Deep breaths.
One...Two...Three...Four.
Benjamin puts on his light wash skinny jeans, followed by one of his moms' old school hoodies. He puts on his Air Force Ones.
He smiles at his outfit, feeling good about himself. He puts in a different septum ring, followed by stud earrings. He grabs his chapstick, deciding to not do makeup.
He walks downstairs, smiling. "Hey, mom. I'm headed out."
"Okay. Be safe. Love you."
He smiles, walking out of the house. He grabs the pill bottle filled with antidepressants, which weren't his own. He takes two before walking to his bus stop.
*
Noah sits down next to Benjamin, "What the hell does this mean by interpreting Jackson's meaning from the book?"
Benjamin shrugs his shoulders and points down at the worksheet. "It just means, explain what you think Jackson meant."
Noah shakes his head, still not understanding. "Wh-."
Benjamin grabs his own worksheet, passing it to Noah. "So what I wrote was-,"
Kiara walks into the classroom, smiling at Noah. "Hey, Noah! Come here for a sec?"
Noah glances up at her before back down to the worksheet in his hands. "Um...no."
Benjamin laughs and continues, "I said, I think Jackson's feelings were hurt. He felt like things should've been said. He was being ignored and abused. By writing the book and producing a movie, he was showing how...how angry and depressed he was".
Noah smiles, "You're adorable when you're passionate."
Benny blushes, clearing his throat. "So. That's what it means to me."
The bell rings, Benny, smiling to himself. "Okay, class. Discussion time."
*
"I think it was his way of expressing his anger and depression. Not to sabotage his family, but to show his feelings."
Some kid faces Benjamin, "So using the script, 'unloved and hated. That's all wasn't rude?"
"I mean...If you were abused for ten years, and then abandoned, you'd probably get in that perspective."
The teacher nods, "Why do you think Benjamin is wrong?"
"Because. Yes, maybe this was his way of expressing his anger, but why not do it an easier way...like confrontation?"
Everyone looks at Benjamin, "Maybe this was his way. He didn't want to face the people who completely destroyed his life."
The bell rings and the teacher stands up. "Okay. Next week, we will watch an interview Jackson had about his movie. He explains the meaning behind it and then we'll have another discussion."
Benjamin stands up, gathering his things. He grabs his coffee, throwing it away. Noah runs up to him, "Wanna walk to class together?"
"Sure."
Noah smiles, "So. What are you like?"
Benjamin looks down at his feet as he walked. He shrugs. "What do you mean?"
"By the two days I've been here, all I know is that you're gay, feminine, and kinda cute."
Benjamin chuckles and looks up at Noah. "And you're straight, calling a gay boy cute?"
"Hm...who said I'm straight?"
"You like drool over Kiara."
Noah shoves his hands into the pockets of his basketball shorts. "Interesting. See you at lunch." He waves to him as he walks into his classroom.
Benjamin smiles, walking down the hall to his class.
*
"So you're not vegan, but you don't eat meat?"
"It's...like pork...Or...Red meats...Like burgers and steak. I hate it. "
"I'll eat em' any day."
Benjamin shakes his head, stuffing his face with lettuce.
"You eat anything else but salad?"
Benjamin nods his head. "Yea. My mom cooks a lot."
"Like what?"
"I dunno...Like pasta and stuff."
"Hm."
"Hey, Noah!"
He turns around, seeing Kiara. He groans as she behinds walking over. "Déjame sólo."
Benjamin tilts his head, "What?"
Noah shakes his head. "Nothing."
Kiara sits by Noah smiling. "Why aren't you two cutie pies sitting at the table".
Benjamin packs up his lunch, "I need to cram for my history test. See you later, Noah."
Noah frowns as Benjamin begins to stand up. "I can help you study?"
"Sure."
Noah gets up as well, "Maybe next week."
The two walk away. "Okay. So what's up with you, Noah?"
"What?" Noah hums.
"Come on. You and Kiara have totally been hitting it off. Why do you wanna fake study with me?"
Noah chuckles, "What makes you assume my sexuality?"
"You're not gay. No way you are."
Noah keeps following Benjamin down the hallway. "Hm."
*
Noah walks into his house, throwing his bag down. He goes into the kitchen, looking for a snack. Once he settled on a bag of chips, he walks up to his room.
He throws the bag down, laying on his bed. He scrolls on his phone, seeing his best friend Ximena texted him.
He calls her, sitting up.
"Hey cutie, what's up?" Her raspy voice radiates through the phone.
"There is this really cute guy, but he doesn't believe I'm gay. Can you believe that? Talk about oblivious."
Ximena giggles, "Wow, big problems huh?"
*
Benjamin walks into his house, dropping his bag on the ground. He walks into the kitchen, seeing a note on the countertop.
working late again, sorry x
He sighs, crumbling it up and throwing it away. He walks over to the living room, sitting on the couch.
He turns on a tv show until a notification pops up on his screen; DM request from nmartinez.
Benjamin sits up on his couch, smiling before accepting it.
The text bubble comes up, and three seconds later, Benjamin receives the text 'hey.
Benjamin texts back, saying 'hi' in response. He turns his phone off, smiling to himself.
*
Benjamin grabs his Mac n Cheese out of the microwave, sitting at a barstool. He pulls his shirt down, covering more of his legs.
He pops back up to grab a cup, filling it up with iced water. He sits back down, opening his computer lid. He begins to watch a makeup tutorial while eating.
He hears the doorbell rings, rolling his eyes, and getting up. He hits the space bar, pausing his video.
He walks over to the front door, sliding the lock off. He then enters the house code, so that the house alarm doesn't go off.
He opens the front door, greeted by Zoē and Kiara, followed by Jackson and Caleb. Benjamin looks up at them, "Yes?"
Kiara smiles. "Is your mom home?"
Benny shakes his head.
-
Benjamin sits at the island, listening to his ex-friends speak.
Benjamin crosses his arms at them. "So...because Zoē is happy, it's alright that's she's dating my bully?"
"Yea."
Benjamin smiles and nods his head. "And you guys realize he's pulled a knife on me, right?"
"Come on! Stop focusing on the negative!" Zoē rolls her eyes.
Benjamin stares down at his, now cold Mac n Cheese. He shakes his head, "I-I can't do that...I was cornered in the boy's bathroom the other day."
"Maybe cause...maybe you're just a little too feminine!"
Benjamin looks up at Jackson. He takes a deep breath, grabbing the Mac n Cheese. He throws it away, "I have to get ready for bed." He grabs his laptop, walking up the staircase.
"Nice going, Jackson".
Kiara sees Benjamin's phone, smirking. She sees a text from Noah, looking to Zoē.
**