green button in the end and when he brought his phone to his ear, I
tried to peek at the caller ID, it was difficult but all I saw was an 'E' before
the screen went black so Vince's face doesn't press any buttons.

I remembered just a few days ago when I kept seeing this Eli person calling his
mobile and it didn't take a genius to figure out it was the same person Vince was
on the phone to.

"I told you to get lost." Vince seethed, "no, find somebody else to do it!" Jace's
eyes widened and he brought his hand down to mine, reassuringly I squeezed his
hand.

"He's not going to get angry at you." I assured him, "I won't let him."

"He'll start blaming me for something I didn't do." Jace murmured and I sighed and
caressed his cheek.

"I won't let him." I gave a reassuring smile before giving him a small peck on the
cheek.

Vince came back into the kitchen, looking all moody and exhausted. He slicked back
his hair with his fingers but then he messed it up again and buried his face in his
hands.

"Uh, dad?" Jace pressed, "who was that?"

"Someone."

"Helpful." I muttered, "I think I should probably go home now."

"I think that's a good idea," Vince said and cautiously, tip toed towards the coat
rack, thinking that whatever sound I made would set Vince on a rampage.

"No, Zach, stay." Jace pleaded, and that was it. Hearing how much he really wanted
me to stay caused my heart to drop to my stomach.

I went back into the kitchen and intwined my fingers with Jace's. Vince eyed us
skeptically but didn't press on his son's newfound romance.

"Who was that?"

"I told you, it's just someone." Vince sighed.

"Why are you angry with him?" He tried again.

Vince snapped his head to us, "Jace, just shut up, please. It's none of your
concern."

I felt Jace take a sharp intake of breath and I squeezed his hand as if my life
depended on it and rubbed my thumb in circles on his hand.

"If he's your son, I think it is his concern." I pointed out, feeling confident.

"He's just... Never mind." Vince stood up from his place at the breakfast table and
put his plate near the sink before groggily walking out of the kitchen and into the
living room. "That girl can sleep for eternity and still be tired."

Cammie was sound asleep on the sofa, her blonde curls were thrown over the arm rest
and her head was rested on a sofa cushion, if you looked further, you could see a
line of drool from her mouth and on the cushion.

Vince diligently lifted her head up and let it rest on his lap, I've noticed that
Cam had always been daddy's little girl, Vince was always so loving towards her,
not as if he isn't with Jace but Vince did always spoil her. I never actually found
out why.

"Dad, please." Jace pleaded, "who is Eli?"

Jace's father rubbed his eyes and started untangling Cammie's hair with his
fingers. "He's a social worker."

"So why is it a big deal? Why are you so angry with him?" I asked, getting more
intrigued by the second.

"well, you know experimenting is normal right?" He started and I dove my head into
Jace's shoulder, cringing from the picture that formed in my head.

"Right..." Jace trailed off.

"He and I had a fling but it was nothing, and one day he took me to his workplace
and that's when I saw you, Jace. You were like a year old then."
"Your point is..." Jace cocked a brow.

"I adopted you and raised you as a single parent. This was a few years after Eli,
you were four. I met your mother a few months after and we dated, got engaged
eventually and we moved into one house together."

"I'm sorry but where does Eli come into this?" I butted in.

"Like I said, he was a social worker and he was assigned to Jace a year ago after
the other social worker passed away. He's coming over the day after tomorrow to
check up on things but I told him to find somebody else to do it given our bumpy
past."

"Oh my god, is everybody in this family gay? Why am I only just finding out about
this?" Camellia suddenly perked up, lifting her head from the cushion on her
fathers lap and flicking her blonde curls behind her.

"You got a bit.." I said and pointed to my chin, "of drool."

Her pale cheeks flushed red and she frantically wiped at her chin and cringed.

"Cam, go upstairs please." Vince said and patted her shoulder.

"But why? I'm in this family too!" She cried and pulled her lips onto a frown.

"Just go." Jace rolled his eyes and moved out of the doorway so that she could get
past him. She shot us all death glares and I was beginning to wonder how women and
girls were able to make you fear for your life just by their eyes.

She walked up the mahogany staircase as slow as a snail does and we all waited
until we heard a door slam shut before Jace and I glanced to Vince and expected
answers.

"Dad, because Eli is coming, is that why you're not on a binge?" Jace asked, his
voice cracking just a bit.

"Jace, it's not like that!" He argues.

"It's exactly like that! For once, I actually thought you were making progress!"

I've never heard Jace shout so loudly and seem so upset. The only times he's
shouted was from the car when I was walking up to my front porch or from across the
corridor or car park but that's just to get my attention, he wasn't upset them. The
tense exchange from Jace to Vince was intense and a little scary. Who knows what
Vince or Jace is capable of?

"I actually thought there was hope," Jace cried, "why don't you show the social
worker who you really fucking are?"

"Don't be like that, Jace just calm down." Vince tried but it only made more
angrier, angry enough to pick up the a photo frame and hold it high up in the air,
ready to smash. His eyes were glazed over with a darker shade of the usually happy,
light blue eyes I see.

"NO." I suddenly jumped in and snatched the frame from him. To be honest, I was
terrified about jumping in, that frame could've been smashed on top of my head if I
wasn't careful enough.
"I have had it with you and your ruthless binges, I stay at home and cook and clean
and look after Camellia and then you have the guts to complain afterwards that I'm
not picking up any slack!" He grit his teeth and clenched his fist, my heart raced
and skipped at the mess.

Is this really what's it's built up to? Is this the side of Jace that he really
didn't want anybody to know about? Jace was like a string, one that's been nibbled
on by rats for so long that it's finally snapped.

Vince opened his mouth but Jace wasn't at all having it because he cut him off,
"and don't you fucking tell me to calm down, this is all your fault."

"I don't care about this Eli person, alright? To be honest, showing him your real
side would probably benefit everyone. At least I'll be taken away from you." He
growled. Vince and I were both speechless.

A few moments of silence passed and Vince cleared his throat, speaking up, "do you
really mean that?"

Jace's eyes glazed over again with a dark shade and his face contorted into a
scowl. He opened his mouth, answer at the tip of his tongue but I clamped my hand
over his mouth because the question is probably best unanswered because he was
going to say 'yes' and I know that he doesn't mean that. I've been where he is, I
know that I thought I absolutely hated Liam during my tantrum but deep down, I
really didn't.

"Let's go to my place." I sighed, tugging Jace's sleeve. "Probably for the best."

Vince didn't say anything and Jace only nodded; he walked out of the kitchen
flopping his fringe out of his eyes. I glanced to Vince who looked kind of lost,
almost in a daze. I shrugged and walked to Jace who was clambering up the stairs in
his coat and shoes that weren't on properly.

He came back down a few moments later and Cammie popped her head out of her bedroom
door, her long curls wildly bouncing around as she ran down the stairs and tugged
on Jace's coat.

"I'll be back tomorrow, ok?" He choked on his words and patted her head as if she
was a puppy.

She rolled her eyes and sighed, it was kind of funny how even in dramatic situation
like this, she still carried that hormonal teenager vibe and reacted unexpectedly.

I grabbed Jace's rucksack off him and we both looked a little lost how we'd get to
my house. Jace had a car, the one his grandparents handed down to him and he had
his provisional license but he didn't feel good about driving in the dark,
especially on these roads.

"We can walk." I shrugged, "thirty minutes down the road."

"N-no, it's fine, I'll drive...." wearily, he walked towards the drivers door and
slid in the car. I joined him and hopped in the passengers side and let his
rucksack sit on my lap.

Jace had the steering wheel in an iron grip, his knuckles were literally turning
white his hand shook as he pushed the key into the ignition and twisted it
clockwise.

"Maybe you shouldn't be driving with a lot on your mind. Come on, we'll walk." I
breathed out and opened the car door. I walked over to his side and opened the door
for him because I knew he wouldn't want to hassle me by walking in the cold.

He wasn't getting out, he was just sat in the seat, now comfortably resting back on
the backrest. An idea popped in my head and I smirked as I grabbed his glasses in
my hands and put them over my eyes, causing everything to turn blurry and causing a
slight headache.

"If you want your glasses, you'll have to get them off me!" I grinned and hauled
the rucksack over my shoulders before bolting it off his property and down the
road.

"Zach, I'm literally blind without them, give my glasses back!" He screeched and
chased after me. I couldn't stop grinning as a familiar warmth filled my chest and
gorillas pounced around in my stomach.

"Make me!" I yelled out, not caring about the neighbours trying to sleep.

"I'm a guitar player, not a basketball player!" Well, at least he got it right for
once.

I slowed down a little, allowing him to catch up with me, my chest filled with a
familiar warmth one more, it was all cosy and fuzzy. The cold biting at my
fingertips was almost forgotten when Jace pulled me by the hem of my jacket and
wrapped me up in his arms. I felt like a sushi roll, as weird as it is. Jace took
the glasses off my face and put them over his eyes. I pouted and continued on
pouting even when Jace kept his arms around me, pecked my nose and dragged me
forward a few steps because I wouldn't do it myself. "We're not going to get
anywhere if you're not going to move that sexy little ass of yours." He smirked.

My eyes widened. Did he just- he really went there didn't he?

"My ass is fabulous, It's not little." was my terrible comeback.

"Whatever you say," he snickered and slapped my butt as he pushed me forwards. I

grabbed his hand before he could do it again though, and intwined our fingers
together but I still didn't move.

"Come on, I'm cold." He whined. I grinned and pecked his nose like he did to me and
ran off into the distance.

"You missed dinner." Mum muttered as she opened the door for us. She eyed me over
and then Jace who walked up on the front porch behind me, "Jace!"

She was all grins and cheers and it bothered me to think she loved him more than
she loved me.

"Evening." Jace said politely, "how are you?"

I rolled my eyes and bolted up the stairs to my
by the foot of my bed and finally saw the state
probably mould growing somewhere judging by all
everything to one corner and kicked some things
before settling down on my bed.
bedroom, I dumped Jace's rucksack
of my room. Honestly, there was
the mess. I quickly shoved
here and there inside the closet

Jace came in moments later and shrugged his coat off, dumping it over my desk
chair. Then dad came in, crossed his arms over his chest and stood idly in the
doorway.
"Yes, father?" I asked.

"Jace can't sleep in the same bed as you."

"Naomi sleeps in the same bed as Liam and they had sex like freakin bunnies! Me and
Jace aren't even having sex." I told him, I was so looking forward to cuddling up
with Jace.

Said person cleared their throat awkwardly and picked up their rucksack, taking out
his pyjamas and rushing off inside the bathroom. Damn, now I can't even look at him
while he changes his clothes.

"Dad, stop being so mean!" I whined quietly so that Jace doesn't hear, "it's not
like it's the first time I've slept in the same bed as him."

He gave me a pointed look and closed the door behind him as he walked out, I fist
pumped the air and stripped my clothes off, Jace came in moments later in his
boxers and t-shirt while I struggled to take off my skinny jeans, I just kind of
awkwardly froze in my spot and stared at his half naked figure while his cheeks
flushed red as he crawled into bed.

My own cheeks flushed red when I realised that I was only in my boxers in front of
him, we've been this naked in front of each other before, why am I suddenly feeling
all hot and coy?

I flicked off the light switch and padded round to the side of the bed closest to
the window. Jace grinned at me as he lifted my end of the duvet up as if to welcome
me, I felt my face get hot again and I couldn't get over his sweetness and sudden
bursts of confidence. I slid into the bed and turned sideways, towards him, and he
let go of the duvet and tucked me in.

I pulled his glasses off his face diligently and hovered over him slightly so that
I could reach the bedside table and put it down, then I lay back down on the pillow
with one arm tucked underneath my head. The moon shone in through the light
coloured curtains and casted a glow on his face, I could make out the shapes of the
furniture in the room because it wasn't even pitch black like I preferred.

It stayed like that for a while, Jace and I just laying there, looking at each
other, scrutinising. I smiled as I lifted a hand up and twirled his long hair
around my fingers, "you need a haircut."

Jace grinned sheepishly and brought an arm around my waist, the heat burned through
me as his hand rubbed up and down my arm soothingly, I brought my hands to his
cheeks and made circular motions with my thumb. Jace didn't give away many
emotions, he always had this blank look and you can't tell what he's feeling
inside. His family always seemed so kind, so untroubled, so calm, but in reality,
it's like a volcano about to erupt or a lion about to pounce on its prey. Jace was
troubled, his dad was a right dick and his mother and father don't give him and
Cammie the right amount of attention desirable.

I pecked Jace on the lips, but that was it. Just a small peck but I was okay with
that because we were making progress but my breathing caught in my throat with he
smashed his lips against mine hungrily. My lips moulded together with his and I
darted my tongue out and fought for dominance, he turned us over so that he was
leaning half on top of me without even breaking the kiss.

My heart rate picked up even more than it was already and the fuzzy feeling was
back but this time it felt a bit tingly too. Weird. Is this what it feels like to
actually have deep feelings for someone? It feels like my heart is just going to
explode out of my chest, not only that, any slightly pessimistic thoughts make me
feel the need to vomit.

Is this what it feels like to love?

-- -- -- -- -- --

a/n: THERE'S MORE TO THIS CHAPTER ON THE BITS 'N BOBS BOOK SO DO GO CHECK IT OUT.

Its obv, an R rated chapter so you'll have to follow me to be able to read it. it
might take a while for wattpad to process the follow so try deleting the Bits n
Bobs book off your library and adding it again. :)

38. A Change Of Scenery

Gif --> Benjamin
---
Waking up most definitely made my morning. I felt two arms around me, cradling me,
and lips peppering kisses on my shoulder and neck. I turned my head around, and
with my eyes half open, I saw Jace with his glasses on and I grinned. This is how
I'd like to wake up every morning.
"Morning buttercup." He muttered.
"Don't say buttercup, ever." I snickered and brought my hand up to flick on on the
forehead but it was too much effort so I settled for stealing his glasses and
putting them over my eyes.
Jace didn't try taking them back, he only grinned and continued on peppering kisses
on my shoulder. "Get off your lazy bum, we have school."
"Oh, ew. What's the time?"
"Seven-thirty." He replied and I groaned, dropping my head into my pillow and
making sure to not bend his glasses.
I lay there for a few moments, hoping that I could just repeat all of last night
again, my cheeks flushed red at the thought of it and I shivered thinking about
going even further in the future. It was a good kind of shiver. Jace crawled on top
of me and hovered. I took the glasses off and put them back on his face, they
suited him better and plus, I liked when he wore them for whatever reason. My hands
brushed against his cheek and I felt the light stubble; I could feel his length
brushing against my thigh and I had to stop myself from lifting the duvet up just a
little... Just to see.
He leaned his head forward and his face came closer and closer to my face, I
puckered my lips and squeezed my eyes shut, ready for a kiss but it never happened.
I frowned and opened my eyes, seeing his face literally a centimetre away from
mine. He smirked, then he grinned and then he slid out of the sheets.
I felt my face get hot seeing him butt naked, "you can't do that!" I whined.
"You can get your kiss when you're ready for school." He stuck his tongue out and
walked over to his dresser, helping himself to a pair of boxers and joggers.
I crawled out of bed and sneaked up behind him, I wrapped my arms around him as if
he was a big teddy bear and turned him around, smashing my lips against his. I
pulled at the waistband of the joggers and pulled him even closer to me, he
stumbled a little, almost falling over and I had to stifle my giggles. I felt happy
knowing I could do this stuff with him without it looking weird or without asking
for permission because he was all mine, and nobody else's.
His hands ran up and down my arm arm and then he brushed his hand against my navy
Torvux bracelet, he shot back abruptly and broke the kiss, then walked over to the
other side of the room, near the door. I grabbed a pair of joggers that looked
similar to his and slipped on his t-shirt that was strewn across the floor from
last night and gave him one last peck on the lips before opening the door and
walking down the the stairs. I wondered how it would all play out of If I decide to
come out to the school, would Jace actually take the bracelet? Would he come out
too? Would it make me legendary? Considering my rep, it probably would.
I stood idly by the breakfast bar, Mum was drinking some black coffee while dad was
next to her, doing the same and reading a newspaper. I heard loud thumping from
upstairs and Liam showed his face moments later and smirked upon seeing us.
Everyone in the room was smirking at an unknown telepathic communication that
excluded Jace and I.
Now I'm staring to feel uncomfortable.
"Sleep well?" Mum asked.
"Yeah.." Jace mumbled.
"Judging by those scratch marks on your back, I'm getting the feeling you slept
very very well." Liam perked up and I honestly felt like slapping him but I was too
frozen in my spot.
I heard Jace's gulp and saw him awkwardly make his way to the cereal cupboard with
his head down. Mum and dad both glanced to Jace's back where there were indeed,
scratch marks. Whoops.
There were many many red lines on his back and there was also a huge hickey on his
jawline, but I wasn't going to tell him that, he can find out for himself. I still
remember last night so vividly that my tummy flutters when I think about certain
things and how they felt exactly; I could feel the heavy breaths on my face and the
weird but somehow arousing feeling when he licked my ear.
"Zach." Dad glared, "I thought last night we made a deal."
"I... Honestly, we didn't do anything." I lied pathetically. "those marks and the
hickey were there before."
"No they weren't."
"Yeah... They weren't..." I trailed off and went over to the draw we kept the bowls
and took out three. I plopped down next to Jace on the dining table and Liam joined
us, stealing Jace's bowl of coco pops that he had only just poured milk into.
I could see mum's lips twitching from my peripherals, wanting to laugh or say
something like 'awwwwwh!' Because that's the type of thing she'd do. Just exactly
like Trisha, only less meaner and clingy.
"Can you quit staring, it's making me feel weird." I glared at them all but they
continued on smirking.
I sighed and picked my empty bowl up, putting it back in the cupboard and trotting
upstairs. I crawled back under the duvet and cozied up in Jace's t-shirt and
pillow. It had that vanilla, musky scent that I loved so much.
My face was buried into the pillow when I heard thumping from the staircase and the
creaking from the door opening so I didn't know who it as but I think I had a good
guess of who it was.
"So, you're official now?" Liam's voice echoed. Okay, that was not who I thought it
was.
"Uh huh." I mumbled into the pillow, grinning because it feels good to admit it. He
probably didn't even understand what I said, however.
"I'm glad you punched Flynn." He spat his name out. "Even though you said you won't
talk to him anymore, I don't mind you being the way you're now; kinda friends,
kinda not friends."
Liam clambered over me and lay down on my side of the bed, "so, how far did you go?
Did he top or bottom? Does he have a big-"
"LIAM!" I looked at him and smacked his arm. He didn't wince, he only pouted. I
buried my face into the pillow again and closed my eyes.
"I'm just saying, some people can surprise you, like they have big dicks but they
don't look the type." Liam muttered to himself and I grinned at how stupid this
conversation is.
"I'm not telling you how big his dick is."
"I would tell you about Naomi if you wanted. She has huge tits-" he made a shape
with his hands. This time, I turned my head to face him and frowned.
"Are you guys talking?" I was surprised he was able to talk about her without
getting an immediate change in emotions.
"Uh, no... She wants me back but I told her no."
"Stupid bitch." I snickered and then whispered the next sentence, "he's very
surprising, if you really wanted to know."
My face flushed just thinking about it and I buried my head in the pillow again,
breathing it in like a creep.
"So did he top or did you?" The room door creaked open.
"I walked in at the wrong time, didn't I?" Jace's voice perked up.
"Maybe." I said into the pillow but it was probably incoherent.
"Well, I better be going..." Liam trailed off and got up, leaving the room but
stopped by the doorway, "you didn't answer my question!"
"I topped." Jace smirked and I shot up.
"No you didn't!" I argued.
"Ok, fine. We didn't go there but it's obvious I'm a top." His lips went back to
that cocky smirk.
"And I'm Obama." I snickered.
He rolled his eyes and scurried into the bathroom, I tried following after and he
just stood in the doorway, staring at me with pale blue eyes.
"I thought saving water would be beneficial." I shrugged and he smirked, walked
further into the bathroom and closing the door in my face.
"So..." Liam trailed off, I made a grumbling sound. Didn't he say that he's going?
"Will you just go away?" I whined and threw a pillow in his face. He started
laughing but walked out of the door nonetheless.
-
School was buzzing with prom announcements and chatter and what people think the
theme would be this year and whether or not their crush would ask them out. Around
the corridors, posters were hung up of people's faces- some popular, some unknown-
all trying to get their votes in for prom king or queen.
I thought it was overrated- Sure, prom is memorable, and yes, it's nice to dress up
in a suit and tie every now and then but when there are girls worshipping at your
feet and hoping you'd ask them to go to prom, it makes it something to absolutely
dread. Liam once told me about how he couldn't enjoy his prom with Naomi because
people kept giving her looks of jealously and envy and bitchiness and they all gave
Liam hearty eyes and looks of lust and hope; eventually my brother and his ex
settled for leaving early and going home only to watch movies and pig out on junk
food.
Since the whole Burleywood debacle with the prom committee, I haven't been invited
to any more of those meetings which is something you'd think I'd be relieved about
but there's this small part of me that actually enjoyed helping out with the room
committee; it would be so great to do all this planning and such and then see it in
full swing weeks later, you're creation, your masterpiece, all your hard work.
I'm starting to sound like Jace.
Classes passed in a blur, a lot of them were of me observing Flynn from a distance,
he no longer wanted to sit next to me in the lessons we had together it turns out,
no, he'd rather sit alone in the corner on the other side of the class from me. Fed
up, I just sat next to Ben. He was cool, minus the fact he knows my biggest secret
and I wouldn't be surprised if he shouted it out given how much hassle we've given
him in the past.
"Have you and Flynn broken up?" Ben asked in Chemistry, while our teacher rambled
on about hydrocarbons.
"We were never together." I rolled my eyes. "I'm not actually available."
I saw Ben's smirk, then his eyes widened and he looked over to Flynn. "Does he
know?"
"I think so." I shrugged, "why are you making everything about him?"
"What do you mean?" He stuck the top of the pencil in his mouth and bit down on it.
"Like, I say something and then you just talk about him."
"Because you've been friends for ages and since the music room thing - which by the
way, I can now hold against you - you've been distant. In fact, you barely hang
around with your usual group of friends."
"Maybe I'm getting tired of my usual set of friends." I gritted my teeth, "don't
see how it concerns you."
The bell rang but we stayed sitting in our seats, the class gradually left the room
and only Ben and I were left in the room.
"Oh, it doesn't, it's just I'm worried about my boy, Jace. You've hung around him
like a child clings on to his mother." He spun the pencil around his fingers, "I've
been friends with Jace since forever, ok? Don't go hurting him like you hurt all
those girls you've played."
Turns out Ben is the observant one.
I cleared my throat and started shoving books into my rucksack. "I would never do
that to him."
"You better not, or you'll get what's coming to you." He glared at me, and it was
the type of glare that sent shivers down my spine. I didn't doubt anything; I knew
Ben was strong and he'd rearrange my face if I got on his bad side.
I slung my rucksack over my shoulder and waited by the doorway. He caught up and
then we walked through the overly crowded corridors and towards the lunchroom. "So
I'm interested... How does nobody from your stupid clique thing know if you make
your gayness so obvious... Cough cough, dry humping your best friend at school."
I turned to face him and glared, "I'm not some specimen that you can just observe
and I'm certainly not sharing my private life with you."
"Come on... I wanna know." He took me by surprise and slung his arm around my
shoulders. I stared at his hand next to my face and wasn't quite sure what to do.
As far as the rest of the school knows, me and Ben aren't friends, and we aren't,
we were merely people who just know of each other.
"My family knows, including by brother and Flynn knows, so 2 Torvux members know."
I muttered. "I think the others are getting suspicious because I haven't been with
any girls for a while."
Chatter boomed from the cafeteria and Ben and I queued up. "Your brother? You mean,
Liam Hamilton, you mean the guy that dated that slut and cares more about his rep
than anyone else?" Ben snickered and I slapped his arm.
"He's my brother, don't talk like that about him."
"He's a prick, I can't believe he gets everything he wants at the click of his
fingers and he doesn't do anything to deserve it."
"Hey, shut the fuck up." I shook my head and placed a plate of spaghetti on to my
tray. "He might've been mean to you but you have no right to talk shit about him I
front of me."
"Fine." He grumbled and took his arm off my shoulder so that he can grab a plate of
spaghetti too.
"You know Liam only puts up this facade for his rep." I back up, "he's not actually
like that."
"Oh really." He snorted and payed for his meal. We found an empty table that was
far away from the usual clique I sit with.
Moments later, Jace joined us at the table as well as a few other people I've never
seen in my life and that Rebecca girl from the prom committee, the same girl I once
dated. Dear god, what have I done to deserve this?
Jace sat down next to me and brushed his hand against mine, I looked to him and saw
him grinning sheepishly at me but the grin was soon gone and he pushed his glasses
higher up his nose (which was adorable and made me want to kiss him right then and
there).
"What's he doing here?" Rebecca scowled and stayed standing up with her arms
crossed together while everyone else sat down and stared at me like I was some sort
of alien.
"For crying out loud. Listen here, bitch, I'm allowed to sit wherever the hell I
want." I seethed and shot glares at all the people at the table staring weirdly at
me, causing them to cower and turn away. I saw Ben and Jace trying to hold in a
laugh.
Rebecca pursed her lips and straightened her mini skirt out before plopping down on
a seat and taking her food out of her bag. I went back to my spaghetti and tried my
best to not eat messily.
"So we've chosen a theme." She announced, "it won't be Burleywood, it will be white
and electric blue."
"You're telling me because..." I trailed off and cocked a brow.
"Jace told me to give you a second chance, I was very reluctant."
I glanced to Jace who was wiping the lens on his glasses, "I know you guys dated..
But I think you have some nice ideas for the prom."
Ben started snickering and I wondered what was so funny. I frowned at him and
kicked him under the table, to which he just kicked back, twice as hard.
"Why is Jace wearing your shirt?" Rebecca asked and cocked a brow at me. "And Jace
why do you have a hickey? You never told me you're seeing anyone."
"Because why not." I said rather than asked nonchalantly, trying my best to seem as
if I don't care but on the inside, I was freaking out. "And he doesn't have to tell
you about his relationships."
Ben gave me a knowing look and I pushed my empty plate of spaghetti away from me
and slumped back in my seat. A few Torvux guys walked past the table and fist
bumped me, some gave me odd looks but it didn't bother me. It's not as if I'm
restricted from who I'm allowed to sit with, which made me ponder again on how the
school would react to my sexuality.
"So, Zach, you're in charge of organising the tables placement and setting and
the-" before Rebecca could finish, she was dragged away by one of her friends, she
quickly muttered a 'see you later' to everyone and walked off.
"Tables? Seriously?" I groaned and crossed my arms over my chest. Then I glanced to
Ben, who was absentmindedly playing with a squashed can of soda. "What were you
snickering about?"
"Nothing!" He assured but I wasn't convinced. "Fine, it's just that you dated her.
Her of all people, like, seriously?"
"Please don't remind me." I buried my face in my hands.
I realised that Ben and I were the only people at the table who were talking,
everyone else just sat and watched the exchange.
"Can I help you." I said rather than asked.
"It's just... I thought you hated each other." Some guy said. Jace perked up and
muttered agreements along with everyone else.
Ben flicked the can to me, and then I flicked it back, "did you ever hate me?" I
asked him.
He thought about it for a while, "no, I hated the fact you were friends with such
idiots, it's kind of difficult to hate you when you were the only one who stood up
for me against your clique and your brother."
"Yeah, I never hated you either." I shrugged. "We don't hate each other." I assured
the rest of the table. I felt Jace's fingers brush against mine again and I tried
to calm down my now racing heart.
The little girl from the music room walked up to our table with two friends and she
smiled at Ben. "Are we on for today?" She asked, seeming all innocent and angelic,
and here I was, thinking she'd want to out me; she's harmless.
"Yeah, we are." He said, matching the tone of her voice, for Ben, it was weird. He
usually never spoke in such a way. He smiled at her and she skipped away.
"Well, I'll be off." I stood up and picked my tray up. Ben also got up and gave me
stared at me for a little longer than normal. "Me too, I need to talk to Mrs
Simone."
I started walking ahead and put my tray on the rack and Ben caught up and slung his
arm over my shoulder again.
"Do you want to meet after school? You know, after my lesson." What do I say? Yes?
No? He's the sworn enemy of my brother and my best friend but he's also the best
friend of my boyfriend and I should at least try and build a bond with him.
"Yeah, sure, I have basketball so it'll have to be after that." I held on to the
straps of my rucksack while we scurried down the hall.
I didn't know why Ben wanted to suddenly spend more time with me but I hope I find
out soon.
----
A/N: It's a filler chapter but now you guys know a little more about Ben! If you
haven't noticed, he doesn't care about other people's feelings (like when he spoke
about Liam in front of Zach). Another thing is the fact he's super clever and super
observant- you'll find out more about this later on).
39. Honestly, It's Like Looking Into His Soul
Warning: lots of speech in this chapter xD
--- --- ---
"Do you think we should have white or black table covers? Oh and should we have
chair covers too? They'd look nice." I trailed off as I jotted down in my notepad.
"For the table setting, will it be proper formal or not? Crockery or plastic?"
"You need to chill." Ben rolled his eyes and played threw a tennis ball in the air
and then caught it again, like he's been doing for the past hour.
We were sat in Ben's bedroom, it was a pretty messy room if I do say myself, and
that's me talking. His room - dare I say it - is messier than mine, I didn't even
know that was possible. There were lots of sporting supplies around the room like
racquets and shuttlecocks and running shoes and football boots and a skipping rope
and some dumbbells that looked too heavy for me to carry.
His desk on one side of the room was tidy, that and his bookshelf that had thick
books that I wouldn't give a second glance at, I also noticed the insane amount of
books that were filled with practice exam papers for tons and tons of GCSE
subjects. Compared to my room, Ben's had a vibe. When you walk in, you're basically
looking at his soul. There's plenty of band posters around and lots of photo frames
with family and friends and then there's a cork board with more photographs- alot
of them were of him playing gigs.
Speaking of gigs, there were two acoustic guitars, one electric and a ukulele in
the corner of his room, they were all leaning against each other and I'm no guitar
geek but I know for sure that it's bad to leave them in the state they're in.
They'd just get dusty and scratched.
"I know but to be honest, once you get into this planning, it's not so bad." I
shrugged and looked at the venue on Ben's laptop once more, it was a nice venue
that was secluded from the town, it's was in the countryside; it was pretty big and
there was a nice outdoors part with a fountain and some picnic tables.
"Sometimes I wonder how you're related to Liam." He started, "he wouldn't do this
kind of stuff, would be? He'd just expect it handed to him on a silver platter."
"Oi, shut up you mug." I glared and he rolled his eyes dramatically, throwing the
ball up in the air and catching it.
I got up from the desk and sat down with my legs crossed at the very end of the
bed, I diligently placed the laptop down and went back to writing in my notepad,
deciding whether the tables should for six or eight people.
"Are you on the committee?" I asked.
"Nah, I have better stuff to do with my life." He snorted and sat up, sitting
closer to me and turning the laptop around to face him. He typed some stuff into
the search bar and then he handed the laptop back to me.
"Those table decorations are perfect!" I gasped and jotted down the link of the
website on my notebook. "So in all seriousness, why are you suddenly being nice to
me?"
I looked at him while he just sat there, fiddling with the tennis ball. "I'm always
nice, I've just never breached out to many people."
"Yeah, and I live underwater with the fish and I have a mermaid wife." I snorted,
causing him to give me a funny look.
"Because why not." He shrugged and smirked at the fact he just copied what I said
earlier on to Rebecca.
I shook my head in disapproval and shut my notepad and put it back in my rucksack.
"You know, you're a terrible party host."
He looked at me in amusement but didn't say anything, he just threw the ball up in
the air one more time and caught it and then threw it somewhere within the pile of
crap on his bed before getting up and straightening out his clothes. "I'm an
awesome party host."
"You've never hosted an actual party, as far as I know." I smirked. "And I never
see you at any either."
"When I have lots of people over, I just hide out in my room and let them entertain
themselves."
"But why?" I snorted, that's like the stupidest thing I've heard.
"Because people are annoying and irritating and stupid and their level of
intelligence is so low, its hit Atlantis eons ago."
"I can agree with you-"
"Those people include you." He snorted and kicked a few things out the way so that
he could walk over to the window and open it.
"I don't know how Jace puts up with you." I crossed my arms over my chest as
smirked, "you're a terrible person."
"I can be a nice person- almost angelic." He matched my stance and then he walked
across the room the change the song playing on his iPod speaker.
"Yeah right." I snorted, "you're irritating."
"I'm only trying to fit into society."
I tried so hard to not facepalm myself. This guy. This guy is incredibly hot and
incredibly smart but he's got the personality of a bratty younger sister. He was
buff and all but sometimes you wanted to hug him tight around the neck with a rope.
"It's a nice day out, do you wanna go for a bike ride?" I asked. My house wasn't
far from here, it was on the next street from Flynn and Ben's was only a fifteen
minute walk from there.
He shrugged and muttered an 'ok' before shoving his feet into a pair of very
expensive looking trainers. I put my shoes on and slung my bag over my shoulder
while I waited patiently for him to lace his shoes up and put on a light grey
hoodie with the words 'The Heart Of London 1969' written on it and bright yellow
strings dangling down. How comes in even the most simplest outfits, he pulls it off
really well? It's kind of unfair if you ask me. Us normal people have to try hard
to look the least bit decent and presentable.
He shut the front door behind him and grabbed his bike from where it was left
laying on the grass for god knows how long. He raced down the road and left me in
the dust but eventually, I heard the familiar sound of the rubber against the
concrete coming closer.
"Dick." I snorted as I carefully stood up on top of the small handles that were on
the wheels at the back of the bike and placed my hands on his broad shoulders.
After really badly navigating him to my house, I snuck through the back gate that
led to the garden and pulled my bike out of the shed, it was kind of old and had a
few spiderwebs on it but I just whacked them off with the sleeve of my jumper while
I cringed at the situation.
We went into town and then just cycled around there, the weather was getting warmer
and it seemed that everyone had the same idea in mind because there was literally
half the population of our town sitting in the park with their shades on, trying to
get as much sun as they can before it goes again.
It was five in the evening but it didn't look like the sun was going to set anytime
soon. Ben and I stopped for a break in the park and I lay on the grass lazily while
he fiddled with the strings of his hoodie and texted on the phone. A comfortable
silence wafted around us, the only thing heard was chatter in the distance and
little children screaming and the wind, it was nice.
I sat up and glanced to the blonde boy next to me who was too busy trying to flick
birds from a sling to notice anything. "I've never seen you with anyone."
"What's your point?" He asked, not taking his eyes off his phone.
I lay back on the grass again and combed my fingers through my hair, glancing up at
the darkening sky above me. "Why? You're like... Nevermind."
"Hot? Fit? Smart? Drool worthy?" A small smiles placed itself on his lips.
"Try egotistical." I snickered and continued on dishevelling my hair more. "Answer
my question."
"Why do you even care?"
"Because I'm not okay with the fact you know me way more than I know you." I
shrugged. He was literally an open book, but at the same time, who knows what lies
between the lines?
"I just don't think anybody I meet in secondary school would last as a long term
thing so I don't bother." He answered and picked at the grass, grabbing a handful
and throwing it on top of my chest. I gathered it all up and chucked it on his
hair.
"I see." I pursed my lips and sat up with my knees against my chest. People were
starting to leave the park and it was soon much quieter than earlier, like a lot
quieter and the silence was growing awkward. I gazed off into the distance, at the
children playing tag or kiss chase or whatever it was; they reminded of Cammie, and
for a second, my heart literally dropped to my stomach. As far as I know, Cam
hasn't been bothered by that girl anymore, I probably scared her off or something
but who knows what's behind closed doors? It could be that she won't tell me
anymore because it's only made matters worse.
"Whatchu thinkin' bout?" Ben spoke, interrupting my very depressing thought
process.
"Cam." I muttered, but realised he probably didn't even know I was talking about
Camellia because I shortened her name.
"She's a sweet kid." Ben's lips twitched, "sometimes she helps out with the little
kids when I volunteer at the day care centre."
So Ben was not only impeccably smart and buff, and musically talented, he was also
very caring and responsible and he's good with kids.
He's like, boyfriend material, but Jace is better of course, he'll always be.
"Can I ask you a personal question?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Yes you can but may you? Nope." He grinned.
"I'm going to ask you anyway." I snorted, "what's your orientation?"
He slipped his phone out of his pocket and fiddled with it. "289 degrees west, not
much of a personal question if you ask me."
"Damn you." I rolled my eyes and stood up, brushing off my clothes and picking my
bike up.
He snorted and followed suit, tightening the stings of his hoodie before tying it
into a bow and hopping onto his bike.
I looked at my watch, before dropping my bike to the grass again and slumping down
next to it. "What?" He asked.
"It's six o'clock. I want to watch the sunset." I smiled. He hopped off his bike
and dropped it to the ground before plopping down next to me, it wasn't really
close but he was sat cross legged like me and out knees were almost brushing
against each other.
"It not till seven around this time of year." He uncrossed his legs and leaned
back, supporting himself with his elbows.
"I can wait. Gives me more time to figure you out." He shrugged and turned to face
him.
"Ask away. Don't expect an answer." He smirked and lay down fully on the grass with
one hand behind his hair. If Flynn were here; he'd probably be trying to jump him
even though he's the Ben that once got his revenge, violently but with Flynn, he'd
probably forget about their past because Ben was drool worthy.
"Do you hate Flynn?" I stared at him intently, I needed an answer to this.
"You know, hate is a strong word." He rambled on, "you should be careful when using
it because it might just get you a bite in the ass by karma."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I made a motion to throw some grass at
him but he whacked my hand away.
"It means, that I don't hate Flynn, I did, but now I just strongly despise him."
"Flynn's screwed you over in the past but he's honestly a good person on the
inside, I think he followed Liam's footsteps because he thought Liam was cool." He
did once say 'Liam's cooler than you' to me.
"Pfft, yeah right. He screwed your brother's long term girlfriends but it was kind
of expected, right?" He scoffed and rolled a familiar blue tennis ball that
magically appeared from nowhere up and down his torso. Seriously, it's like he
carries that thing everywhere with him.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I saw that I had a text from Jace:
Hey, what are you doing?
I replied with a simple:
Just sat in the park with Ben.
And then he asked me a few questions as to why I'm suddenly friends with Ben and I
told him we weren't friends and that I wasn't sure why this was all of a sudden
happening. I also told him I'll have to talk to him later.
"Do you ever want children?" I asked, all of a sudden curious what the answer would
be.
"Three at least." He replied and smiled to himself. "My turn to ask questions."
I felt a little weary of what he'd ask but nodded anyway and lay down near him and
went back to combing my fingers in my hair.
"Are you going to come out to the school?"
"I hope to, at some point. I don't know what the reactions will be and whether or
not I'll still be involved in Torvux."
"How much do you like Jace, on a scale of one to ten?"
"Infinity." I let out a breath, thoughts of Jace flooded my mind and I broke out
into a grin.
"Just making sure, because if you cross Jace, you'll be crossing me." He said with
such a serious tone, he was definitely not joking about that.
"I know."
We lay there in silence after that, just looking up at the darkening sky, I was
trying to conjure up some more questions and he was probably doing the same. Every
few minutes we would ask each other personal questions and then we'd answer them,
even with all these questions I still felt like I didn't know him and it's annoying
because he knows everything about me. There's not really much to tell about me to
be honest.
So far, I found out that he has a cat named Jellybean, he likes the colour gold and
that he's an only child. I also found out that he's had quite a few long distance
relationships online but they never worked out and that his cousin sister likes to
tell him how he should dress or how he should have his hair because she's
abnormally bossy.
The sun was starting to disappear and the once bright blue sky was now red with
shades of orange and pink mixed in, it kind of looked like somebody had just thrown
powder in different shades around. It was absolutely gorgeous and I was half
tempted to just stay here and gaze up at the sky for hours on end.
"Do you..." Ben spoke, "do you reckon that your life would be completely different
without Torvux?"
"Of course it would, I'd be less popular and I'd have a better set of friends which
to be honest, sounds like a dream." I left my hands to lay limply on top of my
stomach, "I wouldn't have this stupid bracelet either. It's the only reason people
have an interest in me."
"What's wrong with your set of friends at the moment?" He murmured quietly.
"Some of them are just... Too interested in reputation and popularity and girls and
boobs." I snorted, "you saw the way some of them looked at me and the rest of the
table at lunchtime. To be honest, I like sitting at your table with the others
rather than my table with those people."
"Why don't you just join us whenever then?" I turned my head to gaze at him, and
grinned.
"I should do that."
The deep shade of red in the sky started to dissipate and left a navy blue sheet
instead, the air got colder all of a sudden and I didn't know how much time had
passed just sitting in somber silence. Ben was texting on his phone and the screen
was illuminating his face. It casted a bright glow and allowed me to see his brown
eyes that were as wide as saucers because of the concentration level on his phone.
"Ben." I spoke out, "what's the time?"
"Quarter to eight." He answered.
I stood up and brushed myself off again and sorted out my dishevelled hair that
desperately needed a hair wash because of all the times I ran my hands through it.
We both hopped on our bikes and I slung my rucksack over my shoulders. We cycled
through the park and raced down the roads that had a very small number of cars
driving on it compared to earlier when there was a huge traffic jam.
We cycled to our road and I quickly shouted a 'bye' before turning into my street
and hopping off my bike so that I could wheel it back through the side of the house
and to the back garden. The gate was locked though so I just left the bike leaning
against the wall and made my way towards the front door. Before I could even knock,
the door opened only to show a very angry momma.
"Zach, how many times have you skipped dinner this week?! How do I even know you're
eating properly?"
"Uh..." At loss for words. My tummy decided to be a needy bitch though and rumble
loudly in front of mum.
"When was the last time you've eaten?" She asked with her arms crossed and moved to
the side to let me inside the house.
"I had pizza around four thirty." I tried, I did have pizza at Ben's house because
he said there was nothing in his fridge and he couldn't be bothered to run to the
store. I felt bad he paid for it though so I only had two small slices.
"Go heat your food up in the microwave." mum sighed and closed the front door.
I did as she said but not before kicking my shoes off somewhere where somebody
would most probably trip over it later on and putting my rucksack on the staircase
to take upstairs later on. The food was already in a plate for me so I just covered
it with another plate and set the microwave to one minute.
I checked my messages in the time that I was waiting and came across about seven
messages from Flynn, two from Liam, four from Calvin and three from Ryan and they
were all from this afternoon.
They all read basically the same thing.
Why are you talking to Ben?
The only exception with Flynn's was the endless amount of swear words and angry
looking emoticons. Calvin and Liam were similar in ways because they didn't exactly
threaten me with extremely bad grammar because of it like Ryan.
I didn't realise me hanging out with people outside my usual group of friends would
become such a big deal but then again, I was hanging around with Ben and to be
honest, I wouldn't mind hanging with him again because he wasn't so bad.
Or maybe he was, but I hadn't realised it.

40. Push The Button

Oh my god.. Chapter forty. *_*
Picture above is of Eli, portrayed by Ian Harding.
please read the authors note at the end of chapter.
- - -
[Jace's POV]
Today marked the day that Eli was going to visit the very dysfunctional Chapman
household. Mum came back from her trip abroad last night while I was asleep and I
didn't see her in the morning because like every Sunday, she went to church.
I always anticipate mum's visits and I got super excited when I found out I'll be
seeing her in an hour or so. With no doubt, my mother was the most amazing mum
anybody could ask for. She was the light to my darkest days and the sun to my rain.
You know, they say home is where the heart is and whenever I'm around mum, I feel
at home.
It's not as if I don't feel the same way about dad or Camellia or my most closest
relatives including my gay uncles, but it was mum who really stuck out like a sore
thumb.
My dad comes a close second, that's if, he didn't get irritated with me easily
whenever he goes on a binge. Recently, I felt like he's falling behind because of
the secret he's kept from us. I mean, he had a relationship with my new social
worker, he never told me why he drinks, he never told me why he chose to foster me
out of all the other kids, he never told me if he's ever met my real parents. Who
knows? It could be a possibility, I'm a sucker for cliches after all.
I've always wondered how dad accepted me so easily. Isn't the cliche story about
the dad who doesn't accept his kid? When I came out to him, not even a second later
he was hugging me. It was more of a millisecond later. Odd.
Enough of that nonsense however, because I had to get ready and look the least bit
presentable for when Eli comes, wouldn't it be so weird? This guy has known me
since I was a year old. A year old. Icould've seen this guy around town sometime in
my past and I wouldn't even know that it's him.
I wonder what would happen when he and dad meet, I didn't know how long it's been
exactly since dad and Eli last saw each other in person. I wonder if Eli ever knew
about dad and his binges? Probably not, I've lost all memory from when it started
because it's been so long.
Dad was in the kitchen, baking scones. He likes baking, and I've always liked doing
it with him, it's just that he hasn't baked in a long time.
Camellia was sat at the dining table, her usually wild blonde hair tied neatly in a
ponytail and a she was clad in a nice summer dress with flower patterns on it. She
looked distressed and it's something I've become accompanied to. With exams rolling
around, she's been stuck in her room or on the kitchen table with pages and pages
of work scattered around her. She had her headphones plugged in and she was writing
away like no tomorrow. I could faintly hear some overplayed pop music playing if I
listened in hard enough.
"I thought you quit baking." I said bluntly. I think Zach was rubbing off on me.
I'm snarky and sarcastic, sure, but never blunt.
"Nope." dad said, popping the 'p'.
"Can I help?"
"Its finished now but will you please take out a nice tray to place them on?"
I nodded curtly and went rummaging to the back of one of the kitchen cupboards to
find a nice glass dish that slightly curved upwards at the edges but not too much
and had faint lines on them. It kind of reminded me of a seashell.
Dad took the scones out and placed the tray on top of the hob, and then he turned
the oven off and closed it. He leaned against the counter with oven gloves in his
hand and just looked at me dead in the eye. God, I hate when people do that.
"How long has it been since you've last seen him in person?" I didn't need to
elaborate on who I was talking about.
"Three years." He breathed out and ran a hand through his hair, resulting in
getting some flour in it. I tried hard to stifle a laugh, it wasn't exactly the
right time to laugh.
Eli was supposed to be here by twelve o'clock and it was only ten thirty at the
moment. I contemplated on ringing up Zach because we tend to have long
conversations on the phone but then I thought the better of it because we'd
probably be on the phone for hours on end. Instead, I padded upstairs and picked up
my guitar in the small 'music room' I've made myself from a room that was once used
purely for junk.
I sat on the stool and smiled when I remembered Zach showing me his mad rapping
skills that deserved a little flaunting. Who doesn't like to flaunt their talent
from time to time?
My fingers traced each string and a familiar shiver ran up my spine. I placed my
fingers over the first four frets and began doing my warm ups. I stuck my hand into
my shirt pocket moments later and took out a guitar pick. I always carry a one on
me at all times.
I started playing a much too familiar tune and found myself smiling again when I
went back to remembering Zach rapping to me and then my very embarrassing cover of
John Mayer. Dear god, I actually played that song? I'm such a sap.
I went over the chords I used for that particular song and fiddled with the strings
again after putting my guitar pick away and tried my best to remember how I played
it. It was quite a while ago, and it took me a while to remember or play out a tune
that sounded the least bit familiar to the actual song but I was grinning from ear
to ear when I successfully played the intro.
I didn't sing out loud but the lyrics played in my head and my heart rate picked up
when thoughts of Zach flooded my mind and that night and who did what and how much
I enjoyed waking up that morning with him by my side and knowing that it wouldn't
be the last time waking up like that. I remember his touch, like ice against fire,
his breath, reeking of whatever we had for dinner but his lips too addictive and
delectable to want to pull away from and then his tongue, going to places nobody
has ever gone before.
A sudden warmth enveloped me inside but it was tingly and weird and I wasn't sure
whether it was something that I could get used to. I saw from the mirror my ears
and cheeks had become tinged with a rosy colour and I pursed my lips, looking down
at my hands that grazed the strings of my guitar. I carried on playing the song,
and it literally felt like my heart was going to explode. My eyes squeezed shut and
he invaded my mind, random scenarios, funny ones like when he dropped me on my butt
after telling him about my dislike for coffee and then ones that were of our first
kiss at the football game because he was 'protecting me from the savages' and also
the time when his mum showed me pictures of Zach when he was little which was
hilarious and adorable at the same time and then lastly, the saucy, R rated ones.
I eyes opened again and gradually adjusted to the bright lights and I literally
felt like I was seeing a whole new world. Don't you ever feel that way? Like you
wake up after a really good sleep and you just feel... Brand new? I've never played
a song with so much passion before.
I took a deep breath and exhaled and put my guitar down on its stand before exiting
the room, that was one intense session.
My heart felt less like it was going to explode but a hint of it was still there,
it was thumping against my chest violently, like a hammer against a nail. It had
only been an hour and waiting for Eli was getting too much. The time went drearily
slow, but after shuffling through songs that boomed throughout the kitchen via the
bluetooth enabled speakers, the doorbell echoed around the house and everyone's
heads went up the same way a meerkat would look up up. I paused the music and Mum,
dressed smartly in a purple peplum top and marching pencil skirt walked to the
door, her fluffy slippers clapping against the tiled floor.
She was all grins while shaking hands with this Eli person that I have yet to see.
He was directly in front of mum and I was behind her and the hallway was only an
arms length wide so all I was able to see was a ring binder and black hair that
looked effortlessly and perfectly dishevelled. He was tall enough for me to see
that much above mum's head.
Dad made his presence known and moved past me to stretch out his hand to him, I
could see that dad looked almost constipated judging by the pain in his facial
expression or whatever it was. My hands began I get clammy because I knew this
would awkward as hell but I tried reassuring myself that this would be exactly like
any other visit from a social worker I've spoken to in the past.
Eli accepted the handshake and mum finally moved out of the way and went inside the
living room. I could finally see and dear lord, he most definitely did not look a
day over twenty. The real truth was that was in his mid forties.
"Hello Jace, I'm Elliot, but everyone calls me Eli." He grinned and held his hand
out for me to shake. Without grabbing too much attention, I quickly wiped my sweaty
hands against the jeans I was wearing and shook his hand. He returned a very firm
handshake.
Eli wore casual clothes, nothing too smart or too shabby. He wore black jeans with
ankle boots and a white crew neck t-shirt accompanied by a navy blue hoodie that
wasn't zipped up. In his hand, as well the ring binder I saw a few moments ago, was
a notepad and two pens, one red and one blue.
"Please, come in." Dad motioned his hand to the living room and closed the door as
Elliot walked into the house in awe, complimenting it all, and started unbuckling
his shoes but dad stopped him and told him not to worry about it as long as his
shoes are clean.
Then we sat in the living room, in complete silence while Eli sorted through the
folder and his notepad, trying to find some important pages that would come in
handy. It seems he wasn't the most organised person on the planet.
"Alright," he started and looked up at me, "I'm sure you've done this a bazillion
times and you already know the questions I'd ask so I'll be quick." And then he
flashed a crooked grin.
"How is school going? This is your final year of GCSE, yes?"
"Yeah it is, been working hard, helping others with their revision." I muttered and
remembered that the social worker always looks at my grades when they visit to see
if I'm on track. I picked up the paper that I left on the coffee table earlier on
and handed it to him, "my grades."
Eli nodded and looked down at the paper. I saw him bobbing his head up and down as
if he's impressed, "very good, I see all your grades are a B or above."
He wrote down some notes and then looked up at me again, "what are your plans after
school is finished?"
"I hope to stay in the same school and attend the sixth form. I've already decided
I'll be doing physics, maths, further maths and either music or sociology. I'm
hoping to go to UCL after if my grades are good enough." I smiled and fiddled with
my fingers. Eli's eyes widened and a smirk played on his lips, he was rambling
about how to greatest people attended UCL and how not even a quarter of the
applicants get in because the university really is that exclusive but then he
assured me that I'm likely to get in.
I could go on for ages about my future plans. When I go to uni, I don't know what
would happen between Zach and I, we've never spoken about aspirations with each
other, I should probably ask him about it. What would happen if I go to a different
university than him? My mind is already set for UCL and I know I'd need all A
grades in sixth form to get into it, Zach on the other hand, he might not even want
to go sixth form, and if he did, what work his grades be like? Would he get enough
to get into UCL with me, because come on, who doesn't want to go UCL when it's the
best university around?
A few questions passed and soon, Eli was asking my parents some questions. I
slipped my phone out of my pocket and scrolled through a playlist on YouTube that
had all of the old songs from the year 2000 up to 2010 but there were so many songs
to choose from so I just pressed the shuffle button.
I wasn't aware of how loud the speakers were turned up so when I heard each word
crystal clear from the speakers in the kitchen, I slapped a hand over my mouth.
You'd better push the button and let me know, before I get the wrong idea and go...
I quickly pressed the pause button and turned the volume down so it wouldn't be so
loud the next time I press play. Damn.. Wrong timing, wrong song.
"The last time somebody came, they asked about career, has it changed since?" Eli
asked and tried his best not to look my dad in the eye.
"Yes, Vince had since been promoted to head chef." Janine informed.
"Great, and Jace, do you have a job?" He asked politely and smiled at me.
"Sometimes I play gigs downtown but I don't have a routine, I just come along when
they ask or when I feel like it, it's more of a favour so I don't ask for money." I
summed up. Vince looked at me and then be asked what instrument I play, to which I
answered guitar and that I mostly play on the acoustic than the electric.
"Great, and what grade are you on?" He wrote some stuff down.
"Grade six, but I'm taking a grade seven exam later on this year, near October time
if I feel like I'm able to do it." He wrote down more notes in his book before
twisting his pen around with his fingers. Camellia came shuffling through the
living room moments later carrying the plate of scones, she politely asked whether
he wanted tea or coffee and he said he would like tea.
Our last social worker hated tea but liked coffee, like, a lot, and I hated it. She
liked it extra strong and I could smell it from where I was sat, it wasn't very
nice.
Eli asked a few more questions, more than usual, because he was new and wasn't
aware of certain things that I might've discussed with my old social worker. Dad
only answered the yes and no questions but other than that, he was pretty much
silent. I could see him staring at Eli intently with his lips in a fine line and I
was starting to get the feeling that Dad has yet to tell me more about his past
with Eli because I know for sure that there's plenty more to tell.
Half an hour passed and I was still trying to recover from when the Sugababes were
playing and could be heard around the house. Two words. Cringe worthy. Elliot
thanked us for the tea and scones and gathered up all of his belongings, almost
dropping them in the process, and that included his smartphone that looked like it
would be expensive to repair or replace.
He stood in the doorway and shook hands with me and mum and dad, but was was weird
was that their handshake lasted a while longer than a normal handshake, or maybe it
was just me being super observant and I might've emphasised the fact a few seconds
longer seemed like minutes.
I wanted answers from Dad but I wasn't sure if he was prepared, I deserved to know
didn't I? I wonder if mum knows, she would tell me, or at least I hope so. She's
not one to gossip about others behind their backs.
After waving one last goodbye to Eli, he stared me dead in the eye and I saw a
flash of emotion in his complexion but it went as quick as it came. The guy has
known me basically all of my life, maybe he felt a little nostalgic, maybe he
wanted to shout out 'oh my god, my my, how much you've grown!' like many of my
mum's sisters do (which is oh so annoying).
Whatever it was, I could find out from dad and that's exactly what I plan to do.

- - -
For those curious, I'm expecting to write at least five more chapters and at
maximum, 10. I'll also add in an epilogue... Maybe :)
ALSO, there will be TWO bonus updates and these are from two different POV's. I've
already written a bonus chapter in Flynn's POV and for the other one, I'll let you
guys choose between two, maybe three people and the choices will be announced soon.

41. The Word Is Out

[Zach's POV]
It was a new week, I haven't heard much from Jace about any upcoming prom committee
meetings but Liam approached me earlier and told me about a Torvux meeting on
Tuesday after school.
Come Tuesday, I was stuck in maths class, I didn't like maths class because neither
Ben nor Jace nor anybody from Torvux were in it. The only people in the class that
spoke to me were a group of girls that I could have a decent conversation with but
it wasn't the same. Sometimes they'd all smother me with their perfume and I'd
honestly feel like I was going to suffocate and die in the worst way possible but
today, only three of five of them sat with me and spoke to me so the smells weren't
so strong.
We spoke about prom and as soon as the word was said out of my lips, they all asked
in unison who I was thinking of taking, which was creepy, but then to make it even
more creepy, they all blushed and came even closer to me.
"I don't know yet." Of course, I know exactly who I'll be taking, I'm just unsure
how to ask in the most romantic and meaningful way.
Then came the next and last lesson, Biology. This time last week, when I was ill, I
disrupted the lesson by calling out Flynn and physically hurting him. Did I regret
it? No. I would've thought that boy had boundaries and morals but he doesn't, he
slept with my brother's girlfriend. It wasn't even once, I don't think, it was on
multiple occasions.
I walked in the room, unsure where to sit because I usually sat at the back with
him but I saw that his bag was on the stool next to him and I didn't feel like
sitting with him anyway. Instead, I opted for sitting at the front where I could
have an entire empty row to myself because nobody tended to sit at the front.
I could feel the stares on me and it was driving me to the point of feeling the
need and turning around to give them all what Flynn earned last week.
God, I didn't even realise how violent my thoughts were.
Our teacher kept asking questions to me in the lesson, obviously surprised at my
sudden appearance at the front and obviously, seeing the opportunity to punish me
for disrupting his lesson last week seeming as Flynn lied and told the headmaster
that he provoked me and that I shouldn't be punished.
Jace came up to me earlier around lunchtime and asked if we could meet up after
school so I agreed to it and said he could come over mine but he'll have to wait
until the meeting is over.
The lesson ended and I couldn't be more relieved, I rushed out of the room like my
ass was on fire and headed over to the meeting room that wasn't too far from me
because it was in a science room. There was a class already inside, still waiting
to go, so I leaned against the wall and watched the empty halls fill up with
students.
They all chatted and for a second, I felt like an ass. Since I've met Jace, I've
alway hung around him and I've completely forgotten about everyone else. I can't
remember the last time I went with the guys from Torvux out somewhere, outings with
them were usually a hell of a lot of fun, just us guys, no girls to interrupt us.
We'd monkey around, play childish games like tag, maybe even some truth or dare or
duck duck goose, rarely, we'd play strip truths and if so somebody doesn't answer
the question, they'd have to take off an item of clothing. Maybe today I'll ask if
they wanted to do a bonfire at the park sometime or a barbecue seeming as the
weather was beginning to get its shit together.
Through the window, I could see the class in the room of the meeting starting to
pack up their belongings. I saw a few of the guys from Torvux including Calvin
approaching the room and when they did, we all exchanged fist bumps and bro hugs.
The class in the room finally starting leaving the room and we all headed inside
and took our seats. Flynn entered through the room and I ducked my head and looked
at my bag on the table as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. Wow,
it's so dirty. Where did all that come from? It's disgusting.
I heard a stool being pulled up and it sounded like it came from directly behind me
but two maybe three rows far. Flynn took his seat and I slipped my phone out of my
pocket and texted Jace to meet me by the school gates in about half an hour or so.
The rest of the guys came in, loud as ever, and took their seats. Liam plopped down
next to me and took his awesome leather jacket off that I've never seen before.
"Since when did you get that?" I cocked a brow.
"Since mum and dad said I can get a motorbike after you start driving so that you
can take my car." He smirked.
"Who said I want your car?"
"Who doesn't want my car?" He grinned.
"Touché bro, touché." I turned away from him and to the front where Calvin was
plugging a USB stick into a laptop that was connected to the projector. Since when
do we ever have meetings that involved something with the projector? They're
usually just quick catch ups that Calvin or the other highers talk he through.
On the screen showed two people on it. Two guys, one picture was from when they
looked really really young...
Holy shit.
It's me and Flynn.
"What is this?" I glared to Calvin. I hated the spotlight with passion but all he
seems to do is put me in it all the time.
"It's come to our attention you and Flynn had an argument."
"No shit Sherlock." I gritted my teeth. Why can't he mind his own business?
"We've all had our small quarrels in the past, but we got past them. We're all
brothers here, right?"
"One, who the hell says quarrels? And two, you can't just butt into my life like
that!"
"We don't tolerate arguments. We stick together, as brothers should. I've had my
fair share of arguments with the guys, then we got over them." Calvin motioned to a
few of the guys that were in his year.
"So what are you saying?" Flynn piped up.
"You two are going to put your problems out in the open and we discuss as a group."
Calvin smirked to me.
"Some of those problems could be private." Liam shrugged, I knew what he meant.
"Yeah, I'd very much like to keep my private life private." I crossed my arms over
my chest.
"Ignorance won't help though, will it? We're not girls, we don't just blank each
other." Another higher spoke up. "Come on, out in the open."
"Fine." I took a deep breath, "Flynn is an inconsiderate manwhore who fucked my
brother's long term girlfriend without thinking about the consequences."
"Zach is a two faced bitch who sucks up to people and doesn't give a toss about
this clique. He'd much rather spend time with Benjamin, I saw them together
yesterday."
A few of the people in the who gasped and Liam turned to me with his lips pursed.
"Oh dear, I'm allowed to hang with whoever I want! Ben's actually a cool person,
and as much as you like to admit, you started it by bullying him, I was always
there for him because I thought you were in the wrong for doing such a thing." And
then cue make gasps...
Calvin cleared his throat, "anything else, Flynn?"
"Ben's beat me into a pulp, if you don't remember. I can't believe Zach's
backstabbing me." He growled.
"You provoked him and you're the one who backstabbed Liam!" I retorted. "Screw
this, I'm out." I started standing up but Calvin stopped me.
"There's more to say." He said and I sat down again. "We will continue this another
time. For now, stop with the violence, stop with everything. Just ignore each other
for the next few days, we don't want anybody getting suspended or getting into
anymore arguments."
"Fine." I muttered in unison with Flynn. Calvin walked over to his laptop and
pressed on the arrow key to show the next slide.
"Next thing: Liam we are sorry about your break up with Naomi, so we've made an
exception to allow you to take back your bracelet, we wouldn't usually allow this
but she cheated."
I buried my face in my hands, this was so incredibly boring. Can I go sleep now?
"Last and final thing," Calvin cleared his throat, "Flynn, Kyle, it's come to my
attention that you've... Hooked up."
Woah.
I looked up and saw how pale their faces both were. Everyone was staring at them
and they just sat rigid in their seat, nervously fiddling with their fingers as
they tried to not look anybody in the eye.
"We've never had a situation quite like this-"
"Who told you?" Flynn narrowed his eyes into slits.
"I can't tell you-"
"It was Zach wasn't it?"
"What? No?" My jaw literally fell to the floor.
"No it wasn't, don't point fingers." Calvin reprimanded as if Flynn was a child.
"How would Zach even know?"
"I know that he batted for both teams but I didn't know about Kyle or that they
hooked up." I put my hands up in surrender.
"Fair enough." Calvin said and then he looked to the highers as if he genuinely had
no idea what to do.
"If it wasn't Zach then who was it?"
"I told you I can't tell you!" Calvin huffed. "Now, as I was saying, we've never
been in a situation like this so I will discuss with the others and then we will
decide the best procedure."
"Nobody here is homophobic are they?" Kyle piped up, almost mouse like. I glanced
around the room to see the guys shrugging and muttering a series of 'no's' or 'I
don't think so'. "Good, then I'll officially like to tell you all that I am as gay
as they come." He let out a small laugh and the guys started laughing along.
I felt like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, sure, my bro's aren't all
that homophobic but what about the rest of the school? What would Calvin's plan of
action be?
"Nothing that has been said between us gets out, understood?" Calvin said and we
all muttered a series of agreements.
I felt Liam nudge my arm a little and I knew what he meant. I sudden jolt of
confidence burst through me and I honestly felt like shouting out my preference for
lollipops instead of tacos.
So I did.
I shot out of my seat and a few of the guys jumped a little at the abrupt movement
but I waved it off and looked at Liam who I knew would be with me a hundred percent
of the way even if I did say that he was a terrible person earlier for bullying
Ben.
My heart pounded in my chest, each thump feeling as if I could go into cardiac
arrest anytime soon. Then, the words rolled of my tongue, each word annunciated
slowly and clearly. I was looking down at the table but I could feel everyone's
eyes on me. "And um, yeah.. I'm glad I got that off my chest." I finished off.
Then came a series of hollers and applause and I found myself grinning from ear to
ear, I sat back down and then looked to Calvin.
"Does anybody else want to get away from Narnia then? Or is that it?" He said
jokingly, but a guy had already stood up to announce that he was questioning and
then two more said the same thing and earned a round of applause. Perhaps Flynn
could be of service, experimentation is normal, right?
"Right. Onwards with our lives." He clapped his hands and turned the projector off
and took his USB out and closed the lid of his laptop.
"I was thinking that since I've missed hanging out with you all, we should do a
bonfire at the park, just us. No girls, no other students..." I trailed off, "But
I'd really like to bring a plus one if he wants to come."
"Sounds good; everyone can bring a plus one but it can't be a girl." Calvin said,
and everyone muttered agreements. "Is everyone free Saturday night?"
Everyone let out another series of agreements and then we packed up and left the
room. I checked my watch and saw that is been a little over half an hour and Jace
is waiting for me by the gates. If it were the other way round, my impatient self
would drive me to spam his phone with texts.
I embraced him as soon as I saw him and gleamed with happiness as I rambled on
about coming out to my clique and about how they weren't homophobic but instead,
uneducated in the sector.
"Holy crap, that's awesome!" He tightened his hold on me and after a few moments, I
let go. "I don't suppose you would like to join me and the other guys at a bonfire
this Saturday? It'll just be them, no girls, no other students..."
"I'll think about it, wouldn't they suspect something between us if I did go?" We
started walking down the road in the general direction to my house and I kept my
hand at his waist.
"Yeah, that's likely, we don't have to make our relationship public if you don't
want to, it'll only be them that know and they can keep secrets, trust me." I
looked behind us and saw a few of the guys walking in this direction too. They
didn't really take any notice that my arms were around Jace and if they did, they
weren't doing anything about it.
"Are you sure?"
"More than sure."
"Okay." He smiled and his hand brushed against mine and then he intwined his pinky
around mine.
Minutes later, Liam beeped at us and we hopped in the car. Well, that saved us a
forty minute walk home. He pulled into the driveway and opened the door, I followed
suit and kept my pinky tightened around Jace's as we walked up the porch and walked
inside the house as soon as Liam shoved the key inside the lock and opened the
door.
He, like usual, went upstairs to rest a little before he goes out again to go to
the gym. I kicked my shoes off and Jace did the same but them he tucked his nearly
against the wall and I remembered his neatness habit and started giggling.
He sent me a look with his lips pursed but with a hint of amusement in it and I
slapped his bum before walking into the kitchen where mum was lighting a candle.
She had a thing for candles and it explained why the house always had new scents
wafting around.
"Mum! Guess what!" I shouted excitedly and loud enough to scare her. Oops.
"For Christ sakes, Zach." she glared at me, "what is it?" I grinned and told her
the whole story, usually, repeating things would annoy me but I honestly didn't
mind repeating this story more than a gazillion times. I told her about how I
wasn't alone in it and that there were four other people involved who came out too.
"That's nice." Was all she said. "I didn't know Flynn was bi, though, now that I
think about it, he does dress like he's going for an interview all the time."
"Recently, he hasn't." Jace bit his lip and sat down at the breakfast bar. "he was
wearing sweatpants yesterday and the end of last week and that was so weird to
see."
"I didn't really notice, I've just been blanking him." I frowned and mum looked at
me with sympathy and put a candle that smelt of cinnamon in front of me as if it
would help anything. "No mum, the candle does not make me feel better, as delicious
as it smells."
She patted my head as if I was her pet dog and went back to stirring whatever she
was cooking for dinner. I think she mentioned this morning that she'd make burritos
with Mexican rice.
I tugged on Jace's hand and led him upstairs, then we lay on my bed with our backs
against the headboard and my head in the crook of his shoulder. "So what was so
important to talk about?"
"Oh it's not important but as much as I know you, I feel like I don't know you as
much as I should, so, what are you hoping to do after GCSE?" He said and ran his
hand up and down my back.
I've thought of my future plans a billion times but I don't think anybody has ever
asked me about it, "go to sixth form, study business, economics, maths and
geography, then, get a bachelors degree and perhaps a masters after that."
"Same, except, different subjects." He said, so I asked what subjects he wanted to
take and what he wanted to do a degree in. He told me he wanted to do Maths,
further maths, physics and music or sociology. Then he spoke about going to UCL to
do something with maths and physics and he spoke about how good his grades would
have to be.
"Have you looked at universities?" He asked.
"A little, I've looked into Kings College and I've looked into UCL in the past but
I don't know if I'm good enough for it." I sighed, and he rubbed my back soothingly
while muttering about how I will.
"Do you mind if you show me your report?" He asked hopefully. I suppose I didn't
mind so I got up and went over to my desk and found my most recent report in a
folder and handed it to him hesitantly, I knew Jace was way smarter than me-
"Woah you're predicted an A* in business and an A in Eco?" His eyes were as wide as
saucers as he scanned my report card even more.
"Yeah but none of my other grades are like that." I bit my lip and pointed to the
bottom half of my report where my grades were C's.
"Yeah but those are the useless subjects like RE and it's a pass in English so it's
fine. At least you're getting good grades on the subjects you want to take for A
Level." He smiled but I kept my lips in a fine line so he sat up and brought his
hand to caress the right side of my face and then he kissed me.
I sunk into the kiss and without breaking it, I sat next to him and ran my hands up
and down his sides before I delved in and poked my tongue out, curling it with his
and massaging his with my lips. His mouth tasted minty so I was guessing he had
been chewing gum unlike me, whose mouth must've tasted disgusting.
His hands tugged at the hem of my shirt and I broke the kiss momentarily to take it
off, he took his off too and grinned at me before he dove into the crook of my
shoulder and peppered it with kisses all the way up to my ear, licking at biting
it, forcing a small moan to escape my lips. His hands went around my neck and he
pulled me down to the mattress with a strong force so that I lay on top of him with
my thigh in between his legs, gently massaging him through his jeans. Our hands ran
everywhere, touching every spot of each other, kissing every inch of exposed flesh,
discovering each other's weak spots.
I sucked and licked at his neck and jawline, causing darkening red marks
everywhere. He flipped us over and did the same, mainly at my shoulder because he
knew well enough where my weak spots were, he knew how to force out a moan from me.
I grabbed a fistful of his hair and dishevelled it completely, wanting to make him
stop but not at the same time because the pleasure was into overdrive. After making
his mark, he went back to kissing me on the lips, biting and nipping at my bottom
lip and causing bruises.
For what felt like hours, lasted only a matter of minutes because Liam opened up my
door and awkwardly stood there clad in his gym gear with his sports bag slung over
a shoulder.
"I was just coming here to tell you that dinner is ready but I'll just tell mum
you're busy." He scratched the back of his head and left the room, leaving Jace and
I not even remotely turned on anymore.
Damn it.

42. Bonfire
(Part 1 of 2)
When Jace came over to my house that evening, we spoke more about dreams and
aspirations and weirdly enough, it's made me want to think more optimistically.
Jace had always been optimistic, even through the downfall of his father and the
bullying with Camellia. I admired that quality, Jace was incredible, he was strong,
and each sentence that poured out of his mouth just sucked you in, it's like
listening to those motivational people over and over again.
So it's made me actually want to look into UCL more and universities that are just
as good, if I get a letter back telling me that I haven't been able to get meet the
expectations then fine, I can try again for another.
So when I spend an entire evening stuck up in my room, on my laptop with a notepad
by my side and the brochures of each uni opened up on the Internet, I lost all
track of time. It was two in the morning when I checked my watch and it was a
school day.
Crap.
Sluggishly, I got up out of my spinning desk chair and let out a huge yawn and
brought my fingers to my neck, prodding at it and trying to massage it. You can
only look at a computer for so long before your eyes sting and your neck aches.
Saturday came along soon enough and I was feeling a little too excited for the
bonfire later on, hanging out with my fellow bros was going to be great, no, it was
going to be epic. We'd bring drinks, alcoholic and non alcoholic and a load of
shisha and just mess around and have fun.
Liam wasn't eighteen yet so he couldn't buy alcohol but he did buy some shisha
flavours that he hid in his room for times like this; some other guys were going to
bring the pipes and the charcoal.
I stood in front of my mirror and straightened out my black shirt and chinos,
admiring how on point my hair was, seriously, it looked on point and I couldn't get
over it. I played around with it more, until I heard my bedroom door creak open
only for Liam to make an appearance. He told me that Jace was here and from the
mirror, I could see him open the door wider to allow Jace to fit through. To say
Jace looked yummy would be an understatement, he was absolutely delectable.
He grinned and shoved me out of the way of the mirror, only to check himself out,
by the big fat grin plastered on his face, I guess I wasn't the only one excited
for the evening. Liam closed the door behind him as he left and Jace jumped top on
me, I didn't have long to exactly prepare myself so I fell back on the bed and
tried to pry him off me but the guy was like a leech.
He was dressed in a pair of black jeans and a casual t-shirt that had a rather
graphic word on it; seriously, I don't know how he was even allowed out the house
with it on. He pecked me on the lips and I attempted to deepen it but he pulled
away and got off me, telling me that we should probably leave now and that I should
stop checking myself out because I already look mighty fine.
"You don't have tell them we're together you know." I said, answering a question
that I thought over a thousand times since last Wednesday when he asked me it. Jace
didn't mind coming out to my friends, he told me that as long as I trust them, he
trusts them.
"I know, same for you, to my friends, if you ever, you know..." He scratched the
back of his neck, "Ben knows though, he's clever and he's as happy as Larry about
it."
"He's happy?" I cocked a brow as I picked up a hoodie. Wasn't Ben fending Jace and
warning me if I ever break his heart just a few days ago?
"Mm hm, he told me though that if Flynn ever bugs me about it then I should tell
him."
"Why would Flynn bug you about it?" I snorted, "I'm already yours."
"I know." He said, dismissing my question and blushed at my last comment.
The park wasn't far from us and given the fact that we'd probably be drinking, the
best idea was to walk it there. Liam walked ahead, his glow in the dark shoe laces
visible a few metres away. I brought him those laces a while ago.
It was a twenty minute walk which, in this weather, I didn't mind. Jace just spoke
to me the whole time and the time passed quickly. I could see a fire at the back of
the park and few guys yelling and shouting as they all (really badly) sang along to
the lyrics of Kesha's Tick Tok. Yup, that's how's you know that's them.
"LIAM." Someone yelled as he and Liam ran to each other with their arms open wide,
it kind of looked like those cliche romantic movies where they meet each other
halfway and kiss it out. I had to stifle my laugh.
As Jace and I reached the guys, and with the fire casting a warm glow around the
area, I was able to see that we were kind of late and that all of Torvux were there
already, including Flynn. Some people I didn't recognise and I guessed those were
the plus one's that Calvin said we could bring.
"Hey guys." I smiled and waved at them all, even gave some of them fist bumps and
bro hugs. "This is-"
"Jace. Hey." He introduced himself and intwined his pinky with mine. "I'm Zach's
boyfriend."
The guys, that were now huddled in front of us were practically speechless. I mean,
I guess they would be since its like a slap in the face. They didn't move at all,
no, they didn't even breathe.
"It's just... So weird." Ryan said, "like, I don't know if I can get used to it."
The guys all muttered agreements.
I snickered and slapped his shoulder, "you gonna have to get used to it."
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not against it. It's just, so new to see." Calvin stated,
then looked at Jace, "Hey, I'm Calvin." He stuck his hand out and Jace shook it
shyly.
"That's Josh, Kyle, Mark, Pete, Jack, Harry, Flynn..." Calvin trailed off, naming
everyone here as if Jace would remember more than fifteen in one go.
Jace lifted his hand up again awkwardly and waved before stuffing them deep into
his pocket, some of the guys turned around, some starting preparing the shisha and
others just scrutinised Jace as if they're ticking the boxes of Jace meets the
requirements. Requirements of what?
I pulled Jace's hand out of his pocket and intwined it with mine, they were a bit
clammy and I reckon he was nervous. The rest of the guys that were silently judging
him started walking back to the bonfire and I looked to Jace and gave him a small
peck on the cheek as if it will make him less nervous.
We both walked to the fire and plopped down on the ground, a few guys came to sit
down with us with three packs of beer and I took two bottles out of it and handed
popped the cap open. Jace muttered a thanks before taking it and drinking a quarter
of it in one go.
"So uh, how long has it been?" One guy from Torvux asked.
"Since?" I asked.
"Since you've been gay." He answered and I honestly felt like facepalming myself a
thousand times, if not more.
"Since I've been born, idiot." I snickered to him, he just rolled his eyes and
punched my arm gently.
"You mean when did he realise it." Jack deadpanned. Jack was one of the guys who
came out as questioning when I came out as gay.
"Uh, yeah." The other person let out a small chuckle.
"When I was twelve." I answered.
"Eleven for me." Jace said and I glanced to him and smiled.
"How'd you know?" He asked and these are one of the times when I really look deeply
into what I'd answer with, how did I know? Everyone gathered round the bonfire,
eavesdropping into the conversation, God, I really hated being in the limelight and
yet, here I was.
"It's like you know you like girls and you don't see anything attractive about
other genders. For me, it's different because I'm pansexual and I don't look at
what someone has but instead I look at them for who they are." Jace explained an
drummed his fingers rhythmically to the beat of the Katy Perry. "I admire people's
qualities, not what part they have or don't have."
"What is it you see in Zach?" The guy let out a chuckle and I thwacked him over the
head. The other guys laughed along and I just glared at them all, but my glare
wasn't really that scary so they carried on laughing.
"Zach," Jace looked to me and smiled, "he's just, he's... Caring, down to earth,
considerate-"
Cue the laughing.
"Wait, really?" One guy snickered and Liam flicked his forehead before going back
to blowing from the green mouthpiece of his shisha pipe. I could smell the
watermelon flavour from here.
"Yes really," Jace let out a weak chuckle and took my hand in his, "he doesn't care
about his rep or my rep either, I'm not exactly the most popular person, right?
Nah, I'm usually just glued to the music room and my guitar..."
"Oh!" Tyler said, "I've seen your gigs in town! You're awesome, man."
"Thank you." Jace smiled at him and reached over to grab another bottle of beer.
Calvin slapped his thigh and slung an arm over his friend's shoulder. "Let's play a
game of truth or dare. If you refuse to do either, you have to take off an item of
clothing."
"Oh god." Liam winced, "that didn't end up well last time."
"Yeah, that's because you got pissed drunk before we even started the game and
ended up running down the road in just your boxers." A guy chortled.
My mind conjured up the memories that were shoved to the back of my mind, that was
not a pretty sight to see. He was very secretive about everything then and refused
to give any information away that could possibly shatter his rep. When we play
games, we play them properly; there's no messing around or silly questions being
thrown about.
"I'll start," Calvin grinned and placed a Jack Daniels bottle on top of a crate
that we were all circled around. He spun it and everyone anxiously waited, hoping
the top of the bottle doesn't land on them. It stopped at Liam and Calvin let out
this laugh that was pretty unnerving. "Liam, truth or dare?"
Liam contemplated his answer and looked Calvin dead in the eye as he spoke. Calvin
liked to give the most difficult truths or dares out. "What did you think of me
when you first saw me?"
Liam smirked, "controlling, mean and competitive."
"Gee thanks." Calvin's adam's apple bobbed as he gulped some beer down.
Liam spun the bottle and it was silent as it kept spinning, the only audible thing
was the music playing from the speakers of one the guys' cars that were nearby. It
was now playing some overplayed Fall Out Boy tune.
"Jack, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
Liam rubbed his hands together and had this conniving look plastered on his face, I
did say that we didn't play easy. "I dare you to snog Aaron, since you're both
questioning and best friends, why don't I help you out?"
Jack shrugged and turned to Aaron who was sat next to him. Jack seductively licked
his top lip and bit the bottom, Aaron winked and bit his lip. They edged closer to
each other and darted both their tongues out, Jack playfully twirled his tongue
around Aaron's and then he shoved it into his mouth and full blown, made out with
him. Damn, to say I wasn't the least bit turned was an lie. I watched as Aaron
wrapped his hands around Jack's slim waist as he took him into the small hole that
was made by crossing his legs, both parties fought and dominated and there was a
huge sexual tension between them that I wouldn't doubt them doing all of this again
when they're alone maybe later on.
Guess they're not questioning anymore.
"OK WE GET IT." One guy yelled and ripped Jack away from Aaron. They broke out into
laughter and seductively bit their lips and winked as if to tease each other.
Jack reached over to the crate and spun the bottle, I grabbed Jace's hand and felt
that it was no longer clammy, I rubbed circles on his thumb and he dropped his head
down so that it rested on my tricep, his head felt nice there, like it belonged. He
wore his contacts instead of his glasses today so he didn't have to worry about the
rims of the glasses hitting my arm.
"Truth." A guy that I didn't know the name of, said.
"What celebrity would you go gay for?" Jack asked and the guy brought his left hand
to his chin.
"David Beckham." He laughed and reached over to take his turn. The song in the
background changed to a more melodic one, "Haz, Truth or Dare?"
Harry, or 'Haz' bit his bottom lip as he though about his answer, "dare."
The game went on, the sky was now a dark shade of blue, almost black. The only
source of light was the fire that casted a glow far enough for everyone to still be
able to see each other clearly and the headlights of the car that was being used
for music.
The bottle landed on Jace after Flynn had spun it, almost like he pushed it just
enough to make sure it lands on either one of us. He grinned as he asked Jace
whether he wanted a truth or dare and tried to urge him to pick truth.
"Fine, Truth." Jace rolled his eyes and lifted his head up from its resting place
on my arm.
"Have you gone all the way with Zach?" Flynn smirked as he looked at his
uncomfortable Jace looked. Jace looked to me with his brows knitted together and
the look of a lost puppy on his complexion.
"Dude, don't be an ass!" I yelled out to Flynn and made a move to get up and give
him a well deserved punch in the face but Jace pulled me back down to the ground
and intwined his fingers with mine.
"You have to answer it." Flynn smirked to Jace.
"Damn you." Liam said to Flynn, momentarily stopping his intake of shisha through
the mouthpiece and flipping him the bird. Flynn seemed unfazed and waved off the
rude but well deserved comment.
Jace drummed his fingers against his knee before taking off his shoes. "Pass, my
sex life is none of your business." He spun the bottle and it landed on one of the
highers. The higher, whose name was Mark, agreed to do a dare and I whispered to
Jace that he should probably give him a really good dare because he never turned
down a challenge.
"I dare you to put two cups of that ice down your pants." Jace pointed to the
cooler that was filled with ice to keep the beer cold.
Mark smirked as he stood up from the ground and walked over to the cooler, grabbing
a large bowl that once had some crisps in it but was now empty, "this okay?"
Jace nodded and then we all stared at Mark scoop up some ice to fill the bowl to
the brim and pull at the waistband of his black joggers, he chucked the ice in and
winced, jumping around like his ass was on fire. A minute passed and Jace said that
he could take it out so he shook his legs until all the ice cubes fell out. Mark
commented on how 'awesome and daring' my boyfriend was and everyone clapped,
causing Mark to cockily bow and mutter a string of thank you's while waving his arm
round in small circular motions.
Mark spun the bottle and it landed on Flynn, funnily enough, it's like he planned
it that way.
"Truth or dare, Hopper?"
"Dare." Flynn answered cockily and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I dare you to kiss Ben when you see him next week." Mark grinned as he watched
Flynn contemplate his answer; Flynn kissing Ben would be like a death trap. If I
knew Mark well enough, I'd know that he was taking revenge on Flynn for backing
Jace into a corner earlier.
"Pass." Flynn said, taking off his shirt and putting his abs full on show. I saw
the way Kyle kept his eyes glued to his torso as if it were a piece of ham.
"Bro, don't be a pussy." Someone laughed, Flynn gritted his teeth.
"I'm not going to kiss that c**t."
The guys all just laughed more and continued on with the game. A few more rounds
later, mostly everyone had a go, it was only me and a few others who had yet to do
a truth or dare and anxiously waiting as the bottle spins was like waiting for your
order at McDonald's while your tummy is rumbling or something like that. A lot of
people had their shirts or pants off or both because they passed their turn, Jace
was left in his boxer briefs (because Flynn kept making the bottle land on him) and
Liam was in his boxers and a t-shirt.
"Jace," Flynn asked as the bottle spun his way, again, by the same person. "Truth
or dare."
"Dare."
"Come here and give me a smooch." A few guys chorused cuss words. Flynn was acting
weird, I haven't been mean to him, ever. Except for punching him of course but
there's an obvious reason why I did it. Perhaps the alcohol was causing him to act
up.
"No way, I'd probably get herpes." Jace snorted and cross his arms.
"Aw, come on, one kiss, otherwise you'd have to take your boxers off." Flynn
crawled over on all fours to where Jace was sat next to me. He looked to me with
that lost puppy look in his eyes and with a gulp, I nodded and I didn't even know
why.
Jace pounced on him and started kissing his lips tentatively, trying to not go too
far. A lump formed in my throat and I choked back tears. This was so effed up. Jace
was barely giving Flynn a kiss, they were merely brushing their lips together but
it still shot through me like a million bullets, slowly killing me on the inside.
Is this even normal?
"If I do this you have to snog Ben." Jace said loud enough for everyone here to
hear. Flynn rolled his eyes and muttered an agreement before swooping in and
pushing Jace down on the grass, hoisting himself up by his hands that had all his
weight on them and were resting on top of Jace's shoulders, effectively stopping
him from moving.
Flynn took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, shoving his tongue in Jace's mouth
while Jace helplessly tried shoving him away, Flynn was much too strong for that
too happen.
I gulped, but was frozen in my spot with my jaw slacked to the grass. Flynn banged
Naomi, fine, but he's touching my Jace and just won't do. I stood up with all the
strength I could muster and felt the urge to give Flynn another punch as if the
first one wasn't a warning enough but my feet thought differently and I found
myself walking away from the sticky situation, just like that. Fury coursed through
my veins and my head spun, replaying the image as walked out the circle we had
formed and kicked a can hard enough for it to fly more than a few metres high in
the air.
"You f**ker." I heard Jace seethe with a frightening amount of venom laced in his
voice. I turned around slightly to see his teeth gritted together. Jace stood up
and matched Flynn's tall frame. He wiped his lips with the back of his palm and
gave him one hell of an uppercut, causing the prick to double over and fall to the
floor with a loud thump.
He deserved worse.

42. Bonfire (repost)

Some people have been saying that they couldn't find chapter 42, so here it is. :)
(Part 1 of 2)
When Jace came over to my house that evening, we spoke more about dreams and
aspirations and weirdly enough, it's made me want to think more optimistically.
Jace had always been optimistic, even through the downfall of his father and the
bullying with Camellia. I admired that quality, Jace was incredible, he was strong,
and each sentence that poured out of his mouth just sucked you in, it's like
listening to those motivational people over and over again.
So it's made me actually want to look into UCL more and universities that are just
as good, if I get a letter back telling me that I haven't been able to get meet the
expectations then fine, I can try again for another.
So when I spend an entire evening stuck up in my room, on my laptop with a notepad
by my side and the brochures of each uni opened up on the Internet, I lost all
track of time. It was two in the morning when I checked my watch and it was a
school day.
Crap.
Sluggishly, I got up out of my spinning desk chair and let out a huge yawn and
brought my fingers to my neck, prodding at it and trying to massage it. You can
only look at a computer for so long before your eyes sting and your neck aches.
Saturday came along soon enough and I was feeling a little too excited for the
bonfire later on, hanging out with my fellow bros was going to be great, no, it was
going to be epic. We'd bring drinks, alcoholic and non alcoholic and a shit load of
shisha and just mess around and have fun.
Liam wasn't eighteen yet so he couldn't buy alcohol but he did buy some shisha
flavours that he hid in his room for times like this; some other guys were going to
bring the pipes and the charcoal.
I stood in front of my mirror and straightened out my black shirt and chinos,
admiring how on point my hair was, seriously, it looked on point and I couldn't get
over it. I played around with it more, until I heard my bedroom door creak open
only for Liam to make an appearance. He told me that Jace was here and from the
mirror, I could see him open the door wider to allow Jace to fit through. To say
Jace looked yummy would be an understatement, he was absolutely delectable.
He grinned and shoved me out of the way of the mirror, only to check himself out,
by the big fat grin plastered on his face, I guess I wasn't the only one excited
for the evening. Liam closed the door behind him as he left and Jace jumped top on
me, I didn't have long to exactly prepare myself so I fell back on the bed and
tried to pry him off me but the guy was like a leech.
He was dressed in a pair of black jeans and a casual t-shirt that had a rather
graphic word on it; seriously, I don't know how he was even allowed out the house
with it on. He pecked me on the lips and I attempted to deepen it but he pulled
away and got off me, telling me that we should probably leave now and that I should
stop checking myself out because I already look mighty fine.
"You don't have tell them we're together you know." I said, answering a question
that I thought over a thousand times since last Wednesday when he asked me it. Jace
didn't mind coming out to my friends, he told me that as long as I trust them, he
trusts them.
"I know, same for you, to my friends, if you ever, you know..." He scratched the
back of his neck, "Ben knows though, he's clever and he's as happy as Larry about
it."
"He's happy?" I cocked a brow as I picked up a hoodie. Wasn't Ben fending Jace and
warning me if I ever break his heart just a few days ago?
"Mm hm, he told me though that if Flynn ever bugs me about it then I should tell
him."
"Why would Flynn bug you about it?" I snorted, "I'm already yours."
"I know." He said, dismissing my question and blushed at my last comment.
The park wasn't far from us and given the fact that we'd probably be drinking, the
best idea was to walk it there. Liam walked ahead, his glow in the dark shoe laces
visible a few metres away. I brought him those laces a while ago.
It was a twenty minute walk which, in this weather, I didn't mind. Jace just spoke
to me the whole time and the time passed quickly. I could see a fire at the back of
the park and few guys yelling and shouting as they all (really badly) sang along to
the lyrics of Kesha's Tick Tok. Yup, that's how's you know that's them.
"LIAM." Someone yelled as he and Liam ran to each other with their arms open wide,
it kind of looked like those cliche romantic movies where they meet each other
halfway and kiss it out. I had to stifle my laugh.
As Jace and I reached the guys, and with the fire casting a warm glow around the
area, I was able to see that we were kind of late and that all of Torvux were there
already, including Flynn. Some people I didn't recognise and I guessed those were
the plus one's that Calvin said we could bring.
"Hey guys." I smiled and waved at them all, even gave some of them fist bumps and
bro hugs. "This is-"
"Jace. Hey." He introduced himself and intwined his pinky with mine. "I'm Zach's
boyfriend."
The guys, that were now huddled in front of us were practically speechless. I mean,
I guess they would be since its like a slap in the face. They didn't move at all,
no, they didn't even breathe.
"It's just... So weird." Ryan said, "like, I don't know if I can get used to it."
The guys all muttered agreements.
I snickered and slapped his shoulder, "you gonna have to get used to it."
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not against it. It's just, so new to see." Calvin stated,
then looked at Jace, "Hey, I'm Calvin." He stuck his hand out and Jace shook it
shyly.
"That's Josh, Kyle, Mark, Pete, Jack, Harry, Flynn..." Calvin trailed off, naming
everyone here as if Jace would remember more than fifteen in one go.
Jace lifted his hand up again awkwardly and waved before stuffing them deep into
his pocket, some of the guys turned around, some starting preparing the shisha and
others just scrutinised Jace as if they're ticking the boxes of Jace meets the
requirements. Requirements of what?
I pulled Jace's hand out of his pocket and intwined it with mine, they were a bit
clammy and I reckon he was nervous. The rest of the guys that were silently judging
him started walking back to the bonfire and I looked to Jace and gave him a small
peck on the cheek as if it will make him less nervous.
We both walked to the fire and plopped down on the ground, a few guys came to sit
down with us with three packs of beer and I took two bottles out of it and handed
popped the cap open. Jace muttered a thanks before taking it and drinking a quarter
of it in one go.
"So uh, how long has it been?" One guy from Torvux asked.
"Since?" I asked.
"Since you've been gay." He answered and I honestly felt like facepalming myself a
thousand times, if not more.
"Since I've been born, idiot." I snickered to him, he just rolled his eyes and
punched my arm gently.
"You mean when did he realise it." Jack deadpanned. Jack was one of the guys who
came out as questioning when I came out as gay.
"Uh, yeah." The other person let out a small chuckle.
"When I was twelve." I answered.
"Eleven for me." Jace said and I glanced to him and smiled.
"How'd you know?" He asked and these are one of the times when I really look deeply
into what I'd answer with, how did I know? Everyone gathered round the bonfire,
eavesdropping into the conversation, God, I really hated being in the limelight and
yet, here I was.
"It's like you know you like girls and you don't see anything attractive about
other genders. For me, it's different because I'm pansexual and I don't look at
what someone has but instead I look at them for who they are." Jace explained an
drummed his fingers rhythmically to the beat of the Katy Perry. "I admire people's
qualities, not what part they have or don't have."
"What is it you see in Zach?" The guy let out a chuckle and I thwacked him over the
head. The other guys laughed along and I just glared at them all, but my glare
wasn't really that scary so they carried on laughing.
"Zach," Jace looked to me and smiled, "he's just, he's... Caring, down to earth,
considerate-"
Cue the laughing.
"Wait, really?" One guy snickered and Liam flicked his forehead before going back
to blowing from the green mouthpiece of his shisha pipe. I could smell the
watermelon flavour from here.
"Yes really," Jace let out a weak chuckle and took my hand in his, "he doesn't care
about his rep or my rep either, I'm not exactly the most popular person, right?
Nah, I'm usually just glued to the music room and my guitar..."
"Oh!" Tyler said, "I've seen your gigs in town! You're awesome, man."
"Thank you." Jace smiled at him and reached over to grab another bottle of beer.
Calvin slapped his thigh and slung an arm over his friend's shoulder. "Let's play a
game of truth or dare. If you refuse to do either, you have to take off an item of
clothing."
"Oh god." Liam winced, "that didn't end up well last time."
"Yeah, that's because you got pissed drunk before we even started the game and
ended up running down the road in just your boxers." A guy chortled.
My mind conjured up the memories that were shoved to the back of my mind, that was
not a pretty sight to see. He was very secretive about everything then and refused
to give any information away that could possibly shatter his rep. When we play
games, we play them properly; there's no messing around or silly questions being
thrown about.
"I'll start," Calvin grinned and placed a Jack Daniels bottle on top of a crate
that we were all circled around. He spun it and everyone anxiously waited, hoping
the top of the bottle doesn't land on them. It stopped at Liam and Calvin let out
this laugh that was pretty unnerving. "Liam, truth or dare?"
Liam contemplated his answer and looked Calvin dead in the eye as he spoke. Calvin
liked to give the most difficult truths or dares out. "What did you think of me
when you first saw me?"
Liam smirked, "controlling, mean and competitive."
"Gee thanks." Calvin's adam's apple bobbed as he gulped some beer down.
Liam spun the bottle and it was silent as it kept spinning, the only audible thing
was the music playing from the speakers of one the guys' cars that were nearby. It
was now playing some overplayed Fall Out Boy tune.
"Jack, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
Liam rubbed his hands together and had this conniving look plastered on his face, I
did say that we didn't play easy. "I dare you to snog Aaron, since you're both
questioning and best friends, why don't I help you out?"
Jack shrugged and turned to Aaron who was sat next to him. Jack seductively licked
his top lip and bit the bottom, Aaron winked and bit his lip. They edged closer to
each other and darted both their tongues out, Jack playfully twirled his tongue
around Aaron's and then he shoved it into his mouth and full blown, made out with
him. Damn, to say I wasn't the least bit turned was an lie. I watched as Aaron
wrapped his hands around Jack's slim waist as he took him into the small hole that
was made by crossing his legs, both parties fought and dominated and there was a
huge sexual tension between them that I wouldn't doubt them doing all of this again
when they're alone maybe later on.
Guess they're not questioning anymore.
"OK WE GET IT." One guy yelled and ripped Jack away from Aaron. They broke out into
laughter and seductively bit their lips and winked as if to tease each other.
Jack reached over to the crate and spun the bottle, I grabbed Jace's hand and felt
that it was no longer clammy, I rubbed circles on his thumb and he dropped his head
down so that it rested on my tricep, his head felt nice there, like it belonged. He
wore his contacts instead of his glasses today so he didn't have to worry about the
rims of the glasses hitting my arm.
"Truth." A guy that I didn't know the name of, said.
"What celebrity would you go gay for?" Jack asked and the guy brought his left hand
to his chin.
"David Beckham." He laughed and reached over to take his turn. The song in the
background changed to a more melodic one, "Haz, Truth or Dare?"
Harry, or 'Haz' bit his bottom lip as he though about his answer, "dare."
The game went on, the sky was now a dark shade of blue, almost black. The only
source of light was the fire that casted a glow far enough for everyone to still be
able to see each other clearly and the headlights of the car that was being used
for music.
The bottle landed on Jace after Flynn had spun it, almost like he pushed it just
enough to make sure it lands on either one of us. He grinned as he asked Jace
whether he wanted a truth or dare and tried to urge him to pick truth.
"Fine, Truth." Jace rolled his eyes and lifted his head up from its resting place
on my arm.
"Have you gone all the way with Zach?" Flynn smirked as he looked at his
uncomfortable Jace looked. Jace looked to me with his brows knitted together and
the look of a lost puppy on his complexion.
"Dude, don't be an ass!" I yelled out to Flynn and made a move to get up and give
him a well deserved punch in the face but Jace pulled me back down to the ground
and intwined his fingers with mine.
"You have to answer it." Flynn smirked to Jace.
"Damn you." Liam said to Flynn, momentarily stopping his intake of shisha through
the mouthpiece and flipping him the bird. Flynn seemed unfazed and waved off the
rude but well deserved comment.
Jace drummed his fingers against his knee before taking off his shoes. "Pass, my
sex life is none of your business." He spun the bottle and it landed on one of the
highers. The higher, whose name was Mark, agreed to do a dare and I whispered to
Jace that he should probably give him a really good dare because he never turned
down a challenge.
"I dare you to put two cups of that ice down your pants." Jace pointed to the
cooler that was filled with ice to keep the beer cold.
Mark smirked as he stood up from the ground and walked over to the cooler, grabbing
a large bowl that once had some crisps in it but was now empty, "this okay?"
Jace nodded and then we all stared at Mark scoop up some ice to fill the bowl to
the brim and pull at the waistband of his black joggers, he chucked the ice in and
winced, jumping around like his ass was on fire. A minute passed and Jace said that
he could take it out so he shook his legs until all the ice cubes fell out. Mark
commented on how 'awesome and daring' my boyfriend was and everyone clapped,
causing Mark to cockily bow and mutter a string of thank you's while waving his arm
round in small circular motions.
Mark spun the bottle and it landed on Flynn, funnily enough, it's like he planned
it that way.
"Truth or dare, Hopper?"
"Dare." Flynn answered cockily and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I dare you to kiss Ben when you see him next week." Mark grinned as he watched
Flynn contemplate his answer; Flynn kissing Ben would be like a death trap. If I
knew Mark well enough, I'd know that he was taking revenge on Flynn for backing
Jace into a corner earlier.
"Pass." Flynn said, taking off his shirt and putting his abs full on show. I saw
the way Kyle kept his eyes glued to his torso as if it were a piece of ham.
"Bro, don't be a pussy." Someone laughed, Flynn gritted his teeth.
"I'm not going to kiss that c**t."
The guys all just laughed more and continued on with the game. A few more rounds
later, mostly everyone had a go, it was only me and a few others who had yet to do
a truth or dare and anxiously waiting as the bottle spins was like waiting for your
order at McDonald's while your tummy is rumbling or something like that. A lot of
people had their shirts or pants off or both because they passed their turn, Jace
was left in his boxer briefs (because Flynn kept making the bottle land on him) and
Liam was in his boxers and a t-shirt.
"Jace," Flynn asked as the bottle spun his way, again, by the same person. "Truth
or dare."
"Dare."
"Come here and give me a smooch." A few guys chorused cuss words. Flynn was acting
weird, I haven't been mean to him, ever. Except for punching him of course but
there's an obvious reason why I did it. Perhaps the alcohol was causing him to act
up.
"No way, I'd probably get herpes." Jace snorted and cross his arms.
"Aw, come on, one kiss, otherwise you'd have to take your boxers off." Flynn
crawled over on all fours to where Jace was sat next to me. He looked to me with
that lost puppy look in his eyes and with a gulp, I nodded and I didn't even know
why.
Jace pounced on him and started kissing his lips tentatively, trying to not go too
far. A lump formed in my throat and I choked back tears. This was so effed up. Jace
was barely giving Flynn a kiss, they were merely brushing their lips together but
it still shot through me like a million bullets, slowly killing me on the inside.
Is this even normal?
"If I do this you have to snog Ben." Jace said loud enough for everyone here to
hear. Flynn rolled his eyes and muttered an agreement before swooping in and
pushing Jace down on the grass, hoisting himself up by his hands that had all his
weight on them and were resting on top of Jace's shoulders, effectively stopping
him from moving.
Flynn took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, shoving his tongue in Jace's mouth
while Jace helplessly tried shoving him away, Flynn was much too strong for that
too happen.
I gulped, but was frozen in my spot with my jaw slacked to the grass. Flynn banged
Naomi, fine, but he's touching my Jace and just won't do. I stood up with all the
strength I could muster and felt the urge to give Flynn another punch as if the
first one wasn't a warning enough but my feet thought differently and I found
myself walking away from the sticky situation, just like that. Fury coursed through
my veins and my head spun, replaying the image as walked out the circle we had
formed and kicked a can hard enough for it to fly more than a few metres high in
the air.
"You f**ker." I heard Jace seethe with a frightening amount of venom laced in his
voice. I turned around slightly to see his teeth gritted together. Jace stood up
and matched Flynn's tall frame. He wiped his lips with the back of his palm and
gave him one hell of an uppercut, causing the prick to double over and fall to the
floor with a loud thump.
He deserved worse.

43. Do Not Dig Yourself A Hole And Roll In It.

Before the chapter, I'd like to explain a few things (I should've probably done
this as a separate part but oh well)
1. Yes. Flynn is a major ass but he's also one of Zach's closest friends.
2. Jace is not horrible for not accepting the bracelet, he's scared and come on,
it's a huge thing at the school.
3. Yes I know Molly and Trisha appear randomly at some parts when they should be at
school or whatever but it's fiction okay so oh well xD
4. looking back at comments, I've noticed a lot of swearing so from now on, I'll be
deleting those comments.
5. I love writing for all of you, and if you're still reading at chapter 43, then I
love you. (I was aiming for 35 chapters but I guess I got carried away hehe)
6. Yes, it's come to that time near the end of the book where I'm proud to announce
a sequel, I need a really good title for it though so please please suggest some!
<3 hint: it's a book of one person chasing after another.
7. I would be over the moon if somebody made fan art, seriously. If you do, I'd
dedicate a chapter to you and also shout you out (as well as put the fan art for
the picture on the chapter so everyone can admire the beauty, duh). ;)
Enjoy!
--- --- ---
(Part 2 of 2)
Leaving the bonfire for a little while did give me the chance to cool off,
honestly, I just needed some isolation. Isolation was nice.
I kept on walking and walking further away from the rest of the people, until I
couldn't even hear them or hear the loud music coming from the car; instead, I
found tranquility in sitting cross legged on a tree stump in the middle of the
forest while listening to the creatures of the night. I could tell there was a lake
nearby because I could hear ducks and water splashing. Squeezing my eyes shut, I
took deep breaths and tried to sort out my breathing that was raspy and heavy.
Why the hell did I say Jace could do it? Dammit. Albeit, if I didn't agree to it,
he'd have to strip off. Huh, I guess Flynn really did have a brain and actually
thought everything through. He kept spinning the bottle to Jace and asking stupid
questions that were private and should stay private, so eventually, Jace had to
keep stripping items of clothing off just to save the humiliation.
How far have you gone with Zach?
Are you a top or bottom?
Unprotected or protected?
Flynn was such an ass.
If this was going to be the start of an ongoing war with him, I would do anything
to get out of it. I didn't want to fight with Flynn, I didn't want there to be this
constant battle between us that could affect people that are close to me. Sure,
yeah, maybe a lot of people dick around at this age, they lose friends, make new
ones. I didn't want Flynn to be an ex friend of mine, even with everything that's
occurred like when he slept with Naomi, he was far too special to me and as much as
Liam pushes me, I'm not prepared to let him go. There must be a deeper reason of
why he's all of a sudden picking on Jace just to try and get back at me, what do I
have that he doesn't? Last time I checked, he was always better at socialising and
he was basically a sex god.
A cool breeze swept across the forest I was sat in, trees rustled and the wind
caused my hair to fall in front of my eyes. I sighed to myself and kept trying to
blow it out of my face instead of using my hands.
"You look a little disorientated there." I heard his voice pipe up.
I opened my eyes and reached out to hook my fingers through his belt loops, gently,
I pulled him close to me and he fell into my lap, straddling me and hugging my
hips. I smiled to him when he brought his arms around my neck and we both leaned
into a kiss. It was slow, tender and fired with passion.
He had his clothes on now, unlike earlier when he was close to being butt naked. I
grinned into the kiss and tried to deepen it, darting my tongue out. He followed
and curled his around mine and bringing a hand to the back of my hair so that he
could dig his fingers into it. My heart started racing and a familiar warmth filled
my chest, I was feeling cold earlier but that was forgotten now that Jace was by my
side.
An obnoxious thought came to mind and I pulled away and frowned.
"I can't kiss you when Flynn had just kissed you." I grimaced.
"Come on, you said it was alright." Jace pouted and tightened his arms around my
neck again.
"I know but, I just can't believe him."
"He has to kiss Ben next week, I think that's a punishment enough to be honest. Ben
might just kick him where the sun doesn't shine." He snickered and pecked the tip
of my nose.
"I don't think Ben would go that easy on him to be honest with you." I grinned and
caressed his face with my hands, peppering his entire face with small kisses.
"Let's go back." He said moments after and stood up, reaching a hand out for me to
take. I grabbed it and walked hand in hand with him back to the bonfire.
There's something about walking with Jace as a couple, in public. We've never done
it before, and the idea of it sends me over the moon. Sure, it may only be to a
certain amount of people but honestly, that's enough. I was happy knowing that I'm
finally out to the people closest to me; everyone could just screw themselves
because my business is not theirs, but that's only when I'm not at school. At
school, everything is my business and my business is everyone's. There's actually
no privacy at all.
I was greeted when I made my appearance yet again. I saw Flynn with a moody frown
plastered on his lips sitting next to Calvin and I had to stifle a laugh. It's like
when you're naughty in primary school so the teacher makes you move places and sit
next to them.
Calvin was definitely not A grade teaching material.
I plopped down next to Jack and Aaron and Jace sat next to me.
"How about a game of never have I ever." Liam asked.
Calvin gleamed and had this look on his face that was one that made me want to
shrink in my seat. I wasn't scared, but his complexion was far from assuring. "Is
everyone familiar with how it's played?"
Some people, including Jace, said no. "If I say something like, never have I ever
been in a relationship longer than a month, then you take a shot if you have or
ignore it if you haven't."
Many many shot glasses were being poured out by everyone and the cups were being
balanced on top of a few crates and were left in the middle of the circle we've
formed. It was when there were at least forty glasses standing on top of the crate
that the game actually started.
"Never have I ever been in love." Mark said. Two guys took a drink, I was a little
weary about taking one but it seems he's up for a heavy start and I can't lie in
this game because they'd catch me out.
So I took a shot.
It burned as it trickled down my throat and I felt the familiar feeling of my eyes
wanting to water.
Mark was sat next to me, and he told me to take my turn next.
I scrambled for an idea in my head but I didn't have any good ideas."Never have I
ever... Been awarded a grade lower than C."
Nearly half of the guys took a shot then talked about it amongst themselves until I
told them all to shut up so they could hear Jace who was being as quiet as a mouse.
He looked deep in thought for quite some time but said that he will skip his turn
because he's still learning. The other guys agreed but told him he had to take a
shot for it so he sighed and took a shot, grimacing at the vile flavour. The game
continued and moved onto Flynn.
"Never have I ever," Flynn glanced to me, his eyes glazed over with something I
could tell, and he smirked as the words poured out of his slut-lips. "...choked on
a d**k whist giving head."
Bastard.
Nobody moved except me, they all had their eyes on me as I slowly reached my arm
out to the crate full of sin and picked up a shot glass, tilting my head back and
reluctantly gulping it down.
Some guys hollered and laughed and I gritted my teeth. The rest of the game
continued with this unnerving tension between Flynn and I. He's basically given
away to Jace what we've been doing, what if Jace hates me now? We've only just
started to piece things together.
"Never have I ever had sex with three other people at the same time." Alex said.
Flynn, like nearly every sexual question, took a shot. It was becoming pretty clear
to everyone that Flynn was some sort of sex toy and I didn't know why he was
smirking about it the whole time. It's not exactly something to be proud of.
"Never have I ever refused to give oral." It was coming to the point where there
was no order in which anybody asks so Flynn grinned as he saw ninety percent of the
guys took drinks and that included Jace and I.
"Seems our new bro here isn't quite the same person we were thinking of." One of
the guys patted Jace on the shoulder and all Jace could do was look down at the
ground. It was quite dark out but I knew well enough that he was probably blushing
like mad right now.
The shisha pipe came around to everyone, there were about three but most people
weren't using them so I had one to myself. This one was mint flavoured and I
watched as the glass container full of boiling water bubbled a little as I moulded
my lips around the mouth piece and sucked in a long breath. A few moments passed
and I exhaled it all out. My head felt cold the same way my mouth would after I
brush my teeth and it felt refreshing.
"Never have I ever had swallowed my own load." I smirked and I looked to Flynn who
was the only one to reach his hand out and grab a shot glass. If he could act like
a bitch to me, I could act like a bitch to him.
"Dude! Gross!" A guy yelled while other people commented the same thing.
A few more never have I ever's were being strewn all over the place and then I
cracked a grin as an idea came to mind.
"Never have I ever had sex with somebody whose under the age of fourteen."
Flynn, who had his teeth gritted together, took another shot. All the used glasses
were stacked up in front of him and so far, there were about seven. In fact,
everyone's had their fair share of drinks. Nobody here has had less than three,
judging by the way the game is rolling, it wouldn't be long until everyone's pissed
drunk.
"Oh my god, that poor person hasn't even grown pubes or started their period and
you're fucking them?" Josh exclaimed to Flynn who flipped him the middle finger.
"F**k off man." Flynn hissed and crossed his arms over his chest. I smirked to
Flynn who looked rather uncomfortable, he told me that secret a while ago.
Doesn't that make me just as bad though, if I'm giving him questions that I really
shouldn't?
Meh.
"Never have I ever had sex with someone while seeing another person." Jace, who had
been awfully silent, said. I watched his eyes follow my hands as they reached for a
shot glass, I wasn't the only one to reach my hand out though, a few other people
including Flynn did so too.
Jace shook his head in disapproval, I think I was the only one to notice though. I
gulped, I've really fucked up, haven't I?
The game went on and I was just silent for the rest of it, I wasn't even talking to
Jace, or anybody else here. Damn it, of course Jace would catch on, how could I
think that he wouldn't? He's far too clever. I'm such an idiot.
I wanted nothing more than to just leave, go back home and hide under my blankets.
I'd have to explain myself to Jace though at some point, he has to know.
The game passed quickly and then everyone just sat in their places and talked,
Flynn was engaged in a conversation with some of the plus one's and I decided that
now was a good time to have a little chat with Jace. He was slumped next to me, not
talking or anything. He was in his own world.
"Jace." I whispered, as if I could be heard over the music while talking normally
anyway.
"What." He said rather than questioned, his shoulders were slumped over and his
head was facing down at the ground as if the grass was the most interesting thing
in the world.
"Can we talk?" I took his hand in mine but he just left his hand limply, not even
holding mine properly.
"Sure." He started standing up and I followed suit, without grabbing too much
attention, we went back into the forest, back to the tree stump I was sat at
earlier.
"So..." I trailed off as I sat down on the stump, making some room for Jace. He
plopped down next to me with his hands in his lap.
"How long? How many times?" He whispered, his voice slightly cracking at the end.
"The first time was when I saw you in the music room with your mate. You both
looked so touchy with each other and I came to the wrong conclusion," I murmured
guiltily. It was eating me up on the inside, "I was so upset the rest of the day
and well, Flynn was there for me and we kind of started kissing."
Then he chuckled. And it was a heartwarming but weak chuckle that made me whole. It
made me remember how much Jace truly did make me feel better; just seeing his happy
face makes my day so when we actually kiss and talk, I'm literally over the moon.
"How far did you go?" He fiddled with his fingers and played with a bracelet he was
wearing on his wrist, he was once again, eerily quiet.
"That day we just got to first base but while I was not able to go over and see
you, I went over to his house and we got to third base." I swallowed. I turned my
head to see Jace looking uncomfortable, he had this grimace on his face and his
fists were clenched, I continued talking, "It's not entirely his fault, I was the
one who kept crawling back to him."
"How many times?"
"Quite a lot..." I gulped and brought my hand to the back of my neck. "I can't give
you an exact number."
"I just thought, that you know, you loved me." He mumbled the last part.
"I do, but I didn't realise it then. It was two whole weeks and I guess I felt
lonely, and horny. Very very horny." I snickered weakly to myself, "also, it was
eating me up on the inside that you didn't want to do anything past kissing but I
wasn't going to force you."
"Did you not realise we were seeing each other at the time? Did you just forget
about me?" Jace suddenly said loudly, I realised the conversation wasn't being
taken as lightly as I thought It was going. "What the hell, man? I just think that
you should've thought about the long run."
"I.. I'm sorry?" I muttered and let my hands sit in my lap and I kept my head down,
I don't think I could meet his eyes.
Jace took a deep breath, and exhaled, "I don't know."
"You don't know what?"
"I don't know what to do!" He exasperated.
"Forgive me? Please, I can't loose you again, it kills, literally, okay? It
frickin' hurts." I finally met his eyes, blue orbs that were glazed over with a
dark colour. Tears were rolling down his cheeks and it felt like somebody had just
kicked me in the gut.
"...And then you wanted to give me your bracelet? Are you kidding me? I don't even
know how committal you are."
Wow.
Is this what... Is this what it felt like when mum and dad used to argue a lot? Is
this what it felt like when Molly had an argument with her mum about her sexuality?
It definitely feels like the time Liam and I argued, or the time Jace left me at
the carnival.
It's like you're heart suddenly jolts and it speed up until it's hurts, until it's
practically unbearable.
"Jace, please don't tell me you're going to leave me again. I can't handle that." I
choked and tried taking his hand in mine, he didn't exactly complain but he didn't
comply either. He just left his hand sitting limply in mine once again.
"I'm not going to leave you again." He murmured, "I understand that you might've
felt lonely, who am I to complain? We were even officially seeing each other?" He
started saying the last part jokingly, with a small chuckle, as if he was trying to
fake that he was okay.
"I don't know, that was I was wondering too but then I realised it doesn't exactly
matter because I do regret it and I care about you more than I care about myself or
anything else in the world." I rambled, I had only just realised that my thumb was
subconsciously tracing circles on his hand the whole time.
"Ohh...." He cooed out and finally held my hand properly. "I just want you to know
that I still don't know about how committal you are but it's just a bump in the
road, we'll see."
I nodded my head vigorously, I will make it up to him.
"I promise I'll make it up to you." I smiled weakly.
"You're so sweet." He smiled and shuffled closer to me, bringing my arm around him
and wrapping his arms around my waist, snuggling up to my shoulder.
"I am so not sweet." I defended and spat the word out.
"You are." He muttered. I just rolled my eyes even though he wasn't able to see the
action and smiled to myself.
We were actually going to be okay, and I was satisfied even when he still has a
silver of doubt about me and my commitment because anything is better than nothing.
I didn't want him to leave me again.
I'll make it up to him. I'll prove to him that I can be committal.

44. Ignorance Is Your (Oldest) Best Friend.

Yeah we used to stick together,
We wrote our names in blood,
But I guess you can't accept that the change is good.
- - -
Three weeks seemed to pass in a blur, with exams coming close and prom and all this
crap about who would become prom king and queen, my head was starting to resemble a
spinning top.
As a member of the prom committee, I fulfilled my tasks and chose the perfect table
decorations and table placements, with the help of Ben of course. One thing about
him was that he was bossy as hell, and if something doesn't go his way he'd become
all stroppy and brat-like. For ages, we had argued and argued over which colour bow
should be present on the back of the chairs and what colour the chair covers should
be.
In the end, I surrendered and let him have his way.
Jace and I were on a good level of trust once again, sure, he didn't trust me a
hundred percent but it was getting close to there and I was happy about that. I
would always see how weird he'd act whenever I go to a class that I have with Flynn
and how awkward he'd suddenly get whenever we see him across the hallway. First,
he'd freeze in his spot and then his nose would flare up, which was cute and
disturbing at the same time, then he'd clench his fists, grit his teeth and
finally, he'd constantly bring his finger to the edge of the frames of his glasses
to bring it higher up his nose even if it wasn't falling down in the first place.
"Jace, you need to chill." I spoke quietly to him as we sauntered down the crowded
corridors.
"I am chill." He grit his teeth and kept his eyes trained on Flynn who seemed to be
having a good time talking to his new friends that were the guys who came to the
bonfire as plus one's.
"No, you're not." I told him and clutched the straps of my rucksack in my hands.
He finally stopped trying to make a hole on Flynn's face and looked to me, bringing
his skinny index finger to his glasses and gently pushing his glasses higher up his
nose.
"I'm starting to regret telling you how much I liked seeing you with glasses." I
chucked weakly. A ghost of a smile made itself present on his lips and he blushed,
shoving his hands deep in his pockets. Long gone was his gritted teeth and clenched
fists, I just have to keep distracting him until we reach my locker so he stops
looking over to Flynn.
I was a couple centimetres away from my locker when Flynn suddenly approached us
and leaned his back against the locker next to mine. His new friends crowded us and
we exchanged fist bumps and greetings.
"Hey." Flynn said, and smirked at me.
"Fuck off." I bit and shoved the correct key into the keyhole, twisting it and
pulling the locker door open with no gracefulness at all.
"Come on, we can get past thing, man, you're my oldest friend." That's it. That is
it. A wave of some kind of emotion made my stomach stir and my breathing to pick
up, Flynn was using my weaknesses against me, he knew our friendship was a
kryptonite of mine.
I tried my best to keep a straight face and give him my full attention. "No, we
can't get past this, I don't care about you anymore, Flynn. You're a mega bastard,
I was just too blind to see it. I don't want to talk to you anymore, got it?"
I glanced to Jace who was glaring daggers at the bastard. "Fine, have it your way."
Flynn spat and turned a 180. He walked towards the cafeteria with the rest of the
guys and I finally exhaled a breath I kept in.
"Hey," Jace smiled to me and brought his hand to my shoulder, "it's going to be
okay. I know losing friends is hard, but just remember how much of a dick he is. He
didn't even fight very hard to get back your friendship."
"True, I guess." I shrugged and swapped some books around from my rucksack and
locker. I slammed it shut and it echoed through the entire corridor, some eyes
darted to me and I saw Jace tense up at all the unwanted attention, "let's go and
eat."
I sat down at Jace's and Ben's table of friends like I've been doing a lot of
recently once I got my tray of food. They all welcomed me kindly and I actually
felt like I belonged somewhere for once. My table of friends weren't all that bad,
I guess, but it's nice to have a change of scenery, plus, even though I'm out the
closet to them, they still try and include me when they talk about their latest
hook up and what size so and so's tits are.
"I'm so happy!" Rebecca gleamed and clapped her hands vigorously as she plopped
down at the table. I rolled my eyes and I'm pretty sure Ben noticed this because he
snickered.
"Let me guess, prom?" I cocked a brow, "I think when you told us the first thirty-
seven times, we all understood clearly enough."
Rebecca scowled at me and stole my apple from my tray. She bit into it and flipped
me the bird, you could say that since I've been sitting at this table, I've become
a pain in her backside and she finally grew a set of balls and did things that
weren't normal of her to do- like steal my fruit.
"it's finally coming along!" She did a little dance and you could tell she could
barely contain her excitement, unlike me. I was literally screaming on the inside
because I couldn't wait for my promposal to Jace, I'm sure he wouldn't mind coming
out the school considering almost three quarters of the year group were going to go
to another place for further education and the year groups below don't really care.
I would need to talk to one of his friends about it though and find out if he's
ready.
I looked to Ben who was sat opposite me, glaring daggers at Rebecca with an
irritated look on his face, those two never got along because they were both at the
top of the class and constantly competing against each other, whether it be who'd
get the high mark on a test or who'd get an place on the school's yearbook as
'brainiac'.
"May I talk to you afterwards, Zach?" Ben asked me in a sickly sweet tone. I just
shrugged and nodded, we had a lesson together afterwards anyway.
I finished eating my lasagne and with some small talk being thrown about, the bell
finally went off and we all stood up. I waved Jace a goodbye and cheekily brushed
my hands against his while doing so, he slyly winked at me before walking in the
opposite direction.
"So what was it you wanted-" I started, but was cut off.
"Jace told me something I seriously shouldn't tell you but I'm going to anyway."
Ben gushed out without even taking a break and I was taken aback for a few moments.
"Don't tell me-" I began but was cut off.
"He told me that.. Oh my god..." Ben looked down to the ground then back at me, "he
told me he's ready."
"For what?" I narrowed my eyes. Did he mean Jace was ready to do the deed? What
makes him think I'm ready?
"Don't go jumping to conclusions, I don't mean that." Ben snickered, "he means he's
ready to come out to the school, but he said he'd only feel brave enough to do it
if you do too."
My breathing caught in my throat, Jace was ready? He really wanted to do this? Was
I ready? I wasn't quite sure to be honest. One side was screaming with giddiness
about the situation whereas another was scared and frightened about the
consequences. Maybe the first two times I had come out went well but that didn't
mean it'd be the same, I'm in high school for crying out loud. It's a dreaded place
where you're just constantly being judged every second.
"I don't know what to say." I pursed my lips and sat down at a chair at the usual
table Ben and I had been sitting at for the past few weeks. "I don't know if I
can."
"Come on! You should, it would be so great because it sets an example to everyone
else. I won't let anybody come at you for it, they'd probably be in hospital before
I allow that..." He trailed off and then funnily enough, tried to save himself, "I
mean.. If anyone comes after Jace about it, I don't care about you."
"Lies." I punched his arm, "admit you didn't mean what you said at first."
"Uhm.." I looked over to seem to see a faint blush paint his cheeks. Well, that's a
first.
"I can fend for myself, just so you know." I stuck my tongue out at him and dumped
my rucksack on the table so that I could take out my books. "Why don't you tell me
what happened between you and Flynn, huh?" My mind wandered to Flynn's dare at the
bonfire. Either Flynn's really good at applying coverage or Ben never gave him a
good, hard punch.
I watched Ben as he suddenly went into a daze but recovered from it quickly. "What
on earth are you talking about?"
"Don't act coy with me, okay? give me the gory details." I grinned menacingly and
subconsciously rubbed the palms of my hands together.
"Why do I fear for Jace?" He snickered, but I knew he was trying to change the
topic of the conversations.
"What happened?"
"I kicked him where the doesn't shine, alright?" Ben smirked, "it never actually
happened, I didn't let it."
"Oh my god, Flynn actually did it? Serious?"
"He tried to. Can we drop it now?"
"Fine, fine." I sighed but couldn't resist a smirk in his direction. Mrs Lancaster
walked into the room and slammed a couple textbooks down on the table, her lips
were pursed and she took her laptop out of its designated bag and then she looked
up at the class with a grimace.
"Your first exam is next Wednesday. I expect you to concentrate in this lesson as
it is the last lesson I'll be teaching you. If you faff around, I will send you out
you'll be the one failing, not me."
I turned to Ben who was drumming his pencil against his book, he had already
written the date at the top right corner and he already had out everything else he
needed in front of him like the reading book we're working from and a few pens. How
many pens does one person need in just one class?
"You won't be welcome back here if I send you out, understood?" She asked and
opened the lid to a green whiteboard marker. The class muttered agreements and the
sound of zips and workbooks being opened filled the air.
The lesson, which was pretty intense, finally passed. I didn't understand why Mrs
Lancaster left it until the last week to actually teach seriously, she was usually
upbeat and happy and chilled out but today she seemed miserable and had a permanent
scowl plastered on her lips but she was actually able to get something through our
heads.
It was soon the end of the day, and I couldn't be more relieved. Jace was supposed
to be coming over today because I still had some things to cover before the physics
exam which was in two and a half weeks. Fuck, I thought, this year's gone pretty
quick.
So much more drama had been happening in the past few weeks compared to all the
drama I've been through at the beginning of secondary school, I've finally broken
it off with Flynn, he's now happy hanging out with his new friends and he's
actually stopped disturbing me and asking for forgiveness. How could I ever forgive
him?
As curious as I was about finding out what happened between Ben and Flynn, I had
priories and right now, they included spending some quality time with my boyfriend,
even if that quality time meant writing down lots and lots of physics notes.
When two hours passed and we came to the end of marking a past paper, the first
thing Jace did was use his arm to move all the sheets of paper to the side and out
the way, which was surprising in itself but when he brought both of his hands to
the sides of my face, I crashed my lips against his.
Hungry with desire, we decided to go even further and without breaking the kiss for
even a split second, I sat on the bed with my back against the headboard, Jace
climbed over me and popped himself down on my legs, straddling my hips and causing
something down below to stir.
I grinned at him and he grinned back, cheekily, he brought his hands to the hem of
my t-shirt and helped me rip it off and throw it somewhere on the floor.
"I've been waiting all week for this." He huskily whispered far too close to my
ear, sending a shiver to run up my spine. He nipped at my ear with his teeth and I
tugged at the end of his t-shirt too so that he could take it off.
I caressed his bare torso and peppered kisses along his shoulder and tricep,
meanwhile, he continued on teasing me and licking my ear while rocking against my
hard-on, the friction causing my eyes to roll back and bliss to take over.
"Jace," I piped up, trying to sound serious, but it came out breathless instead and
he probably didn't think of it as anything more than a sound of pleasure.
"Jace." I tried again, my voice coming back to me again. Said person stopped what
he was doing and rolled over to sit next to me on the bed instead of on top of me.
"What's wrong?"
"It's just, it's bothering me that I don't know what you feel towards me." I
shrugged, "like, the whole Flynn didn't didn't screw our relationship up a lot did
it? I love you so much, but you need to tell me if it's bothering you."
"Wow, you really know how to turn off a guy." He chuckled weakly and took my hand
in his, he caressed it with his thumb and met my eyes, "it screwed up our
relationship at first, but it's been ages since then. I think I'm over it and," he
looked down at our hands, "I love you too."
I breathing caught in my throat and my eyes widened, I was practically speechless
and all Jace could do was grin at me, "I love you." He repeated, "woah, that does
feel good to say."
"Yo- you..." Still speechless, I ended up spluttering out incoherent sentences.
Jace brought his hands to my face and caressed my cheeks, putting light pressure on
them so my cheeks squish up together. His cheeks flushed and he continued on
talking, "Zach you absolute idiot, making me feel things around you."
I snickered- or at last, tried to - and slapped his hands away so that I could wrap
him in my tight embrace, he melted into it and wrapped his hands around my waist. I
didn't really know exactly how long we'd been like that, whether it had been
seconds or minutes, when I was with Jace, everything seemed slow moving which
wasn't a bad thing at all.
My eyes caught upon a glistening blue box on top of my dresser, underneath some
clothes. Internally cringing, I could help the small snicker that slipped from my
mouth, Jace parted from my embrace and cocked his head to the side like a small and
overly cute puppy; I jumped off the bed and walked over to my dresser, moving all
of the items of clothing out of the way and taking the box into my hands.
"This is for you but don't open until you get home, alright?" I handed the box to
him and he pursed his lips, a hint of amusement playing on them. "oh and also, if
you're baffled by what's in there, then remember that Molly and Cassie were there
at the time."
"Ok, now I'm scared." He joked. I sat down cross legged on the bed opposite him and
tried to seem as cool as possible while loosening the bracelet on my left hand
which appeared more difficult than usual; my hands were shaking violently and they
were also sweaty and not that appealing to touch.
I looked to him but I'm sure he didn't notice because his attention was glued onto
my wrist, he was staring intently but he wasn't making a move to stop me from doing
what I was hoping to do.
My heart was pounding in my chest as I took the bracelet off and tightened it
around Jace's wrist which he stuck out for me to make it easier, it fit perfectly
and made me feel as if I were a little kid on sugar.
"I know it's a stupid concept but it's somewhat special and I'd like to give it to
you." I breathed out and tried to dry my sweaty palms on my jeans.
"Thank you, it's gorgeous." He brought his index finger to the metal plate of it
and traced the design of the snake. Then he looked at me and furrowed his brows,
"does this mean you'd- how did you know?"
"Ben." My face flushed and I combed a hand through my hair, "we'll do it together."
My wrist felt bare and weird and I didn't know if I would ever be able to get used
to the feeling of no longer having that bracelet chained to me.
"Goddammit, Ben is such a blabber mouth." He rolled his eyes.
"Well, I think what he did was a good idea." I wrapped my pinky around Jace's pinky
and gave his a chaste kiss on the lips.
"Are you sure though? Like, I could always just give you back the bracelet-"
"Yes I'm sure and I want you to keep it." I leaned forward and he fell back on the
bed with me. I closed the distance and felt Jace's hands wrap themselves around my
neck, pulling me down so that all my weight falls on top of him.
His lips moulded with mine perfectly and with the gorillas prancing in my stomach,
I knew that this was real. I had no doubts about him, I loved Jace.
The best thing was that he loved me too.

45. Time To Let Go

And this never will be right with me

And now you're trying desperately
--- --- ---
Jace slept over, as usual. Waking up with him next to me has got to be the best
feeling I've ever felt throughout my entire life, that and driving Liam's car down
the road and back. I'll ace my driving test when the time comes.
Jace was already awake and I rolled over on top of him and pecked him on the lips.
He cracked a grin but then grimaced and shoved me off him.
"Ew go brush your teeth first." He ordered and I pouted, pecking him on the cheek
instead before jumping out of bed with a ridiculous amount of energy for this time
of day.
"You know today, when we walk into school, what do you think would happen?" He
asked as he walked into the bathroom and grabbed his toothbrush that I brought for
him. He been staying over a lot through the past few weeks and a lot of those
times, we do stuff. Such stuff that shall not be spoken about but that's besides
the point; he now has his own everything here. His own towel, his own toothbrush
and so on.
"I don't know." I said with a mouth full of toothpaste so it didn't come out very
coherent.
"I hope nobody says shit." He sighed and stuck the toothbrush in his mouth.
I spat out my toothpaste before it could dribble out of my mouth and rinsed my
mouth with water before turning to face him. "If you think about it, it's not like
the school's packed with homophobes- plus, I won't let them say shit. Neither will
Torvux or Liam or Ben."
"Ben said that?" He said and dribbled out a little toothpaste. I had to stifle my
laugh because otherwise he'd probably do something horrible to me like give me the
silent treatment, which is something he's very good at.
"Yeah, he said that." I said and left the bathroom and padded down the stairs. I
still had yet to check what time it was, according to the clock on the stove, it
was almost quarter to eight. Where was everyone?
Jace came downstairs a few moments after and voiced my thoughts, turns out,
everyone had fallen off the face of the earth.
It was eerily quiet and a little weird so I walked over to the radio and tuned it
to a music station before grabbing two cereal bowls and two spoons and a box of
coco pops.
I checked the driveway from the window and saw that mum's car wasn't there, neither
was dad's. Liam's was there, but he wasn't present downstairs. I shrugged it off
and started pouring out my coco pops, Jace joined me at the table and mimicked my
actions. My index finger instinctively went over to my left wrist to tighten my
bracelet but it wasn't there and I had that weird feeling again because it felt so
bare.
"Morning." A hoarse voice boomed through the kitchen, Liam walked in and took a
bowl from the cupboard, pouring himself some milk and then adding the cereal. He
was weird like that, you put the cereal and then the milk but Liam preferred it the
other way.
"When did that happen?" Liam's eyes widened as they caught upon Jace's wrist. He
wasn't here at dinner time yesterday because he was at the gym.
Jace grinned to him and the faintest blush tinted his cheeks, he ducked his head
without muttering a word and ate another spoonful of cereal.
"Oh that..." I grinned, "last night."
"Does that mean-"
"Yup." I answered, I knew what he was about to say.
"I'm proud of you bro." He reached a hand across the table and balled it into a
fist, I did the same and bumped mine against his. An obnoxious thought was
spiralling in my head. Was Liam not bothered about this at all? After all,
everyone's going to find out that he has a gay brother.
"Jace, there's some of your clothes upstairs from when you stayed last time." I
muttered, Jace nodded as a reply and continued on eating his cereal in silence.
"Do you know where mum and dad are?" I asked.
"Dad's at work and I think mum mentioned she'd be going to get some food." Liam
answered, picking up his now empty bowl and rinsing it under the tap, I followed
suit and soon Jace did the same.
Walking up to the front gates of Kingston High never seemed like such a difficulty,
the only time I ever felt like this was when I first started here in year seven but
I didn't feel as nervous as I was feeling now because I knew my older brother would
be inside and willing to help me out.
Right now though, even with the support from Liam, I was getting anxious because
I'm way past year seven, I'm now one of the most popular people in school, meaning
all eyes are on me at all times which is something I didn't appreciate right now.
With each step from the car park to the front entrance, my palms were getting all
sweaty and my body was heating up a million degrees. Jace on the other hand, he was
surprising because unlike me, his head was facing straight, he looked fearless and
even though I knew he was hiding how he really felt, this brilliant facade he
effortlessly puts up could fool anybody he isn't all that close to.
I took a long breath, holding it in for a few seconds before releasing it and
reaching for Jace's hand so that I could intertwine mine with his. The Torvux
bracelet he was wearing proudly brushed against my wrist and I felt a smile
creeping up on my lips. I took a few steps forward with Jace linked to me and soon
enough, we were right at the front of the school, out in open. Everyone could see
us.
I heard lots of whispering and chatter as we went in through the front doors and my
heart hammered against my chest violently as Jace and I bravely padded down the
corridor and towards my locker, I felt him brush his thumb against mine and I felt
stupid feeling this way because as long as I was with Jace, I'd be happy. I
shouldn't care so much about what everyone thinks; at least I knew my closest
friends supported me and that's basically all that mattered.
We reached my locker and I finally met Jace's eyes, they were a happy, light blue.
He had to let go of my hand so I could change around some books from my locker and
bag. A crowd started forming around us and I heard lots of murmuring and chatter, I
could literally feel the eyes on me, observing me, observing us. What are they
doing? Are they together? Wait, Zach's gay? Holy crap, that guy has his bracelet?!
I held his hand again as we made our way to his locker which was in another
corridor, I tried to not meet eyes with all the people not so secretly scrutinising
us, I was far too overwhelmed already. My heart was hammering against my chest so
hard that I could feel it in my ears, I wonder how Jace felt. Adrenaline was
coursing through my body but I also felt shaky and fragile too, it was an odd
feeling.
"Hot damn." Flynn whistled as he made his way towards us.
"Flynn." Jace nodded curtly with his jaw clenched.
"Jace." He replied back but seemed relaxed and laid back.
"Flynn, get lost." I sneered and slung a protective arm around Jace's shoulders
when he had finished taking books from his locker.
"God, what is it with you?" Flynn sighed, "I don't like arguing with you."
"Last time I checked, I was ignoring you, not arguing with you, I'll think I'll
keep with that. Bye." At with that, Jace and I rushed past him, out of the circle
that had formed around us and towards the cafeteria.
We sat down at a random table that had six spaces left, I reached across the table
and held Jace's hands. Rebecca sat down at the table, along with Ben, a few other
friends of Jace's and Flynn. For god's sakes.
Ben did a double take seeing Flynn and narrowed his eyes into slits, Flynn just sat
down at the table acting like nothing had happened.
"Oh my god." Rebecca awed and tugged on Jace's wrist so that it slipped out of my
hand and looked down at the leather bracelet and the ornate design that was
shimmering in the light. "Oh my god." She repeated.
"I'm not god but thanks, I guess." Jace muttered nonchalantly. People at the table
started snickering.
"But I dated you." She said and met my eyes.
"What's your point." I deadpanned and rolled my eyes.
A few people from Torvux gathered around the table and sat on the empty seats, some
just stood or leaned against the table beside us. Kyle gave me a thumbs up while
Calvin scrutinised Jace. Liam appeared too and seemed awfully happy because there
were a bunch of girls fawning over Jace and I from a few tables away, obviously I
was able to tell, they were practically drilling holes into our faces.
I looked to Ben, who clearly wasn't happy about his mutual enemies surrounding his
table, he didn't say anything though. Just simply sat still and trying to not
glance over to the rest of the guys. I was surprised, I would've thought he'd have
a go at them or pummel their face in but then again, he wouldn't do that because
he's only come after you if you provoked him.
"So uh..." I trailed off and brought my watch into my view, there was still ten
minutes left until the first period.
Calvin stopped burning holes into Jace's face and looked to Ben, his face lit up
and I could've sworn that he didn't even think before speaking because Ben stood up
abruptly after being asked again what happened between him and Flynn.
Ben's lips contorted into an oval but no words came out of them, instead, Flynn's
voice perked up.
"We made love of course." he said dreamily and brought a finger to Ben's checkered
shirt and traced it dangerously low down his torso. Ben slapped his hand away but
in the process, Flynn wrapped his hand around Ben's so he couldn't move it.
"Fucking let go." Ben growled but Flynn made no effort to let go, even when Ben
flopped his hand around violently as if he was shaking some water off it.
More eyes were starting to glance our direction and seriously, if looked could kill
then everyone in the cafeteria would've been six feet under right now because of
Ben's glare.
"We made love, but Ben's shy about it, it was his first-"
And that was how Flynn ended up face planting the floor after he was shoved off his
seat.
"What did happen though?" Calvin muttered quietly and It sparked everyone's
attention. Everyone wanted to know what happened, even me. Even Jace probably,
unless Ben had already told him.
Ben rolled his eyes and slung his rucksack over his shoulder just as the bell
shrilled to life and signalled the first period.
Flynn stood up and dusted his clothes off before laughing it off and walking with
Kyle to their next lesson, I followed closely behind but not before (very openly
and publicly) pecking Jace on the lips, he grinned and kissed me back for even
longer. The kiss was electric, it felt more real than it ever had, whether it was
adrenaline or simply love, Is beyond me.
Flynn's head bopped as he walked chatting with Kyle, deep in conversation.
Countless times, I'd be walking with him in this direction because our classes were
near each other, countless times we'd wait with each other before we were welcomed
into the classroom by the teacher, countless times we'd wait outside the classroom
after one of our lessons ends and pull faces through the windows to make each other
laugh. On some occasions, one of us would walk in each other's classroom and
eagerly wait for the teacher to notice, if they ever did.
It stung.
Everything seemed so golden then, like when you sit around the dinner table with
your relatives at Christmas, chatting away and having a blast. Everything was so
perfect, it was definitely a memory to cherish.
Then it all broke apart.
Flynn and I turned from bros to enemies and the story goes on. I would like to
actually accept his offer about forgiving him and becoming bros again but as
tempting as it was, I couldn't. Liam was more important, so was Jace and oddly
enough, Ben too. Nobody really liked Flynn, but that didn't stop me from backing
him up in front of Ben whenever he'd have a go at him back in year ten after Ben
buffed up. I saw past Flynn's flaws, I dug deep and I actually found out that he
has a heart, he would never go against his friends.
That all changed though when he slept with Naomi; I was tempted as hell to believe
she seduced him instead of the other way round but I'm sure they've done it on
multiple occasions so they're both just as bad as each other.
I remember when I was dealing with my sexuality, it was a horrible phase, it seemed
like so many years ago but it wasn't. I would cry multitudinous nights, wanting to
turn straight because I thought I wouldn't be accepted. My thought process even
went to dark places, like mum and dad chucking me out the house or the school
finding out somehow and hating me for it; I would ring Flynn and he'd make me feel
better, I'd automatically stop crying just by texting him about something that
doesn't even have to do with cheering me up because through text he wouldn't know I
had been crying.
On the phone however, he'd ask why I was crying and I would just pin it on one of
my ex's, even if it made me a wuss or is just blame it all on my family which was a
white lie because I'm giving part of the truth but not the entire thing. He was
always so amazing at advice, even though I'd lie about the reason behind getting
all emotional, he always knew exactly what to say.
I stared ahead at the two, walking in front of me and monkeying around, trying to
slap each other. Digging my hands in my pockets, I felt some paper all crumpled up.
Meet me in the basement at Lunchtime.
Flynn.
And then he signed it off with a little drawing of a cat, which was his usual way
of signing off notes he passed to me which was how I knew that it was actually him
that wrote it.
My fingers were all tingly as I walked down the crowded corridor towards the door
to the basement. Nobody really knew what the door led to, I don't think about took
any notice of it to be honest. It was Torvux territory and sometimes it was mine
and Flynn's hideout whenever we wanted to skip one of our lessons.
Usually, I'd be able to go down to the basement without having anybody notice me
but today, all eyes were on me, on my empty wrist. Some people were grinning,
others weren't that happy.
With a final glance behind me, I opened the door and closed it behind me. The slam
of the door echoed in the basement and Flynn walked to the foot of the stairs in my
view. He smiled to me and I resisted smiling back even when my lips felt they had
to break out into a full on grin.
"You came." He said once I stood in front of him, we walked over to a couch that
was placed down here and sat down on it.
"Just hurry up and tell me why you called me here." I leaned back and crossed my
arms over my chest.
Flynn's smile dissipated and he leaned forward. "I really miss you."
"That's cute and all, but you're a dick." I deadpanned, "you fucking force-snogged
Jace in front of me."
He fiddled with his fingers and the ring he was wearing on his middle finger. "I
was trying to deal with not having you around, I know it was messed up, I know and
I feel terrible."
When I didn't reply, he continued, "I was so messed up, I was hurt and I thought
fighting back was the most brilliant idea in the world."
"Dude, you slept with Naomi before all of it too, why?" I retorted.
"I... It was once. She was making moves and then I made moves and I told her it was
wrong but she got me so damn turned on and I couldn't stop." He sighed, defeated.
"Bullshit." I stood up and slung my rucksack over my shoulder and started walking
back to the stairs, my heart pounded in my chest and my breathing was ragged, I
could even feel a headache coming on.
Flynn turned me around before I could reach the foot of the stairs and I felt his
arms wrap around my waist. "Please." He cried and tightened his hold on me.
"Flynn get off." I growled and tried to take his arms off me but it didn't work.
Finally glancing down at him, I saw tears wanting to escape.
I heart dropped but then I remembers all the shit he had pulled in the past. He
didn't deserve my friendship.
Finally pushing him off me, I clambered up the stairs silently and slammed the door
behind me then angrily walked to the cafeteria. Why did I feel so angry? I'll never
know.
I sat down at the usual table, surprising Ben who was sat down and immersed into
his phone. He just looked at me blankly and I lay head down on the table, using my
arms for support.
"I'd ask what's up but I really don't want to know." Ben trailed off, "wait, did
someone say something about your sexuality? I'll punch their face-"
"No." I cut him off and murmured into my flesh.
"Kind of curious now." he trailed off and I looked up at him, unamused. "Woah,
look's like you've finally mastered that death glare you told me about that you
receive all the time."
My lip started twitching, and then I smiled. I was terrible at keeping straight
faces, really terrible. The only time I had been able to successfully hold a
straight face for the longest time was when I had that tantrum in my bedroom a
while ago, it did tear me up inside, knowing Liam was so against my sexuality- or
so I thought.
I rocked that straight face, and it was obviously because I was so deeply affected
my Liam of all people, my brother who I had to repair a relationship with.
Another successful time I was able to hold a straight face was during that time
Flynn went good far with Jace at the bonfire, it killed me then and it still does
now just thinking about it.
It's obvious that, if Flynn really affected me as much as I think he did, then I
wouldn't have been able to laugh at such a silly thing that Ben said. Maybe it
wasn't cut out to be, Flynn and I. Maybe he didn't deserve my friendship,
especially after hurting two of the most important people in my life.
I think letting go was the one of the best choices I had ever made.

46. Supplanting A Memory

Oh look, it's Zach strutting without a t-shirt. ;) ^
--- --- ---
[Zach's POV]
"Class H3, please make your way into the hall quietly, and put your bags down in
the closet." My English teacher said, and held open the door for us. My fingers
were trembling and my heart was pumping loudly in my chest and I wasn't even inside
the hallway yet, I was still waiting for my class to get inside before me.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Jace smiling at me and I quickly rushed over
to him and took him into a big fat hug, he could probably feel how hard and how
quick my heart was thumping against his chest. "You'll do fine," he reassured and
gave me a quick peck on my lips. Being able to do something like this in public, In
front of the school, is still so overwhelming, even though it has been a few weeks
since we came out publicly.
"Zachary hurry up! You have an exam to get inside for." Miss Lancaster glared at me
and I quickly rushed passed her and met my class in the hallway, lining up outside
the exam hall as they waited for the class that came in before us to settle down.
My hands were all clammy and my head was spinning as an examiner met us in the
hallway and ushered us inside. Could I do this? GCSE is nothing compared to A Level
but the grades I get this year will tell me whether I can get into A Level. I
needed at least a B at I really did want to go to Sixth Form.
The examination hall was eerily quiet, the only sound that could be heard were the
clicking of pens and the footsteps of my peers as they walked from the entrance to
the closet where the sports supplies are usually stored. It was dusty and murky
inside so I left my bags on top of a gymnastics beam and took out a bottle of water
and my pencil case. I already switched my phone off and left it inside my bag
previously.
I sat down right at the back of the hall, where the new row started right after the
last class that went inside and double checked my pockets and took out the supplies
I needed from my pencil case before putting it on the floor next to my feet. God,
this was scary as fuck and the exam hasn't even begun yet. The way the examiners
look at you just make you want to crawl into a hole and the quietness just makes me
want to laugh. I can't handle silence.
In front of me, on my desk was my examination paper and I signed my name at the top
as neatly as I could and left my pen next to the paper as I waited for everyone
else to get inside the hall so that we could start already; I just wanted to get
this exam and my maths exam later this afternoon over and done with. We were on
study leave so I only had to come into school for exams and I was especially
looking forward to later on because I'm going to Jace's house, apparently he wants
to take me somewhere.
Once everybody in the hall had settled down and the examiners went through a list
of rules, I was finally allowed to duck my head down and start the two and a half
hour exam in store for me.
-
"Jace, where are we going?" I ask him as we slid into his car, it was seven in the
evening and it was starting to get dark. Last time I checked, Jace didn't like
driving in the dark.
"I can't tell you that because it wouldn't be a surprise then, would it?" he
grinned at me and grabbed my hand, leaving it to rest on top of the gear stick. He
reversed out of the driveway and out of the street.
"I thought you didn't like driving in the dark." I deadpanned.
"Well, it's summer now so it's not as dark as it could be, plus, the roads we're
going on have streetlights."
Mum was very much against allowing me to see Jace tonight because I was supposed to
be revising but once I assured her that I will catch up on any revision I would be
missing out tonight, she finally let me go. My next exam wasn't for another two
days so I had the entire day tomorrow to make sure I'm prepared.
"Guess so. Why did you tell me I had to dress like I was at home?" earlier today,
Jace said about this and I thought he meant it because we'd be hanging around his
house but obviously, we weren't. We only had a quick dinner and rushed out the door
so I had no clue where we were going tonight.
I was staring out the window throughout the entire journey and conversed with Jace
every now and then but I tried to refrain from it because It was probably better if
he focused on the road instead. We finally stepped out of the car and I saw we were
literally in the middle of nowhere. There were a few street lamps, a nice corner
stop and a bunch of outdated posters on the fences surrounding a massive and very
empty field but then it struck me because I saw the posters were advertising a
carnival in March.
"Why are we here?" I gulped. Last time we came here, he left me and I drowned my
sorrows in cheap alcohol given to me by a stranger.
"We're replacing a bad memory with a good one." He slung a huge rucksack and a
guitar bag behind his back before slamming the car door shut and locking it, then
he came closer to me and stuck his hand out for me to grab. I grabbed it,
obviously, but only after he let me carry a bag because by the way he hunched over
and walked the few steps to me, I noticed he was struggling. He smiled at me and
pecked me on the lips before pulling me towards the field.
The grass crunched beneath my feet as we walked all the way to the back and made
our way through some forestry until we were stood in the middle of a very familiar
hill that overlooked the city.
"That memory was binned when you told me you loved me." I snickered.
"I know, but it still haunts me." He threw the rucksack he had over his back and
took out a blanket and some... food? Didn't we just have dinner?
My tummy was fluttering when he grabbed my hand again and pulled me down on the
ground but I lost my balance and fell on top of him instead, leaving us both
awkwardly straddling each other. As uncomfortable as it was beginning to get, I
didn't want to move because I liked being this close to Jace.
I shifted my weight and left my legs in a tangle with his and brought my lips down
to capture his in a kiss. It wasn't like the kiss we shared when we stepping out of
the car, or like the one we share whenever we say our farewells to each other, no
this kiss was heated, it was full of love and lust and it was very hungry too. Why
wouldn't it be? All I wanted to do right now was rip his clothes off and shower him
in affection, there was also the reason that we hadn't had any private time
together for a little less than a week now because of exams and studying.
Before the kiss could get anymore heated than it was, Jace pushed me off him
gently. "I brought dessert."
"You are my de-"
"Don't finish that, please." He chortled and took out two spoons from his rucksack
then he opened a plastic container that had two big slices of apple crumble in
them- I knew I smelt it from somewhere.
"Can't the dessert wait?" I pouted.
"No, it really can't. It's going to get cold and yucky." he dug his spoon into
crumble and instead of feeding himself, he brought it to my lips and I awkwardly
leaned forward and took the piece of crumble into my mouth. So I can't kiss him and
I can't feed myself either apparently. Nevertheless, the crumble tasted great and I
just wanted to savour every bite of it. Jace couldn't have made this, right? When
would he have the chance?
A few more spoonfuls later, and the crumble was finish. I must admit, I may have
enjoyed being fed in the end, especially by Jace, even if he treats me like a kid
and tells me it's a train or airplane at one point.
"So why did you bring your guitar?" I asked. I had an idea of why he brought it but
how else was I meant to ask him to play something for me in the kindest way
possible?
"Oh!" He gleamed as if a lightbulb had just switched on in his head. He turned
around and unzipped the guitar from its case and let it rest on his criss crossed
legs.
Without a warning, he started playing. His fingers danced around the strings as his
left hand made shapes on the fretboard. I felt like I recognised this tune, it was
in my mind somewhere, I just couldn't pin point it by listening to the guitar.
"You think I'm pretty without any makeup on.
"You think I'm funny, when I tell the punchline wrong.
I know you get me, so I let my walls come down."
He was singing Katy Perry, with an acoustic twist on it. That's why I couldn't tell
what the song was at first. A smile crept up to my lips seeing him looking at me
dead in the eye as he sang. He sounded so passionate and genuine, and I loved it
because it meant he was kidding about his feelings and it's always nice to be
assured about that even when I knew deep down that this is love.
"My heart stops when you look at me,
just one touch, now baby I believe this is real so take a chance and don't ever
look back."
I felt tears prickling at my eye, but I don't think Jace would've noticed because
now his eyes were shut as he swayed his body side to side ever so slightly with the
song. I was doing the same; swaying.
"I finally found you, my missing puzzle piece, now I'm complete."
I watched the rest of the mini performance in tears, it just got to me, all the
sneaky innuendos and the fact he was serenading to me about being whipped. Most of
the performance, we were having a stare off. Usually, I feel awkward looking people
dead in the eye but as for Jace, it was different. I could stare in his beautiful,
relaxed, ocean blue eyes forever.
He put the guitar down to the side and fiddled with his fingers, I was speechless.
I pounced on him, wrapping him up into my arms and sniffling into his hair.
"Thank you, that was perfect." I mumbled.
"Only for you." He said back with a weak chuckle and tightened his hold around me.
Finally letting go of each other, we lay down on the blanket and stared up at the
sky. A dark blue quilt covered it and tiny glistening specks adorned it. I found
his hand and intwined it with mine and scurried closer to him so that the entire
side of my body was against his side.
"Do you remember the first day we met? I hit you with the classroom door and slid
across the desk and fell on the floor. Or the chair. Whichever." He said aloud.
"Yeah, wow. Great first impression, huh? We went Starbucks after so it was okay in
the end." I grinned to myself and kept my eyes trained on to the sky.
"I know right, I mean, I was only ten minutes late but you couldn't wait."
"Hey, it felt like half an hour to me." I retorted, feeling defensive and
courageous, "when I saw you, I literally thought you were the most adorable thing
ever, the way you lift your glasses up higher up your nose with your finger was
enough for me."
"They're just glasses." He chuckled.
"I know, but still..." I trailed off. "Do you remember when we went to the shopping
centre and you fed me pretzels?"
"Yes!" He perked up even louder and squeezed my hand, "I jumped on your back and
was so relieved you weren't 'too straight' to make me jump off."
"I dropped you on your bum when you said you didn't like coffee, then you attacked
me in a store and pinned me on the floor in a kinky position."
"I didn't mean for it to be kinky." He chuckled and I turned my head to see that he
was blushing.
"Right, sure..." I chuckled and turned over on my side, resting my head on my arm.
I brought a hand to his cheek and caressed it tenderly, he gave into my touch like
a cat would and placed his hand on top of mine.
"When did you realise you liked me more than a friend?" he mimicked my position
with an arm behind his head and smiled at me.
"Um," I tried to rummage through my head when I started feeling things for him, but
I couldn't pin point it, when did I figure it out? To me, It seemed as if I kept
having second thoughts every time I thought about it. I mean, I did once think I
only felt lust for him. "I think it was when we shared out first kiss, that's when
I realised how real my feelings were."
"Oh yeah?" he hummed, "that was the football game. You kissed me so those girls
didn't bother me. Why? Were you jealous?" he grinned from ear to ear and pecked my
nose.
"Maybe a little..." I snorted but he didn't seem to believe me- his complexion
basically screamed it.
"Yeah, ok.." he trailed off with a smirk and sat up. He started picking up the
container of the long gone dessert to put it in his bag and I frowned. We were
having such a nice moment, then he had to obsess over tidying up.
Mischievously, I took the empty container from his hands and put it to the side
before leaning into a kiss and falling back on the blanket next to him, he didn't
take a moment to spare and he tangled his hands in my hair, just the way I liked
it. I did the same, and even peppered kisses all along his face, neck and shoulder
and I heard a sharp intake of breath from him, causing me to smirk devilishly down
at him.
I felt like pointing out that we haven't even gotten to the best part but I knew it
would be a total turn off so I kept my mouth shut. I could feel his hands leave my
hair and instead, move down to my waist and I broke the kiss momentarily so I could
focus on grinding against him and seeing his reaction clearly. His eyes rolled back
and his hips bucketed- or at least, tried to, given the circumstances of me laying
on top of him.
He sat up and whisked his zip up hoodie off and tugged at the hem of my jumper; I
didn't need to be told twice. Hastily, I ripped it off me- not literally- and threw
it aside before gently pushing him back into the blanket and meeting his delectable
lips once again. I poked my tongue out and ran it across his bottom lip and he
opened up, allowing me to explore his mouth like the many times I have before. His
tongue fought with mine while he ran his fingers in my hair again, forcing out a
moan from me, and then I massaged his tongue between my lips and brought my hand
down to his bursting zipper and teased him, opening it and closing it multiple
times.
I felt like laughing when he started adorably pouting but before I could do
anything, he harshly flipped us over and started tracing his finger down my torso,
playfully slipping his finger in and out the waistband of my jeans. I despised it
and loved it at the same time, it gave me all the more reason to get my revenge
next time we do this but it was also agony at the same time.
"Jace." I breathed out when he took his lips away from mine.
"Mhm?" He mumbled in between peppering up my neck.
"We're.. Outside."
"So what." I felt him grin against my neck and I couldn't help the grin that crept
up on my lips. Nobody was here, it was practically abandoned.
I tugged at the hem of his t-shirt and he took it off almost instantly. I took the
opportunity to sit up and push him down on the blanket, he frowned at me but I
didn't spare a moment to go right in and pepper kisses on his torso, he was fidgety
underneath me while I traced his nipple with my tongue in circular motions and
lightly bit down on it.
Jace fumbled with his sweatpants and I leaned back and helped him take them off
before taking mine off and pressing out members together. Even with the thin
material of our boxers separating us, I was already so so turned on and I never
expected this to happen. Jace let out a moan, a loud one, but it was okay because
there wasn't any civilisation around, only an empty field and a closed corner shop.
There was only us, and the wildlife around us of course.
He, eager for domination, flipped us over and massaged me through the thin material
until he finally forced a sound from me. I could see his signature devilish smirk
playing on his lips. Bastard.
Then he reached over to his bag and pulled out a small bottle and a square packet.
"Are you sure?" I asked, genuinely concerned.
"I should be asking you that question." He smirked and fiddled with the bottle in
his hand.
"No. You are not, I-"
"Hey, my lube, my rules." He smirked down at me, "only if you're ready, of course."
I took a few moments to think it through, next time, I'll have to bring my own lube
so I can tell him I get to have my way.
But then again, would there be a next time? If I went though.. With this... His
way... I'd know how it feels and I already knew it was going to hurt, do I really
want Jace to take that much pain? I love him after all, and I would never do
anything to hurt him.
I loved Jace, and I knew he'd never do anything I didn't want to do. I knew he'd be
gentle and that he wouldn't do anything to hurt me. This boy was my rock, and I was
prepared to kill - figuratively and literally - for him.
"I.." I watched as he twirled the packet around his fingers. "Okay, I'm ready."
He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "I love you." He whispered in my ear, as if
there was a crowd around us and nobody was supposed to hear.
"I love you too. So much that it hurts." I told him, smirking to myself at the
double meaning even when I shouldn't. I was partially looking forward to this now,
it's not like I want to avoid it my entire life; it would be a brand new
experience, shared with the most important person in my life right now.

* * *
READ THE REST OF THIS CHAPTER IN THE BIT'S 'N BOBS BOOK FOUND ON MY PROFILE! <3
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Love you guys! <3
- Zara.

47. Clicks Together Like Clockwork

THERE ARE TWO CHAPTERS LEFT.
TWO. Wow, yeah... Well I mean, I'm aiming to do two.
Anyway, onwards with the current chapter. Enjoy my lovelies...
- - -
Prom was next week.
It was next week.
And I haven't done my promposal to Jace yet. Each time I try, I get so nervous and
back out last minute. It's horrifyingly very similar to the nervousness I felt
whenever I overstepped my boundaries with him, like when I asked him out and
whenever did stuff.
It's like a checklist now, clammy hands? check. Ragged breathing? check. Dizziness?
check. Feeling of imminent rejection? Check.
"Dude, seriously, you need to do it today." Ben ushered me. I took the phone off
the speaker and held it to my ear, "everything is ready, it has been since
Monday.."
"Everything but me." I sighed and took a seat on my bed. Hanging on my wardrobe
door was my tux, ironed and ready to wear. It was being protected by dust with a
plastic cover. My shoes were nearly put away in its box too.
"Come on, you can do it. Don't be a wimp." He tried again. I didn't answer and he
continued, "We have an hour until Jace would walk in through those school doors so
think quick. We can't postpone for another day. It's been four days! FOUR."
I gulped and still didn't reply, I couldn't. I was speechless. "Yeah.. Ok. Gather
up the guys. I'll be there in twenty." I choked out.
I ended the call and sat on my bed for for what felt like hours. Why was I so
nervous? I know Jace loves me, I know he'd be more than happy to go prom with me,
so why was I feeling so damn nervous?
I've never done a promposal before, heck, I never expected to be doing one to a
guy. I thought I could just fake my straightness until school was over and done
with but nope, nobody knows what the future holds. It wasn't until I met Jace that
he made me question everything, he gave me the confidence to come out to the school
and to my own family.
I stood up off the bed and straightened out my denim shirt and jeans and started
buckling up my converses. This had to be done today.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror, for some reason, I felt that even though
I've done absolutely everything to make my appearance drool-worthy today, it wasn't
enough for Jace. I've never had self esteem issues but since I've met him, I've
always been putting extra effort into my morning routine.
"You can do this."' I whispered to my reflection.
I grabbed my phone off its charger and headed out my bedroom door, meeting Liam in
his room. He was in his boxers and looking through his drawers and his hair was all
over the place.
"Can we leave now?" I asked. He turned around and rolled his eyes, "I need to be
there before Jace."
"Yeah sure." He shrugged off and took out a a pair of black jeans from his dresser.
"Give me a moment."
I sighed and hurried downstairs, grabbing my jacket but then putting it back down
on the coat hook. According to the weather, it was going to be a hot day with blue
skies.
I grabbed the box full of red roses from the kitchen table and smiled to myself
open opening the box when I saw they were all healthy and beautiful. The won't be a
point where these roses die before I get to school, right? They have to remain
looking perfect and vibrant.
"Let's go." Liam said, tucking the last bit of his shirt into his jeans before
grabbing his keys and spinning them around on his index finger.
I grabbed the box and then we both slid into our seats in the car after making sure
the front door was shut properly. Liam revved the engine, raising the volume of the
music to decibels that could most probably deafen me. He reversed out the driveway
and then we were finally off.
I could feel my heart hammering against my skin and an all to familiar warmth fill
my chest. Butterflies flooded into my stomach but they didn't bother me as much as
they did because I was used to the feeling.
Ben met me in the car park of the school with a couple people from Torvux
(excluding Flynn of course) and a few of his friends, including the ones I sit at
his table with. I should really thank Ben, he was great at helping me put this all
together and he was actually being cool about having to mix with people from
Torvux. He was doing it all for Jace and I.
"Okay, so I just got a text from Jace and he said he'll be in school in fifteen
minutes so now we have even less time to set up." Ben gushed out. "Have you got the
roses?"
"Well duh," I chuckled and showed him the tall box of roses that were hiding behind
me.
"Okay, good, let's go inside then."
We all speed-walked inside and stood in a neat line at either side of the entrance
corridor. A bunch of people from Torvux were being helpful by not so kindly asking
people to move the hell out of the way.
"Zach you stand at the end of the corridor for over there, round that corner, and
then you walk out as he collects roses." Rebecca said. "Oh, I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks." I muttered and opened up the box of roses, handing one to each and every
person standing along the walls, there were at least twenty on each side. People
who I didn't even assign to do the job were joining in, obviously knowing what I
was planning.
"Rebecca are you pitching in? In that case you can meet Jace outside and guide him
this way." Ben said.
"On it!" She squealed and ran outside after saying she'd give us a signal when he's
coming this way.
Once I made sure everyone had a rose in their hand and they were stood in a neat
line on both sides of the corridor, Rebecca made a not so discreet signal (she was
waving her middle finger in the air) and I rushed round the corner of the corridor.
I peeked round the side of it and saw through the windows that Rebecca was walking
with Jace up to the door. He looked nice today, not that he doesn't look nice
everyday. He wore a red sweatshirt with a white dress shirt peering underneath
paired with black jeans and matching red Nikes.
I could feel my heart thumping in my ears and even a bead of sweat drip from my
forehead but I tried my best to keep my breathing steady, I didn't want to be a
sweaty mess when I see him, especially not after spending a lot of time this
morning getting myself ready.
I saw Jace come through the door and instantly looking confused. The first two
people in the rows gave him the roses and Rebecca gave Jace an awkward side hug
before standing back and letting Jace walk on his own.
The second set of people, Ben and another guy, gave him their roses and Jace gave
Ben a quick fist bump and grabbed the third set of roses from the next row. He held
them all gingerly in his hand and his cheeks were flushed the exact same colour as
the roses.
I walked closer and closer to him, being sure to not let him see me by standing by
the wall, behind the row of people.
He was grinning gleefully, which made me extra happy because this stupid promposal
didn't feel so stupid anymore. He took each rose and collected them in his arms,
holding them the same way you'd hold a baby.
When he was at the last row, I popped out from behind the people, planning to
embrace him but my feet were planted on the ground, so ow as just stood in front of
him with a goofy grin on my face.
"Did you do this?" He asked.
"No. I didn't." I rolled my eyes, "kidding, of course I did."
"That so sweet." He chuckled and looked down at the roses in his arms. "They're
very nice."
"Jace." I snorted, lifting his chin up with my index finger before he probably
starts rambling, "will you go to prom with me?"
"Of course I will, you knobhead." He leaned forward and captured my lips in a
chaste kiss.
"Wow, that's one way of putting it." I grinned and wrapped my arms around him,
finally able to move my feet. "I love you."
"I love you more." He whispered back.
A series of applauds and hollers echoed around the corridor and I finally looked
behind me to see that a bunch of people were crowded around us and even the
teachers were clapping. I'd have expected them to ask us to clear the hallways
because the big crowds of people would be a fire hazard.
We stayed in each other's arms for what felt like hours, people started clearing
off and the bell went moments later but I liked being in his arms, right here,
right now.
"Zach, you need to let go because otherwise we'll miss our exam." He laughed and
pecked my lips.
"They don't let us in for another forty minutes anyway." I sighed and nuzzled my
head into the crook of his shoulder.
He chuckled again and let go, then he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the
quad where everyone waits to get called in to take their exam.
I perched my butt on the fence and Jace stood in front of me. "Let's hope all that
physics revision paid off."
"Well, recently, we haven't been doing much physics." I said quietly and poked his
nose. He flinched and flicked my cheek. "I still need to get my payback."
"Sounds interesting." He chuckled and pulled at my shirt teasingly.
"H1, please go in as quickly and quietly as possible." An examiner announced. I
gave Jace and really tight hug and wished him good luck before he went for his
exam.
After this exam, we had a few days off and then everyone in the year group has to
come in for a leavers assembly in the afternoon. We're also given our yearbooks too
and I don't know anybody in the yearbook team but I've heard whispers that Jace and
I were included in it. That evening on the same day is our prom and everyone was
practically squealing in excitement.
I've never really thought much about prom, I always thought that it sucked. I still
do think it sucks but I know I'll be there with Jace so it makes it a lot better.
Doesn't change the fact that prom is for sods though and attending it would make me
one too.
Perhaps I could plan for Jace and I to skip half of it and we could go somewhere
else. What did he think of prom? I never actually knew.
A teacher announced my class to go into the exam hall and with my breath stuck in
my throat, I scurried through the murky, dull corridors and stood in front of the
examining hall with a bunch of other students. I took my phone out and switched it
off and shoved it at the bottom of my bag before taking out the equipment I needed.
The examiner rudely ushered us in by scowling as if telling us 'you're all going to
fail, mwahaha'. I followed my class into the dusty, old hall that I've become so
accustomed to having so many desks and chairs inside over the two weeks instead of
basketballs or gym equipment and threw my bags down on top of a plastic chair
inside a sporting equipment cupboard and double checked my pockets.
I saw Jace sat near the back of the row that was along the tall, glass windows. He
was facing forward, drumming his pencil lightly against the fat exam booklet that
seemed so very intimidating. I took a seat along the row my class were all sitting
along and tidied up my desk.
"Make sure your bags are in the cupboard and you've checked your pockets for
anything that you may be disqualified for." An examiner called out in an extremely
nasally voice.
It wasn't until fifteen minutes of the examiner constantly repeating the same thing
every now and then had passed that we were all sat down and ready to begin. She, in
her annoying voice, went over the rules at the front of the booklet as if none of
us could read and told us to write our full names and our student numbers. I
seriously felt like ripping her vocal cords out but we can't all have what we wish
for. Sigh.
When the clocked turned twenty seven minutes passed ten, we were finally allowed to
begin. I flipped open the first page and found it surprisingly easy. The first
pages are always easy.
I flipped to the next page and read over the question multiple times and studied
the possible outcomes. It wasn't long until I was on the next page, and the page
after that. Wow, I was on a roll.
I hope my handwriting is readable, god, what if it isn't?
Time passed me in a blur and when I had finally finished the paper and checked over
it, I saw I had twenty minutes left still. I rolled my eyes, and then I rubbed at
them. I smiled to myself as discreetly as I could thinking about Jace. I've never
seen him wear a suit before and he'd undoubtably looked absolutely stupefying.
Doesn't he always? I so badly wanted to turn around to see his face but I knew I
couldn't because apparently, it would count as cheating and therefore, I'd be
disqualified.
It sucked sitting at the front, especially when there's all these annoying
examiners walking around and taking stationary out from the small box on top of the
table in front of me.
What was even more annoying was the clacking of their heels against the creaky
floorboards and when they whispered amongst each other. I was so glad this was my
last ever exam, I was knackered and seriously sleep deprived.
Mum said she'd pick me up from outside the school gates later on so that saved me a
forty minute walk home and Liam finished all his exams last week and he only had to
come in today to collect his yearbook, lucky bastard.
"Pens down." The examiner announced. "Your time is up. Do make sure your name is at
the front. We will take in your booklets now."
I blew a strand of hair out of my eye and slumped in my chair. I was still stuck in
this dreary room and will be for the next twenty minutes whilst the exams call out
every row separately to collect their bags.
The examiner called out my row and I bolted out my seat and grabbed my bag and
literally ran towards the doors. I gave Jace a goodbye hug and jumped inside the
familiar silver car.
"How did-" my mum started.
"Home now please please please." I whined and clicked my seatbelt in. Mum shook her
head and rolled her eyes before taking the car off park and driving out of the
school gates.
We got home eventually and I bolted it upstairs to my bedroom and belly flopped
into my bed without even bothering to take my shoes off. My phone buzzed in my
pocket and I scrimmaged around in my pockets and took it out.
Molly: you better have that bed ready for me. I'm absolutely knackered. Oh, and
some tea would be nice too.

Bonus Chapters Enquiry

Heyoooo, so, do you guys remember when I said about the TWO bonus chapters that
I'll be writing at the end of the book?
If your answer is no, then you obviously don't read the author's notes at the end
of chapters... (I don't either, hehe)
Basically, I have decided that there will be two extra chapters at the end of the
book which involve writing in two new POV's. I've already decided the POV's of the
bonus chapters.
It will be as follows:
First bonus chapter: And flashback of Eli & Vince's past (most likely in third
person or Vince's POV)
Second bonus chapter: Flynn's POV (this is already pre-written because I was so
fucking excited).
Yes? No? Tell me what you think! I'm keeping Flynn's as a bonus chapter but if you
don't want to read about Eli & Vince then please do make some suggestions!
The deadline for these suggestions will be July 10th at 6pm (GMT + 1 [also known as
BST])

48. Leavers Assembly

Today was our leaver's assembly- a silly gathering where our teachers practically
spill their guts out to us and bid us farewell. They say bye to us and lie about
how they'd miss us but in reality, they'd just replace us by the new classes. Our
headteacher and year leader give out a bunch of silly awards too and since i've
been hearing whispers about me being one of the nominees for the awards, i've kept
my ears perked up.
Liam told me of his leaver's assembly and about how he won the award for 'Most
Likely to Appear on Jeremy Kyle.' So, it was funny but I sure do hope I don't end
up winning an embarrassing award.
So, as my year group all settled down in the dreary school hall and the teacher's
made speeches, I tried to keep my eyes open, It was extremely difficult considering
there were eight classes and that means eight different tutors making a long speech
about their class whom they've known for five years now. In addition to that, we
had our headteacher making a long speech and reminiscing even though he hadn't been
our headteacher the entire time and then there was our year leader basically
repeating whatever the headteacher had said.
I concentrated during my tutor's speech and Jace and Ben's tutor's speech. My tutor
just said a small sentence about everyone in the class and told me to 'keep with my
great performance in basketball' and then Jace and Ben's tutor just when on and on
about her star pupils. He commented on Jace's 98% attendance this year and A grade
work and also wished the two good luck for their performance at prom tonight.
So there wasn't much, but it was obviously evident which of her pupils were her
favourite.
"You know there's an award for best couple." Jace grinned at me as he turned to his
side and squeezed my hand. "I'd steal the trophy if I had to."
I snickered, and caught a few eyes too.
"On with the Kingston Awards!" Our headteacher yelled and a series of hollers and
cheers erupted around the room. "The first award we have is... Most likely to
become Prime Minister. The nominees are: Kieran Duncan, Georgina Middleson and
Jeremy Clark."
"...and the award goes to Georgia Middleson! Congrats! Come up here and collect
your award!" Georgina squealed and ran up to the stage to collect her mini trophy
that had the school's logo on it and held it high up in the air before she went and
sat back down in her seat.
"Next award: Drama Queen. The nominations are.... Brooke West, Marcia Newman and
Sarah Raymond." The headteacher paused for a few moments and then grinned. "The
winner is Marcia!"
Just like Georgina, she got up on stage and collected her trophy and shook hands
with the headmaster. She stood up straight and looked to everyone in the audience.
Before she could even utter a word, the headteacher stopped her. "No speeches,
Marcia." He gently pushed her towards the steps and she quietly stepped down, a
little red in the face.
"Next.. You guess it... Drama King. Nominees are as follows: Dion Mendes, Felix
Jefferson and Kyle Morrison."
Upon hearing Kyle's name, I hit him hard on the shoulder and he winced a little. He
was sat next to Jace and I. In fact, all of the Torvux members that were in my year
group were all sat on the same row as me, including Flynn. Marcia was sat next to
him, grinning at her trophy and admiring it in awe.
"The award goes to... Kyle! Congrats, don't take it personally!" Kyle ran past me,
knocked my legs to the side, stumbled up the steps of the stage and ripped the
trophy from the headmaster's hand. I had to stifle a laugh, he was definitely way
too happy to receive an award. A bunch of people hollered and cheered as he did a
happy dance on stage.
"Alright, calm down boy." He patted his shoulder to stop him dancing and gave a
gentle nudge towards the steps.
A bunch of other awards I didn't really care about were handed out, such as 'star
athlete' in which out headteacher seemed way too happy to award the guy and girl
who led our school team to victory, 'most likely to marry themselves', which Ben
actually won. Of course he'd win, he hates people and loves himself more than any
normal person would.
"Okay, we're coming to the end here... Next award is: most like Joey Essex.
Surprisingly, this was pretty difficult to choose." The principal said. He
snickered a little too.
"Congratulations Flynn Hopper." He read off his paper and handed Flynn his trophy
for 'biggest fuckboy'.
Sounds about right.
"Woo!" Jace hollered next to me and clapped his hands the same time everyone else
did. It was no secret that Jace didn't have anything against Flynn any more. He's
never one to hold a grudge, and I guess that's what I like most about him. Jace is
understanding, and even though sometimes I mess up, he always forgives me.
"Last award!" The headmaster turned the page on his clipboard. "Best couple!"
"You're nominees are: Lucas and Nina, Emma and Graham and Jace and Zach."
I sat up straight in my seat, sitting as stoic as a plank. I've never been
nominated for any awards, I always try to lay low, but this. This was the one award
I secretly really wanted. Probably just as much as Jace.
"Jace and Zach, congratulations!"
Jace grabbed my hand and shot out of his seat, racing his skinny little legs to the
stage and almost making me trip a long the way.
"Oh my god Zach! We won!" Jace whisper-shouted to me as he denied the headmaster's
handshake and ripped the trophy from his hands and waved the damn thing in the air.
"Jace." I said once.
"Jace." I said again but he started dancing.
"Okay we get it." I snatched the trophy from his hands and stepped down the stage
and walked back to my seat. Jace followed closely behind me and took back the
trophy as he sat down and stroked it.
"Jace, stop being weird." I stifled a laugh as the headteacher made another speech.
This time, it was about how much we'd be missed.
Yeah right...
Jace glanced my way and smirked and he faced towards the trophy again and stroked
it while repeatedly whispering 'my precious...' under his breath.
It took all my energy to hold back the face palming.
I was in love with a dork.
It made me a dork too knowing where that phrase sourced from.
"Jace. I swear, if you don't shut the hell up in two seconds, I will kick your
arse."
"Oh come on Zachy-poo." He whined with a mischievous smirk. I didn't think it was
possible to whine and smirk at the same time but Jace certainly pulled it off.
"Surely I can kick your arse too and it will hurt twice as hard because of all
the-"
"Jace, you better put a sock in it otherwise I'll sock you."
He smirked and stopped stroking the trophy and faced forward again. Our headteacher
was talking on stage about prom tonight and laying down the obvious rules like 'no
alcohol', 'no inappropriate clothing' and 'no dirty dancing'.
We were allowed to leave after the speech to collect our yearbooks. Jace and a few
other guys on our row just kind of shoved passed everyone to avoid the queuing so I
just joined them and got near enough to the front of the queue.
The lady handing them out was taking everybody's names so it took twice as long but
once I had the nice, new book in my hand, I caught up to where Jace was stood.
I flipped open the red hardcover and was slapped in the face with that 'new book
smell', I couldn't resist just shoving my head in between the pages and smelling
the hell out of it- as discreetly as possible, of course.
"Hey look at that!" Jace pointed to a place on the page of his own yearbook and put
the book in my face. Literally, it was a mere two centimetres from my nose.
I shoved it back a little and couldn't help but laugh at a baby Zachary Hamilton
from year seven. He had a small fringe falling in front of his eyes and put on way
too much hair gel. His face had a few pimples here and there but they didn't look
all that to be honest.
"Whose idea was it to put our foetus pictures in there?" I snorted and flipped
through the pages as diligently as possible until I got to the section and found an
innocent, miniature Jace. He had buck teeth and a tiny shoulders, which gave away
the fact he was a midget then. Weren't we all at that age?
"Oh my god." My eyes landed upon Ben. Cute, innocent little Ben. He had his
checkered shirt on, of course. I barely remember how he looked in year seven, it
was such a huge difference to how he looks today.
"Aw, look at that." Ben cooed from behind me and used my right shoulder as an
armrest. "I was so adorable, seriously."
"Pahaha. Ben, if anything, you were just a grimy, snot-nosed midget." I commented.
Was that a little harsh? Ha, maybe not. Ben doesn't care about anybody else's
opinions.
"Watch it, Hamilton." He warned and smirked at the end. I rolled my eyes.
"Or what?" I tested and closed my yearbook. "Are you just going to kiss me like you
kissed Flynn?" I whispered that last part.
"I told you that was a lie." He sighed. "Stop fucking about."
"Fine, but it's hilarious to think about." I knew it wasn't true. Ben absolutely
hated Flynn and if anything, Flynn would think that he's too good for Ben.
"Stop thinking intimate fantasies about me, freak." He gave me a small nudge and
walked off.
"Calm those hormones, boy, otherwise I might start thinking you fancy him instead
of me." Jace laughed. I snorted and pulled him into me.
"I'll only ever love you, even if I do think Ben isn't all that bad looking." I
snorted. Jace laughed too.
"I mean, he is pretty buff." He added.
"Don't forget witty, competent, funny and handsome." Ben whispered from behind me.
"Screw you." I told him and shoved him away from mine and Jace's hug.
"You know you want to." He wiggled his eyebrows, laughed loudly and walked out the
reception doors, yearbook in hand and that 'I'm better than everyone' walk.
"I guess I should be heading out too. I'll see you tonight then?" I grinned,
wrapping him up in another hug. My heart literally ached whenever we were this
close. My breathing went ragged and my it felt like there were elephants prancing
around inside my stomach.
"See you tonight." He breathed as I pulled away from him and pecked him on the
lips.
I stepped backwards and felt a figure behind me and large hands on my waist. "Oh
hell, I'm sorry-" I frantically cried and turned around to face whoever I bumped
into. I cut myself off when I saw that Flynn was stood behind me. His hands were on
my waist from when he caught me from falling on the floor and his eyes bore into
mine.
He didn't say anything. He just dropped his hands to his side and gave me a cut nod
before walking off. I was just frozen there for a few moments, feeling a little
awkward about the whole encounter. He didn't even speak to me and I was too wound
up in my own thoughts to actually give him a genuine apology and thank you. If he
hadn't had caught me, I would've fallen and hit my head on the tiled flooring.
Liam was waiting outside the reception for me, saving me from a forty minute walk
home. It was twenty-six degrees outside but it sure didn't feel like it when all
the trees surrounding the car park danced wildly and slapped me in the face with
the cold breeze that nipped at my bare arms.
I waved at Jace through the glass windows and slid into Liam's car. He was jamming
out to a Bowling For Soup- a band that I hadn't stopped listening to since Jace
told me about them. Liam must've heard the songs through the paper thin walls in
our house- that, or my crappy singing.
Liam drove out the school gates and I relaxed in my seat, smiling. I was happy, I
was truly, genuinely happy. I was also super excited for tonight. Seeing Jace in a
tux, looking all sexy and handsome. That would most definitely not help in my
pursuit of not jumping his bones tonight.
Liam parked up in the driveway and got out the car. I met him at the doorstep and
waited for him to stick the key into the keyhole so I could just go home and relax.
Of course; with Molly and Trish around, I don't think I'd be able to even get a
moment's silence.
We stepped in the house and the first thing I smelt was momma's homemade
cauliflower cheese. I followed the scent into the kitchen and stood there with my
eyes closed, taking in the cheesy-herby smell.
I was welcomed by their faces as soon as my eyes opened. Molly started giggling
and then Trish joined soon after.
"Jesus Christ, dude. I knew you liked cauliflower cheese, but to take in the smell
like that- well, it's just creepy."
"I can take in the smell however I want." I said, mimicking Trisha's voice.
"Oh hun, your dinner is almost ready. You need to eat before you go, there won't be
any food there." Mum said. "I was teaching Molly and Trisha the recipe."
"You don't teach me the recipe!" I whined.
"Well if you wanted to learn how to cook, then I would've taught you." She
retorted. I just rolled my eyes, muttering a 'whatever' before dragging my feet up
the stairs of the mahogany staircase and then to my bedroom.
Ungracefully, I flopped on the bed and covered my face with cushions. I was
exhausted, last night I was with Jace and well, we didn't get to bed very early.
Trisha didn't want to leave my room; just like last time, she slept on my bed
without my permission. Her reason being 'your bed is much comfier than Liam's'. In
all fairness, it actually was. So for most the time they've been staying over, I've
slept over at Jace's.
Before I could even get the slightest bit of shut eye, Molly burst into my room
looking all giddy and excited. "Oh my god Zach! Ask Jace to bring Cammie over,
please, please, please? We'll have a big sleepover!"
"Shut up." I groaned, turning my head to face the window and away from Molly. She
was being way too loud and excited.
"Oh please!" she whined.
"Fine." I rolled my eyes. "I'll ask him to bring her over." All of my mates and I
put their two cents in so that we could get to prom in a limo. A cool Hummer, at
that. The limo was going to Rebecca's house first because she lived the farthest
away and then it would travel up from there, pick a couple people up, before
heading over to my house last, so Jace could just string along Cam and leave her
here.
The only downside was that Flynn was getting in the limo too, practically everyone
in my year group who were in Torvux were joining us as well as their girlfriends
but it wasn't that bad, i guess. They've come to mix with Jace's group of friends
pretty well.
"When are you going to start getting ready? You need to spare half and hour to eat,
two hours to get ready, half and hour for photos and then forty minutes travelling
time from here."
"I don't take two hours to get ready, Mol." I mumbled into my silky duvet sheet.
"Well, it's two thirty right now, your prom starts at seven. Don't be late." she
said. It was only when I heard my bedroom door close that I made an effort to call
Jace to not forget Cammie when he makes his way over.
I lazily threw my phone across the bed sheet once the call ended and dug my face
into my pillow, closing my eyes and letting sleep take over.
*
I was pretty late and I had been rushing around like a maniac. Once I opened my
wardrobe door to look at my mirror, I noticed my hair was something that resembled
a birds nest and my eyes were tired and droopy.
"You know, I kind of dig the sex hair." Jace chortled and stepped closer to me,
giving me a lasting kiss on the lips. I kissed him back and grabbed my comb and
hair gel.
I hadn't even noticed him, which was kind of scary in itself. What if there was a
break in one day? Then what?
I gave my hair a quick tidy up while Jace say at my bed and continuously moaned at
me to hurry up because the limo is outside.
Molly and Trish welcomed themselves in my room with big fat grins on their faces;
Cammie stepped in a little afterwards.
"Come on man!" Molly yelled, "still got pictures to do!"
"Fine, fine." I sighed, and shoved my feet into an expensive pair of shoes. We all
left my room and mum was waiting by the foot of the stairs.
"Everyone's ready outside, we're all waiting for you!" Dad hurried me and flapped
his arms to motion 'hurry up.
I stepped over the threshold where indeed, eight other people were waiting outside
for me, all dressed glamorously and posh.
Ben waved at me and I waved back. He was dressed in a fitted tux, his usually
unruly blond hair was slicked back and his shoes were super polished. Rebecca was
beside him, dressed in a purple gown with lots of sparkles.
"OK, huddle up in front of the limo everyone!" Mum yelled.
"Don't be an attention whore, Zach. Go to the back, you're way too tall." Molly
laughed. "And Flynn. Jesus Christ, you're like giants."
I cleared my throat and made my way to the back row, Jace stood next to me and
Flynn stood to my other side, with Kyle next to him. It was no secret that they
were as each other's prom dates. Kyle said that they were only going as friends but
I wasn't so sure.
We all posed for what felt like a million pictures. Flash after flash, order after
order, I just wanted to get to prom. By the time we'd finish these pictures, prom
would be over.
"OK, one more! This time, a funny one!" Mum called and took a picture. She
signalled a thumbs up and put the camera back inside her camera bag.
I sighed in relief and flung open the door of the limo, pausing momentarily to take
in how striking it looked. Electric blue lights ran around all the seats and the
ceiling and two long, plush leather sofas were facing each other. The windows were
tinted black, barely letting anyone inside look outside and completely blacking out
what's inside from the outside.
"Are you going to get in or what?" Jace said from behind me. I laughed and moved
inside, having to duck my head and practically crawl on my knees because of how
tiny it was for me. I sat down at the far back so everyone else could get in.
We all settled in, and the limo raced down the road. Everyone chorused a cheer and
raved on about how psyched they were.
This was going to be one hell of a night.

49. Prom [End]

Pic; Jace.
"i can't describe how your eyes always seem to draw me in and how your smile can
light up a whole room and how your existence can make me feel like my world isn't
falling apart."
--- --- ---
I've always thought prom sucked. It was a waste of time and energy and it's stupid
and overhyped.
According to Molly and Trish though, it was a time to be free, to dress up, to
await eagerly. It's not that I don't agree because I partially do. It's not often I
get a chance to wear a tux and a bow tie and the Armani cufflinks that grandma got
me a year or two ago for Christmas so it's especially nice being able to do all of
that.
But was prom worth it? Liam says that it's just full of girls with caked on clown
make up who wear glittery heels they can barely walk in that they eventually take
off at the end of the night anyway and a whole lot of cocky guys who banter about
how 'fit those birds look' and 'how they'd very much like to bang them someday'.
Even though I now had a gorgeous, blue eye boyfriend, I still felt that prom wasn't
worth splashing out a lot of cash on to just get crisps and sandwiches and a bunch
of overplayed pop music in return.
We got to the venue in the nick of time. It was pretty full already, which made me
feel like a celebrity as I stepped out of the fancy limo and had everyone's eyes on
me.
Cockily, I straightened out my tie before lending Jace a hand to step down from the
limo. It was quite a big jump, but he just slapped my hand away and stepped down
himself.
"Don't do that, it makes me feel like a girl." He laughed.
"But it makes me feel all gentlemanly!" I grinned.
He just shook his head and waited beside me as everyone else got out the limo.
"Wow." Was all one person behind me could say.
"Ahhhhh!!! It looks so awesome!" Rebecca screamed and walked away, probably to find
some of her friends. Or a life. Who knows.
"We did a freakin' amazing job on such a low budget, well done lads. Great venue
choice, Zach." Some guy from the prom committee commented and patted my back.
"Let's get in, I wanna get my jiggy on." Jace laughed.
"The only place your jiggy will be going is to my-" I started saying, but was cut
off as Ben laughed a little too loudly and pushed us all gently towards the
entrance, mumbling something under his breath about too much information.
I snickered as we walked past the threshold of the grand entrance. It was like a
fairytale because it was in the shape of a semi circle and it was wooden with black
old fashioned latches.
Inside however, was a different story. The place looked fantastic, almost ethereal.
Was this even real? Did I really do all of this? It was truly something that was
magical. Everything electric blue and white, almost Christmassy looking. A big
dance floor was in the centre of the room with white tiles that have little
twinkling LED lights beneath. Around the dance floor were big round tables, seating
ten people each and right at the front was a wooden deck to act as a stage. The DJ
was on one side, a mic was in the middle, a drum set and piano at the back and
Jace's red guitar on a stand at the middle.
A vivid memory of Jace playing 'Superman' at the pub made me grin as wide as a
child getting a giant collection of sweets and I felt my body warm up once I felt
Jace's arms around me.
"You did great." He mumbled in my ear and licked it cheekily before backing away
and laughing. I frantically wiped at it and frowned.
"When's your performance then?" I cocked a brow, he shrugged. "9:30 ish?"
"You wanna dance?" I grinned, and wiggled my hips as I scurried closer to him and
stretched my arm out. He slapped it away and grabbed my waist only to move us
closer to the middle of the floor.
I didn't care how stupid we looked, I knew I couldn't dance and Jace was well, he
was okay at it I guess. We both looked like fools as we flailed out arms about and
wiggled out hips to Shakira and Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber.
"Hungry?" He asked, pacing his dance moves and moving closer to me so that I could
hear him over the booming speakers.
I smirked and leaned into his ear, "for you, always."
He shoved me away and rolled his eyes; a ghost of a smile played on his lips. "Stop
with those sexual innuendos, Jesus Christ."
I chuckled and clutched my tummy and it started hurting. Grabbing his soft, warm
hands, I pulled him out from the crowd of rambunctious teenagers and towards the
buffet table. There was only a selection of crisps and popcorn and a bunch of soft
drinks, nothing to fill us up. I'm pretty glad I ate before I came.
Flynn was sat at the farthest end of the room, occupying an entire table to himself
which I guess was because everyone else was up dancing, he was hunched over the
table, playing with a cup and checking his phone every couple of moments or so as
if he was expecting something.
"Zach, just go and talk to him." Jace huffed, "you know you want to."
I can't deny that I've contemplated it all through the night. Did I really want to
leave school holding a grudge with him? "Okay." I mumbled quickly and walked across
the perimeter of the dance floor to his table.
"Uh, hey." I greeted with an awkward wave.
He looked up at my standing form looking a little confused, but he quickly
recovered. "Hi." He replied grudgingly, not even holding his eye contact.
"How's it going?" I straightened out my suit before pulling out a chair next to him
and plopping down on it.
"Uh, right now or in general?" He cocked a brow, looking at me in slight amusement.
"Both." I shrugged as he took a deep breath and sat up before leaning back into his
seat.
"Well, Kyle ditched me so he could dance with Ethan because I didn't want to dance
which is totally fine, I swear. Uhm, Ben well, he's just been glaring at me all
night and I'm not sure why, Marcia's finally decided she didn't want an open
relationship so she dumped me-"
"That's terrible." I furrowed my eyebrows together. If I remember, next month would
have been their one year anniversary.
"Well, she asked if we could be exclusive, but I said no so she told me she was
going to take some time to herself before dating again."
I just nodded and finally spat out what had been on the tip of my tongue for the
longest time. "I don't want to leave school on a bad note, so I'm hoping that we're
okay."
He pursed his lips and swung on his chair, "I guess we can be."
"So what happened with the bonfire dare?" I asked curiously, facing my entire body
to him and resting my forearm on the backrest of the chair.
He smiled and looked me dead in the eye before looking away again. "That's
something nobody will ever know."
"You fucked him, didn't you?"
"My god, Zach, I'm not some whore." He rolled his eyes but I raised my eyebrows at
him and smirked, he just shook his head because he knew that was a complete lie.
"We didn't have sex, you saw how angry he got when I lied about it in the
cafeteria. Jesus Christ, I'm never going to get him riled up again, he's a scary
dude."
"What did you do? Come on, tell me!"
"We just talked loads."
"No you didn't."
He sighed in defeat, "okay, fine, we didn't, but I can't tell you."
Flynn and I had been so caught up in our conversation of constant teasing, I had
only just realised Jace's band were preparing for their performance on stage.
"There's one other thing too, but you can't tell anyone." Flynn whispered ever so
quietly.
"What is it?" My breathing was caught in my throat. Flynn seemed serious, and he
was never a serious person.
"Well, uh.." He started, but Jace's voice boomed through the speakers.
"Hi everyone, we're New Level and this song goes out to all of you here today." He
said and searched the crowd before meeting my eyes and smiling. His friend, who was
also the lead vocalist in the group stepped up to his own mic and nodded at Ben,
who was the drummer for this song.
The crowd danced as the music kicked in, and hollered and cheered whenever the
chorus rang out. I was grinning up at my boyfriend in glee whenever we stole
glances at each other and tapped my feet along with the beat.
"This next song is an acoustic, so we suggest grabbing a partner and getting on the
dance floor. Jace is going to be taking over this one, so be prepared to be blown
away!" The lead vocalist grinned and hopped off the stage, meeting his girlfriend
on the dance floor. Ben swapped places with a friend and grabbed an acoustic guitar
instead and I stayed sitting beside Flynn.
Jace nodded to the drummer and started plucking a few strings on his guitar, Ben
sat still, waiting in anticipation for his part. I quickly recognised that the song
was a huge hit by Ed Sheeran called Kiss Me. It was perfectly done; The strums
weren't too harsh, the drums weren't loud, and the backing vocals and guitar were
barely there, which is how it should be. Best thing was that it was specifically
aimed at me.
Around us, couples were dancing with their hands all over the partners. I smiled to
myself and drew myself in to Jace's playing as he plucked each string and spoke
each word.
The song had ended, unfortunately, but the band got a huge round of applause by the
crowd even as they stepped down from the stage and all followed Jace as he walked
up to me.
"That was so fucking amazing!" I cried and pulled Jace into a tight bear hug. He
muttered a thanks and pulled away before hurriedly racing to the DJ and whispering
something in his ear.
He returned with a big grin plastered on his face and tugged on my hand to drag me
to the middle of the dance floor.
"Alright, one more slow song as requested and then we're going to party!" The DJ
boomed through the mic and fiddled with his laptop as a almost all too recognisable
tune came on.
When the rain is blowing in your face,
Jace and I had our arms wrapped around each other, he was facing the entrance of
the place while I faced the table I was just sat at and noticed an almost sad and
bored looking brown haired boy.
And the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace,
I felt bad because Flynn didn't have anyone to dance with. This was his prom too,
and he was missing a lot of it because he recently lost his girlfriend and his date
had ditched him.
To make you feel my love.
Jace seemed to notice what was going through my head and twisted us around so he
could catch Ben's eye, he gave a mischievous smirk to the blonde boy who sat alone
on his own table and nodded his head to the brown haired boy at the farthest end of
the room.
Ben was confused at first, but he caught on quickly and gave the most pained
expression as he reluctantly got out of his seat and offered Flynn his hand, to
which Flynn just looked at it in disgust and confusion. He contemplated on it, and
finally decided to stand up and take Ben's hand.
I had to stifle a giggle. I knew Ben was a big softie and he would've been ruining
his night too by missing out on the song that really ties up the evening.
When the evening shadows and the stars appear,
And there's no one there to dry your tears,
It was hilarious to see Flynn and Ben stumble all over the place as they completely
failed at slow dancing. They treaded on each other's toes multiple times and had
about a million whisper-shouting arguments in the short period of time.
"They're like an old married couple." Jace commented and looked me dead In the eye
with so much love and affection.
I could hold you for a million years,
I shrugged and caught his eyes again, he smiled at me and nuzzled into my neck. "I
love you, Zach." He whispered tentatively in my hair, his voice quivering slightly.
That's how I knew it was genuine.
To make you feel my love.
I melted into his warm breath and smiled against his ear, "I love you too."
"No, I mean, I've never felt as whole as I do when I'm with you and.. I didn't
realise such happiness could exist after all the difficulties with my dad and
sister and then I realised that it did exist, and it sourced from you because
you're incredible." He whispered in my ear, only allowing me to hear. The slow song
became drowned out in the background and I could feel tears welling in my eyes, my
heart hammered against my chest and my breathing became unsteady.
"Hey, don't cry."
"Oh my god, fucking hell Jace, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I
have too many feels right now, is this what a girl on her period feels like? I
mean, I'm so overwhelmed, what do I do-"
And then he kissed me, it wasn't a full on snog because I'm sure people around us
wouldn't appreciate that, but it was tender, quick and meaningful and I could still
feel it lingering long afterwards.
"Hey, do you remember that time at the shopping centre when I pounced on you a
pinned you down on the floor?"
"Yes..." I trailed off warily.
"I felt your boner growing under me, but I waved it off." He laughed, I laughed
along and felt my face get super hot. I placed my hands over my face, hiding my
embarrassment.
He chuckled and pulled my hands away from my face, kissing both of them right where
the knuckles are and letting them drop, I wrapped my hands around his waist again
and nuzzled into his neck once more, still hiding my shame and humiliation.
He pulled me back, and met my eyes, his alluring blue ones were twinkling in the
light through his glasses and drawled me in. For the longest time, we held each
other's gazes, all throughout the song, it was when I heard the last sentence
sound through the speakers, I pulled him close and kissed his temple.
To make you feel my love.
"I love you, to the moon and back." I mumbled against his ear and pulled back.
Standing there, looking at that stupid smile of his, I knew I will never stop
loving him. I knew there will never be a day when I will get over that fucking
smile.
Because I'm the one that causes it. The genuine kind, not that fake one he used to
have.
And if that isn't a reason to feel damn proud and whole, then I don't know what is.
He placed a chaste kiss on my lips, his soft, plump lips moulding with mine
perfectly.
He was perfect.
And he was mine,
And I was his,
And we were one, just stuck in everlasting love, care and eternal bliss.
[END]
*+*+*+*
Cliche endings? f**k yeah!
Ending a book such as this one is a profound achievement, for me anyway. All the
continuous love and support (and threats to update) all led up to this moment. The
moment I'm writing this with the biggest, fattest grin on my mouth.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you so much! It's been a long winded
journey for me and for you and I just want you all to know that I love you and
there's a special place in my heart for all of you and your fangirl/boy loving
craziness. <3
- Zara.
p.s. Watch out for the bonus chapters and the not so secret sequel.

Bonus Chapter #1 - Eli & Vince

"days will pass and turn into years, and I'll always remember you with silent
tears."
~ unknown

--- --- ---

July 24th, 1996.

Central London, England.

"Eli, this is amazing." Vince said as he awed at the preparation of the pride
parade. The parade was yet to start but the pair came early along with all the
children from the foster home and all of the carers as well as all of the children
that had been adopted and their foster parents.

Eli smiled and pecked his boyfriend on the cheek before looking down at his arms
and cooing at the tiny baby. Eli couldn't get over how blue the baby's eyes looked,
like an ocean. He was absolutely gorgeous and it was painful to think that anybody
would leave their baby in the foster home not even a few months after being born.
The real parents of the baby just handed him in like a parcel and moved to Canada.

"Let's just hope this parade counts, it's awful to think people like us aren't
allowed to marry or adopt, or even join the military." Elliot sighed and glanced
down at the ground in disappointment.
"I know but we're here today to prove that love is a human right." Vince thought
optimistically. Jace started crying, no wonder, it was incredibly noisy and very
hot outside. "Here, let me hold him."

Elliot diligently placed the tiny baby in Vince's arms and in a heartbeat, Vince
was grinning and looking down at the baby with so much love, Elliot saw this and
felt as if his heart was exploding, but in a good way. Seeing Vince and Jace
together was definitely a sight to see, it was absolutely adorable, and the two
looked like they had a extremely strong bond, as if Vince was Jace's biological
father. Vince wasn't though, he was just a very good nurturer.

Jace stopped crying but he kept fidgeting so Vince shifted his blanket around until
he stopped moving so much.

"You know, it truly does look like you and Jace belong." Eli smiled to his
boyfriend who smiled back and gave him a kiss on the lips and replied with an
agreement. Vince had thought this over many times, when it's legal, Eli and Vince
could adopt Jace, they were basically already raising him. It would be an
incredible thing for the two to start a family together. The only question that
wafted around he air was how long was he meant to wait?

Vince was turning twenty eight next month and Eli had only recently turned twenty
one; he still had his life to live. They can't just be beating around the bush,
Vince was not that type of person and that is what Eli feared.

Eli gulped down a bit of bile that had risen up his throat and took a few discreet,
calming breaths. He turned around and smiled from ear to ear upon seeing all the
children from the foster home. They were each carrying rainbow flags and had
plastered similar grins on their faces.

Eli loves children, he really did, but could he grow to resent them if they just so
happened to adopt together? What if the stress gets too much? He was young, still
discovering himself, he wasn't ready to settle down. Vince on the other hand felt
like the world was collapsing, he wasn't gay, nor straight, not bisexual. Who
needed labels anyway?! He could settle down with a woman and have children together
like a common couple would and it was awfully tempting.

Sometimes, sacrifices had to be made and a huge sacrifice for him would be to end
his relationship with Eli because it didn't look like it was going to get anywhere
if they're just being restricted. Love isn't meant to have any boundaries and even
though he didn't know what love was, he guessed that he would eventually fall in
love with Eli and then things would spiral out of control because the anti-gay laws
could be overturned whenever, he could be forty by then.

A big group of people walked past them and they looked at them in awe. Some of them
were cross dressers and Vince thought that they were extremely brave. The same
group of people involved a bunch of teenagers, holding hands and being all
affectionate. The plot twist was that some of them were holding hands with someone
of the same gender.

"Do you remember that used to be us?" Eli asked. "We were a bit older than them. I
was nineteen and I had only just discovered how much I liked you."

"Oh yes. My mum always wondered how I put up with you." Vince grinned cheekily. Eli
frowned and flicked Vince's forehead. "No, I mean how we could act like such a
happy couple in this heavily bigoted world at such a young age." He quickly saved.

"It was a difficulty. We're older now, people aren't so surprised." Eli shrugged
and checked his watch. The parade was going to start in half an hour. They'd be
walking all around London, protesting, not parading.

The young children from the foster home carried various signboards, all for same
sex families. Some on the older children felt brave enough to write on their sign
about how their parents left them as children and how a same sex couple (Eli and
Vince) were doing the job of parenting a million times better than any common
couple could ever do.

They were true too. Eli worked as a carer at the foster home and even though Vince
wasn't officially a carer, he visited the children often. The children still stuck
in the foster home were confused about who their parents are, they had always seen
Eli and Vince as their nurturers, their father figures, and even without a proper
mother figure around except for the female carers who didn't do as good of a job as
Eli and Vince, the children believed they would benefit more with two loving dads
except for one loving dad, and a half-arsed mother.

"Has everybody got their signboards ready?" Eli asked the children, who all
chortled back and held them high up in the air in triumph.

"Great!" He said in an extremely cheery manner and held up two thumbs pointing
upwards. "Gemma, Carlisle, you need to be at the front so everybody knows where
we're coming from."

Gemma and Carlisle held up a huge, handmade sign that had the name of the foster
home written in big, colourful letters and lots of coloured handprints from all the
children from there. They both nodded and smiled and made their way to the front of
the group.

Loud music boomed from behind them and the group stood in awe as they saw a
marching band practicing. There were many of them and they were so in unison that
the kids were half questioning whether or not they were all just robots.

For ten minutes straight, they all stood, watching as the band performed and
applauded when necessary. It wasn't until a very buff looking man motioned for the
first group of people to get ready into position and get their float starting up.
Eli and Vince and the children all stood in their order, with Gemma and Carlisle at
the front, holding the sign up high, and everyone else behind them.

The next group of people starting following shortly after and all cheered as they
left. The children were all excited and shaking with nerves. It looked like the
entire population of England were crowding the streets, there were so many people!

It came to their turn, and Gemma and Carlisle walked forward, holding their sign up
proudly and smiling like there was no tomorrow.

The children and parents all hollered and cheered as they stampeded through the
long winding roads in London. The children were all in awe at the city, they had
never been in the heart of London and they were barely allowed to go on 'field
trips'. Even though Eli tries so desperately hard, they've never had enough money
to take the kids out in a day trip.

The parade lasted for a few hours. A number of the foster children held buckets out
for people to donate to the home. They had collected an incredible sum of money; a
lot more than they hoped. The donations can go towards upgrading the foster home a
little, maybe to buying some bikes for the children to play on or perhaps some new
crockery because the ones they have now have been dropped way too many times so now
they're damaged.

A couple people watching the parade also promised they would visit the children and
perhaps adopt them or become a carer even. It was fantastic because the home would
finally get more staff who couldn't care less about earning the minimum wage.

It was when everyone from the parade gathered up at the festival that Vince turned
to Eli, who had a giggling Jace in his hand placed one hand on his broad shoulder.

"Eli, I just.. I'm really doubting we're going to make a difference. People aren't
going to want to adopt children from a long way away, I'm sure they'd much rather
look at foster homes nearby."

"Vinny, don't think so negative. Be optimistic, it's a wonderful day and the
children are having a great time. Don't ruin it for them, they might hear you say
all those things."

"No, Elliot." Vince sighed, using his full name. Eli knew Vince only used his full
name when he was serious. "I'm getting old, I want to get married, I want to have a
child with my own genes."

Elliot frowned, and looked like he was about to burst into tears, which he was. So
he gulped back his tears, got rid of that frown that set on his lips in hopes of
not upsetting the children and spoke up. "Vince, you mean..."

"Yes." He answered. "I do mean that."

Elliot saw it coming, he knew this moment would happen soon enough, he knew that
waiting for legalised marriage was a farfetched dream.

"I love you, Vin." Eli choked.

"I know, and I love you too. So much. So very much..." He trailed off, wiping a
tear that had slipped out.

"Children, let's all go over to that tree so we're out of the way." A female care
worker named Holly ordered as soon as she saw the thick tension between the two
men.

Holly took Jace from Eli's arms and Eli let out a quiet 'thank you'. The two headed
the opposite direction and found a seat under another tree, under the shade where
it was cool and breezy.

"Vince, I don't... I don't understand." Eli did understand, he just didn't want to
believe it. The young adult fumbled with the hem of the t-shirt he wore that
promoted the foster home but Vince stopped him and held Eli's warm hands.

Forever wasn't as long as they thought it would be.

"I'm sorry Eli, I just can't wait around." Vince explained.

"Fucking hell Vince, just.. Fuck it. Fuck it all." He exasperated, a little unsure
on what else to say. Cursing helped to relieve the anger.

"El, that doesn't mean you can't go out and find somebody else to replace me.
Somebody who can wait, somebody who's great with kids, somebody-"

"It's not really that easy," Vince explained, scratching the back of his neck. "You
know how it is. Can we just finish this day and talk about this tomorrow?"

Vince didn't want to argue, but he didn't want to hang around either. He
reluctantly nodded, standing up and wiping invisible dust off his pants.
They both walked towards the children, hand in hand, hoping none of the children
would suspect that they were having issues. They didn't want to upset the kids, the
two were their rocks. Somebody to rely on, somebody that will make them feel the
happiest they can possibly be.

"Who wants ice cream?" Eli boomed, forcing a grin.

The children all jumped in excitement as they all follower the pair towards the ice
cream truck that was parked at the edge of the park. The children all spoke at once
and the very perplexed driver found it difficult to keep up, but luckily he didn't
mess up the orders. Vince and Eli both started taking their wallets out and paid
however much the final price was while the children happily devoured their treats
that would surely give them a sugar hype soon.

Vince glanced to the stage where a wonderful dance group were wilding jumping
around and doing cool tricks. He gulped once, glancing back to the ground.

Holly noticed this, again, and took all the kids to get a better view of the act on
the stage.

"Eli, I don't think I can stay for the rest of the day." Vince mumbled as soon as
the children left.

"You said you would." He sighed, squeezing his lover's hand. He loved Vince with
all his heart, and Vince felt the same way about Eli.

But some things weren't meant to be.

Eli lifted Vince's chin up with his index finger and with sad eyes and a sad smile,
pecked Vince's cheek. Vince leaned into his touch, almost like a cat would, and
trapped him in a bear hug.

It was questionable how long the hug lasted, but it felt like years because they
both knew it would be their last hug.

Eli nuzzled into Vince's neck and let a few tears slip from his eyes, it wasn't
long until Elliot was full on crying and Vince was holding back his own tears.

Vince traced his thumb under Eli's eyes, wiping away the tears. The hurt that was
in his lover's eyes broke him completely, the eyes that had once been so jolly and
bright were now clouded with a darker colour and filled with tears trying to slip
out.

This was goodbye.

Vince stood still as he watched the man who meant more than anything in the world
to him walk away. He watched as Elliot went smaller and smaller and then all of a
sudden disappeared in the distance. Elliot didn't turn back once, fearing that he'd
just run back to Vince.

They were both breathless and their hands were shaking, their knees felt weak and
their hearts were being shattered into a million pieces, they were slowly, ever so
slowly, breaking themselves but they both saw it coming.

They had always seen it coming.

*+*+*+*
Bonus Chapter #2 - Flynn & Ben Encounters (1)
A/N: I was so excited to put this chapter up, and now it's finally here! :D
(I literally wrote it about four or five months ago)
Picture above is Benjamin Matthews (in year eleven), portrayed by Freddie Stroma.
P.S. Be sure to read to the end... (; *cough cough* Flynn's dare *cough*
--- --- ---
Past Flynn & Benjamin Encounters (Part 1 of 3)
Flynn's POV
--- --- ---
19th October 2007 (Year 8)
"Check out that loser." Liam says and plasters his signature smirk on his lips. I
glanced to where he was looking and saw that it was a guy in my year.
Benjamin, I think his name was. I didn't really care to remember, the guy was a
total loser, his daily tasks included sucking up to the teacher, doing lots of
homework, asking for extra work and did I mention sucking up to the teacher?
I snickered as I watched him take out the his belongings from his locker, his
blonde hair was so long that it fell to his shoulders and I watched as it bounced
as he glanced around the corridor wearily. Benjamin was scrawny and had these thick
framed glasses that took up half his face and he always had a thing for wearing
checkered shirts and plimsoles.
Before I could even ask what was happening, Liam started walking towards Benjamin
with his crew. Zach and I glanced to each other and he shrugged and caught up to
his brother, I followed after him.
"Didn't realise a skinny bloke like you could carry that many books at a time. You
look like you're struggling, let me help you." Liam grinned cunningly and slammed
his hand down on all of Ben's textbooks, sending them all hurdling to the floor.
Then Calvin and Oliver started playing football with Ben's rucksack that he left on
the floor but they soon got bored of it and left it.
"Prick." Ben muttered as Liam and his crew walked away.
"You better watch your mouth." I spat out and went to catch up to the gang. Ben
didn't reply so I was satisfied. I saw that Zach didn't move from his place to
catch up with his brother.
"What are you doing Zach?" I glared at him as I watched him help pick up the books
off the floor. We were only in year eight and Ben was already preparing for GCSE,
total loser, that guy.
"Just fuck off Flynn." He muttered and stood up from his position on the floor,
handing Benjamin his textbooks and walked down the corridor to pick the bag up and
dust it off with his hands.
I waited for him a while longer, Ben kept muttering stupid things to me but It was
going in one ear and out the other. I vaguely remember him saying something about
me regretting it all one day. I almost felt like laughing because this was Ben.
Scrawny, nerdy Ben. There was finally somebody in the school shorter than me and
that gave me a boost of confidence because for once, I had the power.
I didn't want to wait for Zach any longer so instead I caught up to Liam. Liam
wasn't as sensitive as his brother, he was much cooler. He was like my second
brother, I've never had any siblings. I was born an only child so I never had
anybody to look up to and admire before I met Zach but now I do. Whatever Liam
does, I'd do too- that's what siblings do, right?
"Your brother is weird." I muttered to him and Liam halted in his footsteps and
turned around.
"That's because he actually cares for people." He snorted and patted my back,
"don't be like that, it's not cool."
"Don't worry, I won't." I grinned and clutched the straps of my rucksack.
I took one last glance behind me and saw that said person was in a serious
conversation with the nerd. Nerds and cool people do not go, at least, that's what
Liam had once told me.
-
16th November 2009 (Year 10)
"Fuck off!" I yelled as Ben, might fine as ever, squashed me into the corner of the
khazi. Today he was wearing a white jumper that hugged his body perfectly, I could
see the outline of his four pack and with those tight skinny jeans he was wearing,
he had one huge-
"Who's the wimp now?" He snickered and crossed arms over his chest.
"Seriously, get lost or I'll get Liam on you." I seethed at him and he didn't even
flinch, instead he cocked a perfect brow and smirked.
"Can't fend for yourself?"
Gulping, I felt as inferior as an ant right now, Ben's shadow loomed over me and
it's fair to say there have been some big changes in two years. My heart was
racing, I could even hear the beating in my ears. My palms were clammy and I felt
claustrophobic because of the very very small proximity between Ben and I and the
fact that we were in a tiny toilet stall.
As if it was even possible, Ben brought himself closer to me and I tried stepping
backwards, only to be met by the wall hitting my head, back and heel of my shoe.
Ben made this noise from his nose, clearly finding this situation absolutely
fucking hilarious and then he brought his mouth down to my right ear. His hot
breath fanned it and I can't say that I wasn't a little bit turned on.
"Poor Flynn-y, the tables have turned haven't they?" He whispered, sending shivers
up my spine, "you're a fucking bellend, you know that? I told you I'd make you
regret it everything you did."
"Whatever you have to do, hurry up." I glared at him and shoved him hard on the
chest, sending him stumbling backwards and hitting his back on the wall of the
neighbouring toilet stall. He quickly recovered and had the smirk plastered back on
his face moments later. He travelled the small distance towards me and towered over
me as he leaned his arm against the wall behind me.
"I'm not a prat like you," he spat.
"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that." I rolled my eyes and he glanced down at me
and smiled but this smile was more like a 'You're kind of a funny person, I'm going
to wait a little more before slaughtering you' so it wasn't exactly a full blown
smile and it did have a small inkling of evil in it too.
He leaned down again and his aftershave filled my nostrils, God, that aftershave.
It was like heaven. It had this chocolatey sweet smell that was mixed in with
something unfamiliar that gave it a more masculine scent.
Ben leaned his into me and my tummy started fluttering like crazy all of a sudden,
his scent was definitely something sending gorillas prancing around in my stomach
and heat to a certain something.
I could feel his thigh against my length and I had to hold back doing something
stupid. His hard chest was against me and it almost seemed fake because his body
looked photoshopped. Being this close, I could count every single eyelash of his
and if I leaned in a little closer, our noses and lips would be touching.
He could probably even feel my heartbeat hammering against my chest, that's how
close we were. Heck, he could probably even hear it.
For what felt like many hours, we were just stuck in this position. He didn't move
and I couldn't move even if I tried.
It felt weird knowing that I didn't even want him to move.
Feeling him against me felt like bliss, with those tight jeans on and my tight
jeans on, the thin material covering me felt constricting. I gulped as I looked up
at him glancing down at me, he wasn't much taller than me but I haven't completely
reached my growth spurt. His eyes were glistening and with the sunlight streaming
in through the window, it brought the green out in his hazel eyes. Undoubtably, Ben
was fit. His presence screamed confidence and fear. He was muscly, not too much but
not too little either, like he used to be. Long gone was he scrawny kid with thick
framed glasses, he was drop dead, drool worthy, gorgeous... even if he did own an
abnormal amount of checkered shirts.
His short blonde hair sat on top of his head in a perfect quiff, not too high, not
too short. I could see his entire face for once, unlike through year eight and year
nine where his shaggy hair covered up most of his face. I could finally see just
how chiselled his jawline was and how perfect his nose was. All of his features
were perfect. It's like they've been sculpted by God himself.
I could've sworn that we were having a moment, we were so close right now and it
felt as if I've been standing for hours like this but it's only been moments.
Then, as if somebody had just blew a horn, he shot backwards and stared at me with
shock, and then he stared at my hard on with wide eyes and a scowl that could
surely scar me for life.
Busted.
I looked down at the floor and then before I knew it, I was laying on it, clutching
my waist and praying for this to just end.
The last thing I saw before I blacked out was Ben's shoe going into my stomach and
then him walking out the bathrooms in confidence.
Karma really is a bitch and I guess I was paying the price.
-
April 27th 2011 (Year 11 - 'The Bonfire Dare')
Sluggishly, I hauled my self down the same, old, dreary corridor. Trevor, somebody
who was at the bonfire as a plus-one, walked next to me, trying to catch up to my
pace.
"So are you actually going to do the dare?" He asked for the billionth time.
"Of course I'm going to do the dare," I answered confidently, "I'm not a pussy."
Then, as if somebody had just poked a balloon with a needle, my confidence left me
just as I saw Ben walking down the corridor with that weird Jace dude. Odd guy, he
didn't even punch me as well as Zach had but I do give him props for having the
balls to do such a thing.
As soon as Trevor saw where my legs were taking me, he grabbed my shoulder,
effectively stopping me in the process of doing the dare quickly so I can get it
over and done with.
"What?" I grumbled.
"Dude, he's going to fuck you up."
"Yeah well, I don't want to be a wimp." I shrugged my shoulder away from his grip
and kept on walking. Jace saw me walking and I cockily smirked just as he scowled
at me, he was likely to know what I was thinking of doing, so he had the decency to
leave Ben's side and join Trevor who was stood still a few metres down the
corridor. I watched as they walked away together, leaving just Ben and I.
I turned my head from that view and to Ben instead, he was glaring down at me and I
shrunk in my place. "What do you want, Hopper?" I smirked at him using my surname
instead of my first name. Since the garden party a year ago, he's enjoyed using my
surname instead.
"A kiss." I answered, "it's a dare."
"Fuck off." He rolled his eyes with an amused complexion. I was surprised he hasn't
already punched me, but I guess he's finally finding it easier to talk to me since
we see each other often because he lives so close to me and especially after
Christmas, we actually learnt to tolerate each other.
"Come on," I tried, "I hate it just as much as you, but I'm no pussy."
"I'm not kissing you, I'm not gay." He answered.
"You're not exactly lucky in the women's sector so, come on, Matthews, it's a great
opportunity." I clutched the strap of my satchel tightly. Throughout all of year
ten, the only thing I've ever wanted to do was kiss those plump lips of his, I've
even dreamt of it. I know, terrible right? "Just because you're kissing another
guy, doesn't make you gay. Also, I would've never pegged you as a homophobe."
"It does, idiot." He straightened out his red and black checkered shirt and ran a
hand through his hair. He was wrong, it doesn't make you gay if you kiss another
guy. For once, I was right. "I'm not a homophobe either."
"Please?"
"No."
"Pleaaaaaseeeee."
"Shut up." He glared at me.
I sighed and met his eyes before I hurriedly dragged him away while he desperately
tried ripping my fingers from his wrist. I pulled open the door that goes down to
the basement and sneakily hurried inside. I flicked the light switch on, which was
pretty useless anyway because it barely gave out any light. Ben glanced around
wearily, "what is this place? It stinks of shit."
"Basement. You get used to the smell after coming down here often." I shrugged and
tugged on his sleeve to drag him downstairs.
"I'm not kissing you, Hopper and FYI, I am lucky in the women's sector."
"Yeah, whatever, you keep telling yourself that." I snickered and shoved him on the
tattered sofa, he leaned back and tried to make himself comfier. His left arm was
draped over the backrest of the seat next to him and it just looked oh so welcoming
but I knew I couldn't. I shouldn't. "Kiss me."
"No." He gritted his teeth and checked the watch on his wrist.
"Fine," cautiously, I made my way over to the sofa and sat down next to him. There
was something about sitting next to him with the comfort of a forearm placed behind
you, I couldn't quite pin what it was. Safety? Affection? Both of which I never
really felt I had. "I guess I'll have to kiss you then."
His eyes widened but he didn't move back just as I was coming closer to him, my
arms wrapped around his neck and I straddled his hips after taking a deep breath.
This was happening, wasn't it?
I brought my face closer to his and I could feel his hot breath fanning m face, I
leaned in to kiss his plump, full lips that I had dreamt of but just in the nick of
time, he moved his head to the side and I kissed his cheek instead. "Stop being a
chicken."
"I'm not a chicken." He bit back aggressively and wiped at his cheek. Ben had
always been a little aggressive, no, scrap that, very aggressive. I guess it's my
fault in the end, however.
My dad had a vey short temper and I was lucky enough to take after my mum, she was
more of a peacemaker. I guess I kind of knew how to deal with aggressive people but
I didn't want to get Ben all fired up by coaxing him to kiss me just because of a
stupid dare just because I might not know how to cool him down. How did that
sketchy Jace dude deal with it? I would never know.
"Ben, just kiss me." I said flirtatiously, I leaned down and started kissing his
neck. Never would I have thought I'd be doing this with him, never.
He shoved me off his lap and I landed on the seat next to him. He crossed his arms
over his chest and a frown plastered itself on his lips.
I took a moment to collect my thoughts. What the hell was I doing? I can't force
him to kiss me but I have the chance to right now and I've had the biggest, hellish
crush on him since forever. I got over him eventually but if I kiss him, would it
come back?
"Flynn I swear, if you don't back off right now, I'm going to pummel you into
mush." He growled. It was a sexy growl.
It struck me that he wasn't just angry, he was now livid.
"Ben, just..." I thought for a moment about what to say. I really really really
wanted to kiss him. "Fine, I won't kiss you but stop scaring me. Look how tense you
are."
Did I really make him that angry? He's pretty scary like that, if you ask me.
At my words, he glanced at me from the corner of his eye and bit his lip. He sighed
and I saw his shoulders relax a little but his arms were still crossed over his
chest.
I scooted a little closer to him, "if you knew me well enough, then you'd know that
I don't like being underestimated. One kiss, I won't force you into it, it just has
to one kiss. You can close your eyes and pretend that you're kissing a girl if you
want, I have a slender waist but no boobs, sorry bro."
He stopped biting his lip and had the ghost of a smile on his mouth.
"Just one?"
"Just one." I answered back, feeling the need to grin so big that it would reach my
ears.
He pursed his lips together and rested his forearm on backrest behind me, I tried
to hide my smile as he leaned in towards my ear, his hot breath fanned my neck and
sent shivers down my spine. "You're not getting a kiss, Hopper."
My eyes widened on their own accord. I seriously thought Ben would kiss me, I was
so ready for it. I was expecting his dreamy lips on mine.
Ben didn't pull away from my side, he snickered a little.
I don't know why I did it, I wasn't even thinking properly, but In one swift
motion, I turned my head to face him, seeing gorgeous brown eyes looking a little
perplexed before I went right in and connected our lips.
It felt like a first kiss; just plain awkward and messy, but it also felt
electrifying and new. It really did feel like a first kiss, but in a good way.
Truth is, I've never kissed someone quite like Ben. He was an enigma, he was
absolutely glorious in his own way but we were complete opposites.
None of us made a move to deepen the kiss for a moment, so we were just there with
our lips moulded together, unmoving.
Until I made a move and leaned into him until he fell back on the sofa, with me
falling onto his rock hard torso and accidentally grinding down on him.
"Flynn-" he started saying as soon as he had the chance to breathe, but I cut him
off by moulding my lips with his once again. They were too delectable and plump to
resist. My lips were probably very dry and not very plump at all.
His hands tried their best to move me away, but I pinned them above his head
aggressively and relaxed my body onto his, grinding ever so slightly. I remembered
this was just for the dare, and I could've pulled away because I had already
fulfilled it, but the truth is that I didn't want to.
Maybe I did have a thing about forceful kisses.
Of course, Ben was no exception to this.
--- --- ---
----SEQUEL ANNOUNCEMENT PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS A/N----
a/n: I really like this chapter, I didn't know whether to put it as the first part
of the sequel or a bonus chapter on here.
What's that you hear? THERE'S A SEQUEL?!??
As you may tell I'm so excited for this sequel and as you can probably guess,, it's
about Flynn and yes of course, you guessed it... Ben.
I know a lot of you figured it out that Ben and Flynn didn't hate each other as
much as I tried to make it out and I just denied because I was like 'NOOOO THEY
CAN'T KNOW'.
Ben and Flynn have a past and not all of it is included in this chapter mwahaha,
that is why I'm splitting it into parts (as you can see above, this is part 1 of 3)
and they'll pop up in random places and they won't be consecutive in dates (i.e, I
maybe have included the dates of these events above but some other ones I've
written that will be included in either part 2 or part 3 may fall in between these
dates or prior to any of these dates).
The sequel is dated to Flynn two years after this story takes place and it's of him
trying to work around the difficulty of living independently and learning about
what he wants (because let's be honest, he's not exactly going to be a bum boy
forever, amiright?)
~ Zara

CHASE YOU
Watch the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq2GjpmBzJ0
Flynn Hopper didn't know what to expect when he started going to university. Boring
lectures, cocky dudes, touchy girls and annoying roommates, he finally decides it's
time to start afresh, starting with his high school enemy, who he had once been
hopelessly in love with.
Read here: http://w.tt/1Hd7TLa
p.s. What do you think of the cover? It's gorgeous right? That's because I spent
two hours on it. xD
Also, I know you guys chose that other title but this ones short and sweet and the
other one was meh. However, I may keep changing the title until I'm like YES THIS
ONE IS FABULOUS.