Eric's Pov:

I looked at my alarm clock and groaned. Fuck my life. Yep that is the first thing that popped into my head. I heaved myself out of bed and made my way to the bathroom in my studio apartment. The only room in this place that is actually separated from the rest by walls and doors.

It's not a bad apartment. It's pretty big and in a very good neighborhood. In fact it's fairly nice, or it will be once I blow through some of my savings and do the damn place up.

Today's the first day of senior year and I should be excited or at least happy but I'm numb. No not from extensive drug use or anything like that. I'm just emotionally drained and have been for the last month.

When I came out to my parents. Dallas's homegrown world famous power couple. Neurosurgeon Alexander Stevens and Michelle Stevens top rated and top paid defense attorney to the super rich and super famous.

I knew it would be a shock to them. Hell I'm not some huge meat-head but I'm definitely not your stereotypical homo. I'm 6'1 and fairly muscled from basketball and track.

I rock the sexy laid back look and of course I'm hella smart. Not because I'm a natural genetically-gifted genius. I work my ass off studying and doing sports to make my parents proud.

They may not have been home very often because of their work and even the occasional media or book tour but I knew what they expected of me. Ivy league school and a prestigious career that would boost their egos. So they could boast to everyone about what a great job they did raising me and how much I'm just like them.

After I'd made partner or become a surgeon and had a few papers published I was supposed to settle down with a girl of similar back ground, buy a big house which in reality is closer to the heartless mansion I was raised in. Get a golden retriever and knock up the wife with two or three kids.

Yep that was what they decided I'd do with my life. Unfortunately, me being gay put a kink in their plan and the parent's do not deal well with that kind of thing. However I never expected to be kicked out and abandoned.

Okay so that was a little over-dramatic. My father wrote a check out for twenty grand threw it at me and told me to get the hell out until I got over my little 'rebellion'.

Mom didn't want me to 'die out on the streets' or worse stay with a friend and people find out. So she got me this studio apartment and paid it up for the school year. She ordered the maids to pack up my room and told me the movers would bring all my bedroom furniture and things in a few days. She handed me five grand and told me they'd put in an appearance at my graduation to keep gossip at bay.

I stayed in a hotel for the first few days until the electricity was turned on and my things were delivered. I deposited the cash and check from my parents into my account. Which already had about twenty five grand from all the times my parents couldn't be bothered to show up at a game or some function that was important to me but deemed inconsequential to them. So these kiss off deposits just doubled that. I went to my cellphone provider and had my phone number changed.

I haven't touched any of the money other then to get some groceries and buy some new school clothes. It's not a pride thing or anything like that. I just haven't been anywhere to waste it. My 2012 Charcoal Grey Dodge Charger was paid off. That was my 'present' for my 17th birthday as was the 1962 fully restored red and white Camero that I got for my 16th birthday. More like they didn't want to take a break for one day to spend time with me so they got me a car.

Both of my babies were parked outside and yeah I have the titles in my name so even if those assholes wanted to take them from me they cant. My car insurance and phone bill are paid up until next year because my parental unit didn't want to be bothered with my monthly bills so every January they pay the year in full.

The only thing I need to worry about over the next 5 months was my electricity, cable and Internet bill. Oh and now college probably. Ughh I'm not going to think about anything right now.

I turned off the shower and hastily got dressed and rushed off to start my first day of the new school year. This should be great..

I slid into my Charger and revved it up and sped the entire drive to school. Who cares if I get stopped. Might even get back to mother and father dearest and piss 'em off.

Even that thought doesn't spark any feelings. Still just numb.

I remember the night it all went down. I didn't cry or get overwhelmed with anger and lash out. I just went numb and it's been that way since. I think maybe it's shock, either that or I'm emotionally broken and will eventually turn into a serial killer.

I'm hoping it's the first one though. But hey if I end up on a killing spree maybe mother could work her bad ass lawyer skills and get me off the hook. Wouldn't want people thinking they weren't world class parents... Okay enough with the morbid jokes.

I pulled into my spot and rolled my eyes as everyone stared and people started walking over. I'm not spending another year pretending to like all these people. Truthfully there's only about a handful that I truly like. The rest are all little carbon copies of their parents and mine. It's all about who you know, how much money you have and shit like that.

I groaned when I saw John making his way to my car with his stupid swagger. If this private school was a kingdom then he's the king of it and I'd be the prince I guess....

Not cause we're family or anything. But in terms of popularity and who ran what, I guess I was 'second in command' and I didn't particularly like John all that much any more. I mean we used to have a really solid friendship but I've just been faking it and slowly not liking him as a person over the last year.

He wouldn't be that bad if I didn't have to hear a recount in detail of all the things he did to his flavor of the week in whatever alley or closet he did it in. Plus lets not forget all his homophobic rants that went on and on and on.

Can't really be friends with someone that hates gays and talks mad shit about them. Granted he didn't know but still, me being gay won't change his opinion.

But I'd kept my mouth shut and pretended like nothing changed between us. His parents and mine were close and if I'd told him I liked boys he'd probably wig out and tell his pops and then they'd tell my parents and I wasn't ready for that.

Until recently I wasn't ready for anyone to know but now that my parents know I don't see the point is staying in the closet.

Ohhhh light-bulb! Who gives a flying rat's fuck that his parents and mine are best friends... Mine disowned me soooooo no need to play nice with the self absorbed prick anymore. He can take his homophobic rants and shove it!

Hell yeah! Finally a silver lining to this crap cloud that's my life.

I threw my door open and sauntered out and walked by everyone that gathered round to catch up.

"Yo Eric what up bro!?!" John cheerfully asked but I rolled my eyes and kept walking.

He grabbed my shoulder and pulled me to a stop. "What the fuck Stevens!" He yelled. I shrugged off his hand and started up the front steps to the entrance.

"What the fuck is your problem man?" He yelled.

I turned and leaned against the stair railing noticing the entire senior and junior classes standing round and staring wide eyed. No one ignored or copped an attitude with John.

Plus I've never been very confrontational. I'm the laid back chill one and usually it's me calming his quick tempered self down. Not the case now though. So I'm sure that added to the thrill of watching a fight about to go down.

"Don't have one. I'm just not in the mood for your bullshit. I don't give a fuck about how you degraded whichever slut you were with last night and I'm not in the mood for one of your homophobic rants about how the queers and dykes are ruining America. When we all know it's corrupt politicians like your dad that's doing it.." I drawled carelessly.

John's eyes widened in shock and then narrowed in anger as he launched himself at me. He nailed me in the chest and I socked him in the face.

"Leave it John. We both know I can handle myself." I warned.

Just because I didn't throw my weight around and act an ass doen't mean I can't hold my own in a fight. I've been taking boxing for years and so has he but he's ranked lower than me from the tournaments.

"Fuck you! Who do you think you are!?!" He screamed as he tackled me and we rolled the seven stairs down and into the crowd.

He landed a few good hits since he landed on top but I used my weight to flip us and just started wailing on him and he did the same. It seemed we were pretty evenly trading punches and insults.

The entire time he yelled insult after insult at me but didn't say anything about defending the fags like he normally would. That sickening numb feeling went away and I finally felt something.

Anger and lots of it.

I embraced it and threw my jabs to his face in quick secession. He had no choice but to stop hitting back and try to block his face.

I tuned out his, mine and the crowds yells and just focused on feeling. Anger was better then nothing.

I felt someone trying to yank me off of John and without any thought I twisted my upper body and nailed that nosy bastard in the gut with all my strength and anger built up. It was a pretty solid punch and had more then enough power behind it to break some bones.

John took the little break and flipped us back over and pinned my hands down by my sides.

Instead of a punch he panted and after a few seconds he spoke. "Chill out bro. Breath. Come on." He placated through his panting.

He watched me for a few seconds his face washed in concern instead of any anger like I would have expected.

He stood up and reached a hand out to help me up. But I ignored it and got up and finally stepped back into reality and all I could say was "Oh fuck!"

John looked where I was looking and laughed and clapped me on the back.

There stood a very pissed off teacher and from the way he was glaring and rubbing his ribs I got the feeling he was the one I punched.

He dropped his hands and looked around. "Show's over get to class!" He yelled to all the students.

He watched as they dispersed quickly then walked the few feet to us and leveled a glare at us.

"Office now!" He growled and hot damn if it wasn't hella sexy.

I like a man that can take charge and command anything to his will. Not to mention he was smoking hot. Tall and broad shouldered, lightly tanned, dark hair, green eyes, muscular and yummy with a capital YUMMY!

I mentally slapped myself and started walking by but stopped when I was right in front of him. John shot me a questioning look but I waved him away.

I looked down to where he was holding his ribs again and back up to his face. Guilt kicked me in the gut big time.

"You were the one that tried to break up the fight and the one I um sorta hit right?"

He raised an eyebrow like that was a completely stupid question and I nodded cause duh it was. I looked back at his hand placed over his ribs and winced.

I ran a hand over my face and sighed. "I'm sorry sir. I was.. angry and caught up in the fight and it didn't even register that I punched someone else, let alone a teacher until I said oh fuck..... Which will get me in even more trouble. Sooooo um I'm just gonna go and wait for the Dean to castrate me and umm yeah... Seriously though, I'm really sorry and if you have to go get it checked out or something just um give the bill to the Dean and I'll take care of it."

He watched me for a second like he thought I might not be all there in the head and shook his head.

"Look kid I understand all that but you need to control that temper of yours and nothing's broken so I'll live Rambo and even if I did need to go to the doctor I wouldn't make your parents pay for the bill just because their son is a spoiled brat with anger issues. I'm sure the Dean's waiting for you."

I nodded wordlessly and walked in with him following behind me to the Dean's office.

John was already in one of the chairs and grinned when he saw me. "Nice shiner dick-drip." He chirped cheerfully gesturing to my eye.

I rolled my eyes and plopped down in the seat next to him.

"Wouldn't be bumping my gums if I were you. You're not so pretty now that your face resembles hamburger meat." I cooed sweetly.

"Boys! Enough!" Dean Becker yelled as she stood up and glared at us. "Seriously boys, what were you thinking? You're best friends and just got into a knock down drag out fight and you, Eric how the hell could you punch a teacher?"

I rubbed my neck sheepishly. "I already apologized to the guy and it was an accident but I accept full responsibility for that and the fight so if you'll just suspend me or kick me out that'd be great."

She leaned back in her chair and looked at me and John. "John is that true? Did Eric instigate the fight?" Her tone relayed her disbelief. I've done all kinds of crap to get into minor trouble but never anything violent.

John shrugged. "Nah I threw the first punch cause apparently it's Eric's time of month and he was PMSing and it pissed me off. Soooooooooooooo kick me out of school for a few days not him." He said happily.

Dean Becker rolled her eyes. "Both of you knock it off. I'm not expelling either of you or suspension for that matter. That'll just be rewarding you. No I'll think of a way to keep you in school and torment you as punishment. But I will be calling your parents and we know how well they'll take that." She said firmly.

I shot John a look and his smirk and cocky attitude were gone. His dad would literally beat his ass if he got bothered while working. Stupid senator.

"Dean Becker it's not necessary for you to call Senator White. John didn't throw the first punch. I did. He just thought he'd get a few days suspension and get to be lazy for a few extra days if he took the blame. It was all me and as I said before I'll take full responsibility for everything. However a call to my parents would be kind of pointless. I moved out on my own this summer."

She gave me a disbelieving look and picked up the phone and dialed my mom's secretary. Yeah we've been in here enough times for stupid things that she knows it by heart. I leaned back and John leaned over.

"This part of the reason you went mental earlier?" He whispered softly. I shrugged but turned to him when I heard the Dean explaining what was going on.

"Lucky! I wish my parents would let me move out. How'd you convince good ole mama and papa Stevens to let you move out even though the media would have a blast reporting that shit. Come on fool, let me in on the magic secret so I can try it on Senator dick-wad daddy." He whined.

I rolled my eyes. "They didn't let me move out; they kicked me out."

His eyes widened and he turned his chair around to look at me fully.

"No shit? Bro why didn't you tell me? You coulda moved in with me bro. Ya didn't have to move out all on you're own. I mean I know I drive you mental with all my crap and we have our..." He rubbed his cheek and winced. "Disagreements sometimes but we've known each other since the diaper days and we're friends."

I could faintly hear my mom's voice screaming over the receiver and turned to look at a startled Dean Becker. I looked back at John and figured it was best to be honest. We weren't friends and hadn't been for a long time. Because I couldn't consider someone that hated gay people simply for being gay a friend. He thought we were because he didn't know about me but as soon as I said something that would end.

"We're not friends and haven't been for a long time. Like around the time you started being a homophobic prick." I said calmly.

He rolled his eyes. "We've always been friends and always will be. What the hell does my personal stance on queers gotta do with you and me?"

I tilted my head to the side and looked at him like he was a moron because, well he is.

"Because I can't be friends with a homophobic prick when I'm a queer."

He glared wordlessly at me for a second then leaned forward and slapped me.

"I said I was queer not a fuckin girl! Who slaps guys? I can take a fuckin punch you c-" I growled loudly but was cut off by another slap and then someone was between us as I got up to beat this idiot up... again.

"Enough guys."

I looked at the owner of the hand that was lightly pushing down on my shoulder to keep me seated. It was the teacher I'd decked earlier. I guess he followed me in here.

He had some sexy hands. Are hands usually considered sexy? Don't know but his were and I just wanted to... Whoa snap the fuck out of it!

I shrugged his warm grip off of my shoulder. "I'm good."

"No you're not. Stop calling yourself a queer!" John growled.

I threw my hands up in frustration. "Whatever I'm a fag and you're a gay hater so we're NOT FRIENDS AND IF YOU SLAP ME AGAIN IMMA throw a hurting on you!" I hissed.

"Stop saying that shit and I'll stop slapping you like the bitch you're being!" He yelled back.

"Fuc-"

"Mr. Stevens do NOT finish that word and Mr White we will not tolerate any type of hate crimes. Do you both understand?" Dean Becker yelled. Finally off the phone and now paying attention to what we were saying.

I shrugged but John smacked my arm. "You and me are gonna talk when we leave." He hissed.

The teacher man grabbed John's chair and dragged it a couple feet away with john still in it.

Hot and strong... Oh my poor little heart just went all fluttery! Stop!!!

Sexy teacher man glared at John. "One more threat and I'll make sure Dean Becker calls your father!" He snapped at John.

John rolled his eyes at the teacher man and leaned around him to look at me.

"Look bro that was NOT a threat. That was me telling your dumb ass that we are gonna have a talk when the Dean and Teach here are not around. Cause we're gonna clear this shit up without people interrupting. You're my boy and I don't give a shit if you like sucking cock. But I will bitch slap your homo ass every time you call yourself a queer or fag. They're mean and degrading words. Hell even cum-guzzler is better then queer." He grinned and leaned back behind the hot teacher I decked earlier.

I laughed and looked at the confused Dean and teacher and laughed even harder. That's John I guess, always saying whatever the hell he wanted and to hell with anyone that might have a problem with it. But I couldn't trust his easy going attitude about me being gay just yet.

"Can you just excuse his dumb ass and get on with whatever punishment you're gonna give me. I assume my mother confirmed that I am living on my own and have nothing to do with them? But I'm sure she made it clear that our domestic issues shouldn't leave the office in case someone found out?"

She blushed and nodded. "Mr Becker if you could please escort Mr White to his class I want to have a word with Eric alone. If you could please come back in during your free period I'd appreciate it. Oh and John for the millionth time watch your language. I swear you put sailors to shame." Her tone was completely exasperated but you could tell by the little smile she tried to hide that she loved us.

Seriously she had a soft spot for me and him and I think it had something to do with our parents being shit people.

Mr Becker nodded and did as he was told. I waited until they closed the door to turn back to the Dean and wagged my brows. "I didn't know you were married Dean Becker."

She smiled but rolled here eyes. "Not my husband. My little brother. Anyway Eric..... I.. If you need to talk to the councilor then-"

I waved it away. "I don't need that or for you to tip toe around the poor disowned homo. I'm fine really so just give me whatever punishment you deem necessary and I'll be on my way."

She looked thoughtfully at me and sat back. "Let me look at your schedule."

I handed it to her and she grinned. "Okay so I'm not going to suspend you but you have an hour detention after school every day for the next three weeks. I expect you to clean all the white boards in all the senior classes and I've decided that you'll spend your free period helping Mr Becker with his freshman class and I think I'll have the councilor change one of your electives to either office aid or his teacher's aid."

I looked at her and narrowed my eyes. "Seriously you're gonna use me as free labor for the next three weeks AND use two of my classes to be your brother's bitch?" I asked incredulously.

"Language Eric! And yeah that's exactly what I intend. You will make his copies and run his errands or you can opt to be my aid one period but I see that getting you into more trouble."

"This is a form of extortion. No I wont do it. Suspend me, hell expel me for all I care but I am not gonna be your brother's bitch. He'll make my life hell and all because of one little hit. Nope not gonna happen."

She grinned and waved her hand. "You're excused back to class. I'll get back with you by the end of the day and we'll discuss this further."

I grabbed my back pack and stomped out and into my first period class. That class flew by and I went to my next period and walked in. I sat down in a chair and leaned back with my arms crossed behind my head.

John strolled in and his grin widened and he sauntered over and plopped down on my desk top.

"Sooooo how ya been? Long time no see. Missed me much?" He asked like we hadn't just thrown down in the parking lot.

"Why are you talking to me? I already told your ass that we are not friends! You're a gay hater and I'm queer!" I hissed.

He glared at me and bam slapped me again.

"Are you fuckin serious?" I hissed as I yanked his hand away and pushed him off my desk.

He got eye to eye with me and glared. "I told you I'd slap you every time!" He hissed back.

He looked around the class and everyone staring at us. "Can I help you with something? Cause I know we're some sexy mother fuckers but seriously back off with the stalker stares."

He grabbed my hand and yanked me to the teacher's office that's attached to the room and closed the door after us.

He pushed me back a step and then started pacing. "Okay so here's the thing. I'm gonna explain everything and then you're gonna understand why I am the way I am and then you're gonna forget about it and we're gonna go back to being buds without me doing any gay rants or filling you in on all my sexual escapades since apparently going homo has turned you into a prude. But it's cool I'll respect that. Got it?"

I watched him as he continued to pace. The bell rang and he stopped in front of me.

"So long story short. I don't hate gays, but dad does and well I just sorta spout the same shit he does so he doesn't find out that I'm.... Well, not gay cause I like girls too but I am bi and that's the same thing to him. Soooooo that's why I don't give a shit if you like cock cause well I do too but I'm not about to tell anyone so you're gonna forget I told you any of that. See told ya we're still buds."

I looked at him for a full 20 seconds before I busted out laughing.

"No seriously!" He said stomping one of his feet.

I rolled my eyes and raised my hands up in surrender. "Whatever man. But sure we'll still be friends. I mean hell, if you're gonna make all that crap up just to make me feel better about myself then you cant hate all gays." I said with laughter in my voice.

He made a frustrated noise and stomped to me and slammed his lips to mine. I pushed him off and took a step back.

"Dude! What the fuck!?!" I demanded staring at the crazy fool who just raped my mouth.

He shrugged. "I was just trying to show you that I was telling the truth. I like boys as much as girls."

"Okay fuck! Don't do that. Cause that's just ... No and I don't like you like that.." I shrugged and he laughed now.

"Sorry bro but you're not my type. I was just trying to prove to you that ya know, I don't hate gays. I'm just a giant pussy too scared to tell my money bags daddy that I like the cock."

I cracked up. "Oh man you're probably even more of a whore then you were before since you got twice the choices."

He wagged his eyebrows. "You have no idea how big a slut I really am." He sighed happily as he threw his arm over my shoulder, which made both of us laugh again.

The teacher's office door opened and we froze. Mr Becker looked at us and raised his brown. "First fighting and now sneaking into my office for private time?"

John elbowed me and smirked. "Eric wishes..." He said with a wink and walked out.

I shook my head and started to follow when a thought stopped me.

"I think I'm in the wrong room or you are cause your sister said you taught freshman and I'm a senior soooooooooooooo" I trailed off because he leaned against the door jam.

I studiously ignored how his button down shirt tightened around his muscled arms and chest.

"We're both in the correct class Eric. I know you're a senior. In fact I was briefed on you and a few other students I'd be dealing with before I started. Interesting background very... lively. But why pray tell was the Dean telling you that I'm her brother and about my classes?"

"Cause no matter what crap I pull Delilah loves me and she thinks that you're secretly gay and wants us to get together and live happily ever after. Adopted a bunch of babies and be the homo version of Brangelina." I quipped sarcastically.

He started laughing and uncrossed his arms. "You're a weird little dude." He stated shaking his head.

Yep still not looking at his sexy body or how his khakis clung to his thighs when he crossed one foot over the other. I caught myself looking at his no-no box and jerked my eyes up to his face.

He had a little smirk playing on his lips probably cause he just called me weird and now I'm blushing. Yeah I'm not weird at all. I fought the flustered feeling and tried to play it cool.

I shrugged. "Weird but not little... I mean in height not ya know..... Not that that's little either. In fact it's huge. I shoulda been black cause its soooo big... Wait did that sound racist cause I'm not. I love black people. Ughhh I love everyone but ya know not like a slut cause I'm not anything like that. I mean sure I have sex but well what exactly makes a person a slut? When does it go from being a player to slutness? Is there an actual number or.... Not that there is anything wrong with sluts. Well okay there is but hey who am I to judge. I'm not a hypocritical prude. Not that prudes are bad or anything. Right? I mean whatever floats their boats.... Yeah I'm gonna shut up cause.." I trailed off and wished I'd been born mute.

I went for unconcerned but in the end failed and probably cemented his opinion that I'm a weirdo.

He nodded his head slowly but was biting his lip. He silently walked out and to his desk and I went to my seat and dropped my head down.

It's official. I'm not normal and should be locked away so I don't make a fool of myself in front of hot men....

I kept my attention on my desk as Mr Becker talked about what we'll be studying and I tuned out. John nudged me and I looked at him. He pointed to the front where Mr Becker was sitting on his desk and looking at me.

"Uhh here." I responded with the first thing I could think of. The entire class started laughing.

Mr Becker smirked. "Yeah we established that about 30 minutes ago. You're supposed to be introducing yourself."

I rolled my eyes. "Why? Everyone here knows me and you met me this morning when I punched...." I trailed off and cleared my throat at the stern look he was giving me.

"I'm Eric Stevens and I like to cuddle up on the couch and read sappy romance novels. I like long walks on the beach at sunset and-"

Mr Becker sighed loudly. "And you're a smart ass. Yeah we know. Remember I was briefed about you. How about you drop the attitude and say something real?" He asked calmly with just a hint of amusement.

"I'm on the track and basketball team. I'm in the top 2 percent grade wise and finally gave John the ass whooping everyone's been dying to see him get." I said with a careless shrug and winked at John who flipped me off and pointed to my black eye.

John rolled his eyes. "My name's John and I'm an alcoholic and sex fiend and contrary to what it appeared like this morning, Eric is my best bud and he's not just on the teams. He's a track star and our basketball team would be shit without him. It's cool though cause I'm the football and baseball star sooooo he's still my beta and as you all can see he's just as hot as me. But we manage not to get jealous of each other. Even though he had a tantrum this morning." He mock punched my arm and then slung his arm over my shoulder and messed my hair up.

I rolled my eyes and tuned out everyone. I just watched the clock tick the minutes away. Three more and then I'm off for my free period and can put my verbal diarrhea to Mr Becker out of my mind.

The intercom crackled and the office secretary came on. "Could you send Eric Stevens down when the bell rings Mr Becker and the Dean would like to speak to you for a few minutes as well."

Before he could answer I piped up. "Sorry Doris but Mr Stevens went home sick. So obviously he can't make it in to the Dean's office today."

She chuckled. "Nice try Eric. See ya in a few."

I dropped my head to my desk and sighed. The bell rang and I waited as everyone filed out.

John popped me in the back of the head as he walked by. "Later dick-drip."

"In your mouth slut." I said without picking my head up. He just laughed.

A few seconds later I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Dude I already told you not to kiss me again." I whined. Cause I could picture John's retarded ass trying to pull that shit again just to bug me.

"Uhhh I wasn't. I was trying to get you to wake up and get out so I can lock my door."

I sat up and groaned. "Sorry Sir, thought you were someone else." I apologized and ignored his amused look.

I grabbed my bag and stomped out and down to the office. Doris grinned and shook her head.

"Baby I thought you were gonna be a good boy this year. It's the first day and already being a little rascal." She tutted.

I grinned and leaned across the counter. "I bet you could spank the bad boy right out of me." I cooed.

She rolled her eyes. "You kids and your kinky games. Back in my day it was just good ol' fashion missionary."

I heard a slight cough behind me and Doris turned bright red. "Work. Yep that's what our churches would do. Go out on missons and do missionary work for the poor dears that needed it."

I looked behind me and Mr Becker had his arms crossed and was slowly nodding his head. "Sure." He said with a look that said he knew she was full of it.

"Anyway she wanted to see me?" He asked but was already walking to the dean's door.

I looked back at the little old lady with a funny potty mouth and laughed. "Nice save." I said giving her a high five.

"Go on in honey. They'll be waiting on ya."

I groaned. "Kill me now." She just laughed and pointed to the door.

I didn't even knock I just walked in and dropped into the chair I was sitting in earlier.

They both looked at me and I rolled my eyes. "You're the one that called me down here so I figured you were expecting me."

"Be that as it may, will you please step out for a second and let me have a word with your teacher?"

I got up and walked out and popped my ear buds in and leaned against the door and listened to my jams.

A few minutes passed and I got bored so I started drumming my fingers to the beat and bouncing my head to the words.

I must have totally zoned out because the next thing I know I'm laying flat on my back with the wind knocked out of me with Mr Becker giving me that look again.

The one that says he thinks I'm a bit touched in the cabeza.

He quirked his brow and bit his lip before his face went blank and he asked me what I was doing.

"Oh not much just checking to see if the gravity in this place still worked.... It does in case you were worried." I muttered as I got up and walked to the seat. I dropped back down and glared at the Dean.

She rolled her eyes. "So I worked it all out with Mr Becker and you're good to go. Starting tomorrow you'll have your regular class with him during second and then you'll be his aid during your free period and your elective. So you'll have him 2nd, 3rd and 7th. I'll notify the teachers on detention rotation that you'll have that for the next three weeks after school."

I shook my head fiercely. "No. No and more like hell no! I already said I wouldn't be your brother's slave for two periods a day. Not gonna happen. I'll just skip. So you might as well suspend me or figure something else out cause it ain't happening Delilah."

She looked at her brother and they seemed to talk through the glances they gave each other.

"Why are you so against this Eric? I think it'd be good for you to have a... positive older male role model around to help you out if you need to talk about.... anything." She spoke gently.

I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"You honestly think I'm gonna open up to him? Seriously did you spend your summer smoking crack or shooting up? I already shot down your councilor idea so you roped the poor guy into dealing with these supposed repressed issues I have about coming out? You watch way too much Oprah or Dr Phil. I'm fine. Really I am and I'm not about to spout some imaginative emotional scars to the dude. THAT I DON'T KNOW AND PUNCHED. And spare me the positive older role model crap. He's not that much older and I don't need a substitute daddy figure to support my queerness." I ranted crossing my arms and shaking my head to express my point even further.

"Eric I think this would be beneficial for you but I also think it's a punishment that fits you punching him and breaking two of his ribs."

"I didn't break his ribs just bruised them and No I wont do it so just suspend me." I whined like a stubborn three year old.

She narrowed her eyes and then smirked. "New deal. You're gonna be with me during 7th period as my aid and you will be his aid during 3rd or I'll bench you for the season in both track and basketball. Once you see how much easier it'll be you'll beg to be his aid for 7th too." She said smugly.

I glared at her. "You wouldn't bench me. I'm the best player and faster sprinter and long distance runner this school has." I said just as smugly.

Her smirk got even bigger. "You sure about that? Cause I was told the freshman were on par with you. Wanna chance being benched your last season before college?"

"Del can I talk to him for a second?" Mr Becker asked. She nodded and left us.

Mr Becker walked in front of me and sat on top of his sister's desk.

"So that seems like a tough decision to make." He said sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes. "Can't you talk to her and make her realize it's a stupid idea?"

He shrugged. "Maybe if I thought it was but I actually agree with her. You can say you're fine all you want but it's not exactly normal to get into a fist fight before school even starts with a friend. She's just concerned about you and wants you to have people in your life that know what you're going through. We're here to help and we know what it's like to come from an intolerant family. To be kicked out over something you have no control over." He spoke sincerely.

I went to object yet again but he talked over me in a faintly mocking way. "Besides, my ribs hurt and it'd be really difficult to make copies and get my own coffee. It's the least you can do since you're the one that injured me. Might have even broken a few of my ribs Rambo. Plus she sounded pretty set on making you do this."

"Fuck, she'd really bench me wouldn't she?" I asked ignoring his taunt about my hitting him.

He shrugged. "Relax kid, it's not like I'm gonna be a slave driver. You're torture for the knock to my ribs is fending off the idiot freshman when they ask stupid questions. So it'll be fun and watch the language." He said getting up.

"Yeah a blast. Whatever I'm leaving, tell her y'all can start my torture tomorrow. Just so you know, you're gonna regret this. I tend to be....a handful." I warned.

He laughed and shook his head. "I have no doubt you'll make it all very interesting. I also have no doubt I can handle anything you wanna throw at me."

I walked out and left the school. I have a headache and truthfully my eye hurts from the solid punch John gave me.