Ugly Birds in a Beautiful Cage \\ FRANSYKES

2

I had anger issues. I had problems with keeping my temper down. Outside of these walls I would have stared down anyone for even looking at me in the wrong way. I probably would have hurt them too, or told them off. In here though, I wasn't stupid. I had nowhere to run if things went south.

The people in here were dangerous, maybe even more so than myself. They had friends. They had their own little packs that they took with them everywhere, and who did I have? My cellmate who I was quick to learn was as sweet and fluffy as a marshmallow. I couldn't rely on him for back-up, and I knew I couldn't win a fight on my own, so I decided to keep my mouth shut and my head down low, not bringing any attention to myself.

I moved along the line of people towards the showers, like a herd of cattle about to be sent to the slaughter. The analogy was appropriate. The guards here treated us all like animals. All they had to do was make sure we didn't ruin anything and feed us once in a while. Easy job, I'd say.

I was next into the bathrooms as someone left. Shower time wasn't that bad. I had been here for a few days now and I could feel myself adjusting, that's if anyone could really adjust to prison. I was always told this was where I would end up, so perhaps that was why I got used to it so quickly. Maybe I belonged here.

I got to the one free shower and took off the hideous uniform. I tossed it to the laundry hamper. They'd give us a fresh change of clothes once we were done. I turned the cold water on, flinching at the icy little darts pelting at my skin. This many people in the showers at once meant a lack of hot water. I didn't mind it too much though.

The communal showers weren't as bad as I thought they would be. I wasn't a huge fan of showering in front of people, but I could honestly say I liked the view in here. There were a few really good looking men about. I glanced around and stopped when I saw who else was in the showers; Josh.

Out of the hundreds of people admitted to this prison, it was just my luck that I caught myself here at the same time Josh was. I couldn't help but take in his naked body, and I'll tell you what, it definitely wasn't the first time I had seen it.

*TWO YEARS AGO*

"Have you finished yet?" Mr. Franceschi asked.

I glanced up at him from my seated position at my desk. I tightly clutched my pen in the palm of my hand. He was rushing me.

"Almost." I said, acting calm.

"I've already given you extra time, Oliver." He said.

I looked down at the test that was on my desk. I didn't care too much for French, but he kept telling me that if I didn't pass this exam then there would be a punishment.

"Come on, it's almost four. I want to get home sometime this afternoon." He said.

"Just a little longer. Let me finish first." I said.

A smile played on his lips, "Oh Oliver, I always let people finish."

The sexual innuendo was not lost on me. This had been going on for weeks now. His comments in context were completely innocent, but I saw behind what he was saying. Everything he said lately I would turn into something sexual. My friend, Matt, thought I was insane, but I could see it. Mr. Franceschi was flirting with me, and I had been playing hard to get, until today when I decided to purposely take extra long on my exam so we could stay back together.

"I'll grade you on what you've done. Bring me the test." He said.

I sighed and stood up, grasping the sheets of paper and went to the front of the classroom. I dropped the test in front of him, then I sat on the edge of the desk to watch him grade me.