Escape || an LGBT+ story (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 21

Jamie stubbornly stares to the other side in silence as he and Ian are taking a walk at the beach. When Ian makes a -bold AF- attempt to hold Jamie's hand, he slaps Ian's hand away.

Suddenly, Ian halts and grabs Jamie's wrist. 'Tell me, what do I have to do for you to forgive me?'

'Nothing.' Jamie glares at him. 'You outed me in front of pretty much half the world, without asking me for permission, your fans are personally attacking me, and now you also made me break my promise to Jay. Tell me, how can I be sure that that friend of yours can be trusted?'

'Well, I know Jake. He's a lot of things, but not a rapist. He's serious about your friend though.'

'That's exactly why I don't trust him.' Jamie glares at Ian. 'Jay is too innocent and naive. He has too much faith in people. If Jake makes a move on him, he won't have expected it and end up hurt.'

Ian squints his eyes.

'What? Why are you looking at me like that?' Jamie frowns.

'Is there anything I don't know about Jay?'

'Jay... oh crap! Well, I mean, he outed me too so we're even now. Jay is transgender, yes.'

'Oh wow.' Ian says. 'You know, I had no idea at first but ever since that accident, when you said that you and Jay would escape to be your true selves, after that I started noticing more things. So to be honest, it is not a big surprise to me. Does Joshua know though?'

'I don't know.' Jamie sighs. 'When Jay was fourteen, he was head over heels for my brother. He confided in him about the confusion he felt, since he had no idea what it was. But you know, Joshua can be like a rock when you talk to him. Jay doesn't know if he has heard him. Joshua never treated him differently either. But lately, he seems to be dropping these tiny little hints that he actually knows, and never once used Jay's dead name, so we're not sure.'

'Ah yea, that must be hard for Jay. The insecurity. But wait-' Suddenly, Ian's eyes light up. 'I suddenly remembered something. After Joshua got hit by Jake on the day of the accident, I asked him about his feelings for Jay. He avoided answering, but his tongue slipped once and he called Jay "he", and then corrected himself.'

'Wow!' Jamie says, stunned. 'That can't have been a simple mistake, right?'

Ian smirks. 'I think I have to agree with you, now that I know the entire story.'

The two are now just smirking at each other in full understanding when Jamie suddenly realizes that he hasn't forgiven Ian yet. His smirk fades to the fakest sweet smile he can manage, and then he just b*tchfaces the guy. 'Nice try.'

Ian is confused for a solid second until it lands. 'Oh crap! I'm really sorry, Jay. But I promise I will protect you, okay? My offer for you to stay over at my apartment still stands.'

'Ya, have you ever counted how long we've known each other?' 

'Yes.' Ian says. 'Approximately twelve days, sixteen hours, twenty-five minutes and 42, 43, 44...'

'Wrong, it's twenty-two minutes. Anyway, it's too short. I have no idea who you are, and whether I can trust you. So I had wished to at least get to know you a bit better before getting stuck in a celebrity scandal with you, you know.'

Ian sighs. 'You do have a point there, actually.'

Jamie looks up. Ian has his head lowered, and he looks really sad. All of a sudden, Jamie feels sad too. I don't like Ian like this. I want flirty, shameless, smiling Ian back.

In an impulsive action, he grabs both Ian's hands. 'We can still get to know each other though.'

Ian looks up, eyes sparkling. 'Really?'

Jamie can't help smiling as well, and nods.

'You're giving me another chance?' Ian checks again.

'Yes.' Jamie says. 'Don't f*ck it up.'

Ian pulls Jamie into a hug. 'I won't, I promise! Thank you so much!'

'Get off me, you fat idiot!' Jamie hisses. 'We're at the beach of Miami, half of your d*mned fanbase is here!'

Laughing, Ian let's go. 'Sorry, I got a bit too excited. Let's continue walking. I know an ice cream parlor not too far from here. They have strawberry sorbets...'

Jamie smirks. 'You know, it's hard to say no to things you like...'

'Yes, it's because I'm irresistible.' Ian says.

'Don't flatter yourself, I was talking about strawberries.'

'Well, in not too much time you won't be able to say no to me either.' Ian smirks. He boldly grabs Jamie's hand again. 'Let's go.'

***

'I don't even know what kind of ice cream you like the most.' Jamie realizes when they are in line for the ice cream parlor. 

'What if I told you it's rainbow sorbets?'

'That's some hella expensive taste.' Jamie remarks.

Ian laughs. 'True... well, the rainbow sorbet was great though. But usually, I take blueberry. Actually, I have some sort of synthesia. I can taste colours. And blue is my favourite taste.'

'Say what?' Jamie says. 'I have never heard of that before.'

'Yes, it's quite rare. And my fans don't know either. I think if they did, our concerts would be a blue sea. I only tell people I'm close with about this. So, if you want to look like a snack to me even more-'

'Hahaha, when I get home I will throw away every blue item in my closet.' Jamie interrupts him.

'Hey! That hurts, you know?' Ian clutches his chest.

'Aww, pitiful you.' Jamie giggles. 'Sorry, I had no idea that you were unaware of the fact that I'm a b*tch.'

'Well, I know you are still a softie underneath.' Ian grins, already recovered from his heartbreak.

'You don't know me...' Jamie mutters, looking the other way.

***

Word count: 955

***

Color-taste synesthesia, does that exist?

Whatever lol, I like the idea.

Plus, my mouth used to water when I saw a certain shade of yellow, because I got a very nice taste in my mouth, which I later identified as Optimel vanilla custard XD