Where Am I? (boyxboy)

Chapter Seventeen

Warning! EXPLICIT boyxboy action!

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Emelia's voice rang throughout the hall with finality. I looked at her in horror. It was done. Everyone knew. Murmurs began, spreading through the seated students like a wild fire. I pleaded with my eyes, begging that Emelia could see. Whether she knew or not of my identity, I was sure of the answer, but whether she would destroy the fragile image I had made, I had controlled, that, was completely up in the air. Then it was all over.

"Dawson Trick is alive. He's alive in each of us." My heart that had climbed into my throat sunk back to it's rightful place in my chest. Waves were crashing in my ears, but the relief hit me like a punch. She was still looking at me as she spoke, her next words were slow and deliberate. She was telling me she would keep my secret, but she wasn't happy about it. Her anger stayed immanent but I saw the defeated acceptance as well.

A crack in my armor of indifference widened, and I felt it start to fall away. I was about to lose it.

"I see him in each and every one of you, because in truth, yes. He may have been weak or a coward, but he affected all of us in his own way. No matter if it was something as small as helping you with math homework," Her gaze shifted to Alec, to give him a look of pity before it carried itself back to me.

"He effected us all, and because of that effect and it's memory, a part of Dawson lives in every single one of us. Whether is was his kindness, his determination, his cruelty, or his will to change the world, we carry a bit of his spirit, just like he carried our's. We all knew of the Dawson Trick who led this school with a heavy heart, but more than anything, with hope. We remember him, and that is what matters. We remember not only the pain his death caused, but the hope he brought us in life." Her voice broke at the very end, and I was left with regret. Regret and sorrow.

The next thing I knew, Emelia was running out of the assembly hall, soft sobs coming from her as she ran. I looked after her, I regretted not telling her. Maybe then, this wouldn't have happened. I regretted a lot of things, but there was nothing I could do to change them now. Now I had to fix things, because as much as I wished it wasn't so, I cared about Emelia.

I sat stunned. She knew, and in a way she had spilled my secret. She had gotten revenge on me for keeping the secret, for lying, and for betraying her trust. Something that I wished I could change more than anything. Yet, something had changed her mind, she had kept the secret. I was shaking with relief. The shock began to wear off, and I became aware of Noah's heavy gaze upon me.

"Go to her." He said, his voice filled with determination, his big eyes serious. "You need to explain to her." I nodded slowly, standing up as I saw Coach take the stage. I ruffled Noah's hair, giving him a grateful smile, before walking out of the assembly hall and trying to find Emelia.

I searched throughout the school. Empty classrooms. Offices. School hallways. She seemed to have dissipated. Gone without a trace. Then I was hit by a memory.

"Dawson! Stop, we need to go to class!" Emelia said, giggling as I chased her to the little alcove the boys and I always hung out in. She looked at me, a flirty smile on her glossed lips, her long blonde hair flowing behind her as she skipped, pressing herself against the cement wall of the alcove. I smirked as she beckoned me forward with a finger. I gave her a mock stern look.

"I thought you said we should be getting to class?" At that, she smiled, pulling me by the hand so I was closer to her, hidden by the alcove as well. Being a graceful fifteen year old, I tripped, running into Emelia, so our chests were pressed together, our faces inches apart. Suddenly, it was like the world stopped. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up to me, her face suddenly serious.