C3 Chapter 2

MILES

The moment I stepped into the bustling hallways of school, a wave of unease washed over me. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could feel the heavy weight of judgment casting its shadow from every corner. Anxiety gnawed at the edges of my mind as I hurriedly made my way toward my locker, desperate to avoid the prying gazes of my fellow students.

I had always been different, never entirely fitting in with the popular crowd or adhering to societal norms, and I have always been a victim of bullies. Precisely for this reason, an air of curiosity and intrigue surrounded me, but it was not the kind I had ever sought.

As I turned the corner, my eyes darted around, scanning the sea of faces for any sign of recognition. I could feel the eyes on me and the whispers lingering in the air. It felt as if everyone had become a detective, waiting to uncover another hidden secret about me after they found out I was Gay. The very thought made my palms sweaty.

Reaching my locker, I dialed the combination with practiced precision, the metallic clinks providing a brief moment of solace amidst the chaos. As the door swung open, I was startled by a sudden cascade of hundreds of pictures fluttering to the floor. Confused, I bent down to inspect the unusual sight, only to discover that they were all images of naked men.

The laughter of every student echoed through the halls of Adamson High School, its mocking tunes piercing my ears. I knew exactly why they were laughing. It seemed like everyone found joy in making fun of me. I couldn't blame them, though; I was a different target for their amusement.

Since I came out as gay during my junior year, I have been met with mixed reactions. Some friends offered unwavering support, while others distanced themselves, unsure how to handle the news. But it was the bullying that followed that left a lasting impact on me.

The whispers, the taunts, and the cruel laughter became a constant presence in my life. While some chose to confront me about my sexuality openly, the majority opted for subtle jabs and sly remarks designed to chip away at my self-esteem. It was as if my confession had permitted them to unleash their prejudices on me.

I immediately picked up the obscene pictures and threw them in the trash. Everyone just kept on laughing, but I ignored them. It wasn't easy for me to brush off their teasing, but I knew I had to stand firm. I took a deep breath and focused on getting my day back on track. I took the books that I would use in class later and carefully stacked them in my bag.

"I hate those jerks!" I heard Erin say as she suddenly appeared out of nowhere and leaned on the locker beside me with her arms crossed.

Erin is my friend, and she was not just any woman but a beautiful and radiant transwoman whose captivating charm surpassed even that of the famous Jessica Cross. Erin possessed a grace that mesmerized those around her and a genuinely awe-inspiring femininity. With her luscious brunette hair flowing smoothly down her back and her enchanting gray eyes that shimmered like moonlit skies, she effortlessly captivated the hearts of all who gazed upon her. Erin hailed from a proud Latin heritage, with roots that added an extra touch of exotic enchantment to her already captivating aura. Standing gracefully at a height slightly taller than me, she possessed an elegant stature between 5'9 and 6'0, which enhanced her presence even further.

"Yes, me too; if only I had arrived earlier, I would have probably punched the look on Jacob's face!" Charles said on the other side of me. Charles had always been quiet and reserved, but today, he could no longer suppress his anger. Clenching his fists, he glared at Jacob from across the hall. The sight of Jacob hanging out with his teammates and openly making fun of me fueled Charles' fury further. Charles is also my friend; he's bisexual, grumpy, and intelligent. He is also quite handsome; his dark hair is messy, his eyes are bright brown, and he's a bit skinny. He's half Japanese, half American, and we're the same height.

On the other hand, Jacob was known as the "bully king" of Adamson High School, not only because he had a towering physique but also because he liked to use his size to intimidate others. As a prominent member of the school's rugby team, Jacob relished his role as an athletic powerhouse and a feared bully. With his broad shoulders and muscular frame, Jacob was an exceptionally talented rugby player. However, his physical power and on-field success had translated into an inflated ego and a tendency to use his force in non-sporting situations. This behavior had earned him a reputation as someone to be feared, especially by the weaker, more minor students who fell victim to his cruel jokes and dominant presence.

"Hey, Erin!" Jacob called Erin's name, but before I could react, Erin shot him a cold, appalled gaze. The sudden intensity in her eyes made me halt whatever I was doing, and I turned my attention to Jacob.

"What?" Erin asked Jacob gruffly, her voice tinged with a hint of annoyance.

Suddenly, Jacob put his hand on his mouth and did a blow job action. Jacob's friends laughed a lot because of what he did to mock Erin. But Erin is too combative.

"You seemed good at that? How'd you learn that? Oh! Let me guess! Did you practice that with your daddy's, or did you suck your teammate's dick?" Erin said, and Jacob's group stopped laughing because other students laughed at them. I also had a wow reaction because of what Erin said, and Charles and I held back our laughter.

"Oh! You seem quiet, Mr. Bully King!" She exclaimed boldly.

"Did I hit your fragile masculinity and ego? Next time, don't make your homophobic and transphobic views so obvious. I heard that it kills and that there is no cure for homophobia yet."Erin added sarcastically while crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. Jacob's group was silent as they whispered together and slowly left the hall, embarrassed.

"You know what, Jacob? You're not just a jerk; you're also a coward!" Charles yelled.

After that, we found ourselves laughing uncontrollably. The tension in the air dissipated, replaced with the comforting sound of our raucous laughter. Erin, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, had managed to roast Jacob with her clever words. It was a moment of pure amusement that would be etched in our memories forever.

"That's what they get when messing with the wrong people, so you better fight back Miles; don't let other people step on you, Erin said to me while tapping my shoulder. I just smiled at her and nodded in response.

"I agree with Erin; you should fight for yourself too, Miles, because not all the time there will be someone to save you, said Charles, but a girl in his class suddenly approached him.

"May I borrow Charles for a bit? We need to finish this project together right now, the girl asks, dragging Charles away.

"Yeah, sure, go ahead; we'll see you at lunch, Charles," I replied with a smile as Erin and I waved our hands to Charles. Charles turned his head a few times at us with a look on his face, begging us to save him from his classmate.

"I know that look; that look indicated that he doesn't want to do his project or even spend his morning with that girl, Trisha," Erin said, and we both chuckled. Erin suddenly grabbed my face, her eyes scanning every inch of it. Her gaze fixed on the bandage mom had placed on my cheek that morning, covering an ugly wound.

"You have a new bruise, Miles. What happened? Did Scott hurt you again?" Erin asked me with a concerned tone while releasing her grip on my face. I immediately shook my head in response.

Nope, he didn't; I just slipped downstairs," I lied, but Erin just gave me her worried look. She knows when I lie.

"Stop lying to me, Miles; you're not good at it. You could've just called me; my Dad can help, she said gently.

Erin had always felt fortunate to have her police officer dad and college professor mom as her parents. They provided a loving and supportive environment that allowed her to be true to herself, even as she navigated her unique journey. Her dad, Officer Kenton, was particularly proud of Erin. With his strong sense of justice, he saw this as an opportunity to make a difference not only for his child but for others like her. He tirelessly advocated for transgender rights within the police force, educating his colleagues and learning himself about the challenges that people like Erin faced. Erin's dad made it a point to lead by example. He embraced her transition publicly, introducing her to his colleagues and friends with pride in his eyes. Erin's bravery and confidence inspired him in his line of work, reminding him of the importance of empathy and acceptance.

Her mom, Mrs. Kenton, a college professor, brought a different perspective to Erin's journey. As an educator, she knew the power of knowledge and understanding. She immersed herself in learning about transgender issues, attending conferences and workshops to make sure she could provide the best support to Erin and others who sought her guidance. Mrs. Kenton also used her position to create awareness on campus. She organized seminars and panels on LGBTQ+ rights, providing a safe and inclusive space for students to learn and grow. Erin often joined her mom during these events, sharing her experiences and enlightening others about the transgender community.

"I'm sorry, Erin. I'm quite used to it now, and I don't want my Dad to be arrested. Even though he's been treating me like shit, I'm just worried about my Mom, too; I know she's going to have a hard time." My mom loves Dad very much; I've seen and felt it. But everything was destroyed when I came out to them. And now that they're fighting because of me, it seems like they're about to get divorced soon, and I'll always be the one to blame for that.

"I understand, Miles, but that doesn't mean I won't tell Dad. I'm your friend, and I hate seeing you like this, Erin said before hugging me. I hugged her back and tried to stop myself from bursting into tears. I'm so lucky to have a friend like her.

"I should go now; I still have a class to attend." Erin immediately said goodbye to me when we let go of each other.

"Yeah, me too."

"We'll see you at lunch, Miles, she said as she left.

I returned to what I was doing, arranging my things in the locker. The sound of clattering books and whirring combination locks filled the air. As I carefully straightened my textbooks and organized my notebooks, my mind drifted into a daydream.

Suddenly, someone caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. It was Tyler Penrod, the most popular, handsome, and hottest guy on our campus. We had crossed paths before, but I had never spoken to him. He was always surrounded by his entourage, friends who were just as good-looking and famous as he was. Rumor had it that Tyler was dating Jessica, the most envied girl in school, which was never proven true!

He approached in my direction, his confident strides cutting through the bustling crowd. People beamed at him, waving and calling out hellos, their excitement palpable. I couldn't help but be drawn to the infectious energy that surrounded him. He was pretty busy responding to everyone who greeted him, his genuine smile never faltering. Each person he encountered received his undivided attention as if they were the only ones in his world at that moment. It amazed me how effortlessly he could make people feel valued and acknowledged.

I shook my head to eliminate the thought as I finished what I was doing and closed my locker before making my way to my first class. The halls buzzed with the chatter of students, their footsteps echoing against the tiled floor.

TYLER

I was always just an ordinary student, blending into the crowd, until that one fateful day when the truth about my adoption leaked out. My life transformed overnight as everyone on campus discovered that I was the adopted child of a billionaire. Suddenly, I became the center of attention, my every move scrutinized and dissected by those around me.

While I was busy with what I was doing, politely responding to everyone who greeted me around the hall, someone caught my attention. Miles, I saw him staring at me with a smile. Wait, did something happen to him? Why does he have bruises on his face?

He suddenly shook his head and looked away while returning to what he was doing, but suddenly, I noticed something on his wrist and face bruise.

"Did Miles get bullied again this morning?" I asked Klaus in my most concerned voice.

"Maybe? I don't know; why did you ask?" He replied.

"Just asking," I said as I stopped in front of my locker opposite Miles' locker. It's a coincidence that our lockers face each other across the hall.

While opening my locker, I couldn't help but turn to Miles. But sadly, when I looked at him, he was already gone. My heart started pounding, and I couldn't shake off the concern that engulfed me, seeing him with those fresh bruises on his face and arms. It made me worry because his safety intensified.

I hastily shoved my books into my bag before heading towards my first class. While Klaus and I were walking to our classroom, I couldn't stop thinking about Miles' bruises. Since he came out, he has been bullied too much at school; every one has called him many names and even physically harassed him. I saw those bruises many times, and I am worried for him. Now I'm starting to think, is he also being abused in their household?

The thought churned in my mind like a fierce storm, urging me to take action. I tried to swing my thoughts toward positive possibilities, hoping that the bruises were merely a consequence of his battles with school bullies. But the more I pondered, the more I feared the worst.

"Tyler, snap out of it!" I heard Klaus say, so I came back to my senses.

"What's up?" Klaus asked me, but I shook my head to avoid the topic. I didn't want to talk about what I was thinking.

"Oh, nothing!" I replied, and Klaus nodded. Maybe he's convinced.