Chapter 2; He's Mine
That day at lunch, Blake sat at the table with his friends and opened up his fancy food box. It was a round, white container with gold latches. He smiled when he read the note that Winston had left for him. It was simple but meaningful. Winston was more of a father figure to Blake than his dad was. Don't get me wrong, Mr. Gripling loved his children very much, but he was always gone on business.
"Hey, Gripling!" an angry, harsh voice came. Blake looked up to see none other than the boy known as Hoodsey standing in front of him with an angry look on his face. The rich, blond gave the other teen a confused look.
"I beg your pardon?" the confused boy inquired. His response was the husky boy grabbing him by the collar and pulling him up.
"I know you like Carl." Hoodsey said, anger and another emotion lacing his voice. To this the blond's eyes went wide.
"I see the way you look at him, and how you always blush around him. Well, let me make this clear to you, Blake. Carl Foutley is mine!" he emphasized the last word and tightened his grip on the blond's collar.
"Get off of me, Woodsey!" the rich boy demanded as he tried to push the hooded boy away. "And, Carl is not your property. I have as much right to try and win him over as you." he continued, not backing down.
"It's HOODSEY!" the pudgy teen exclaimed. He hated when people got his name wrong. "And, Carl wouldn't date you! He hates you!" the hooded boy spat bitterly.
That one stung. Blake knew Carl probably didn't like him, but having it pointed out was an awful feeling. He shoved the round teen in front of him and quickly left the lunch room. He went to the men's room and began to cry in one of the stalls. Yes, it had came to that. Blake Gripling was crying in a filthy school restroom.
Carl had seen Blake leave, but he wasn't sure what happened since he didn't see the confrontation that just took place. He was slightly concerned about the upset boy and was debating on going to check on him. After a few moments of thinking, the red head opened the door of the men's restroom.
"Blake? You in here?" Carl asked, concerned. Blake Stiffened at the familiar voice. A few seconds passed and he answered.
"Y-yes." the blond boy responded. Tears were very evident in the boy's voice. Although, he wasn't sure why he was crying so much. After all, Carl never said it himself.
"Are you... Crying?" Carl asked in a soft voice. He stepped closer to the stall and put his hands on the door.
"N-no!" the blond answered. The quiet sobs followed told Carl otherwise.
"Blake, open the door. Please." Carl pleaded with the boy in the stall.
A few moments passed, and the click of the lock on the stall door being unlocked was heard. Blake stepped out and rubbed his eyes.
"What's wrong?" the red head asked. Blake just shook his head. Carl jumped up on the counter that the sinks were on and sat down. He patted the spot beside him with his hand. "Tell Carl all about it." he continued. Blake sat on the counter beside Carl.
"I got in an argument with someone and something they said to me made me think." Blake confessed in a small voice.
"What did they say?" Carl asked, looking Blake directly in the eye.
"He said that the person I love hates me." Blake said sadly. The blond boy blushed when he felt an arm wrap around him.
"Who is it? I'm sure they don't hate you." Carl comforted. Blake shook his head. He really didn't want to tell.
"It doesn't matter. I know they don't like me." Blake responded.
"Come on. Tell me. I promise I won't tell them or give you a hard time." Carl insisted. Blake looked down at his feet.
"Well... It's... You." Blake stammered and looked away, blushing. Carl gave him a suprised look.
"You like me?" Carl asked to be sure he heard correctly. Blake nodded .
A few moments of silence went by, which felt like a life time to Blake. Then Carl smiled, and Blake felt a rush of relief wash over him. He was glad that Carl wasn't mad and that he didn't freak out. He gave a small smile of his own to this.
Suddenly, Blake found a pair of lips on his own. His eyes widened at first. He wasn't expecting that at all, but soon he let his eyes droop closed and kissed back.