"Yo what happened back there?" Mason asked.
They sat in the nurse's office, Adrian with an ice pack to his cheekbone where he was hit.
"He had it coming, after what he did." Adrian said, looking down.
"I know he did bad things but isn't that a bit of an overreaction?" Mason asked.
Adrian turned his head to him, glaring, "How was I overreacting? You should've heard the things he said." he dropped his voice to a whisper so only Mason would hear, "He drugged Bailey, did unspeakable things to him, let everyone else do that as well, then called him a slut and messed with his brain, so now Bailey has so much anxiety that he can't even come to class."
Mason was quiet for a moment and then softly said, "But like you said, he's not one of us, maybe you shouldn't be meddling in his business then."
"If I don't set Tyson straight nobody will!" Adrian whisper-shouted, "He's a horrible person and he's going to keep doing what he does because he thinks it's okay. Because nobody tells him it's not. I need to take care of Bailey, I can't risk-"
"But why? What's so special about him?"
"Why does he have to be special for me to want to keep him safe?" Adrian said, "He's a poor innocent boy who didn't deserve that. He's small and fragile. I told you, he's like... a little brother. Plus, you don't know what he'd gone through."
"And I presume you do." Mason said.
Adrian nodded, "He's been through hell. More than any of us here have. If you think you had it bad, think again."
"What happened to him?" Mason asked, concerned.
Adrian bit the inside of his cheek, "I... I can't- it's not mine to tell. I don't think he wants everyone knowing anyway."
Mason looked at him worriedly and narrowed his eyes slightly, "You sure he's like a little brother to you?" he said softly, "You know, you can tell me anything."
Adrian furrowed his eyebrows, "I don't know what you mean, yes, I can tell you anything. And of course he's like little brother, what else...?"
"N-nothing!" Mason said quickly, "nevermind. Forget I said anything."
"Mason, how long have we known each other? You know I'm not gay, what the fuck are-"
"Nothing!" Mason said, "I'm just saying if you were it would be okay. I would always have your back, no matter what."
"Okay, thanks, good to know. But I'm straight. You know that." Adrian said, and then laughed slightly and added, "Plus I'm the captain of the football team, I can't be gay."
Mason looked at him confusedly, unamused.
Adrian's smile fell, "No I mean- you know, Tristan was good, he was really good, and he was kicked off for being gay..."
"Well if we was so good just get him back, you're the captain." Mason said.
Adrian blinked at him, "But... He's gay, I mean, wouldn't you think it's uh, uncomfortable t-to have him in the locker room and stuff while we're changing?" oh fuck, well done, Adrian, he thought, now you've really gone over the line.
Mason frowned at him, "No, what the fuck? Plus it's not like he'd be looking at you anyway, if that's what you're problem is." he stood up and Adrian looked at him with big eyes.
"That's not what I- where are you going?"
"Come talk to me when you want to talk about this like a sensible human being." Mason said, walking out of the room.
YOU ARE READING
Habits Of My Heart
Teen Fiction[INCOMPLETE, SLOW UPDATES] After the death of his mother, Bailey was pulled out of school and forced by his father to work as a prostitute, so that his father had enough money to handle finances. After his father is killed, his life is turned upsid...
