It was almost five when I heard a knock on my door. My head was banging from all of the cryings, and throwing a pillow around my room. I buried my head in the pillow, thinking it was probably one of my siblings. “Leave me alone,” I called out. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡixX1AlyJrK
The door opened anyway, and I thought it was my sister, guessing that she was the only one in the house who knew how to unlock locks (bobby pins. She uses them to her advantage). But the person standing at the door said nothing, and I felt myself get angry. “I said, leave me-”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4uFRNVKTX
When I turned around, Delcan was standing there. I paused for a moment, trying to decide if I was confused about him being here or if I was still mad. I sat up on my bed and hoped that it wasn’t obvious that I had been crying. My head was still hurting, but he was simply acting like it was normal for him to walk into my room. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIzkDG32xg
“What are you doing here?” I asked. Delcan shrugged.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuYEL0feYl
“You kinda left in the middle of class,” he said. “And for that reason, I was told to bring you your homework.” copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCizSEgYB5
He handed me a textbook with paper sticking out of it. I sighed and then put it down on my desk, where I’d try cramming it into the three hours before bed. While I was trying to grab a pencil to set down next to the work, Delcan said something. “Where are your parents?”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lTQ7mZDmH
“They’re working,” I said. It was Monday, meaning they’d probably be home until midnight since Dad wanted to always talk to Mom about the week over an expensive dinner. I don’t know why they just always do that on Mondays. “How did you unlock my door?”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3Z8pzCHbz
When I turned back around, Delcan shrugged, looking at the desk. “It wasn’t exactly locked in the first place.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡkULMT78Z03
“But-” I hesitated. “Okay. What exactly are you doing here?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rBRFgZC8h
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Delcan made eye contact with me, and I felt myself blush. “Homework,” he mentioned again. “Like I already told you. I thought that you would have no problem finishing your work, but I kinda need help on mine.” copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfbdetXD4S
I looked at him. “You what me to tutor you?”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2iuTrr8PP
He rolled his eyes. “No,” he said. “I want you to tell me the wrong answers so I fail high school.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0XEw6hBZa
“You’re failing?”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VIDbVHPn8
“Not everyone is smart,” he said.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2kfoJkfWW
I didn’t really consider myself smart. As my sister would say, I decided to date Delcan, for one. Two, I lied to my ex-girlfriend. Three, I lied to my entire family. Four, I lie constantly. And five, I may be school smart, but I will never understand friendship or love. “Name the classes you’re failing.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwCH4zLH0g
“All but two,” he said, smiling. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVHRrC8Qvh
I wouldn’t have been able to walk the next day. But Delcan didn’t live my life, and he had no clue what I went through. His parents probably understand his situations. “Okay,” I said, making sure I sounded reasonable. “Let’s see what work you have.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2jG68dPEM
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For the next two hours, surprisingly interrupted, I helped Delcan through as much work as I could. We worked on math problems and history prompts for him, but he still only understood half of what I was saying. Delcan tried changing the subject by talking about the song playing on my TV, but I kept him focused.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPql86LMwl
While I was sitting at the desk, looking through the work, Delcan leaned onto my bed. “Thanks,” he said.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjHZ7XYVQM
I stopped. “For what?” copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxpiUXvMHH
Delcan shrugged. I hated how he could do anything, and still look beautiful. It seemed almost impossible. “The work,” he said. “To be honest, I’m beginning to realize how what I did in the past affects me still.” copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMblO4KisF
I stopped doing my work and looked at him. “You’re not a bad person,” I told him. If we were going, to be honest, the least I could do was remind him that. Delcan rolled his eyes, but there was a smile on his face.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi6mb0s39T
“You sound like my parents.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAZpc6etJx
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“Then your parents must be smart,” I said back to him. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLyKiS5b6u
Delcan paused. “They are,” he said. “And responsible. Sometimes I just try to understand how someone like me could be their son.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvmjnCHQAf
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“Maybe you’re not,” I joked. He looked over to me, and I forced a friendly smile. “I’m joking.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTvgIZSty9
Both of us were silent for a few seconds, and I began to wonder if I had screwed something up. Other than the obvious, I wasn’t making the smartest decisions right now. Haven would probably tell one of her best friends - or worse, her parents and my life wouldn’t be the same. I was suddenly okay with that. Maybe it was like those 5 stages of grief, and I’ve just come to acceptance. There’s nothing I can do to fix Haven, and I don’t need to be responsible for her anymore.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXARWzMATx
But there is Delcan. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc9D5ApfU4
“Speaking of families,” Delcan said. “I should probably leave you.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0oYwvN1MT
I didn’t want him to leave. Without saying anything, I took his hand as he turned back around to look at me. He hadn’t exactly stood up yet, but he was on the verge of it. I still held onto my hand, and I felt the hairs on my neck stand up. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnlKFyEweO
Is this seriously the smartest thing you could do? My brain asked me. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx0cO1JjiD
I ignored it. “What is it?” Delcan asked me. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwY9nxizGS
Without another word, I pulled him into me and kissed him on his lips. He smiled for a split second before kissing me back. Not resisting any of the kissing, Delcan opened his mouth as he ran his hands through my hair, and then gently pushed me down onto the bed. I had to bite back my smile as Delcan kissed me again. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CBwGwo1Nv
All the pressure and the crazy moments were gone now, and I felt better. Touching Delcan, kissing him, that made all the pressure go away. I could easily lose myself when I was with him. Everything was better if it was just us. This was a type of language I’ve been learning, and loving, over the time of our relationship. Delcan took his hand up my shirt, and then I began to laugh. Delcan pulled away from me, but he was still close.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVfnRJDy2L
“What is it?”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjobd24nDbJ
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I’m making out with you in a house with a homophobic dad. This is hilarious. On top of that, he hates you. I shook my head, still smiling. “Nothing,” I said. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYfoZ7QMbc
“Doesn’t seem like nothing.” Delcan’s hand was still on my chest, but it was clear that the mood had changed. I guess that was my fault. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQRT2O0sFa
I smiled again. “I’m such a bad⟴,” I admitted to him.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy0WdOsyRS
Delcan tilted his head to the side. “I’m sorry, you’re the bad⟴ in this...complicated relationship?”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzbiWfEf0a
Well, when you put it like that. “My dad would be pissed,” I said. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZcF5zDRsz
Delcan rolled his eyes. “He’ll cry himself a river and get over it.” He still hadn’t moved. “Plus, it’s not like you’ll be telling him any time soon.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VmGgTqicn
I ignored that. “What were you and Evvie talking about?”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTWEHGsXr1
Delcan moved his body off of me, and I sat up, watching him as he began looking down at his phone. I couldn’t see his eyes, but he had found a way to look occupied. “I don’t know what you mean.” copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWC7OFr4D3
“Spanish,” I said. “I didn’t understand any of it, but it just sounded weird.”232Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm6GcEpCIH
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He looked up from his phone now, his eyes brown. “That's what happens when you don't know another language, Ezra." copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK7n7p4uA5
Rude. “Delcan-” I started to talk, but then my phone ringing filled the silence in the room. It was Evvie. Without trying to push it away, a spark of anger flashes when I realized we would never talk about this again. Before the phone almost dropped the call, I answered it, wishing my thumb would stop shaking.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqC1wZhdlO
When my attention was now on the screen (that was taking its precious time to connect), Delcan had moved closer to me, and everything on the inside felt better. His head went right onto my shoulder, and before I could do anything, the phone connected. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UEYxeMy7c
“What do you want?” I asked Evvie. She noticed Delcan instantly as he smiled. Evvie rolled her eyes. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcogPkLjI7
Evvie looked behind her, and I realized the setting was different. “I’m at Haven’s house,” she whispered. I paused for a moment before my eyes looked over to Delcan. He was trying to hide it, but I could see the surprise in his eyes. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡQma6WsMU7S
“Good joke,” I said. “The truth would be helpful.” copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAtfY4lU9l
Delcan smiled again. When his head leaned into my ear, I jammed my fingernails into my hand to keep from showing any reaction. “Look,” he whispered seductively. “I’m having an effect on you.” copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡfw6G7FAfyk
I blushed. copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEYsgHOZAP
Evvie ignored it completely. “Haven invited me over saying that she wanted to talk about today,” she said. “I have no idea what part of, though. By the way, after you left, Delcan got mad.” I raised my eyebrows.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡct4OH007cK
What did he do now? copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYCb13h7YP
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