The Deadman ✔

Chapter Ten

You know what the great thing about babies is? They are like little bundles of hope. Like the future in a basket.
-Lish McBride

I didn't realize the first time I ran into Nonnie's group with my boyfriend's group with me it would be so fucking awkward. This happening in my favorite store in the mall nonetheless.

Teddy clutches himself to my arm, noticing the stares.

My mental state feels totally fucked.

Ugh.

Homophobes.

"Hey," I drop my voice, gently touching Theodore's chin. "If you want to leave we can."

He shakes his head, blond hair falling in his eyes making me grin. "I'm alright."

It's then I notice that literally everyone in the two groups are looking at me.

"What happened?"

"Nothing," Jason snaps, looking disgusted up at me. "Avery was just talking to me."

"Yeah?" Chip asks out, voice snarky. "Talking, or gossiping. I bet it was nothing good, just like you."

Teddy makes a small noise at the back of his throat, catching my attention. "Please stop ar-"

"The only person here who is no good is him!" Macy shouts, pointing right up to me. "All you people act like he's the best thing around, that hugging him will make your day but you're all wrong. You're wrong. He's an asshole, a bad person. That's what we were talking about, and that's the truth all you delusional people need to face."

Finally, the truth comes out.

Looking away, I clench my jaw.

"What is his problem?" Avery asks, practically sneering the question. "He knows himself better than any."

"Listen, I don't know who you think you are, but it's nobody important. You think you're all that, because you have Daddy's money behind you-" Lucas snaps out. "-and a few people that share your views by your side, because your head is so far up your ass that you've gotten used to the smell of your own bullshit."

"I know you think that just because someone is silent, dull, and not interested in your way of life, you call them an asshole. He threatens the way you live, because he lives a better life than you. You fly through your reality, because you can control it with your looks and money, but he works and works hard for the things he has." This time it's Teddy stepping up in front of me, looking between them as he talks. "He's a man with good morals, thoughts and beliefs. He never offends someone on purpose, and if he does offend someone he apologizes. He's been traumatized, hurt and insulted -yet he still manages to be a gentle and fun person, someone people want to be around. Someone you, without any trauma, and everything a person could want, haven't managed to become."

"So I'd take a second look at yourself before you call anyone an asshole, especially someone like that." Mikayla continues. "That goes for all of you, because I promise you if you haven't said anything to Atticus to make him feel like he needs to hide, to make him afraid of you like the same way he's afraid of the people who's given him scars, he'd be undeniably the best man you've ever met."

Is this what it's like to have real friends?

"You're using him," Theodore says flatly, looking Violet in the eyes. "It's hurting him, and I'm sick of it."

"She's not using him." Macy says, something Violet tugs on her arm to prevent. "He's volunteering for everything he does."

"I volunteer for everything because it's the right thing to do, especially if I'm going to be a father." I deadpan, moving to stand straight.