The Jaded Life of Adrian White

Chapter 5

I loved Connor. I loved him so much. I loved him more than I loved anything else in the world. We met every day after school at that lake on the bridge. We would sit and hold hands. Talk about the world. Talk about the future. Talk about anything.

After school, I would run to the bridge and wait for Connor. One of his football friends would drop him off in front of the park; he would run in and look for me. I would be waiting for him, ready for him.

I remember the last afternoon with Connor.

I was waiting for him in a small patch of sand surrounded by trees and rocks, next to the lake. What was I doing? Planning to run away…Run away from this town. Get away from everyone and head to LA. In fact, anywhere away from here would be preferable. God. What would my parents think? We were planning to leave three weeks from now. We were going to get into the car and drive. Drive somewhere, anywhere.

The sound of a car door closing broke the thought process. I looked up, waiting to see his figure emerging from the stone pathway. Connor smiled when he saw me.

“Rough day at school.” He said as he neared me.

“What happened?” I asked.

As he wrapped himself in my arms I felt his warmth block out the freezing cold wind blowing over me. I felt safe.

“Nothing. Just some stupid grade on my Economics exam.” He exhaled. “50%.”

“Oh.” Was all I responded with.

“How was yours?” Connor asked.

“It was fine.” I told him.

“What’s this?!” I heard someone yelling from the stone trail.

I felt Connor’s grip tighten and then he pushed me away. From behind him, I could see Daniel, the guy that had been dropping off Connor.

“What? Are you banging this fag?!” Daniel shouted.

Connor shook his head. His face was of pure terror. Mine heart was dead. It skipped four beats and then stopped. I felt cold.

“No!” Connor said.

My expression changed to something of betrayal. Why was he denying it? Was is image more important than me?!

“He’s just some pervert! He won’t get his fucking hands off me!” Connor spat turning to me.

“What the fuck?!” Daniel’s booming voice was deafening.

Daniel walked over to me, raising his fist. Connor pushed him back.

“Don’t fight my fucking battles! This is mine!” Connor commanded.

“What the hell?!’ Daniel yelled as he pushed towards me again.

I backed up, cowering away. Connor turned to me.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Connor spat in my face.

“What are you talking abou-” He cut me off.

“What do you mean “What am I talking about?” You know what I’m talking about faggot!” Connor was going insane.

“I don’t know what you talking about!” I pleaded. Tears were falling from my eyes. What was happening?

Daniel and Connor continued to shout things at me.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Connor was livid.

The last thing I felt before I hit the ground was his fist hitting my cheek. My head hitting the rock below.

“Out like a light.” My mom would have said.