I'm so sorry it's been a while since my last update! Esp. with the cliff hanger and all! But I've had so much coursework you won't believe! Moving on- chap 12! Sorry that it's a lot of speaking again!

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"How can you look at me? How can you look me in the face and tell me that? How can you love me and still do this to me?" Tala screamed directly into Bryans face, and Bryan stumbled back until his back hit the door. "Why did everything have to change?"

"Cause you kissed me Tala…"

"Haven't you made me pay enough for that mistake? Wasn't trying to kill me penance enough? It's not like you remind and taunt me everyday for it!"

"You are still lying even now…"

"Lying about what?"

"Who you are. I shouldn't have had to read your files to get to know you Tala…"

"Okay then, yes, I'm gay. Happy now?" Tala stepped back a little and sat down on the bed. He looked up at Bryan, who was glaring at him wistfully.

"What's that look for?"

"If you just talked to me -rather than pouncing on me like you did- none of this would have happened. I would have respected you at least. You acted like a coward." Bryan kept smiling, and Tala was finding it harder to be angry with him.

"You tried to kill me."

"I also saved your life when you choose to kill yourself."

"And that somehow makes up for it?"

Bryans smile was wiped off of his face, thinking that this act had in fact made up for it.

"Why did you do it?" Bryan said flatly.

"Do what?" Tala snapped back.

"Try to kill yourself? It couldn't have been over Kai!"

"You read the file- you tell me!"

There was a loud banging from the front door which made both of them jump. Tala stood up and made his way for the door, which Bryan blocked. Tala pushed him harshly out the way, and went down stairs.

He opened it to reveal the Chinese boy.

Rei was panting and his cheeks were stained red. He supported himself on the door frame, and Tala looked at his questioningly.

"You had a lot of courage to come here, Rei. You look really tired…"

"Do you still want me?" Rei begged. Tala remembered his conversation with Mariah and decided what he must do.

"No"

"Will you walk with me?"

"No"

"I want to talk to you"

"I don't want you. Go back home. Go back to Lee…" Rei's eyes widened at this statement, but soon he understood.

"I can't leave you Tala."

"Yes you can," came Bryan's harsh voice, and Rei went flying back down the stairs. Tala tried to trip Bryan up, but he was too fast, and Tala's back slammed onto the ground. Bryan fell on top of him and held his wrists together above his head.

"What are you doing!" Yelled Tala hopelessly.

"Proving something…" Bryan lent in and kissed Tala roughly on the lips. It wasn't particularly pleasant, and it was by no means what either boy had wished for- but Bryan's message was loud and clear. As if marking his territory like an animal, Bryan marked Tala. Tala's neck, shoulder, and chest swelled with these new markings Bryan kept making.

"Get off of me Bryan!"

Crying

Bryan continued as if nothing was said, sucking harshly on Tala's skin. Tala fought against the hold on his wrists, but just couldn't move. Bryan was too strong.

Screaming

"Bryan please stop this! You aren't proving anything!"

Begging

The taste of copper fear

A husky voice

Musky breath

Huge, strong, hairy hands

The pain…

The trust…

"STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!" Screamed Tala, pure fear emitted with his voice.

"What's wrong?" Said Bryan- who had already drawn back from Tala and was now standing.

"You read my file! You know what happened to me! And you just made me go through it all again!" Tala drew his knees into his chest and rocked softly back and forth.

"I don't understand…"

"Boris. He used to… Whenever… he would always… God! I was so young! I trusted him…" Bryan looked at the rocking Tala in horror. "Trust is always what people take from you first, Bryan! Once they have your trust- they can do what ever they like… especially when you're too young to understand…"

"Tala, please tell me you're joking!" Begged Bryan, tears welling up.

"I want to be…"

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"Max, how can you tell the difference between friendship and love?" Kai picked up another chip and ate it loudly. The TV was on, but Kai just couldn't watch it.

"That's sure an odd question coming from you Kai!" Max laughed and snatched some of Kai's chips. "Well, everyone will love some of there friends. Close friendships are often classed as love, but they aren't 'in love'."

"Then how do you know a close friend from a lover?"

"You follow your heart."

"That's so corny, it's sickening!"

"True. But it's the only way to do it Kai!"

Kai and Max sat in silence for about 5 minutes, till Max came in with-

"You think you love Tala?"

"No!" Silence. "Well, yes…"

How could I not have to think about it? He loves me! I've always cherished him- but in what way do I like him?

…Everything was so much simple when I wasn't gay!

"Rei would never make you happy, Kai."

"How do you know that? Did he tell you?"

"We all have eyes Kai. And we all can also see how Tala feels about you…"

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Hum! I wonder who's going to get together! Hum indeed! Lol! Humor me and try to guess! Baring in mind there's still one more twist to come! Thank you and please review!