Reminder: There are three parts to this short story, just like the first book. Another reminder, all the chapters are going to be in Riley's POV. 

Have fun guys!

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I made my way inside the class, ready to already get out and run away.

It's the last year, but I felt like I still had years before I'm free from the torture. Would it ever stop?

Right now, to me, paying taxes and bills while having the worst job there ever is seems better than attending school, going home, living that trash life and only repeating the same thing again.

If someone asks and I reply with that, they never understand. They're all clueless. But then, I couldn't really blame them. I was the one who hid it from them.

Because I want to be strong, even if in reality, I'm just pathetic.

Stupid. A worthless piece of trash. A waste of space.

For now, and until that impossible dream of mine, I will just be that accident that god made while creating humans. For some reason, he —the god himself, made a mistake while he created me.

Was he distracted? Maybe that's way. If it wasn't the case, then I have no idea how I'd explain how I was born.

In my family, one thinks that I was born like that; a mistake by the god himself. The other thinks that I was infected.

Every time I returned home, I'd get sprayed by sanitizers. Then I'd have to wash my feet and hands before proceeding into the house.

"Alright class, open you books to page five, the very first page of this year."

Everyone around me groaned, probably annoyed that the teacher didn't even waste time introducing.

"Oh hush it," she shouted, slamming a hand on top of her stacked files. "You all already know me, I'm Mrs. Trice, your homeroom and maths teacher. I promise you when I tell you, that I'd know each and every one of your names by the end of this term. Now, do as I say. Phones off or you'll be spending your precious lunch time with me."

After more groans, they finally settled down and the teacher was pointing out students to read the passages.

"Mr. Hudson, could you please read the last paragraph and explain the equation for us?"

I slowly turned my head from the front desks of the class to the back row, where most of the loud students sat. In the middle of them all, sat Theo Hudson, one of the most popular students in school.

Why? Because he's literally perfect in every way.

His full name is Theodore Hudson, son of Carl and Jay Hudson. Yes, both his parents were men. He also has a sister, who used to study in the same school, a top student, who now is studying to become an eye surgeon.

Theo's been living in New Zealand since birth, but his family was from America, which somehow, is another reason why he was so popular. He had the smile, talk and the grades to tally all together. Not to add that he's amazing at sports. His parents are both in good condition, working hard to have their names known in town.

Just like them, he's the last shining gem of the Hudson family. And since he was already perfect with perfect families surrounding him, being bisexual never was a bad thing.

Theodore Hudson would be loved even if his fart killed three-thousand people.

"And Mr. Smith, I'm assuming..."

I snapped from my thoughts and flinched back to face the front.

"Yes you, I noticed that you weren't really focused on your book that's on your desk."

I bowed, trying to hide my blush.

And that, is how I embarrass myself at the very first day of school. I could feel everyone's gaze on me. They were staring, wondering what I'd been doing. I wondered if Theo noticed me. If he did, then he's probably freaked out on why I was staring at him the whole time.

"You're one of the top students here, yes?" I gave a short nod. "Well then, I expect a lot from you."

After that, she didn't bother me because I made sure to be attentive. When the bell rang, I immediately packed my things together and exited the room, getting squished in the middle of the hallways, to the next class.

People usually didn't mean it. They usually kept to themselves and did their own thing but there were times when they bump into me all the time.

Some say sorry while others say it's only because the place is crowded. There's a bunch who didn't say anything and smirked instead.

At first, I didn't understand, but as I grew up, I knew that meant that they didn't like me and wished I'd move out of their way.

They never came at me. How could they when one of their friends was Theo himself. But whenever they came across my path, they never made it easy.

I used to laugh at their pathetic behavior, until they reminded me who the actual pathetic one is. They never beat me up and made me go to the hospital or anything. But, it's always there. The disgusted face, the cruel look and the hard pushes to the ground.

They weren't supposed to hurt as much in their dictionaries, but how would they know, I already have a bruise that'd only hurt more by their actions?

For all they know, I'm an A grade student who didn't have any friends because I was pathetic and gay. I have a perfectly normal life with my famous father, who helped so many people with his lawyering skills and my famous mother, who smiled at each and every patient in her hospital. She wasn't a doctor, just a nurse.

The small bullies of mine didn't like it that I had a perfect life and a quiet one. No one was there to bother me.

Or so they think.

"Hey, wait, Riley!"

I froze on my way, clutching on to my bag's straps. I knew that voice very well. I envied it every single day, every night when I'd wish I was born on the other side of the world.

"Hey, where are you going?"

Theo came in front of my view, smiling bright, clothes new and perfect on him.

"Hello?" He waved his hands in front of me, still smiling. Doesn't it ever hurt to smile all the time?

"Y-yeah?"

"I was asking where you were going." Then he scratched the back on his neck, flexing his muscles. I couldn't help but notice how white his underarm was.

"To class?"

He even rolled his eyes perfectly. "I know that, but I was asking which class. Do we have the same class?"

I shrugged, "it's English for me."

"Oh cool, I have it too." Then he suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the class. "Let's go together."

We got there on time, obviously, but I was more shocked on what'd happened. Theodore Hudson'd talked to me. And if that's not enough, he even held my arm and pulled me along to our class.

He knew that I existed and he didn't look disgusted.

Throughout the rest of the school, I kept to myself. I ignored how my usual mini bullies stared at me and lived through my day like it was any other.

And before I liked it to be done, school was finished and I was walking home alone. I had to be there before two fifteen because that's when my mum had to go back to the hospital.

"Riley! Wait up!" Theo pulled my arm to him again, stopping me from my walk. "Why are you so fast? Anyways, do you walk home? Wanna' ride?"

I stared at him for a second, realizing that he was so close to me. "No," I mutter, pulling away. My long sleeves ride up a little and I pull it down.

"Hey wait, did I do something wrong?"

I shook my head, confused at why he was so persistent of talking to me. "I don't want a ride. Thank you for asking though."

I walked away, ignoring the feeling of his stare at my back. Then I heard him shout out, "are you sure?! Boys like you shouldn't walk alone!"

I ignored him and made it home safely, unlike what he'd said. No one tried to rob me.

"Finally, you're home. How do you feel?"

My mum stood there, in front of the house, with a newly refilled spray bottle in hand.

She let me in because she never likes it when others see her usual duty as a mother. Once I was standing right behind the door, she started her spraying. I closed my eyes as instructed and waited for her to finish wetting my clothes with sanitizers.

After spraying my feet with extra care, she told me to go and wash them as like everyday. She didn't even wait for my reply to her question. She probably thought I was still the same. In her dictionary, I was.

It's not like I'd magically become un-gay all of a sudden.

I neatly cleaned my hands and legs, getting out of my clothes before shoving them in my bucket to wash for the night. I did my own washing, but my mum lets me use the dryer since it's washed already.

Walking into the kitchen, I ignored her rushing around to get ready for her work again. She comes in for lunch, but I never understood why it takes forever to get ready again.

"Riley, remember to lock the doors and not let anyone into the house until your father gets home. And I was planning to tell you during breakfast but I forgot. Your father and I are planning to adopt! Isn't that wonderful?"

I stood there shocked from the news. But then, I already had a bad feeling about it. "Oh, that's... great. What kind... of child?"

She finally gathered her things and was stepping out of the house. "We're looking more towards a boy, your age and obviously straight. He has to be straight."

The bang of the door wasn't even close to the bang in my heart.

I knew that they'd do something about me being their worst choice of child, but the adoption, really hit me unexpectedly. I wished so hard for the child to be younger, a girl, maybe even a sassy one.

But a boy, like me, heterosexual.

It's as if they're trying to fix me. Or, maybe even replace me.

It shouldn't matter anyways, because I planned to leave the house as soon as I turned eighteen, but still, it stung.

The doorbell ringing brought me back to reality.

Rushing to answer, confused on why my dad was early, I pulled the door open, gasping at the sight in front.

It wasn't my dad, but Theodore Hudson.

"Hey..."

"What... are you doing here?" My hair came in front of my eyes, irritating it.

"Saw your mum leave. Wanna hang out?"

I shoved the strands away to the back, frowning. "Hang out? Why?"

"Because, I want to? And I thought you'd like to too?" He swayed on his spot, trying to look past the door into my house. He'd probably smell the overkill of sanitizers. "Was I wrong?"

I raised a brow, hiding the smile that made its way in. "Yes. No... I don't know. I can't come anyways."

"Why not? You're mum's gone. I actually didn't want to meet her, just yet. She looks like a very busy person..."

I raised my other brow. "Yes, she is. And my dad's going to be here in a few hours and I'd rather stay home instead of earning a lot when he realizes that his son's out and about, leaving the house."

Now he looked confused. "Very protective of your house? What do you have? Gold? Guns?" He tried to walk in, eyes glistening with excitement. I tried my best to kick him out with my weak body, but it was harder than it looks with him towering over me.

I tend to be a little shorter than him. Don't get me wrong, there are boys, tons of them, who are shorter than me but this guy, just had it.

One of his dads have the ability to get pregnant. So, yes, they were actually blood related, which I thought was pretty cool. But, the point is, both his dads were tall people. I saw them at the parents meeting day once.

"Fine, fine, I won't ask you to hang out." He relaxed, so I did too. "But I can come in right? It's not like your parents don't allow friend coming over- wait, they do?"

I nod, folding my hands in front of my chest. I was in my home clothes, the softer ones, the old ones, the ones that were supposed to be in trash but I just couldn't do it because it's too comfortable. Theo was still in his school clothes.

"What kind of rules do they have?" He honestly sounded weirded out but I couldn't agree more.

"It's like that, now, if you'd leave..."

"Fine, okay, I won't push you." He raised his arms up in surrender, smiling cheekily. I narrowed my eyes as he smiled down at me. "Has anyone told you how beautiful you are?"

I choked on my own saliva. Coughing hard, I held onto the door frame as Theo leaned in to rub my back.

"Sorry, didn't expect that reaction. I was, actually meaning that... when I asked you if you'd be safe walking home alone..."

I was red, I'm sure of it. What was he thinking going around stranger's house, telling them they looked beautiful?!

I looked up, wide eyes to tell him that I was indeed, surprised. How else was I supposed to react?

Then I noticed how close he was. One more step and our bodies would be touching. That only brought more blush to my face. I probably looked like a dying beetroot.

"What?" He leaned down, our faces inches apart. Suddenly, my heart was hammering in my chest. "Too close for you?"

Then he did the unthinkable.

Theodore Hudson, kissed me.

He leaned down, bringing our faces together, picking me up by my waist, enough to have me standing on my tiptoes.

Kissing as deep as he could, he stole my breath away, leaving me panting for more when he dropped me back on my feet, steadying me. Then, he leaned down to kiss my cheeks, smiling with that cute smile of his, before whispering a bye and walking out of my property.

I stood there not knowing what to process.

It should've been easy, because by the time it was dark and I was alone in my bed, and even if I was covered in bruises from a night's beating, I was still smiling, living in the clouds.

Theodore Hudson had swept me right off of the floor and was taking me god-knows where. And for the first time in my life, I didn't like that I hoped for more.

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