Days Like These

It’s the second week of school. The first week passed without much excitement. The only good thing is that Kellin feels comfortable at his new school. It was completely different form his old school, where he was bullied. He never quiet found out why though. He always thought people just didn’t like him. Kellin talks without his stutter, which only comes out when he’s nervous, but it’s still quite. He’s trying ok? Give him some credit.

Kellin heard his father walk around the two story house, shouting and cursing. A loud crash was heard from downstairs and Kellin thought this was as good a time as any to get up. After he got ready, he went down stairs to check out what happened.

Kellin asked quietly. “Dad? What broke?”

He’s father replied drunkenly. “Who th-the fuck, put thi-is glass-ss table in the living room?”
With a sigh, Kellin went to retrieve the broom and dust pan. “Come on dad; let’s get you to your room ok? You’re gonna get hurt.” Kellin led his father to his room and helped him lay in bed. “I’ll be back after school. Now I gotta go because I’m running late.” With one final sigh, Kellin left the room. He quickly swept the glass, before sliding on his shoes and leaving.

-

Two blocks away, Vic was getting ready. It’s his ‘Bum Day Friday’. He pulled up his grey sweatpants and zipped up his sweater. Once he was done getting ready, he checked on Mike only to find him throwing up in the bathroom.

“Hungover?”

“Hungover.” Mike confirmed.

“When?”

“Snuck some into my room last ni-.” Mike paused to throw up again. “Ght after dad and the old lady went to sleep.”

“Tell them you got food poisoning. I’m gonna go, running late.” Mike attempted to say bye but was covered up by him vomiting again. A faint ‘fuck!’ was heard from the kitchen and Vic left smiling while shaking his head. What would he do without his baby brother?

On his way to school, he saw Kellin walking with his head down. He jogged his way towards Kellin, tapping his shoulder and scaring him.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Vic said after Kellin jolted.

“It’s, um, fine. I just get a bit jumpy sometimes.” Kellin replied quietly.

“Are you ready?” Vic asked out of nowhere.

“Ready for what?” Kellin said with a confused stare.

“There’s a pep rally today, at two fifteen.”

“Oh. Why?”

“They do this every year. They’re welcoming us back or something.”

“Do we have to be there?”

“No, I went ninth grade with Himes, then we ended up skipping it in tenth. Mike and Tony went, they said it sucked.”

“So can we skip it?”

“You don’t wanna be there? Your first pep rally at a new school.”

“No. I never went to the pep rallies at my old school.”

“Why? Didn’t you go with your friends?”

“Um, no, I just stayed in the library. I don’t really like noise.” Kellin mumbled quietly.

“Oh, then yeah sure, we can skip it if you want.” Vic said as they neared the school. “What do you wanna do?”

“What is there to do?”

“Well, we can go to the mall or go out to eat or we can chill at my place.” Vic said as they walked into class.

“Um, can we do a little bit of everything?”

“Yeah, we can.” Vic said with a small smile as they sat in their seats. “We can do whatever you want.”

Throughout the rest of the day, everyone was hyped about the pep rally. People wore their class colors, had paint on their face and body parts. The seniors wore black, juniors wore white, sophomores wore grey and freshmen wore green. There were streamers on the lockers, walls, classrooms, and railings. There was sprite everywhere. It annoyed Kellin to the point where he wanted to take his eyes out. During lunch, he witnessed some cheerleaders walk around in their uniform and cheer. It was unnecessary really. Who wants to see girls in tiny skirts, shake their non-existent ass? Not Kellin, that’s for sure.

It was during their last class, which Kellin realized needed to talk to his dad. He didn’t know how he was going to convince his dad to let him stay out. He needed something; he needed to lie. What to say, what to say …

“At this time, we would like all freshmen to enter the gym, all freshmen to the gym.” A woman announced. Her voice was nasally. A few minutes later, the sophomores were called down, then the juniors and lastly the seniors.

“Vic, where we gonna go? Like can we just leave or what?” Kellin asked as they walked through crowed halls.

“We’re gonna go to the lockers and get our stuff then, we’ll meet the guys under the stairs in the elective wing.” As they went to their lockers, a security guard came up to them.

“What are you guys doing here? Go to the gym.”

“We know. We’re just getting our stuff.” Vic said with an eye roll.

“No, you guys can get it after the pep rally. Come on let’s go.”

“Chill we’re almost done, see? Just zipping up my backpack.” They began walking to the gym when Vic signaled Kellin to slow down. “On my count, we’re gonna run and I want you to follow me ok?” Vic whispered quietly. The security guard kept looking back to make sure they were following her. “One.” Vic said quietly. “Two.” He signaled Kellin to grip his backpack. “Three. Go!” The boys went running down the hallway as the security guard called after them. Kellin was on Vic’s heels as they laughed. Vic thought Kellin’s laugh was something he’d get used to. As they ran down the stairs, they heard footsteps following them. “Run!” Vic shouted as they
exited the building. Tony and Jaime ran out after them, smiling like a Cheshire cat. Vic looked back and saw no one following them. “Ok, now let’s hurry up. We can stop by my house for a bit.” Jaime and Tony sped off, racing each other, while Vic and Kellin walked calmly.

“Vic, what I supposed to tell my dad?” Kellin asked, “He doesn’t like when I go places.”

“Why?”

“He just doesn’t.”

“Well, tell him you’re staying after school to talk with the consular about your second week and stuff.” Kellin nodded quickly, that was a good idea. “Just message him a few minutes after school ends.”

“Is there a way to go around my house?” Kellin asked. “I don’t want to risk my dad catching me.”

“There isn’t. We’re going to have to run by your house.” Vic said as they neared the beginning of Kellin’s street. “Ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Run.” And they ran. They ran past multiple houses, finally passing Kellin’s and slowed down. When they reached the next block, they walked. “So, Kellin, tell me a bit about yourself.”

“Um, like what?”

“Well, let’s start off easy. What is your favorite color?”

“Purple. Yours?”

“Green. How old are you?”

“16, how ‘bout you?”

“17. When’s your birthday and where were you born?”

“April 24. I was born in Medford, Oregon.”

“February 10. In the fabulous city of San Diego.” Said Vic, with a smile that could light up a city.

“Where is the one place you wanna visit the most?”

“I wanna go to England.”

“I wanna go to Spain.”

“Favorite memory?”

“I went to Chuck E. Cheese.” Vic laughed, saying that was his favorite memory too. “I have one.” Kellin said as they neared Vic’s house. “Is anyone at the school like, mean?”

“Mean? What do you mean, mean?”

“Like, are they homophobic?” Then quickly added, “Or something?”

“Well, the intense religious kids are. They like to wave their bibles in the air and call us ‘Devil’s Creation’s’.” Vic didn’t notice; Kellin did, he was inwardly smiling like an idiot. “Other than them, no one really cares. It’s just all play. Well, no, because it depends who you’re friends with. I think that with Jaime, Tony and Mike, I could be like ‘oh, you’re a fag’ but if I say that to someone who isn’t my friend, then it could cause like problems. So over all, no, no one is homophobic. Or something. Why, got something to share Kells?” Vic said, wiggling his eyebrows.

“No.” he replied too quickly. “I mean, I guess but like, I’m not ready I guess. So like for now, u you don’t know anything.”

“Don’t worry Kells. You don’t mind that I call you Kells right?” Kellin shook his head. “Ok, well, just like, your secret is safe with me. Just know I am too.” With that, Vic walked past Kellin and into the house but not before giving a light slap on his ass.

So maybe, Kellin, at that moment, began having a crush on Vic. And maybe, Vic was trying to forget Alex by hanging out with Kellin, a rebound, if you will. Maybe. Who really knows?

Notes

this is lame tbh ... and it's for mrsfuentes210