The Summer We Found Us | BoyxBoy Romance (18+)

Chapter 6 | Elijah

Humiliated.

If there's one word to describe that night, it was utter humiliation. The type that would have Carrie tearing down a whole gymnasium in that Stephen King novel.

I can't believe I was so stupid to believe that I was talking to a real person. Fuck!

I stayed in that bathroom for a while after Tobias left. I couldn't have him see me like that. I didn't want anyone to see me like that. I wanted to preserve any dignity that I had left after that which was close to impossible.

I yelled at him pretty badly which I feel bad about but on the other hand, I don't. How could he be friends with such horrible people? Did he know they were going to do that to me? He must've. I don't know... I don't know what to think.

Shortly after he left, Mrs.Templeton and Dad walked into the bathroom to come and console me.

"Hey, buddy," Dad said stepping in front of me.

"Dad, that was the worst thing that's ever happened to me," I said clenching my stomach.

"And it won't be the last. Unfortunately, this life is very long and this will be one of many embarrassing moments." He sighed, patting me on the arms.

"Everyone saw." I cried.

"And everyone will get over it. I promise you. In a few weeks, you'll be far away from this place and you won't have to worry about seeing these people if you don't have to." He rubbed my arm. "You're a strong kid, Elijah. Remember that."

"Remember who you are, Simba." I laughed.

"Exactly." He laughed back.

"I better get those pictures." I sniffed, sitting up.

"I already tore them down." He smiled.

There was a knock at the door. "Elijah, dear? Can I come in?"

Mrs.Tempelton called through the door.

"Sure." I sighed.

Slowly, my favorite teacher walked in.

"Oh sweetheart, I'm sorry that happened to you. I can't imagine what you could be feeling right now." She said crouching down in front of me too.

"It's okay. I'll be okay." I said smiling at my dad. He nodded his head in agreement.

"Fortunately, the professor, Mrs.Patterson from the Art Institute of Toronto is still interested in seeing your actual art piece." She clapped her hands. "She's in the art room waiting for you."

I sat up. "What!?" I sniffed, wiping under my nose.

"She said she felt for me and what happened and wanted to see it through." She smiled, nudging me on the chin. "Don't let those bullies win, Elijah. Go get your admission."

I guess we can all root for an underdog.

☀️☀️☀️

"If anything, these types of situations make you stronger of an artist." Mrs.Patterson smiled at me in the art room.

"So, you're saying I should say thank you to those bullies?" I laughed.

She shrugged. "Maybe you should. Do you feel inspired to create more?"

I looked at my art piece (the real one) behind me. Decorating the wall was a huge collage of pictures of my mother as a teenager around my age. The way the pictures were set up and color graded, together they created a new picture of a self-portrait of myself.