Passion

Chapter One - Lakeside

AN: Here's some fiction finally! Not based on anything in real life, just something random for the fun of it. All characters are mine :)

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School. Tedious bookwork and hours of listening to teachers talking. I can hardly stand it. All I ever want to do is go home, blast some heavy music, and draw something. I love art, and can hardly contain myself from creating some kind of art all day at school.

"Hey, were you even listening? God you're so disgusting."

I snapped my head up to see a small mousy-haired girl leaning over me, a disdainful sneer plastered on her glossy red lips. "Sorry, what did you say?" I asked, pulling my earbuds out. The tinny sound of the loud music was still audible.

She rolled her dark brown eyes and impatiently repeated herself. "I don't know why I have to ask you of all people, but I said, can I borrow your math notes?"

I wanted to refuse. To not give her the notes crucial to her grades, to just let her fail. She was a bitch to everyone who was different, like me.

I'm a guy, but I'm very artistic, and I don't like any of the typically "masculine" things like sports. I'm openly gay, and since I don't try to hide it I get targeted and attacked. It hurts, but I deal with it.

I put my music back in and resumed my doodling. A beaten angel with hollow eyes, visible ribs, and many brutal wounds. Tears of blood stained its alabaster face. I drew things that were dark and twisted like this just to get the emotions out.

The rest of the day went by as a blur. I went from class to class, barely listening to anyone, drawing in my notebooks, until the final bell rang. Finally, I could escape this place. Escape the faces, mocking me and looking at me in disgust. The stares have gotten worse since my breakup with Andrew, and I couldn't handle that on top of my own heartbreak.

He was my only boyfriend since coming out, but he ended the relationship brutally right after I confessed that I was in love with him. He told me he was only with me for fun. It crushed me.

I left my school books in my locker, knowing I wouldn't bother with any homework. Instead of walking straight home I decided to take a detour through the woods by the lake. The sky was dark with rain, but that only made me smile. I walked until I came to the edge of the lake where it was far from the roads, with only grass and trees in sight. It was stunning. I had a moment where I wished I had my camera to take a photo, but then I forced that thought away. I should just enjoy actually being here.

I started singing softly, then gradually increasing the volume as I got comfortable with my voice. I changed lyrics and put songs together into one, however they came to mind. I had a voice that sounded like a girl, but for singing I didn't mind. Girls are better at singing.

"You have a beautiful voice," I heard someone say when I came to a lull in my singing. I flinched so badly I nearly fell into the lake. I turned around to see a slender figure, barely visible in the fading blue light beneath the trees. He blended right into the darkness, but his gold eyes stood out. They were inquisitive and intelligent, like a fox's eyes. From what I could see, he had a strong build and plain dark clothes that almost vanished into his skin. I didn't recognize him, but then I didn't know many people at school.

"How long have you been there?" I asked after a moment to calm my startled heartbeat. "And who the hell are you?"

The boy stepped out from under the trees. His footsteps were nearly silent, despite his size. "Just long enough to hear your beautiful singing. And my name's Jax," he added with a smile. I couldn't help but notice that it was a handsome smile.