Exposed (#wattys2016)

chapter three

The money from Caspian helped put groceries in our kitchen, despite the conversation we exchanged prior. I tried to forget it, to forget him and Liv. In reality, they probably have it worse than I do. I don't think their father ever got released from jail. Their mother? Who knows where and who she is.

I scrubbed the kitchen counter with a sponge, focusing on the spaghetti sauce that was plastered to the hard surface. I started to think about life back in Florida, but I stopped when reality hit me and four kids piled through the back door at once.

"Hi, Hale!" Multiple voices giggled and said hello, running upstairs immediately afterwards.

Levi sauntered inside last, his head down towards his shoes.

"What's up?" I asked, wringing the sponge out in the sink.

"Nothing, I just wish Missy would contribute to this—to us. I think you've been a better mother to us than she ever has been," Levi huffed while he threw his backpack onto the kitchen table, looking up at me with the same sad expression he always gets from time to time.

"Don't look at me like that, Lev. I've only been here three years and—"

Levi cut me off, his eyebrows narrowing as he spoke, "More than she ever has."

I shrugged and walked over to him, firmly placing my hands on his shoulders, "You're 18. Take control of the kids, you can become a guardian. I'll still be here too, though. You know, for support and back up."

I watched his expression become a little more optimistic.

"That's the worst idea you've ever had," he cracked a small smile, backing away to pick up his bag.

I laughed when I saw his reaction, heading back into the kitchen to microwave leftovers and finish scrubbing spaghetti sauce. I heard the fridge doors open behind me.

"Where did we get the groceries from? Oh wait, who donated them this time?" Levi closed the doors, crossing his arms as he leaned against the fridge.

"Oh, I got them," I proudly stated while semi-cold spaghetti was dispersed on five different plates, rationing our leftovers.

"With what money? Did the money tree blow some bills your way?"

I laughed, sticking a plate in the microwave.
"No, Caspian gave it to me."

Levi widened his eyes, "Caspian? As in Caspian Mitchels? Casp? Geez, Hale, did you fuck his sister or something? If so you better go get checked for STD's."

Levi's eyes were still wide, looking around the kitchen in what seemed to be disbelief.

I took a deep breath, staring down at the cold spaghetti in front of me. "I don't fuck girls, Levi," my voice mumbled as I was somewhat annoyed I waited this long to reveal my secret.

"What do you mean? You're saying you're a virgin? That's bull," Levi retorted as his arms crossed tighter against his chest.

"Secondly, he gave me the money because he felt bad, I think," I turned around to face him, sticking my hands in my front pockets.

"I'm gay, Levi," I spoke calmly but the words came out easier than I expected, like the way you recite a song you've listened to on repeat for a week straight.

Levi's face dropped once again in disbelief, an arm extending to point a finger at me.
"You... gay? As in, taking it up the ass?"

I laughed and shook my head, smacking his pointing finger away. "No, I," I stopped to think of the best way to put this, "do that to other guys."