Chapter 5

"You never knew them, Mark!"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ASH!? WHAT DIDN'T I KNOW?!"

"The reason mom and dad left."

She breathed deeply.

"You were ten, so you wouldn't remember. Mom was an addict and dad was a drunk. Mom did receive treatment, but dad kept drinking and getting more abusive. She was afraid he would go after you or me. So, the only way she could protect us was to get him away. He forced her to move away with him."

"Mom wouldn't.."

"She would if it protected her children."

I went over to Brian's that night.

"What's wrong?"

"Ash just told me about our parents."

"Whoa."

"Can I sleep here tonight?"

"Sure."

Brian gave me some of his pajamas to wear.

"So, what happened?"

"My dad forced my mom to leave us…" I told him everything.

"Damn…" He hugged me.

"Then why are you here?" He asked.

"I couldn't sleep and I can't be around Ashley right now."

"I understand."

"How? Your life is perfect."

"Perfect?" He laughed.

"My life isn't perfect; no one is!"

"Oh, come on! You have a mom, dad, brother, and sister that love you and would die for you!"

"Yeah, but your family doesn't fight as much…"

"What?"

"I fight with my parents a lot…"

"Why?"

He stayed quiet.

"You don't have to tell me."

"Thanks."

Brian's eyes were serious; almost like he was hiding something from me. I didn't question any farther, he can tell me when he's ready.

"Do wanna you play videogames?" He asked.

"Sure."

We played video games almost all night until we fell asleep. I woke up in his arms again; I was blushing a lot, but he didn't see. He looked so cute when he was waking up.

"Morning Jay."

"Hey, Val." He smiled and I smiled back.

"You gonna go talk to Ash now?"

"After breakfast," I said while smirking.

"Ok. I'm gonna go change." I smiled as he got out of bed.

Damn, that ass.

He turned around to face me.

"Like what you see?"

"Shut up man."

He went into the bathroom and I changed in the bedroom. Hazel shirt, ripped jeans, black leather jacket, and slicked-back red hair. My heart almost went out of my chest. I swear, he was trying to tease me.

"How long are you going to stare at me?" He said, smirking. I looked away with embarrassment. It was even more awkward, now that he knew I had a preference for men. He just stood there laughing as I buried my head down into one of the pillows. "Alright, alright. Now, move your ass." He pushed me and I fell to the floor. I screamed as I hit the hardwood, then I yelled at him.

"OW! WHAT THE FUCK!?"

"You should've moved." He snickered.

"You're an asshole." I glared.

A damn cute asshole. He laughed and I realized he wasn't wearing his glasses. "Dude, your glasses." He looked at me confused.

"Yeah? What about 'em?"

"You're not gonna wear them?"

"I told you, I look like an idiot."

"I don't remember that. All I remember was my best friend being himself." We smiled.

"Speaking of being himself, why didn't you tell me were gay?"

I froze; I never thought he would ask.

"I thought you'd hate me or something."

"I'm your BEST FRIEND I deserve to know!"

"I know, I know."

"So, do you like anyone?" My face flushed.

"W-why are you asking?"

"Just curious, you've never told about your crushes."

"Yes, I have!"

"No, you haven't. Tell me."

I took a deep breath.

"Well, there is one boy I can't get out of my mind."

"Mind if I ask who?" He smirked.

"I..can't tell you."

"Why?"

BECAUSE IT'S YOU! YOU BIG DUMBASS!

"I just can't, you know?"

Buzz! Brian's phone started to go off.

"Okay, no worries. Ash is meeting us at the park."

"Alright, but we're getting donuts and coffee on the way."

"Deal!"

We got into a black pickup truck.

"Why do you always get to drive?"

"Well, being as it's my car. I think I'm allowed."

We drove to Starbucks and then we met my sister.

"What took you so long?" She asked.

"This weirdo wanted donuts." Brian gestured to me eating a chocolate chip donut.

"H-hey! I'm not a weirdo!" I said muffled, then started choking.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

He patted my back; then I could breathe.

"Are you okay?!?!" He said worriedly.

"I'm..fine."

"Take slow breaths, idiot. I'll leave you and Ash to talk."

We sat down on a bench. Ashley's hair was tied up, she was wearing a white jacket and jeans.

"Hey, Mark."

"Hey, Ash."

There was a still silence between us for a while.

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"It's okay, you were just trying to protect me."

"I should've told you about them though."

"Sis, I trust you and love you. I do miss mom and dad, but they never looked after me; you did. YOU'RE my family Ashley. You always will be."

"I love you too, ya dork." She said as she bumped my arm. I smiled and looked over at Brian. Ash smirked at me.

"So, are you and him together yet?"

"Well, I kissed him and he knows I'm gay," I whispered.

"You what?!"

"I kissed him." She hugged me tightly.

"I'm so happy for you!"

"He doesn't know I like him, but I think we're starting to get closer."

"Starting? I'm surprised he hasn't figured it out yet."

"Heh, maybe one day he'll realize how I feel about him." I made a soft smile and blushed a little.

"Alright, go to your future boyfriend before you start drooling." She winked at me.