All Too Well - Erik Menendez

Not Good Enough

Beverly Hills. CA. 1988.

Whispers POV:

It has been two days since Lyle's 'celebratory party' - if I can even call it that. I haven't heard from him or Erik since. After asking around school, I learnt Erik never attended today either. Which makes me worry considering we're off school for the week now. Him missing the last day sounds out of character, even if I don't know him well. Craig hasn't heard from him neither.

I don't know what to think anymore about the Menendez situation. It's a household, a family, a situation I don't understand. The picture perfect imagine of wealth, beauty, success. Craig went further to inform me of Mr. Menendez' business accomplishments, his immigration from Cuba and how he came to have one of the most expensive zip codes in the world. I question how his success has came when he's the hardest person to be around, the hardest person to communicate with. Even my brief interaction with him at the celebration sent shivers down my spine. I tense even thinking back to it.

Craig and I are in my room together now, amongst gossiping about Lyle's party, we are attempting to actually do homework. The semester is soon to be ending and these exams are no game. They seem harder than the last set - but perhaps that's because of a certain set of brothers distracting my mind.

"Does Erik seem a little off to you?" I ask, tossing my worksheets down as I give up trying to fight my thoughts of blue eyes.

"He's always been like that. I think it's cute." Craig musters up the last part of that sentence quietly but with a smile.

I've contemplated asking Craig about him and Erik for a while now, I'm beyond confused about the entire situation, as well as Lyle's obvious hatred towards Craig. I guess I made the assumption that Erik was straight, but nobody has really confirmed nor denied it. Nor does it seem Erik has any history of dating.

"What's the situation with you and him?" I ask gently, not wanting to overstep my place. Craig immediately looks up from the textbook he was writing in. Not necessarily alarmed, but certainly on-edge from my question.

"He's my friend."

I've got to say it. I need to know the truth. I can do this.

"Lyle told me something about what happened at that party a few weeks ago."

Now I see Craigs jaw tense, his eyebrows furrowed even further downwards. His fingers begin picking at the corner of the textbook on his lap.

I continue. "You're my best friend Craig, you know I'd never judge you."

Which is not far from the truth. Of course I would never judge Craig based on his sexuality. My parents have always raised me to be extremely progressive, unfortunately we live in a society that says the opposite - but sexuality is fluid, there's so much nuance to it. However my concern does lay when Lyle stated Craigs actions were non-consensual. Thinking back to Eriks tennis match when Craig made him uncomfortable also plays on my mind. Somethings going on, something wrong.

"Lyle's a liar, that's all. He's worried Erik's gay and that he might like me." His words come out dripped in arrogance, annoyance.

I'm taken aback.

"I thought Erik's straight?"

"Guy doesn't know what he is." Again, his words come out cocky. A laugh follows as he puts his attention back to writing in his textbook.

My head falls everywhere. Perhaps I misunderstood my interactions with blue eyes. Perhaps our connection was something I just envisioned - something that was crafted in hope, in dreams. Not reality.

If Erik did like Craig though, why was he so uncomfortable with Craig's actions at the tennis court that day?

"You seem quiet touchy with him, don't you think?" I ask, returning some of the cockiness he gave out.