His (BxB)

Part 6

My Geometry class is cancelled. Teacher's no show. I don't know what to do. - L

I compose a brief message on my phone while unconsciously wander around the hallway with no particular destination. I don't know what to do, it's true. I don't even know where to go to spend my vacant hour before the next period starts. I'm used to be with William most of the time, where he always gets to say about almost everything. We do what he says, and we go where he wants. I don't mind at all since initiative is never one of my strongest suits.

Now that William is currently in class, I can only think of texting him and asking for suggestion. After a few moments of contemplating, I eventually tap the phone screen to send the text. His reply comes in an instance.

Maybe I should just end my class too. My Human Biology class is ridiculous. I want to be with you. - W

That earns a small curve of spontaneous smile out of my lips. I know how cheesy that sounds. Some people might even think that this 'I want to be with you' line is just a shallow expression which happens to be very handy for anyone to say to their boyfriend or girlfriend, nothing really special about this common saying. But for me, it is much more than just some sweet icing for a relationship. Nobody ever said that they wanted to be with me before. Of course, why would they?

Please don't. I'll be fine. I just need somewhere to be before the second period starts. Any idea? - L

You're not with your friends? - W

William is talking about the friends I get ever since the bullying stopped. People are no longer afraid for being seen with me. They never have to worry anymore about sharing my bad luck or becoming the next bully target. It feels like forever since I had anyone to include me in a study group or to be something as simple as lunch company.

No. They're not in Geometry either. Probably not sharing the same schedule with me. So? - L

Go to the library. - W

What? I think I read it wrongly, but I don't. Does he really suggest me to go to the library? Isn't it a common sense to think that library is an absolute hangout place for those who are smart or nerds? And I'm totally sure that I'm not one of those. Well, one book can easily send me freaked out, let alone leaving me alone in the middle of hundreds. I'm just too stupid to understand everything all by myself. I don't belong there. And William knows that.

But… The place scares me. - L

I merely tell him what I feel instead of saying no. I don't even feel the necessity to question him. I do that out of spontaneity and not because I don't want to make him upset. No. I guess resistance is not my nature as well.

It's alright, Baby. You'll be fine. And I'll be fine, for I know that you'll be alone and not talking to anyone there. - W

After a few seconds of 'not-really-thinking', I manage to send away a short reply of okay. It is not because I've overcome the uncomfortable feeling in my chest as I'm heading towards the library, like I said, I just don't have anywhere else to go. And William said I'll be fine, so I guess I will be. Well, what harm can a couple hundreds of books possibly do to me anyway?

I don't realize holding my breath as I enter a huge room that happens to be a library. I never knew that a library can be this... amazing. I mean, the place looks very neat and clean. Dozens of black-painted shelves and racks are artistically standing out in the middle of white four walls. Tables and chairs are black too. The floor is covered with fluffy red carpet which can't help bringing an instant homey feeling to anyone who enters.

I was always imagining library to be kind of a gloomy and dusty place. Not to mention the weird smell that comes from crazy combination of old books, worn out furniture and air deodorizer. But this place is surprisingly far from that. Maybe I can make myself feel at home here. I dare myself to step closer to the nearest shelf, not minding that one curious stare I get from a lady at the front counter. Maybe she is the librarian. Maybe it's just the way she acts when seeing a new person at her place.

I quickly get disappointed as I find out what section the shelf I am heading is. Physics, really? I note this as one of those moments where I miss my boyfriend a little more than usual. Sighing, I look around. There are no more than ten peoples in this place. No wonder, it's still a first period. I don't recognize any of them, so I don't feel the necessity of awkwardly making a friendly gesture by smiling or waving hand at them as a replacement of saying 'hi, what's up?'. Most of them are busy with their books and assignments at hand, except for a guy and a girl who sit at the farthest corner. It looks like they're making out there without the librarian lady knowing. I wonder if it's the best place for that.

I shift my attention back to the book shelves. Not wanting to be called rude or anything by being caught staring. I walk slowly from shelves to shelves, try my best not make a sound since the place is disturbingly quiet. Not until I reach the farthest shelf that I find the cooking section. Finally, there's something I like in this strange place. I can feel my eyes shine a little brighter by now. I excitedly poke my index finger onto the tidy row of books in that shelf. Browsing through the titles, searching for one that might catch my interest.

"Well, well, what a surprise." Someone's voice surprises me. And I'm certain that the guy is currently standing behind me.

I turn my body as fast as possible because I recognize the voice even before we come face to face. Ethan, the biggest bully. What is he doing here? What does he want with me? I try not to look afraid and merely brace myself for any possible outcome. I hope he is not interested in drawing unnecessary attention. This is a library after all.

"What do you want?" I ask and regret it immediately. My voice comes out quivering. I should have just shut up.

He smirks upon hearing the question and my deviant manner. "Why the cold shoulder, Louis? Don't you miss me?" He asks in a husky voice for he is aware of his whereabouts.

"No." I let out a small whimper as his cold fingers touch my left cheek.

What is he doing? I was ready to accept one or two punches or slaps like he used to give. But why is he caressing my cheek right now? What is this all about? Has he found another form of bullying and decided to test it on me when William is nowhere to be seen?

"Don't give me that, Louis. We're old friends, remember? You should be happy to see me." Still smirking, he starts moving his fingers down the side of my neck until they reach the clavicle.

My heart starts beating irregularly as feel his fingers trace curiously on my necklace. It's not really a necklace actually, it's just a thick black thread that comes with a bronze bird-shaped pendant. And William is eager to find a replacement for this necklace even though I really like wearing it. I see it as a precious gift from one of my elementary school friends, and that's the only thing people ever gave me before I met William. But apparently my boyfriend doesn't like the idea of me treasuring something that isn't from him.

"Please stop..." I'm begging Ethan but he doesn't seem to care. He even steps forward and closes our distance so that his bigger body is pressing against mine. I try really hard not to cry even though I want it so bad. I have made a decision. I won't ever let myself cry for anyone else besides William anymore. William is the only one that is worthy.

"Why should I? You always love it when I touch your body, don't you? I know that because you're a fag. You will gladly accept anything as long as it's coming from a guy, true?" He lets out his usual s******c snicker before continuing, "How do you think your arrogant boyfriend will react if I tell him that your cheeks are blushing when I touch you?"

"Ethan, please... Leave me alone."

It's an unexpected surprise when I see him stepping away. But he doesn't do that because I tell him to. He does that because he notices someone else is watching us. I know it because I can sense them as well. But when I look around, I can't find anyone else beside the two of us in this secluded corner. Maybe that someone has already gone. I just hope this won't be a bad luck sign.

After getting a same fruitless result when trying to uncover the mysterious watcher, Ethan's attention shifts back at me. He is showing me that scary smirk again before touching my chin.

"See you again soon, Louis." he says. "Don't miss me because our next meeting will not be this pleasant."

Without waiting for my response, he finally decides to just leave me alone. I take a few deep breaths as I see him walk out of the library. Thank God, I'm still alright. I thought I would end up in the infirmary when the second period starts. I abandon my prior idea about reading cooking books in this vacant hour and walk to a nearby unoccupied table instead.

I take a seat, fold my hands on the table and put my forehead atop them. I'm scared and confused. The day has just started but so many things have happened already. Tim bringing his hatred to a new level, Ivan suggesting s*x out of thin air, Mikey bragging about sleeping with my boyfriend, and now Ethan being weird. I really don't want to think about anything anymore right now.

I just wish for this day to go faster so that I could see my boyfriend again as soon as possible. I need William. Desperately need him, too much that I don't realize hurting my palms as my nails unconsciously digging into them to form fists. I've always been a loner most of the time in my life, but not until today have I really felt what the word 'lonely' does truly mean.

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