*Vic’s POV*

“Jaime! Where are you going? It’s the middle of the night! Come back,” I yelled from the side of the road. I’m gonna assume he was sleepwalking because he didn’t even acknowledge that I was bellowing out to him.

There was a truck coming from a distance. I tried warning him to get out of the road but he didn’t hear me. It came quicker and didn’t hesitate to stop for a second. The person’s lights were on but he didn’t seem to care.

“Jaime! Jaime, there’s a truck coming! Look out!…..Jaime, there’s a fucking truck in the road and it’s coming right for you! Stop! Please…stop!” Without hesitation, the driver continued on until the last second before slamming on the breaks, causing the tires to screech.

Jaime heard the sound of the shierking truck and forcefully twisted his head toward the bright lights. With a loud smack to the front of the vehicle, he disappeared underneath the truck.

“JAIME!!! NOOOOO!!!” I started weeping at the sight of his body lying in the road, each area surrounding him with fresh blood.

I ran as fast as my body could take me over to him. I looked left and right to see if any cars were approaching. I was clear to pass. I turned my head back to the dead body that was supposedly in the road and I saw that he was gone.

Wait what? Where did Jaime go? He was just hit by a truck right here! Where the hell did he just go? A dead body can’t get up and walk away…right? RIGHT?!

I’m in the middle of the road at night, screaming for no reason. No one was around and Jaime disappeared before my eyes. He just vanished.

Am I trippin?

…..

“VIC! OH MY GOD, VIC! Wake up, you’re fucking scaring me! Please, wake up!” Mike shook me viciously until I fluttered my eyes open and popped up. “Are you ok?! You were screaming in your sleep.”

“I was?” I examined Mike with a blur in my eyes.

“Yeah and…” He pointed straight at my eyes. “You’re dripping with tears.”

I wiped away the tears that fell from my eyes. “Why was I crying?”

“I don’t know. It’s amazing how much shit you can reveal in your sleep.”

I gave him a bewildered stare. “What?” He sat up on the bed, coming closer to me.

“Vic,” he commenced, “there are things in life you don’t have to be afraid of. And if being in love with a guy is something you cherish, then what the hell…love a guy.”

“Are you high?” I questioned.

“Always. But not this time.” He scooted closer and came under the blankets for a second. “You were screaming things I never thought you’d say.”

“What d-did I say?”

He sighed. “You said, ‘Jaime no. I love you. It’s all my fault,’ but you were screaming it.”

“Are you sure I didn’t say mommy no?” I tried hiding the truth.

“No. I heard you loud and clear. Believe me, loud and clear! I didn’t know you love Jaime…”

I bit my bottom lip to keep from crying. “I…uh…please don’t tell anyone. And don’t judge me.”

“Being gay is nothing to judge you for.”

“But I’m not gay, Mike!”

“But you love him though…”

I tried to hide the pain. What pain? The pain of Mike not judging on the outside but judging me on the inside. He’s probably thinking ewww, what the hell? You‘re gay? That‘s disgusting, Vic.

“Don’t tell anyone, please? Don’t tell any of our friends. Don’t call up our parents out of town and tell them either. Especially not Kellin. Please?”

“I won’t tell anyone, chill out. Now go back to sleep, Vic.” He got up from my bed and started for the door.

“I can’t sleep now…knowing that someone knows. And seriously, it was a terrible dream.”

“Go to sleep. You’ll be fine.”

“Remember, you must not tell a soul!”

~~~

“Guys, you don’t need to change. It’s rainging outside. The field is soaked and I don’t need you boys slipping and falling,” Fraser said, poking his head out of his office in the locker room. “I should’ve warned you all earlier and made an announcement over the PA.”

“So what are we gonna do for the time remaining?” Mike asked, placing his shirt back over his shoulders.

“Play basketball or do something else. Do whatever. Sit in a circle and be productive. Just do something besides standing around.”

Only some of the guys changed to play basketball.

I walked out of the locker room and saw Jaime just walking around the gym.

*Jaime’s POV*

I didn’t have to change so I just left the locker room and proceeded to do nothing but walk around.

I saw Vic walking up to me. But then he was stopped by some guy and asked to join the circle on the ground they were forming.

I continued walking around the gym. I realized everyone was sitting in the circle but me. For once, I actually didn’t care. But I did feel very lonely walking around the gym by myself.

“Hey…Jaime! Join us!” Mike roared to me. Vic gave him a disgusted look.

I jogged my way over to the circle and plopped down in an open section. Everyone started talking softly. I glanced at Vic for a second and he looked away.

“So what should we all do? No truth or dare, it’s gonna get weird and no silent game,” Mike took charge.

“Stare down?” someone offered.

“No that’s too easy. No offense to everyone, but I’d win, hands down,” Mike chuckled.

I looked around the room, not trying to draw attention to myself but everyone seemed to stare at me.

“I say we ask Jaime questions,” some blurted sitting in front of me on the other side of the circle.

“Ummm ok…” I said, not caring.

“Are you really gay?” A guy with dark hair said.

“Yeah,” I responded.

“Is it hard finding love?” another asked.

I shook my head and cracked a smile. “It’s not bad.” I looked at Vic who had his head down. He seemed embarrassed that people were asking questions like this to me. “If you’re really in love with someone and you tell them you love them, they should just learn to accept you for who you are.” I turned my attention back to the guy who asked the question.

“Are you in love with anyone now?” Mike asked. Vic shot his head up with wide eyes. He looked so damn nervous. So for his sake…

“Well, I have a crush.” Mike nodded his head and turned away.

“Can we talk about something else?” Vic demanded, obviously irritated.

“Who’s your crush?!” some guy stated.

“I’m gonna be sick.” Vic jumped up. He held his stomach and ran to the locker room.

“I’m gonna check on him.” I skipped to the bathroom area and saw him splashing cold water on his face. I over heard him chattering to himself. I hid behind the wall, away from him so he wouldn’t see me eavesdropping.

“Don’t be in love. Please don’t love him back. He’ll ruin your life. Just like Cara, he’ll cheat on you and leave you with nothing but feels. You have better things to worry about than love. It’s a stupid thing. Tell him you don’t want a public relationship at least? Tell him? No, I can’t. He’ll be disappointed. Private is ok, right? Ugh, I don’t fucking know what to do.”

I leaned against the wall and a tear escaped my peripheral.

If he doesn’t want an open relationship, I’m ok with that. We don’t have to. Private is fine.

~~~

*Vic‘s POV*-Next Day-

6th hour was ending and I was ready to leave. I told Jaime I needed time with the whole “adjusting” process. I also told him that I didn’t want to be public because I’m not ready for people judging me. He said it was fine. I’m meeting up with him right when the bell rings.

“Jaime!” I shouted from a distance. He smiled and waved at me while walking over to me. We moved ourselves from the fast-moving crowd in the hall and shifted to the farthest lockers in the corner.

“Hey,” he smiled. I hugged him tightly and held it for a while. The loud sounds in the hall started to clear up. “4th hour was boring. We didn’t even do anything besides take notes. He wouldn’t let us move seats either.” He wrapped his arms around me neck.

I glanced around, making sure the halls were fully empty. “Yeah, I know. Hey, Jaime, you need to watch out. Remember? You can’t just be all cuddly with me, especially in school. Someone could be watching.” I sound so paranoid.

He chuckled. “Don’t worry, Vic. We’re on the other side of the school where no one goes. We’re hiding behind a set of lockers. I think we’re ok,” he assured me.

“Ok.” I still checked the open halls around us. “Are you coming over today?” I leaned on his shoulder.

“I can’t. I have a shitload of homework to do. Tomorrow perhaps?”

I groaned on his shoulder. “Fiiinne.” he lifted my head so I was facing him.

“I need to go home, ok? Tony’s gonna pick me up and then he’s leaving for work.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned in slowly. He pressed his lips against mine. He started smiling into the kiss and I couldn’t help but grin myself. It was so delicate and passionate; just the way I visualized it.

“I love you,” Jaime smiled slightly, slowly backing away. “See you tomorrow.”

“I love you too, Jaime. See ya,” I said, watching as he walked away from me and left the building.

I was depressed knowing he couldn’t come over. Tony always wants him home at a specific time and it drives me crazy. He’s not his dad but he acts like it. Even though he’s only a year older, he acts just like a father to him. Tony is still a growing teenager himself so he shouldn’t treat Jaime like he’s a little kid. But what the hell do I know? Absolutely nothing. If my dad ever left me and Mikey at a young age, I’d beat the fuck out of him for leaving my mother and us. That is, if I ever found him. But my dad is wonderful. He taught me everything I need to know. I’m happy he’s still here with me and Mike.

Notes

*title credit: Kanye West:)