OKAY. This is a pre-warning. If you do not lik GAY pairings, DO NOT READ!!!
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I nearly choked on the chocolate ice-cream that my mum had handed me, but it slid down my throat icy and slimy, like I had swallowed a snake.
I wanted to laugh, hell I nearly did. Actually on second thought I think I did. It escaped my lips, without me wanting it too, unobeying my commands.
I had looked at mum, like she was crazy, but the sadness is her eyes lingered as we made eye contact and I knew what she had said was the truth.
I cleared my throat and took a wild gulp of air, “So, dad ran off with another man?”
The incredulous shock in my voice was amazing, I was so sure that I couldn’t sound like that, not in all my 15 years of life.
“I’m sorry Ballow, but . . .” she hesitated, as if holding something in – I’m rather sure she was, “Ballow, my baby, he’s gone.”
Anguish took over mum’s body as she lowered her head onto my shoulder and began to sob. I could feel my shirt soak up the tears; soon they were but a wet patch on the shoulder of my sleeve.
I was still shocked, when one is told that one of their parents have left, it leaves an unimaginable blankness in your heart. But thinking that dad had run off with another MAN, was beyond my capability and understanding.
My thought process was as follows, Dad’s run off? Poor mum. With a man. Poor mum. To a different country. Poor mum. And left us . . . wait, what about me?
Me and mum both knew that I loved my dad more than her. It wasn’t because I was his favourite but because of father-son bonding, which mum just couldn’t do. I shook my head sadly while these thoughts ran through my head. An ironic thought entered my mind; it was obvious that mum was manlier than my dad.
Interestingly enough, I found myself thinking about who would be the man in my dad’s new gay relationship. I frowned, confused about what I was thinking - was this the way you were meant to act when you discovered stuff like this?
It wouldn’t be for normal people, but then again, I had never thought of myself as normal. I nearly smiled at that, but I caught myself, mum was still obviously taking this very harshly. She had clutched her arms around me and her fingernails were digging in my sides, causing a slight tingle of pain.
Instinctively I wrapped my arms around her; it was never nice to see your mum cry. I rested my head on her shoulder and murmured meaningless gibberish. She eventually stopped crying and lifted her head to smile sadly at me, “Thank you B-low.”
I stared at her miserable face, partially embarrassed and partially happy, B-low was a nickname that mum had given me when I couldn’t say my own name properly and she hadn’t used it since I was 7 years old at the very least.
I smiled, but I knew it was wobbly, my face as well as my voice didn’t seem to want to listen to my commands, let alone obey them. What I had wanted to do was throw a sunny smile her way and say that everything would be fine; just like she would have when I was a little boy and I had lost my favourite action figure. In my mind, mum’s behaviour was much like my former self’s; angry, frustrated and most of all incredibly sad at the loss of the thing that was dear.
I kissed her on the forward by reflex; it was her turn to be treated with child-like care and I walked her shocked body to her bed. She laid down with out me saying anything and I tucked her in.
Mum rolled over and I resisted a smile, she could never sleep on her back, a trait I inherited from her.
I knew what to do; it was if my body and mind were separate things. My hands found a brush and some scrunchies and I began to braid her hair.
A strange task, but after a few plaits, I could hear gentle, relaxed intakes of breath, which I knew meant she was asleep.
I got up and wandered around the house. Disturbing thoughts were drifting in and out of my mind. One of them was when dad and another man had hugged after a footy match – their team had won and in turn they had won a bet. I questioned the memory, was dad’s lingering hand on the man’s shoulder a sign of homosexuality?
I didn’t know.
I thought about the time when we had won $10,000 at the lottery and he had kissed his friend on the mouth. I had taken that as a friendship kiss, because he was so stoked about winning the prize.
The meaningless things I remembered began to take root. When I saw dad’s friend leave our house while I was walking back from school and while mum was at work.
When mum had worked late and dad’s friend had slept over, I had noted in the morning that the bed mum had instructed me to make on the couch had not been touched.
The looks I often saw pass between dad and his friend, I thought the glances contained inside jokes which they laughing inwardly about, but now I knew what they had all meant.
I think the entire time dad was trying to hint to me what he was doing, but I was so naïve that I took it all as common place.
I took the whole thing on my shoulders then as it hit me like a brick wall; it was my fault, and I didn’t stop him. I didn’t notice and I didn’t do a GODDAMNED thing.
My shoulders sagged as I felt the weight of the world. It’s almost funny how gravity is doubled when you doubt the choices that you’ve made in life.
It was like a 2-tonne anvil on each of my shoulders, my legs buckled and my knees gave way. I found myself becoming personal with the floor.
My face dropped intimately towards it and my mouth touched the ground, the rest of my face following.
My body was giving up on its own whim; I had no say in the matter. I wanted to laugh, but I couldn’t. Actually I think I did laugh. But my body wouldn’t listen and my eye lids sagged. It was my fault. Nothing more, nothing less, just the plain and simple truth.
Before everything went black I felt something pierce my heart and then I felt something shift out of place, it felt like a wrenching pain as if someone were trying to tear my heart from the veins that connected it to my body. Then that something was gone, never to be returned and nothing was left in it.
I’m pretty sure now that I know what a hole in the heart means.
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“Ballow!” a voice screamed from above me. Mum had woken up and now I was awake as well. I looked around. I was on the floor and mum was standing over me. My body was numb and I couldn’t move. She frantically pulled me up, but as my body was totally numb I just sagged back onto the floor with a thump. It hurt a little but that was against the point.
Or maybe it was totally for the point, because the blood in my body woke up with the pain and began to pump ordinarily again.
I lifted my head weakly, I strained to do so, but I could make out mum dialling on the phone.
My face had gotten its control back, I smiled and said, “Mum, don’t worry I just slept weirdly.”
Her face instantly cheered up as she slapped the phone back onto its holder. She walked over to me quickly, her footsteps vibrating on the wooden floor making my body tingle. She sat down next to me and put my head in her lap. Even though dad was my father and I thought I loved him more, nothing could beat mums tender love. She stroked my hair and ran her fingers through its short strands.
I shivered at the tingling touch and moved my fingers; they were numb, but movable. I laughed; I don’t think I’d ever take my body parts for granted again. Mum smiled at me and I felt the onset of pins-and-needles take my body.
I tried to stay completely still but I couldn’t help but breathe and every time I did I was mercilessly attacked with the feeling of pins being stabbed into my flesh.
It was a funny pain, and I was grimacing and smiling at the same moment. Mum had begun to laugh, her cheerful, soft musical laugh drifted by me and I looked up at her. Mum was still beautiful; she had the sort of beauty that got prettier the more she aged. I’m sure she’d been a stunner at the ripe age of 100.
My body control was coming back so I sat up and turned to face my mother. She had a soft smile tugging at the corner of her lips. I smiled back, my face still feeling numb.
She got up then helped me up, offering her hand. I took it and stood up, but nearly fell down; a sudden weight upon my shoulders.
Mum caught me and helped me to stand up straight; I threw her a shaky smile. She smiled back and asked, “What do you want for lunch?”
Lunch? I looked wonderingly out the window and I was shocked to see the sun hanging about midway in the sky.
My mouth was dry so I had to speak slowly but I managed to get it out, “Tamarind Soup.”
It was my favourite and I knew we were both in desperate need of something familiar. Me more then her, but I wouldn’t let mum know that.
The facts hit me again as I smelled my mum boiling the chicken wings,
Dad’s run off with a man to a different country leaving us both behind.
The only thing that I thought after this was, Well, I hope Dad’s partner is good-looking.
I nearly fell off the chair I found myself sitting in, in shock, How can I think so calmly about this?
I shook my head in wonderment; I sometimes amazed myself, like when I had got Academic for Science this year, and when I had gotten 100% on a maths exam.
My gaze drifted over to mum, she seemed preoccupied with making the soup, I smiled inwardly, it had been a good idea to make her cook and take her mind of more the painful things.
I felt myself staring at something on the wall and my eyes focused upon it. It was an enlargened picture of us. Me, mum and dad.
Dad looked so happy, mum looked so happy, hell even I looked happy. Something like that wouldn’t ever happen again and it was my fault. Guilt clutched at my stomach and I felt sick.
My nausea faded when I saw mum walk over with a bowl of Tamarind soup and rice.
The smell wafted over to me and I felt myself drooling in response. I wiped the drool off my chin slightly annoyed at myself, but even happier with the familiar dish. I took in a large whiff of the aromatic steam that floated above the soup and
I grinned in what I can only describe as foolishness.
I ate the soup heartily, letting the taste play upon my tongue. Enjoying the sourness and sweetness mixed together. I leisurely ate a mustard leaf and half en eggplant. A piece of rice had somehow managed to get upon my hand and I licked it off energetically.
All too soon my bowl was empty and I stared at it; as if somehow willing there to be more. My mum saw my apprehensive look and began to get some more for herself and me. I smiled again as she gave me my second bowl, but I frowned ever so slightly when I realised that it was only half full.
Mum smiled at me cheekily and I hungrily wolfed down my second helpings. After we finished I patted my bloated tummy, I felt content. It was a good feeling to have – a full stomach, it had been so long since I had eaten like that.
Mum had already begun to wash the dishes. I stared at her wondering that if maybe, if it was possible that she was feeling as bad as I was about dad leaving.
Mum began to hum a song and I felt the thought I had just a while a go, float off in the wind and into the sunset.
I felt myself growing steadily bored. Tapping my fingers upon the table an idea conceived itself in my mind. It was good idea.
What if I go and greet the new neighbours?
The neighbours across the street had just moved in about a week ago and I’m pretty sure they were unpacking; mum had even hinted that they had a kid about my age living there as well. I set off, walking with a purpose towards the new neighbours’ house.
What was there name again?
I’m sure it would hit me sooner or later, sooner rather than later I hoped. I realised, in surprise that they lived closer than I expected.
I stared at their house, in awe. I would actually have called it a mansion; it was huge and had about three storeys. I looked on in shock, slightly annoyed with myself for not noticing such an awesome house in our street. I excused myself by telling myself that it was on the other side of the street where I hardly ever walked.
Creeping up to the door I knocked on it, faintly scared of people who had so much money to buy this mansion.
The door opened nearly instantly I think I actually jumped back a little bit in astonishment. I looked at the person, curiously. The person looked back just as curiously. We continued to stare each other from head to toes. At the same time
we looked at each other faces and our eyes made eye contact.
I saw him look away and I swear I felt my face get a little hotter. The person was boy, he was adorable. Blonde hair, blue eyes, angelic features and a very small physique. I just wanted to hug him. For some unusual reason he had rope in his hand, but I ignored it.
I frowned at this thought, was it wrong for a guy of 15 years of age to hug a boy looking about 7 who was an angel incarnate? I mentally shook a finger at myself; it was okay if you thought about it from a loving kind of brother side of view. The boy spoke, “Hello?”
I retreated slightly amazed at how loud his voice was. I waved with a smile, “Hi. I’m Ballow, we’re neighbours.”
He stared at me and replied, “I’m Linx.”
He said nothing more. I stood awkwardly twiddling with my fingers. It was a much stretched silent minute before Linx spoke again, “Do you want to come in?”
I looked up and untangled my fingers with what I hope was a cheerful smile, “Sure!”
I think I must’ve yelled because Linx winced at my voice, he put a finger in front of his lips and shushed me.
I scowled, What a rude little boy! But then I figured he must have had his reasons. He led me to a couch and gestured for me to sit down. He placed the rope on the floor. I looked around the room, boxes were scattered everywhere and little bits of memories were lying all around the place.
Linx sat next to me as there was no where else to sit. He sat sideways and I was aware of his leg rubbing against mine. He began, “Usually dad doesn’t let me have any friends over, but he just left so I can do what I want now.”
The tone in his voice sounded rebellious and bitter, but I didn’t want to leave that note in the air, so I began to talk, hoping to change the cold atmosphere, which seemed to surround us, “My dad left as well.”
The atmosphere changed, but instead of the positive it went colder. Linx stared at me his eyes suddenly cold, a little too cold for my image of him being an angel, if you ask me, “Why did he leave?”
His question bugged me and I really didn’t want to answer, but the look in his eyes were scarily persistent, so I replied, “He ran off with another man.”
Linx sagged in the couch, his leg fell on top of me and I stared at him intrigued. Linx suddenly looked older than when I had first seen him, maybe he was really 12 or 13.
I was going to ask him what was so wrong about my dad running off with a man, when Linx spoke, “My dad ran off with another man as well.”
My mind began to work really slowly then, for one who had gotten 100% on maths exam, “Wow, what a coincidence.”
Linx’s eyes shifted to me sharply and then they widened as if he thought I
was stupid, and I was, “Coincidence? BOTH of them?”
What he was implying snapped and the thoughts straying in my head joined, I gaped as him and asked quickly and violently without a breath, “Soourdadsaregaytogether?”
I’m surprised he knew what I had said but he replied with a nod. I sagged into the couch, totally ignoring Linx’s leg which was still on top of my lap.
Our dads were gay together. It was such a weird thought. I am sitting with my dad’s partner’s son on a couch. I had little doubt that this was what Linx was thinking about as well.
I looked to him and my eyes widened as he looked older still, his age was plaguing my thoughts so I asked him honestly, “How old are you?”
He looked at me sharply, “How old do you think?”
I hated people who answered questions with questions and I replied not wanting to insult him, “14?”
He snorted; a strange sound from an angel, “I’m 15, wow, I’m already underestimated. How old are you?”
I was taken aback; Linx was 15, the same age as me. I decided to play his question game, “How old do you think I am?”
Linx stared at me, intently and I felt my face grow hot, he placed his hand on his chin and stroked an imaginary beard, “Well, I’d say, 13?”
My temper flared, “WHAT?!?”
Linx began to laugh as he doubled over and slapped his knees in humour. I stared at him trying not to smile. His musical laugh was contagious. Linx sat up straight; the hint of his laughter still tugging at his lips. He wiped away an imaginary tear of joy, “Okay, truly? I think you’re 15. I just wanted you to feel as insulted as I did when you said I was 14.”
I folded my arms and built up a defence, but it was hard to be angry with someone who looked so much like an angel, I sighed - defeated by just one of his glances, “What’s your favourite colour?”
He replied much to my surprise, “Red.”
I almost wanted to laugh, his favourite colour was the colour of my eyes, and in fact I did let out a little chuckle which made him raise an eyebrow, “What’s your favourite colour then?”
I replied without thought, “Blue.”
And then I realised that I wanted to laugh again, blue was the colour of his eyes. I think he realised this and he began to laugh, I joined him.
After our fit of laughter I stated, “It’s a horrible world we live in, isn’t it?”
He glanced at me sharply and shrugged, “I don’t know about that.”
I stared at him confused, surely he was as upset about his dad leaving as I was about mine, “Why not?”
He stared at me for a while then answered after looking away, his reply was quiet, but it struck me like a brick, “I’d like to think it’s more fateful than horrible.”
I frowned in utter confusion; I wanted him to explain himself, so I asked, “Why?”
He stared at me again and said in a barely audible voice, “I’d like to think it’s fateful more than horrible, because if our dads hadn’t eloped I mightn’t have ever met you.”
What?
It hit me like lightning, it was true. I don’t know how I would’ve felt if I hadn’t met Linx today. If they hadn’t moved here and if my dad hadn’t eloped with his, I wouldn’t have ever met this person.
This person I was already considering my best friend. His statement had meaning and I knew he was correct, so I did the only thing I could, I smiled. He smiled too.
Something was niggling at the back of my mind and then I remembered what it was, “What were you going to do with that rope?”
I pointed the rope he had put down on the floor. He looked at it, his face suddenly pale, “I was unpacking and it was in a box.”
I gritted my teeth, I hated people who dodged questions, but I let it slide. It was obvious he didn’t want to talk about it and I didn’t want to push him. I began again, “Favourite animal?”
He looked at me with a goofy smile and said, “Guess?”
I studied him like he had done to me and I saw him blush a little bit, I thought cruelly, This is how it feels to be studied. My mind came to conclusion, “A white crow.”
Linx’s eyes widened in shock, “How they HELL did you guess that?”
I shrugged; I wasn’t completely sure either, “Intuition?”
He groaned, “Well, you were right. Strange, no one’s ever been able to get it right. Hmm, let me guess yours.”
I let myself lean into the couch as he stared at me again, his eyes flickered for a second and he smiled, “Yours is a . . . din, din, din, black fox?”
I felt my right eye twitch, “How did you know?”
He shrugged as I had and smiled cheekily, using my answer, “Intuition?”
I sighed and let my body relax, he followed suit. It was companionable silence for a while until Linx asked me, “Ballow, did you ever see, you know, you’re father do something . . . gay?”
I turned to him shocked; surely he didn’t blame himself as well? I answered him as true as I could with out feeling sick with guilt, “Countless times, but you know what? Every time I ignored it. EVERY time, I didn’t notice it. I just never thought about it and now I feel so stupid.”
Linx looked at me, emotion clouding his eyes, “Do you feel it’s your fault?”
I nodded my throat dry I was fighting back salty tears. Linx sighed in relief, “Is it really our fault? Did. . . Did we ignore it on purpose?”
I turned to him and looked at him; he was on the verge of tears like me, “I don’t know. I just don’t know anymore. Everything’s so wrong, nothing’s right. My mum’s crying, my dad’s smiling face is still in every one of my memories, but now he isn’t. I just don’t know.”
We sat in pleasant silence again, just enjoying each others company. I hadn’t done anything so peaceful for what seemed like forever.
My eyelids suddenly drooped and I realised how tired I was. I glanced at Linx; he was falling asleep as well. With a sluggish shrug I excused myself and let my mind drift away.
For some reason it was more comfortable than anywhere I’d been for a while.
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When I gained consciousness, I aware of something on top of me. Something heavy and breathing. On TOP of me. My eyes flickered open in alarm. Linx was lying on top of me. Or to be more exact I was lying underneath Linx. My face heated up and my body froze. My chest was against his and we were all, but face to face.
I took a jagged breath, How did I sleep like this? I couldn’t help, but stare at Linx’s face. It was delicately boned and it reminded me of the fragile webs of a spider. A little marking on his lip drew my attention. He had a beauty spot on his lip. What a strange place to have one.
My eyes wouldn’t look away from his lips, even though I commanded them too. It had been weird lately, my body had been doing so many things I didn’t want it to do, or didn’t even know it could do.
Kind of like now. I was staring at Linx’s lips and I couldn’t stop myself. Thoughts flickered through my mind, horrible, appalling, yet delicious thoughts. One of them was to kiss him. Yes, kiss him.
I felt myself blush as I realised that I indeed did want to kiss this sleeping angel with a beauty spot on his lip, whose father was gay with my father and who was currently sleeping on top of me, with me underneath him.
A very tricky predicament, which unlike most predicaments that I got into, I didn’t want to get out of any time soon. I licked my lips.
How tempting it was. I lifted my head slightly knowing what I was doing was weird. But then I froze. I was going to kiss a guy. A person who belonged to my gender, who fell in love with the same gender as me and here I was going to kiss
him.
I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place, which could be very easily substituted for a couch and Linx, hard place having a double meaning as well.
Or just as easily, what I wanted to do and what was right and wrong.
My movements unfroze as if letting me decide what to do for once. I backed down. If I kissed Linx, our friendship would be ruined.
But I hesitated, if I didn’t kiss him I would never know what it was like. I took a deep breath. Kissing him was wrong and was against all the laws of god. I blinked.
Oh! STUFF IT!
I lifted my head and gave him a quick peck on the lips. They were so warm and it felt so good for that tiny moment that I almost went for another, but I saw Linx’s eyes flutter open and I quickly made mine close, to appear as if I was sleeping.
He was staring at me, almost as intently as I had stared at him. I tried not to blush. I think I succeeded, but I felt his breath warm on my cheeks and it made my spine tingle. How I wanted just to open my eyes and kiss him on the lips, but I resisted the temptation telling myself that I was lucky to even have a peck.
I could see his lips and it made me want to kiss him even more. His mouth kept on moving closer to me and I’m sure he could feel my heart beating faster. He kissed my forehead and I nearly fainted.
He was so sweet. He put his face next to mine and wrapping his arm around me he fell back to sleep.
I smiled, How I wish that he wasn’t just delusional from sleep and that that was real. I blinked and fell asleep.
Good dreams were sure to greet me tonight.
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3 Years passed like days and it was the day of the prom. Neither of us had dates. We had promised each other the morning after that day we had slept on the lounge that we would be best friends and if we could get no dates we would go together.
I had been putting down so many girls. I wanted desperately to go with Linx to the prom. I didn’t care anymore, I was in love with him and I knew it now. I remembered when we first met and I smiled at how angelic he had looked. The sample I had 3 years ago, had blindly made me want to have more of him.
But when we had met he looked like an angelic child; a cherub. Now, well . . . his shoulders had widened and his voice deepened, his hair got a little longer and was slightly mussed up and he definitely got taller. I could only marvel at his changes, but he still looked like a beautiful angel, not so delicate anymore, more refined now.
We had become the School Captains together. We took the same classes and we got the same marks. We were known as Linx‘n’Low, a single word, because we hardly separated. I had not dated once and neither, to my surprise, had Linx. Even though I’m sure he had his own fan club.
I was working up my courage to ask Linx to the Prom when he turned around and smiled at me. My heart began to beat wildly as he began to talk,
“I’ve been asked to the Prom by Betty Charles.”
My heart melted, I swear if I hadn’t been holding my breath I would’ve vomited it up right then and there.
I nodded, my whole personality deflated, Linx continued, “But I said no.”
I flicked my eyes up in surprise. He wasn’t going to accept her?
I almost smiled but I stopped myself, it wasn’t good to be rude, I asked, “Are you sure, you’ll have to go with me then.”
He smiled cheekily and said in mock pain, “Alas, I shall have to have the punishment to be your prom date.”
I swatted him on the head, even though my heart was beating abnormally fast being so near to him. I wanted to hug him so much then, so much that my heart nearly burst because I suppressed the urge.
He watched me intently and I smiled, “Guess?”
Linx smiled back cheekily, “You’re happy?”
I laughed and punched him on the shoulder, “Of course, I get to go with my best friend to the prom.”
I wanted to be more than friends, but I didn’t want to break our friendship so I wouldn’t ever say it out loud. Linx looked slightly deflated and his smiled slipped. I looked to him enquiringly and he smiled again, the mischievous look on his face, “Guess?”
Guess had become our game, when either of us was feeling like crap or angry or sad, we’d say Guess and if one of us got it right they’d have to smile.
I frowned at him, “You’re disappointed.”
He smiled and punched me on the shoulder like I had to him. I was ecstatic to be touched by him, but it had kind of hurt.
I glanced at him confused; what was there to be disappointed about?
He smiled at me and I smiled back unwillingly, he smile was still contagious, “We have to get ready then, huh?”
I blinked and nodded, I didn’t care as long as I was near him, “Yeah, we should.”
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We arrived at prom in a limousine which our dad’s had rented for us. My dad and Linx’s dad got married in some country where gay marriages are accepted. Linx’s dad as I had hoped was indeed good-looking. They came back and lived in Linx’s house.
I think that Linx healed the hole in my heart, so I really didn’t mind dad coming back and I loved him all the same. Linx’s dad, Kevin, was a cool guy who looked astoundingly like Linx, but with green eyes. I understood why dad had fallen for him, hell I probably would’ve if I hadn’t met Linx.
I felt slightly ashamed that I had fallen for Linx, technically he was my brother, but by law only. The law-only part always let me feel less ashamed, but more annoyed; why’d dad have to marry the dad of the one I loved?
It also still sort of bugged me that I liked guys, but I had got over it and I hid it well enough from mum. Mum, however, got married to a man, his name was Clef. It was hilariously was ironic, I had three dads, when once I didn’t have any. But I just called the marriage and not blood one by their names.
Mum and Clef had a kid and they named him Blinx, he’s my half brother. I suppose I should’ve been happy that they named it after Linx and me, but I just couldn’t be; it was our name. They were happy, at least.
As for Linx’s mum, I’d never met her and I’ve come to the conclusion that she died. I sometimes feel sorry for him not knowing a mothers love.
I stepped out of the limousine in a white tuxedo with a black fox handkerchief in my pocket and Linx stepped out in a black tuxedo with a white crow handkerchief in his. Mum had handmade both.
I put my arm out and Linx accepted it with a cheeky smile. I smiled my cheeks going red, and my heart beating with the intimate contact.
We walked in, arm-in-arm to the whole of the year 12’s. They glanced at us once, then looked away to enjoy their own time at the prom. I looked at Linx and grinned.
The night passed and Linx and I danced to every song, not even allowing a lonely girl to dance with us. I kept him greedily to myself. It came time when they announced the Kings and Queens of The Prom. The principal read out,
“It came as a surprise that no one nominated a Queen this year, so we have chosen two Kings instead.”
The girls at the Prom all did what I can only describe as *squee*. The principal continued, “And now without further a due, give it up for our first King. . . Linx DANIELS!”
The crowd went up in roars and some girls fainted, “It’s customary for the King to give a speech. So before we call up the next King, let’s hear it Linx.”
Linx smiled at the crowd and waved, some more girls fainted, and he began, “3 years ago, my dad ran away with another man. And I felt it was my entire fault.”
My heart stopped, why was he mentioning this now? We had survived three years without even talking about it, why now?!?
“I was left with nothing except a three storey mansion and some rope which had been packed in a box.”
I stared at him in horror as I remembered the rope he had been holding as he opened the door.
“You see, when my dad left I absolutely had no care in the world, and I also believed that dad had left because of me. I had set up the rope into a noose and I was finding a place to hang it up somewhere in my empty house.”
The crowd had grown silent, my heart was beating extremely fast, and I didn’t understand what he was saying.
“All in all I was going to hang myself because I had nothing.”
WHAT!!?!? He had been going to kill himself? I wanted to cry. Why?
“But then just as I had put it around my neck, someone knocked on the door.”
My heart nearly exploded . . . he was talking about me.
“I figured that I could just answer it and tell them to go away and then hang myself afterwards.”
I took a sad deep breath, to keep myself from crying, why hadn’t he ever told me this?
“I answered it and there was Ballow standing there with a smile on his face. I said hello and he said it back. We stood in silence for what seemed eternity. And he wouldn’t go away.”
I smiled through a blurry film; tears had begun to form in my eyes.
“I invited him in and we became instant friends. He understood my problems and let me unburden them onto him. He is the person who stopped me from killing myself. He is my saviour.”
Applause broke out and I could hear a few people crying, hell I was crying. My heart, I was sure, could be seen beating through my chest.
“And I just wanted to tell him this,”
I paused, my breath stuck in my throat in anticipation and he looked down at me from the stage, our eyes made eye-contact, there was cheekiness dancing in his as he said, “I wasn’t asleep.”
I swear my heart stopped. It completely and utterly stopped. I knew what he was talking about. I knew it. It was that kiss I had given him, when he was asleep.
But it appeared he wasn’t asleep. I began to breathe again. The principal announced, “And our 2nd King of This Prom, Ballow JACK!”
I walked up the stage in a kind of a daze, I was aware of the tears still on my face, but I wiped them off proudly. The principal asked,
“Do you have anything you want to say?”
I looked Linx in the eyes and said, “Guess?”
Linx smiled mischievously, “You’re happy?”
I smiled, my eyes narrow and I snorted, “No, wow, I’m already underestimated.”
I pulled him into my arms and kissed him passionately. His eyes were wide with shock and I savoured them, staring into my favourite colour. Drowning in them, enjoying the warmth of the kiss, the delicious taste of his mouth and most of all the whole year 12 cheering us on to go for longer.
I have no doubt that this was what Linx was feeling at the same time too. All in all, I loved Linx.
Nothing more, nothing less, just the plain and simple truth.
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Now, if you really don't like it ignore it. Remember this is a gay pairing, but if you don't like it imagine it being a girl and a guy.
Have A Nice Day.
Azrael
In the following sentence: