Say Something 【boyxboy】√Completed

Over the next few days, nothing really changes between me and Ross even though I still have a lot of questions.

I feel a little different since starting to realize my own feelings, but the way we act has not changed. We still talk to each other the same way in class and at lunch.

It's hard for me to tell what Ross wants, since he hasn't brought it up again. It's as if he wants to pretend it never happened.

I'm not sure that I'm ready for any sort of relationship anyway. This is all too new to me, and Ross is a guy. I have to be sure of things.

It's probably a good thing that he didn't actually kiss me.

After a long weekend of catching up on homework and staying inside, Ross wants to walk home together again on Monday afternoon.

We chat casually about our current art project, and then walk in silence for a minute.

"I'm glad things haven't changed between us," he says, finally mentioning it.

I nod.

"You're not uncomfortable, right?"

"Of course not," I assure him.

"Good." Ross laughs suddenly. "I guess I was just caught in the moment. I mean, you are straight, right?"

"Yeah," I answer without thinking, but then I feel guilty. How can I call myself straight if I might have feelings for him? I've always assumed I was straight, but shouldn't I be questioning that now?

Ross chuckles again, but it sounds a bit forced. "Of course."

I'm not sure how I could change my answer, at this point, so I just let it go.

He changes the subject like it's no big deal. "I was thinking we could stop at the diner, if you want. I'm craving some spicy fries."

We sit at at a table near the window and as we wait for the fries, Ross's phone rings.

"Sorry, it's my mom. I have to take this." He goes outside and I sigh to myself. I don't like being left alone, unless I'm at home. It can't be helped though.

I wonder what it would be like if Ross and I actually dated. Maybe we would hang out more often. We would kiss, wouldn't we? I look down at the table because I feel myself blushing. There's something weird about kissing, in general. I'm not experienced with that at all.

I don't want to think about the physical stuff right now. I'm still trying to figure out if I even would want to be in a relationship.

Several days later, as I leave lunch and go to my locker, someone is waiting for me.

I freeze like a deer in the headlights as I see Jacob leaning against my locker.

He's a terrifying person, but other people don't seem to see that. Junior girls surround him, including the one who I'd seen him kiss that one time in the hallway.

Don't they know what he's capable of? How he hurts people? He puts on a charming act that they can't see past.

I hate him, and I'm terrified, but right now all I can think of are the bruises on Ross's side.

I'm probably safe with all of these other people around. Will he really be nasty to me in front of those girls?

I gather up the little courage I have and try to breathe steadily as I make my way towards my locker.

He gives me an amused look. "Oh, sorry, am I in your way?" he asks innocently.

His tone of voice is unfamiliar. It's fake. The girls watch me curiously.

I fear for them. He could easily trick them into liking him, and then hurt them.

"How dare you," I say. My voice is soft, and I'm trembling, but I'm proud of myself for speaking up.

He laughs.

"What did you do this time, Jake?" asks his girlfriend. To my surprise, she's smiling, as if this is nothing unusual.

I narrow my eyes. "You punched him."

His girlfriend looks between us curiously. "Who?"

"I was just taking care of Ross," Jacob says smoothly. "He's just mad that I hurt his little boyfriend." The girls smirk like they understand.

I really want to hit him, but I can't get myself to follow through with it. He's a monster. Why are they acting like this isn't a big deal? Don't they sympathize with Ross at all?

I'm too much of a chicken to say something back, so I turn and walk away. I don't care about getting to my locker now, I just need to get away from this situation.

If I weren't so afraid of him, I would have punched him hard in the face. As hard as I could.

I feel sick to my stomach, but somehow I keep it together, enough to get through the rest of my classes.

At the end of the day, I open my locker and find a note. Someone must have pushed it through the spaces at the top.

Meet me outside behind the caf. - Ross

I'm confused for a moment. Ross wasn't in video production today, so maybe he needs to talk about something privately.

I'm worried, so I gather my things quickly and then head towards the exit by the cafeteria.

When I'm almost to the door, someone grabs my shoulder and yanks me backwards.

Of course it's Jacob. Of course. The note was fake.

Panicking, I try to go past him but he gets in my way and grabs my arm.

"Wait," he says.

I have no way to defend myself. There are security cameras, but I doubt anyone is watching them. I eye the nearby fire alarm, but that would be pretty drastic.

His grip on my arm hurts as his fingers tighten. "Stop!" I say desperately.

"Shut up!" he snaps. He releases my arm but stares me down. I feel small. "Don't fucking talk to me in school."

I avoid eye contact. Wasn't he the one blocking my locker in the first place? How could I have avoided him?

"Don't mention Ross around my friends. In fact, don't mention any of you losers." He pauses and lowers his voice. "If you don't want to die, don't say anything. Don't even fucking speak."

I bite my tongue and stare at the ground. The situation is different now, but his words are the same as before.

This time I turn and hurry away before he can stop me. I have to get out of the school because I can feel an anxiety attack coming. I reach the entrance and shove open the door.

Someone gasps and I realize that I've shoved the door right into Rhiannon from my art class.

"Sorry," I say, barely a whisper.

She looks surprised but then laughs. "What's the hurry, Jude?"

I stare at her, unable to answer.

"You okay?"

Nodding quickly, I continue to walk away from the school. Today, walking home alone, I don't feel safe but I don't have much of a choice. I shouldn't have been so stupid, trying to stand up to Jacob. It will never work.

I think of Ross and feel helpless. I don't know what I could possibly do.