Message in a Bottle [LGBTQ+] [ONC 2024]

Chapter Three

The next morning, Eli rested the bottle amongst the smooth stones and slowly flowing waves at the bottom of the stream. He almost backed out. When he crouched below the stream, wobbling to try to keep his balance, Eli wondered if he was making a mistake. If it were a big game from someone at school, he was playing into their hands. Did he want the humiliation?

In the end, Eli decided that it wouldn't hurt to try. Maybe there really was someone out there who liked the same things he liked and wouldn't mock him the same way everyone else did. He wouldn't know unless he tried.

He left the bottle in the stream on the way to school with the intention of checking it on his way home, though he didn't expect a reply that quickly. For the moment, he had to suffer through a day of school when the sun raged outside and the pond called his name on the breeze. Constance disappeared ahead of him long before they reached the red-brick school building in the village, and Eli jogged to catch up with her just as she disappeared inside.

"Oi, Webster," Peter Upton yelled. He shoved Eli hard in the left shoulder, causing him to stumble on the grass. "We need a new scarecrow for our upper field. Reckon you want the job?"

Eli turned, raising an eyebrow. "I think you've got it covered. One look at you and the crows won't fly within a mile of the field."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just that your parents shouldn't have to cough up the money for a new scarecrow when they have you."

Peter's fist dived into Eli's stomach before he had a chance to move or react. Pain spread through his body and Eli doubled over, clutching his stomach. He coughed, swallowing the bile in the back of his throat. Peter leaned close to his ear, his warm breath tickling Eli's skin.

"Say that again and I'll do more than just a blow to the stomach. Understand?"

Eli nodded, still clutching his stomach.

"Good. I'm glad we understand each other."

Peter patted Eli on the shoulder. He brushed past him and headed up the few stone steps and into the school building flanked by Luke and Michael. Eli massaged his stomach, staring at the light green grass that curled around his worn leather boots. The pain faded, but he knew he would have a sizable bruise come the next morning.

He knew he was making a mistake the moment the words left his lips, but he couldn't help himself. Peter had never been all that quick to respond to insults and Eli had been counting on that, but he had been quicker on the uptake than Eli expected. The damage was done.

Eli straightened up, rolled his shoulders back, and climbed the stone steps into the school building. Voices echoed through the brick building, bouncing off the walls of the classroom just a few paces ahead of him. He placed his lunch pail in the cloakroom. Eli hurried into the room and slipped into one of the wooden benches at the very back of the room to keep himself out of sight.

No one paid him any mind, and even Constance was too busy with her friend Alice to notice him. Eli preferred it that way. A few rows ahead of him, Peter turned around and looked at him, a snarl forming on his face.

"Alright, class, let's settle down and get this day underway," Mr Fredricks said. He dropped a stack of books onto the large oak desk at the head of the classroom.

Eli breathed a small sigh of relief when class began, throwing himself into the mathematics and science lessons that he thrived in. School was always somewhere he could be himself and one of the few places he excelled in. No one was yelling at him for doing something wrong, and the only people who muttered underhand comments were people Eli had learnt to ignore over the years.

Throughout the day, he found his mind drifting to the small glass bottle resting at the bottom of the stream. He wondered whether Samuel had replied yet or if he would find himself yet again the laughingstock of the school come the next morning. Eli looked around the room, staring at the backs of his classmates' heads, wondering who could be responsible. No one stood out to him, but he was more than certain there was no one in his class called Samuel Owens.

"Mr Webster, could I have a moment of your time?" Mr Fredricks asked as the class was dismissed for the day.

Eli tucked his books under his arm, waved to Constance to leave, and approached the desk. "Yes, sir?"

"I received a letter this morning from a colleague in the city, someone I went to school with. They are hosting a nationwide test in a few weeks and each teacher is allowed to send one student to sit the test." Mr Fredricks smoothed a sheet of paper on his desk. "I think it should be you."

"Me? Why me?"

"You are the best student I have and the only likely candidate to go up against students from across the country. There is a prize; a scholarship to the university of your choice if you come in the top three. I believe you have a good chance."

"But I can't. My papa needs me on the farm and we can't afford a trip to the city."

"The cost will be funded by the school." He held a piece of paper out to him, his cursive scrawl staring up at him. "Give this to your parents. It will explain everything."

"Yes, sir." Eli grabbed the letter and let it rest on the top of the books and writing slate.

"This could be good for you, Mr Webster. University could be good."

He nodded, knowing all that would come from his mouth would be a string of protests. Even with the letter, he was more than certain his father wouldn't let him go. He already complained about having to do more work with him there. It would be far more if he travelled to the city to take the test.

Mr Fredricks dismissed Eli with a slight furrow of his eyebrows and a wave of his hand. Eli jogged down the stone steps, eyeing the letter, but pushed it to the back of his mind as his headed to the stream in the hopes of finding a reply to my letter.

~~~

First Published - March 23rd, 2024