Love, Hate and the Line

Chapter 13

Owen's POV

I frowned when I saw Anna and Ben leaving the class, wondering if she was okay. Poor girl always trips over everything.

I made a move to get up and follow her, but Mrs. Bellane didn't allow me to.

"You allowed Ben and Anna to leave, why can't I?" I protested.

"Ben made a rather.. convincing argument as to why Anna should be let off for the next couple of lessons. I suggest you sit down."

I sighed. Convincing my ass. She just had the hots for Ashford. Who could blame her though, those hazel eyes, strong build: the guy was certifiably yummy.

I remained seated for the rest of the class, which I actually enjoyed. I was born for the stage. For that and for investment banking, according to my dad.

When we were dismissed, I got up and left the huge auditorium. I was surprised to see Ben standing directly outside of it. For some reason, he seemed royally pissed off.

"Hi, uhh, we haven't been formally introduced yet, but I'm Owen," I said, sticking out my hand. He glanced at me boredly, the scowl not leaving his face.

"I'm a friend of Anna's," I added. That seemed to gain his attention. He looked down at me now - I was pretty tall myself but nothing compared to the giant that was Ben Ashford - and inspected my face, still remaining silent. Holy moly with a touch of banoly, did that guy even have a tongue? "I was just wondering if she was okay? Seeing as you helped her out and stuff?"

Finally, he opened his mouth. "I don't see how that's any of your business."

I was slightly offended but my face didn't show it, always sporting a smile. "Well I'm only her best friend in the whole wide world," I said in a sing-songy voice. Wait. No. Too much of a gay stereotype.

He examined me for some more, frowning slightly. "Are you gay?" he asked.

"What?"

"It's kind of a yes-or-no question," he replied with a straight face.

I pondered telling him the truth, but I never knew when to tell the truth and when not to. I wasn't ashamed of my sexuality - as Gay Pride boat 19 would testify - but there were still a lot of people that were not okay with it, expressing itself in the legislation against gay marriage in plenty of states in the USA. 'Modern and progressive' my ass. Anyway, what I hated even more were people who start treating you differently in a positive way, constantly 'praising' you for being gay and making exceptions for you based on your sexuality. It's condescending, really. It's why Anna was my best friend. She made fun of me all the time, which didn't change after I came out of the closet. She still called me a pussy when I'd wear an entirely pink outfit - although really, the girl should start wearing some colours besides white, grey and blue - and joked about my lack of understanding of football.

Speaking of Anna, I hadn't missed the way Ben looked at her. Honestly, it was as if he wanted to mount her all the time. I was curious if I was right, though, so I decided to lie about my sexuality in order to figure out what Ben thought of Anna.

"Gay? What? No, of course not! Anna's actually more than a friend to me, we're kind of a thing.."

He clenched his jaw and glared at me as I provoked him further. "Who can blame me though, she's just hot with a capital H, have you seen that-"

I was interrupted rudely by him shoving me against the wall, his lower arm caging my neck. "You want to stop right there," he grunted threateningly. I knew it!

I smiled triumphantly as I tried to get out of his firm hold. Sadly, I only got trapped further. Struggling to speak, with my throat compressed and all, I squealed: "Kidding, I'm gay!"