Healing Scars.

Limping

Kyler’s POV

I limped all the way to the park and then sat down on the cold grass. I rubbed my cheek where Brandon had slapped me. It was probably going to leave a mark but I was used to it. I put my head in my knees and tried to think of something else for a while, at least until Chris got here. I sighed and looked at my phone, No texts from him. I was about to text him when I felt arms wrapping around my waist.

“Hi beautiful” I felt butterflies exploding in my stomach. I blushed madly and his face in my hands. “Hey, don’t hide. If that makes you uncomfortable then just tell me and I’ll call you Kyler” he said softly, rubbing my shoulder.

I was quick to disagree “No, no, no. I… I like it.”

“Come on beautiful; let’s go to a coffee shop or something, its freezing!” He pulled me up off the ground and took my hand, walking next to me. Then, he noticed I was limping. “Why are you walking like that?”

Shit. “I… I fell. Yeah I fell” What a great lie Kyler, you stupid cunt.

“Oh really? Just like you ‘fell’ yesterday?” His perfect eyebrow raised into an arch.

“Please” I was mortified. He couldn’t know I was bullied, because then he would ask why and I would have to tell him about me being gay. And I’m not sure if I could do that yet.

Chris sighed “I just don’t like seeing you hurt.” He pulled me into a coffee and the warm air was just perfect. We ordered two lattes and sat down at a table. Chris was frowning and it was making me nervous. What if he had found out I was gay? I tried to replay the scene of me and him at the park and I couldn’t remember doing anything that said “oh, I’m a queer.” 

“Why don’t you take off your hoodie? It’s hot in here.”

I started breathing fast. I had a t-shirt on, I couldn’t take off my hoodie or he would see my cuts. I thought of a quick answer to avoid the subject.

“If you want me to get naked you just have to ask.” I slapped myself mentally. Now he would know I was gay. Instead of saying anything, Chris giggled.

“Well let’s get to know each other. I’m 17 and my name Is Chris” He blurted. He was so cute.

“I already know your name.” I said laughing and taking a sip of my latte. “I’m 16 and I’m Kyler.”

“Ky for me. Or Beautiful” he whispered.

Holy shit, that boy is going to be the death of me.

I tried to change the subject. “So, um, do you have a girlfriend?” I took at least four sips of my latte. Please say no, please say no. Please, please, please. Chris put his hand over his mouth and started laughing like an idiot, a cute idiot. “What?” I snapped. Was he laughing at me?

“I’m not exactly into girls, you know.” My latte felt too hot in my hand, so I placed it on the table, careful not to spill it all over myself. This wouldn’t be a good moment. My breath got caught in my throat, choking me. My heart was beating fast,

“Does that mean you’re…?”

“Gay”

Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you, Jesus!

“Look, um, I thought you wouldn’t mind me being gay but if you’re just going to look at me like I just told you the meaning of life then I…”

“I’m gay too”

The words blurted out of my mouth like vomit and before I could say anything more I saw Chris smiling. “I knew it! I can always tell when someone is!” And for the first time, I felt happy I had told someone I was gay.

We finished our lattes and left, walking back to the park, me limping while he held me by the waist. His phone rang. “Sorry beautiful, I have to go home, my dad needs me.” Chris kissed my cheek and his warm breath was making me giggle. “I’ll call you later so we can meet up again.”

He kissed my forehead and left.

I can’t believe this is happening. He’s gay. And he likes me too. I shook my head. He doesn’t like you that way. He’s just being friendly. No one likes you.

I went straight home and took a shower. My cute were healing but they still hurt when I washed them. Slowly I took one of my razors and drew four more cuts on my arm. The word fag was still there, clearly visible. The shower cleaned all the bloody mess as I changed into my PJs and cuddled with the duvet. I was about to fall asleep when my phone buzzed.

Sweet dreams beautiful. Tomorrow, same time, same place? X

I texted back quickly definitely x

*Next day*

School had been shit as usual. Brandon decided that today was the ‘let’s-push-the-queer-around” day. I sighed and went to the park, sitting down on the same spot I had sat yesterday. My arm was so itchy it was driving me insane. I knew I had to be careful not to scratch it too much or the cuts would open and my arm would start bleeding, and I couldn’t let that happen. Not in front of Chris.

“Why are you rubbing your arm like that beautiful?” Chris kneeled in front of me. “Is everything okay?”

“I’m fine” I snapped. He could never find out that I cut myself. Never.

We walked to the swings and sat there for a while, talking. I couldn’t believe how awesome he was and how perfect everything about him seemed. My arm was still itchy but I ignored it, focussing all my attention on Chris. Out of nowhere he pushed me softly off the swing and hugged me while we were sitting on the floor. I put my head in the crook of his neck.

“I didn’t mean to snap at you earlier.” I mumbled, ashamed of myself “I was a dick, sorry”

Chris laughed softly. “I don’t care cutie; as long as you’re okay then I’m okay.”

I pulled back to see him smiling. He brushed the hair out of my eyes and touched my cheek. “You have a bruise there.” Oh, Brandon had slapped me there. “It’s nothing.” Chris frowned and touched the mark with his fingertips and planted a kiss.

He crushed his lips into mine, but not before I saw Brandon and his gang on the other side of the park.