Tales of Hex

Meet up

"Shit I forgot my wallet!" Oran said as they were walking to Flora's house. "Don't worry I've got it", Maggie responded as she pulled out the wallet from her pocket. "Called it!" Tommy said with a slight chuckle. "You literally forget your wallet every single time we go out". Marcus wasn't really paying attention to their conversation. He was completely lost in thought, thinking about his childhood best friend.

But, what if this wasn't just a sweet reunion between old friends? What if it was some kind of trap and he was walking straight into some massive fist fight or something. He had seen him do it before. Ezra would get into fights with people often. Usually outside of school but sometimes during breaks. He would never lose and he'd often end up with blood on his face (which was usually not his).

Teachers at school didn't seem to care. Ezra was outstandingly smart, miles ahead of his peers. He was a straight A student and would be pushed to participate in various math tournaments. He was also the star of the baseball team. He was insanely fast and an amazing pitcher. Due to the immense succes the baseball team had gotten because of his skills all the other sports teams often got ignored.

Marcus would sometimes pass by during his practice. He liked watching him play. He looked so focused whenever he was on the field and Marcus could tell he was passionate about the sport. He had been wanting to go to one of the tournaments so he could witness his skills at their peak. But he had been to scared to. What if Ezra saw him watching? Wouldn't he think it was weird? I mean, they hadn't spoken to each other in years. Though the chances of Ezra even noticing him were slim.

Yet here he was, walking to the house of Ezra's best friend. Today he would finally be able to see him again, talk to him, listen to his warm voice and the stories he had to tell. A smile spread across his face at the thought. Maggie noticed.

"Watcha thinkin' about?"
"N-nothing!" Marcus said, being slightly startled. "He's probably thinking about the fact that he'll definitely get murdered today", Tommy joked. "Yeah what do you think she meant when she said he has 'an interest' in you? Kinda creepy if you ask me." Oran added. "Oh stop it, you're scaring him!" Maggie giggled. "Don't worry Marco it's gonna be just fine."

As they continued walking his friends kept joking about Ezra and what he'd be like. After all none of them had actually spoken to him in person. For all they knew he could actually be a massive softy but that didn't seem very likely. He had always seemed like the more quiet type never really speaking much and using nothing but his actions to intimidate people.

"I think we're here." Maggie said, double checking the address on her phone. "Yup this is definitely it!"
"No, you're joking right?" Tommy asked as he stared at the ginormous black gate in front of them. Behind the gate there was none other the the Of Athene mansion. Everyone in the neighbourhood knew about this place. It was said to be worth at least 20 million dollars.

It stood out amongst the other small suburban houses in the neighbourhood. The massive black gate, the white mansion that hid behind it and the loud noises of parties that would seemingly never end.

After a while of taking in the giant house Maggie pressed a button that seemed to be the door bell. After a short wait the gate started to open. "Come right in!" A cheery voice dictated through a speaker. The voice seemed to belong to Flora herself.

After passing through the black door they were met with another giant door which was swiftly opened from the inside. "Hey Mags", Flora said first followed by a smooth: "and hello to you as well", directed at Marcus. She didn't even bother to acknowledge the other two. "Nice place you got", Maggie said rather cheerfully. "Why thank you".   

They were escorted to a large sitting area with an expensive looking white couch. A fluffy white carpet decorated the floor beneath the couch. The whole house looked futuristic and sleek with a minimalistic, black and white decor. They sat down on the large couch.

Marcus kept frantically looking around. His eyes searching for those familiar baby blue orbs that belonged to his former best friend. Sadly he couldn't find them anywhere. After working up the courage he finally decided to ask.

"U-Uhm where is he?" Marcus stuttered quietly.  "Who? Ezra? I'm afraid he won't be coming dear". That hit Marcus like a ton of bricks. For some reason he felt relieved but also betrayed. "I know, I know and I'm truly sorry but he cancelled on me last minute".
"O-Oh, w-well that's okay", Marcus finally replied.

The rest of the day was a blur for Marcus. The girls seemed to be hitting it off. And the guys were having fun in their own way. They got a tour of the house and then went out for some drinks at a local café. Flora paid and that was it. Nothing more, nothing less.

He stayed at Maggie and Oran's house for dinner. They had been his best friend since childhood. His dad worked a lot so Marcus often stayed over at their place for dinner and after school. Their parents had always treated him like a son and in the years they spent together he even started picking up some Japanese. Everyone in the house spoke English of course but some of them preferred speaking Japanese at home.

After dinner he walked home. In the dark. Alone. He didn't understand why he was upset. After all, he hadn't spoken to Ezra in years. He was probably a completely different person now. But when Flora said that he 'had an interest in him' he still felt his heart flutter. I mean, he knew he was gay but surely that wasn't what he was feeling?

No that's stupid. That's a stupid idea Marcus. That's what he told himself, and that's what he kept telling himself for months.