ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON TEN

Episode 105

Lewis Norland was pouting and rethinking this whole taking the rap for Diamond thing as he sat at his desk in his room the next morning drawing in his sketchbook. Today he was working on a pen and ink drawing of his foster brother Richie playing basketball in the Barrington Academy gym. He was so engrossed in the drawing that he almost didn't notice Richie stepping into the room with a pissed off look on his attractive angular dark skinned face. Of course he usually looked pissed off about something. Even when he was eating he looked pissed off , Lewis thought as he quickly closed the sketchbook so the other boy would not see it.

" Get out," he said weakly as he stood up in his school uniform and approached him. " You have gaming magazines now. You don't need mine. "

Richie sneered at him ," I don't want your damn magazines, Poke. I want to know why you did that dirty shit to Mr. G. He's a nice guy. He don't hurt nobody. What's up with your bougie White ass. Man supposed to be your fam and all. "

Lewis shook his head. " Leave me alone. " He turned away from him and Richie snatched his arm , pulling him back around to face him.

" No. Mr. Wide Load Jr. No. Tell me why. You know everyone mad at school right? You gone get ya behind kicked cause everyone loves Mr. G. I ain't protecting you again. I'll let them have you. And when they beat your ass don't be even crying like you do. "

Lewis felt like he wanted to cry now. He made a mistake but he couldn't see a way out of it now. Story of his life. Lewis the screw up. Just like at boarding school. Why couldn't he have just died with the pills? He couldn't even do that right. " Go away. I didn't ask you to protect me. Ever. Why would you even want to anyway? You hate me. "

Richie looked at him and there was something in his dark eyes that Lewis couldn't figure out. " I don't hate you," Richie said faintly.

" Yeah. Right. "

Richie shook his head and stared at him hard. Then he cussed words that would have raised eyebrows on Richard and Nigel if they had heard him. " Shit. Poke. You didn't do it. You lied. You idiot ! Who you lying for? "

" It doesn't matter. "

" It matters if you get your ass kicked. Or my ass protecting you. "

Then ," Lewis shot out tersely," then don't protect me ! Who asked you to ! You're not my real brother anyway ! You hate me. Just like Niles does and Rebecca. Just leave me alone."

" No. " Then a nervous looking Richie stepped closer to Lewis who was on the verge of tears and kissed him lightly on the lips.

Lewis responded for one small second and then jumped back with a surprised look on his face, his mouth opened like a giant O.

" I don't hate you, Lewis. Tell me what is going on. "

Lewis whispered," I'm..... I'm not like my dad. I don't think I am. I ...... I'm not gay. Maybe. "

Richie laughed. " Well I am. I like boys. Now tell me what you hiding, Poke. "