The Sound Of Your Heart

TWENTY-EIGHT

MILES

It's been two weeks since Tyler and I started dating in secret. We decided to keep it low-key as much as possible; he's not ready to come out yet, and I'm not going to force him to do so. Besides, I enjoy the exhilaration of seeing each other in secret—the stolen moments when we hide in quiet corners of our school just to say how much we love each other and steal kisses.
 
The thrill of our secret relationship took an unexpected turn when Tyler started sneaking into my house in the middle of the night just to see me. At first, I was apprehensive about it. I didn't want to take risks, especially when my parents were asleep upstairs. But Tyler, with his playful, mischievous smile, would convince me that it would be worth it. And so, we would meet under the moonlight, tiptoeing through my backyard and slipping into my room like two shadows.
 
In our secret haven, we found a sanctuary from the world—a place where we didn't have to hide who we were. We would whisper sweet nothing and share our hopes and dreams. It was a space where we were free to be vulnerable and let our guards down without fear of judgment or rejection. Our connection grew stronger with every stolen moment.
 
As the weeks passed, our clandestine rendezvous took on a deeper meaning. The secret moments became more cherished, and the stolen kisses held more passion. We discovered the beauty of living in the present, appreciating the time we could spend together without worrying about the future.
 
However, as much as I relished these stolen moments, a part of me yearned for a love that didn't need to be hidden. I wondered how long we could keep our relationship concealed from the world and if it was fair to ask Tyler to continue living in secrecy.
 
I was sitting alone in silence at my usual table on the school grounds, engrossed in working on some school projects. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the approaching footsteps or the mischievous twinkle in someone's eye.
 
Suddenly, with a loud splat, a cold, sticky sensation disrupted my concentration. I sprung to my feet, my heart pounding, as I removed my headphones and wiped off the strawberry milkshake that now adorned my once-pristine masterpiece. My frustration quickly turned to anger as I followed the trail of laughter and mischief to its source.
 
There stood Jessica looking at me with an impish grin and raised eyebrow. Her eyes sparkled with a twisted sense of amusement as if what she had just done was the funniest thing in the world. Anger and confusion simmered within me. Why on earth would she pour her milkshake on my hard work?
 
The silence stretched awkwardly between us, broken only by the distant chatter of other students. Gradually, my initial rage subsided, replaced by curiosity and a desire to understand Jessica's motives. What had I done to warrant such a random act of destruction?
 
Taking a deep breath, I approached Jessica, determined to maintain my composure. "Why did you do that?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of irritation and genuine curiosity.

"Oops, sorry!" Her voice sarcastically exclaimed, accompanied by an eruption of laughter.
 
With a deep sigh, I managed to calm myself. "What is wrong with you, Jessica? What did I ever do to you?" I calmly asked her, my voice laced with confusion and hurt. She stood there, her face twisted with anger. Without saying a word, she grabbed Emily's milkshake from her grip and flung it at my face.
 
The cold liquid splattered against my skin, drenching me from head to toe. My mind raced, trying to comprehend why Jessica would resort to such an extreme action. The sugary concoction dripped down my face, blending with my tears of disbelief and hurt.
 
"Jessica, stop! What are you doing? This is insane!" Emily exclaimed as she rushed to my side, helping me wipe the sticky mess from my face.
 
"Disgusting fag, don't you ever think you could take Tyler away from me!" she muttered venomously, her words sounding more like a threat than an insult. I chose not to retaliate, not because I was afraid or weak, but simply because I refused to stoop to her level.

"Say something!" She mocked me, her voice dripping with condescension. I could feel the weight of her gaze boring into me, but I refused to let it sway me. I did not engage with people like her—those who thrived on the misery of others. Instead, I focused on packing my things up.
 
Her friends started to get loud and tease me after I ignored her, their words lashing out like daggers. Their ignorance wounded me in a way they could never understand.
 
Feeling the weight of their words, I made up my mind to escape the torment. As I turned to leave, my wrist suddenly felt a vice-like grip. Jessica's fingers dug into my flesh, her touch unexpectedly harsh. A flash of pain erupted across my arm, mingling with the bruises inflicted by my father the night before.
 
Excruciating pain coursed through me, stealing the breath from my lungs. I bit my lip, suppressing a cry. My eyes locked with Jessica's, seeking an explanation for this unexpected assault.
 
"Stop!" I begged her, my voice trembling with both pain and desperation. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over as the agony intensified. But instead of showing any hint of remorse, she seemed to relish in my suffering. Her grip tightened even further as if she were pleased with my pain.
 
It was a paradoxical moment; her face was adorned with a serene smile while my world crumbled under the weight of her sadistic enjoyment.
 
"He said STOP!" I stood frozen in disbelief as the familiar voice of Tyler boomed in my ears. His stern tone held an urgency I had never heard before. Confusion washed over me as he yelled from a distance, his words echoing through the school grounds. Startled, I watched as Tyler rushed towards us, his eyes blazing with determination. Without a second thought, he forcefully pushed Jessica away from me. Her delicate frame stumbled backward, her arms flailing as she struggled to regain her balance.