DEAD MAN!
CHAPTER EIGHT.
i have to tell you something.

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ADRIAN HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO FOCUS ON ANYTHING SINCE YESTERDAYS OCCURRENCE. The more he thought about it while trying to deny it, the more being gay seemed like a possibility to him. From how he never felt that feeling until he was around Stiles a bit more. How he declined every offer involving going out with girls.

His phone was blowing up with texts from Stiles saying that him and Scott need to do something, but Adrian wasn't answering. He couldn't. Not after all this.

His fists punched his walls in anger, roaring at himself in fury. He could be have let this happen? How could he have made himself like this? First he was bullying Scott McCall and Stikes Stilinski and now he was crushing on one of them?!

For the first time in his life, Adrian was terrified of himself. All this time thinking he was just waiting for the right girl to turn up was nonsense. In reality, Adrian had always been waiting for the right guy to turn up . . . and he was scared that he had found him.

"Hey, are you ready to-" Lydia stopped, standing by the doorframe as she eyed her brother curiously. His chest fell up and down in pants, a pained look in his eyes. "You okay?"

Adrian regrettably nodded, his face turning stone cold while his eyes told a whole different story. "Yeah, I'm fine." He walked to his desk chair and picked up his jacket with his phone tucked in the pocket. Once collected, he walked past Lydia; not even glancing at her. "Let's go on that date."

❚ ❚ ❚

As if this date couldn't have started any worse, Lydia made Adrian tag along on a trip to Allison's in order for them to get ready. The redhead tried his best to wriggle his way out of it, but he had no good enough excuse and Lydia didn't care mostly.

Allison didn't mind Adrian's company at all. Actually, she seemed kinda relieved for the moral support joining them. Adrian didn't blame her, having Lydia Martin around can become a bit much to those without years of experience.

Adrian plopped himself on the tall brunette's bed as Lydia went trough all the possible outfits; dismissing them all.

A grin crossed Allison's face as she turned around, showing the siblings a floral kind of brown t-shirt. Adrian withheld his own thoughts but Lydia never holds back. Especially on fashion. "Mm," she hummed for a moment, as if actually considering it. "Pass."

Allison tried again, pulling out another colourful shirt. It was no surprise when it came out as a pass. Lydia had had enough of suggesting time so she herself strutted over to the wardrobe; noting on her clothes. "Let me see. Pass. Pass." She stopped at one. "Pass on all of it."

Lydia shook her head, stepping back from the wardrobe. "God, Allison, respect for your taste is dwindling by the second."

Having enough waiting around, Adrian got off the bed himself and joined in. Scanning the rows of tops, dresses and other clothes; his eyes eventually found something. "Here. What about this?" He pulled up a black sequinned top, holding it out to the brunette.

Allison looked down at it, tilting her head in thought before taking it with a smile. Lydia gave her brother a surprised look, but the small smirk on her face told the boy she agreed with it.

The door suddenly opened to reveal Allison's father, Chris Argent. He walked inside, looking down mindlessly at the ground as he put his green jacket on. By the looks of it, he didn't even know they were here.

Allison looked up, forcing a smile. "Dad, hello." She gained his attention, her dad wincing.

"Right. I'm sorry, I completely forgot to knock." He apologised, pointing towards the door.

"Hey, Mr Argent." Lydia greeted, a small smile on her face.

Chris gave a small smile in return. "Hi, Lydia." It was then his attention focused on the boy he had never met before. With a quirked eyebrow and suspicious look, Mr Argent spoke. "Hello, I don't believe we've met."

"Adrian Martin, nice to meet you, sir." Adrian held an awkward hand out. The Argent looked down at it and paused before taking it, the two boys sharing a firm handshake.

"Martin, huh?" Chris muttered, seizing the boy up. "Never knew Lydia had a brother, much less that he'd be in my house."

When Adrian froze up awkwardly, Allison spoke again. "Dad, do you need something?" She politely asked as Adrian stepped away.

Her dad frowned. "I wanted to tell you that you'll be staying in tonight." He told her.

"What? I'm going out with my friends tonight." Allison informed, a displeased look on her face. Adrian had to give her props for not losing her temper like the Martin siblings would've done had it been their mother.

"Not when some animal out there is attacking people." He argues back, shaking his head. "It's out of my hands. There's a curfew. No one's allowed out past 9:30 pm."

Allison huffed, throwing the shirt onto her bed.
"Hey," her dad warned again. "no more arguing." He left after that, closing the door behind him.

Allison sighed, folding her arms across her chest, staring in the spot he had once been. Adrian understood where Mr Argent was coming from, he just wanted to protect his daughter.

Lydia stood up, scoffing. "Someone's daddy's little girl." She teased, smirking at the father and daughter.

"Sometimes. But not tonight." Allison slyly replied, walking over to her desk. She put a purple beanie on, opening her bedroom window before walking out onto the roof.

Lydia and Adrian shared a look before walking over and poking their heads out. Allison walked along the flat roofing of the house, doing a flip off of the building and onto the ground safely. "Eight years gymnastics." She grinned over her shoulder. "You coming?"

"Damm." Adrian couldn't help but mutter. A smack to the chest made him jolt back, holding where he had been hit. "What was that for?!"

"Don't be getting any ideas. Allison is our friend. Besides, she has a boyfriend." The strawberry blonde reminded as she told her brother off, a stern look in her eyes.

"Trust me, she's not my type." Adrian huffed to himself as he walked back, hearing Lydia call out that they'll take the stairs.

❚ ❚ ❚

As promised, Lydia had set someone up for Adrian when they reached the bowling place. Her name was Betty Roberts, a girl Adrian had seen out with Lydia a few times. She seemed nice enough with her short blonde hair, fair skin and brown eyes.

But Adrian couldn't help but compare her to a hazel eyed boy with a buzzcut and spastic personality. He couldn't help but think anything good that happened on this date, Stiles would've made it ten times funnier and more enjoyable.

Scott was all over Allison when they arrived, Lydia and Jackson just the same if not worse. Adrian stood off to the side awkwardly as Betty introduced herself, flicking her hair back. "Hey, I'm Betty."

"I know." Adrian nodded, awkwardly crossing his arms. All he could think of in his head was how much of a disaster this night was gonna be.

"So, you any good at bowling?" Stalking their conversation, Adrian watched Allison and Scott walk over to get their bowling balls while Jackson and Lydia sat at the booth they were in, putting their names into the machine.

Adrian inwardly sighed when he realised him and Betty would have to sit separately, meaning he would have no choice but to make conversation with a girl his sister set him up with.

"I loved watching you play on Saturday." Betty hummed as her and Adrian sat close to the booth; waiting their turn. The boy didn't mind taking about lacrosse honestly . . . until her hand skimmed his arm. "You were so great. Bet you must train and workout for it a lot."

"Well, I guess." Adrian awkwardly replied. He tried shifting away from her touch, obviously hoping she would get the message. She didn't, causing the boy to become more uncomfortable.

"At least try to act like you're having a good time." Lydia hissed in his ear when it was Betty's turn to bowl. Adrian just rolled his eyes, grumbling under his breath. "Don't be mad. What else would you be doing?! Beats hanging around with that Myles dude."

"Stiles. His name is Stiles." Adrian glared at her harshly, speaking through gritted teeth. "And right now, I would take his company any day."

Due to the sudden defence of his best friend, Scott looked over and shot Adrian a confused look. He was happy Adrian had stuck up for his friend, but part of him wondered why. His look went ignored when the Martin teen noticed it.

After a good few minutes of watching Lydia and Jackson all over each other, Scott falling on his face and Betty's continuous touching, the Martin boy had had enough.

With a start, Adrian leapt up, quickly announcing he had to go to the bathroom. Betty tried to follow him, probably thinking a trip to the bathroom meant something completely different.

After an awkward shut down and explanation he really had to go, Adrian was stopped last minute by the girl.

"What's the matter? Blondes not your type?" Betty put on her best puppy dog eyes as she tilted her head.

Adrian gave her a fake smile. "Something like that. I'm more of a short brown-haired guy." And with that, he rushed away.

When the teenager was in, he locked himself away in a stall. Hurriedly, he pulled out his phone and called the first person he could think off. Within three rings, they picked up. "Hello?"

"Toby! Thank god!" The redhead sighed, leaning his head against the scribbled walls. "I need you to come pick me up. I'm at the bowling alley."

"Why do you need me to pick you up?" His friend questioned from the other side.

"Because I need you too! Just do it . . . please?" Adrian's tone softened, a desperate look Toby would never see covering his eyes.

There was a minute of silence before Adrian heard a sigh on the other line. "Give me the address. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

❚ ❚ ❚

"I'm sorry for making you pick me up. I just didn't know who else to call." Adrian was first to break the awkward silence once the two boys were in Toby's bedroom.

Toby hummed, playing with some origami he must've made earlier on. He was always the creative type, Adrian had noted. "It's alright." He mumbled in his British accent.

There. Another pause. The Martin boy stared at the carpet, his mind coursing throughly with thoughts of should he or shouldn't he? "Look, I'm sorry for that outburst. You didn't deserve that."

Toby looked up at him, his brown eyes glinting innocently. He gestured for the boy to continue, his figure growing stiff. "I just- things have been going on recently; unbelievable things that I never would have imagined possible. Things have just seemed to be piling on top of each other and I couldn't handle that. And now, recently I've learned something about myself that I'm scared off."

"Like what?" Toby softly asked, getting out of his seat and closer towards the boy on his bed. Seeing his hesitation, the boy leaned out to hold his knee. "What's going on with you, mate? Why are you acting so weird?"

"I have to tell you something." Adrian told him, playing with his hands. "Something that could ruin everything and I'm terrified." He admitted.

Adrian looked at him before looking back at the ground. He knew this wasn't something he could hide forever, or something to hide in the first place. But he was afraid, and he hated how he was so afraid.

With his heart thudding like mad, Adrian looked into his friends' brown orbs as he spoke the two words that could change everything. "I'm gay."

What came next was unexpected for the Martin. Toby was silent for awhile, before his head nodded slowly with a small smile. "I know. Stiles, right?"

Adrian gaped at him. "How . . . How did you-"

"You're my only friend, Adrian. I have you down to a science." Toby lightly chuckled to himself. "I mean, it's pretty obvious. The way you look at him . . . I haven't seen you look that way at anyone." He looked at the ground shyly.

"Y-You- You don't hate me?" Adrian shockingly stuttered, his eyes wide with panic still coursing through him. How is he being so okay with this? He thought.

Toby snickered, shaking his head. "Of course not. I'm proud of you, Adrian. But Stiles Stilinski? Where did that come from?"

Adrian chuckled, glancing to the floor as he shook his head. "Shut up."

"No, seriously, wasn't he the guy who purposely spilled orange juice on you because you made fun of his Star Wars shirt?" Toby smiled as he sat on the floor, the redhead joining him.

Adrian smiled. The two enjoying the conversation going on between them, laughter and jokes being the only thing passed between them.

"Thank you, Toby." Adrian sincerely told the boy after calming down by a joke made by him. "Do you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive, mate." Toby shook his head, coming to sit beside him. He wrapped an arm round the Martin's shoulder, placing his head there. "Want to stay the night? I got the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie."

"Hell yeah."

A U T H O R. N O T E
just want to let everyone know that i completely support the lgbtq+ community. for the sake of this story however, i wanted to put in this part because i thought it was important for adrian's character.

the reason he's not happy with his sexuality is because he fears the judgement. he supports it, but never imagined himself gay until this point. plus, kinda ironic the person he likes is the one he used to bully.

GIF MADE BY ME !
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