In which Hopper Abel lived a lie. That was until he met someone he could truely be himself with, Arvin Russell, his best friend.
But just when he thinks he could have some peace in his sad and lonely life, chaos erupts and now the person who was al...
Book: Sinner Like Me, The Devil All The Time Chapter 2: The Birthday Boy Word Count: 1400
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Years had past and Hopper now lived in a place called Coal Creek. It was a small, quiet town where everybody knew everybody. He had changed quite a bit from his younger self. He didn't let anyone push him around. He wasn't the same coward he used to be.
Though still no one knew his secret and he kept it that way. He even had a girlfriend here and there to avoid any suspicions. His parents were so happy with him, though that happiness didn't last as he would break up with them after only a couple weeks.
He had sex with a couple of them. Sex was supposed to feel wonderful and you were supposed to enjoy it. For him it was more of a chore, getting it over and done with so his girlfriends would stop whining to him. He'd have to close his eyes and imagine something else. It was the only way he could do it.
He didn't have many friends, this time it was by choice. The less people he was friendly with the less people he had to put up an act with. He had two friends, Arvin and Lenora. His parents had practically forced the friendship.
Mr and Mrs Abel enjoyed the company of Emma Russell so much that they forced him to become friends with the two kids she took care of. Mrs Abel even had it in her mind that he and Lenora would end up together. They'd be waiting a while.
He was currently at the Russell household, celebrating Arvin's 19th birthday. He took a long drag of his cigarette, blowing the smoke from his lips.
A small cake with one candle was placed in front of Arvin and the boy put his own smoke out, listening as he was wished happy birthday. He heard nothing from Hopper and turned to him. "Where's my happy birthday?"
Hopper smiled at his best friend sarcastically. "Happy birthday, dick." He said, receiving a slap on the arm from Emma. Even though the friendship had been forced at the start, Arvin and Hopper had formed a real friendship and Hopper would say he had never been closer to someone. Still, Arvin didn't know his secret and he would never know.
"That's more like it." Arvin said as Lenora leaned down to give him a hug.
"All right." Arvin stared at the candle but didn't make a move to blow it out.
"Make a wish before that candle burns out." Emma said.
"Yeah, we haven't got all night." Hopper said and took another drag of his smoke.
"It looks like a dandy cake." Emma's brother, Earskell spoke.
Arvin finally leaned forward and stared at the candle for a moment. "Arvin!" Lenora said to him loudly.
"All right, hang on." It was only lit for another couple seconds before Arvin blew it out.
"That must have been one hell of a wish if it took you that long to figure it out." Hopper said and Arvin punched him in the arm. Hopper laughed and knocked him back.
