*Garroth's POV*

What did I agree to?!

Having Laurance, over at my place?! Are you kidding?! That sounds horrible! But, I couldn't say no to Cadenza...she's too sweet...

And, to make it all worse, I haven't gotten over my crush on Laurance. I tried, very hard, but it's still here. Why does he have to be so appealing in my eyes?! Damn you feelings! Why must you make life so complicated?!

"Hey, Garroth," Dante wrapped his arm around my shoulder, as I met up with him in the hall. "It's been a while. Didn't hear from you all summer!"

"You could've just walked over," I replied, scanning over my schedule. "You know that you just live across the street, right?"

"Or, you could've came over, bro!" Dante laughed, hitting my shoulder.

Me go over to Dante's house? While, Gene lives there? Yeah, I'll pass on that one. Bad enough, that I'm now in the same school as him. It's rough...

"Yeah, well..," I remembered the conversation I had with Laurance earlier. Maybe getting Dante and Travis over, would be a good thing... That way, I don't have to be with Laurance...all alone. Gah... "...So, Dante, I have to talk to you, about something..."

~~~

~4 Days Later~

Oh, dear...it's Friday... This is the day Laurance is coming over.

And, Dante and Travis, as well...

Maybe, if I can get Vylad and Zane to join...it won't be as awkward?

That sounds wrong...

I don't get it...

You never do.

I spotted Vylad reading something, and I tapped on his shoulder. He glanced up at me, and I explained to him my situation. With a small giggle, he went along with it, and came with me to talk to Zane. We found Zane at the base of our staircase, and I explained it to him.

"Sleepover? That means social interaction. Yeah, count me out," Zane started up the stairs.

"C'mon baby brother, it'll be fun!" I tried to convince him, smiling softly. Zane turned back to face me, glaring.

"A slumber party. A bunch of males, who claim to have no romantic intentions with each other, piled together in an enclosed space, sleeping by one another. I'm sorry brother, but your gay is showing."

Vylad looked in between the both of us, shaking his head. I rolled my eyes, trying not to let his words get to me. But, I knew I was blushing. He wasn't wrong.

"Hey! It isn't my fault Mommy has the incapability to spawn straight males!" I retorted crossing my arms.

Vylad snickered, looking up at Zane. Zane huffed, crossing his arms as well. An obvious blush appeared on his face.

"Are you saying I'm gay?" Zane asked, his gaze shifting. I shrugged and nodded, watching his blush darken more. "S-shut up. You're wrong."

"I saw the way you looked at Gene, before," I frowned a little, at the mention of my ex. But, I tried to shrug it off. "And Travis, when I bring him around. Speaking of which, he's gonna be here tonight. You get to spend more time with him~"

Vylad's snickers turned into laughs. Zane balled his fists, storming up the stairs a bit more. I smirked, knowing I hit a nerve. I loved messing with him. It was payback, for all the times he teased me.

"You are horrible, Garroth!" Zane stomped his foot. "I'm as straight as a ruler!"

"Yeah, if that ruler were a protractor," my smirk grew. I've been waiting to use that analogy forever. Vylad caught onto that, laughing harder. Zane took a second, before growling. He stormed up a few more steps, staying silent for a moment.

"You guys have fun making out with Laurance and Dante! And have fun, at your little 'sleepover'. I'll be in my room, doing something other than losing my virginity in High School."

...

Well, that one hit me hard...

I stared straight ahead, unmoving. Vylad's laughs came to a halt, and he was blushing as well. I looked at Vylad, coughing a little. I wasn't sure how to respond to that one. I could tell Zane was smirking under his mask, that he wore.

"I-I...uhm..."

Vylad help me, please.

"Zane," Vylad started, glaring back at him. His tone of voice was startling. I've never seen him get this way before. He was usually so calm, and optimistic. "Why don't you think before you speak? Do you even realize what you said?"

Zane blankly stared at me, before dropping his head. I bit down hard on my lip, holding my hands together. My heart was racing out of my chest.

"Garroth, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...I..," Zane trailed off, his voice raspy. "Can...we forget I said anything? That wasn't what I meant. I was just, caught up in the moment. I'm really sorry."

Zane? Apologizing? What kind of world have I stepped into?

I sighed nodding. This was a sensitive topic. "Y-yeah. It's fine. You don't have to stay. But, if you want, you can come down for snacks...or whatever."

"Um, s-sure. I'll think about it. See you later. I'm gonna go play video games."

Zane ran up the stairs, leaving Vylad and I. Vylad looked me over, giving me a small smile. I loved seeing my brothers smile. It was the greatest feeling in the world. To see them happy. I smiled back at Vylad, hoping to put his mind at ease, in case he was worried.

"So, Garroth..," Vylad giggled a little. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?" I rose an eyebrow, studying my baby brother.

"That you have a thing for Laurance~?"

I nearly choked on my own saliva. I coughed a bit more, turning away from Vylad. I don't want them to know that. I'm not sure how Zane even figured that one out. The Vylad and Dante thing was obvious. It's been obvious since I was in Elementary. But, Laurance and I? Maybe I blush around him, but I don't think it's that obvious. I blush around a lot of hot guys! It's just a thing I do. They're hot, I can't help it! And, Laurance...

Maybe, I shouldn't let it get to me. Zane probably doesn't even know. He was probably just messing with me. It's a Zane thing. He likes to think he can get into my head. But, he's wrong. Well, he's right. But, I'm gonna try and convince myself that he's wrong!

"N-no! It i-isn't!" I huffed, crossing my arms.

"Then what's with the stutter~?" Vylad pressed, lightly poking my arm. "You totally are crushing on him, aren't you?!"

Yes...

"N-no, he's just my best friend! And, I almost always stutter! What's your excuse, Mr. I'm-Obsessed-With-My-Brother's-Friend?"

"Actually my name's Vylad. Pretty sure that name's too long to fit on a birth certificate," Vylad giggled, before strolling off somewhere.

Damn it, Vylad... Why can't you ever let me get the last word?!

I heard our doorbell ring, and I jumped a little. That was probably Laurance...he texted me saying he was going to come over a bit earlier... I can't handle this...

I jogged over to the door, waiting a hesitant moment before opening it. Unsurprisingly, Laurance was on the other side. I rarely see him out of his school uniform...it's odd...

"Yo, Garroth. Glad to see I got to the right house," Laurance chuckled, looking behind me. "Wow, you got a really big house."

I bit my lip, glancing behind me. "Y-Yeah, I guess so... A-Anyways, would you like t-to come in..?"

"That'd be cool," Laurance chuckled some more. I stepped aside, allowing Laurance to walk in.

"Garroth! Who is it?" My dad's voice boomed.

I jumped a little, turning to face him. I bit my lip harder, holding my hands together tightly. I have to stay calm...and collected. This is my dad.

That is how he'd want me to act. I am a good host. I am a gentleman. I am a kind, young man. I am a good Ro'Meave. I am a good son. That's what he wants me to be, so that's what I must be.

"Dad, this is Laurance. He's my friend from school. Laurance, this is my dad!" I chirped, introducing the two.

Laurance stuck out his hand, a big smile plastered on his face. Dad looked him up and down, facial expressions unchanging. He hesitantly shook Laurance's hand, gazes locked.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Ro'Meave!"

"Same to you, Laurance," Dad let go of his hand, looking at me. "Garroth, may I speak with you for a moment?"

"U-uh...sure. I'll be right back, Laurance."

Dad lead me into the kitchen, shutting the door behind us. He turned to look at me, a somewhat stern expression on his face.

"So, this Laurance fella...what are you planning to do with him, while he's here?" My father's voice was sort of threatening.

"W-what?!" Heat rose to my face, and I nervously bit my lip. "W-what a-are y-you t-talking a-about..?"

"Nothing...bad, right? Nothing that will shame your name."

"I-I don't know w-what y-you're getting a-at!" I honestly exclaimed.

"Because, you know that your mother and I are going out on a business trip... So, you remember that you are going to be home alone, aside from your brothers... Even then... It just so happens to be the day, where you decided to bring a new friend over. Something seem off here to you, young man?"

I felt my face get hotter, and I balled my fists out of anger. "You don't trust me?!"

"No, I trust you. I don't trust that boy. There's something off about him."

"D-Dad! I don't think of him that way!" I lied. "Besides, he likes girls! I am not a girl!"

"Don't raise your tone of voice at me, Garroth! I am just saying, be wary. I don't trust him."

I regret allowing my mom, to ever tell my dad, that I was attracted to another guy!

"Whatever," I scoffed, crossing my arms.

"Excuse me?!" Father snapped.

"N-Nothing... S-Sorry, Father," I quickly apologized.

"Hm...well... I'm going to be taking my leave, with your mother. Don't do anything dumb," Father started towards the kitchen door.

I lagged behind him, meeting back up with Laurance. I watched Father walk out of the house, Mommy following behind him. When the front door shut, I turned back to Laurance.

"That was Garte Ro'Meave," Laurance stated, a tone of being stunned in his voice. "Right?"

"My dad," I sighed, stretching my arms. "Yeah...that was him."

"He hates me, doesn't he?"

"Huh?" I rose an eyebrow at Laurance. How could he have figured that one out?

"I could tell, by the look he was giving me..," Laurance nervously chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Lucinda's mom, gave me the same look, when I went over to her house. I know that look very well, on a parent."

"N-No, he doesn't hate you," I lied, kicking my feet. "That's just him normally. He's a tad odd."

"Well, anyways...wanna go up to your room?" He asked.

I'm dead. I died. Laurance you killed me.

"U-uh...a-actually...why d-don't stay down h-here, in t-the living room? R-Right? W-Wait for Dante and T-Travis?"

"Oh, okay! Sure!"

This is going to be a long night...

~~~