BESTFRIENDS

Hard Knock Life

James P.O.V

Its been a whole month and I got away with Cutie hiding out in the basement with me. I was so positive no one would come down that I started leaving the door unlock most days and nights. Cutie told me I shouldn't so whenever I forgot to he ran behind me and did it his self. I laughed every time as he sprinted to the door to check and see if I locked it or not. His face been on the front page of every news paper in sight for this past month. I try to buy them all with his money but I can't cut everybody's power either. The first night he stayed we watched the news together and I was beyond angry after hearing what their accusing him for. He never really expressed what happened so my first instinct was to believe what they were saying. Why would they lie on him?

Flashback

He saw the look I gave him and he shook his head. "I didn't do it." He cried out. I inhaled my pump and stared at him the same. I didn't know what to do, what to say, or what to believe. I got up and made my way across the room to the door. "But why would they lie on you Cutie." "Because I'm not there to back myself up so of course they gone accuse me. I only killed Sam because he killed Frankie and Austin, but it ain't no telling what my mama done told them." "Austin." I murmured to myself. He was a good friend, the only one I had at that. He wasn't the sharpest or the least bit of level headed, but he didn't deserve to die like that. "You can't believe everything you hear." Cutie said pressing the power button on the remote. I really did want to believe him but what if its all lie. Innocent people don't run, they argue their case. "So should I listen to you." I asked. "You believe I did this.... I lost my fxcking mind when I killed my aunt after she raped me and you think I'd want to experience that all over again." "No." I said unsurely just by his tone raising. "I can't believe you." He beat his head against the wall and right then and there I realized that he was a crazy and dangerous individual. But something in me made me want to help instead of push him further away. Maybe he's telling the truth. I guess I have to step in his shoes and visualize it all, and I don't know how I'd react if he didn't believe me. I probably would start popping pills. I seriously need some help for even thinking like this. "Cutie no." After his head hit the wall it was like he knocked hisself out. He fell over to the floor and I got down on my knees and open his right eye lid. He looked like he was in a daze so I just took the entire ice tray out my fridge and put it on his forehead. "You alright." He didn't respond at all so I just layed with him on the floor the rest of the night. To this day, we still don't discuss what happened that night and I'm fine with that.

Present

"So how'd your last day of school go?" Cutie asked as I took the bag off my back and tossed it on the bed. I should've tossed in the trash since I'd never where it again. This new school been all of what I been missing and wanting for the longest. I could finally start over and since no one knew that I was gay, I made it my goal that no one found out. I fit in perfectly being someone I'm not. Its not like Im ashamed of myself anymore; Im just careful with how I present myself to others because not everyone is open minded about centering themselves around homosexuals. Plus I know how it is to be criticized for being myself and I'd dread having to face the hardships of coming out all over again. Its depressing. "School was good. I'm glad I aced all my tests and I can't wait to graduate tomorrow." I did a little dance because I'm so excited. Words can't even explain how happy I am. I'm gonna finally be free to do what ever I want. I even started working at Old Navy, but Cutie told me I didnt have too. Even though he had enough money to last us for a life time, I have to learn to fend for myself. I can't always depend on my mama, my grand pop, or Cutie. I gotta step up and do it for me. Him living here been risky and it sometimes stresses me out knowing that I could take some blame for holding him hostage in my grand pops basement, if he was ever to get caught. "Im proud of you." He grabbed my hands and I sat down in his lap and snuggled my head in the crook of his neck. "Thanks." I picked at the small strands of hair beginning to grow on his chin and he blushed. "Stop... But You Welcome and I got you a little something." "What is it." I jabbed him in the chest playfully and he lifted up a little and grabbed something out his pocket. It wasn't what I was expecting but I wasn't turning down my twix. "How." I gladly took it but I was surprised. "Dont worry about it." He held his index finger up to my lips and even though I hated him leaving, I let this slide because I was hungry. I open the wrapper quickly and took one bite. My mouth watered and the carmel and chocolate melted automatically. I'm so in love with twix. I could eat one for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. "You not gone share." He asked and I looked at him as if he was speaking another language. He know I'll share any and everything but my twix.