MILES
It's been two weeks since Tyler and I started dating in secret. We decided to keep it low-key as much as possible; he's not ready to come out yet, and I'm not going to force him to do so. Besides, I enjoy the exhilaration of seeing each other in secret—the stolen moments when we hide in quiet corners of our school just to say how much we love each other and steal kisses.
 
The thrill of our secret relationship took an unexpected turn when Tyler started sneaking into my house in the middle of the night just to see me. At first, I was apprehensive about it. I didn't want to take risks, especially when my parents were asleep upstairs. But Tyler, with his playful, mischievous smile, would convince me that it would be worth it. And so, we would meet under the moonlight, tiptoeing through my backyard and slipping into my room like two shadows.
 
In our secret haven, we found a sanctuary from the world—a place where we didn't have to hide who we were. We would whisper sweet nothing and share our hopes and dreams. It was a space where we were free to be vulnerable and let our guards down without fear of judgment or rejection. Our connection grew stronger with every stolen moment.
 
As the weeks passed, our clandestine rendezvous took on a deeper meaning. The secret moments became more cherished, and the stolen kisses held more passion. We discovered the beauty of living in the present, appreciating the time we could spend together without worrying about the future.
 
However, as much as I relished these stolen moments, a part of me yearned for a love that didn't need to be hidden. I wondered how long we could keep our relationship concealed from the world and if it was fair to ask Tyler to continue living in secrecy.
 
I was sitting alone in silence at my usual table on the school grounds, engrossed in working on some school projects. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the approaching footsteps or the mischievous twinkle in someone's eye.
 
Suddenly, with a loud splat, a cold, sticky sensation disrupted my concentration. I sprung to my feet, my heart pounding, as I removed my headphones and wiped off the strawberry milkshake that now adorned my once-pristine masterpiece. My frustration quickly turned to anger as I followed the trail of laughter and mischief to its source.
 
There stood Jessica looking at me with an impish grin and raised eyebrow. Her eyes sparkled with a twisted sense of amusement as if what she had just done was the funniest thing in the world. Anger and confusion simmered within me. Why on earth would she pour her milkshake on my hard work?
 
The silence stretched awkwardly between us, broken only by the distant chatter of other students. Gradually, my initial rage subsided, replaced by curiosity and a desire to understand Jessica's motives. What had I done to warrant such a random act of destruction?
 
Taking a deep breath, I approached Jessica, determined to maintain my composure. "Why did you do that?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of irritation and genuine curiosity.
"Oops, sorry!" Her voice sarcastically exclaimed, accompanied by an eruption of laughter.
 
With a deep sigh, I managed to calm myself. "What is wrong with you, Jessica? What did I ever do to you?" I calmly asked her, my voice laced with confusion and hurt. She stood there, her face twisted with anger. Without saying a word, she grabbed Emily's milkshake from her grip and flung it at my face.
 
The cold liquid splattered against my skin, drenching me from head to toe. My mind raced, trying to comprehend why Jessica would resort to such an extreme action. The sugary concoction dripped down my face, blending with my tears of disbelief and hurt.
 
"Jessica, stop! What are you doing? This is insane!" Emily exclaimed as she rushed to my side, helping me wipe the sticky mess from my face.
 
"Disgusting fag, don't you ever think you could take Tyler away from me!" she muttered venomously, her words sounding more like a threat than an insult. I chose not to retaliate, not because I was afraid or weak, but simply because I refused to stoop to her level.
"Say something!" She mocked me, her voice dripping with condescension. I could feel the weight of her gaze boring into me, but I refused to let it sway me. I did not engage with people like her—those who thrived on the misery of others. Instead, I focused on packing my things up.
 
Her friends started to get loud and tease me after I ignored her, their words lashing out like daggers. Their ignorance wounded me in a way they could never understand.
 
Feeling the weight of their words, I made up my mind to escape the torment. As I turned to leave, my wrist suddenly felt a vice-like grip. Jessica's fingers dug into my flesh, her touch unexpectedly harsh. A flash of pain erupted across my arm, mingling with the bruises inflicted by my father the night before.
 
Excruciating pain coursed through me, stealing the breath from my lungs. I bit my lip, suppressing a cry. My eyes locked with Jessica's, seeking an explanation for this unexpected assault.
 
"Stop!" I begged her, my voice trembling with both pain and desperation. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over as the agony intensified. But instead of showing any hint of remorse, she seemed to relish in my suffering. Her grip tightened even further as if she were pleased with my pain.
 
It was a paradoxical moment; her face was adorned with a serene smile while my world crumbled under the weight of her sadistic enjoyment.
 
"He said STOP!" I stood frozen in disbelief as the familiar voice of Tyler boomed in my ears. His stern tone held an urgency I had never heard before. Confusion washed over me as he yelled from a distance, his words echoing through the school grounds. Startled, I watched as Tyler rushed towards us, his eyes blazing with determination. Without a second thought, he forcefully pushed Jessica away from me. Her delicate frame stumbled backward, her arms flailing as she struggled to regain her balance.
"What is wrong with you?" Tyler shouted again at Jessica out of anger as he tried to get me behind him. The frustration and fear in his voice echoed through the air while I stood frozen behind them.
 
"Do you realize what you've done?! Are you fucking out of your mind?" Tyler continued to shout, his anger practically vibrating through the air. "I told you not to lay hands on him, and look what you just did!"
 
"Why are you yelling at me?" Jessica yelled back, almost sounding like she was about to cry.
 
"Because you're fucking CRAZY, Jessica! What did he even do to you to act in such a way?" Tyler retorted, his face red with anger. Meanwhile, Jessica's friends were just laughing behind her back, so my eyebrows met, and I wondered if they were making fun of me or if they were making fun of her.
"Starting today, I don't want to hear anything from you! Keep your filthy hands off Miles, Jessica; this is your last warning!" Tyler murmured to Jessica, his voice trembling with anger.
 
"Why are you protecting him anyway?" Sophie asked, her voice laced with amusement.
 
"And do you know that you're acting like an overprotective boyfriend?" the other girl added. I looked at Tyler, who was looking at the ground with a smirk on his lips before turning his gaze back to the girls and saying, "Because I am his boyfriend, and it's my job to protect him."
 
After he said that, Jessica's friends, including her, were too stunned to speak. Even I was surprised by what just happened; he can't just do that in public! It's a good thing there weren't a lot of students around.
 
Jessica's face turned beet red, and her cheeks flushed with both anger and embarrassment. Her friends exchanged glances, clearly unsure how to react. I shifted uncomfortably, aware that I was caught in the middle of something unexpected and awkward. This was not how I imagined my day would go.
 
"Yeah, you heard it right; I am Miles' boyfriend. I mean, we're boyfriends," he added, a hint of pride in his voice. I couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and curiosity at his revelation. Intrigued, I tapped his shoulder, prompting him to look at me. His gray eyes met mine, and I saw a mixture of vulnerability and determination.
"Tyler, you can't just do that! You're not ready to come out yet!" I whispered frantically to him, my heart pounding with worry. But he simply stared at me, his eyes filled with determination and a mischievous smile playing at the corners of his lips.
 
"I am ready, Miles," he simply replied, and I could see in his eyes that he was serious. The weight of his statement hung in the air, causing a wave of confusion to wash over me.
 
Suddenly, Erin and Charles appeared, their faces flushed and breathless. They had been sprinting towards us, concerned etched across their features. Charles immediately blurted out, "What happened?!" in alarm.
 
"That bitch was making a scene again, didn't she?" Erin scoffed, crossing her arms and raising a skeptical eyebrow. She had seen enough of Jessica's dramatic antics and had little patience for such behavior.
 
Tyler, never one to shy away from confrontation, turned his head to look at Jessica. He grinned mischievously and then turned back to Erin. "Watch this," Erin said, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
 
Erin looked behind Tyler and noticed Jessica and her friends standing there, watching them intently. Without hesitation, Erin raised her middle finger towards them, her face an unapologetic display of defiance. The onlookers erupted into laughter and screams, equally shocked and entertained by Erin's audacity.
 
Caught off guard by Erin's bold response, Jessica's entourage stood in stunned silence for a moment before bursting into laughter themselves. It seemed that even they couldn't help but find humor in Erin's fearless rebellion.
 
My wrist is aching. I quickly hid my wrist behind my back, hoping that no one would notice the discomfort I was feeling. I was surprised when she did; she must've noticed me. "Miles, are you hurt?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. Her piercing eyes bore into mine as she noticed my attempt to conceal my wrist. It was as though she possessed an uncanny ability to perceive the hidden struggles of those around her. I felt a strange mixture of surprise and comfort wash over me at her unexpected question.
"Show me your hands," she ordered me, her voice wavering only slightly. It was the kind of command that demanded my obedience, creating an unspoken understanding that if I disobeyed, she would uncover the truth of my dark secrets. I couldn't say no. I couldn't risk letting her into my fragile world, yet I couldn't bring myself to lie to her eyes, mirroring the pain I had endured.
 
With trembling hands, I reluctantly offered my hand to her, feeling a surge of vulnerability course through my veins. Erin's gaze shifted from my face to my wrist, tracing the veins etched upon it with an oddly gentle touch. Her hands were soft, contrasting with the harsh realities they had uncovered before.
 
A flash of concern flickered across Erin's face when she saw the faint blue and purple hues, remnants of the turmoil that lay hidden beneath my clothes. Without a word, she softly pulled up my sleeve, exposing my arm further. Another bruise, more evidence of the battles fought within the confines of my existence, came into view. It was a silent confession of my pain, mutely acknowledging the emotional scars that no one should bear alone.
 
For a fleeting moment, Erin's eyes seemed to fill with sorrow, as if she could feel the weight of my suffering. She didn't utter a single word in judgment but instead gently let my sleeve fall back into place, her touch brimming with compassion. It was an act that spoke volumes, conveying her understanding without requiring me to articulate a single word.
 
"Oh, Miles," she said, her voice filled with concern, as she wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace. I could feel her warmth and care radiating through the hug, momentarily soothing the ache in my heart.
 
I glanced over at Charles, my best friend, who stood nearby. His face told a story of guilt and regret as he witnessed the extent of my bruise, a painful reminder of what had transpired last night.
 
"You could've told us, Miles," Charles said before giving me a tight hug, just like Erin. I felt bad for not telling them sooner; I wish I had, but I can't.
 
They let go of the hug as they both glanced at Tyler. "Thank you for saving Miles, Ty," Charles said, his voice filled with sincerity and gratitude.
"Don't mention it; from now on, It's my job to protect him," Tyler said, and by the looks of them, I could tell Erin and Charles were a bit confused.
 
"Are you guys dating?" Erin called out, her voice filled with curiosity. Startled, Tyler and I exchanged glances, our amusement bubbling beneath the surface.
 
"Yes, we are dating," I replied, trying unsuccessfully to stifle a chuckle. Tyler, not one to back down from a good laugh, joined in, fighting to keep a straight face.
 
"So that's why you keep ditching us during our free period, huh?" Charles said, raising an eyebrow, and I couldn't help but laugh at them. Their serious expression made it even more amusing.