Demario's POV

"I still can't believe that you have to work with Ryan for this project," Epiphany commented as she, Serenity, Oliver, Holly, Derrick, and my foster brothers joined me for a coffee run before class began. "And now, he's inviting you to the football game and the after-party this Friday? That's sounds like a major nightmare in the works."

"Dr. Nguyen said the same thing yesterday during therapy. And I had to let him, the judge, and even Gianna and Jose know of the recent developments after calling Serenity," I commented, accepting a fresh cup of decaf coffee. "I'm starting to wonder if this journey to healing is even worth all this drama."

"Nothing's ever easy, Demario," Oliver pointed out. "But I guess that's how you were raised by your late mom with that negativity."

"Well, I don't think she'll be hassling me anytime soon since I finally decided to not have it with me not wanting to end my life," I replied. "She only said that I would regret not listening to her and that I should've listened to her."

"There you go," Derrick hummed. "So I guess that's the end of her haunting you, right?"

"Far from it," I replied lowly. "If anything, she sounded as if she knows what might happen. If I don't go, I'll be labeled as a pariah by McNeese and any of her supporters- teachers and students alike- for not giving Ryan some support. But if I do go... I can't even imagine the consequences from that aside from being on Jillian's blacklist and Theo's plans for my downfall."

"I hope you have a good plan up your sleeve, Demario," Holly said as soon as her mom's large SUV arrived at the parking lot before we all piled out and made a beeline inside. "The game's in two days and all eyes are on you to see whether or not you choose a side. Of course, we're sticking around no matter what the outcome. But it looks like the odds aren't going to be in your favor at this point."

I only nodded as I continued to finish my cup of decaf while Oliver and I separated from the others. "Are you okay, Demario?" he asked me.

"Hmm? What?" I asked, snapping out of my thoughts while draining the last of the now-tepid remnants.

"Are you doing okay?"

I turned to my diving partner and transgender boyfriend. "Honestly? I don't know what to think or do at this point, Oliver," I replied. "These last few days have been nothing short of chaotic and I'm surprised that I'm still holding together even after the recent developments. When I heard my mom's final warning in my head, I sensed that she knew that something bad was going to happen and I was going to face the ultimate climax of my life. What if she's right and I should've offed myself before all of this?"

"But what if she's wrong?" Oliver shot back gently. "I know that things are a bit much by now, but you are a strong young man with so much passion that's been nearly extinguished by your ex-blood relatives and late family. I see you as someone who can rise from the ashes and face down the storms. All that everyone- including myself- asks of you is to start believing it yourself. You hold the key to your destiny or failure through your thoughts, actions, and even your words. It's time for you to own it. And no matter what happens, you're not going to be alone."

He placed a chase kiss on my lips. "Thank you," I said. "I needed that."

"What are true boyfriends for? Now, let's head to class."

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

Later during break period, I was in the bandroom working on my music compositions when there was a knock on the door. "Come in," I said as I looked up from one of my nearly-finished compositions, expecting to see Mrs. Bermudez-Estrada or the Callaways to check in on me. Instead, I was face to face with none other than Jillian Kendricks.

Yikes!

"At ease, Demario," she said, looking a bit placid despite dressing up like she was Britney Spears circa 2002. "I just want to talk to you."

"Does anyone know that you're here despite the restraining order?" I asked uneasily.

"I had to come see you regardless of what punishment that I'll get," the blonde said as she came inside. "Look, I know about Ryan inviting you as a VIP guest to the football game this Friday followed by the after-party at one of the cheerleader's place."

"And let me guess, you want me to perform there?" I couldn't help but snark.

"It's not like that, but you still have time to reconsider my original offer to perform at Serenity's birthday party. Anyway, I know that Ryan's not making things easy and neither have I despite you willfully steering clear from both of us- mainly away from my boyfriend," Jillian commented. "But with McNeese arranging this assignment with him and you pairing together and her hoping that you'll show the football team some love, you already know that everyone's now watching your move."

I nodded.

"Then I'm only going to ask you one question, and I need you to be honest," she said, her voice hard. "Do you have any emotional attachment towards Ryan Peavey?"

I took a deep breath. "No," I said firmly. "I do not love him in any way, shape, or form."

"That's all I needed to hear. But you should know that while I'm not letting him go, he's not going to back down from wanting you as his." Jillian walked closer to me until she was inches away from the piano bench that I was sitting on. "And I'm not the only one with a possessive streak. Ryan's twice as bad when it came to Artem Hilliard. And let's just say that at the party last year was when I decided to...well, put things to bed and have him come back to me, though he still hates me for it alongside everyone else."

My eyes went wide at that statement. "You mean that-"

"Ryan Peavey isn't a true gentleman, though he did have good intentions," Jillian interrupted. "And while I originally pegged you as someone who might take him away from me, I see you differently now. You're still broken from your past and you want to focus on healing. I haven't made things easier, I know, but I now see the truth."

"So what do you think that I should do, Kendricks?" I asked. "You say that you see me in a different light, but you still haven't told me what I should choose."

"That's for you to decide, Bader," Jillian commented, "but just know that either choice will change everything forever- some in a good way and some...not so much. In either case, prepare yourself for the perfect storm. Because after Friday, there's no going back."

With that said, she made her exit.

I took a deep breath, taking in her words. "Fucking hell on Earth," I muttered just as the band director and the Callaways came in.

"Did we just see Jillian-" Mr. Callaway began.

"She was just passing through," I lied. "But right now, I got a lot on my mind with Peavey's invite for me to the game this Friday and the after-party afterwards."

"I heard all about that," Mrs. Bermudez-Estrada commented. "Young man, Ms. McNeese told me that you have a duty to be Ryan's supporter for the night and to be part of the in-crowd."

"And that's what we're afraid of," Mrs. Callaway piped up firmly. "Demario, I suppose you know what your decision is, right?"

I took a few deep breaths. "At this point, I'm going to have to cut all my losses," I said. "Mrs. Bermudez-Estrada, can I ask you and the Callaways for a favor? I need you guys to gather my friends, the therapist, and my foster family for an after-school session? And get me Coach Wilborn as well."

"We can have that arranged, but why?" the principal wanted to know.

"From where I stand, I'm facing a catch-22 situation at both ends. And Ryan, Jillian, and Theo are waiting for me to make the first move. If I don't show up, I'll be ousted. If I do, then who can say what might or might not happen. In either case, I have to be prepared for what might happen next."

"But it doesn't explain whether or not you'll be at the game," Mrs. Callaway said. "Demario, what are you going to do?"

I looked into the adults' eyes. "It's time to take a non-fatal drastic measure."

Ooh, girl! I bet y'all are wondering what the next move might be for Demario Bader! And folks, you can bet your bottom dollar that it'll be revealed in the next two chapters followed by the aftermaths and aftershocks in the next four or five that leads up to the climatic cliff-hanging chapter! And bitch, you ain't ready for what's ahead!

Song: "Decode" by Paramore. Dedication: xxWhoAteMyCookiexx.

Vote.
Comment.
Share.
Follow.
Add.
FAN!