Vision Of Broken Things

Chapter 2

The rest of the week Chrissy and I started the avoid each other.
To be honest, she was avoiding me a lot more than I was avoiding her.

I tried calling her since the night at Bruce's party but it always goes to voice mail, I also haven't seen her in the cafeteria and we didn't take any classes together either.

If it wasn't for occasionally spotting her in the hallway, I would be convinced that she just vanished into thin air.

I couldn't help but feel responsible for her getting distant with me.

Whenever I ask someone in our friend group, they would say she told them that she signed up for so many school activities that it's killing her.

I wasn't convinced, I just knew that her distance and the sudden busy schedule had to do with the kiss.

I walked into the cafeteria and to what has become our usual table.

I noticed Chrissy sitting talking to Jessie, this was my chance to finally talk to her about our kiss, but as soon as I sat down with my lunch, Chrissy packed her things up.

''See you guys later, I signed up for Spanish Club. It looks fantastic on a college application.'' Said Chrissy before I could even greet her.

Chrissy left the table in a hurry.

''Well, that was weird. Did she tell you she's doing Spanish this year?'' Asked Jessie

I took a tiny bite out of my ham and cheese sandwich and mumbled after swallowing.

''She doesn't tell me much, or at all.''

Jessie gave me a look I couldn't quite make out, just when she was about to interrogate me Angelo sat down.

Thank God for that.

If he didn't join us and she started asking questions, I would have no idea how to answer them.

''Hey, what did I miss?'' Said Angelo with a smile.

He gave me a fist bump, which is weirdly becoming our usual greeting.

After Bruce's party, Angelo and I started bonding over our video game obsession during lunch in the cafeteria.

He was a cool guy and I'm happy I became close to at least one of the people that I've been hanging out with.

''Chrissy seems to be acting weird this week, do you have any idea what's going on?'' Asked Jessie suspiciously.

Angelo looked over at me, I might have told him what happened at Bruce's party.

I couldn't help it.

I spent the weekend at his house playing a new video game I bought but never ended up playing, how could I not after we got to know each other over thirteen hours of gaming non-stop?

He scratched the back of his head and gave a convincing sigh.

''I have no idea, maybe she's just trying to stay busy after the Noah thing.'' He suggested.

She drank her water and gave a little nod. I assume that she bought Angelo's convincing suggestion.

''I guess you're right, I didn't know she told you about that though. She told me she wanted to keep it secret for the time being?'' She asked curiously.

Angelo and I looked at each other, exchanging worried looks.

We might've just dug ourselves a hole. A big, dark and a scary hole.

Finally, I blurted out without any real thought to it.

''I haven't been here long, but I've noticed that people like to talk at this school.''

Angelo brushed the blue hair out of his face and opened his can of RedBull.

''That's very true, Jess. Think about the time you and Connor first started dating. Not even an entire day and everyone knew.'' He commented.

She nodded in agreement and put her Math books in her backpack.

''With Connor and Noah getting ready for Football season, I guess it will just be the four of us at lunch. That's if Chrissy gets a breather from whatever's been keeping her busy.'' Jessie stated.

She got up after finishing her sentence.

''I'll catch up with you guys later? I should probably go find Ms. Lloyd and ask her if band practice is still the same time as last year. This woman insists to spice things up every year without any warning.''

She walks off, seeming to be in a hurry.

I suddenly had a loss of appetite, giving my sandwich to Angelo.

He gladly accepts the sandwich and takes a big bite from it, mumbling while chewing.

''So, what are you going to do?'' He says between chews.

I grabbed his energy drink off of the table and took a massive gulp.
''I have no idea, it's not like I can just corner her in the hallway and she still isn't returning my calls.''

Before I knew it the sandwich was gobbled up, he took the energy drink out of my hand.

''Well, you can but that would be weird. Just go to her house, I mean it's kind of difficult to ignore someone when they're at your doorstep.'' He bluntly suggested.

I threw my empty bottle of water into the trashcan behind Angelo.

''If I knew where she lived, I might've considered it.'' I said jokingly.

He smirked at me and swallowed down the rest of his RedBull.

''Well, I'm surprised you don't know where she lives since you might be making many visits to her bedroom soon."

I rolled my eyes; Angelo is such a jokester.

''It's not like that, she was just drunk and emotional.'' I said in her defense.

My statement didn't seem to convince him, because he still kept making comments about it.

''Yeah, you're right. Whenever a girl breaks up with me I always find the need to embrace homosexuality. Drunk and emotional always helps the activity.'' He says smirking.

I couldn't help but laugh at that statement, Angelo is the kind of guy that could take any situation and turn it into something hilarious.

''When are we having another gaming night?'' I asked casually.

I hoped that he wouldn't mention my sudden change in the topic but there was no way he would let me get away with it.

''Changing the topic isn't going to be that easy, we still have to talk about what your next move is going to be." He stats seriously.

Lunch went by fast after Angelo decided to drop the 'Chrissy' topic, and luckily, not long after I had my last class of the day.

I walked into my chemistry class and took my seat, Noah wasn't here yet and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit paranoid about him talking about Chrissy.

A few minutes later Noah took his seat next to me, he seemed to be in a good mood.

I took this chance to put my mind at ease and finally, forget about the situation that I am in.

Mr. Williams gave us the last ten minutes to start our homework and that's when Noah started to become a bit chatty.

''I am so excited for Football season; Connor and I have trained all week for this and I can't believe it's starting soon. Are you planning on joining any sports teams?" He asked, being inquisitive.

Sport was the last thing on my mind, it's been almost two weeks that I've been in this school and I'm already the cause of soon-to-be drama.

''Maybe soccer or basketball, I haven't decided yet. I use to play at my old school back in Dallas.''

Noah leaned onto his desk and started fidgeting with his pen.

"So, I guess you've heard about Chrissy and me?'' He said awkwardly.

I was hoping he wouldn't mention Chrissy because lately, that's all anyone can talk about.

Can't I just go one day without hearing her name?

It was starting to annoy me already.

''That you guys dated or that you guys broke up?'' I asked in a neutral voice.

He seemed to be uncomfortable with my blunt answer.
I wanted to know why he was getting so flustered and I was determined to find out.

''So... I guess you do know; I was wondering if I can talk to you about something? It's a bit personal'' He asked anxiously.

Why am I getting dragged into everyone's personal lifelike this?

''Yeah, sure. What's wrong?''

He started to pack his things into his bag and I had a strange feeling that, whatever he wants to talk about, is going to cause even more drama.

''Every year my family does this barbeque thing just before football season starts and I was wondering you would want to go with me? You know... like my date?'' He said grinning weirdly.

Yeah, my 'Drama Senses' were spot on.

''Noah, I think there's something you should know.''

There was a lot he should know, for example;
I kissed his girlfriend a good two minutes after they broke up
and
I am the reason she's been acting so weird.
Last, but certainly not least,
the only part of him I will ever be attracted to is his shoes.

''What do I need to know? I'm not your type.'' He said in a serious tone but his smirk gave away the hidden humor.

''Yeah, kind of... I guess. I'm not really into um... this?'' I said gesturing my hands awkwardly between us.

Mentally I was praying to God that he gets what I'm trying so hard to tell him.

''This is awkward; I didn't know you had a boyfriend.'' His disappointing tone lingered for a few seconds.

Oh my gosh, he is the slowest person I have ever met.

''I don't have a boyfriend; I pray to God I will never have a boyfriend,'' I said more aggressively than I intended.

I could see he was getting frustrated with confusion, that's when I decided to just tell it as it is.

''I'm gay, Noah. I like girls, that's why I'm not interested in going to the barbeque with you as your date and that's why you're not my type.

I am sure that any other girl in the school would be over the moon if you asked them, I am so sorry.''

There was a weird moment of silence and it felt like forever that either of us said a word.

I was thinking about what to say next when the school bell rang loudly in my ears.

Noah stormed out and I could tell that this wasn't going to be the last time I caused drama.

After school Angelo gave me a ride home, he met my mom the weekend and she quickly started to treat him as her son.

It was weird to me, there hasn't been a boy around the house since my brother and it almost felt like he was back.

We got to my house and my mom insisted that Angelo should stay for dinner, and of course, he would never refuse food.

My mom was hard at work in the kitchen while we were playing video games in the lounge.

We started chatting about school and I almost forgot about telling Angelo what happened in Chemistry.

''So, Noah asked me out today.'' I said softly to avoid my mom's questions.

The game was quickly paused and he broke out into a fit of laughter, I expected this reaction so I wasn't surprised when it happened.

''Everyone wants your beef, Mel. You run a fine butchery by the looks of it'' He said between laughs.

I couldn't help but laugh along, he always knew how to give me a good laugh when I needed it.

''Did you tell him or did the charming Noah Clark change your mind about homosexuality?'' He said with a jokingly wink.


I pressed the play button on his remote and we continued playing.

''Of course, I told him. He wasn't too happy about it, he stormed out without saying anything.''

He paused the game again and looked at me with a concerned expression painted on his face.

''You don't think that... he left Chrissy for you, right?'' He asked seriously.

I didn't think of that, there might be a possibility.

To be honest, I didn't want to even think about it like that.

''No way, he only met me that day. He didn't even know more than my name; he still doesn't even know much about me.'' I listed.

We agreed to stop talking about it for the rest of the night and soon after we were at the dining table eating chicken stir-fry.

My phone started vibrating in my pocket, I took it out to see my dad's name shining on my phone screen, I quickly swiped to answer.

I always had this fear that if I missed a call from my dad, he would stop calling.

Not that he called me that often anyway.

''Hi, Dad.''

I forgot what his voice sounds like, he usually just calls my mom and when he gets home he keeps himself busy so we don't end up talking that much.

''Hi, Melanie.'' He said sternly.

He was the only person that calls me by my real name, excluding my teachers of course.

''Is everything okay?'' I asked in fear that I did something wrong.

My dad took a while to answer my question and I had to check my phone to see if we got cut off by accident.

''Everything is fine; I'm just calling to let you know that I will be in Portland tomorrow.''

This didn't seem right, he never called me to tell me when he will be home.
My mom would usually tell me a few days before he comes home.

''Oh, that's great news.'' I said trying to sound more excited than I was confused.

An awkward silence fell upon the phone call.
This was strange behavior.
I didn't want to question it and deep down I was hoping he called because he was excited to see me.

I haven't seen my dad in two months and I was nervous to see him again after all that time.

''I will see you tomorrow, Melanie. Sleep tight.''

I looked over at my mom, I noticed that I had her full attention.

''Alright, you too. Bye, Dad.''

The phone call ended and my mom took no time waiting to interrogate me.

''What did he say?''

Did she not know he was coming home tomorrow?

That seemed impossible, what kind of wife wouldn't know when her husband is coming home?

''Dad's coming home tomorrow, he didn't tell you?'' I asked confusingly.

My mom got up and started nervously collecting the empty dishes from the dining table, this was all very suspicious to me.

''Yeah, he did. I just forgot. Moving always takes a toll on my memory.'' She said with a squeak in her voice.

I wanted to ask her what's going on but I was scared for the answer she might give.

I excused myself from the table and walked up to my room.

It wasn't long after I sat on my bed that my door opened.

Angelo sat next to me, it was awkward, I didn't know but why we just sat there not saying anything.

''Why are you so opposed to feeling?'' He asked without any filter.

What was he talking about? I am not opposed to feeling, what does he even mean?

''Excuse me?''

He shifted on the bed and when he was physically comfortable he started to elaborate.

''Any normal human being wouldn't be okay right now.
I don't even live here and I know things aren't right between your parents.
You deny there being anything between you and Chrissy even though her ignoring you is a clear sign that she likes you.
It's like you're avoiding anything real because you don't want to feel the aftermath of it.''

It made me angry how he could just assume things, he doesn't know anything about what's going on.

''Things are fine!" I yelled out of anger.

I got up from my bed and stormed to my door, before I opened my door, I felt his hand on my shoulder.

I stopped in my tracks, tears burning in my eyes.

''My brother, he... he passed away a year ago.''

I didn't want to turn around; I didn't feel like talking about it either but I had to.

After Jason's funeral, everyone avoided mentioning him except for my mom and I, if anyone else did there would be an awkward silence and a change of topic.

Angelo said nothing, he just squeezed my shoulder to comfort me.

I turned around and walked over to my bed and took a seat.

If I was going to tell him the story I had to sit down.

''I was dating this girl, we kept it a secret because our school wasn't accepting towards same-sex relationships.
We knew it wouldn't last long, a month of dating, word got out of our relationship.

The girl my brother was dating saw us kissing in my room and took a picture, the next morning it was against every locker at school.

I was forced to come out to my parents and they didn't take it that well.

Jason stood up for me, he had a big fight with my dad and left.

The morning after, we got a call from the hospital saying he was in a car accident, and by the time we got there he had passed away.
Things changed after that, my dad was at home a lot less and my parents started accepting my sexuality.

Most of my family stopped talking about Jason, it feels weird talking about him to anyone but my mom.''


Angelo stayed the night; I didn't want to be alone after I told him and my mom adored him enough to allow it.