Pride

Chapter 7

"Ryder makes me want to scream" Emrys groaned as he rested his head against his best friend's shoulder. "My dad was really into soccer so I was planning on trying out, but this fucker was on the team"

"So you left?" Arran snorted. The two boys were much younger then. Maybe fifteen? Fresh into high school and still trying to figure out their place in town. The only thing that even made a little bit of sense was that Emrys liked Arran... And Arran liked Emrys, even if he didn't care to admit it. Their fingers intertwined like they had a million times before, and each time it always made the tall blonde's face redden.

"Actually, no. I made a joke about having a mommy kink and the coach asked me to leave..." Emrys awkwardly admitted. "But it was funny, so I regret nothing. That man just has no sense of humor"

"Dumbass" Arran scoffed, although he couldn't help smiling to himself. He'd never admit it, but he loved it when Emrys would drone on about his day. He loved listening to him talk, he loved his jokes, he loved how energetic he was... Arran wasn't a big talker. He was anxious, quiet, and reserved. Emrys was carefree, loud, and outgoing. But that was what made him so special.

Arran jokingly nudged Emrys like he always did when Emrys was being stupid. His arm lightly bumped into the boy's side and a low hiss of pain could be heard. Arran's eyes instantly snapped down to Emrys who was already avoiding his gaze.

"What is it?" Arran asked.

"Nothing" Emrys shrugged. Arran's eyebrow arched in disbelief. He ripped his hand away from Emrys and tugged the boy's hoodie up to reveal a dark bruise, painted blue and black on his skin.

"What the hell, Em? Nothing my ass. What happened?" Arran blurted out. Emrys rolled his eyes and shoved Arran away, waving him off.

"Just... A guy... Or two" Emrys muttered. He bit down on his bottom lip knowing very well who it was. Asper Hollows wasn't as racist as other towns... But it was still bad for Emrys because he was a part of the only Hispanic family. Of course, there was the Sandros family, but they were more black than Portuguese and didn't share a similar culture to Emrys.

A good portion of the town was Black or Asian so most of the town's prejudices had been or were beginning to be broken for those communities. They had community, Emrys didn't. He had forgotten how closed-minded Asper Hollows was toward him. Especially because Arran was always there to defend him. He had been careless and had been caught speaking to his Abuela on the phone in Spanish and Paul and Jeremiah just didn't like that.

"Don't freak out over it" Emrys quickly begged.

"Em-"

"Don't. Please... I'm alright" Emrys promised. "Don't do anything stupid... Please" he quietly begged. He glanced over at Arran who seemed to be seriously debating hunting down whoever had touched Emrys. If he did, Emrys would just feel guilty. He hated when Arran got into fights on Emrys's behalf. He always felt responsible for each bruise or cut he came out with.

Arran let out a long sigh and grabbed the back of Emrys's head, pulling the smaller boy into his chest. He pressed a loving kiss to his forehead and Emrys swore his heart was racing. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around Arran, not sure how long this would last. It never lasted long enough...

"Okay" Arran quietly promised. That was also the day that Arran promised himself that he'd protect Emrys no matter what. That he'd never leave his side...

"Fuck" Arran shouted before swinging to bat into the old and rusted Chevy once more. The window shattered with a satisfying smash which only led him to swing again, this time denting the door. He knew it probably wasn't the best thing in the world, but it was better than taking it out on actual people.