Array
(
[text] =>
Vic and I are sitting in math class waiting for the bell to ring signalling the end of the day.
Vic’s tapping to a song on the desk while he hums. He does that a lot now. Ever has since he got his guitar. He plays it all the time and writes song. And I can see that it’s making him generally happier.
Between going to therapy regularly, not cutting and the guitar, I can see a big change in him. But it’s not enough. Last week, for an entire day, he just laid in bed. He still doesn’t really try in class, he still puts himself down and Alex still hassles him. He’s got a long way to go.
The bell rings and Vic sighs sounding relieved.
“Before you go, can I please speak with you, Vic?” Ms Jaxon asks.
Vic grumbles under his breath and pulls out his keys.
“Go wait in the car. I’ll be there in a sec. Take the back way, just in case.” he instructs.
I do what I’m told and go the long way to the parking lot but I stop when I see Nicole and Alex arguing. They seem pretty angry too so I turn back around, go back into the building and go the quick way. I get into Vic’s car and wait until I see Alex chasing after Nicole not far from the car, and they’re still yelling at each other.
“Come on, Lex. You know you’re not ready. You’ve still go a lot of growing up to do.” Nicole exclaims but it’s muffled from inside the car.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Alex yells.
“You still beat up the gay kid for being gay! What if our son is gay?” Nicole yells.
“Then I don’t want him.” Alex says. “But he’s not going to be a faggot. We’ll raise him right.”
“God, you’re such an asshole!” Nicole yells and suddenly Alex hits her, right across the face.
My eyes widen, having never seen someone hit a girl before.
Nicole looks upset and hurt but Alex is too angry.
“Go get in the fucking car!” Alex yells. “We’ll talk about this later.”
Nicole just nods weakly and walks towards a car while Alex walks in the opposite direction. I’ve never felt sympathetic towards Nicole before but now I really want to give her a hug and make sure she’s okay.
I see Vic walking out of the building and soon he gets in the car.
“Viccy, Alex just hit Nicole.” I frown.
Vic looks instantly worried.
“Are you sure?” he asks me.
“They were arguing then he hit her.” I explain.
“Where is she?” Vic asks quickly.
“In that car.” I point towards the distraught looking Nicole.
“I’ll be back in a sec.” Vic tells me as he gets out of the car.
He goes over to the car Nicole is in and opens the door. He crouches down so he’s level with her and he starts talking to her.
After a while, she’s taking his hand and getting out of the car. He brings her back over to our car, he opens the door and she gets into the back seat, sniffling.
Vic then gets in the car, starts it and drives off. The whole ride is silent but soon we arrive at our house.
We get out, and Vic helps Nicole out before we go inside. Mama and Papa don’t seem to be home, which isn’t unusual for them at this time of day.
We go into the living room and Vic sits Nicole down on the sofa.
“You need to leave him, for good.” Vic says firmly.
“I can’t.” she squeaks out.
“Why not?” Vic asks.
“You wouldn’t understand.” she mutters.
“Try me.” Vic says.
Nicole looks instantly distressed and starts crying. I sit next to her and hug her while Vic crouches down in front of her.
“Nicki, what’s going on?” Vic asks softly.
“I’m pregnant.” she chokes out and I’m shocked to say the least.
Vic looks sympathetic and takes her hand.
“When did you find out?” he asks.
“Last night.” she sniffs.
“Do you want to keep it?” Vic asks.
Nicole shakes her head and chokes out another sob.
“I’m not ready. I’m too young. I want to finish school and go to college.” she cries.
“There are options.” Vic tells her.
“I can’t. Alex wants to keep it.” she sniffs.
“Nic, he lost his right to have any part in this decision when he laid hands on you. It’s your body, your choice. And frankly, Alex wouldn’t be a great father. This is entirely your choice.” Vic explains softly as I rub Nicole’s back.
“Really?” she sniffs.
“Really.” Vic smiles.
“But my parents, they’d never…I can’t afford it.” Nicole says pained and I’m not quite sure what she’s talking about.
Suddenly the front door opens and Mama and Papa come in with groceries. Mama’s face falls when she sees the upset girl on the sofa.
Vic stands up and sighs.
“Mama, Nicki’s pregnant.” Vic tells her.
Mama’s eyes go wide as she looks from Nicole to Vic.
“Oh, no, no. It’s not my baby.” Vic chuckles and Mama visibly relaxes. “Mama, she doesn’t want to keep it and her parents wouldn’t approve of an abortion and she can’t afford it.”
Mama’s face softens as she looks back at Nicole.
“I’m happy to help, Sweetheart.” Mama says. “Do you have your mom’s number?”
Mama pulls out her phone as Nicole relays a number. Mama then puts the phone to her ear.
“Hey, it’s Vivian, Victoria and Kelly’s mom…yeah…the girls have a school project that they’ve left to the last minute…i know, typical…Nicole was wondering if she could stay the weekend so they can work on it…awesome. Well it was nice talking to you…bye.”
Mama then hangs up and looks to Nicole.
“Do you want to go now or tomorrow morning?” Mama asks Nicole.
“Just as soon as possible.” Nicole sniffs.
“Alright, come on.”
Nicole gets up and smiles gratefully at Vic and I then she follows Mama and Papa out of the house.
Vic falls down on the sofa next to me and smiles sadly.
“You’re a good person. She’s quite rude and you’re still helping her.” I tell him, taking his hand.
“In situations like this, it doesn’t matter what someone’s done, it’s the right thing to help them.” Vic explains. “And Nicole is a sweet girl. She just doesn’t like me very much.”
“Is it because you’re gay?” I ask confused. By the sounds of it, Nicole doesn’t really care about the whole gay thing.
“Sort of.” he frowns.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Nicole and I dated last year. She asked me if I’d pretend to date her to make Alex jealous and I agreed so people wouldn’t think I was gay. But she fell for me and she told Alex that and Alex was beyond pissed off so I told him I was gay, that’s when he told the whole school. When Nicole found out, she was heartbroken and has hated me ever since.” Vic shrugs.
“That’s not fair. It’s not your fault she got feelings for you.” I tell him.
“But I should have told her I was gay. It was wrong of me to keep it from her.” he says.
“Well, I don’t think she’s going to hate you anymore after this.” I chirp.
“I don’t know, Kells.” He shrugs but I see the glimmer of hope in his eyes.
I lie down, resting my head in Vic’s lap and turn the TV on, switching it over to the DVD player and pressing play on Aladdin.
“Haven’t you seen this like a thousand times by now?” Vic chuckles and he’s right. I watch Aladdin every chance I get.
“I like it.” I beam. “And Aladdin reminds me of you.”
“Because we have the same skin tone? That’s a bit racey don’t you think.” he says rolling his eyes.
“No, it’s not just that you look the same. You have a lot in common.” I say matter-of-factly.
“Oh yeah? Like what?” he asks sounding humored.
“Well you’re both princes.” I giggle and he rolls his eyes but seems amused.
“Does that make you princess Jasmine?” he chuckles.
“Hm, if I get a tiger then yes.” I murmur.
“Okay well what else? You said we have a lot in common so what else?” he questions.
“You’re both scared to be yourself because you’re scared of being rejected.” I smile sadly. “There’s more to you than you both think.”
Vic smiles for a second then brushes it off.
“I’m just faggot and Aladdin was just a thief.” he sighs.
“Aladdin stole so he could eat and even then he gave his food to the hungry children. You’re a kind soul and you’re so full of love.” I explain. “And please don’t say that word. I don’t like it.”
He frowns and runs his fingers through my hair.
“I’m sorry, baby.” he apologizes.
There’s a short silence as he just looks down at me.
“Vic, do you know that scene where they’re on the magic carpet, Aladdin and Jasmine, and they’re singing that song about a whole new world? I relate to that. This new life you’ve shown me, it’s like a whole new world to me. And I’m I’m glad I’m spending it with you.” I tell him blushing horribly.
Vic just smiles at me.
“I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?” Vic sings softly and I gasp sitting up.
“You know the words?” I ask and he nods with a chuckle.
He leans forward and kisses me.
“I’ll be your Aladdin.” he murmurs.
I grin and kiss him again. I then go back to watching the movie.
“Alex is Jafar.” I mutter, screwing up my nose at the ugly villan.
“Psh, Jafar is too good for Alex. Alex is the stupid fucking parrot.” Vic spits making me laugh.
I look back at Vic and caress his cheek.
“Alex is a bad person, Vic. He hit Nicole, while she was pregnant. The way he treats you has nothing to do with you. He’s got the problem, not you. He said that if his son was gay, he wouldn’t want him. That sounds a lot like my parents and the way they treated me wasn’t my fault.” I explain.
“You’re so smart.” Vic grins then he kisses me. “You know, I think you’re helping me, Kells.”
“I wish I could do more.” I frown.
“You’re doing enough.” he smiles and wraps his arms around me tightly.
All I want is for him to see himself that way I see him. Why is it so damn hard?
[text_hash] => 20c6db54
)