My List of Mistakes

My Happiness is Your Dread

As their little get away came to it's end, Elliot dropped Nathan back off at home before going to his own.

It's was just another lazy day of finishing homework and crashing on the couch that folded into the next.

A sleepy teen dragged himself through the halls of his school, yawning and rubbing his eyes. It was spring now and the weather was getting nice so cargo shorts and a tank top seemed like an appropriate outfit. Elliot made it to his locker and pulled off his beanie, ruffling his hair and pulled the trick locked door open.

He took his time like he always did, gathering everything he needed in between sips of coffee. When finally he had it all, and he was at a comfortable awareness, he headed to class, doodling on his cup once he got there and trying desperately to ignore the whispers that had started. Ever since Nathan's outburst the entire school had started to figure them out. Elliot didn't have a problem with it per-say but he knew that it wouldn't just be him that got picked in anymore. It would be Nathan too.

As the jock group walked Into the class, Elliot kept his head down and held his breath, praying they wouldn't notice him I'd would just decide to leave him alone. Of course he had no such luck.

"Look at who we have here!" David laughed, putting his hands in his shoulders.

"Don't touch me asshat."

"Big words for someone who gets their ass beat so easily!"

Elliot shoved him off and looked back down at the papers in front of him, writing away.

"What are these princess!?" He grabbed the papers and lifted them up. "... and dawn broke, the sun filtering through the stained glass windows of the church to reveal that sanctuary still stood for the people. The walls had held up and the ground remained as it had been. The prince stood with his people in a glorious victory!"

"Those are mine!" Elliot growled, standing up. "Give them back."

"Oh? Is someone writing a fairytale!?" He flipped through them, looking at the fine sketches that went with it all. "Wow.. Look at this. You really put a lot of effort into this, huh? Be a shame if something happened to it." David pulled out a lighter and walked over to the garbage.

The other student changed. "Do it. Do it!"

Elliot's eyes went wide. "Don't you dare!"

"What are you gonna do!?"

The flame sparked up and Elliot ran for it, jumping for his papers and snatching them away just as the corner caught, burning for a send before blowing out. He clutched the papers to his chest as he hit the ground, panting and looking up at him. "Why do you have to be so cruel!?"

"Is the baby gonna cry?" He smirked, grabbing him by his shirt and hauling him up. "You're lucky I don't fucking kill you." He laughed, slamming him into the door.

"What's your problem with me!? What did I ever do!?"

"You're a freak! You like it up the ass! That's disgusting. You should act like normal humans!"

He spat at him, raising his leg up to kick him in the stomach. "I am normal!"

David staggered back, running at him. Elliot's ducked and David slammed his hand off the wooden door, the sound of a crunch and a crack were heard as the teen cried out.

Elliot's looked up to see David's hand turning purple as he realized it was broken.

David looked down at him. "I'm going to kill you so this. I'm going to ruin you!" He growled and headed off, out of the school.

Elliot's sat there panting and squeezing his art to his chest. The other students glared at him, shouting cruel things. He stood slowly, walked back in and grabbed his things so he could run as fast as he could home.
-:-

The teen had run all the way home, due to the fact he still hadn't gotten a new car. He burst through the door, shaking and panting. "Mom... Mom!"

Even was out of the kitchen and running to him in a heart beat. "Honey... Elliot what's wrong?" She looked him over, concerned.

"They... David.... They know! Everyone knows! David started picking on me and he tried to burn my book so I chased him and got it back and so broke his hand.."

"You broke his hand!?"

"Well not directly!" He leaned against the wall. "Mom he slammed his fist off the door and broke it.... He's gonna kill me."

"No he won't. Elliot's he won't touch you." She assured, helping him to sit down. "Look... Why don't you just relax okay? You can go back to school later if you're feeling up to it but for now just relax... I'll make you some lunch later okay?"

He shifted nodded, still very shaken up.

Eve took him to the kitchen and sat him in a chair, putting a blanket over his shoulders and turning to work. "Is the story okay?" She asked, glancing back at the singed drawing.

"Yeah.. It's okay. The corner is a little burnt but it's okay." He sniffled and raced his fingers over the sketches. "Can I open a window? It's a little stuffy in here." She stood once his mother had given the approval, opening up the window to let the crisp, spring, Colorado air fill the house.

"It's a nice day." Eve smiled and played the grilled cheeses. "You and I should take a day and go to the cherry blossom festival. You can sketch and I'll pick up some fresh flavoring for my cakes."

"I'd like that mom."

"You can bring Nathan... It's only about a month away. It'll be a blast." She kissed his cheek and sat up next to him. "Tuck in."
-:-

Natthan had been counting the days down until he could be with Elliot again. To be honest he missed school and he really needed to get out of the house. Eve had kept him updated on the things happening in his boyfriend's life, making sure he knew when he was happy and sad.

He'd noticed the way people had started to talk to him, making snide remarks and clearly hiding him. He hated it. It's was only a few dad until he could get back into baseball and have Elliot's cheering for him, even if it meant others judged them.

When another morning rose and he headed to school, finally content to be out if the house, he headed to his locker. This time it was different. There were post-it notes covering it, reading 'faggot' and 'queer'. He shook his head and looked around, seeing the other students laughing and pointing. From down the hall he could see Elliot walking towards him so he quickly brushed the notes away and opened the door.

"It's good to see you back in school." Elliot said happily, kissing his cheek.

The affection made all of the sadness melt away. "Yeah. I missed you. Bummer we didn't get to hang out that much."

"Yeah well, it was nice, last weekend." He wiggled his eyes brows and shifted his shoulder bag.

"Yes it was." He laughed and g
Rubbed his things, closing the door and taking Elliot's hand to walk down the hall. "Everything okay? I heard what happened with David."

"It's fine. I haven't seen him since so I'm not really worried."

Nathan nodded and shrugged. When they'd made it to his class, Elliot's bent down, kissing him softly. "I'm glad we can do this in the open."

"Mhm..." He nodded slowly and pursed his lips, looking up at the tall boy.

"I love you Nate. See you at lunch." He pecked his lips and headed off again.

Nathan stood there, feeling all of the eyes on him as he looked around, swallowing and ducking into his class room, taking his seat. The moment he did he got a feeling of dread as the class began to talk about him.

Maybe he wasn't ready for this.