In Between [Crankiplier]

9. Rock night

"Hey Pewds, you going to Rock Night?" A kid asked.

"Sure, where is it again?" Another boy, I'm assuming Pewds questioned.

"The ice rink across the street and down the ally. Go at 9pm and I'll meet you at the entrance," A kid replies.

"K," Pewds said.

I've always observed others conversations. Sort of become a habit for me. Rock Night sounds fun though. I think I'll ask Mark about it later. I've always wanted to skate.

The bell rings and I walk out of the classroom, going to lunch. Somebody kicks my shin and I trip, wincing at the pain.

"Loser." Jess insults. Marzia and Signe laugh along with her and they walk away. I wipe the blood away from my nose and scoff. Haha so clever. At least be original. I open the doors to the lunch room and sit next to Mark, not caring to even try and eat.

"Hey." I say, shoving his shoulder lightly.

"Hey Ethan, how's it going?" He asks with a mouth full of food.

"I'm alright." I respond. "But I was meaning to ask you about something."

"What is it?" Mark questions.

"Uh do you know about rock night?"

"I know where and when and what it is." He laughs. "But I haven't been there before."

"Do you want to like check it out tonight?"

"Uh sure. Sounds like fun." Mark replies.

We talk about random things for the rest of lunch. I tell him about those assholes who knocked me down and he jokes about beating them up. Though he does have the muscles for that I know he wouldn't hurt a fly. We go to our next classes and I am just restless for tonight. I can't wait.

Mark POV

I straighten up my hair and adjust my shirt as I stand before the beat-up building. It looks alright I guess. I'm only going because of Ethan though. I'm too awkward in social places. I step in and give some guy $8.00 and open the doors behind him. I shiver at the cool air and look around. The ice rink is pretty huge. I recognize some people from my grade in there. I grab a pair of rental skates and sit on a bench, putting them on.

"Hey." Someone calls. I look up, smiling as I see Ethan's face.

"Hey Beanie Baby. What's up?"

"Nothing much." They laugh. "Want to check out the stuff here?"

I wanted to skate first, but anything for them. We walk over to the stand and wait in line. "What's your favorite drink?" They ask.

"Dr.Pepper. Because I burn your mouth with my hotness." I say loudly. "Yet I'm pretty sweet."

Ethan blushes like a tomato and I sniffle a laugh, proud of my work. "How about you?" I ask.

"Coke I guess." They respond. "Favorite candy?"

"Probably those nerd ropes. Fucking sick brah."

They giggle. "Me too."

Ethan gets up to the stand. "What would you like?" She asks, clearly annoyed by her job.

"I'll take a Coke and a nerd rope please." They reply. She gives them the stuff and they pay, walking over to the arcade area with me. I sit on the hockey table and Ethan stands in front of me. "Here." They say, giving me the nerd rope.

I smile. "Really? Thanks beans." I chow down on the rope while they chug their Coke. I have a little left so I give them it. They smile and eat it gladly.

"Uh we aren't dating so you might want to move because I don't think I should go between your legs." Ethan says, referring to the coin slot my legs are hovering over. I quickly jump off the table, blushing madly. They put three quarters into the slot and push it in, starting the game. I pick up the plastic puck and the handle and shove it to the opposite side. It bounces off the corner, going right into my slot, giving Ethan a point for doing nothing. They laugh and I mutter a 'ha ha' sarcastically making them laugh more. We keep going back and forth, laughing at my stupidity. In the end Ethan wins by two points and I bow down making them giggle.

"So do you want to skate?" I ask. They look down.

"Uh.. I don't know how to." They reply shyly.

"Come on. I'll show you." I say. Ethan smirks and nods. We go over to the skates and they pick out a pair and I tie them onto their feet. They wobble standing up and I stabilize them, gripping onto their arms with care. We walk onto the rink and Ethan immediately grabs onto the wall for dear life. I laugh.

"Ethan," I say. "It's okay. You can trust me."

They look into my eyes then nod. "I know."

They let go of the wall and put their hands into mine. I guide them across the ice and I can't get over the wide grin on their face. I let go of them and they stand without help. We both smile. I'm like a father that just witnessed his child walk for the first time.

"Um I have to go to the bathroom." Ethan says. "Thank you though. This is really fun."

"Okay. I'll be waiting." I say. They carefully skate to the opening and wave at me, assuring they're safe. So, I work on my skating skills, hoping to impress them when they return.

Ethan POV

I stand in front of the two doors of the bathrooms. This is one of the things I hate most. Choosing the one with my birth gender or the one I look like most. I decide on the male bathroom and run in, immediately going into a stall. I should've checked if people are in here. Crap. I stay still for five minutes and when I hear nothing I just go as fast as possible.

"Lookie here Pewds." Someone above me says. "Looks like we have a tranny over here in the boy's bathroom."

I immediately look up, terrified. It's the boy that was in class talking about this place. Fuck.

"Maybe she's a girl, looking for a little fun." The other boy replies. Nononono.

"Let's give this freak a little show." I hear them jump off the toilet seats and I immediately get my pants back on and grip my hands on the wall of the stall to climb over and escape. Though when I jump over I realize I'm too late. The blonde boy throws me to the floor then leans down, pressing his cold lips against my ear.

"Slut." He whispers. I cringe and try to get up but fail. I'm sobbing at this point. They won't leave me alone. Why can't they just leave me alone. I kick the blonde boy in the groin and punch his friend. I sprint out of there, kicking off my skates and grabbing my shoes. I make a beeline to my house and find all the lights off. I open the door and run upstairs and into my room, locking myself in.

I grab my switchblade from the bathroom cabinet and swipe it open. I'm such a loser. I'm such a freak. I'm such a tranny. I cry my eyes out. I'm such a fucking slut. I dig the blade into my veins and cry out in pain but smile because it feels so good. I do it over and over until half of my arm looks like a murder scene. I go to the bathroom to wash the blade then I realize the blood left on it isn't red.

It's black.