Kept

One

***THIS IS A PREVIEW***

One line for the fact that my father committed suicide less than three months ago.

Another for the fact that it turned my mother into a secret alcoholic.

One more because today I had to go back to school after having refused to speak to anyone all summer.

Frankie had dropped by the house five times but never got past the concierge. I was sure that she must hate me with all her passion but at the time I couldn't have cared less.

They say that cocaine is bad for your health but I believe that fucked up family situations are far more destructive.

I was only seventeen years old and I felt like I'd been living through this insane nightmare for an entire lifetime.

The funeral had hit me the hardest. People were crying everywhere and all of them insisted on asking me how I felt.

Like fucking shit, of course!

My only two friends were coke and Vicodin. Up high and down low were a hell of a lot better than the empty black void that my Dad's death had left in my heart, my head, and our house.

Just like any other kid my age, I also binge-watched Netflix. Some of the shows portrayed ultra-rich kids' parents as either absent, abusive, or in some cases, utter psychopaths!

My dad was none of those things. He had inherited all of his wealth and never really worked a day in his life. Despite all of his expensive hobbies, he always made time for me. I considered him the most loving father one could ever have wished for.

When I figured out that I liked guys, he was the first person I told. Even my mother didn't know yet. Obsessed with image and decorum, I was sure that Mom would find it scandalous that she of all people had a gay child. Dad didn't confirm nor deny my suspicions but encouraged me to tell her when I felt the time was right.

"All the money in the world will never make you happy if you use it to build your own prison," he'd said.

From then onwards, he went out of his way to be supportive. He would take me to my secret obsession; the Ballet, even though he hated it. During intermission, he would ask me which guys I liked.

For my birthday he'd taken me to "Luz de la Luna" for lunch. He actually sent a drink to the guy I had been eye-fucking from across the room. When the pretty boy looked in my direction, I ducked. The tablecloth and everything on it went with me.

We laughed all the way home.

"If you ever need some privacy, check yourself into the Elysium hotel," he had said, handing me a brand new credit card. "Not even your mother knows about this account. Do with it as you please."

Why did my Dad kill himself? I still have no fucking clue!

***

"You fucking bastard!" Frankie screamed at me.

"I'm sorry," I said wide-eyed, almost bouncing in my shoes.

"Are you high on the first day of school?" she asked, with a lopsided grin.

"Yeah! My grief requires management," I said by way of excuse.

"Bullshit! You have been 'managing' yourself with that shit way before there was any grief involved!" she hissed.

"Fuck you!" I said.

"Fuck you too!" she spat, punching my arm hard. Then she wrapped hers around my shoulders and asked, "How are you holding up?"

"I am 'managing'," I said, tapping the side of my nose.

Frankie laughed as we walked into first period.

Again those long faces! Everyone looked at me with pity, yet said and did nothing.

I sat down and pulled up my collar. It didn't cover more than my neck but I definitely felt safer. Frankie squeezed my hand and I knew that I would be OK.

At least, until the coke wore off.

Mr. Greer walked in and made us all settle down. It was a hard task but he was an asshole, so...

Fuck me, who was that?

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to present your new classmate; Lucas Santos. I'm counting on all of you to make him feel welcome."

Priscilla stuck up her hand and said, "There is an empty seat right over here, Mr. Greer. I would be more than happy to help Lucas... acclimatize."

I'm sure you would, you soul-sucking harpy! There is a reason that seat is empty!

That bitch tried to seduce me and I refused her. Then, she told everyone that we'd fucked at Mandeep's party but that I came within six seconds and cried until she left.

I hated her with all my passion even though the rumor had temporarily halted the gossip about me drooling over Gabriel Vega.

That one was actually true.

Gabriel had always gotten me hard, especially during swim class. Nobody wore Speedos quite like him.

In all fairness, I probably wasn't the only one. He dropped out of school last year to model exclusively for Vero haute couture.

Enough about Gabriel! Let me check out the new guy.

Hmmm, my height, dark-haired crew cut, and shoulders from which clothes hang beautifully. Athletic but not overly strong and those eyes! Like chocolate!

"Close your mouth or the drool will drip on your desk, fuck face!" Frankie elbowed me hard.

"Go fuck yourself!" I hissed.

"I would but the class has started." She grinned.

I watched Lucas, as he hesitantly sat down next to Lilith incarnate. Could he smell the evil?

"Before we start, I'd like to convey my sincerest condolences to Ashton," Mr. Greer said, extending his arm toward me. "Your father was a valued member of our community and will be sorely missed."

Back to the long faces. Everyone except for Lucas. He was looking at me in open shock.

***

"What is it with you and the new kid?" Frankie demanded during lunch. I stabbed my fork into my salad to make it look like I was eating.

"Did you not see how he reacted when Mr. Greer said my name?" I answered, my dilated pupils fixed on Lucas sitting next to Sebastián and Olivier.

The twins were very cute but utterly brainless. Luckily, their parents were richer than God. They definitely wouldn't survive a day outside of our pampered little bubble. Then again, I probably wouldn't either.

"Sure, that's why!" Frankie barked. "It has nothing to do with the fact that you mentally undressed him the moment he stepped into the classroom."

I turned to stare at Frankie and whispered, "So, what! He is hot. It's not my fucking fault that you're deprived and frustrated!"

"That was below the belt, even for you, shit stain! You have a 'get out of jail free card' because of your old man but it won't cover you until the end of the year!" Frankie hissed.

She grabbed her tray and went to sit next to Priscilla, knowing how much it would piss me off.

It was definitely time for a Vicodin, I needed to calm the fuck down or I would crash and burn before I even started the year.

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