If They Don't Kill Us... We Will

Chapter 3 - Finn

I sat cross-legged on the toilet in the men’s bathroom and tried to concentrate on my Algebra homework. But as much as I tried, my mind kept drifting. My best friend Ryan Shackles was supposed to be meeting me but he was ten minutes late.

The door to the bathroom burst open and my heart beat increased. Oh please don’t let it be them…

“Finn?”

I breathed a sigh of relief and unlocked the cubicle door. Ryan was running a hand through his hair and staring wide-eyed at his reflection.

“Sorry I was late. Are you alright? You look terrified.”

“You just startled me is all. I thought you were…”

I trailed off and bit my lip. Ryan looked at me curiously. “Thought I was who?”

“Never mind,” I said quickly, avoiding his gaze.

“Finn,” he warned. “Tell me.”

I sighed. “I thought you were Dexter and Lewis.”

“Why? Are they looking for you or something?”

I shrugged. “They will definitely be looking for me once they find out…”

“Find out what?”

“Forget it.”

“Huh?”

“Forget it mate, it doesn’t matter.”

Ryan was still looking at me but dropped the subject.

I wished I could tell him but I couldn’t. For a while I’ve been having certain… feelings.

I saw how Lewis and Dexter treated anyone they found not worthy of their time and I did not wish to become one of their victims.

Ryan glanced at his watch. “We’re gonna be late for English. Let’s go.”

I followed him out the bathroom and into the hall.

“Hey freak! Where’ve you been? I’ve been looking for you!!”

I jumped and looked around, startled. Had they discovered my secret?

But Dexter was currently grinning at some guy in my gym class.

I breathed out a sigh of relief.

“Are you alright?” Ryan asked me worriedly. “You don’t look so good…”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly. “C’mon.”

I hitched my backpack on my shoulder, lowered my head and started to walk quickly to my class.

Just as I sped up, I accidently bumped into someone and they went sprawling on the floor.

“Oh, sorry,” I mumbled as I bent down to help them.

They brushed their hair out their eyes and I blinked when I saw it was Cody.

“S’alright,” he mumbled, grabbing his books which had gone all on the floor.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s gotten into me today,” I said, grabbing a Maths textbook.

I handed it to him and our hands touched for a second.

I stayed frozen in shock but Cody didn’t seem to notice. He was more worked up about Dexter, who was coming closer.

I bit my lip, expecting some homophobic jibe but to my surprise Dexter picked up a sheet of paper and gave it to Cody.

“You’re gonna come to my house, right?” he said.

Cody nodded numbly and stood up, shoving his books in his bag and walking quickly off.

Dexter smirked at my dumbfounded expression and went off.

Running up to Cody, I grabbed his shoulder.

“Hold up,” I said, panting.

Cody stopped but didn’t turn to face me. “What?”

“A-are you really going to Dexter’s house?”

“Yeah. So what?”

I can’t describe the feeling I felt inside me. It felt like… jealously? But that’s insane, I couldn’t be jealous of Cody meeting up with Dexter… could I?

“W-why?” I stuttered. “I mean, he’s Dexter. He’s bullied you for three years now.”

Cody shrugged. “History project. I-I have to go.”

Turning away from me, he carried on down the corridor.

I felt surprise as the emotions inside me changed to something more like relief. Shaking my head, I started to walk back to my class.