Uniform

Fights and Secrets

I wake up to my alarm blaring and already dread that it is Monday once again. I just spent most of Sunday lying in bed, watching YouTube videos, and playing games on my phone. I look over to my nightstand, and as always, the bandages are sitting there. It's only been a week, and I'm already sick of putting them on every morning for school.

I begrudgingly pull the blankets off and sit up in bed. I never took my hoodie and pajama bottoms off. I slowly start to undress, looking at my arms and legs and seeing that some of the older bruises are barely there now. The hickey on my neck is the most visible bruise now, but it'll be covered completely once I have my uniform on. 

I got to my dresser and pulled out a pair of underwear, slipping them on, and I walked back over to the nightstand, picking up the bandages. I walk over to the mirror and slowly start to bind my chest. There's a knock on my door followed by "Sage, are you up?" Spoken quietly through the door by Aaron. "Yeah, I'm up," I answer tiredly as I continue to bind my chest. As I'm finishing, I hear a knock and the door opening. I turn around quickly to see Bailey and go back to looking in the mirror to finish my binding. " I thought you might need some help," she says. "Just the tie, I'm used to the bandages," I say back. She quietly exits my room, and I continue to get dressed for school.

I come downstairs fully dressed except for having my tie in my pocket. I walk into the kitchen, seeing both Aaron and Bailey making cups of coffee. "Can I have help with my tie, please?" Without answering, Aaron stops making his coffee and immediately walks over to me. I hand him the tie out of my pocket, and as he starts tying it for me, he says, "I know this has been a huge change for you and us, but we just want what's best for you. We need to establish some rules so we don't have another repeat of Friday, ok?" I nod my head in understanding, and he goes back to making his coffee.

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As soon as I get to school, I go straight to my locker. As I'm unlocking it, I feel arms wrap around my waist and a chin placed on top of my head. "Good Morning, handsome," Eli says, squeezing me. I smile at the affection he is showing, but worry that inevitably he'll know my secret. I'm about to close my locker with Eli still holding me when I hear a yell down the hallway, "Wow, he is a faggot!" I look down the hall to see Ollie and Rory laughing, and Hunter smugly smiling. I close my locker and feel Eli immediately let go of me. "I don't remember you being homophobic when I caught you sucking Ollie's cock!" Eli yelled back at Hunter. Hunter's smile immediately dropped, Ollie stopped laughing, and Rory looked utterly confused by what was just said. I know Eli told me Hunter cheated on him, but he didn't tell me that.

Eli starts speed walking down the hall to Hunter, and I know exactly what's about to go down. As soon as he reaches Hunter, he socks him in the face. Ollie and Rory stand back, shocked as Hunter stumbles back a little. Before he can regain his balance, Eli grabs Hunter by the collar and drags him into a bathroom that's across the hall from where they were standing. Ollie and Rory stand there, totally stunned for a moment before spotting me still standing at my locker. Rory, with anger in his eyes, starts to angrily walk towards me while Ollie is still stunned in his tracks. Rory notices Ollie not following and starts to say something, and as his back is turned, I take that as my chance to bolt.

Luckily, Rory and Ollie didn't follow me after I ran away. I can't stop thinking about the fact that Hunter cheated on Eli with Ollie, and somehow, he bullies anyone else he thinks is gay. The bell rings, and I head to class, hoping that my bullies don't find me later in the day for not being able to get me this morning.

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I see Eli for the first time this morning at lunch, and surprisingly, there's not a scratch on him. Before I even sit down, I can't help but apologize for running away and dragging him into this. Eli smiles and says, "The beat down was long overdue, and none of them will be bothering you again." I'm completely shocked that there is no way he believes they're just gonna stop beating me up. Eli won't always be around to protect me, but I know they'll take the chance. "Do you wanna come over again today after school?" He asks. "Yeah, sure," I say, still lost in thought. Then he grabs my chin, gently pulling my face up to look him in the eyes. "It's all handled, love. Everyone knows that Hunter and Ollie are just big hypocrites now. Trust me, they won't lay another finger on you." I nod, and he smiles reassuringly. I make sure to immediately text Aaron, letting him know I'll be working on my science project and asking if there is a specific time he wants me to be home. He texts back saying I need to be home by 10 pm, and I immediately set an alarm for 9 pm because I don't want to be even a minute late after what happened on Friday.