SLAM!
James landed onto the lockers with a loud thud. He was all covered in bruises and wounds and his face is all swelled up.
"You think you're all mighty, huh!?" One kid says while laughing with his friends, "Alex may have moved away but that doesn't mean we would leave you alone!" Another one replied. This three was Alex's minions. The ones that would follow him like he's some supreme leader and do whatever he asked. James furrowed his eyebrows and spat his saliva that is now red with blood.
"Just because you're close with that boy, that doesn't mean that we can't do anything!" James do nothing and only stared. He was used to them. Used to how the way they punch roughly and laugh. They left without another word and left him be, Mark found him just in time and ran towards him. This happens all the time and they can't do a thing about it. Mark tried to tell a teacher once too, but they said that he's just being influenced by the lies James let out.
This happens for years and no one bats an eye.
****
"I'm telling you, she's so loud I can't even sleep at night!"
"Well, why don't you buy an ear plug then?"
James replied through the telephone jokingly as he talks to Mark. Four years has passed and now they are in middle school. Both of them grew up strong and healthy and even engaged on interests that is trendy on their age."Trust me, James. I tried and I can still hear her through the wall. I am already tempted to go inside and then put a pillow over her face!" James chuckled at him. He had always known the non-stop banter between the twins. "Then just deal with it then, Mark. Can't help ya."
"You're always so straightforward and have no sympathy to me..." Mark said with disappointment and just sighed. Just then, a high-pitched voice can be heard along with quick steps on the stairs, "Speak of the devil..." Maurie came to the scene wearing makeup and all ready for the day. "Opal is coming over so don't do anything stupid." She said with no amusement in her voice before glancing to her brother who was sitting behind the counter while talking to somebody through the phone.
"Who are you talking to anyway that you're sitting there over an hour like a lovesick weirdo? Wait, is it a girl?" She said teasingly. She always knows how to get on his nerves. "No, Miri... It's just James..." She goes still for a moment and then blushed, "What!? Why didn't you tell me anything!?" Mark rolled his eyes while Maurie snatched the telephone away from his hands.
"Hi James! Whatever this bastard said about me, none of it were true, okay?! Anyways, are you coming over later?" She said while twirling her hair on her finger and talking all kind and soft that Mark almost couldn't recognise who was this woman she is facing right now. "Who's the lovesick weirdo now?" He said loudly that Maurie turned to look at him with a wild glare.
"Not really... I've got my hands full today." James replied to her question. For the past few months, James has been working on the weekends to support himself because his uncle barely took a glance at him anymore. "Is that so...? What a shame..." She said with sadness laced on her voice. "What is your plan on your birthday though? It's just around the corner." James got silent after that. He had just forgotten about his birthday. However, due to how busy he was these days it wasn't surprising anymore and besides, it's not like he can celebrate one.
"Probably nothing. It's on Monday so I'll just go to school and stuff..." Finally, Mark had successfully stolen the telephone back and spoke, "Let's hang out after school then! Just the two of us! Let's go to our usual hangout spot and then buy lemon soda!" Excitement was tinted on his voice and James couldn't help but found it funny. To him, he was like a puppy with his tail all wagging behind him, "Yeah yeah," He said, "but it's your treat. Not mine. Oh, I gotta go now. I can't be late to work..." James said at the other line and Mark then replied, "Alright, see ya!"
"You didn't even let me say goodbye too..." Maurie says on the side on the counter which makes Mark rolled his eyes, "You see him everyday, drama–queen."
****
"Order from table seven!"
"On it!"
James worked as a waitress on the Luntian restaurant. Mr. Dela Cruz took him in to work after he found out that his uncle is not paying support anymore. Every day was a busy day for James and it couldn't be any worse if it weren't for his co-worker, Trevillion.
"So slow, ain't ya?" The older man says as he gives James a pat on his back, "Don't bother me, Trev..." He says with annoyance and Trev arched his brow and raised both of his hands, "Woah, chill bro... That's not how you talk to your elders." He says sarcastically. James rolled his eyes and sighed, "Well, you act more like a teen than a man entering college, y'know? Also, don't you have somewhere to be with?"
Trevillion shooks his shoulders and pretends to think about it, "I'm done with everything already... How about you though?" "Then go ahead and leave!" This man was getting on his nerves and it didn't help the way his girlfriend comes here almost everyday, flirt with each other, and he have to deal with all their lovey–dovey couple act. Like today. The door opened with a chime of the little bell and along came a beautiful woman wearing a red flowy dress with long black hair and hazel brown eyes. Immediately all the eyes went to her but she doesn't care. All she wants was her boyfriend.
"Trevie!" She said with glee as she walked towards him, "Look at you, all messy and covered in sauce... My poor dear...!" She said with genuine worry as the man gets flustered and giddy. "Oh come on, this is just nothing to me! I mean, just look at me! I'm all strong! Nothing can stop me except you, my beautiful Areia."
James cringed at his words. This couple can't live without each other and James hated the way they act so cheesy. James thought to himself that Trevillion could write a whole long–ass paragraph about how he loves his girlfriend and he could say every word if he can.
"Alright, that's enough. Both of you leave already and go to your little date..." James complained which makes Trevillion scoffed. "You're just jealous because you haven't found the one yet." The couples began to walk towards the door as James goes red with fury, "I... I'm not jealous you little...!" But it's too late, the couple had already left before he even gets to finish what he is going to say. Poor James could only mutter to himself about how annoying they were.
Well, it is true that James has still hasn't found the one yet. He had dated two or three women back then but their relationship didn't last a month because of some specific reasons. And also, James is hiding something from everyone. He was not just attracted to girls—
He was attracted to boys too.
But he knows this is a sin so he never dared to tell anyone nor even date one secretly. He just closeted his feelings and continued to act like everything is normal. If only...
"What got you all annoyed there, bud?" Mr. Dela Cruz suddenly appeared and asked which makes James jumped in surprise, "Ahh... It's nothing, sir..." Yet, Mr. Dela Cruz chuckled and was amused, "Still bickering with each other, I see. Well, if you guys continue to act like that, you can continue to work properly." That wasn't his problem at all but he was glad that the old man didn't question further, "That... I'm really sorry about it, Mr. Dela Cruz."
"It's alright, at least both of you are full of spirits." He laughed again and James awkwardly smiled. "Are you sure you can handle everything all by yourself?" James nodded, "I have no problems right now, sir. Don't worry about me."
That night, James came home. It was dark and quiet. That's odd, James thought to himself but he didn't think much of it. Maybe his uncle is just so drunk that he's still sleeping till night. He turned on the lights and found the house full of mess like usual. The living room was full of beer bottles, cigarettes all scattered everywhere, leftover takeouts still there.
But his uncle was nowhere to be found.
The couch was empty. There is no one sleeping there. Even the television is off which is weird because his uncle always left it open until he falls asleep. He searched everywhere around the house. The bathroom, kitchen, his parent's bedroom which he never dared stepped his foot in, the backyard... Nothing. He was nowhere to be found at all. He was abandoned. Again.