Boy Trouble GT

Chapter 9

[ON THE WAY BACK TO THE DORM]

The golden hues of the setting sun stretched across campus, and the air was filled with the faint chatter of students wrapping up their day. Mason walked with an easy confidence, his gym bag slung over his shoulder as he regaled Kye with a recap of his training session. The smallest figure in a world built for giants, Mason was entirely unfazed by the towering figures around him.

Kye followed behind, his lanky frame moving awkwardly as he tugged at the brim of his bucket hat. It was a poor shield from the fading sunlight, but Kye liked the way it hid most of his face. His hoodie hung off his narrow shoulders, and his steps seemed heavier with every word Mason spoke. He muttered a few quiet responses, though his thoughts were elsewhere.

As they neared the track field, a group of giants came into view—broad, towering figures lounging near the bleachers. Their laughter was loud and boisterous, cutting through the quiet of the evening. Kye immediately slowed his steps, his stomach twisting uncomfortably.

Mason didn't seem to notice Kye's hesitation. His eyes lit up when he spotted the group, particularly Blake, a giant from the track team. Blake waved, his grin as wide as his shoulders.

"Hey, Mason!" Blake called, his deep voice echoing across the field.

Mason waved back, his pace quickening. "Hey, Blake! What's up?"

"Not much!" Blake replied, crouching slightly to meet Mason at eye level. Despite their size difference, there was a genuine friendliness in Blake's tone. The other giants in the group greeted Mason with casual familiarity, their booming voices carrying a surprising warmth.

But as Mason exchanged words with the group, Kye hung back, his hat pulled low over his face. He felt out of place, his pale skin catching the last rays of sunlight and practically glowing. He shifted his weight awkwardly, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.

And that was when the attention shifted.

One of the giants, a wiry guy with a sharp jawline and a cocky smirk, glanced past Mason and locked eyes with Kye. "Hey, who's your friend back there?" he asked, his tone dripping with mock curiosity.

Mason glanced over his shoulder. "That's Kye," he said casually. "My roommate."

Blake tilted his head, his grin turning mischievous. "Kye, huh? You're on the tall side, but you don't really look like much."

The group chuckled, their laughter low and rumbling, and Kye felt his chest tighten. He avoided their gazes, staring at the ground as if it might swallow him whole.

"Kye?" Blake continued, his voice teasing. "You're built like a string bean. Are you sure you're not on the wrong team?"

One of the giants stepped closer, reaching out to flick the brim of Kye's bucket hat. It flew off his head, landing on the ground a few feet away. "Oops," the giant said, his grin widening. "Better pick that up, buddy."

Kye froze, his breath catching in his throat. He glanced at the fallen hat, his stomach churning with a sick mix of anger and shame. He was their size—just as tall, just as physically imposing—but he felt smaller than Mason in that moment.

Mason, who barely reached their knees, stepped between Kye and the group. His green eyes burned with anger as he planted himself firmly in front of the towering giants.

"Back off," Mason said, his voice steady and sharp.

The giants blinked, clearly surprised. The smallest person there—someone they could easily squash—was the one standing up to them.

"Relax, Mason," Blake said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "We're just having a little fun."

"Well, it's not funny," Mason snapped. "Leave him alone."

Blake exchanged a glance with the others, his grin faltering slightly. "Alright, alright," he said, his tone more subdued. He glanced at Kye, his expression unreadable. "Didn't mean to offend your friend."

Kye finally moved, bending down to pick up his hat. He cradled it to his chest, his long fingers gripping the brim tightly. His pale face was flushed, his eyes fixed firmly on the ground as Mason grabbed his arm and gently pulled him away.

"Come on, Kye," Mason muttered, his voice softer now. "Let's go."

[BACK AT THE DORM]

The walk back was silent, the weight of the encounter hanging heavily in the air. Kye kept his head down, his hat still clutched to his chest as if it could shield him from the shame and embarrassment coursing through him. Mason walked a step ahead, his smaller frame radiating quiet anger.

When they reached the dorm, Kye slipped through the door quickly, his long limbs carrying him toward his room. Mason set his gym bag down by the door and turned to follow, but Kye was already closing his bedroom door behind him.

"Kye," Mason called, his tone cautious but firm. "Don't shut me out."

"I'm fine," Kye replied, though his voice cracked slightly.

Mason sighed, stepping closer to the door. "You don't have to do this, you know. You don't have to lock yourself away."

Kye didn't respond. Inside the room, he sat on the edge of his bed, the hat still cradled in his lap. His chest felt tight, his throat constricting as he tried to swallow the lump that had formed there. He felt like a fool—a giant being bullied by other giants, saved by the smallest person there. It was humiliating.

Mason knocked softly on the door. "Kye... it wasn't your fault. You know that, right?"

Kye clenched his jaw, his fingers digging into the brim of his hat. He wanted to believe Mason, but the shame was too overwhelming.

"I just need some time," Kye finally said, his voice barely audible.

Mason hesitated, then sighed again. "Alright," he said quietly. "But I'm here if you need me. Don't forget that."

Kye listened to Mason's footsteps retreating, his chest aching with a mix of gratitude and self-loathing. His eyes traveled to a half empty bottle of bourbon, his heart beat rapidly at the thought of bringing the bottle to his lips. Instead  he lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling as his mind replayed the scene over and over. He couldn't shake the image of Mason standing there, so small and defiant, while Kye had been frozen in shame.

I have to be better, Kye thought, gripping his hat tightly. For him. I can't let this happen again.