First Time | Protector 3.1 | Wattys2017

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Nolan

       "Talk to him," my brother Alan said while I was putting my school supplies in my locker. "And stop being a baby about it."

       "I'm not talking to him and I'm not being a baby," I said. "And what do you know? You've never had a boyfriend before."

       "Because I'm not gay."

       "Okay, well, you never had a girlfriend before," I said. "If I'm going to listen to anyone's advice, it would be Ryder's."

       Alan sighed and looked at our sister, Orchid. "Please tell our idiot of a brother that he's overreacting."

       "Idiot of a brother, you're overreacting," Orchid said.

       "I'm a Prince, it's what we do. I'm not talking to him until he apologizes."

       "You're being stubborn."

       "No, I'm being upset because my boyfriend is a jerk. Big difference."

       Orchid was about to say something, but these two very annoying boys walked by, uttering very homophobic comments toward me. Surprise, surprise.

       I used to hate when it happened, but then I realized that it didn't matter what they said. If they wanted to sink to a low level and undermine someone for something they couldn't control, then who cares? It only proved how they were, as my older brother put it, inconsequential.

       "What's the matter?" one of them asked me. "Cat got your tongue?"

       "No," I said. "I just don't care what you say anymore."

       "Seriously, just go away," Orchid said. "This is getting very annoying."

       "Not as annoying as it must be having a gay brother," one said.

       "Okay, that doesn't make sense because it isn't annoying," Orchid said. "The only annoying part is how annoying his boyfriend is."

       "Exactly," I said. "So I'm not overreacting and I will not talk to him until he apologizes."

       "Aww, is the gay boy having relationship troubles?" one asked.

       "Uh, yeah?" I said. "I don't see why you need to point that out."

       "That's because you are a little...."

       He was cut off when someone nearby pushed him up against a locker. "When are you going to start leaving him alone?" Atticus Smythe asked, also known as Orchid's 'not' crush.

       "Atticus...." Wilder Smythe, Atticus's younger cousin, was standing nearby, a worried expression on his face.

       "What?" Atticus asked. "You know I don't like bullies."

       "So you threaten them not to bully?" Wilder asked. "Yeah, that makes total sense."

       "Whatever," Atticus said before looking back at the guy who was held up against the locker. "I will give you ten seconds to leave before I beat the living crap out of you."

       After the two bullies left, Orchid scoff. "Yeah, we don't need your help."

       "I wasn't doing it for you," Atticus said.

       "Then why else would you stand up for my brother?"

       "My god, not everything is about you. I just don't think anyone should be bullied."

       "Well, we can handle it ourselves, thanks."

       "Fine, whatever," Atticus said before he walked away with Wilder following.

       "When are you two going out?" Alan asked.

       "Never," Orchid said. "Ask again and I'll punch you."

       "Alright, fine, I won't ask again. Today. Tomorrow is another story. Now come along, siblings. Dad is probably waiting for us in the parking lot and I really want to get home to play video games."

       I closed my locker, then the three of us left the school and walked out to the parking lot. Unfortunately for me, I saw someone I really didn't want to see.

       Jerome was standing by my dad's car, so I sighed when I got there. "What are you doing here?"

       "Are you still mad at me?" he asked.

       "No, that's why I'm excited to see you," I said sarcastically.

       "Look, I'm sorry for what I said," Jerome said. "I didn't mean it at all. Can you please forgive me?"

       "No."

       "Oh, come on. I'm an injured man and if you don't forgive me, I'll whack you over the head with my crutch."

       Dad, who was sitting in the driver's seat of the car, looked out the window. "Do it and I'll be a dead man. Nolan, what did he say anyway to make you so mad?"

       "He called Stitch an ugly rodent."

       "....Jerome, you can walk home."

        Jerome sighed. "I did not mean to call your stupid pet otter an ugly rodent." I raised my eyebrow. "Uh, he's not stupid. I didn't mean that at all. Can you please forgive me, babe?"

       "Do not call me babe and I'm not forgiving you."

       "Grayson, please tell your son to stop overreacting."

       "No way," Dad said. "You called my otter an ugly rodent. I'll drive you back home, but Nolan is allowed to be mad at you."

       Jerome sighed and got in the backseat, placing his crutches on the ground. I was going to sit in the passenger seat, but Alan beat me to it. Stupid Alan. Now I was forced to sit beside Jerome.

       "You know," Jerome said as Dad pulled out of the parking lot. "I walked all the way from my house to yours so your dad can take me to your school so you can forgive me."

       "Wow, a five minute walk," I said. "So hard."

       "Uh, hello? My ankle? Crutches? It was hard. Can you please forgive me? Stitch is the cutest otter I have ever seen. Scratch that, he's the cutest animal I have ever seen. Please don't be mad at me."

       "It's too late for that."

       "You're overreacting."

       "I'm a Prince. We're known for overreacting."

       "I can see that. Please, Nolan? I'll love you forever if you forgive me."

       I sighed. "I'm only forgiving you because you're going to keep annoying me if I don't. But, I swear, if you ever call my otter an ugly rodent again, I will never talk to you. And I will possibly break up with you."

       "So you'll choose your otter over me?"

       "Basically, yeah."

       Jerome sighed. "Fair enough."

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Yay, Jerlan's book is posted, with special appearances from two Smythes. :D Atticus and Wilder won't be in the book a lot, but they will still appear from time to time.

I can't believe I'm actually writing this book! I remember when a lot of you started asking me for it, and here it is! I'm really going to love writing more about Jerome and Nolan's relationship and not just what Ryder was seeing.