Destroy Me Gently:Ex-Enemy Becomes My Lover!
Chapter 10: In the closet!

Chapter 10: In the closet!

Chapter Ten

Oliver West

I splashed water over my face. My reflection in the mirror opposite me was a mess. My eyes were red and swollen, the tip of my nose red.

I decided to stay inside the bathroom. When everybody was gone, then I’d just quietly leave.

It wasn’t the first time he had hurt me. It surely won’t be the last. But he had never called me that before.

A murderer.

I felt a vibration from my pants pocket. I carefully slid my cellphone out.

Five missed calls, also about eight text messages.

Where are you?

Are you alright? Call me.

Have you gone home? Why don’t you reply? All were from William.

I took a deep breath. The breath that came out was shaky.

I didn’t want to speak to anyone. He was worried about me, but I was beginning to think if I even deserved half of everything he gave me.

He was handsome. Smart. Popular. His parents were rich. Why does he even hang out with a loser like me anyway?

The boy that Kieran Morrison hates. The boy responsible for his only sister’s death.

He has every right to hate me. To hurt me. I should be used to his hate, never to expect any kindness from him. Only I wasn’t.

I usually wasn’t a crybaby, no. I could pretty much defend myself against others. But not him.

Because it was all my fault. The scar and hurt would forever remain with me.

A sad sound escaped my mouth as I thought about how naive and stupid I was... A part of me had even held onto that tiny hope that if he had saved me, then maybe he didn’t really hate me.

But he had crushed that hope completely.

How did I ever even imagine that he had returned back for me?

The sounds of students leaving had died down. Their noises sounded from far away.

I let out a sigh. Only then did I put my hand on the door handle. I twisted it open and walked into the hallway.

It was completely empty.

I started to make my way outside when I heard a sound. I paused in my tracks. It seemed to be coming from the direction of the janitor’s closet.

Was there someone still in there?

The first thing that came to my mind was what if they were trapped. Images of when Kieran had locked me up in there flashed through my mind.

Without thinking twice, I hurried towards it. I pushed it open with all my strength and it opened so easily.

I paused where I stood. My heart threatened to jump out of my throat. What had I gotten myself into?

I stared wide-eyed at the sight before me.

It was Heath.

He was standing very close to a skinny guy with huge glasses, even bigger than mine.

Matt. I recognized him from biology.

They stood so close together. The buttons of their shirts were open, both their hair messed up.

I’m sure my eyes were huge. It wouldn’t take even a blind person to guess what they had been doing.

They stared at me without speaking.

I suddenly got control of my feet.

"I’m s-sorry," I stuttered out the apology and ran outside.

Heath was gay?

Wasn’t he dating Hailey the assistant cheerleader?

A yelp escaped my mouth when a hand suddenly grabbed my shoulders. I was turned around to face him. One of his hands ran through his hair as he glared down at me.

"I... didn’t see anything... I... s-swear!" My lie sounded weak even to my ears, but hey, I couldn’t think of anything better. Not with the way he looked like he wanted to kill me for stumbling upon a deadly secret.

"You can’t tell anyone what you saw!" he said through clenched teeth. His gaze looked around for any possible person listening to us. He looked so tense. Worried and frustrated.

Does this mean that Kieran and the rest of his popular friends don’t know about his sexuality?

I wonder what was so wrong that he had to hide it.

"Did you get what I just said!" he said again, only the glare he had on me had eased just a bit.

I forced myself to smile. I only hoped it looked friendly and trustworthy, because I was sure he wouldn’t hesitate to join Kieran to completely ruin my life if the news about him kissing Matt got out.

"I don’t see anything wrong with it, but if you don’t want me to say, I’ll keep my mouth shut... Promise!" I said the last part cheerfully, automatically extending my pinky finger towards him.

He stared at it for a moment, then back at me. I blushed hard in embarrassment. It was a childhood habit, and I never grew out of it.

He studied my expression. I guess he was trying to find out if I would do as I had said. I didn’t expect his next question.

"You really don’t find it weird that I... I’m... Uh..."

"Gay?" I supplied.

He nodded twice, only after taking another careful glance around.

"Why would it be weird? It’s no one else’s business what you decide with your life. Not mine. Not anybody. Just yours." I paused, then added quietly, "Trust me, I know how it feels."

His tense shoulders relaxed, also the grip he had on my shoulders.

"Right... I forgot. You’re pretty open about it." He looked confused for a moment. "Why are you promising to keep it secret?

Well, you just threatened me?

"Because everyone’s journey is different," I said simply. "Just because I’m comfortable being out doesn’t mean you have to be. That’s your choice to make, not mine."

A look of surprise crossed his face, followed by something that looked like relief.

"Sadly not everyone will accept that knowledge so easily as you just did... I never knew you could be so understanding, shorty legs," he spoke the last part with a playful grin on his lips.

It made him look boyish and really handsome.

For the first time, his use of that word didn’t upset me. I found myself grinning in return.

"I’ll see ya around," he spoke and began to walk away.

A sigh escaped my mouth. I should go home too, and also reply to William’s messages.

"Shorty legs?" I heard him call again. I rolled my eyes as I turned around to face him.

"What? I wonder if you know I have a name, and it’s OLIVER," I spelled out, saying each word clearly.

"Thank you," he mouthed. With that he was off.

A full smile formed on my lips as I stared after him. Was William right after all? Maybe... just maybe the people around Kieran weren’t all as dangerous as I had thought.

Would I be right to think that I just made a friend?

But as I walked home, another thought crept into my mind. Heath had looked so scared, so worried about people finding out. It made me realize how lucky I was that my coming out had been relatively easy. Sure, I got some comments and jokes, but nothing like what Heath seemed to be afraid of.

Watching Heath’s fear made me understand that not everyone had it as easy as I did.