Burden

Norman tells

Raven the whole truth. Ravel listens to him carefully. Mixer of shock, anger,

sympathy flows on his face. Norman is feeling dirty. Everybody saw him in

women's cloth. That too lingerie. He just wanna keep himself washing. Obviously

he regrets sleeping with Raven on impulse. As his head clears from the panic

and pain he realizes he did wrong. He basically used his friend for

distraction. He doesn't even love him. What if Raven grows feeling for him

after the sex? He can't reciprocate it. He can't love anyone apart from

Saffran. Maybe he'll get over him someday but for now, Saffran is the only boy

he loves.

"R-Rave. I'm

so sorry! I shouldn't have slept with you! I was-" "Shh." Raven hugs him. "It's

not your fault. I'm not mad. Hell I did it willingly too." Norman sniffs.

"Norman. You may think I've feelings for you." Raven looks at him hesitantly.

"But I don't. I crave for your body." Norman looks hurt. So Raven is only with

him for his body?

"Don't

assume things. I want to be your best friend, someone you can lean on. But you

know....I'm hopeless in love. I can't love someone. It just isn't for me." Norman

feels relieved and shocked. "So that means..." Raven nods. "If you didn't kiss

me first, I'd never lay a finger on you. I respect your decisions. Even if we

never sleep together again, I'll stay by your side." Norman hugs him. His words

are so soothing. It calms Norman. He is happy that someone is still by his

side. After knowing all those things. "You...you're not disgusted by me? By

those-" "Norm. Whoever said they are disgusted by those photos are the ones who

have secret crush on you. I mean....hell you can surpass any model or celebrity

if you want. That was so hot....I mean-" Norman laughs. "Okay okay. I get it.

I'm hot." He smirks. Raven pouts and rolls his eyes. "Don't flatter yourself

too much."

"But Rave.

You said you're not interested in love. But the way Alex looks at you is so different."

Raven sighs. "We had sex once." Norman nods. He figured somehow. "That too

drunk. Our parents are business partners so i often used to see him. He never

liked me neither i liked him. Two years ago he and i both visited a party a boy

threw in our neighbourhood. We drank so much and somehow it happened. After

that we never talked. He somehow hated me more. But i didn't care. I slept with

different people now and then as i had a strong libido. He kinda knew it all."

Norman yawns. "But i never saw you sleeping with anyone after you joined this

school?" Raven chuckles. "I never let you know. Though i don't sleep with

anyone from the school. Also after i met you i was least bored. Even though

sometimes you ditch me." Raven rolls his eyes. Norman feels guilty. He ditched

Raven for Saffran so many times. Whenever Saffran called him he rushed to him

like a madman. He never cared for his friend as his whole attention was on that

pretty boy.

But now Norman

wants to change. He wanna live his life carefree not worrying about anyone. He

also wanna give Raven most of his time as he is the one who never left him.

Even though they just met 2 months ago.

"I wanna

change. I wanna get over him. I can't let him make me pathetic. So please stay

by my side Rave. I need you." Raven giggles. He flicks Norman's nose and says,

"Even if you get tired of me I won't leave you idiot."

Raven stayed

the whole day with Norman. Norman felt relieved and less panicked being with

him. But when he left the house he broke down again. He kept on thinking about

what happened today. He just can't shake of the feeling. He even had sex right

after getting humiliated. He is ashamed of himself.

Now he'll be

picked on everyday. Even the bullies have a new reason to make his life

miserable. Though their school doesn't have much bullies except some boys like

Jacob and girls like Jess, still god knows when someone jumps on him. It's not

like he has any strong friends as Bryce, Alex or Caleb like Saffran. So he can

be an easy target. Remembering Jess and Saffran he again tears up. Just why

can't he forget them? Forget him? He is becoming sick of himself. He doesn't

even dare to touch his phone. Knowing his half naked photos in lingerie is all

over the internet now, he is feeling sick.

When his mom

comes home he composes himself and tries to smile. But his mom instantly knows

what happened to his son. She doesn't question him. But when Norman doesn't eat

dinner she asks him finally.

Norman can't

even utter any word. What'll he say? What if his mom gets a heart attack after

knowing the truth? He can't find any excuse. "M-mom...you remember i told you

I-I liked a guy?" Norman nervously says. His mom nods. "I proposed to him but

he rejected me." A tear slips from his eye remembering the cold look Saffran

gave him. "Oh my baby!" His mom runs to him and hugs him. She kisses on his

forehead. "It's okay dear. He's not worth it. You'll find even better guy in

the future." Norman doesn't feel right. Hiding it from his mom. He just keep

wondering what'll happen if his mom knows the truth. More tears spills. Even in

his mom's arms he feels lonely.

Cause he's

carrying the burden himself alone.