NICHOLAS:“He enjoyed it like you did…”Chills flushed into my system as Park repeated Vain’s exact words. They kept seeing and saying the possibility of that. What if they are right? Would that make Greg comfortable with a shitty guy who r*ped him, and watched by his ex-boyfriend? Would he not think I did that to as many boys as possible?“You won’t know a thing by overthinking and hiding,” Wendy read my thoughts. “You have to speak to him.”“Either way, I will lose him. I have lost him.”Yeah, I should keep these words with me to avoid expectations and disappointment. I will speak to him, but I must prepare only to be grateful if he keeps the cops rather than expecting a reformation in our relationship.“You must trust in the love you both shared.” Park encouraged. “If not you, don’t ridicule Greg’s feelings.” I shouldn’t. For a move, I listened to Wendy and Park analyzing ways to approach Greg and make the confession; a home call, school call, phone call, texting, or dinner date.
NICHOLAS:Instinct? I told you all I suck at it and no one spared me the deal.Look at what it got me to do. To flirt and magnetize on Capell for my anger, and as if that wasn’t enough, I walked into the damn garden with him, on the outlook of Greg.I had everyone rooting for me. Out of the blue and by my stupid action, I turned them against me.“You are an asshole,” Wendy said.“You are better off in the mud and alone!” Park added.But I am not angry. I have disappointed them again, so I deserve every name-calling.I looked over to the part of the garden that stood Greg after Waldeen walked out on me, and he wasn’t there. He disappeared. And when I turned back, Park had gone too.“Fuvk!”I collapsed on the seat with no idea of what to do. I shouldn’t go to Wendy in his present temper. Park may not dare mold a fist against me but his lashes won’t be better either.I should go to Greg. I went for him. I hurried into his classroom but saw neither him nor the curly-haired friend. I was ab
GREG:I tried to look happy and at my best. I covered my pains and laughed aloud to avoid anyone pining on my sadness and turning against Nicholas.Stupid as it may seem, I held onto the tiniest hope that Nicholas would come around. He would wake up and say he didn’t mean to abandon me.It never happened. Nicholas didn’t call or text. He shut down his cell phone to keep me from reaching him as well, and it hurt as hell.It hurts unimaginably that every night I cry my balls out; and end up running out of the house at the early rise of the morning to school to avoid questions from the household.“I am here if you want to talk about anything.” Mr. Ben kept saying.I couldn’t avoid him. Mr. Ben met me groggy and flattened every morning. Although he saw it, he knows not to ask questions and I didn’t tell him either. I didn’t tell anyone Nicholas broke up with me. I could confide in Mr. Ben and he won’t tell anyone if I asked him not to, he is loyal and attentive to whatever I request of hi
GREG:My eyelashes fluttered at the dangling light balls above me, my ears flapped to the loud music and my brain stupefied on the volume. Wondering why I was surrounded by such noises, I stretched awake.I felt the softness of an unfamiliar couch, and I made to stand but was hit back down by strokes of dizziness. Where am I?I couldn’t fish out the memory. I only got filled with flashes of Nicholas leaning to kiss Capell and parading him everywhere.Nicholas. I should quit him off my head, yet a series of trials to shut him out proved abortive and left me with a wrinkled forehead and soar taste.Meanwhile, I remembered leaving the school ahead of everyone, picking a cab, and unfortunately growing sick and ending up on the street. I had held onto a street pole to recuperate before someone came to my aid. Yes, someone familiar took me with him.Who can that be? He introduced himself, I remember, and also insisted I register it.The door opened and to avoid being caught awake, I became
GREG: I took my car keys and walked into everyone in the living room.Granny stood with a glass of milk, aiming to bring me breakfast. Rose in her uniform, combines her meal with creating social media reels. Dad is out to his office and Mum, looking nowhere ready for work, sits with her tablet, scrolling through and fro.“Greg?” Granny announced my presence and everyone nimbled to scan me.“Good morning.” I made a general greeting and took the glass cup from Granny. “Thank you.”Mr. Nazit and his nearby subordinates looked so pleased to see me and so were the few housekeepers at reach.It has been days of dwelling in my room. My sudden appearance had them treating me like the Lazarus. It is not very pleasant to see that reaction, but I appreciate they missed me.Although no one bothered to knock me out of my room during that time, Granny didn’t fail to widen my door on every meal of the day in fear I starve in solidarity.“You are quite dressed,” Mum couldn’t hide her joy. “Come, sit
GREG: Nothing is more satisfying than having Nicholas with me. He has proven his repentance, and if I were to choose, I see no reason for any discussion. All I want is to get back with him. Bringing him to school is secondary; I am not ashamed to voice it. “Where are we going?” I asked as we left the elevator to the building's car park. I know where we should go. We should be in his apartment, making up for the days apart rather than doing a bulky head of talk. “Anywhere.” He said. “Are you sure I can choose?” We indeed needed to talk. But that doesn’t mean we can’t after what I had in mind. If only he agrees I decide, I will lead us to a perfect location. “Greg, please.” Too bad, Nicholas is having it grim and strict. “Okay, serious head, we can drive to D’caprias if all you want to be is focused and determined.” “Shit!” He exclaimed and turned to me in horror. “Stop the car!” “What?!” “Pull over.” “What now?” I pulled to a pathway and Nicholas loosened his seat belt. “W
NICHOLAS: My face bleached at the curt reflection of sunlight, and I put out an arm for a shade, yawned, and rose from the pillow. “Arise and Shrink!” Park came loud and disturbing. He lifted the curtains to my face. I didn’t see but could hear in his voice all he had done. “Damn it…” I groaned and held my head from collapsing as I tried to open my eyes but felt them heavy. “Do you need some water?” Park isn’t asking out of care. He is threatening. He is ready to assist my waking with a bowl of water, and if I do not kick out this dizziness, I will have myself drenched and dripping. “Are you alright?” Wendy resonated deeper and consoling yet I was unimpressed. His voice lifted my drowsiness; I opened my eyes to him, leaning against the wall with arms and legs crossed, doubling my incertitude. “What is happening?” I stretched for better sight. “What is this ambush all about?” “Do you feel better?” “Why? Is something wrong with me?” I remember nothing except getti
GREG: “Right now?!” “Hmmm." “We can stay here.” “Do you not want me in your room?” How do I explain his photos on my wall and every corner of my room? “I…” “We can stay here,” he said sadly. “Can I use the bathroom? Your father made me sweaty.” He tried to joke and appear cool, but I saw his disappointment. “I have a towel in my room. Would you like to use it?” “Yes, please.” That is it! Nothing beyond existence can happen. Finding out my obsession will only give me a moment of embarrassment. I turned to Nicholas and tried to warn him again. “Come on, Greg, open the door already.” “You must promise not to laugh or make a mock of me.” “What do you have in there? Nude postcards?” I opened the door to him and as Nicholas saw himself all over my life, he stood speechless. I knew it! He would see me as creepy and obsessive. He walked into the room, looking at the pictures with wide eyes and a mix of admiration. “Say something.” He ogled at me and went