Just us

Chapter 2

Lukas

After helping Hunter back to his feet, I catch up to Ethan. "I need to talk to you. Like now." I glance over at River and notice he's almost in a trance. No emotion is displayed on his face and his feet shuffle unwillingly to his first hour.

"You wanna skip then?" Ethan replies, not looking at me, knowing I want to talk about whatever the fuck just happened. I'm pissed. I should have said something, done more. "Yea, I do. River, you ok?" I worriedly nudge him, feeling like I can't just leave him alone. He nods in response and speeds up, plastering a big smile on his face.

"I'll catch up with you guys later." His voice is shaky, and I can tell he's trying not to cry. I watch him disappear around the corner. I then turn around and head straight to the bathroom, knowing Ethan's following me without even checking. He'll follow me anywhere.

When we reach the bathroom, I grab his arm and pull him in, checking underneath stalls to see if it was empty. All clear.

Ethan stands wordlessly, dropping his backpack onto the ground beside him. I watch him, my anger building each second. Finally, I break.

"Ethan. What. The. Fuck. Was that?!" My voice echoes off the stall doors, and he flinches at my volume. Surprised I'm yelling at him. I keep going anyway. "I mean River's our friend?! Hunter was too. And you not only humiliated both of them, you probably forever ruined their relationship. Did you even notice Hunter's eyes? Did you even notice River's face? I put up with a lot of shit from you, because I understand it's not really you. But you fucked up this time Ethan. I mean you really fucked up." I run my hands through my hair, tugging at my scalp. I look away from him. Right now just looking at him makes me angry.

"What do you mean I fucked up? I helped them out, Luke. They would've been bullied. They would've been the laughing stock at school. And everyone would've known that they're fags."

The last word hits me. Hard. "Don't say that word, Ethan." My voice sounds dangerously low. "Don't fucking say that."

"Why? Why do you even care this much?" Ethan huffs. He won't look at me. Why won't he look at me?
I explode in anger. "Why do I care?! WHY DO I CARE?! I care because what you did was wrong." I didn't want this to be how I told him. If I told him at home when it was just us he would understand, he would accept it because it was me. Now, at school, around other people... this isn't going to be good.

I pause taking a shaky breath speaking quieter than before. "I care because I'm bi." His eyes whip to mine in shock and confusion shining in his bright blue eyes.

"The fuck do you mean you're bi?"

"Bisexual. I like girls and guys." I stare him down.
"Lukas. Are you being serious right now?" His face was full of disgust. I tried to ignore the stinging feeling of his betrayal.

"Yes. I'm being serious." Ethan stands there, running his hands through his hair angrily, not entirely sure how to react. I watch him carefully. He looks back up at me, eyes blank.

"But it's wrong Lu... it- it isn't right." He whispers, still showing no emotion. I shake my head and ask, "Who told you it was wrong? Who told you that it's not right?" He looks back down, avoiding my eyes again. That gives me my answer, "Your dad. The same one who yells at you for walking too loud. The same one who hits you when he's angry. The same one you cry to me about. Are you going to believe him, over me? I'm telling you right now, it's not wrong."

Silently, he turns from me. I also look away, trying to ignore the tears threatening to fall. "It's not wrong." He repeats. I look back towards him.

"No it's not, it's normal. Just like how you like girls, I just like them both." I have never been sure of Ethan's sexuality and I really don't think he's too sure either, but his dad ruined any chance at his coming out being a peacefull, accepting thing. It would be a huge struggle for him, mentally.