Escape || an LGBT+ story (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 7

At three that saturday afternoon, I decide to drop by at Jamie's. Last night, I slept horribly. My thoughts were all over the place, but mainly centered around Joshua and how he had told me to leave and not come back. It was the first time ever Joshua snapped at me.

When Jake called, I hesitated, but ignored him in the end. And when I got flooded with messages like "Jay, tell me what I did wrong, please?" I felt guilty, but I still ignored him. How does he not know what he did wrong though?

In conclusion, I need someone to talk to, and that someone is Jamie. Of course, he knows about my massive crush on his brother. I just haven't told him about last tuesday yet. I have been so busy contemplating everything on my own that I forgot to mention it to Jamie.

I don't feel like calling, I'll just walk there. Jamie's house is not that far from mine.

When I open the door fifteen minutes later, I fall right into the chaos. What a surprise. Three younger sisters, thirteen, nine and seven years old. The thirteen-year-old, Zoey, is upstairs most of the time lately, but now she's sitting on the couch, airpods in and not paying any attention to the noise produced by Zelma, Zina and their two friends, four hyperenergetic chatterboxes. Well, I have to say it's better when they are playing together, because when those two are fighting, hell breaks loose. I've witnessed that more than once.

Aside from these kids, Jamie has three brothers too. Sixteen-year-old Jason, also Jamie's roommate but I barely see him because he works a lot and is living the teenage life, you know, puberty. Then, there's 22-year-old Jim who got married not long ago and thus moved out. And of course, there's Joshua.

Kelly, their mom, is on the phone in what seems like an animated conversation with whoever is on the other line of the phone. When she sees me, however, she shows me a sweet smile and waves before angrily yelling into her phone again, while unpacking the dishwasher. At three. In the afternoon. Nothing out of the ordinary here though.

I sprint past the chaos, up the stairs, to Jamie's room, which is next to Joshua's by the way. It will soon be Jason's though, since Joshua only uses it for like two nights every month.

Jamie is in the process of dancing to a song I haven't heard yet, but sounds fresh and fun. Once he sees me, he quickly pauses the song. 'Jay! I did not think you were still thinking about your lonely friend.'

'Lonely.' I scoff. 'Go downstairs if you feel lonely. Anyways, what song is that?'

'Wave! I told you Ateez would have a comeback this monday, you didn't listen to it yet?'

'No, not yet. It sounds fun though, I will add it to my playlist for sure.' I say.

'You know what I just realized?' Jamie says. 'I'm going to turn eighteen in just 28 days.' He squeaks. 'Help, it's so close!'

'Still 93 days for me.' I pout.

'Oh, don't worry, I will adopt you.'

I grin. 'Love you.'

'If you truly love me, why did I not hear from you this entire week? It's summer break right now, you're supposed to have free time right?' He pouts and gives me the puppy eyes.

'Tch, you-' I scoff with a smile, falling down on his soft, fluffy mattress. I want Jamie's bed. 'I had a bit of a hectic week.' I admit.

'Tell me.' Jamie sits down with his legs crossed and raises his eyebrows.

'Well, last tuesday...'

When I have pretty much elaborated everything a few minutes later, Jamie says: 'Don't tell me you are going to listen to that idiot brother of mine, will you?'

'Eh, he's not such an idiot. Actually, I don't think I want to be raped by Jake, you know?'

'Well yeah, you have a point there. He doesn't seem very reliable. But hey, if my brother is there, he can protect you. He just has to keep you close.'

'Yeah, it's surely a good idea to bother him like that.' I roll my eyes.

'Sweety, judging from what you've just told me, he is very willing to protect you.'

'He didn't tell me to stay away for nothing.'

'He is worried about you, he doesn't want you to be alone with Jake.'

'He's a gentleman, that's just the way he is.'

'I've never seen him be a gentleman to anyone else though.'

'You've never seen it doesn't mean it never happened.'

Jamie laughs. 'Well, I've been his brother for 17 years, 11 months and three days now and I still haven't seen it? Geez, I used to think you were a complete delulu about him but actually, you might not have been so delusional. What did he do for you yesterday? He prevented you from being alone with Jake-the-fuckboy, he got Jake off you every time, he drank your drink -even though he has a bad AF alcohol tolerance, so he was probably half drunk already- and then he saved you from Jake's claws and told you to wear the clothes you feel most comfortable in- how does he even know?'

'I have no idea! I only see him once a month, if I'm lucky. I don't even wear them if he's here, I mean, not on purpose.'

'I think it's so adorable though.' Jamie giggles. 'He's basically saying he prefers you feeling comfortable over you looking pretty.'

'No, he's saying it will be a lot easier for him if I dress properly.'

'From what I can tell, my dear friend, that Jake guy will assault you either way. Why do you even bother to stay friends?'

'He... he's still a fun guy. In the chat. He just needs to know that I'm not interested. Then, he will probably stop.'

'Just admit that it's because of Joshua.'

'It's... well, of course, partially...'

'And because you might be able to tell them about your feelings, because they seem open-minded.'

I sigh. 'You know the logic of my heart... it's basically non-existent.'

Jamie snorts. 'For real though. But I feel you. Actually, these boys may be the key to your big escape. You know what, I want to meet them too now. If you introduce me to them too, I will ask my mom if you can stay over for dinner. You and Joshua need to talk. He has to explain why he said all that. After all, is he really in the position to tell you what you can or can't do?'

'I don't know... but I will surely introduce you to them if I get green light. Especially Ian.'

'Especially Ian.' Jamie says with a smirk.

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Word count: 1125

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Is Jian a good ship name?