Tythan: A Christmas Love Story

Not Your Average School Day

(Ethan's POV)

"Move it, nerd!"

I was shoved into the lockers, hard. It knocked all my books out of my hand and I fell to the floor. I went to get up, but a foot was pushed into my chest. 

"Where do you think you're going, nerd," Jacob smiled. 

After all the guys beat me up, I grabbed my things and limped to math. Once I got in my desk, the teacher came over. 

"Are you alright, Ethan," he asked. 

I could feel Jacob's eyes staring into my soul. I couldn't tell anyone or I'd pay dearly. 

"I-I'm fine, Mr. Johnson," I replied with a fake smile. 
"We'll talk about this after class." 
"It's fine, Mr. Johnson, really." 

Hopefully, he'd let it go. Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was the secretary; Mrs. Robins, and someone else... someone I hadn't seen before. He had curly hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. He was a new kid, I could tell. 

"Everyone, this is Tyler Scheid," Mrs. Robins told us. "He's new, so treat him with kindness, please." 
"Tyler, there's a seat over by Ethan," Mr. Johnson told him. "Ethan, raise your hand." 

I did, but it hurt. I quickly retracted my arm. Tyler looked at me worryingly. I hope he didn't ask me questions. I would stutter, since I have bad anxiety. Two, he's REALLY cute. I stutter around cute guys. It's a habit that I can't get rid of. 
Then, he sat down and smiled. God, his smile made my heart flutter. 

"Hi," he grinned. 
"H-Hi," I said quietly. 
"Are you a shy guy? You sound like it." 
"A little, yeah..." 
"Well, do you want to be my f-" 

Jacob interrupted him. 

"Yo, Tyler," he began. "Hang with us." 
"Excuse me," Tyler began. "I was talking to him first. And why can't he be my friend?" 
"Because he's just a nerd. You look like a strong jock, who needs to be hanging out with a strong group like us. What if you get jumped, man? He wouldn't fight anyone." 
"How would you know if you're not his friend?" 

Jeez! Tyler's already picking a fight with the biggest bully in school on his FIRST day!! I was surprised by the amount of courage this guy had. And standing up for me, nonetheless. 

"T-Tyler, it's okay," I said. "If you wanna hang out with them, it's fine..." 
"I can be friends with you both," he replied. 
"They won't agree with that." 
"Why not?" 
"They don't like me..." 
"Why?" 
"I would tell you, but I don't want you to make fun of me too..." 
"I don't judge people. I promise."
"It's okay... Just go with them. You won't get hurt." 

Then, the bell rang and I left. 

(Tyler's POV) 

What did he mean, I won't get hurt? Were these guys bullies? 

"Tyler!" one guy called. 

I walked over. 

"Look, since you're new, I let you off with that this time," he began. "Don't hang out with that dork." 
"He seems nice to me." 
"Trust me, he's a fucking wimp." 
"Y'know, you seem like a real asshole. Why the hell would I want to hang out with you?" 
"You're crossing the line, Scheid." 

I just left in search for that blue-haired kid. He looked hurt. Maybe I could do something to help him with those assholes. 
At lunch, a lot of girls were asking me to sit by them. What they didn't know was that I was gay. I don't like girls that way. I was more of the masculine gay, or as some say, the alpha male in a gay relationship. But, I declined them all. I just asked where to find a blue haired guy. 

"Oh, you're talking about Ethan," a blond girl said. "He's outside. By the way, I'm Amy. If you need a friend, my boyfriend should be here any second." 

Just then, a green haired and a red and black haired kid appeared. 

"Hi, you must be Tyler," he grinned. "I'm Mark. Mark Fischbach. This is Sean McLoughlin, or Jack." 
"Hi. But I need to find Ethan. He was a little anxious during math." 
"Ethan? Anxious?? How are those two words in tha' same sentence?" Jack asked. 
"I think it was those guys that messed with him during class. They were telling me not to be friends with him." 
"OH, you're talking about Jacob and his gang," Mark sighed. "They bully just about everyone here. Mainly kids they find some kind of 'dirt' on. They pick on him because he's gay... I hate it too. I wish I could help him, but I can't risk getting in a fight. One, because I'm trying to pass. Two, my parents would kill me. Three, I'll get suspended from the football team." 
"Oh... Wait, he gets bullied for being gay?" 
"Yeah... and it gets really bad." 
"Hell, I am too. I don't care if they find out. I'm proud to be." 
"Alright! We got a courageous guy here," Jack smiled. "But Ethan should be outside on one of tha' benches." 
"Thanks, Jack." 
"Anytime, bud." 

I went outside, only to find Ethan alone. He didn't have a lunch, not even a school lunch. I sat by him. He had in headphones. 

"Ethan?" 

He pulled out a headphone and looked at me. He jumped, falling off the bench. I sat my lunch down and helped him up. 

"Sorry to scare you," I smiled. 
"It's okay," he blushed, probably embarrassed. "I was the dumbass for falling off the bench in the first place..." 
"No, you're not. I scared you, you jumped. It's my fault... But, why don't you have lunch?" 
"I-I'm not hungry..." 

I looked at him. He looked really skinny. This scared me, since I had a past friend who died from anorexia nervosa. This guy looked really innocent. I didn't want him to go through the same thing. 

"Ethan, you look really skinny," I started. "Please, eat something." 
"Well, I have my reasons..." 
"Such as?" 
"I... I can't tell you..." 
"I can keep secrets. I promise." 

"...Fine. But please, don't let them get out..." 
"I won't. I swear on my life." 
"Okay... I-" 
"ETHAN!!" 

We both looked up to see Jacob and his gang again. Ethan began to shake in fear. I wasn't gonna let this happen. I pushed Ethan behind me to protect him. 

"Move it, Scheid," Jacob growled. "Or we'll just kick your ass too." 
"Try me, asshole..."