Episode 1: Zane
Like a hammer hitting a nail Zane's father's hand pounded on his bedroom door. "Get out of bed you lazy arse!" he shouted through the oak door.
Zane groaned from under his pillow and rolled out of bed. His dark, curly hair was more disheveled than usual and there were bags under his dark brown eyes from heavy drinking the night before.
"You better not be late for your first day!" his dad yelled from downstairs.
Without putting much thought into it he threw on a grey shirt and denim shorts. He tried flattening his hair with a brush but it was no use with the curls he had.
Once he got downstairs and poured himself a bowl of cereal his father began lecturing him for the third time since Saturday.
"You better not fuck this up again. Whatever you did to piss those blokes off last time, don't do it again. This is your third school in a year and a half. If I—"
"I know, dad. You tell me everyday 'You better not do this or don't do that,'" Zane cut in, doing his best to mimic his father's stern tone.
"Just shut up and don't screw this up, or I'll send you to your mum's."
She'd be better than this, Zane thought.
Surprisingly, this was how Zane's father showed he cared. He believed that if he lectured him enough times he might change and then people would leave him be.
His first class was mathematics, the only subject he had ever had problems with more than gym.
"What is this shit?" Zane mumbled to himself while musing over a worksheet handed out at the beginning of class.
"Hmm?" said a boy sitting next to him.
"Oh, nothing," Zane replied immediately though his grimace gave him away.
"That one's simple, mate—the question, I mean," he smiled at him sheepishly. "I'm Ben, by the way."
Ben had thick, flaming red hair that stuck out all over. His eyes were a bright green like the grass after it rained and were hidden behind a pair of oval-shaped glasses. For a ginger his skin was quite tan. He's cute, Zane thought.
"I'm Zane. You're good at math and shit, yeah? Maybe you can help me out sometime," he suggested.
"Yeah, maybe we could meet up at lunch or after classes," he agreed just before the bell sounded and everyone left for their next class.
The rest of the day passed by more slowly, with only stares and whispers keeping him company. Besides Ben no one had talked to him really. Several people had talked about him though; he was the new kid in Bristol.
Zane was about to call it quits and sit down alone but then appeared Ben. "Hey mate, we're sitting over there on the lawn," he pointed towards two girls sitting on the grass.
Once they walked over to the girls Ben introduced him: "This is Zane, ladies. We've got math together and he's new."
"Yeah, like everyone's talking about you," said the one with dark, curly hair and blue eyes. "I think I even have a class with you. I'm Bela Kristor."
"Earth to Ruby, say hello," Ben snapped his fingers in front of the other girl. She was small with long auburn hair and caramel colored eyes.
"Sorry, I was looking at that boy over there," she explained. "I'm Ruby."
They all turned to look at a teenager who sat alone and wore a sleeveless black and white Sex Pistols t-shirt and torn up black jeans. His black hair was spiked with gel and shimmered in the sunlight. He had biker boots on along with several bracelets.
"Looks like a total wanker," Ben said.
"Oh, cause you look like a total badass in that cardigan of yours."
Ben looked down insecurely at the orange and white cardigan he wore. It was, in fact, quite wank-worthy.
Everyone laughed, but Ben though he eventually smiled.
"So anyone planning on hitting the party tonight? It's at someone McGuinness's house. Simon, I think. His mum and sister won't be home till tomorrow night," Ben explained.
"I love parties," Ruby said cheerfully.
Ben's gaze turned to Zane and Bela who sat side-by-side. "Sure," they both agreed.
By the time the foursome reached the party a few cars were parked outside and many people were inside and outside the small house. Music roared from inside and you could almost feel the dancing of the party-goers. There was enough booze to hydrate the Army of England and enough drugs to intoxicate the town. For Zane and Ruby, it was heaven. However, Bela and Ben, who had never done drugs, had sex or partied, were quite uncomfortable in this all-too-new atmosphere.
The moment Zane arrived he took a small handful of pulls and guzzled down a beer. It was his best way to escape. Escape his home life, escape from the bullies; escape from the reality of his life.
"Come and dance," Zane said to Ben, dragging him by the wrist to the dance floor.
Ben smiled but it was more than obvious he was miles away from his comfort zone. He was a turtle among rabbits and he didn't like it. Zane was oblivious though, already swallowed by the music and the drugs.
Jumping up and down with the beat of the music, Zane felt a jolt of energy from the pills. He couldn't help but think how hot Ben was thought. The last time he kissed a boy he got the shit beaten out of him the next day after school. But with all the drugs pumping in his veins and the adrenaline making his heart race he leaned closer to Ben and kissed him hard. It wasn't soft and there was little passion in it; it was full of energy and hunger. As much as he wanted to he didn't let his tongue linger. He was too caught in the moment to see if Ben was actually enjoying it or not. If he wasn't then it wasn't the best idea to push any further. A sudden push to his chest cut the kiss short though.
"What the hell?" he heard Ben say, but his voice wasn't angry, but confused.
Zane's head throbbed and the music pounded in his ears. Everything was too loud and blurred together. He blinked continuously but his eyes remained on a blurry image of Ben.
Ben still looked confused and probably was still awaiting an answer.
Before he could answer his feet began moving without his permission. He ran away from crowd, for the most part, and went upstairs. Only a few couples were upstairs, save for the passed out drunk kid in the corner.
After a minute or so of wondering upstairs Zane found a seat alone. Instantly he buried his face in his hands, like a dog who knew he'd done something wrong. Beads of sweat showered his brow and he could feel his head still throbbing, yet it didn't hurt. Two or three tears slid down his face like a leaking faucet. Why am I such a stupid fuck? he asked himself.
When he heard footsteps he wiped away the tears that had somewhat dried on his face.
"Word around town is you're gay," said an unfamiliar, Scottish voice.
Zane looked up, preparing to glare at the person. The boy was tall and had wavy gold-blonde hair and bright blue eyes that popped against the darkness. He was smiling down at him, showing off his straight white teeth and dimples.
"I'm Simon, by the way. McGuinness, host of the party," he added. "So since it's my party I'm expecting a discount on that blowjob, mate" he said jokingly.
"Fuck you," Zane mumbled angrily.
"What are you on anyway? No offense, but you look like shit."
"Do you not get it? I want to be alone!" Zane snapped, though he partly didn't answer because he didn't know what he had taken. Most likely it had been MDMA.
Simon looked at him sympathetically. "It's alright to be gay, mate. Fucking hell, what you did down there was brave. I'd never have the guts to kiss a person I'd just met in front of a load of strangers. You know what I think? Gay, straight, whatever, it's all cool. As long as you're spreading some love, yeah?"
"You should be a therapist," Zane joked.
"That's touching. I'll get the depressed chicks, cheer 'em up with help from my friend down south. You can take their boyfriends and woo them with your wicked kissing."
Zane laughed and a moment of silence passed where Simon took a seat next to him. "He's not angry, from what I hear," Simon added in. "The guy you kissed. I think you just freaked him out."
"Thanks," Zane said, smiling.
"It's what therapists are here for," he grinned.
"I'm Zane, anyway."
"Nice to properly meet you, Zane," he extended his hand.
Zane, after some reluctance, took Simon's hand and shook it.
His father didn't ask where he'd been all night, in fact his father didn't even wait up for him. When he finally arrived back home at 2 AM, after taking drugs with Simon and Violet—his best friend. By that time his dad was asleep and there was a bottle of scotch on the round dining room table.
His father was an ass. He was mean. He was demanding. He was ungrateful. And he was incredibly lonely. A tinge of guilt and remorse for his father crept up Zane's spine.
In the morning his father didn't bang on his door like he usually did. Although he didn't have an alarm clock he woke up in time for school, fortunately. When he reached the kitchen downstairs his dad was sitting on one end of the table.
Underneath his father's brown eyes were dark, purple bags. His hair was a mess as well. He resembled Zane yesterday morning. Only a cup of coffee sat in front of him—
"We're being evicted," he said suddenly.
"What?" Zane turned around to face his father quickly.
"We're losing the house. You're mother is coming and she is going to get a house here and you'll live with her," he explained.
"What about you?" asked Zane.
He chuckled coldly. "I dunno. Maybe I'll join the Army," he joked.
"Don't say that."
"I've got work. Your mom will be here in a few days, so get packing."
"Why don't you take the day off?"
"Does it look like I can afford it?" he paused, "I love you, Zane.
Zane's eyes widened and he almost teared up but held them back, causing his throat to become sore. Since he was about twelve his dad hadn't genuinely said he loved him. That's when the seriousness of the situation hit him. How long would it be before he saw father again once he moved in with his mom?
"I love you too, Dad," he croaked.
At school he didn't speak about his family's situation. After school he went to Simon's house and Violet also came. They lit a spliff but even in that relaxed state he couldn't bring himself to say anything of the situation. And so far they were the closest thing he had ever had to true friends. Ever.