(a TRIGGER WARNING !!! for implications of abuse towards the end.)
That following morning Vance woke up later than usual. He hurried to get ready and shove what he needed in his backpack. He arrived at school five minutes before the bell rang and he needed to be in the room.
Vance didn't have one clue where it was. He trailed the halls until seeing a room with the numbers '142' plastered above. Vance then walked inside and sat next to Bruce, who was already doing work.
There were four other people in the room. Three were asleep, and the fourth was writing on a piece of paper.
"Here's that tape back, I listened to the whole thing," Vance said, removing his gaze from the other students to Bruce. He then held out the cassette.
"Yeah? What'd you think?" Bruce asked while putting the tape into his backpack.
"Meh, it wasn't half bad. Wouldn't listen to it out of my own free will though," Vance said.
"I'll take that," Bruce shrugged with a smile.
"You two back there! One of you needs to move," The teacher suddenly shouted at the two boys.
Bruce nodded and Vance figured it's either he pick up his backpack or move, or Bruce has to take all of his stuff sprawled across the desk elsewhere. After standing up, Vance held out the cassette tape he brought for Bruce.
"Now you listen to this," Vance said. Once Bruce took it, vance took his bag by the handle and moved in front of Bruce, who was sitting at the very back.
Vance took out what work he needed to finish with a sigh. He'd happily fail if it weren't for the fact he's already done that twice.
The teacher at the front of the room stood up and decided now would be a good time to start talking. She went over the rules, which were just be quiet and do work, and everyone was allowed to eat whenever they wanted to. She made a big emphasis on staying quiet. It was even written on the board in large letters, circled, and underlined four times. Before sitting down she mentioned one last thing about if anyone gets any crumbs or gum in the class she will make them clean not only their mess, but the entire class scrubbed spotless.
In short, be quiet and don't make a mess.
Two things Vance doesn't necessarily like to do. He kept his mouth shut and focused solely on his work anyways.
Bruce however, was having a far more difficult time focusing. He found himself growing bored of the words scattered across the page. His eyes would begin looking up from the desk and towards Vance, who was somehow focusing better than Bruce was.
Bruce turned to look at the clock after hearing a bell ring. It's only been an hour and a half. Before Bruce could look down to his desk, he spots Stella walking down the hall. Then, he glances forward where he sees Vance writing on a piece of paper. It gets him thinking if there's a bigger reason behind breaking up with Stella.
No, he didn't like her anymore, that's it. But, did he like someone else? Bruce tore his gaze away from Vance. Bruce wasn't thinking about him, he couldn't be thinking about him.
••
The final bell went and now everyone was allowed to leave, except for the kid who got caught sticking gum under the desk.
Bruce managed to catch up with Vance, who was quickly walking down the halls, trying to get outside.
"Hold on! Man, you walk fast," Bruce said, having to jog a little to get next to Vance. He slowed down after hearing that.
"My bad, didn't even see you there," Vance said. He had reached the front doors now, so he pushed it open and walked outside.
"That's okay. I'll give your music a listen when I get home, these songs sound just fascinating," Bruce said with a smile.
"Like Sloop John B was any better," Vance replied.
"Fair enough. Were you going to play pinball now?" Bruce mentioned. "Nah," Vance said.
"Okay, I have to turn here then. See you tomorrow," Bruce waved before he turned left. Vance watched for a second as he walked away. Did this mean they were friends now?
Bruce absolutely hoped that's what Vance would take from it. Arriving home, Bruce went straight to his mom. Just like Vance was doing.
"Mom?" Vance called out.
Bruce found his mom sitting on the couch, watching the news while reading a book. Vance found his mom sitting on the floor, cleaning up glass with blood pouring out from a large gash on her arm, and tears falling down her cheeks.
"Shit. Go rinse that under water, i'll clean this and get you some bandages," Vance said, kneeling down.
"Thank you, Vance. When Griffin gets home just take him right to his room. Your father went up there a while ago and I don't want Griffin getting hurt," His mom says.
Vance nods and his mom stands up to wash the blood from her arm while Vance sweeps up the glass. When that's in the garbage, he searches for bandages in a cupboard. When found, he uses peroxide on the cut before wrapping it up.
"If you wanted to leave tonight, that'd be okay," Vance tells her. "No, I can't leave you here with him," His mom says.
"I'll be okay. I'll take care of Griffin," Vance says. "You can leave as long as you like. You can't stay with him much longer."
"..Are you sure?" She asks reluctantly. Vance nods. "I'd feel bad," She says.
"You know I will be fine. He drinks himself asleep every day anyways." Vance wasn't taking no for an answer. His mom didn't deserve this life, Griffin didn't either.
Vance went with his mom up the stairs and stood outside her room while she packed a few things. His father was currently in the bathroom.
His mom walked out shortly after and the two went back downstairs.
"Bye, Vance. If you need anything or you want to talk just call, i'll come back tomorrow, I promise," She said before hugging Vance.
"Okay. Bye," Vance said. She then opened the door to see Griffin walking up the driveway and onto the porch.
"Mom? Where are you going?" Griffin asked with a frown.
"She'll be back tomorrow. Come inside, Griffin," Vance said before his mom could respond.
Griffin walked inside, still confused. Vance shut the front door and locked it.
Vance walked upstairs with Griffin. His dad was in his room now, lying on the bed. He sat up when he noticed Vance and Griffin and began walking towards them.
Vance didn't want to deal with his dad today, so he ushered Griffin into his room and locked the door behind him.
"What's happening?" Griffin asks. Vance didn't say anything. He went on his knees and hugged Griffin.
He wasn't actually Vance's real brother. He was adopted four years ago. Vance feels bad knowing he could've had a better life than this with a family who loves him. Vance tries his best to make Griffin feel safe and welcome.
While Vance's mother was now gone, Bruce's mom was as present as it gets.
"Hi, mom," Bruce said, sitting next to her.
"Hello, Bruce. How was your day?" She asked, looking up from her book and placing it down on the couch.
"It was alright. I'm currently having a crisis though," Bruce tells her. "I broke up with Stella two days ago."
"Oh? How come? She was such a nice girl," His mom said with a frown.
"I don't really know why, it just didn't feel right anymore," Bruce tells her.
"Ah, I see," His mother nodded.
"What if, like hypothetically of course, I liked someone else. And what if.. again, hypothetically, they weren't a girl," Bruce said. Hypothetically, obviously,
"Then i'd hypothetically say that's okay," His mom said.
"What if it wasn't hypothetical?" Bruce whispered. He didn't necessarily like Vance.. Okay, yes he did.
"Bruce, are you telling me something here?" His mother questioned. "As in, are you gay?"
"No, I still like girls. Just, not this particular person," Bruce admitted.
"Well then, I support you. Will you tell me who it is? Is it someone you play baseball with?" She asked with a bright smile.
"Nope, that's enough for today," Bruce said and sat up.
"Boo!" His mom responded before giggling. Bruce went upstairs and to his room. He pulled the cassette tape from his backpack and figured he would listen to the music now.