The Most Stereotypical BMC High School In Existence

2

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TW: MENTION OF ABUSE
Rich looked up to see three of his more regular bullies, Lerman, James and Travis. They were no Kurt and Ram, but they knew how to dish a good beating. Rich slumped down onto the floor and curled into a ball, protecting his more vital areas such as the bit of spinal cord that connects directly to the brain and the digestive system. In other words, he went into the fetal position. The three boys started whaling on him, giving Rich bruises that even professional boxers would balk at the sight of. This treatment continued for another 5 minutes and 3 seconds before someone started yelling down the hallway.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THREE DOING?!?!" The boys backed away quickly and ran, perfectly in synch like the cowards they were. Rich could hear footsteps quickly approaching but was in too much pain to care. "Lil dude?! What the fuck happened?! Never mind we need to get you cleaned up. The nurse already left... So did coach... I guess you'll just have to come over then." He barely registered the words coming from the person above him. He was faintly aware of someone swinging his bag over their shoulder, picking him up and carrying him bridal style. Rich snuggled into the hard, flat chest of whoever was carrying him and slipped into the darkness.

Jake's POV
Jake carried the sleeping form of Rich to his car. He gently placed him in the passenger seat, making sure he was in a comfortable position before going around to his side of the car. He put the poor kid's GIANT bag in the back seat, at least 40 pounds being taken off his back. He climbed into the driver's seat, his heart melting at how pure and innocent the other boy looked while sleeping.

He had had a crush on Rich since Freshman year, but gay was not okay in this tiny town in Nowhere, New Jersey. Jake's parents had abandoned him a few months ago, but he had managed to keep that story completely under wraps. He ALSO managed to hide his love of all things school and learning from most people. Only three people knew about it, and he was about to add a fourth, though he suspected Rich already knew. The kid was way too smart to have not figured it out by now.

Everything fascinated Jake, but his passion lied with history, literature and oddly enough, theater. His ex girlfriend Christene had got him into theater and he had instantly fallen in love with it. When they broke up (nothing bad happened Christene just realized she was aro ace) he didn't have an excuse to perform in school productions, which had cut him to the core. He had decided to just roll with what everyone thought he was and submerged himself in the bleak, suffocating mess that was being a popular jock. Talking to Rich was like a breath of pure oxygen, and Jake was already addicted.

Rich's POV
He woke up in an unfamiliar house on an unfamiliar bed with only his boxers on. He squeaked and fell of the bed, causing pain to shoot out all around his body. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow..." He muttered over and over, trying to get back on the incredibly soft and comfy bed. "Oh my god are you ok?! I heard a thump I can as fast as I could, im making dinner. Is mac and cheese ok? I'm kinda low on food." It took Rich a full 30 seconds to register that 1. Jake was the one who took care of him AND HAD TAKEN HIS CLOTHES OFF and 2. He asked questions. Rich covered his chest and shoulders with the duvet and started talking.

"Yeah, I'm ok, jutht got a little thcared in a totally unfamiliar plathe. Im fine though. Mac and cheethe thounds great." Jake looked on the ground sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry I kinda just stole you, didn't I? I cleaned you up by the way. There was blood and bruises everywhere. Your clothes are in the wash, but in the meantime I laid out some of my old clothes that should fit okay. Dinner will be ready in like 5 minutes, but feel free to look around." He left, leaving Rich alone.

He looked around, seeing that he was in Jakes actual room, not a guest bed. There was about a dozen playbills scattered on the walls, making Rich smile. Seems like Jake wasn't all just sports and parties kind of guy. He got out of the bed, going to look at the clothes Jake was letting him wear. He was trying not to squeal with excitement at the thought. He was going to be wearing JAKES clothes! Rich did a little happy dance before getting dressed. (A/N: lol rich is such a bottom in this fic i cant even start to process) the outfit was just a smallish hoodie and shorts but Rich was enveloped in Jakes scent, and it was heavenly.

He walked out of the room to find the kitchen/living room RIGHT THERE. It was a tiny flat, with a bathroom, 2 bedrooms and sitting room thing with a small kitchen in the corner where Jake was right now. Rich was eternally envious that Jake had his own place, though the circumstances that surrounded the situation were most likely terrible. "Great! You're up and about. Could you help set up the table? 3 spots if you don't mind, I have a room mate. Their name is-" "TYLER PATTON GREENE MY NAME IS TYLER PATTON GREENE AND THERES A MILLION THINGS I HAVEN'T DONE JUST YOU WAIT" an average sized teenager bust down the door yelling loudly.

"This is Ty, they/them pronouns, I've known this dickhead since I was in kindergarten. They're my best friend who I very much regret agreeing to live with." Jake added, and Rich giggled. "HOLY SATAN BALLS THIS BEAN IS ADORABLE WHERE DID YOU FIND SOMETHING SO PURE AND INNOCENT, I AM NOT WORTHY TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE" Ty screeched when they finally focused on Rich. "Are they alwayth thith loud?" Jake sighed. "Yeah, pretty much."

All three of them sat on the floor, plates on a low coffee table. "So Rich, do you want to explain what happened? I understand if you don't, its just weird." He shrugged. "Just some kidth who don't like me." Jake raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, which Rich greatly appreciated. "I uh, thaw those playbillth o the wall, have you theen the thowth?"

Jake blushed hard and looked down to the floor. "Yeah um, when I was dating Christine she and I would see musicals and shows at least once a week. I've been working on getting them organized so I can display them, I only have about 10 up right now. She and I are really good friends, but she figured out she wasn't straight sophomore year and wanted to explore her sexuality so we mutually agreed to end it." Rich nodded, trying to come up with a topic. "Now he just watches the shows I work on, and spends wayyyy too much time at rehearsals with me, if he isn't dancing of course." Jake flushed red. "Ty, kindly shut the fuck up! He doesn't need to know I dance!" Jake hissed, which only made Rich more curious. "You dance?"

Jake was way too easily persuaded to talk, and the three of them ended up discussing theater, dance, school and more for hours. Rich even got them to give him their numbers after an offhand comment about how he had one contact in his phone that wasn't a class Remind. They both offered to drive him home, but he declined as he wanted to walk home so he would be out of the house longer. He hated that empty, empty house. It was a house that was never a home, never would be a home. His father... well he wasn't a father, to put it short. He was a savvy businessman p, sure, but a cruel, manipulative man as a result. Rich got a lot of the metaphorical blows when he was angry. He was a thin, wiry man, so he was never hit, but school made up for that plenty.

Despite the abuse that Rich faced, he was a very optimistic person and had a pretty good self esteem. He had learned from his mother early on that he needed to acknowledge the bad things of course, but what made it worth it were the good things. Always try and help others see the good in themselves and they in turn will reveal the good in you, she said. That was what he lived by and it worked well for him. Like Jake and Tyler; they had shown him kindness and acceptance and had shown him that he was worth it, which was more powerful and meaningful than anything negative anyone could say. His musings were cut short when he reached the door of his house. He took a deep breath before going in, and did his best to expel the demons with the exhale.

EDITED