My entire life, it’s always been hard. I mean, I would’ve expected it to when you keep the biggest secret in the world from everyone else. Okay, not the biggest secret in the world-but you get what I mean. My parents aren’t cool with anything new, no new rules, no new presidents, and especially no new dating tricks. Mainly-this means coming out would ruin all that I’ve lived for. I get straight A’s and I’m quarterback at our school, but none of that would even matter if people found out about who I really am.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ub6p7pFC1
Other than the large parts of me I’m keeping, my life seems to be pretty good. I’m considered popular at school, my siblings aren’t always annoying, and I have a girlfriend: Haven Bronx. Haven is one of the most popular girls in school as well, so it made sense for the two of us to be together. Being captain of the cheerleading team, she has a pretty busy schedule, so I don’t always have to see her. But when I do-it’s hard to really be myself around her. Around anyone. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3ouZeH2cQ
I really do like Haven. She’s a sweet girl, and she cares about other people’s feelings. But, I don’t like her in that way. And it wouldn’t even be too bad if we broke up at school, but her entire family loves me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIaOETXsbd
So that’s where the problem comes in. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdH8k7gJMS
I would always sit at the dinner table and try to keep my mind off of other things while Haven’s parents continued talking about sports, or cheer, or their older daughter (who’s in Yale, in case anyone really cared). It was just that, I never seemed to keep my mind on anything that was going on at dinner there, and I was the only one to blame. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHW9cVnTXA
“How have you been Ezra?” Mr. Bronx asked me as I calmly sat down next to Haven. Her family was always fancy, so being skittish wouldn’t look good for me. Once I sat down, Haven smiled to me. And I smiled back without showing any teeth.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKiUzXNxqY
“I’ve been great.” I said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡKncrvwzMgm
Lie, but everyone else was going with it. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡF14Bagxyav
“I heard there was a game on Saturday, are you ready for that?” Mrs. Bronx asked me. In all honesty, I was excited for the game and all-but I’d much rather be somewhere else on that day instead of whatever I always felt trapped. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UfrOPpCmP
But, like always, I smiled and nodded. “I’m ready for it,” I said. “Coach says we’re probably gonna be amazing out there.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6cNyIk7vB
“And I get to watch all of it front and center,” Haven said, smiling to me before looking at her parents. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaCyMNOjmY
Mr. and Mrs. Bronx smiled at their daughter before looking back at their food. It was seafood, which was one of the main reasons why I was trying to continue talking instead of eating something from the sea. “Haven,” Mrs. Bronx said. “Did you mention to tell Ezra about your sister?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvT4XHTmkf
I don’t know why, but my instant thought was that Mrs. Bronx was pregnant. I mean, she was only about 39 or something. I’m sure having a kid wouldn’t be that hard. But then, my mind clicked and told me this was about Angelica. Angelica is Haven’s older half sister, and she’s pretty smart for her age. I’ve only met her a few times, but her family talks about her enough for me to know basically everything I need to. The weirdest thing is, even though Haven and Angelica have different dads, they both really do look the same. Like Haven, Angelica has dark brown hair and hazel eyes, which usually change color depending on the light. And usually they both always know what to say for certain situations, but can also annoy the living ⟴ out of you sometimes. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVmoJU732C
“Oh my gosh,” Haven exclaimed. “I’m so excited to see her!” she grabbed my hand from under the table as I did my best to keep from showing any reaction. “How long is she staying in town?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvMh4y5SRs
Mrs. Bronx was about to begin eating again, but then set down her fork and looked Haven. “A few days I think, a week at the most. She’s really busy at college, sweetheart.” Haven nodded, but then everyone at the table grew silent as I looked back down at the seafood. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGYKKVsEiM
I seriously do hate everything about the thought of eating something from the ocean, but I also hated people not liking me-so I began slowly eating the shrimp. At first, I felt my body trying to bring it back up, but I swallowed it before anything else could happen. I took a long drink of the water Mr. Bronx had given me and then sighed, not even sure if I could finish the food that was set in front of me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuHgSqaZuc
Once dinner was over, I wasn’t judged for not eating all of the shrimp. But, I still felt a large guilt inside of me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9IorMXxFP
Haven’s parents went upstairs, allowing me and her to have some alone time. I hated when people said “I’ll give you two some alone time.” It was like they just expected for two people to begin making out. And I never would do something like that while her parents were upstairs, anyways. I wouldn’t even do something like that with a girl in the first place. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwvXggTIUb
“So…” Haven said, sitting down next to me and grabbing the TV remote. “You nervous about the game?” before I could even answer her, Haven kept on talking. “We have a great cheer that is bomb.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOFc5yDgy7
I laughed. “Yes, I’m ready. How long have y’all been working on the cheer?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtahbyIYwfE
“A couple weeks. I think you’re going to love it, babe.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfaQdr66a1
Though I hated it when she called me that, I nodded. One of the best ways to get Haven to be quiet would be talking about cheer. All of the girls on the team were really passionate about their work and loved to brag about it. Sometimes, when I was forced to hang out with Haven’s friends, the topic of football and cheer would be the main two things. Which, I was kind of okay with-because at least I was getting attention. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFQXRVwvb4
Haven was leaning on me, texting someone on her phone when she suddenly laughed. I looked down at her and said; “What is it?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLtJQCszCF
Instead of simply answering, she handed me her phone. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFfUROCPkS
Angelica:copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF8Evl6Csg
Hey sis, you excited about me coming back tomorrow? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKVuHNpeiB
Haven: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVgyP7msXH
Obvi! I can’t wait to see you!! copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrmu6SQdui
Angelica: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡt82pCKc2Yv
Me too! How’s high school treating you? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhrVQh3dJ1
Haven:copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5tgzA9pND
Amazing, actually! I’m still captain of the cheerleading team and I’m still dating Ez. On top of that, all my friends and grades are amazing. Things couldn’t be better! copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhMKGpuTst
Wbu? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7LQ3B76OR
Angelica: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IWCZwc8VZ
(That’s great!) And I’m pretty good too. I’m just pretty happy I’m keeping up in class.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDgzoXZSQr
How’s Ezra? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgz76CJdJx
Haven: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Sg1ugxGpt
Great! Cuter than ever...and stronger, which is good for the football team.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc6XLuUKnL
Angelica: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK1LS8oBl8
Awesome! Good thing he’s still cute, right? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q0qsuGZb6
Haven: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRizP34KOs
Oh my gosh, lol! I would’ve still dated him if he wasn’t tho. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0cxM5GbG2
Angelica: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQtjgVOXUZ
Yeah, right. I gotta go soon...is there anything else you need to tell me before I start my homework? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nRlXGp1qd
Haven: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWeHu1Mbcs
Just one last thing. You excited about the football game? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwiGPzBDww
Angelica: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzTuVRakSB
Yup. Aren’t they playing against Oakwood? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡynyM43OQe0
Haven:copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrwC7mbJ0I
Yeah, they are. But Ezra’s got this one in the bad. He always does-copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDi97d0ixT
Angelica: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5gsSlvGbK
Right! copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvbd8jAk3A
Well, I’ve got two more things to say. One, I miss you like crazy (Mom and Dad too). And two, hope Ezra’s as cute as you say he is…copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ieksmxsE5
Haven: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmybC13XxJ9
I’m not sharing him, Angelica.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqFsENMe8P
Angelica: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa83vAp334
Lol, never said you had to, Hav. Everyone knows men like the smarter girls. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pDk2EnZb7
I don’t know why, but I had this weird feeling that all I was to Haven was just something she could put on display. And it really did bother me on the inside, but there was nothing I could fix about any of it. If Haven realized I was bothered by crap like that, she’d find some way to ruin my life. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9txOVcCIqK
Instead of saying what I wanted to, I faked a laugh. “That’s sweet,” I said to her, praying she wouldn’t take any of it the wrong way. I was lucky enough for her to smile and then squeeze my arm tightly. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgVFkrgKuj
“She’s my sister, and I love her. But she better not come near you with any flirty approach.” she said, raising her eyebrows to me. I smiled. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡODIsXL7lKj
“Don’t worry,” I assured her. “Angelica and I will never have a relationship other than friends.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUMZJHblqC
Haven smirked. “I know,” she said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XT1DdsTXX
I chuckled and then looked down at my phone. Three messages from Dad. Now that was a cue to come home. “Hey, Haven?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMAWeyHlTs
“Yeah?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡElmrl58xrz
“As much as I’d love to stay-” Lie. “I need to get home.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xw3zag13d
Haven made a disappointed noise, then sat back on the expensive couch they owned. “That sucks,” she said, sighing. “But...you know, parents rules.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhZzde8UA1
Not knowing what else I could say to that, I nodded. “Yeah.” I was standing up when Haven took my wrist and in some way forced me turn back around and look at her. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡnemJGIPPfg
“Love you,” she said, smiling. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡopNUsm4Io8
My insides told me to just say it. Reveal you don’t really love her, and that you never will. At least not like that. But instead, I smiled back and then said; “Love you too.” Dreading the words as they came out of my mouth. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnqWWDa5yK
I release myself from her grip and made it to the doorway. As I was about to leave, I tuned to wave goodbye to her before I closed the door behind me, breathing in the fresh air as I walked outside. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VZtFFbuuq
⟴⬉⥦⥦⥦⬈⟴copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSPxNhUS0i
When I got home, I was expecting either Mom or Dad to be waiting for me in the kitchen or living room. But instead, it was only my dad. He smirked at me when I walked in. My dad and I hardly really shared any genetics. I mean, other than the tall-⟴ gene I have from my grandfather, him and I hardly share anything that’s the same. Other than the brown hair and eyelashes, we’re not really the same. Yet, somehow, I became his golden son. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WFrSC53HD
“Ezra Gatley, where have you been?” he asked me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOzNhftsJX
I looked at him. “At my girlfriend’s house,” I said, smiling. “I didn’t tell you?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwEdSZbGJc
My dad shook his head, his eyebrows raised. The only reason there was no fear inside of me was because I knew he was just joking around. I had to ask him if I could take Eric’s car to go to Haven’s house anyways. He knew where I was, Dad was just giving me a hard time for no reason. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtQJ1D1Vw1
“Well, I’m surprised to see you after...what? Three messages from me?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡexYTZRw4Ud
This was the part when I looked down at my phone and pretended to act shocked. “Oh gosh,” I said, shrugging. “Guess I forgot to look at those.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡII1ivjxZMg
Dad raised one of his eyebrows, still keeping a straight face. “To your room, young man,” he said, pointing to where the staircase was. I smiled to him before gripping my phone in my hands and walking upstairs to my room, not looking behind me to see if he was laughing or not. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFKNpMqqIX
Once I walked in, my brothers were sitting on my bed, looking through the photo album I kept in my room. Typical, I thought to myself. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWuqPthmyc
I have two brothers, one who is older than me and the other whose younger than I am. Eric is my older brother, and Emmanuel is younger than me by six years. Like brothers are, we always tease each other about something, but we also support each other through the weirdest things. Though, I guess that’s kind of normal. I have another sibling, who’s a year older than me. And that’s Evelyn. She’s one of the only people that know my secret, and I want to keep it that way. It’ll basically be like that until I get accepted into college, anyways. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgUByqU5pG
“What are you doing?” I asked my brothers. Emmanuel popped his head up, some of his dirty-blonde hair falling into his face. Eric looked at me, closed the book, then stood up. Somehow, Eric is taller than me-but only by half an inch. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmm79LTAbB
Hitting me on the arm, Eric laughed. “Where were you, man?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDx24nwmJ4
I hit him in the exact same place where he hit me. And because I was stronger, he winced from the pain. “Why does it matter to you?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjksUSTPYj
“Oh, come on, Ez Ace, where were you?” Emmanuel asked, putting the photo album on my desk. “You’re girlfriend’s house?” I knew he had been listening in on Eric’s conversations, because he completely over exaggerated those last two words. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlFRsOClpO
I rolled my eyes. “Get out of my room.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWrvZwSvSC
“Yup,” Eric said, sounding proud of himself. “He was.” Emmanuel laughed, and then began making kissing noises as I glared at him. Eric smiled to Emmanuel before he looked at me, his eyes studying my face for some odd reason. I looked away from him as Emmanuel hugged me. Since he hadn’t hit puberty yet, he went right up to my waist.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqVTTQMNFL
“Missed you,” he whispered, clutching onto me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b6L2yAFUZ
I knew it was kinda mean, but I pushed him off of me. “You can’t hug after an insult,” I said, smiling to him. “That’s breaking the brother code.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRWVmVrfrj
“There’s a brother code?” Emmanuel asked, his eyes widening. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0KNUDEGrk
Eric rolled his eyes, and then took Emmanuel by his arm. “Come on, E,” he said, looking down at him. “Ezra doesn’t wanna talk to us.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxvyjy7Td1
I glared at him. “Bye,”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicBGWTcBSi
Leaving my room, Eric called: “Don’t forget, Ezra Ace, I’m older than you. Much older!” Rolling my eyes again, I closed the door behind me and fell onto my bed, looking up at the ceiling.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGTQCfM3vd
There wasn’t exactly anything in my head, and for the first time ever I felt really relaxed. Nothing serious was on my mind, plus the only nerves I had were about football, and I wasn’t even worried about any of that happening. Just as he crossed my mind, there was a soft knock on my door.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnd7a7LPOc
Sitting up quickly, I grabbed the door knob and opened it. Evelyn was standing there, her light brown hair now dark from a shower, and her dark blue eyes looking tired. But I was smart enough now not to say anything about it.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gJFO2dWWr
“Hey big bro,” she said, halfly smiling. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ8QGK6sNB
I let her walk in as I closed the door behind me. “What is it?” I asked her. Instead of my voice coming out calmly like I wanted it to, it came out really demanding. Evelyn raised her eyebrows before she sat down next to me on the bed. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaYTh913YP
“Where were you?” she asked. I shrugged, looking at the wall for a few moments before I looked back to her.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡf86ZOV22RZ
“Why do you need to know?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I4yrUaTuN
Evelyn sighed, then smiled. “You must’ve been at your secret lover’s house then,” she said, raising her eyebrows. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOPBFvlLY8
I looked at her this time, wanting to hit her. “Say it louder,” I snapped. “I don’t think everyone in the entire house heard you.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDjlxBuyEt
Evelyn sucked in air, looking at me. “You worry way too much, Ez,” she said. “That’s probably why he has such an attitude all the time.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUCuUqqXth
I felt rage bubble up inside of me, but I knew there’d be no point in fighting with her. “He is always like that,” I said, trying not to let his voice get into my head. “Even before I came into his life.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW6LxLhTwf
Evelyn ignored me, and began looking at her hair. “What do you think you’d do if Mom and Dad found out, anyways?” she asked.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TTleqWJZB
Run away, I thought to myself, feeling shameful. Run away, and never look back. Forget the entire life I lived, because I’d never get it back. There were just so many ways they could find out, if it did happen I’d lose it. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡcowPTqgjnJ
“Tell them it was a joke,” I said. “Or just lie until they believed me.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkFG5dsm7Y
Evelyn had a sad smile on her face before she shook her head. “I wish our parents weren’t such homophobes. It would’ve been nice if they were just cool with your sexuality.” she said, looking at me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Svu7VrQV
I nodded, hating to know the truth. “Same here,” I muttered. “But some people aren’t about that stuff.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33jzSdZ8wn
“And it’s stupid as ⟴,” Evelyn said. I looked at her, knowing that it was my job to get onto her if she cussed, but the emotions didn’t form in me right now. She was right, it was stupid. Noticing my face, Evelyn put her head down. “Sorry. I know I shouldn’t cuss. It just makes me angry a lot of the time, and-”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7HyONLgaS
I put my hand up, cutting her off. “It’s fine,” I said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM27hwedY4
Evelyn nodded, then sat back on one of my pillows. “How is he, anyways?” she asked, looking at me seriously this time.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ918tA0GA9d
I shrugged, not even knowing the answer to it. I had been trying my best to stay away from him lately, but it never works out like how I want it to. He’s openly gay, while I can’t even get one foot out of the closet. Sometimes, we argue about things like that. Or, about how I go to EastLand, and he goes to Oakwood. But I really do like being around him. It makes me feel good inside, and not like I’m being judged around him, and making sure I can see his smile at least once a day. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1kGA9umpE
The warm feeling rose inside of me again, and I looked at Evelyn to try making it fade away. “Wanna call him?” I asked. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡfErhMJO0XM
Evelyn straightened her back then, nodding. “Yeah.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56NeAoegYo
Evelyn handed me my phone from my bedside table and handed it to me. I took the phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found his name. Delcan. Chills went down my spine when I read his name, but I pushed the feeling down and ignored it as I pressed FaceTime. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXqOD0Y7mn
In a matter of seconds, Delcan answered his phone. I took a deep breath and waited until my phone connected. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB2dTOWHPT
When it did, there was Delcan. His hair spiked up at the end, and his eyes squinting from the light outside. Still, I found him attractive. And I hated myself for it. He was wearing a grey shirt, and was sitting outside with his sister, Calliannah (but everyone calls her Callie). copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV0h9AFoRE
“Hey,” he said, making exact eye contact with me.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlBdafe8mB
“Hi,” I said. But instead of sounding as confident as I wanted to, my voice came out sounding weak, and I’m sure that if another word went out of my mouth, my voice would’ve cracked. Already, my palms began sweating. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8dym6miNc
Evelyn rolled her eyes and took my phone. “That’s sad,” she said, looking at me. Glaring at her, she turned back to the camera to look at Delcan, who was raising his eyebrows. “Hi, Delcan. What’s up?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmjdzccLTV
He shrugged. “Oh, nothing,” he said. I didn’t see his facial expression, instead I just got up and took some of the clothes off the floor and looked at Evelyn as she raised her eyebrows to me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡch7dyhNeGE
“Okay,” Evelyn said, leaning back on my bed. I wanted to yell at her to get out or something, but she would’ve just shook her head and then would go back to talking to Delcan. “So I have a question for you.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt0uHaJWi5
This time, I stood up, looking at Evelyn. “Yeah?” Delcan said. What was she going to say? I panicked in my mind. Would she tell him something really embarrassing about me? Like how I still have a stuffed animal in my room? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOeLmARJSF
Okay, that sounded weird. But in my defense, it’s my grandfather’s from when he was a child, and it makes me feel closer to him when I see it. I watched my sister closely as she smiled and then opened her “brilliant” mouth.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5W3ivk6J0
“Are you coming to the football game?” Evelyn questioned.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBuK5bVO7d
Relieved, I let all the air that was building up inside my legs out as I sat back down on my bed again just when Evelyn sat up. The second I sat down, Delcan moved his eyes (which were now brown. He was questioning me) and looked at me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF18qnIh6B
“If it makes you comfortable,” Delcan said, shrugging.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2HU5Zpp58
It took me a second to answer him. To be honest, I didn’t know if I had a problem with him going to the game or not. He was on the opposing team, number one. But I also never wanted to not allow him to go to something if he wants to. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQKUBQ6wFd
He could be a distraction, a voice in my mind said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzSLIi9rAf
But it’d be good to have him there. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yhJsnJRNP
“Yeah,” I said, ignoring everything telling me to stop. “You can come. Will your family tag along?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dGL8hBeOg
Instead of answering me, he looked over at Callie. She looked at her brother, and then shrugged. “Who are we even cheering on?” she asked, sounding pretty annoyed. “Our school, or your boyfriend?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc8zS4t5Gm
“Well, cheer for our school, and also cheer for Ezra secretly, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal if one of us lost, right?” Delcan asked. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyQlkzEt0e
Callie rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Delcan.” she muttered, turning her phone back on again and probably going on social media. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2N1Mfow6b
“I guess that she’s coming. And even if she doesn’t, I’m sure my mom can do her best to take us there,” Delcan said, looking away from his sister. I nodded, and looked over to my sister as she began leaning into me.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7o2SxktM8
“You wouldn’t mind if I asked him to sit next to us, would you?” she taunted, whispering. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeHBz2aeva
It took everything inside of me not to hit her. “I would, actually. Please don’t.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfdfg0vExC
Evelyn laughed, rolling her eyes. “Why don’t I have Delcan’s number?” she asked, turning her head back to the camera.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTJeVBLf5y
“Because you don’t need it,” both Delcan and I said at the same time. He glanced at me for a second, and the second I saw his beautiful green eyes, I knew that my blood was already rising to my cheeks. Delcan smiled, because he knew what effect he had on me. And gosh, it was strong. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQN6sm8DAE
“I’m just saying, you’re adorable when you blush,” Delcan said, winking to me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3U1ja2PPz
“Stop it,” I said laughing. But him and I both knew I wasn’t serious. I couldn’t help it, that made me feel good. It always does when Delcan flirts with me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEsaToMFES
Evelyn glanced between the two of us before she looked back at Delcan. “So are you sure you’ll make it to the game?” Evelyn questioned.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2J09bniPY
Delcan simply nodded. “Yup,” he said. “So...how’s that girlfriend of yours?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD2REm2HbR
I told Delcan about Haven probably the night after we first kissed. It might not have been the best time to have said something about it, but I told him. Even though he’s never met her before, I have a pretty clear thought that he hates Haven. “Don’t be like that,” I said, shaking my head at him. “She’s good, though. I was just over at her house.”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL4rkwmuqR
“Did you two kiss?” Evelyn asked, cutting in. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCwJMp8z4M
I shook my head. “No,” I said. But I did say that I loved her, which is much worse than kissing. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡshPbiYnFgd
“Good,” Delcan said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeQG5v27cd
Evelyn and I both smiled, but I looked at the window in my room instead of back to the camera. It was sometimes hard to be with two different people, especially because one of them has quite an attitude.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZdBcMOpxH
“Hang on,” Evelyn said, holding up her hand. “How did you two even meet if you went to different schools?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtPvdCUlcY
Delcan raised his eyebrows, looking at me. “Wanna answer that one?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EgWQyVeec
I was about to, seriously, this time I was. But then, the thought came into my mind again. It was at a pep rally against Oakwood for our volleyball team tournament. Since it was at Oakwood anyways, we just decided it would be best to allow them there too. So, I was sitting next to Haven and her friends when I could’ve killed myself because of how boring it was. Haven had almost sprained her ankle during practice, she wasn’t able to play in the game. I finally got bored of what she was talking about and went to the bathroom, trying to chill out. I didn’t even use the bathroom, I was just done with being around Haven the entire day. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSqiywNBEZ
Then, Delcan walked into the bathroom, cursing about something that happened. I was instantly awestruck by him. Delcan is one of those people who clearly look athletic, and you came basically tell from a glance that he has abs. It didn’t help that his eyes change color depending on his mood, one of the things that made me look at him even more. I was still trying to keep my eyes away when he introduced himself to me. I learned quickly that he was from Oakwood, and that he was athletic. We were talking for about three minutes before I just introduced myself as gay, which made him shocked and kind of cool at the same time because his response was: “Cool, I am too.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡODsE8Fh21t
I remembered when I tried to act like it was cool by nodding, but I had a feeling my cheeks were already beginning to grow red. He must’ve known I was the quarterback, because he asked me this next: “I’m guessing you aren’t out yet?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvTu5LyyQe
“What makes you think that?” I asked him, my voice coming out like I wanted it to be a challenge. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ188h5ZQ1d5
Delcan smiled when I said that, and I remembered my feet feeling weird as I looked at him. He asked me if I’d ever wanted to hang out, and I just responded with a quick nod before I began trying to think of ways that I could ask for his number. Instead, being the person he is, he simply asked to call his younger sister from my phone, but actually put his number in it. Smooth, a lot smoother than I would’ve been. And...it went on from there. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFXDXw9K8O
“Hello…?” Evelyn said, snapping her fingers so I would go back to reality. “Earth to Ezra.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXrdBzSSBU
I shook my head and closed my eyes for a few seconds, trying not to think of moments too hard. “Sorry, what were we talking about?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD3uU8tLaH
“When you and I met. What, were you thinking about it or something?” Delcan asked, smiling to me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnnO1klb5t
I shook my head, biting my lip so that I wouldn’t smile. “No,” I said. “I was about to have another great memory, but Miss Evelyn Taylore messed that up.” Evelyn raised her eyebrows when I said her middle name, but had no commentary. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPqq22ZVVB
“Anyways,” Delcan said, looking at my sister. “My aunt just got to our house. I gotta go.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡQheTM92fVc
Though I wanted him to stay longer, I knew there’d be no working through Delcan’s parents. Both of them are really formal about dinners, especially when other people are invited to them. One time, I had to wear one of my dad’s ties because of how formal I needed to be presented at their house. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMzkABFWML
“Dang it,” Evelyn said, pressing her nails on her hand. “I thought that I could at least get some answers from you. Ezra never talks about his love life.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLBQbETbzO
“Lower your voice, Evelyn,” I muttered between my teeth. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq51jRbl76
Evelyn looked at me before she rolled her eyes. I don’t care how much she finds out, Mom and Dad won’t be okay with any of it. Delcan, who clearly felt awkward, cleared his throat so that the two of us would look at him. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5S8ptJ5pv
“Well, I have to go,” he said. Callie looked at him before she stood up and left, probably going back to get dressed. “Bye guys. And, I’ll let you know what it’s like to be on the winning team at a football game.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPgrGs6zDF
I rolled my eyes to that. “Yeah right, Delcan. Bye,” I said, hanging up the phone. I could probably call him later, when everyone else in the house was asleep. You know what, it’d be better to text him than Dad suddenly hearing his voice in the middle of the night. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq5tsplDLs
Making herself comfortable, Evelyn sprawled out on my bed. “So...anything you wanna talk about?” she asked, clearly wanting to hear more about Delcan. But I wasn’t giving out that information.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjxCrX5a2v
“Nope,” I said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTlWl1prB3
Evelyn raised one of her eyebrows. “Why can’t I know anything?” she asked Her voice didn’t really seem annoyed, just like she wished I would share more about my life with her, which would never even happen. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZudtWDOzo
“Why would you even want to know, Evelyn?” I asked her. “I’ve told you enough as it is.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjHOW9M2jO
Evelyn nodded. “I know,” she said. “But I feel better when you’re open to me about things, and it makes me feel closer to my older brother who always hides who he is.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZITW4Vlwx
It wasn’t that I liked hiding who I was, it was just something I’ve grown into over the years. I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut about things when I didn’t need to talk, and for me never to even think about Delcan when I’m in public. Things have worked for most of my life, and I know how to hide things now. It’s just that-opening up to people about things is still really hard for me to do. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDwSRZPuOp
And things didn’t help that Dad always pressured me to be his perfect son, his perfect example for everyone else to follow. He told everyone in our neighborhood about me. Everyone. People knew who I was, and they knew the expectations that I was meant to follow. Keeping quiet about things just kind of came naturally after 6th grade, I guess. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5JATFJFI3
“Evelyn,” I said. “You know I try, but some things aren’t always that easy to just say. Plus, whatever you do need to know, you’ll find out when I have to tell you. Not now.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡug2d9Zh5kO
Upset, Evelyn sighed. But I knew she understood. My parents had always been this way, even when they were married. “Okay,” she said, beginning to stand up from my bed, her light brown hair falling over her shoulders as she did. “Well, talk to me if you ever need to.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJs8Bj8rOW
I nodded, and then waited for her to leave my room before I laid back down on my bed. Sometimes, I really did wish people knew about who I really was. Most of the time, I hardly even know if I like it, or if I’m ashamed of it all. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH1zhVe1BW
Oddly, Delcan was in my mind again. It was his laugh, the one I always loved hearing. With almost everything, Delcan seemed so confident and proud at what he was doing, it was kind of hard not to smile when he talked about his life. I’d always found it weird that I was drawn to him the way I am, but hey, my heart wants what it wants. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46c7jm6Brq
Just as my mind was about to shift away from Delcan and all the extra-credit homework I needed to do, my phone went off, having the ringtone that I’d set for my mom. I picked up my phone and looked at the message. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3aRcLbldZ
Mom: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3HjCYfR0Q
Come see me in my room. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4X0bgnhSO
Seeing the words just made me freak out. I didn’t know why, but it all just seemed like a lot. I never get in trouble, ever. So whatever this was about, I needed to think of something I could cover myself for. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiSSa4ElqR
But there was nothing that popped into my head. My body already felt hopeless, so I just responded with okay, and then walked down the hallway to my parents room. Emmanuel was sitting outside the hallway, playing with some of the toys that Mom had let him keep. I sighed, because I knew how annoyed my dad would’ve been with all of this. Unlike Eric, Evelyn, and I, Emmanuel hasn’t even started on his sports career yet, and Dad gets even more pissed off by the day that he’s still playing with toys. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIU32x1ho2
Emmanuel must’ve heard me, because he looked up and smiled. “Hi, Ez.” I made my way over to him and began picking up some of the toys. Emmanuel’s eyes got wide as he snatched back one of the toys from my hand. “What are you doing?!”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c65dimAAf
“Picking these up,” I said. My voice sounded more tired than I’d wanted it to, but I could care less. “You can only play with these in your room, E. I told you that already.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡpixhbImQ4M
Emmanuel watched me as I put most of what he was playing with in his room, pressing his lips together as I moved back and forth. When there was one toy left, a car, I handed it to him. “Here.”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeZZGjv2OV
“What do you want me to do with it?” Emmanuel asked, looking at the toy like it was something Eric had cooked.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpuCsxauOy
I shrugged. “Play with it,” I said. “Just make sure Dad doesn’t see you.” I was about to walk off and leave when Emmanuel rushed up behind me and wrapped me in another hug. This time, I let him do it. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXLD3YVpzv
“Yes?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6V7I8Uwxr
“Why are you going in Mom and Dad’s room?” he asked, still holding onto me tightly. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYOcg0UDQY
I turned back around and bended down to his height so that it’d be easier for him to make eye contact with me. “I don’t really know.”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTX7n2SWBJ
“Did you do something?” Emmanuel asked, raising his eyebrows. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyoVbRslmg
Again, I shrugged. “Maybe,” I said. “But it doesn’t matter, okay? Go play in your room for a little bit.” Emmanuel nodded before he pulled me into a hug again, his hands clutching onto me tightly. I wished we could get some medicine or something to make sure he won’t be so clingy all the time, but Dad believed he would grow out of it or something. But all of us knew that he wouldn’t. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTdGxhEsGe
“Bye, Ez.” he said. I didn’t respond to him and waited for his arms to release around me. When they did, he ran into his room, shutting the door softly behind him. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmcNztNu6D
Now that he was out of the way, I took a deep breath before I kept on walking down the hallway. It felt like I was in a horror movie while I was walking down that hallway, checking every corner like someone would step out and murder me at any given second. But our house had high security, and I knew something like that would never really happen. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwcRrnJTJ6
Still, I felt my stomach do a backflip when I opened up the door to my parents room and walked in. Mom was sitting on her bed, flipping through something on the new iPad she’d boughten last week, and Dad was sitting on the other side of the bed, going through some of the fancy ties he owned. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE0okxFZZm
“Hi, mom,” I said. “You needed me for something?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavXauDu0Gj
My mom looked up and smiled at me. Unlike her first three children, my mom has dirty-blonde hair and blue eyes. Though Eric and Evelyn have the same eye color as her, Emmanuel was the only one to receive her hair color. But all of us got the innocent look from her, which I’ll be honest, helps me a lot. “Hi baby,” she said. When she said ‘baby’ to me, that gave me the hint she didn’t know anything. Maybe I was in the clear. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYIqLhTyL0
“Hey,” I said. I gave her a friendly smile and then sat down next to her on her side of the bed. “What’s up?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡcexo6YMQSw
Mom set down her iPad as she looked at me. “I didn’t even mean to text you to come in here, but I guess this is better, anyways. I really just wanted to know if you’ve been practicing for the game or not.” she said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2aWrvt6ut
I wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, because this meant I wasn’t actually in trouble for anything. But instead, I just smiled to her. “Of course I have, Mom,” I said. My mom wasn’t too hard to please compared to my dad, so I knew just talking to her kindly about things would get the conversation over with quickly. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIrb8dt2Le
My mom nodded. “That’s good,” she said. She rubbed her temple softly before she looked back at me. “Could I have a hug, sweetheart.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YtAnzz9qs
I nodded and then wrapped my arms around her. She must have a headache or something, because she seems tired and restless compared to how she usually is at this time period. When I let go of her, I began messing with my hands-but on one side of me so that Dad wouldn’t see it. “Are you feeling sick?” I asked her.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmvQjWlN3Q
My mom shrugged. “A little bit,” she said. “But nothing I can’t get over in a few days, Ezra.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwyJIHWbKI
“Okay,” I said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNGTo4tYdT
It would’ve been the time for me to leave at that moment, but I knew that leaving when I wasn’t supposed to was one of the main violations to my father. I stayed in place and waited for either my mom to say something, or for my dad to begin asking me about sports. Lucky for me, Mom cleared her throat before she calmly asked me; “Do you want me to make you a plate for dinner?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTgVJAR5oV
“Yeah,” I said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFrup9bllW
“Didn’t you eat at your girlfriend’s house?” Dad asked me, raising his eyebrows. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LKLF9P973
I looked at him and made sure the words I said were perfectly planned out. “I did,” I said, dragging the word a little bit. “But...seafood isn’t one of my favorite things in the world, so I try my best not to eat as much of it.”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAqRH8ZBEx
“You wasted their food, Ezra?” Mom asked me, giving the same expression that Dad did when I lied about already eating. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xWktGUkMj
I shook my head. “No!” I said. “I did eat it, but I could use something that actually tastes good for a change.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIYHcnRoJd
This time, both of them were silent, but I could feel my Dad’s glare on me. His eyes were staring at me cold and hard, I just knew it. But looking at him would make the glare even worse, so I kept my eyes on my mom, who was nodding slowly. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNY5zEeoNl
“Okay then, baby,” she said, patting my thigh. “I’ll make sure to cook a bit more.”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sq1ZO4SKF
I nodded, still waiting for my signal to go. When Dad gestured towards the doorway, I said goodbye to both of them and then walked out of the room, steadying my heartbeat. It was harder than ever to be in the same room with the two of them. Mom wanted all of her boys to stay “her babies”, while Dad though all of us should’ve grown by the time we were 9. Like always, there’s no winning with my parents. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQToam55HR
Evelyn was back in her room, doing her homework-so I actually had some space to myself for today. Sitting down on my bed, I had a few seconds to myself before my phone went off. I recognized the ring and smirked. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXznFMKwau
If you asked me why I set Delcan’s ringtone to what it was, I probably still wouldn’t be able to tell you. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡJviIARmOga
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI036bpcg6
Hey, I just wanted to ask you if you were actually ok with me going to the game. I wouldn’t want to distract you.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E3D2IqMfA
Btw, your sister is adorable. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ6zHHr4vH
I shook my head, smiling. Everyone usually thinks my sister is this adorable teenager who knows nothing other than being a good daughter, but I’ve seen her other side. And believe me when I say this, it isn’t cute. Yeah, she smiles and hugs me in public all the time, but she’s only like that when people are watching. I still have a burn on my chest from a burn she gave me when the two of us were eight. All I did was joke around and steal one of her baby dolls, and she lashed out on me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGpfJwq9JH
Me: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNljro2Rah
I’m fine with you coming to the game, but you’re wrong about my sister. She’s a monster. I have all the scars to prove it. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡsshz2Ygt2M
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhsBwc7WlR
Show me then. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAEZU6nWYy
Just as I began pulling my shirt over my head, I thought about what would’ve happened if Mom or Dad walked in. How would I even explain that to them? Or worse, Emmanuel could come in here. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq0vZ3ugwx
I got off my bed quickly and shut the door, locking it behind me. You never know with siblings in the house. I took a picture of the burn on my chest and then took a picture of the bruise I got from just a few weeks ago. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HOuikGqg1
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUCWUx3hu1
Dang, I didn’t know she could hit. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIsResUIIq
Me: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK84fqoVRF
Yup…copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9AA6u79LC
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡbClDtz5niO
I always wondered if that burn was a birthmark or something…copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyzVCOm1Ke
Me: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHnhitMqDy
I’m deleting that! copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OanrDXx0f
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOOVJrJ6tt
Okay, okay, I’ll stop. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡkabIsuceUP
Anyways, after the game, can we talk about something?copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWDWk5zhDA
Me:copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0olV8NFeg
Is it something bad?copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zqlhTPu7J
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUGXQ03qiH
Depends...can you make it over to my house after football?copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PHpbDxYiM
I don’t care how desperate or sound this sounds, or whatever, I was willingly saying yes. There was no pauses while I texted him back. I would always ditch anything for Delcan, and I still didn’t know why. It was just something about him that always made me feel good about myself. And whatever I can get of that needs to be as much as possible. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡesmFNEyD8F
Me: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrz3pq4sRm
Yeah. I’ll tell my parents I’m spending the night at my friends house or with Haven. They’ll believe me, promise. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡaScRhnuPlN
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAgYf4COHK
Do your parents even look through your phone? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4c37Bub4m
Me: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeeJ5w7Alt
Not unless I’ve been acting really strange. Why?copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX4FVjJx8r
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBvuFD5aOa
Well if they do, I suggest that you delete half of this entire conversation, because they’ll know where you are. Is my address in your phone? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmoK6uhe5C
If Delcan’s address was in my phone, I should probably delete it by now. I know all of the easiest roads to get to his house, so having it on Google Maps would just be pointless now. I deleted it off my phone before I responded to him, lying anyways. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtAL9w5S4d
Me:copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmPPRvtWFh
I can’t remember, Delcan. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bEvWLZdZ4
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHyrtHXzA1
Of course you can’t. Buy you make up for it because of how cute you are. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUoCKf7dcN
Me: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjYaOVVO9V
Have you been looking at my Instagram? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZDrq69oFK
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsFO4p3cDf
I basically have Instagram for that reason, Ezra. And don’t be weirded out by it, it’s a couple thing. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9zYjoTfc3
Trust me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡb62OytUHRA
Me: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh2757x9jb
Whatever. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjkYhDmbTz
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4FhSdKNVC
Don’t play hard to get when you’ve already been stolen. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡonTqvZy28S
My parents told me to put up the phone and talk to my aunt. Gotta go. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡeybywtcTE5
Me: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT99a2nVQi
Oh, okay. See you later? copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeGqFcqdey
Delcan: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s7h1DKdxp
As always, Ez. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1itatvyol
I knew that my cheeks were red, so I put my phone away. He’d sent that kissing face emoji, and I smiled before I sent one back, deleting the message right after that. About three minutes after I’d finally began watching Netflix, my phone went off for the third time. I growled like an animal and grabbed my phone, putting it next to me on my bed. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVAxmfJMsY
All of the messages were from Haven, and every single one of them made me pretty annoyed by her at the moment. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyrtQt6BGE
Haven Bronx: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00FjtQNZob
Hey! copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf7VNuawhD
I know you’re busy, but I need to ask you something…copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDcX62qdD7
Do you remember your ex-girlfriend from 7th to 9th grade? If u do, talk to me tomorrow before the game starts. Love you! Oh, and Angelica said hi. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE7xYAoLzM
It may sound rude, but I could care less about Angelica and her “kindness”. Instead, I was more confused about her second message. First off, what could Haven possibly want to talk to me about now? And second, what was Evvie doing back in town so early. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU15QOA0lR
Evvie and I haven’t talked since she left with her dad, but I’m pretty sure I still had her number. I scrolled through my contacts until I found my “ex-girlfriend”’s name. Evvie Hamill. Her number was still there and everything, and all I had to do was text her. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡERvQPCTfPw
Me: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHbtf94DVD
Hey, Evvie, it’s Ezra Gatley. I know we haven’t talked in a while but I just wanted to say hi. Well, that’s halfy true. Truth is, one of my friends told me that you were back in town (which is super cool, by the way), and I just wanted to ask you if the two of you talked about anything. The same amount of people still know, including someone else, but I won’t get into that. Anyways, if you wanna meet up somewhere, I’d be fine with that too. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTyrYogzpC
Missed you, Eve. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3tWTiyMyn
Alright, the message might’ve been a little long, but it was enough information for her to roll with. Plus, I think it was enough considering we haven’t talked in two years. A few seconds later, she replied. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU5uokEsXA
Evvie Hamill: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mtEOs241s
Hi, Ezra! And yup, I’m back in town. Trust me, nobody knows about your secret right now other than who you told. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrvaootWb1
But who is the other person??copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuWpZkJDNG
Me:copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT3HxR9AWa
I don’t want to text about this…copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CBxN0WgW7
Call?421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVby5FczGS
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDtjubruM6
copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡigCeGBzpfm
Evvie Hamill: copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tfaaN2joY
Yeah, sure. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqB5Yo5VF2
When my phone fully showed the contact picture I’d given her, I had completely forgotten about it. It was Evvie and I in her backyard. I was holding her on my back while she had her arms wrapped around my neck. Both of us were laughing, and I think that the two of us were swimming or something-because I was in my swim trunks and she was in a bikini. Evvie’s dark brown hair was in a high ponytail, and her eyes were filled with excitement. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XjFcZhLpx
I had a feeling her dad knew we were never actually dating. He probably just went with it because that’s what made sense, and he wasn’t bothered by the two of us being such close friends. I actually realized now how much I missed the two of us being friends, because the two of us were always there for each other. But after the falling out of her parents, we tried our best to stay in contact, but Haven hates that I was talking to my “ex” and so the two of us basically drifted away. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v0oGbbIuz
Quickly, I picked up the phone. “Hey.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY0i4ZGaUm
“Ezra, hi!” Evvie exclaimed. I missed that excitement in her voice. “How have you been?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXjwDwvUiU
I shrugged, unlocking my door so that Mom or Dad wouldn’t be suspicious about me having my door locked. “Good,” I said. “You?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QZtSYhWR2
“I’m great,” Evvie said, still sounding pretty happy. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqqsO6EZO8
There was silence on the phone. Honestly, though, what do you say to your ex-best friend that you haven’t even talked to since the first day of last summer. I had no clue what to even say, which I guess would be my excuse when Evvie suddenly asked; “Who was the other person you told?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv7ANcztmt
“Told what?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzra55GB0Y
Evvie laughed. “Don’t be like that,” she said. “In the text you sent, your exact words-and I quote-were ‘The same amount of people still know, including someone else.’ Who?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsoWVd2zcQ
Crap. I should really check what I’ve texted before I decide to send it. “Right,” I said, already knowing how awkward my voice probably sounded. “No one.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMlPm92VDo
“No one?” Evvie laughed. “Are you sure?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡptYRD3WkFW
I nodded. “Yup.”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsXN12teC9
Evvie was silent for a few seconds before she sighed. “Can I at least get a gender…?” she begged. I wondered why, but it felt like she was smiling or something.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡiapH6kU9T7
“Then it’ll give away the person,” I whined, sounding just like Emmanuel did when he was forced to eat something nasty.421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vMAOhLgMy
Evvie laughed. “A guy then, right?” When I didn’t answer her, she laughed again. “It’s about time you found someone, Ezra Gatley.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CTlrfvub8
I rolled my eyes, but already knew that I was blushing like crazy. “How do you even know it’s a guy I’m dating? It could be Travis, or Adam...or-”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBBRsfVpzA
“Ezra,” Evvie interrupted. “By the way your voice sounds, I have a feeling it’s someone you have a crush on if not dating them. One of the two, tell me about him.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRLLzS5t1Z
I shook my head, already feeling wrong. “I’m not having girl talk with you, Eve.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Bun3JSxV
“Already sounds like it, Ez.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qwChYRdnr
The saddest thing was, she’s right. I was hardly even acting like a teenage boy at the moment, anyways. Not l really was a normal one, anyways. “Yeah, okay,” I muttered. “His-” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJiyvRrBls
“It’s okay, Ez,” Evvie said, her voice sounding supportive. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVtdpRg9JO
No, I wanted to. It felt better when I got things off my chest, especially with people that I seriously trust. “His name is Delcan.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KfBnxAfKY
“Oh, sounds like someone who’s hot.” Evvie responded. I raised my eyebrows and she must’ve caught herself. “Sorry, that was probably way too much. Last name?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPpmihkAec
“Delcan Heslop.” I said. Yeah, you don’t have to tell me, it’s a weird last name. I have no idea why it’s that last name, especially because he’s Cuban, but oh well, I’m going with it. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyIZ7dQyOc
Evvie was hesitant for a second before she said; “Delcan Helsop?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p8uCylTH5
I nodded, not understanding why she as acting so weird about all of this. “Yeah,” I said. “What is it?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQFzDHC6Vf
“Nothing,” Evvie responded. “How about something else? How has school-”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡINQXodvZtg
“Where are you right now?” I asked her.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9OF8VSZtH
Evvie was silent before she cleared her throat. “At my mom’s house,” Evvie said. “Why?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu7jYJRkDz
I stood up and pulled my shirt back over my head, putting the phone on speaker so it wouldn’t be so hard. “I wanted to see you,” I said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡplmgjLuPKX
“Oh,” Evvie said. It was hard to tell if her voice was shocked or not, but she then laughed. “Sure.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H6UmePfdj
I was putting on my shoes when I began messing my hair up a little bit. “Okay,” I said. “I’ll be there in a few seconds.” Knowing exactly where Evvie’s house was, so I wasn’t worried at all about trying to find her mom’s house. Okay, that sounded creepy. But I didn’t mean it in that way. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpN3JLNA5r
“Got it,” Evvie sighed. “Bye, Ezra.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡavMxL6ifW3
“Peace.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1KjV7xLnL
She hung up the phone so I wouldn’t have to and let me fix my shirt before I left my room. I knew that the keys to my parent’s cars were in their room, so I just went to Eric’s room so I could take his keys. Turns out, he was making out with a girl. Don’t know when, or how she got there, but she was making out with my brother. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jbRnUDbuJ
I cleared my throat and waited for the both of them to look up at me. The second I saw her blonde hair, I realized it was Janice Hart. She was in my fifth period class, and was also a year younger than Eric was. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFepc0wvfs
Eric raised his eyebrows. “What do you want?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2L3DAlpQ7
“A ride,” I said, making sure to keep my eyes off of Janice, who I’m pretty sure had a hickey on her neck. “I won’t tell Mom and Dad that you and Janice are making out. Deal?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡysuiLqqjbN
Eric laughed without any humor in his voice. “⟴ no. Get out.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g7f8vaLGF
I nodded. “Okay, fine. Can I take your car then?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡujkJIwJe2Z
“Why are you even asking me, dude?” Eric asked, sitting up. Janice moved away from him, but she was looking at me now. “Just be home by ten, okay?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdWnzfEUPS
“Got it, Dad.” I said, grabbing the car keys he had on his dresser. I closed the door behind me just before I could hear what Janice was trying to say to me. Going down the stairs quickly, I found where Eric’s car was in the garage. Once I’d gotten in, I turned on the car and began driving over to Evvie’s house. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡHArbTdBkwN
⟴⬉⥦⥦⥦⬈⟴copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B3fRcK1Xq
When I pulled into the Hamill driveway, I got out of the car and went up the front steps. The second I rang the doorbell, Evvie’s mom was at the door. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsJ0bsxUHA
Ms. Hamill acted like she seemed to forget all about me. One of her dark brown eyebrows were raised as she put her hand on her hip. “Hello?”421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sJL2msEto
“Ezra Gatley,” I said, smiling to her. “I’m here to see Evvie if that’s alright.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡToalz3ybn5
She slowly nodded, eyeing me up and down. I sighed and wiped my sweating hands on my jeans, feeling the cold stare Ms. Hamill was giving me. “Okay..alright,” she said, as if she was deciding or not that it would be a good idea to say yes or no. “EVVIE!” she yelled. I had to turn away from her because of how much it hurt my ears, but she really didn’t seem to care. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvG2Kxfvzc
A few seconds later, Evvie came downstairs. Her hair color was the same as it was in 9th grade-dark brown and wavy-but it was longer. He smiled to me and it was clear she had lost some weight. She was wearing skinny jeans and a black tank top with a multicolor shaw. Dang, she’d changed a lot. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfFGgQ8OKP
“Ezra!” she cried, now wrapping me in a hug. I returned the hug and breathed in her scent, which was like a weirdly enjoyable smell of cinnamon and vanilla. I really did miss the two of us being best friends. When she pulled away from the hug, she smiled again. “How do you even continue growing?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEdyZNCyZ0
I smiled. “Don’t know,” I said. Last year, I was 5’11, and I guess the summer just bumped up my height a lot. “How is Alaska?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYwj1hRgMr
She shrugged, rolling her eyes. “It’s Alaska. But...I missed my best friend and ‘ex-boyfriend.’” she said, winking to me. I laughed, even though there was this really weird feeling that Ms. Hamill was still eyeing me. Evvie looked back at her mom before she grabbed my hand and took me up the stairs, closing the door behind her. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIG8oXYxLJ
Nothing about Evvie’s room had changed. She still had sky blue walls, and pictures of her family members. There was even still pictures of her dad around her room, which I guess is one of the reasons why her mom might never come in here. There were also some pictures from the school danes we used to have in junior high, plus a few pretty weird ones that most of us must’ve taken just for the heck of it. Even some pictures of Mexico and the flag. Yeah, Evvie loves her photography. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmanAJnomVn
Evvie fell on her bed and looked up at the ceiling. “I’m so happy that my mom kept my room.” she said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzmTSnaKEX
I laughed and sat down on her bed next to her, remembering all the times we used to just lay on this bed and talk. Mainly, it was all about my issues. But sometimes, there’d be something else that Evvie would be going through. The last time we were in this room together is when she was moving, and she’d asked if I wanted to keep in contact. Of course, I said yes. But we all know how that ended out. She looked over to me and I smiled to her.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7GSf4PeCB
“So...about Delcan Heslop,” she said, raising her eyebrows. I already could feel myself blushing. “Does he go to school with you?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYLlzvIYRE
I shook my head. “He actually goes to Oakwood.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmedI766iRK
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJrFM4f8t6
Evvie sat up and looked at me. “Hang on...you’re dating someone from our opposing school? Oh my gosh, Ezra!” she said, covering her mouth like I’d said something evil. One thing you’d have to know about teenagers and high schools, there will usually be two of them, and most of the time, those two high schools are always in competition. EastLand against Oakwood, hat’s always as it has been. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3RVV60LlC
“What?” I asked. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiB8DbDmau
Evvie raised her eyebrows. “This has to be a prank, right? You’re still on the football team I’m guessing, so is Delcan?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wIfeQmk8d
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrjcOSstMh
I shook my head. “He’s a boxer,” I said. “And I promise, we already talked about all of that. He hates the guys on the Oakwood football team, anyways.” And I’m not blaming Delcan for it at all. The football guys at Oakwood really aren't the best, and I’m not saying that from how they play, I actually mean their personalities too. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ogWkc3lXo
“Whatever. Have you two kissed?” Evvie asked, sounding eager. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkGAskM6HW
I raised my eyebrows. “You're fangirling,” I said. “Please stop.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJskYHbk1k
“Sorry,” she said, shaking her head. “But I was just asking you a simple question. And I will make sure my tone isn’t like that, okay?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6IP2316pY
This is also one of the reasons why I don’t want to come out. Girls are just weird around a guy-guy couple. I feel like the person I’m dating for sure wouldn’t mind opening his mouth and saying something about it, too. “Yes, we’ve kissed before,” I said. It would’ve been rude to not answer her question, anyways. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡuniaYLvKSc
“Is he good at kissing?” she asked me. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuW9OUQ0fS
I rolled my eyes, feeling really uncomfortable. “Enough, okay? Why are you suddenly so interested in who I’m dating?” I didn’t mean for my voice to sound so cold, but it came out that way. And on top of that, I couldn’t even call Delcan my boyfriend. It just felt weird. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNZ3C16E8w
She paused for a second, her face expressionless. “I just wanted to know about him. And in case you wanted to know, I’m not seeing anyone. And if I was, I’m positive you would’ve done the same thing.” she said. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCTVNSGiCz
I sighed, because she really did have a point. “So are you coming to the game tomorrow?” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj3rsSmiSB
Evvie shrugged. “I didn’t even know there was one,” she said. “But...is Delcan coming to the game?” she asked, teasing me by hitting my arm. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡacp9g2bmGk
I rolled my eyes and laughed, hitting her back. “He is,” I said. “But he’s going for his school, not ours.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjWMeJEV2h
Evvie pouted her lips. “What a waste,” she said. I looked at her again before she laughed. “Kidding, kidding.”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxAyZ2rmlj
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTJ5FMr8qU
I smiled to her before I checked the time. It was almost dinner, I’d be fine for another thirty minutes. “Do you know him from something?” I asked her. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwwnGMqR96
“Why?” Evvie asked curiously. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2p8PDRuzU
“Because,” I said. “You sounded like you knew him on the phone or something.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3slCro3NJ
Evvie blinked before she nodded slowly. “Yeah,” she said. How does she even know him? “Well, I don’t know him, but I do know his sister. Is her name Calliannah?”copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLgT9WGzOQ
421Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlEX1r2gzw
Delcan told me that if I even called Callie by her actual name, he wouldn’t stop Callie from kicking me in the nuts. Which, I only accepted because I needed to respect the rules their family had, including Callie’s. Because getting Callie to like me meant more of an impact for Delcan’s relationship with me. Okay, I need to stop. Focus on real life, Ezra. Focus on real life.copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0T58II0dh
“Yeah,” I said, not even trying to go into mentioning that she doesn’t like being called that. copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZlmlYOJ1B
Evvie bit her lip. “Yup, I know him,” she said. “I’ve seen him in the police station jail before.” copyright protection417ＰＥＮＡＮＡtonJiwFZ5t
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