Because I'm scared to say the truth - Landoscar

·Chapter 11·

The school day dragged on for Oscar, each hour feeling longer than the last. After the encounter with Max, he found solace in Charles's presence. They sat together in the library during lunch, sharing quiet conversations and stolen glances. Charles kept a protective arm around Oscar, a gesture that both comforted and unsettled him. They were still navigating this new territory of their relationship, and the specter of Max and Carlos hung heavily over them.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Charles asked, his brow furrowing as he looked at Oscar.

"I'm fine," Oscar replied, but his voice lacked conviction. "Just a little shaken up, you know? It was just Max being... well, Max. From Carlos I did not expect anything after what happened between us."

Charles's jaw clenched, and Oscar could see the anger brewing beneath the surface. "I don't like the way he looked at you. No one should treat you like that, Oscar. I won't let him, Max, get away with it."

"Oscar?" Logan's voice broke through their conversation, and both boys turned to see him approaching. He looked slightly out of breath, as though he had been searching for them.

"Hey, Logan!" Oscar greeted, forcing a smile. "What's up?"

"I was looking for you guys. I wanted to ask if you wanted to join us at the café after school. Arthur's coming, too," Logan said, his eyes darting between Charles and Oscar.

"Sounds good," Oscar said, glancing at Charles, who nodded in agreement.

"Great! I'll let Arthur know," Logan replied before turning to leave. As he walked away, Oscar couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Logan's expression had been too intense, too focused, and Oscar wondered if he had picked up on the tension that surrounded him and Charles.

As the last bell rang, Oscar gathered his things and walked out of class with Charles by his side. They made their way to the parking lot, where they spotted Logan waiting impatiently. He looked agitated, and Oscar felt a knot tighten in his stomach.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Oscar asked, concern creeping into his voice.

"Nothing. Just let's go," Logan snapped, his eyes scanning the area as though he were looking for someone.

Oscar exchanged a worried glance with Charles. "Logan, seriously, what's going on?"

Before Logan could respond, a figure emerged from the crowd. It was Lando, laughing with George and Alex, completely unaware of the tension that was brewing. The sight of him made Oscar's heart race for reasons he couldn't explain. But the moment he caught sight of Logan's glare directed at Lando, Oscar felt a sense of dread wash over him.

"Logan, wait," Oscar urged, but it was too late. Logan stormed over to Lando, his anger palpable.

"Hey, you!" Logan shouted, causing several students to turn and stare.

Lando paused mid-laugh, his expression shifting from amusement to confusion. "What's your problem?"

"You think you can just mess with people and not face any consequences?" Logan spat, his fists clenched at his sides.

"Logan, stop!" Oscar shouted, rushing after him. "You don't know what happened!"

But Logan was too far gone, his rage blinding him to Oscar's pleas. "You think you can hurt Oscar and get away with it? You think it's funny?"

Lando's brow furrowed. "What the hell are you talking about? I didn't do anything to Oscar!"

"Yeah, right! Carlos and Max said that they heard you with Oscar in the bathroom!" Logan shot back, taking a threatening step toward Lando.

Oscar finally understood what happened so he tried to stop this confusion, grabbing Logan's arm. "Please, just listen to me for a second! Lando didn't do anything. It were Max and Carlos!"

The mention of Max's name seemed to stun Logan momentarily. He blinked, processing Oscar's words. "Max and Carlos? What does they have to do with this?"

Before Oscar could explain, Arthur appeared from behind, noticing the commotion. "What's going on?" he asked, stepping in between Lando and Logan, his eyes darting back and forth between them.

"Lando's the reason Oscar missed the rest of the class! He's been hurting him!" Logan accused, glaring at Lando as if he were the source of all their problems.

Arthur turned his gaze toward Lando, who looked equally confused and hurt by the accusation. "Logan, that's not true," Arthur said firmly. "Lando treated Oscar like a trash, but he wouldn't do that."

"Then why is Oscar hurt?" Logan shot back, still seething.

"Because of Max," Oscar interjected, trying to keep his voice steady. "He cornered me in the bathroom and tried to intimidate me. Lando had nothing to do with it."

Lando's expression shifted from confusion to concern as he processed Oscar's words. "What? Oscar, is that true?"

"Yes, but I'm okay now," Oscar reassured him, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his facade. "It just—Max is not in a good place right now. He's been acting out."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Lando asked, his voice softening as he stepped closer to Oscar.

"I didn't want to worry you," Oscar admitted, his heart racing as he looked into Lando's eyes. The warmth he saw there helped to ease his fears, but the tension in the air remained thick.

"Logan, you have to understand that Lando isn't the problem here," Arthur said, trying to mediate. "Max is Charles's boyfriend, so is his problem to talk to him."

Logan's anger seemed to dissipate as he processed Arthur's words. "I just don't want anyone to hurt Oscar," he muttered, still on edge.

"I appreciate that," Oscar said softly, placing a hand on Logan's shoulder. "But I'm okay. Really."

As the air around them began to clear, Oscar noticed the way Charles had been watching the interaction, his expression a mix of concern and relief. He stepped closer, putting a hand on Oscar's back. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I will be," Oscar replied, giving Charles a small smile, grateful for his support.

"Alright, let's just all take a breath," Arthur suggested. "Maybe we can go to that café now and chill out? We can talk more over coffee."

"I could use a coffee," Lando said, finally breaking the tension. "Sorry for the misunderstanding. I would never do anything to hurt Oscar."

"Yeah...as you say" Logan said, not believing a word. "Don't think I like you, Norris. You're nothing to me then a problem." Logan left them.

As they walked to the parking lot, the tension began to fade, replaced by the normalcy of teenage life—laughter and teasing. Charles stayed close to Oscar, bringing a sense of comfort to Oscar after everything that happened. Lando trailed behind, still processing the revelation about Max's attack on Oscar.

Arthur turned to Lando. "I'm sorry about earlier. I should've stepped in sooner, but I didn't know the full story."

"It's fine," Lando replied, glancing at Oscar "I just want to make sure Oscar's okay. In case you didn't catch, I kind of...like him... "

Charles joined them, sighing heavily. "I think everybody know now, but I'll talk to Max. He's been unpredictable lately, but he needs to know this crossed a line."

Oscar nodded. "I just want to feel safe again."

"You will be," Lando assured him. "I won't let this happen again. I will make sure that he and Carlos are never gonna treat you like that."

They decided to stop at a nearby café, where they laughed and chatted about random memories, slowly allowing Oscar to relax. For the first time in a while, Oscar felt a sense of belonging. As they got ready to leave, Charles put his hand on Oscar's shoulder, promising, "I'll handle Max. You're not alone."

Lando gave Oscar a reassuring smile. "If you need anything, I'm here love."

Oscar looked between Charles and Lando, warmth filling his heart. "Thanks, both of you."

As they parted ways, Oscar hugged them both. For the first time, he felt hope that things might finally be okay.