Chapter Eleven: The Truth
A little more than a month has passed since Virgil and Jay…HotStreak…had their hearts broken into a million pieces. Virgil believes the man did it out of spite, anger, and revenge. He hurts because he was played with. HotStreak hurts because he was lost. He couldn't leave Virgil. Not without trying to tell him the truth. Even after a month, he still manages to love the hero with every piece of his broken heart. He wanted to pick up the pieces and glue them together, but he wanted to help Virgil pick up his pieces first. To help him first. So he comes out with a plan. And he has one shot to do it. If it don't work, Virgil will forever hate him and Francis will be hauled off the prison, for the rest of his life. Statutory rape, getting on school grounds, and he was wanted before. He was gonna get caught anyway, but easing Virgil's pain was more important than HotStreak's freedom.
Dakota Union hosts an assembly about the update on teenage bang babies, a topic still ruining lives. Virgil sits between Richie and Daisy, Frieda next to Daisy. The mocha teen continues staring into space, lost and confused. Hurt. The two girls exchange looks. It kills them to see their good friend hurt, though they don't know the whole story. They just know Virgil had sex with him, then Jay left town. They couldn't believe how hard Virgil would fall for the man.
Behind the stage, HotStreak paces nervously. He wears his old cargo jeans, just like he use to, his tight raspberry colored shirt clinging to his body. He even washed the dye out of his hair. Though he wears the blue hat Jay wore, he felt he needed it, as he pulled it down out of habit. He nervously searches the school bleachers for Virgil. He searches desperately.
I have one shot at this…Ego or not…I love him…
Finally, he sees his love, sad expression. And it nearly killed him. Not person, but his soul. Agony tainted that once happy face. And it was all his fault. Francis didn't even try to blame the government. This was all his fault. For returning to Dakota. For returning to school. The one Francis was forever banned from. For falling in love…
With a deep breath, HotStreak makes his move, pulling the large curtain, easily gaining everyone's attention. The room got silent.
"?Jay?" Daisy tilts her head. "In HotStreak's cl-!" Then it hit her. He is Francis! That's why Virgil…Frieda's eyes shoot open. She understood now. Only she knew better than Daisy. She was there when Francis bullied Virgil. She was there when he got beat. Virgil had slept with his bully. Fell for his aggressor. Everything made sense now. Their deduction was proven correctly as Francis stands in the middle of the stage, pulling off Jay's hat, revealing spiked up hair, red as fire with his well known horns of blonde. No mistake, it was Francis Stone. Back from the dead.
Virgil glares at the man, tearing up as all his pain rushes to the surface. He stands up, walking away. The moment Francis sees the back of his love's sweater, his whole being shook with fear. Fear of being left behind again, like his mother had done to him long ago. Mixed emotions fill the man. The soul that people thought had no emotions.
"Virgil!" Francis speaks into the mic he had looted back stage. He was glad it worked. "Don't go-at least let me explain." He watches Virgil continue to walk away. This was it. He lost. "I…I love you…"
The whole school gasps, Virgil stopping dead in his tracks. However, he doesn't look to see HotStreak.
"Really…I do…I didn't mean to…but…I do…" Francis sees some school staff move towards him. He easily wards them off, proving he is HotStreak by setting his body a blaze. He bought some time. But only a little. He was sure the police were on their way. And he didn't think he'd even resist. "You weren't suppose to find out…the government gave me this identity…but I broke out of their custody to return to Dakota…" The nervous man continues his explanation, unsure if Virgil is even listening. But he didn't run away, so it was enough for the red head. " They'll take me away again…I don't give a damn if they do…There's nothing here for me in Dakota except you…without you…I mind as well be dead…"
The whole school falls in silence, afraid to make any movements so they don't set off the short tempered man. They still remember him. You really couldn't forget him.
Turning around slowly, Virgil makes eye contact with the frustrated man, who blushes furiously. "I'm sorry." And with that, Francis bolts off stage, with no intention on ever looking back. He never wants to see that wounded face again. Ever. Francis was just blushing…You………s-so…he…he wasn't just…he really…He tears up again. He really does…he loves me…
Tearing up again, this time with a soft smile, Virgil runs off to find HotStreak. He has a feeling he knows where he is headed to. He must beat him there or…he didn't bother to finish that.
Watching their friend chase after his man, Daisy and Frieda smile softly at Virgil's smile. "He loves Virgil after all…" Daisy speaks gently. "Too bad the government will take HotStreak away from him…"
Richie sighs. "I have a feeling HotStreak will return no matter what…"
Frieda smiles upon her realization. "Something tells me if he doesn't…neither will Virgil."