Pretty Boy [bxb] | ✔️

Chapter thirty-four: Every step of the way

𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮

I'd always had an understanding of how scared Alex must have been living how he did, going through abuse at the hands of his father. For example, his helplessness. My heart had anyway ached for him, and I tried my best to find ways to comfort him, to calm him down when he gets worked up or upset over it. But now that I've experienced assault firsthand, it has put everything into perspective.

My dad had asked me to go out and get some milk after finding out we had none left, so, despite my anxiety, I said I'd go. I figured going to the shops on my own was not going to hurt me, and if I wanted to help myself get over my anxiety, I had to be independent sometimes.

Alex had offered to come with me, but I turned him down. He had a project to work on, and I wanted to do this on my own. Going to the shops alone doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is for someone who spends every minute of every day terrified of nothing.

The walk to the shops seemed typical: boring, uneventful. The only sound I could hear was that of the music coming from my headphones. That was until I heard someone shout "Hey!".

Assuming they weren't talking to me, I kept my head down and continued walking, but then a hand gripped my shoulder, forcing me to stop and turn around. It was then that I came face to face with Alex's dad.

At first, I almost expected some kind of apology, a question asking how Alex was or if he could see him. Then I took in his expression and realised that hostility was written across his face. Fear overtook me.

"You're the guy who turned my son into a faggot, aren't you?" He asked all gritted teeth and harsh breathing. Although nothing of what he said was remotely funny, I let out a nervous laugh, not sure how I was supposed to reply.

"Mr Montgomery, I—" I began, making sure to be polite as I tried to avoid conflict.

It was a meagre attempt as he cut me off before I could say anything further. That was when I regretted referring to him as 'Mr Montgomery'. I confirmed his question without even having to say yes.

"Shut the fuck up," he growled, and my eyes widened as I caught sight of his fist travelling towards my face. The world seemed to slow down as it reached nearer and nearer to me, and I tried to dodge it, but I was too slow. Before I knew it, his fist had connected with my face.

The punch was so violent, so quick that I was knocked to the floor straight away. I reached my hand out to break my fall, and luckily, I fell on my butt, preventing myself from bashing my head against the pavement. Unfortunately, due to reaching my hand out, I landed on it funny, and pain spread across my wrist in an instant. My face just felt numb.