Chapter 4

“Gaaaaaabbbbbeee.”

“What?”

“Scratch my back.”

I sigh and glare at Niall. “No.”

“And why not?”

“Because I’m not moving from this comfortable chair to do anything for your lazy ass.” We’re in Niall’s living room. I’m lounging on the squishy chair beside the couch where Niall is stretched out on his stomach.

“Please?”

“No.”

He grumbles, “Fine, whatever, see if I ever do anything for you.”

I laugh, “Aww, go sulk somewhere else.”

“I’m not sulking.”

“Ok, you’re whining. Big difference.”

“Whatever, what do you want to do this weekend?”

“I dunno. Anna said something about going to a show.”

“A local show?”

“Yea.”

“Fuck that, I’ve seen all of those bands too many times.”

“Hey, we need to support the local music scene.”

“URGH.”

“Plus there’ll be hot girls.”

“I don’t care about hot girls.”

“When the fuck did this happen?” All Niall talks about is sex. Except when he’s talking about what a bastard Steve is.

“Shut-up, the only girls that go to shows are either fourteen or have boyfriends.”

“That’s untrue.”

“I’m not going.”

“Fine, what do you want to do oh whiny one?”

“Haha, you’re so funny. I want to go swimming!”

“It’s February.”

“So, we can go to the YMCA, they have an indoor pool.”

“I don’t want to swim.” I don’t want everyone to see my ugly body.

“Tough shit. We’re going swimming.”

“No, you’re swimming. I’m staying at home and watching T.V.”

“Gaaaabe. You know you want to go.”

Can’t he take a hint? “Look I don’t want to go.”

“Woah. No need to get angry.”

I huff, “Well, you won’t let up.”

“Why don’t you want to go?”

“Because.”

“That’s not a reason.”

“Just drop it.”

He’s changed his position; now he’s sitting up leaning over the arm rest. “You sound upset. I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok.”

“Do you have new bruises? Is that why?”

“No.” Ok, that’s a lie. Steve was actually at home last night. I hate him.

Niall jumps up and practically trips onto me. He regains his balance and hauls me up. “You’re lying. Show me.”

“Niall, showing you won’t do anything.” Even as I protest he’s ripping my shirt off. Bugger.

Unfortunately for me he succeeds, I’m standing shirtless before him. New bruises are forming on my chest and arms. “Gabe, I’m sorry. I wish you would tell me about this stuff.”

I rub my arms, “I know.”

I stick my hand out, silently asking for my shirt. He hands it to me and I am once again fully clothed. He takes my hand and leads me over to the couch to sit down.

We sit side by side not really saying anything. He puts his arm across my shoulders. We stay that way until I have to go home.

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“God, you’re such a little shit.”

This is the first thing I hear as I walk into the living room of my house. Steve is sitting in his recliner nursing a bottle of Jack Daniels.

“Uh, hey.”

“Don’t ‘Uh, hey’ me. Where have you been? It’s fucking nine o’clock on a Thursday night.”

“I was over at Niall’s” If I can just get to the stairs maybe I can run to my room and lock the door in time.

“Oh, that little queer’s house.”

“He’s not gay.”

He laughs, it stings my ears. “Of course he is he’s practically in love with you.”

I just stare. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Niall is my friend. Nothing more. He’s not bad looking though.

“I think I do. You’re probably fucking him aren’t you?”

“What?”

“You heard me.” He takes another sip from the bottle.

I stand there with my mouth agape. “We’re just friends.”

“If friends means ‘fuck buddies’ these days, then yea, you’re real good friends.” Apparently he thinks this is hilarious and starts laughing so hard he goes into a coughing fit.

At this point I discern that it’s time to make a run for it. I bolt up the stairs, run to my room, shut the door, lock it and pray he falls asleep soon.

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“Anna.”

“What?”

“Uh, do you, um, think Niall is gay?” We’re sitting on her bedroom floor, staring at her textured walls looking for naked people hidden in the bumps and caverns.

“He could be.”

My head turns sharply away from the wall to look at her. Her gaze doesn’t stray. “What?”

“Well I’ve never asked him about his preferences. He could like girls, he could like boys or he could like both. Who knows.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course I am.”

“Oh.”

We go back to staring at the wall. I don’t find any naked people.