I have been awake for more than an hour with my eyes still closed. I was snuggled against Mister Wall, submerged in deep thought. I was mortified to move yet at the same time I wanted to thrash and scream from the shame and dread. It was stupid of me to jump into a public confession. I should have started with Derek and Samantha first. However, with Kennedy's big mouth and natural gifts of being brutally outspoken, the good couple must have had their inkling about my sexuality already.

I was deeply unsettled by the thoughts of endless possibilities of bullying. Every bully on the school campus would shift their attention to me. I would be the victims' sacrificial lamb. Losing heaven's favor worsened every bit of my chances of survival.

Mister Wall brushed away my bangs, kissing my eyes.

"Are you okay?" He cooed. All my worries were flushed away from witnessing his soothing smile, but the immediate relief was replaced by terror when I made eye contact with Cain.

How did I get here?

"So...do you want anything to drink?" He asked, possessing an amused smirk.

I shook my head. The last time I had a drink here, I threw away a part of my dignity.

"No thank you." I will never trust Cain even if my life depended on it.

"How are you feeling?" Mister Wall queried. I shifted in his lap so that I was no longer in a side position. My teacher became my own chair.

"I don't think I have much time to live, sir." I wasn't as happy-go-lucky as Samael. The man could confess to a murder and would be bold enough to ask police officers for a cookie and a trip to Hawaii.

I dropped my head on the counter with a loud thud, ignoring the fact that I nearly damaged my frontal lobe. Mister Wall placed his two hands against my back.

"You're not alone in this Keetan. Derek and Samantha came to talk to the principal today. They stood up for you. Samael went to great lengths to reason out with the man."

"Samael was only there to raise the principal's likelihood of getting a stroke," I muffled against my arm.

Mister Wall chuckled. "Well...true."

I peeped behind me. "Are they okay with me...being gay?"

"They are more than okay with it," he replied. "I know it's hard but remember that you still have a lot of people who support you. Follow your heart."

"What he means is that you shouldn't give a fuck about what others think of you," Cain added, sliding a plate in front of me. My mouth watered from the perfectly sliced cheesecake with strawberry syrup on top. The brown crust underneath added to its smooth aesthetic appearance. "Welcome to the dark side," he drawled, grinning lazily and appearing satisfied that we would go to hell hand-in-hand.

Handing me the fork, I sliced a soft portion with ease and slid the fork into my mouth. The cake was cold and adequately sweet. The tangy flavor was enough to wake my senses. I sliced another piece, bringing it up to Mister Wall's lips. I was pleased when he opened his mouth and ate with delight. We shared the desert, taking turns on who would eat next.

"I'll take you home, Keetan. Derek and Samantha wanted to talk to us about something."

"About what?"

He shrugged. "I told them about my feelings for you and that I'll marry you tomorrow."

"What?!"

He laughed. "I was joking, Keetan. I meant the day after. Cain wanted to be the flower boy."

"Mister Wall!" I protested.

"I'd rather start planting cannabis," Cain disapproved.

Mister Wall's gleeful expression dropped when I became silent. My brain decided to go elsewhere. He waved his hand in front of my face, but I was too focused on keeping myself together that I did not notice his dejected face.

"You know, if you're ashamed of me, just say so and I will keep my distance from now on."

That brought me back to reality with a bang. What was I doing? Mister Wall had done so much for me. I wanted to be with him. I wanted to be right for him. I couldn't bear the thought of losing him. Remorse killed every perturbation I had.

I stood, grabbing Mister Wall's hand and dragging him out of the chair.

"Let's go Mister Wall!" I smiled at him. Mister Wall's cheerful spirit returned. Cain snickered and whispered something about being manipulative.

The pale driver waited for us in the parking lot. He drove us back home. I was scared about what Samantha and Derek would say but I couldn't quit on Mister Wall. I have to fight for him. I leaned my head against his shoulder, intertwining our fingers together.

"I'm sorry sir..." I murmured. "I'm serious about you. I'm just scared. I'm not used to this."

He pulled me to his lap, raising my face to meet with his eyes steeled with passion.

"I love you. I mean it. I'll do anything for you. I would go against God to be with you. Your behavior earlier made me disappointed. Am I not enough to give you a sense of security?"

I felt my heart stop. He was disappointed in me?

That ached.

That hurt.

Did Mister Wall feel the same way whenever I would show unsureness about what we have?

No...No no no!

I didn't want him to be upset with me. He couldn't be upset with me. Call me darling, call me sweetheart, please don't look at me that way!

"Sir... Don't be mad. Don't be mad at me..."

He shut his eyes, staring coldly out of the window.

Don't ignore me. Look at me. Give me attention!

My chin trembled. Warm tears brimmed my eyes. I held my breath; I did not deserve to breathe for upsetting him.

He returned his sharp gaze. His eyes widened as he noticed my entire body trembling from my resistance against breathing. I clenched my fists like a toddler pooping. My cheeks ballooned while my eyes rolled up.

Mister Wall tapped my cheek, rubbing my back soothingly.

"Keetan? What are you doing? Darling, breathe!"

I flinched away in defiance. He continued to tap my cheek and had a shaky and amused grin on his lips. "I'm not mad anymore, okay? Breathe for me."

Receiving the response I needed, I gasped sharply, smiling victoriously.

"Does this mean you're happy again?"

"I'm always happy with you." He placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Really? You love me? You mean it?" I persisted.

"Really. I mean it, baby." A stupid grin was smacked on my mouth.

Yes!

I initiated holding hands as soon as we came out of the car which surprised him. The thrilled expression he had was by far my greatest accomplishment and mind you, I have brought vision to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and consciousness to the brain dead.

The four of us had a long and serious talk. Samantha and Derek meant well. They were worried about my future. They didn't doubt Mister Wall's capability to provide a roof over me as he was Derek's boss and basically the one giving us the means to survive everyday. My guardians wanted me to become a responsible adult who didn't depend on others to sustain my basic needs.

Furthermore, Mister Hellion was my high school teacher. If we were to be found out, he'd get in serious trouble. I didn't want that so we agreed to not commit yet until I graduated.

"Um...so you don't have any problems with me being gay?" I asked shyly.

Derek knelt beside me, staring at me with his warm eyes. "Son, Kennedy is practically as colorful as a rainbow. Do you have any memory of us telling him to get a girlfriend and man up?"

My eyes watered. I hugged Derek and Samantha hugged me from behind.

"We accept you for who you are sweetie," she murmured.

I would not break their trust. A heavy burden was lifted from my shoulders. "I'll graduate. I promise."

"I won't go to jail, I promise," Mister Wall added, lightening up the heartfelt ambiance we had.

Mister Wall stayed for dinner. Samael drove by to pick him up right after, sulking that he wasn't invited to dinner and that being a young businessman who was enslaved by his own uncle should warrant child protection services.

Preparing to sleep, my phone dinged.

'Have a good night's sleep. Don't dream of me, that's illegal.'

I restrained my laughter as I didn't want to raise suspicions from a nosy Kennedy.

'I'll try not to sir, good night.'

I had a good dream. I was holding hands with him as we walked on the shore. The sky was a mix of orange and red as the sun descended for the day. The saffron tinted sea was framed by the cliffs. A flock of what didn't seem to be birds twirled over the ocean. One of those creatures landed in front of us. Its skin was dark and shiny; its eyes were green with black slits. There were spikes starting from the top of its head going down its thick and pointy tail. It was as big as a dachshund.

I hid behind Mister Wall but we ended up running around in circles with Mister Wall being the center. The bizarre creature smiled. I was expecting sharp teeth that could chomp my head off but it had none. It didn't show any signs of hostility as it jumped, licked my face, and flew away, leaving me perplexed yet wanting one as a pet.

"Do you want one?" Mister Wall asked.

"What is it, Mister Wall?"

He planted his hand on my head. "You'll know when you get here..."

I tilted my head in curiosity. "Where is here?"

The creature joined its friends in the sky. We watched as the sun sank under the horizon.

"Your home."

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