Nanowrimo 2008

ANS: Here's another one.


Darren walked in a daze the rest of the day. All he could think about was what he had witnessed in the bathroom. At first, Darren had thought Kyle was enjoying it. Maybe he was just overly sheltered, even with the brother he had. He saw Kyle throwing up, and he felt like he was going to throw up too. He actually felt sorry for him. He wondered how long that had been happening to him. Was that the first time, or had Kyle been forced to have sex before. Now that he thought about it, Darren thought how Eric acted towards Kyle was on the strange side. Most siblings fight with each other. It was part of the circle of life. He and Alex participated in arguments all the time. Kyle, on the other hand, just took whatever Eric threw at him. From previous experience from dealing with Kyle, Darren knew Kyle could have a backbone, which was nonexistent when Eric was around.

When the final bell of the day rang, Darren went to drama rehearsal reluctantly. He was not sure how he was supposed to act around his nemesis. He knew no one was supposed to know. Should Darren just ignore it and hope it would get better for him. Another thought hit Darren. He did not know how long it had been going on and it might never get better, unless he intervened.

Darren waited 10 minutes to see if any stragglers came in. Kyle still had not shown up. He hoped Kyle was alright. Darren had no choice. He had to start. About 25 minutes after he started, Alex came in to sit in the rehearsal. Alex had not been sure if he was going to be able to come. Darren guessed he had made time.

Alex surveyed the stage and turned puzzled eyes to Darren. “No Kyle?”

“He’s probably going to be late. It definitely won’t be the first time.” He tried to sound indifferent, but it was really hard when he knew the truth.
“I don’t care anyways.”

Darren hated to admit it, but he felt guilty now. After learning about Kyle’s secret, it was like his whole perspective about his pain had changed.

Five minutes later, Kyle came in with a slight limp and holding his hand to his ribs. “I’m sorry I’m late. I got held up by my brother needing to have an important conversation with me. It could not wait until tonight.”

Darren gulped; having a feeling it was not a “talk”. “It’is ok Kyle. Just get your script and get onstage.”

Kyle gave him a funny look. “Really? You are not going to give me grief.”

Darren realized he had to act normally around Kyle so Kyle would not think anything was different. “Don’t get used to it. Next time you will get grief; I am just feeling generous today. Just get on the damn stage!”

As Kyle was walking passed Alex, he looked towards him. Alex, on the other hand, blatantly ignored Kyle’s gaze. Kyle went on stage with a sigh.

Throughout the rehearsal, Darren noticed that Alex would sneak a peek at Kyle when he thought that no one was watching and vice versa for Kyle. Maybe Darren could get Alex to give Kyle a ride home. Then they could talk and make up. Yes. That was it. That was the answer. Darren had to keep saying that. He wanted to believe that. He did not want to feel guilty.
Towards the end of the rehearsal, Kyle got a pained look on his face and collapsed to his knees, panting heavily. Alex stood up from his seat, while everyone in the cast formed a circle around him. Kyle shoved away anyone trying to help. “It’s ok. I am just a little tired.”

Darren looked to the floor. “Kyle, how about you go home.”

Kyle had been looking at the floor, but his head shot up at the suggestion. “Please, no. I’m sorry. It will not happen again.”
Darren shook his head. “You’re not in trouble. Just go home and rest.”

“I don’t want to go home yet.”

“Why?”

“None of your business, I just don’t want to.”

Darren realized it was probably because of his brother. The sooner he went home, the sooner he would have to deal with Eric. At the same time, Darren knew Kyle would not be able to handle rehearsal. He was standing up right now, but his legs were still shaking and he was clutching his side, as if in pain. “I don’t care where you go, but you are not rehearsing so you have to leave. Go lie in a ditch for all I care.” Even Darren knew that was a little harsh.

Kyle stomped off the stage, grabbing his bag and leaving. Darren watched after him worriedly. He turned to Alex who was looking to where he had left. “Alex, how about you go after him? Give him a ride to where he needs to go.”

“No thank you.”

“Alex, please do it.”

Alex looked angry. “After he badmouthed “:my kind”? Why should I?”

“Trust me, ok? He may need help. Don’t forget, I hate him and I am concerned about him.”

Alex looked at him with eyebrows raised. “Even I know you don’t hate him.”

“What do you mean?”

“Fine, keep playing dumb.”

Darren narrowed his eyes. “Just go after him, please.”

Alex sighed. “Fine.”

Darren smiled in relief.

As Alex walked outside, he eyes scanned the area to see if Kyle was still on the school grounds. Fortunately, he saw Kyle. Unfortunately, Kyle seemed to be in trouble. The guy Alex had caught bothering Kyle yesterday was back for more it seemed. This time though, Kyle was not even fighting. It looked as if he accepted his fate.

Aaron currently had his tongue down Kyle’s throat. He was squeezing Kyle’s side when he was yanked off his prey.

Aaron turned around in indignation to see a furious Alex. “Did you not learn yesterday to leave him alone?”

Aaron pushed Alex off at him. “Give me a break. He likes it.”

“Oh really? He does not seem to be happy right now.”

“It is part of the role play he participates in. He likes it rough and kinky.”

Alex made a face, while Kyle looked down. “I need to get home.” He made a step to leave, but lost his balance. He would have hit the ground if Alex had not thrown his arms out to catch him in the nick of time.

Alex helped Kyle stand up, and kept hold of him until he was steady enough to stand on his own. “Is it true?”

Kyle did not want to lie to Eric. “Is what true?”

“Do not play dumb. Is IT true!?”

“I honestly do not know what you are talking about.”

“So now you are going to lie straight to my face? I wonder why I’m not surprised. I was going to give you a ride home, but you can walk home.”
Alex made a move to walk away. At that moment, Aaron chose to speak up. “Better yet, I will give you a ride home. Maybe we can have some fun on the way.” He finished in a suggestive voice.

Kyle panicked. “Alex, please do not leave me. I will do anything.”

Alex stopped, but his back was still facing Kyle. “Does that include being honest when I ask you a question?”

“Yes.” Kyle knew Alex’s definition of ‘honest’ would have to be Eric’s lie.

“What Aaron said about you liking it rough and kinky, is that true?”

Kyle took a deep breath. “Yes.”

Alex turned around to face Kyle, filled with rage. His eyes resembled silver fire, and it scared Kyle. “You dare criticize my lifestyle when yours in no better?”

“What are you talking about?”

“So you are going to play dumb again?”

“I am not playing.” Kyle realized what the sounded like, but it was not the time or place to correct himself.

“You badmouth my life behind my back, and then pretend you have no idea what I’m talking about.”

Kyle took a deep breath. “Alex, please stop yelling at me. I really do not have any idea what you are talking about. I make a serious rule for myself to not badmouth anyone behind their backs. I would not break the rule, unless in was unintentional and I did it in the heat of the moment. Please explain to me what you think I did.”

“I do not think. I know. My brother showed me the proof.”

“Darren? Proof? Proof of what?”

“You said I was not your type and you were not into my kind. You did not like the whole ‘pain’ thing. “

Kyle then remembered his conversation with Darren in the halls a couple of days ago. Darren could have told Alex, but why was he so certain Darren wasn’t lying. After all, his brother hated him. “You said you had proof?”

“Yes, a tape recording so do not try to deny it. You said you are not into pain, but then admit you like it rough and kinky. I think you’re kind are called two-faced hypocrites.”

Aaron was tired of being ignored. After all, he was used to being the center of attention. “Maybe he just does not like you and pain together. I think I am a better match for him.”

Alex glared. “You are right. He does seem to be crazy about you. When I catch the two of you, I always think he does not like what is happening, but maybe I was not reading in between the lines. I think I should start. Aaron, you can give him that ride home.”

Kyle could not believe what was happening. Alex was actually going to leave him alone with this sex crazed basketball player. No matter how mad Alex was, he could not seriously believe that Kyle was interested in Aaron.
At the moment, Darren chose to come out after hearing all the noise. He saw the threesome. He looked to Alex first who looked outraged and at the same time, indifferent. Then he turned to Kyle who looked panicked and scared. His eyes then fell on Aaron who just looked smug. “What’s going on?” He asked slowly. He wasn’t sure he wanted the answer.

Aaron opened his mouth. “Nothing, I was just going to give Kyle a ride home.”

Talking before thinking, Darren rushed in “You can’t!!”

All three pairs of eyes turned to him in astonishment. Darren realized he made a mistake, but it was too late to take it back.

Aaron was furious. “Excuse me, but you have no say in what I do.”

“I know, but my brother was coming out here to give him a ride home.”

Alex shook his head. “That was then, this is now. I told this guy to give him a ride home.”

Darren looked as panicked as Kyle did. “He can’t. Please Alex, you need to be the one to give him a ride.”

Kyle’s feeling of panic was beginning to pass. His anger at Darren took over. “How could you?”

Darren was now confused. “What? I’m trying to help you.”

“You were helping my by tape recording me? I know you hate me, but still. How low can you get?”

It was Darren’s turn to feel grief. With all his sympathetic feelings toward Kyle and his situation, he had forgotten his scheme to get Alex to hate Kyle.

Alex stood in front of his brother. “Don’t get mad at him. He may have recorded it, but you said it. No one forced you to say anything.”

Darren knew he had to make things right, but was afraid of his brother hating him. He did not get the chance to say anything though.

Kyle threw his hands up in frustration. “I don’t care anymore. I just don’t. I don’t care if anyone gives me a ride home.”

He went to walk away, but Aaron put a hand on his shoulder. “I said I would.”

Kyle shook his hand off. “Do you not understand Aaron. I don’t like you. My brother forced me to be with you.”

“What!!?” Alex had grabbed Kyle by the shoulder. “What do you mean by force?”

Kyle realized he had said too much. Once again, his foot was in his mouth. “It’s none of your business, now let me go before I am late.”

Alex let him go rather reluctantly, but his pride would not offer Kyle a ride home. He turned to his younger brother. “Do you know what Kyle meant by his brother forcing him?”

Darren thought for a moment. He wanted to tell his brother so Kyle could get help, but knew it was not his place. It was Kyle’s life. “No,”

Alex was firm. “If you are lying to me, and Kyle is in some sort of danger, it will be your fault if he is hurt. Now, are you sure there is nothing you know?”

Darren took a deep breath. “Yes.” Darren may have felt like he could not tell Alex even though he knew the consequences, but maybe he could convince Kyle to trust Alex with the truth. That way, Kyle would get help.

Alex sighed. “Ok. I hope you are being honest with me. Is everything done in there?”

“Yes, I just have to tell everyone to leave. “

“You go in and do that. I will be in the car waiting.”

Darren left with his head hanging down. Alex sighed. He knew his brother was not being truthful, but he could not force Darren to tell the truth. He just hoped his brother would come to his senses before it was too late for Kyle.


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