Laurens I like you a lot

Trigger warning- mentions of abuse, homophobia
Alex POV

I'm still waiting for John to come back. I didn't sleep after he left. I hope he's not mad. I tried calling him but he left his phone here. I don't wanna work in case he comes in, if I'm working I probably won't notice him. I look around a bit and see a book open on his desk. I flip through it and it's a bunch of artworks. I had no idea he was such a good artist. He should be majoring in art not law. He doesn't seem to take any interest when we're in class.

Awhile later I see the door open and I look up from my phone hoping to see John, but it's just laf and herc "Mon ami you missed class are you ok?" Laf asks clearly concerned

"Oh yeah I'm fine, I'm just waiting for someone, did you take notes?" I ask. Herc nods and hands me his book "thanks.. I'll do the work later though"

"Whoever you're waiting for must be pretty important if you're skipping work for them" herc teases.

"They are.. I think I upset them, I don't know how though.." I sigh. Just after I say this the door opens again and John walks in. "John! Are you ok?! Where have you been?" I jump up and run to him.

"Um no where.. im sorry" he mumbled as he started putting his clothes in his suitcase.

"John, what're you doing? Please stay... if I did something I'm sorry" I beg him to stay. But he just keeps packing. "John, please" he ignores me and goes to his desk and reaches for his art book but a take it before he can.

"Alex give it" he tries to grab it off me but I move out of his reach.

"Not until you tell me what wrong" I reply. He looks down and slowly walks over to me. I look at him, holding his sketchbook tightly. He sighs and kisses me. I stand in Shock for a second before kissing him back.

Before I process it he grabs the sketchbook from my hand and runs out. "John-" I yell after him but it's no use. He's gone. And he only kissed me to get his book. I sigh snd look down.

"Alex... are you ok?" Laf asks softly. I forgot they were here. I just nod and go to my desk and starts working.

John POV

I know it was mean to kiss him just to get my art book back, but what was I supposed to do? It's the last thing my mum got me before she died. I go back to my dads. I don't care anymore. At least if I'm here I can protect my siblings. And if I die, I die. I knock on the door. James, my youngest brother opens it "Jackie!" He smiled and hugs me.

I hug him back and smile "hey James. Is dad home?" I ask as I pick him up. He's only 4. He nods.

"Are you moving back in?" He asks.

"Yeah, well I have to ask dad's permission. But why don't you go tell Henry Mary and Martha I'm back ok?" He nods and runs upstairs when I put him down.

I smile then walk into my dads office and knock. "Yes?" I open the door. He looks up "what the fuck are you doing here?"

"Um.. c-can I move back in" I ask nervously. I know this is stupid and I shouldn't move back home but at least I know what to expect here, at college there are way more people to disappoint. Especially Alex... ugh I can't get him out of my head. Why did I kiss him, I mean I know why, but why did it feel good?

My dad stands up and walks over to me. I look at him, trying not to make it look like I'm scared "you better not have dropped out" he says in a threatening tone.

"N-no sir... my room mate Uh.. he-he kissed me so I had to move out..." I lie. I did come out to my dad, when I was 16, just after why Mum died... I thought he would've accepted me at least out of grief but no... he- well he definitely didn't. But after a month or 2 I just told him it was a phase cuz I couldn't take being beaten every day anymore.

"I see.. I guess you may move back in, but you know the rules, no guys in your room alone with you, and before you do anything, all your work has to be done" he explains. I nod.

"I know.. thank you sir" he nods and walks back to his desk so I walk out, closing the door behind me. I walk up to my room and unpack my stuff. I sigh and walk over to the bed. I lift up the mattress snd smile. I see the pride flag and love letter I got in high school. I hide it so my dads wouldn't see. The letter was from Charles Lee.. he ended up being controlling and a little abusive but I still kept the letter.