Thank you for your reviews.
I really have an awful week and it is only Wednesday, so two more days to go...
Anyway here is the next chapter
Chapter four Sacrifice
»Okay, Logan. I have enough! You always keep secrets from me! And I am sick of it! Now tell me! Everything! «
I swallowed nervously and avoided his gaze.
»Logan! You can't keep secrets from me! You are supposed to trust me! «
»I do trust you. «, I whispered.
»Then tell me! «, he demanded.
»What do you want to know? «
»What happened with Kendall? «
I sighed.
»Sit down. «
Flashback
Monday at school everything seemed to be normal at first, but when I got books from my locker between second and third period Kendall came to me.
»I heard you and your family has a lot of money. «
I rolled my eyes.
»If you want me to be your friend now, forget it. «
He laughed.
»As if I would be friends with a fag. No, I just want to tell you I am not confused anymore. «
I frowned.
»Come again. «
»I was always confused how you and the other fag could be brothers. I mean you are the same age and he is a Latino. But now I understand. Your parents adopted him, because they needed him. As your pet. «
He smirked.
»Did you just call my brother a pet? «, I asked barley controlling my anger.
»Oh I am sorry. Is he your bitch in case you are horny or bored? «
Before I could even think of it I punched him hard. Kendall held his nose and cussed. I looked shocked at him. I never got violent and I never planned to get violent. But I was. I barely registered the pain in my hand. Kendall raised his fist and punched me hard into the stomach. I cringed and coughed.
Flashback End
Carlos had tears in his eyes. I knew I shouldn't have told him.
»D-do you think that too? «, he asked.
I shook my head.
»Of course not. You are my brother. You are the most important person in my life. «
»What else did you not tell me? «
»That's all. «, I lied.
»Logan, I know you long enough to know when you are lying. «
I sighed.
»It is nothing you need to know…«
That wasn't even a lie.
»Logan! I am not a lost puppy or something! You don't have to protect me. «
I sighed again.
»I did and I will. «, I said quietly.
»Logan, tell me! «
I could never say no to Carlos, so of course I gave in.
» Remember two months after freshman year started? When you were beaten up? «
He nodded.
»Did you never wonder why it never happened to you again? «
Flashback
I waited impatiently in front of the school. Carlos had to pee so I waited for him and we could walk home. After twenty minutes passed, I became worried. I went into the restroom closest to the front door. When I came in, I gasped. Carlos sat sobbing on the ground holding his chest.
»Litos! What happened? «
I rushed to him.
»I-I w-w-was… A-and then t-this j-j-jo-jock came…«
I nodded understandingly. When I pulled him into a hug he hissed.
»What does hurt? «
»My chest «
I examined his chest.
»I think you could have a few broken ribs. «
Half an hour later we were in the hospital. Carlos had a slight concussion, cuts and bruises as well as two fractured ribs. For the next days he was extremely clingy. He couldn't handle it when I left his side. After a few days I could go back to school. The guy who beat up Carlos wasn't anymore at the school, but I went to his friends.
»What do you want fag? «, one of them sneered.
Inside I was terrible afraid, but I tried to hide it.
»I want to make a deal with you. Nobody will ever touch Carlos again. «
»What do we get? «
At first I considered to offer them money, but they would become greedy, so I decided to offer something else.
»You can beat me as much as you want…Without consequences. «, I said quietly.
They smirked.
»Deal. «
After the first threw a punch, he said:
»And don't worry. Nobody will tell your little queer brother. «
For the next years everything went normal. They would beat me up. Sometimes multiple times a day. Until two months before the end of junior year. One day, after the last period the jocks pulled me into an empty classroom. Carlos was home with the flu. They punched me a few times and then they started to pull my clothes off. At first I struggled, but after a few more punches one of them held me in an iron grip, while the others pulled my shirt, my pants and my underwear down. I was frozen in fear. When I heard how pants were opened from behind, I started to struggle again, but it didn't work either. That was the point when I gave up. My body went numb and I closed my eyes, praying it would be over soon. They laughed and slapped me a few times. Shortly before they could rape me a sound came from outside. It sounded like someone was coming. They panicked and ran away leaving me lying on the floor naked. While running out I got some kicks. I don't know how long I lie there. After I put my clothes on, I went home. The whole time I was afraid they would jump at me and finish their job. When I got home, it was one of the rare days my mom was home. She immediately knew something was wrong. I broke down and spilled everything: the deal I made and what happened today. She became so angry. After she calmed me down and brought me into my bed (later I went into the bed of Carlos cuddling with him, because of my nightmares), she started to scare a few families. She made me spill some names. Mom went to them. She never told me how she did it, but she scared the families so much the majority of them moved away.
Flashback End
»After that day mom and dad decided to move. And now here we are. «, I said quietly.
»Is that everything that happened? «
I looked ashamed at the floor not answering.
»Logan! Tell. Me. Now. «
»One of those who did not leave forced me to give him a blowjob. «, I whispered.
Carlos looked shocked at me. After a few minutes he started to yell:
»ARE YOU CRAZY? YOU CAN'T MAKE A DEAL LIKE THAT! LOOK WHAT THEY DID TO YOU OVER ALL THOSE YEARS! YOU WERE RAPED! HOW CAN YOU DO SOMETHING STUPID LIKE THAT? YOU CAN'T PROTECT ME LIKE I AM TOO WEAK OR A CHILD! I'M CAPABLE OF DEFENDING MYSELF! I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP! «
»Los…«
»DON'T 'LOS' ME! «
He stood up and left. Before he left, he said:
»Don't try to talk with me! «
I started to cry quietly.
'I just tried to protect him. Now he hates me…'
Over the next days I only saw Carlos when he came into my room after school and tossed my homework on my bed without looking at me. I tried multiple times to talk with him, but he didn't acknowledge my presence. I spent my time in my room making my homework and sulking.
Monday I was allowed to go to school again. Before he left I cornered Carlos.
»Los, please talk to me. I just tried to protect you. I am your brother! «
»YOU ARE NOT MY BROTHER! «
I froze.
'Did he just say…?'
Carlos pushed me aside and left for school. A few minutes later I drove to school as well. During the whole drive I cried. When I parked at school, I calmed down and wiped the tears away so no one would see that I cried. But my plan failed. When I opened my locker door I had to look at the picture I put inside it. It was a photo of Carlos and me in Disneyland. We had so much fun that day. Tears started to roll down my cheek. My vision was blurry and I made my way to the bathroom, but I bumped into someone. I looked up and saw it was James. He looked shocked at me. I pushed him aside and ran into the bathroom. I sat down at the wall opposite of the door and cried and sobbed and cried. After a few minutes someone came in.
»What's wrong with you? «, James asked.
»Why do you even care? You hate people like me! «, I snapped.
»I don't hate you. «, he said so quietly I almost didn't hear it.
»Get the fuck out! «, I hissed.
He left. I continued to cry for a few minutes when the door opened.
»Logan! What happened? «
It was Dak. He came over and sat next to me. When he wrapped his arms around me, I buried my head in his chest and sobbed. After I calmed down, I told Dak everything about our High School in Texas and my fight with Carlos.
»And now he hates me, because he thinks that I think he is just a child. «
»He doesn't hate you. Carlos is mad at you, because he loves you and you put yourself in a very dangerous spot. And he is mad at himself because he didn't notice and because he thinks he was a burden to you. «
I sniffled.
»Carlos would think something like that. «
»Exactly. Now get up and wash your face. You already missed half of the first period. «
»It is just homeroom. «, I mumbled.
Dak chuckled. When we went into homeroom everyone looked at us. Kendall looked disgusted, James and Jett looked furious, Camille grinned at us and Carlos… Well, I don't know how Carlos looked. I avoided his gaze. Camille waved us over.
»Logan, I am so happy to see you back in school. Why did you punch Kendall in the first place? Not that he didn't deserve it, but still. «
She held a monologue about all the rumors and suspicions the others had, because of my fight with Kendall. I looked at my hands and I was pretty sure Carlos was not better.
»Cami, drop it! «, Dak said.
She eyed us suspiciously and huffed.
»Fine. Logan you have to help me with my English assignment. «
I sighed.
»Sure. What topic? «
»Sacrifices. I just need a beginning «
I thought about it for a few moments and started to write.
Sacrifice by its strictest definition takes something precious in exchange for the appeasement of a higher power. And abiding devotion to a cause that cannot be satisfied with a simple promise. Because an oath no matter how solemn asks nothing in return. While true sacrifice demands unspeakable loss. Sacrifice demands the surrender of things we cherish above all else. Only out of the agony of those loses can a new resolution be born. An undying devotion to a cause greater than ones self.
When I finished reading it out, my two friends and my brother stared at me.
»That is amazing. Thank you, Logie. «
I smiled at Camille.
»No problem. «
The remaining day passed by quietly. In the lessons as well during lunch I felt the looks of the jocks on me. Dak told me it was the same with him. My last period was P.E. I went a little bit early to the gym to talk to Coach Rocque.
»Mitchell! What do you want? «
»I just wanted to ask why my brother and I didn't make it into the team. We were told it is because we are gay, but- «
»I don't know what you are talking about. «
I frowned.
»Kendall and James told us we couldn't play, because no one would want us in the team. «
The coach looked furious. I flinched.
»WHAT?! They TOLD ME you two are UNSTABLE and WONT DO WELL on the ice. «
»They did say that? «
»Look, dog. I don't care if you are gay or not. I only care about the results you bring on the ice. As long as they are good you and the other dog are in the team. «
I grinned.
»Thank you Coach! «
When the others came, Coach Rocque shouted:
»Knight! Diamond! Get your asses here! «
The coach yelled at them for over five minutes. His face became red and I was afraid his head would explode. After he was finished he started class. I could feel Kendall glaring daggers at me. After the class in the locker room I heard Kendall and James arguing.
»Kendall, I don't care what you think! We won't get back on them! «
»Are you now a fag friend? «, Kendall sneered.
»No, but I don't want you to get more problems with school. The coach said one thing and you are out of the team. Besides it is absolutely unnecessary to beat them up! «
» I won't let them walk over us! We are ruling this school! And I didn't say anything about physical actions! We can turn the whole school against them! «
»But that would have no use! First, the whole school already hates them! Second they don't care about their reputation! And third, in case you didn't notice: We are not frightening them! «
»That is why we need to be creative! «
They were silent for a moment.
»I may have an idea…«, James said quietly.
Before I could hear what idea he had, they left. I quickly dressed and followed them. Outside I didn't find them anymore. I sighed and got into my car.
~Time Skip~
It was Friday evening and I sat home alone. Carlos was out with Lucy. She invited me earlier to join them, but Carlos still didn't talk with me so I refused politely. I felt lonely without my brother so I grabbed a book and tried to drown my sadness with words. Suddenly the doorbell rang. I opened the door and gasped. In front of me stood Dak crying with a big bruise at his chin.
»Dak! What happened? «
I guided him into the kitchen and grabbed a cool pad for his chin. I held Dak until he calmed down.
»Do you want to talk about what happened? «
»I was at my boyfriend's house…«
»Your boyfriend is hitting you? «, I asked horrified.
»No…Yes… It is complicated. «
»Enlighten me! «
»Well, he is at our school, but he is not ready to come out. He is pretty popular actually, one of the jocks. And we planned on spending time together, but when I arrived at his house his jock friends were there. «
»And he hit you as a cover. «
Dak nodded.
»I just don't know what to do. I am not sure if he is with me, because he really cares about me. I mean what if he is with me just, because of sex? Or maybe it is just a big prank or something… I mean I understand that he doesn't want to come out, but he doesn't really shows affection, not even when we are alone. And when we spend time together we just have sex. We don't cuddle or talk with each other. I just don't know what to believe. «
»What if you tell him what you just told me. If he really cares about you, he will try to change. And if you want a sign that he is being serious… Suggest him that you guys come out to one person you completely trust and who will accept you and wont rat you out. «
Dak thought about it for a moment.
»That sounds logical. How about you are the one we come out to? I mean if he wants it. «
Tears welled up in my eyes. Nobody trusted me that much, except Carlos.
»I would be honored. «
Dak smiled at me and hugged me.
»I will ask him tonight and then I will text you his answer. «
I nodded. We talked for a little bit until he left. I worried about Dak and my relationship to Carlos, about school and bullies. So basically about my whole life. I distracted me with my favorite novel. At 11 pm Carlos came home still not talking to me. I got into my bed and fell soon asleep.
When I opened my eyes I wasn't alone anymore. I was surrounded by people. Bullies from my old school, Kendall, James, Jett and all the other jocks form my new school. And there were also my family and friends.
»You are a stupid whore. «, the bullies and the jocks spat.
»You will never find love. «, James growled.
»We don't want anything to do with you. «, my friends said.
»You're a disappointment! «, my parents shouted.
I looked at Carlos pleading with my eyes for help.
»I hate you. You are not my brother. I hope you will die. «
Carlos voice was filled with hate and venom. He turned around and left.
»Carlos! Don't leave me! Come back! «
I woke up with a start. I panted and wiped my tears away. When I looked at my phone, I saw that I slept for a few hours. I got a text from Dak.
We'll be at your place at 3 pm- Dak
I quickly replied:
Did U talk about what U told me? - Logan
Before I went into the bathroom, I texted Camille:
I need a favor. Call me ASAP -Logan
After I came back, I saw I got a new text.
Yeah, we did. Details tomorrow. -Dak
See you tomorrow -Logan
I DO NOT OWN THE QUOTE ABOUT SACRIFICES! I took it from one of my favorite shows: Revenge. Sadly, I do not own the show either. ABC studios does.
So many questions. Who is Dak's secret boyfriend? (There is a hint in this chapter) Will Logan fix his relationship with Carlos? What is James plan? What did James mean when he said that he doesn't hate Logan?
Thoughts? Emotions? Complaints? Tell me. Review.
