Demario's POV

Dear Journal,

Purpose.

What does it mean to have that in life?

For me, it's all about regaining my inner strength and will to truly live life on my terms after living with a family who never gave two damns about me and all but wished me out of their lives. And it's all because I was a love child that was conceived out a love affair between my mother and an unknown gay man who was more than likely drugged to do so by her. I was livid about finding out the real reason, if not ready to end my life. I would've done it if it wasn't for the harsh reality check from Mr. Tucker and everyone who saw my meltdown during group therapy. On the one hand, I felt a bit mortified on how I handled myself. But then again, Dr. Nguyen was right when he said that I was bottling my emotions up and just ignoring them, that I was only hurting myself for holding back my feelings.

And now, it's more the reason for me to finish something that is long overdue- the untitled symphony that was composed out of negative emotions but would be finished with an air of hope. And since that special group therapy that had me performing at the piano at home in front of everyone, I knew what I had to do. So after that, I began to work on the music that'll be one for the record books. I wanted this symphony to become the ultimate heartsong of my life story, the one rhapsody that would speak of a young who was scorned and tormented but was ready to come out of the fires and follow the sun to victory.

As for the Ryan/Theo/Jillian situation, I'm just going to keep things straight to the point and let them know what's up. It's time to cut my losses and learn to cut toxic people out of my life. Jillian at least seems repentant and wants to make things right, but I can't be too careful. Ryan and Theo are two different men who are too stiff-necked to give up on their blind ambitions. One's ready to shed my blood while one wants me in his bed with Oliver. This has to end once and for all so I can move on with my junior year in high school onwards.

A new era has begun, friend. And after the weekend known as the "Revelation of Demario Bader," a revolution is about to be born, just like my soon-to-be finished music that'll be played during the fall concert two days before Homecoming night.

It was now Monday during break period at school and I was currently working on the end of the third movement of my music that would be the epitome of my life-story. Since the weekend of revelations full of family secrets, I needed to finally focus on my road to healing and get back to my life. And even after that concert-esque therapy featuring my mentors and foster family, I knew that it was time to finish that symphony and show everyone that I was ready to move forward with my life.

I played a small jazzy riff on the piano, feeling the harmony while Bjork's "Cvalda" blared through my earbuds while I was in my musical headspace. "This is going to be good," I told myself sotto-voce as I jot down some notes on the sheet music. "This has to flow perfectly for this concert."

"Demario?"

I looked up to see the face of one Jillian Kendrick who was surprsingly dressed demurely in a typical red sweater and form-fitting jeans with a pair of knee-high boots completing the ensemble. Her look screamed teenage femme-fatale as her platinum-blonde hair was in a neat bun. It took my breath away just by looking at her, even though she intimidated me a little.

I put away my earbuds and set my sheet music to the side. "What are you doing here?" I asked curiously, feeling uneasy even though she was currently accompanied by Mrs. Callaway.

"Well, Bader, I'm here to talk," she began, "and mainly warn you about my god-brother's current state of mind."

I glanced at the stone-faced vice-principal, who only nodded. "You get five mintues," I warned Jillian. "Try anything funny, and I'll see it that you're ruined completely."

"I promise, no funny stuff," she said. "Demario, I know that this social-skills assignment with Ryan has been far from easy, especially when Matchmaker McNeese is hell-bent on shipping you two together. And with him seducing you and Oliver into his bed thanks to Theo spiking your drinks at the party not too long ago, it's all the more reason for you wanting no more to do with him. But Theo still sees you as my competition. And frankly, so do I, but not as much since you're still...well, you know."

"I get that, Kendricks," I replied firmly. "But what about Theo?"

"Demario, Theo's willing to do anything and EVERYTHING to get you out of my way so I can have Ryan," Jillian said tiredly, her eyes full of worry and exhaustion. "And though you're doing your damndest to keep Ryan away from you, neither he nor Theo will stop pursuing you for their gains. One's willing to cut his losses and wants to own your heart, body, and soul. The other wants to end your life in the same manner that your late family and ex-relatives wanted you to do. Don't you see that this is all a deadly game that you're caught in the crossfires of?"

I took a deep breath. "I do, Kendricks. And I need to talk some sense into both guys and-"

"They won't listen to you," Jillian cut me off. "What I'm about to suggest is something that I know will go against everything that you and I are standing for. I want you...to date Ryan and Oliver as part of a three-way pairing."

My eyes went wide, me shooting out of the piano bench. "Are you out of your mind?!" I exclaimed vehemently. "That's the most ridiculous idea and-"

"I know, but Ryan's smitten over the two of you and want you two for himself, but he mainly wants you since you and Artem are alike," Jillian interrupted. "I told Oliver about this, and he also shut out the idea. But you two don't have much of a choice. The only way to put this to bed is by letting Ryan have you two. I'll get Theo off your backs on my part in return."

I shook my head no. "I won't do it," I said firmly. "I won't do it, so you can kindly take your leave. And tell your godbrother that I want an audience with him as soon as-"

Jillian's phone buzzed, her face warped into annoyance. "Hold on," she said irritably before pulling out her phone from her pocket. Her eyes went wide as she saw something on the screen just as Mrs. Callaway came to her side. "Oh, God," she whimpered. "Theo didn't."

"Did what?" I said lowly.

The older woman looked at Jillian's phone just as her husband came in my cell phone rang. Holly. "What's up, Holly?" I asked tiredly. "Now's not a good time because Jillian-"

"Demario, you need to go with the Callaways!" I heard the housekeeper's daughter say in a panicked tone. "Oliver and your foster dads are on the way to pick you up and you're spending the rest of the day at Ollie's place."

"What's going on?" I asked. "Holly, what's going on?"

A pause, then, "It's Theo AND Ryan," she said. "Word of you being a love child just got leaked online and it's now being shared on social media! I can't believe that Ryan would betray his parents' trust and exposed your secret out like that!"

I felt my stomach churn before I let out a blood-curdling scream of hatred of one misery-causing Goth punk and one lunk-headed jock. Both of them were rotten to the core. And this betrayal...was the worst feeling ever.

I bet it is, folks! But you ought to know by now that nothing is what it seems...or is it?

Anyway, Demario's spending time with Oliver...and they finally take things to a more-intimate level. Warning, contents of the next chapter are bound to be hot and steamy! Reader discretion is advised!

Song: "Cvalda (from the "Dancer in the Dark" soundtrack)" by Bjork.

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