Pride

Chapter 12

A double update because y'all deserve it for being so patient with me!

Emrys stared out the window of Bonnie's car at the familiar impala in the school parking lot. His stomach twisted in anger and maybe a bit of jealousy as he watched Ryder and Arran sit together. Ryder smoking a cigarette and Arran being his usual quiet and unbothered self. That should have been Emrys next to him. Emrys should have been the one he rode to school with. Emrys should have been the one making him smile and keeping him company.

"Hey" He almost jumped at Bonnie's stern voice as the car pulled into her reserved parking space. "Quit looking at him. Remember, you've outgrown him. He's a bigot that treats you like shit and you deserve better. Alright?" Emrys nodded along feeling a sudden warmth in his chest. Arran had a lot of growing to do before he deserved Emrys... Emrys wasn't sure he'd believe that without Bonnie's support. She grinned and placed a sisterly kiss on Emrys' cheek before climbing out of the car with Emrys close behind.

He had almost forgotten how much he liked hanging out with Bonnie. All of his attention had been put toward Arran these past few weeks that he had nearly forgotten about his other friends. He had known Bonnie for years and was thrilled when he first met her. They had always gotten along and always paired off together for school projects and presentations. Why? Because Emrys was an extrovert that could sell anything to anyone and Bonnie was a genius that made sure their work actually made sense. The perfect most unstoppable duo.

Emrys kept his head high as they made their way past Arran and Ryder despite wanting to shrink into a shell and die. He had always joked about running away to Mexico but it didn't sound half bad at that moment. He spoke fluent Spanish, he wasn't a complete idiot, and he would be far away from Arran and Ryder. Seemed like a perfect deal.

"I hope someone jumps out of the shadows and chokes me right now so I don't have to be here" Emrys blurted out receiving an annoyed look from Bonnie. "Don't look at me like that"

"I'm pretty sure dying is like the worst way possible to solve this" Bonnie deadpanned.

"Who said anything about dying? Maybe I'm just like hella kinky?" Emrys lightly joked in an attempt to calm his nerves. Making people laugh always seemed to relax him and in this case, it worked again because Bonnie snorted and lightly shoved him.

"You're so funny" Bonnie mocked, sarcasm dripping from her voice. Emrys went to respond when a whistle broke out from behind them and they both risked a glance back at Ryder.

"Hey, Bonnie. What is it with you and hanging around fags? I mean, first Arcadia and now Emrys? A pretty girl like yourself shouldn't go so low" Ryder scoffed. Bonnie's face fell and Emrys simply rolled his eyes. He wasn't necessarily out, but he didn't try and hide it either. He happily painted his nails, sewed rainbow patches on his jean jacket, and listened to queer artists often enough. He didn't care if people found out any more, the only reason he really bothered to keep it a secret was for Arran's sake.

"Shut up, Ryder" Bonnie rolled her eyes before grabbing onto the sleeve of Emrys' jacket and trying to tug him away but Emrys didn't budge. Despite Arran glaring daggers at him, silently begging him to keep his mouth shut and keep walking, he was ready to give Ryder a piece of his mind. He had spent his entire life being called a fag by Ryder. Being called a dirty immigrant, being called illegal, and mocked for his first language. Letting Ryder tear him apart in front of others for a good laugh and he was just done.

"Keep talking" Emrys challenged. Ryder's eyebrows shot up in surprise and he slid off the hood of the car as he sized Emrys up. Emrys was shorter and not as muscular as Ryder, he knew that much. He had less experience fighting because Arran tended to fight most of his battles for him, but he was willing to get his ass beat if it meant he could punch Ryder in the jaw at least once in his life.