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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4UTPLctcO
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡt194phxFfL
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u3ItkRCMf
“What are you doing here?” I asked. Delcan shrugged.copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jj1c8MpCZ
“You kinda left in the middle of class,” he said. “And for that reason, I was told to bring you your homework.” copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡd50n9pEH5T
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9owSRRKtD
“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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAXiB9qoz2
When I turned back around, Delcan shrugged, looking at the desk. “It wasn’t exactly locked in the first place.”copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM8o9iNOZT
“But-” I hesitated. “Okay. What exactly are you doing here?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ylXZgwgvy
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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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD2rWEBm3a
I looked at him. “You what me to tutor you?”copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡprWyP6QDVP
He rolled his eyes. “No,” he said. “I want you to tell me the wrong answers so I fail high school.”copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDiyKitI88
“You’re failing?”copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDMd4IRF5U
“Not everyone is smart,” he said.copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvmM3bTTOO
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlr2UcknUt
“All but two,” he said, smiling. copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡw56iib09Q5
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.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGcNRaKMyV
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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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡahMCkGOF4I
While I was sitting at the desk, looking through the work, Delcan leaned onto my bed. “Thanks,” he said.copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ANfT5qTfh
I stopped. “For what?” copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkXzKqdmMK
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX2Azmhn1m
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aXUpQ0QJf
“You sound like my parents.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vUlsUCZa8
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“Then your parents must be smart,” I said back to him. copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvgi6PFndG
Delcan paused. “They are,” he said. “And responsible. Sometimes I just try to understand how someone like me could be their son.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKPJyHUitt
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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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfY3lgoSL5
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1BsjHiY5v
But there is Delcan. copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPOwv2O2fW
“Speaking of families,” Delcan said. “I should probably leave you.”copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJbhMxyapj
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBkS3DAlCF
Is this seriously the smartest thing you could do? My brain asked me. copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhuFO0HC3X
I ignored it. “What is it?” Delcan asked me. copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡymGKEsicDH
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTjQLmulI6
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zowfdwXQA
“What is it?”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelFoBahGxH
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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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iAs9mPDIx
“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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ78gnlMkb
I smiled again. “I’m such a bad⟴,” I admitted to him.copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡneAjPJUSbH
Delcan tilted his head to the side. “I’m sorry, you’re the bad⟴ in this...complicated relationship?”copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk09M9vBMe
Well, when you put it like that. “My dad would be pissed,” I said. copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wYhEeEZ0Y
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡandLH2uBUG
I ignored that. “What were you and Evvie talking about?”copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡju0jDNs9pe
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyKmPoAuoB
“Spanish,” I said. “I didn’t understand any of it, but it just sounded weird.”22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xcXTFRwF2
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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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB7wUKjnUI
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡBihmE7LeB9
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4IPJ3wsSO
“What do you want?” I asked Evvie. She noticed Delcan instantly as he smiled. Evvie rolled her eyes. copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nqcTlXdIR
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkadHOks3V
“Good joke,” I said. “The truth would be helpful.” copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTZlIJoebg
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gEttyPqMx
I blushed. copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHSrVzgf1j
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 protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDdaYWUnb6
What did he do now? copyright protection18ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeniIQRxgD
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