The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 18: The Pauper Miserable

I was wrong. I can't handle it. All the bullying, the fists and leg kicks the football team throws at me. I can't handle it. But I have to deal with it as much as I can. I have to learn to face things on my own without someone always rescuing me. The only reason I'm still hanging on to my life is because of my parents and two friends. They're my reason to live since they actually accepted me unlike last year, I was terrified of what they would think of me.

But you want Antonio to accept you.... A thought comes to me quietly. I would deny it but then I would just be lying to myself. I do want Antonio to accept but I practically gave up any hope that he'll get over it. It's been like what? A month since he even talked to me? Then, I keep acting like a creep and stare at him when he's not looking though Hunter always has to signal me to stop by pretending to clear his throat. After the first couple of times he caught me, he's insisted nonstop to tell him why I'm always staring at Antonio. So far, he knows nothing but I don't think I can keep quiet for long.

"Come on, Cassiel! Tell me! I promise, I won't laugh or anything!" Hunter whines for like the millionth time this past week.

"There's nothing to tell. Now copy my homework quietly or I won't give you my physics notes for you to look at." I threaten, growing a bit annoyed with his constant nagging. The only thing that can make this day any worse is if Leo shows up and joins Hunter in his nagging.

"No fair! You know I need to study for that pop quiz!" Hunter complains as he looks over my math homework.

"Then use your own notes to study off from." I counter, snatching my homework back from him. "And while you're at it, try doing the math on your own."

"Why are you so grumpy today? Is it your time of the month already?" Hunter asks while he tries to get my homework back.

"I'm not grumpy...." I grumble and ultimately return my paper back to him knowing he'll just complain how he wants to compare his answers with mine.

"Yes, you are. Is it because I interrupted your staring at that guy? What's his name again? Anthony?" Hunter questions.

"His name is Antonio!" I correct him harshly. Ok, now I'm starting to see why he thinks I'm grumpy.

"What about mein Bruder?" Leo's familiar voice asks in front of me. Great. Now I'm in trouble.....

"You're just in time for Cassiel to tell us why he's always staring at him. Want to help me? I think he's close to telling me." Hunter greets as Leo sits beside him.

"Am not." I protest. "There's nothing to tell so get back to copying."

"So why are you staring at mein Bruder?" Leo asks, ignoring my last statement.

I let out a scoff and look anywhere but those two. "You got it all wrong. I wasn't staring at Antonio. I was just- um...." Dammit! How do I get myself out of this?

"If you weren't staring, then why are you always looking over at him? Hm?" Hunter probes.

"C-can't we talk about something else? Like, what are you guys going to dress up as for Halloween?" I stutter in attempt to avoid answering their questions. Please work, please work, please work......

"That's a good question and we'll get back to that when you answered ours." Leo replies.

They're not giving me any choice. I'll have to tell them..... Or I can lie. No, lying won't work. They'll just see right through me and nag me into telling them the truth. I thought to myself, buying me some time before I give in to their constant nagging. Why am I even avoiding it? What's the worse that could happen? Get laughed at? I've been there before. Have it spread that I'm gay to the entire school tomorrow? Done that and survived the effects from it.