RUIN ME

DARK SECRET

The projector illuminates, casting an enchanting artwork onto the white screen, depicting two handsome young men soaring beneath a blood-red moon. One of them, a vampire, holds an ordinary human boy beneath his enormous dark wings, showing him the world from above. It is a captivating masterpiece.

Professor Olivia asks, “What do you think of this painting?”

Mico quips, “It’s quite gay,” eliciting laughter from everyone.

“Maybe,” Olivia responds, “but it’s profoundly intriguing, wouldn’t you agree?”

Leo, my seatmate, softly murmurs, “Adorable.”

Olivia continues, “This artwork is the creation of Fabian Davis. To me, it conveys that true love transcends boundaries of race and gender. Look at this character,” she gestures toward the winged figure in the painting, “a vampire who falls in love with a vulnerable human.” Her finger then traces the path to the other boy below. “Meanwhile, the boy who needs those very wings to soar gives light to his world and radiates even in the darkest moments. The power of love is more profound than one can fathom.”

Lucas, Mico’s best friend, gasps, “It truly is a beautiful artwork.”

“Shut up, bro!” mumbles Mico.

“But of course,” Olivia continues, “this is just my personal interpretation. Art, as you can see, holds complexities beyond initial impressions. Each of us interprets art differently, and often, a painting’s true meaning remains elusive because if artists could express it in words, there’d be no need to paint.”

“Now, let me ask you,” she scans our faces and smiles when her gaze meets mine, “Zeph, what’s your interpretation of this artwork?”

Rising slowly, my eyes remain fixed on the painting. “As I see it, it’s as if the demon is willing to give up everything for the angel he so loves. He’d forsake everything, even if it meant a curse to be cast upon him, as every sacrifice becomes worthwhile as long as he remains by his side.”

Olivia wears an expression of astonishment.

“I’m not sure though,” I say, and then Leo starts clapping for me.

“Marvelous, Zeph,” Olivia exclaims. “I knew you possess a vivid imagination. Keep it up.” I smile, expressing my gratitude. Then she goes, “Anyway, we still have 20 minutes left. I’ll leave it up to you. Use this time as you please.”

Olivia is a very easy-going teacher, and that’s why she’s my favorite! We don’t really do much in this Art class so we have a lot of free time. However, for some, like this girl heading in my direction, it’s an opportunity to take my seat, as Leo happens to be my seatmate. “Hey guys!” Yuri greets, signaling me to stand up so she can take my seat. I fix my things, get my phone and earphones, and move to her spot. Not that I mind, as Amisha is there with me.

“I missed you,” Amisha says, hugging me tightly.

“It’s only been two days since we last saw each other,” which was during the weekend.

“By the way, are you coming this Friday night?” she asks.

“Where?” I ask.

“At Mico’s party! Remember?”

“I don’t know,” I say as I put my earphones in my ears, but she removes the other piece and places it into hers. Now, both of us are listening to my music.

“Well, you should come!” she insists.

Amisha’s head sways gently, her eyes closed, immersed in the melody of my music. I turn around to observe Leo and Yuri engrossed in conversation. They’re enjoying themselves, with Yuri playfully slapping Leo’s biceps while laughter spills from her lips. Leo reciprocates by pinching her cheeks. Just watching their flirtation makes me cringe.

“Psst!” A voice from the back gets my attention. I glance back to find Mico and Lucas teasing me. Lucas slaps his eggplant pencil case against his cheeks in a suggestive manner, giving me a wink and a seductive glance. I gulp, his appeal momentarily catching me off guard, but then I quickly avert my gaze to conceal my reaction.

My eyes widen as I unintentionally catch Mich delicately slipping her hand into her sleeping seatmate’s purse. It’s surprising to witness her capable of such actions; beneath her innocent facade, there’s clearly a wild side.

I decide to check on another friend, Emily, who’s cramming red velvet cookies into her mouth. I beckon to her quietly, and she turns toward me, her cheeks stuffed with cookies.

“Hey!” I call out in a hushed tone, “Care to share?” and she tosses another package of cookies from her bag my way. I catch it gracefully. “Many thanks!” I express my gratitude, blowing her a flying kiss. She catches it with a grin. The cookie’s flavor is divine.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Tonight is the night I will finally get to experience what it feels like to be a normal teenager. Excitement course through my veins, but a touch of anxiety nags at the edges of my mind. What if I will only embarrass myself there?

I’m dressed in an oversized neon green shirt, baggy pants, and pristine white sneakers. I look at my friends, who are cloaked in a sea of black, cat-themed attire. I can’t help but laugh when I see their faces with dark makeup. “I have no idea we are heading to a Halloween party.”

“Didn’t we mention dressing in black attire?” Yuri asks, her hands firmly planted on her hips.

Mich, with a hint of dissatisfaction, says, “You could have at least donned a black polo shirt and black pants.”

Defending my attire, I retort, “I’m not attending a funeral, and I had no idea it was this serious. Besides, it’s my first visit to a club, so please cut me some slack, alright?”

“You’re so... neon,” says Emily as she stares at my shirt.

We stand outside Starbucks, waiting for Leo, our designated chauffeur for the night. Passersby can’t help but cast bewildered glances at us, probably because of what my girlfriends are wearing.

“What’s taking him so long?” Yuri mutters, her shoe tapping impatiently against the pavement.

A white Porsche Cayenne glides gracefully into view, capturing our attention as it takes its place in front of us. The front window glides open, unveiling Leonardo, who sits behind the wheel.

“Fancy!” Amisha exclaims, her eyes widening in admiration.

Mich can’t help but ask, “How many cars do you have?” Leo responds with an enchanting smile, leaving an air of mystery around him.

Curious about the seating arrangement, Emily asks, “So, who’s taking the front seat?”

Leo casually rests his hand on the back of his head. “Well, who’s up for it?”

Emily’s gaze sweeps across each of our faces before settling on me. “Zeph, you’re a guy, so you’re sitting up front.”

Yuri raises an eyebrow. “And the four of us in the back?”

Emily’s response is unwavering. “If you like, you can ride in a jeep.”

Yuri’s face flushes with anger. “Well, maybe you should be the one in the jeep. Just look at your size! It’s like a combination of mine and Zeph’s!”

Without hesitation, Emily grabs Yuri’s hand, opens the car’s front door, and tugs her inside. “There you go! You could have simply asked for the front seat without attacking my body.” With a firm slam of the door, Emily makes her point, and Yuri gives her an annoyed glance.

“Enough, let’s go inside,” Amisha urges. “We’re already late for the party!”

We’re en route to Mico’s exclusive club, the Porsche’s aroma enveloping us. Perhaps it’s Leo’s perfume that fills the air. “How much does this car cost?” Emily inquires, gently tracing her fingers on the window. Leo remains quiet. She turns to Amisha and whispers loud enough for the rest of us to hear, “Who do you think is wealthier, Leo or Mico?”

Yuri snaps irritably, “What kind of question is that?” Emily rolls her eyes and makes playful faces at her in the backseat.

“Welcome to my club, mis amigos!” Mico greets us in the entrance area, clearly wasted. Mich holds her phone up, filming him as he shouts like a madman, “Forget about the school, or I’ll burn it down! Let’s just have a blast tonight! Let’s party!!!”

As we enter the club, we’re greeted by a big space filled with disco lights and people twerking on the dance floor. The music blares so loudly that I can barely make out what my friends are saying. Suddenly, Leo places his hand on my shoulder as we walk. He’s saying something, but his words are drowned out by the music.

“What?” I shout.

He leans in close, his lips almost brushing my ear. “All eyes are on you because of that shining and shimmering outfit.” I glance at my shirt, and it’s gleaming brilliantly under the blacklights. Neon colors contain fluorescent dyes that absorb UV light, creating a very vibrant effect.

“Is there a problem?!” I ask.

“What?” He moves his ear closer to my lips, pretending not to hear me. I can still smell his enticing scent, so I gently push him away. “Nothing!” I shout.

He chuckles again. I glance around, and everyone is dressed in black except for me. It seems like a funeral party!

In the background, an Ariana Grande song plays, and everyone sings along, showing off their dance moves and sipping on liquor. “Come on, let’s have a drink and dance!” Amisha pulls me onto the dance floor and showcases her drunken dance skills. “You like my hair? Gee, thanks, just bought it! Whooo!” If this is what fun looks like for a normal teenager, I wouldn’t mind being a child again.

I put on a poker face for her. “You’ve had a bit too much to drink!”

She thrusts the shot glass into my mouth without warning, and I accidentally swallow the liquid. “Ugh, that’s disgusting!”

Emily offers me one of her red velvet cookies from the jar she’s holding. “This should help with the bitterness in your mouth. Aren’t you having a good time tonight?”

“Absolutely not!” I reply loudly so she can hear me.

I scan the room to check on the others. Yuri and Leo are dancing energetically together, Leo daringly trying out some sexy dance moves, his face flushed with excitement. I can’t seem to spot Mich anywhere.

Suddenly, a hand from behind touches my chest, and I spin around to see who it is. It’s just a random girl who continues to stroke it as if I were enjoying it.

“What the heck?!” I push her away so hard, causing her to stumble and fall in her high red heels, and it appears I may have injured her ankles. She starts to cry, but no one pays her any attention.

As I consider making a quick exit, someone seizes my hand and tugs me back. It’s just Leo.

“Where are you going?!” he asks. “I saw what happened!”

“She got what she deserved for touching me inappropriately!”

“Here!” Leo hands me his shot glass. “Come on, just one!”

I take the glass and down it in one go, hoping to finally leave the bar. “That’s my boy!” Leo exclaims.

He signals the waiter for a refill. “Now it’s my turn!” he says. I notice his Adam’s apple moving as he swallows the drink. “Ahhh!” he purrs, a seductive undertone in his voice while his gaze remains locked onto my face.

“Where on earth is Mich?!” Yuri interrupts.

“I’m going to look for her outside!” Then I quickly make my way out of the club.

The outdoor air is cold and brisk, but I prefer it to the chaos inside. The club’s soundproofing keeps the noise from spilling outside, creating a serene atmosphere.

All of a sudden, I hear something fall to the ground. Perhaps a bag? I wonder if there are any teenagers f*cking at this hour, so I look around and silently check the cars one by one. It would be fantastic if I could witness a real-life p*rn in here. I pay close attention and hear some heavy breathing—behind Leo’s car. I check the back of the Porsche immediately to catch the teenagers, but instead find a girl cowering behind the car, counting money.

“Mich?” I say.

She lets out a startled shriek, swiftly retrieving her sparkling black pouch from the ground and hiding the stack of cash inside.

“Why are you taking that?” I ask, my expression conveying that I already knew.

“Taking?” She stands up, smoothing out her dress. “Did you just accuse me of theft?”

“It certainly seems that way.”

“No, I’m not—”

“I saw you taking things from Fely’s purse last Monday,” I remark, ready for her reaction. “You can deny it, but I know you stole, and that won’t change.”

She looks down, her lips trembling. “Please, don’t tell anyone.”

I persist, “Is the money you were counting Leo’s?”

“Of course not!” she quickly replies. “It’s from one of Mico’s friends who was trying to impress me.”

“I see.”

“Will you tell on me?” she asks with worry etched on her face.

“Do I have any evidence?” I respond. “Besides, I believe the truth will always come out, no matter what. So, I don’t feel the need to tell anyone.” As I prepare to walk away, a realization strikes me. “Also, please stop stealing money from my wallet. I’m running low on savings.”

“Yes, I promise!” she exclaims. “I’ll repay you with the money I’ve collected today.”

“No thanks,” I reply.

We enter the club together, avoiding eye contact. “Where have you guys been?!” Leo asks, then his expression shifts into one of shock. “Oh no—did you guys?”

“No!” we exclaim indignantly.

Leo exhales in relief. “Then let’s hit the dance floor!” he says, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards where the girls are dancing. Leo joins in, but as soon as he realizes I’m not following, he returns to me and firmly takes my hands. He moves closer, locking eyes with me. “Would you like me to show you some dance moves?” He chuckles charmingly.

“Fine, I’ll dance,” I roll my eyes, annoyed. “But I’m not twerking!”

The six of us start dancing in sync to the beat. Everyone is wasted anyway, so there’s no room for critique about my dancing. When I was young, I was good at many things. I liked singing, dancing, drawing, making scary stories, and even editing. But when I turned 11, I stopped doing them, and my talents slowly faded away as time passed.

Mico approaches me and asks for a favor. “One of my friends is quite interested in you! Could you spare at least 20 minutes of your time for her?” His breath reeks of beer, which is quite off-putting. “She’d like to talk with you.”

Who am I to refuse the club’s owner? “Just 20 minutes?” I ask.

“Only 20 minutes.”

“Alright.”

He escorts me to the girl who’s somehow interested in me. I can’t help but wonder if this is the same girl I pushed earlier. Oh no, I think I may have injured her ankle. “Are we there yet?” I ask as my legs start to tire.

“Almost,” he replies, opening a door leading to a hallway with plenty of rooms. “I brought you here because she wants to speak to you privately,” he says, his drunken gaze meeting mine. “It’s too loud out in the club for a proper conversation!”

I nod, my heart pounding rapidly.

He comes to a stop and opens one of the rooms at the end of the hallway. “Are you ready?” he asks with a mischievous grin. He moves behind me, pushing me into the room and locking the door. “Mico! Open this door!” I shout in a panic, frantically twisting the doorknob.

Mico bursts into laughter on the other side. “Come on, we all know you’re gay! There’s no need to hide it. It’s pretty obvious!”

“I’m calling the cops!” I quickly grab my phone from my pocket to dial, but someone snatches it from behind. I turn around to see a man in a white bathrobe adorned with tattoos and a piercing on his lower lip.

“Give me back my phone,” I demand, my voice trembling.

“I’ll return it when I’m done with you,” he leers.

Fear courses through me. “What do you want from me?”

The man sheds his bathrobe, revealing his body. In a panic, I spin around and slam the door, creating a loud noise. “Help! Someone’s trying to r*pe me!” I yell, banging on the door even harder. He grabs me from behind, and I feel something pressing against my butt. He carries me towards the bed, and I attempt to resist, but he’s physically overpowering.

“Please, don’t do this,” I plead, tears streaming down my face.

He chuckles. “You’re such a cutie.” He wipes my tears with his thumb and kisses my hand. I push him away, but he forcefully guides my hand to his intimate area. “No!” I sob, horrified by his actions.

Moments later, someone pounds on the door, causing the man to pause. “Open up now!!!” It’s Leo, his voice filled with fury.

“Leo! He’s going to harm me!” I shriek. “Call the police, quickly!”

“Quiet!” The man strikes me in the belly, my first experience with such pain, and it’s excruciating.

We hear the security guards drawing near. They discharge their firearms to shatter the lock on the door. The door swings open, and Leo rushes to my side as security guards handcuff and escort the man away. “Are you alright?” Leo asks, genuine concern in his eyes.

I nod, wiping the tears from my cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” Leo says, hugging me tightly. “That I came late.” His tight embrace lingers for a full minute.

“Let’s go,” he suggests, extending his hand.

“Where to?” I ask softly, placing my trembling hand in his warm palm.

“I’ll make sure you get home safely.” Then he gazes into my eyes with an intensity that somehow begins to mend the trauma I’ve just experienced.