For Him, I Stayed

Chapter 2: "The Shadows and The Light"

The mention of Skyler's name made Ray's stomach drop. His brother's reputation at school wasn't something Ray could live up to, and he knew it. The boys didn't actually know they were brothers-they were just throwing out names of popular kids, trying to get a reaction. But that only made Ray feel worse, knowing that Skyler's shadow loomed over him, even if no one knew about their connection.

Before he could respond, however, someone else did. "Leave him alone," Matthew's voice cut through the silence as he appeared at the edge of the table, his eyes narrowed.

The boys exchanged glances, muttering under their breaths as they walked away, no doubt planning to start up their teasing again some other time. Ray let out a shaky breath, feeling both grateful and slightly humiliated.

"You don't have to keep stepping in like that, you know," he said quietly, looking up at Matthew, who slid into the seat beside him.

"Yeah, well, someone's gotta keep those assholes in line," Matthew replied, shrugging. "Besides, what are best friends for?"

Ray managed a small smile, and the two of them got back to work, falling into the comfortable rhythm they'd developed over their time together. But even as he focused on his homework, Ray couldn't shake the weight of that lingering shadow-Skyler's image, always hovering just out of reach.

---

A few days later, Ray was heading to the school gym after hours to grab his forgotten sweater. The gym was mostly empty, but as he walked down the hallway, he heard voices drifting out from one of the side rooms. He peeked around the corner and saw Skyler and Avilian standing by the bleachers, talking and laughing softly, and smiling in a way that looked so... natural.

Ray felt a pang of something he couldn't quite describe. It wasn't jealousy, exactly-it was more like a reminder of all the ways he didn't fit in. Skyler had it all: popularity, charm, a close circle of friends.

As Ray turned to leave, he accidentally nudged a locker, and the metal door let out a loud clang. Skyler and Avilian turned toward the sound, and Ray froze, caught.

"Ray?" Skyler called out, his voice surprised but warm.

Ray stepped into view, feeling awkward. "Uh... hey, Sky."

Skyler walked over, a small smile on his face. "Didn't expect to see you here. Everything okay?"

Ray nodded, feeling the weight of Avilian's curious gaze on him. He wanted to disappear. "Yeah, just... left my sweater."

Avilian raised an eyebrow, giving Skyler a teasing look. "Friend of yours, Sky?" She didn't recognize Ray as his brother, and Skyler seemed to hesitate for a moment, glancing between them.

"Yeah, something like that," Skyler replied, his tone light but affectionate. "Anyway, we'll see you around, Ray."

Ray nodded, murmuring a quick goodbye, and hurried out of the gym. He could feel their eyes on him as he left, and he couldn't shake the hollow feeling in his chest. He was the brother no one knew about, the one who didn't fit into Skyler's perfect image. At school, Ray was just another face in the crowd-awkward, quiet, and invisible.

---

The next day, Ray found himself sitting with Matthew again, this time near the edge of the track field. Matthew had noticed the quiet look on his face, and after a few moments, he nudged Ray gently.

"What's going on? You look like you're somewhere else."

Ray hesitated, unsure how much he wanted to share. He trusted Matthew, but there were parts of himself he wasn't sure anyone could really understand.

"It's just... have you ever felt like you're stuck in someone else's shadow?" Ray asked quietly, staring out at the field. "Like no matter what you do, you'll never be... enough?"

Matthew looked at him, clearly trying to piece together what Ray meant. "I don't know... I mean, I've never really felt that way. But I think... sometimes you're too hard on yourself, Ray. People don't see you the way you think they do."

Ray shook his head, unable to fully accept Matthew's words. "You don't get it," he mumbled, feeling the weight of all the insecurities he'd been carrying for years.

Matthew rested a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "Maybe I don't understand everything. But I do know you're one of the best people I know. And if others can't see that, then it's their loss, right?"

Ray felt a strange warmth spreading through his chest, his worries melting away, if only for a moment. "Thanks, Matt."

They sat there in comfortable silence, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the field. For a little while, Ray let himself forget about Skyler, about the bullies, and about all the insecurities that seemed to follow him wherever he went. Right now, all that mattered was this quiet moment with Matthew-his best friend, the one person who never made him feel like he was less than enough.