Wendell’s POV

"You know, I never really expected things to get this far," I confided to Dr. Sellers as she, Logan, and Dr. St. Pierre joined me for another therapy session. "I mean, I had a feeling that I might be facing some kind of hate for no reason, but from a kid who's really that possessive and obsessive when I originally came here for a second chance and then falling in love? Now THAT's just... well, unexpected."

"We all have our challenges in life," Dr. Sellers told me. "And everyone had a feeling that Braeden might be meeting his match when it came down to you. Most kids before you would've caved in and just did whatever the boy wanted or simply made themselves scarce. The few kids who stood brave enough to challenge him were either bullied to the point that they transferred or 'disappeared' by his and his cronies' hands. You gave Braeden a run for his money, Wendell. And no one really expected you to come back and stood by your guns."

"That's true," I agreed. "But I never wanted Braeden to hate me for something that was beyond my control. I mean, yeah I never expected to fall in love with Logan but we somehow got used to each other and became who we are right now. And though a part of me was scared beyond belief of what might happen after all of this blows over, I still have no regrets."

"Fair enough," Logan replied. "So, what are you going to do now? We got a possessive and malicious teenager who's out for blood and revenge and he's eyeing you as his target alongside us."

I took a deep breath. "Tomorrow, I'm going to meet up with Satillo's parents and his ex-fiancee, the girl that he was supposed to marry," I replied. "I'm hoping to get a good sense of Braeden's background and see if I can learn more about who I'm really up against. If anything, I'm hoping that one of them could give me a few tips on how to take down Satillo without any physical measures."

"And if you can't?" the dean asked me.

I took a deep breath. "Then I guess it'll have to be a duel to the death, with one of us coming out alive. And I would hate to do all of that because while I can throw hands when I need to, I'm frightened of him using a gun or a knife of some kind to be overpowered by and let him have the final victory. And in case I don't make it out alive-"

"You will," Logan pressed. "I heard about your meltdown and saw you take out a whole school of students with a baseball bat alone. If anything, you could've given any baseball player a run for his money with how you took out your father with one swing. It scared me to death when you did that. And if you could use a bat to knock out that bastard of a man- may he rot in hell, I can damn well bet that you can fight off Satillo when the time comes. Just be careful, babe. I still plan to marry you when the timing is right."

"That's for sure," agreed the cocoa-skinned female therapist. "And I expect to be a groomsmaid when the time comes."

I smiled thinly, grateful for the comments. "Well, let's just deal with Satillo first and the last bit of high school," I replied, pausing to sip on my glass of water. "Then we can talk about wedding plans."

*************

The next day, after a rush of classwork and morning exercise, I was joined for lunch with the parents of Braeden Satillo.

Mr. Antonio Satillo was an older version of his son, but had closely cropped dark red hair and was impeccably dressed like Santino Rice. While his wife Paulina was a nearly-close copy of Salma Hayek with her flawless Hispanic beauty. The young lady joining them was conservatively dressed as if she was preparing for morning mass., but was serving face like Jaida Essence Hall. With her flowy yet prim sundress and her long black hair in a bun, I knew that she was none other than Alison Waltrip, the heiress of a powerful business family that had stood the test of time.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," I said as we all sat down for tea with Valenzia and Logan joining us. "I assume that you know the reason for why I asked you all here."

"We all knew," said Mr. Satillo. "It's about that spawn of Satan who has given us a bad name. And thanks to him, we're almost at the edge of ruin. I personally want to apologize to you, young man, for how he tried to kill you too many times. And when word got to me about how he tried to kill you at the funeral of your family, my heart stopped."

"Mine, too. And I wasn't aware of this until yesterday," Alison piped up. "Boy, that brat can really get under anyone's skin."

I nodded. "Can you give me a bit of background on Braeden? I know that he's escaped from prison and he'll be making his way back here at any day now, so I need to know anything and everything."

Mrs. Satillo sighed. "Mr. Harding, you need to be aware that I was at fault for covering all of Braeden's sins and crimes, thinking that a mother's love would get him to see reason that he could stop himself. I used up a lot of money trying to hush up the police and his victim's families to make sure that our name wouldn't be tarnished by scandal," she said in a thick accent. "It was my fault that led him astray in the first place. He was gifted. Who knows what he could've done if he decided to go on the straight and narrow path."

Her husband nodded. "Braeden's actions have caused us a lot of harm without him thinking of what might happen to us," he added. "Thanks to him, half of my clientele bailed out on me and I nearly had to declare bankruptcy twice over thanks to him sleeping with anyone he pleases."

"I heard about something that happened with a family wedding gone wrong," I said. "And I take it that was when Ms. Waltrip came to play."

The young woman nodded. "My parents and his parents agreed that I could be the one to help him get back on the right path," she replied. "I was raised in a strict Catholic household and I was meant to be a good housewife with some college degree in the arts or whatnot. I knew that Braeden was controversial with his sexuality, but I thought I could be the one to change him. Clearly, I was wrong because I found him, my brother, and an altar boy or two- I can't really remember- getting it on in a bathroom. I gave him an ultimatum: leave my brother alone or be prepared to be ruined. To everyone's surprise, he and my brother announced that the wedding was off and they left in Alvin's Audi R8. It would be the last time I would see my brother alive."

"Ouch," I said. "That's just wrong."

"I was a laughingstock at my all-girls school up to the point when my folks decided to transfer me to a public one in Tacoma," Alison grouched, narrowing her eyes. "And I know that he was dead set on your fiancee, Harding, with him seducing and trying to break into Michael's pants with no success. It's disgusting how he has no shame in hurting others when he's just being a jealous little-"

She stopped herself as if she was ready to launch on a Seattle cuss-out. I didn't blame her. "I'm sorry," she told me. "I'm just on edge with how he's fighting to stay out of sight. I know that you're facing a lot of heat with your road to journey being forced to take a backseat, Harding. But you need to know that Braeden Satillo is nothing but bad news."

"I couldn't agree more," Mr. Satillo piped up, biting into a scone. "I should've kicked him out of the house and sent him to boot camp when he started acting out when he turned twelve. Son, you may not had a charmed life with your late family treating you like garbage, but at least you're willing to better yourself. Braeden, on the other hand, is as caustic and cruel as he liked himself to imagine. He's a monster that needs to be put away or sent to the electric chair. That's what he deserves."

I nodded. "So what can I do?" I asked.

Mrs. Satillo gave me a knowing smirk. "Aren't you known for reading people for filth and calling them out on their bullshit?" she asked me. "Our son likes to think that he can't be touched, but he's as flawed as anyone else. I bet that you can give him the verbal beatdown that he needs the most. And I think I can help you."

"How?" Logan finally asked after being silent.

And for the next thirty minutes, she gave me all the verbal ammunition that I needed to finally take her son down a peg- all of his secrets, weaknesses, and anything that can get him to break. "And if all else fails, young man, you take something and knock him out of the park in the way you did with your family and all of the cabron desgraciados at McHenry South High," she finished. "I was impressed on how you smashed all of those trophies and car windows. You could've played for the national team in Honduras if you wanted to."

"Thanks," I said. "And thank y'all for this interesting session for today. You all have given me a lot to think about."

"I'll bet we have," Alison agreed as she stood up and eating the last of her tea sandwich. "And while I don't like same-sex marriages since I'm from an old-fashioned family, I do think that you and Michaels would make a cute couple. Much better than if Braeden was with Logan. The thought just makes me spew. And if you can do me two favors, I'd appreciate it."

"Name it," Logan told her.

"First, I want Wendell to promise me that he'd give Braeden a swift punch to the jaw before the cops come to knock him out," she replied. "And tell him that it's from me when he does."

"You got it," I replied. "And the second favor?"

She smiled brightly. "I get to be at your wedding," she replied.

"You'll get the invite as soon as I finish high school," I promised her. "I'll be sure of it."

"Thank you," Alison said as we shook hands. "You're a good kid, Wendell Harding. Never forget that. Good luck and may the power and fierceness of Drag Race be with you."

"Same to you," I said as I watched her and the Satillos leave.

Hmm... I think that Braden's family has more common sense than the fool himself! And if I didn't know better, they may have given Wendell plenty of ammunition for what's ahead!

Anyway, the next chapter is when we'll see Wendell reread his eulogy and talk about how he came so far in his healing journey!

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