Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer
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Where the Lines Overlap
Season 2 - Looking Up
The Breakaway (from the clutches of insecurity)
My eyes hurt like hell, but I couldn't go back to sleep as I had wanted. I could feel the sunlight behind my eyelids. They fluttered open, and I took a second or two to focus my vision and check the clock.
It was nine past seven, and I needed to get up. I was fucking tired and troubled, but I had classes to attend.
My body resisted. It had been the worst night since we came here. I stretched and stared at the ceiling. The mattress seemed bigger and emptier without Edward.
I sighed. I was afraid of leaving my room and having to face him. I didn't want to see the sad face and gloomy eyes that I was sure were marring his beautiful features after our failed conversation the previous night.
But I had to; I couldn't just hide. So I got up, went through my morning routine, and then left my room while taking a deep breath.
As soon as I got to the kitchen, my heart felt weird. He was there, silently preparing breakfast. His head was bent, and his shoulders were slumped, and I noticed his eyes had deep dark circles under them. He hadn't slept at all…
I bit my lower lip hard, realizing how hurt we both were. Despite my efforts to stay calm, the anger and frustration from last night began to bubble up inside me. My emotions seemed to be working against me, growing stronger and demanding attention, threatening to break through despite my best efforts to keep them at bay.
I knew he'd already noticed my presence but was deliberately stalling. I didn't want another confrontation; it was too soon, so I headed for the cupboards.
"Good morning." It was my simple greeting as I moved around the kitchen, getting what I needed. My voice came out hoarse.
"Good morning, love." Edward's tone was frail and I noticed him stopping what he was doing to look at me, but I chose not to acknowledge it.
I didn't really know what else to say, so I sat at the table with my cereal and poured milk over it, trying to suppress the unwelcome annoyance that was slowly overtaking me for no clear reason.
"I made you some eggs," Edward spoke cautiously as he put the plate on the table and sat opposite me.
"Thanks." It was all I could manage to say.
"Do you want me to take you to campus? I don't have any classes until the afternoon, so I thought that…"
"No need, I can go by myself." It kind of slipped out before I could control the hurt that provoked the harsh answer.
Edward clearly flinched and looked down.
I took a deep breath to try to tone down my irritation, staring at my bowl.
"And also, you shouldn't wait for me tonight. I think I'll hang out with the guys after work, so…" I shrugged as I informed him in a quiet voice.
There was a strained silence. The room felt heavy with unspoken emotions, the air thick with tension.
"Please, love." I was surprised by how tremulous his voice was. "What do you want me to do? Just tell me what I have to do to fix this, and I'll do it. Just don't..." He sighed, clearly breathless, which made me look at him. "Don't leave me... like this."
Suddenly my heart ached, and tenderness washed over me, soothing the anger just a little.
"I'm not leaving you in any way." I controlled the hint of affection in my voice. "I'm just going to class and having some quality time with my friends later."
"We can't be like this, Jazz…" He undeniably pleaded.
I heaved a weighted sigh, dropped the spoon on the table, and moved to sit on the chair beside him, all the while looking down. Before raising my eyes to his, I sighed again and, hesitantly pushing aside the hurt and annoyance, focused on the love I felt for him. I brought my right hand to his face and cupped his jaw.
He shivered subtly at the contact and closed his eyes for an instant. I immediately knew he was holding back some tears.
"I know you're hurting too, but you provoked this," I said as softly and gently as I could.
"I know," he whispered, opening his eyes and gazing into mine.
"And not just by hiding about the guy…" I added.
"I know," he repeated, lowering his gaze.
"I need some time, Edward. I'm not giving up on us or leaving you. I just need time to deal with this. Once I know what we can do to fix it, I'll tell you. Right now, I'm still figuring out how I really feel and what I think about what I saw and everything you told me. I'm trying to understand, okay? But it's not easy. I don't want to be unfair to you and assume things based on my conclusions, but I don't want to be permissive either. I can't pretend I didn't see what I saw. So let me get some perspective. Don't freak out. I'm trying not to myself, so if you do, it won't really help us. Just give me some time."
He nodded as I moved back to my chair.
He took a moment to look at me, and then we shared a tender gaze.
"I love you," he said intensely.
"I know," I assured him. "I love you too."
My throat felt sore, and I knew my eyes were welling up, so I bent my head. I stared at the food for a couple of seconds before realizing I wasn't hungry anymore. I stood up in silence, put my bowl in the sink, and went back to my room to retrieve my bag.
It hurt, but I avoided looking at him before saying goodbye and leaving.
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I couldn't pay attention to any of my classes. I couldn't talk properly to my friends. By the end of the day, I was a wreck. I wanted to talk to Edward; I couldn't stop thinking about him and us. My heart was torn. I just wanted to get home and see my boyfriend. But as I stepped out of the bookstore and saw Mark waiting for me, I remembered I had promised to go out with my mates after work.
It was fun, and I realized I needed that by the time I got home. But my heart was racing as I unlocked the door and anxiously searched the living room with my eyes, hoping that Edward had been waiting for me.
He wasn't there… he was asleep on my bed.
I smiled and lay down facing him. He opened his eyes slowly and smiled, relieved.
We were silent for half a minute or so, and I noticed he was hesitating. He wanted to talk some more but was holding back to respect my request for time.
I sighed, realizing I needed to be the one to break the silence and take the lead. It was up to me to navigate through that moment.
"Listen, I know things are kinda strained right now, and I have an idea of how bad you're feeling. I just want you to know that I feel bad too. I just need to understand it… I'm really trying to understand everything, E."
"We don't have to do this now," he conceded in a downhearted voice.
"We do. I can see how anguished you are, and I don't want you to hurt anymore." I exhaled heavily. "My insecurity gets the best of me sometimes; you're aware of that. But it doesn't matter how hurt or angry I get, Edward. It doesn't change the fact that I love you. Just help me understand… please."
He was quiet then, and I could see the struggle in his eyes as he fought to find the right words. His gaze dropped to the bed, and he took a couple of deep breaths, seemingly grappling with his emotions before speaking.
I watched him closely, feeling a swell of empathy as his vulnerability became evident. The anguish in his eyes and the way his shoulders slumped told me just how deeply he was affected. It was clear that he was trying to bridge the gap between us, and his hesitation only made me more determined to understand his perspective.
"I've never felt attracted to Luke. I think he's beautiful and interesting, but I feel nothing more than friendship for him," he started cautiously.
"But you like that he's into you," I asserted in a controlled tone.
"I think I do." He frowned. "There's this almost pleasant sensation in knowing that another man besides you wants me. I don't really know how to explain it or what it really means, but… it just feels nice. But I don't reciprocate, and this isn't the reason I like having him around."
"Why, then?"
"I think it's because we're both gay. I don't feel like I need to ponder my words or adjust my behavior when I'm around him. I can be myself, we speak the same language, we think alike, and it's comfortable." He released a deep breath. "It's like you and Bella, you know? You two have things in common that you and I don't, and it kinda makes sense. There are parts of us that fit in better with other people, and it's okay. Bella attends to some of your needs that I don't and this is completely fine because it doesn't mean you want to be with her. She's your closest friend, the one that better understands you, and that's all."
"And this is how you feel about Luke?"
"Yes," he affirmed emphatically.
"And there's nothing else." It sounded like a question.
"No, hon. There's nothing else, there's no one else besides you for me, Jasper," he heaved a sigh. "He's just the first gay friend I have, and it is nice to have someone like myself to talk and share things with, like you with your basketball mates."
As I began to understand his point of view, I reached out and gently held his face, feeling the warmth of his smooth skin. Edward's eyes softened, and he leaned into my touch, his expression a mix of relief and vulnerability.
At that moment, the weight of our emotions seemed to blend, and I felt a profound sense of connection. His openness and honesty melted away some of the barriers between us, and I knew we were beginning to find common ground.
"I need you to understand that my frustration comes from fear of losing what we have," I said softly. "I'm trying to work through it, and I hope you can see that."
Edward's eyes filled with tears, and he looked away, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Of course, I can see it. But I've been so scared, Jazz. I didn't know how to fix it, and I felt so helpless. I just want to make things right." He swallowed hard, his emotions clearly on the surface. "I know I made a mistake, love," he continued, his voice gaining a bit more steadiness. "I see where you are coming from. And I'm sorry for hurting you…"
"I'm sorry too," I said promptly. "For the way I handled things… I jumped to conclusions and…" I shook my head slowly, admonishing myself. " I didn't need to be so harsh. I don't like that I left you alone either. I know we should deal with this together, but I'm still working on my tendency to withdraw whenever something throws me off. I know I need to change…"
Edward chuckled lightly.
"Your attitude was pretty mature, hon. You actually surprised me. I was expecting something like our last fight—rudeness and an extended cold shoulder… but you controlled your impetuosity really well. And the fact that you need space… I understand. I know this is just how you deal with things, and you don't have to change."
I felt a subtle weight lift from my shoulders, a small but significant shift in the air between us. The tension seemed to ease, and I could see a hint of relief in Edward's eyes. We exchanged a brief, understanding glance, both of us beginning to let go of some of the tension that had been hanging over us. It was as if, in that silent moment, we reached a quiet agreement to move forward together.
"I just want to be better for you, Edward… I want to make you happy…"
"I wanna make you happy too," he replied earnestly. "I'll do whatever it takes to make things better."
"We will do this," I emphasized. "Together, angel. Okay?"
"Okay."
I leaned in and kissed him, starting softly but soon deepening the contact, driven by my need to be closer to him.
We spent the rest of the night lost in each other, the first rays of the sun filtering through the curtains by the time we finally fell asleep.
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We exchanged smiles during breakfast the next day. I had asked Edward to take me to campus with him. I didn't have any classes that morning, and he knew it, but he didn't question me. Maybe he thought I wanted us to spend a bit more time together—and he wasn't wrong—but the reason went a little beyond that. I took a deep breath before starting to explain.
"Hum, babe... there's something I need to talk to you about before we leave..." My voice was soft and steady, despite the slight nervousness that took over me.
Edward nodded, straightened up in his chair, and looked attentively at me, his eyes scrutinizing my face, trying to assess my mood.
I sighed. It was not like me to demand things from anyone, especially from him. But I needed to do this to handle my jealousy. I wanted to trust Edward and for him to be friends with whomever he wanted without worrying if that affected me, but something inside me kept telling me there was more behind their closeness. So, to ease my mind, I had to, at least, delimit my ground.
I knew it was a bit territorial of me… it didn't sit well, but that was the only way.
"I want you to introduce me to Luke," I said somewhat sternly.
Edward frowned, clearly confused.
"But I already did it that—"
"Officially," I cut him off.
I didn't want to be rude, but being harsh was a self-defense mechanism. He didn't deserve that, but I struggled to control my fear of his refusal.
He squinted, apparently trying to grasp my intention. I could tell he didn't fully understand.
"I want you to introduce me as your boyfriend to him," I explained slowly.
Oddly enough, Edward smiled, which puzzled me.
"Really?" he asked, his tone skeptical.
I was so nervous I feared he might say no.
"I need this," I said, justifying my request. I rushed through the words. "I still don't feel comfortable with your proximity. If he knows I'm your boyfriend, at least I'll have a presence, and maybe just knowing I'm around and can show up anytime will discourage him if he's thinking of making another move… And I know you said that he—" My voice wavered throughout my speech.
Edward cupped my face in his hands, effectively stopping my babbling.
"Love, you don't have to justify anything," he said softly. "I'll do it gladly. There's nothing I want more than to tell everyone that you're my boyfriend." He was grinning, his voice filled with excitement. I couldn't doubt his words.
"Even Luke?" My tone was a bit suspicious.
"Especially Luke," Edward affirmed pointedly. "Once he knows, it'll be so much easier to talk to him. I won't have to monitor everything I discuss with him anymore…"
I frowned, and Edward, sensing my concern, hurried to explain. "Love, I know you don't really like him, but that's because you're jealous and don't know him well. He's a nice person, a great guy, and my closest friend here. I want you two to get along."
When he put it that way, it was easier to understand his point of view…
There was no reason to be doubtful, especially with Edward reacting so positively to my request. Still, a weird feeling nagged at me, a little voice in the back of my head trying to tell me something. But… I was getting what I wanted, so I should just be thankful.
"I'll try my best. I promise," I said sincerely. "So how do we handle this?"
"Today we don't have any morning classes together, but his first class is in the same corridor as mine. We usually meet at the snack bar in the lobby of the chemistry building."
"Great," I said in a slightly dry tone, though it was more because the information kind of annoyed me.
I stood up and offered him my hand.
"Thanks, angel."
He smiled lovingly at me.
"You don't have to thank me. I'm just doing what a boyfriend should—attending to my partner's needs."
I reciprocated his smile and nodded.
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I couldn't remember the last time Edward and I left for college together. Our distinct schedules meant we rarely left the apartment at the same time, and when we did, we usually went our separate ways because we had different things to do.
But not that day. That day, we were heading to college together to handle something affecting our relationship.
All the way there, I was a nervous wreck. I wasn't sure if it was because I was about to expose our relationship to one more person or because I wanted to put Edward's "friend" in his place and mark my territory.
It didn't really matter. For whatever reason, I was still fretting when we arrived on campus. I needed to cool off. I didn't want to seem insecure—I wanted to make it clear that I wouldn't let anyone interfere with my relationship. I wanted Luke to know he didn't stand a chance against me.
I believed that was why I tuned out everyone and everything around us as we entered the building. Determinedly, I grabbed Edward's hand and interlocked our fingers when I spotted the guy.
It wasn't just a display; I needed the contact to calm my heart rate. I needed the connection with Edward to feel braver and, at the same time, sheltered.
Of course, Edward's eyes immediately dropped to our clasped hands, his expression one of surprise. But he soon squeezed my hand and smiled softly at me, clearly understanding my need, as I knew he would.
As we approached, I noticed the guy had his eyes fixed on me, as if he was intrigued or trying hard to figure something out. It didn't take long for him to notice that Edward and I were holding hands. That's when his face took on a baffled expression, even though there was an odd, knowing glint in his eyes.
"I knew it." It was the first thing he said when we stopped in front of him, an amused grin on his lips.
He looked from me to Edward and chuckled.
Yeah, maybe I was wrong, like Edward said…
"Good morning, Luke," my boyfriend greeted him with a lighthearted tone. "There's someone I want you to meet."
Luke looked at me with a smug expression that I didn't quite understand. I tried to ease the scowl I knew was on my face, but it was stronger than me. I really didn't like him.
"Oh, I already know Jasper, your childhood best friend, Eddy." He said in a mocking tone that reminded me a lot of Edward's. "But I guess the change in your status calls for a fresh introduction?" Edward laughed lightly beside me. I didn't. I didn't find it funny. "So this is Jasper, your new boyfriend. I was kind of expecting this."
I looked at Edward, frowning. He mouthed "later" to me, and I understood he would explain afterward.
"Actually, Luke, this is Jasper Alexander Whitlock Hale." I didn't get why he emphasized my middle name or why he gave him my full name, but I figured it had something to do with what he would explain later. So, I just looked at his friend, whose eyes were now pretty surprised, and waited for him to finish. "My one and only boyfriend."
The guy was literally speechless for a whole minute, then he blinked a couple of times and looked from Edward to me, to our joined hands, and back to Edward.
"Why the lie?" It was obvious he was puzzled.
Since that was on me, I took the cue.
"That was for my benefit," I explained before my boyfriend could, in the lightest tone I could muster. "I'm not out yet; I don't feel comfortable exposing our relationship, so… He was just protecting me."
Luke smiled slightly, comprehension glinting in his eyes as he nodded slowly. I felt somewhat uncomfortable still being so antagonistic toward him… He really did seem like the nice guy Edward described.
"So you're gay…" It sounded more like an inference than a question. I squinted.
I opened my mouth to respond but then realized it wasn't worth it. It didn't really matter what he thought of my sexual orientation as long as he understood I was Edward's boyfriend.
"I just wanted to start over, the right way this time," I stated confidently, looking at him somewhat sternly. He seemed unfazed. "So, I'm Jasper, Edward's boyfriend." I forced a smile and offered him my free hand.
He took it, and we shook hands firmly.
"Nice to finally meet you, Jasper." I got the impression his tone was a bit acid, but I couldn't be sure. "The real you, I mean."
"Nice to meet you too, Luke," I replied, controlling my voice to keep my animosity in check.
Edward sighed heavily beside me.
I knew he could read my real feelings through nothing more than the sound of my voice, so he was definitely aware of the antipathy I was trying hard to disguise. Despite this, he sounded relieved.
I looked at him, and he smiled back with a proud look in his gorgeous eyes. I smiled softly in return, feeling a bit more at ease with the situation.
"So, that part where you two grew up together…" Luke's voice, apparently joyful, reached me, and I looked at him again. He was focused on Edward.
Once more, there was something in his gaze, in the way he was looking solely at my boyfriend, as if isolating him from everything around him, including me.
"The whole thing is true," Edward said softly. "I just didn't mention that my best friend is actually my boyfriend. But if you think about what I said, you'll see I never really lied."
"I see," Luke accepted with a half-smile. "You deceived me, alright. I'll give you that, my friend. I'm not easily fooled, and you know I was suspicious."
"Yeah, I know," Edward replied, amused.
"But I couldn't have come up with this outcome. You really surprised me."
"I finally left the eloquent Luke Summers speechless," Edward added with a light laugh.
Luke laughed too, and I began to feel somewhat out of the loop. It was as if I had suddenly disappeared. I awkwardly shifted my weight from one leg to the other and sighed, feeling my stomach knot and my throat constrict.
For sure, Edward noticed immediately. He wasn't just sensitive to extreme temperatures; he was also attuned to my mood changes, and I knew he could tell I was beyond uncomfortable and on the verge of getting pretty angry.
His fingers tightened around mine, and when I looked at him, forcefully softening my gaze, I saw his silent apology in his eyes.
"We should go; your class starts in five minutes," Luke's voice reached me as Edward and I locked eyes.
But that wasn't the source of my abrupt annoyance. It was the pretentious authority in his tone as if he knew Edward's schedule so well and was being overly attentive to ensure my boyfriend wouldn't miss his responsibilities. It felt like he was trying to flaunt his supposed closeness with Edward.
Okay, maybe I was overthinking things or letting jealousy get the better of me. But I was there for a reason, and if Luke thought he could simply ignore the boundaries I was setting, he was very much mistaken.
I wasn't going to fight fair.
Ignoring Luke completely, I held Edward's gaze. I knew he wouldn't look away if we were locked in eye contact. I understood the power I had over him and wasn't ashamed to use it.
"I'll take you to your classroom," I whispered softly, meant for his ears alone.
Edward's eyes sparkled with an almost delighted gleam. Suddenly, everything else seemed less important. My irritation faded because my angel was so pleased with my stance. It warmed my heart and made me momentarily forget about Luke, who was clearly waiting for Edward's response.
"You can go ahead, Luke," Edward said without breaking eye contact with me. "So you're not late for your class."
Out of courtesy, and to avoid having my boyfriend seem rude, I released Edward's gaze, turning to look at his friend. I felt a surge of satisfaction when I noticed that Luke no longer seemed as cheerful and confident as before.
"Okay," he said, clearly forcing a smile. "I'll see you at lunch." He directed the comment to Edward.
"Actually…" I cut in before Edward could respond, turning back to him. His curiosity was evident. "I was thinking we could have lunch together today. I don't have to rush to the gym since I won't be joining practice." I forced a cheerfulness into my tone. "What do you think?"
"I think it's a great idea, love." Edward responded with a knowing smile.
I could never fool him; he was fully aware of what I was doing.
"Then I guess I'll see you only in class," Luke said, his tone even and controlled. I noticed the hint of irritation he tried to hide when I glanced back at him. "I'll see you around?" he asked, his gaze slightly defiant.
"You bet." I replied with a smug smile.
Then we exchanged a subtly audacious glance, as if challenging each other, setting up a veiled dare.
Right then, I reconsidered my earlier thoughts. Edward could insist a million times that Luke was a nice person, but my mind was made up. There was definitely something off; I didn't trust him.
Luke then looked up at my boyfriend and smiled warmly.
"Later, Edward."
"Later, Luke," Edward replied in a light tone.
As soon as his friend disappeared down the long corridor, Edward turned to me. He seemed amused, or perhaps proud; I wasn't sure.
"You're just too cute when you're jealous and territorial," he said with a chuckle. "Feel better now?"
I laughed lightly and shook my head.
"Just a bit," I replied, mockingly downplaying it. "Come on, you'll be late for your class."
We smiled at each other as we walked to his classroom hand in hand. I didn't want to admit it to him, though I was sure he knew, but I was actually bursting with sheer contentment.
It felt damn good to establish my boundaries…
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Lunch with my boyfriend was great. I had him to myself for a whole hour, which was pretty unusual on a weekday. The moment itself wasn't much different from our lunches at home. We sat at a corner table in the restaurant across from the campus, ate, talked, and exchanged smiles, glances, and subtle touches as usual. But the vibe between us was new. Maybe it was because we were happier, or because I was feeling lighter and more confident. Maybe (probably) it was because, even though we were in a public place, we were acting naturally, just like we did at home.
We didn't kiss or hug each other, and we only held hands when we were leaving because I had met Edward there. But it felt so… Normal. And normal seemed so great.
It was liberating not to worry about people staring or talking behind our backs, to let things flow naturally without monitoring every gesture. I'd never thought it would feel like lifting a weight off my shoulders, but that's exactly how it felt.
As I crossed the hall to the gym, I pulled out my cell phone and opened the messaging app. He wasn't online, but he'd see my messages after his lab class. My fingers flew over the screen as I typed quickly while entering the locker room. I'd just seen him, just been with him, yet I was already missing his presence.
JHale
Hey, darling. Did you make it to class on time? Lunch was great.
It's crazy, but I'm already missing you…
He came online as I sent the second message.
EdwardAnthonyMC
Made it on time, love, but I can't concentrate.
You're on my mind.
I loved having lunch with you.
"Talking to the girlfriend again, Hale?" I heard Troy's playful tone behind me and looked around.
He had just walked in with Brandon, Aaron, Freddie, and Kyle.
"He told you already, dickhead, he doesn't have a girlfriend," Aaron said with a laugh before I could respond.
I nodded.
"Yeah, but look at that grin," Freddie said, pointing at me from across the room as Aaron and I bumped fists. "If it's not a girlfriend, it'll be pretty soon…"
Except for Kyle, who was scowling into his locker, everyone laughed, and I followed them, contemplating if it was time to clarify a few things.
"Leave him alone, guys. It's none of your business," Brandon said in his deep voice, smiling warmly at me. "Got your back." He winked as he sat on the bench.
I nodded and raised my fist, which he bumped with his.
"I'm just messing with you, you know that, right?" Troy said, extending his fist towards me.
I bumped it with a smile. "I know, man. But you're not far from the truth," I replied, gathering the courage to speak up.
It was time. They were my friends and teammates, and I didn't need, or want, to keep this from them anymore. With events like games, parties, and other gatherings coming up, I didn't want to revert to pretending Edward and I were just friends, especially after experiencing how good it felt to act naturally.
"So, you do have a girlfriend?" Freddie asked, his brows arched high, a broad smile stretching his lips, and curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
I looked at them.
Brandon was putting on his socks, Aaron and Troy were dressing in their uniforms, and Freddie was tying his shoelaces. At that moment, Mark entered the room with his usual lighthearted smile, greeting us with a warm, "Afternoon, guys," as he headed to his locker.
I took a deep breath and leaned against the lockers behind me.
"I actually have a boyfriend," I said, relieved that my voice didn't falter.
They all continued with their tasks. Perhaps they were waiting for more information, but they didn't seem fazed or even surprised by my confession. Not even Kyle, from whom I expected some ironic remark, turned from his locker or stopped changing his clothes.
"See, I told you he had someone," Troy said to Freddie, playfully punching his shoulder.
"You said he had a girlfriend," Freddie countered with a smug smile. "He has a boyfriend."
Troy turned up the palms of his hands and shrugged.
"It's the same fucking thing," he stated, rolling his eyes at his friend.
I laughed, feeling relieved and a bit surprised they were acting so cool about it.
"That's nice, man," Brandon said as he stood up from the bench. "Will we get to meet him?"
"All of you already do," I said lightly.
That's when Kyle turned his head quickly, giving me a skeptical look.
Oh, this is going to feel so fucking good… The thought popped into my mind.
"Except for Aaron, who was too busy sucking his girl's face the whole party," Mark added with a laugh.
Aaron blushed and gave Mark the finger, though a small smile played at the corners of his lips.
"We met him at the party?" Freddie asked, his tone now surprised.
"Is it Edward?" Troy rushed to ask, curiosity evident in his voice.
I made sure to lock eyes with Kyle, letting my best smirk and my smuggest look settle on my face.
"Yeah. Edward is my boyfriend." I noticed Kyle squint and clench his jaw before he turned away and left. I chose to ignore him and focused on my friends instead.
"I'm sorry I wasn't honest with you guys back then," I said.
"It's cool, man. We understand," Brandon interrupted with a reassuring tone, his heavy hand resting on my shoulder. "You weren't sure how we'd react, right?" I nodded. "Well, now you know we're not prejudiced. We're your friends." He gave my shoulder a supportive squeeze before letting go. "Edward is nice," he added with another warm smile.
"Edward is hot," Freddie remarked, seemingly absentmindedly. As I looked at him, finding it amusing, Troy turned to Freddie with mock-questioning eyes. "What? Just because I'm straight doesn't mean I'm blind. The guy is gorgeous." He looked at me apologetically. "With all due respect."
I laughed lightly and nodded in agreement.
"He is gorgeous," I agreed. "Thanks, guys. I'm feeling better now that you all know."
Aaron smiled and nodded as he closed his locker, Troy winked at me before continuing with his things, and Freddie tapped my arm lightly before standing up from the bench. They all left the room, just like any other normal day.
Mark placed both hands on my shoulders and looked down at me with a proud smile.
"It feels freeing, doesn't it?" He asked in a tone that reminded me of Emmett's. I nodded, smiling thankfully at him. "Now get the fuck ready and go to your physiotherapy session 'cause you need to get better soon. We have a game to win in a month."
We both laughed lightly as he let go of me and closed his locker.
As he left me alone in there, and I started to go about my things still smiling and feeling damn great, this dark thought came up in my head, out of nowhere, tainting my happiness.
I had just come out to my friends. It had been way easier than I'd anticipated, but it was nothing compared to how it would be with my family.
My eyes closed on their own. I leaned my forehead against the cold metal door of my locker.
I had a little more than four months to prepare myself to face my father. I had no idea where I would find the courage to do that.