The Broken Ones

Chapter 20

Taylor:

The laugh came unexpectedly. It felt like a terrible sin I had committed, causing me to stop as quickly as I had started. What just came over me? Kat stopped punching me when she noticed, Felix seemed utterly shocked, and I just kinda' sat there. It wasn't like I never laughed, it's just it was so rare that you might as well say I never did.

Before they had the chance to say anything, I quickly stood up, dusting off my vest. They watched me in silence as I walked back to the trail. I had a sudden urge to give 'em the finger but resisted it. I didn't blame them for being so shocked.

And then I did, because they were the biggest idiots alive.

"Ooh, Taylor!" Kat squealed.

"Was that a laugh we heard?" Felix added playfully.

They both ran up to either side of me. I was glaring ahead as they poked and prodded at my sides. Their taunts flowed out of their mouths.

"Who knew, right?"

"Laugh of an angel."

"Something funny, Taylor?"

"Scaring the crap out of us will do it, I guess."

I tugged at my eyes. Kat started dancing around Felix and I in circles while he laughed. Why wasn't that tree poisonous? I turned to Felix and blurted out, "Truth or dare?"

He stopped laughing at the question. Instead, the goofy smile on his face turned into a concentrated frown. He looked something like a little boy with his big eyes furrowed in thought. "Truth."

"I have one for him!" Kat stopped dancing and walked beside me once more. "Felix, how many past relationships have you had?"

This peaked my interest. We never really talked about relationships. Come to think of it, I didn't even know if he has had any. Felix never was one to date around, or kiss and tell. He was very reserved when it came to relationships, or just didn't think of telling us about them.

To my surprise, he began counting on his fingers. "About five, I think."

"What?" Kat and I said at the same time. We were both shocked. He seemed to think it wasn't a big deal from the small shrug of his shoulders.

"A couple random ones in middle school-"

Does that even count?

"-One Freshman year, and, like, two around Sophomore year."

Now, I found myself utterly shocked. At the most, I would have expected around three. But five?

Kat sent him a devious smirk. She punched him playfully on his arm as she said slyly, "Dang, Felix. Getting all the babes."

"They were very short flings at the most." He seemed to be defending himself. Almost nervous. I didn't really know why; there was no reason to deny it or lessen the fact.

"Any reason you stopped dating girls after Sophomore year?" I asked, genuinely curious.

This, for some reason, caused Kat so erupt into a fit of giggles. Felix fell over his words as he spoke. I thought they had gone insane.

"W-well, you know," Felix began. He was itching his neck as Kat laughed harder. "Um, g-guess I had other things on my mind."

He reached over and punched Kat, not playfully this time.

My eyebrows raised as an idea hit me. I turned to Felix and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. He seemed uncomfortable looking down at me. "Felix . . . are you gay?"