Alister
Jenna stares me down and Nicolas looks at me and leans in before saying "you little bastard, you think you can win this game of life and death?"
"Yes" I say proudly "yes, I do"
"Idiot, you think you're so smart and you have it all and even though you haven't and the thought of you thinking that is so painful that even hell would spit you back out"
"You're acting as if I care" I mutter before walking again.
Nicolas smiles as he plays with Jenna and as if nothing had happened and sat down in the garden and put Jenna down before saying "Do you want to hear a story?"
"Yes father" and Nicolas' smile lights up the world as he smiles with a nod.
"Of course, my lady" and he clears his throat before saying "'I am Angel Snow. I am living with my mum for this couple of months. Dad lives in New York and mum lives in the middle of nowhere. I sigh internally and investigate a forest out of the car window. On my way to mum's. The forest was dark and cold looking. I spotted a wolf. It was running the same way as us. The moving car and wolf at the same pace. The main thing I seen before it began to run was its eyes. They were icy blue. They looked like they were glowing.
I face the front window and mum says "Angel sweetheart... This place is amazing. You'll love it! There is a dance tonight and I have the perfect dress for you. It's a beautiful- "
"Mum. I don't wear dresses. I know I used to, but I don't" she sighed
"See I know you're having it ruff, but you still need to spend time with me and Millie" I groan
"Mum. Millie hates dad" I say
"She met him and thought he wasn't a great father" I nearly scream at her words
"How?"
"He doesn't give you attention."
"So? You and Millie don't let me have anything close to privacy"
"Angela Snow"
"Yes mother" I reply innocently
"Millie loves you. Let her in."
"No keep your girlfriend to yourself."
"Do you have a girl or boy yet?"
"no."
The house was the same. Millie came out and hugged me
"Good flight?" I nod. I look at my watch
"Mum can you take me to collage?" Mum claps her hands
"of course. Don't you want to stay here for a bit?"
"No education is important" Millie nods in agreement. I sigh in relief. I'm going to my new collage early. I get to be the loner new kid.'" I loved how he changed his voice and made little movements and it made me smile before he laughed and continued.
"'Mum phones the school to let them know I'm coming. Then she studies me "you're going to school like that are you?" she asked. I smile
"This is decent" I'm wearing a crop top with a wolf on it with denim shorts on. I look hot.
I go into the car and called "if I'm late I'm blaming you" Mum scrambled into the car and turned the radio up and the engine on
"thanks" I say as we take off. We stop 10 minutes later at the school. "Bye Mum see you later."
I go into the reception and the stern looking lady said "yes?"
I smiled and said "I'm Angel the new student" she frowns
"Angel? Ooh yeah the new non-parament one?" I nod "so you're in 202 for homeroom. Your teacher will give you your timetable"
"thanks" I say heading into the school.'" Then he asks Jenna "Do you think Angel is used to getting what she wants?"
"Yes, continue, continue!"
"Okay then" Nicolas looks at peace with the world as his story leaves an imprint with me and Jenna.
"'I go up 2 flights of stairs and find room 202 right in front of me I open the door and the teacher goes silent. I smile shyly "Hi I'm the new student" he gives me a quick once over
"Sit at the back beside- the only seat left" I nod taking the final seat.
"Since we have a new student. You can talk to the person beside you" his voice echoing in the room.
Then the chatting starts I check my watch-10.30. "It's bad being late on your first day" my side partner says. I smile and turn to face them. Ooh me. Their eyes are icy blue. Her hair dyed the same blue. "Done staring?" she asks.
I frown "I wasn't staring" she nods
"Sure." I look at the teacher. He is busy with paperwork, the girl smirks. "Crushing on Mr. Grey? I mean most girls are after him"
"I'm lesbian" I say a little too quickly.
"Open and out. I like that" she says.
I close my eyes. Mr. Grey says "I need each of you to do a info sheet about your partner beside you. Angel Snow stay here after class for your timetable" I look at the girl.
"what's your name?" I ask
"Call me Mia. I mean it call me" she says calmly. "Angel?"
"yes" I don't really want to know what she is gonna say.
"Since you're new you can hang with me and my friends. You got a phone?" I nod "add me on snap" I take my phone out and go onto Snapchat "it's MianaT732" I type 'MianaT372' in then removed the numbers and typed '732' in. I friended her "Angela Snow" she says "I like Angela it's a cool name" I sigh.
"It's terrible. Plus, I'm normally in trouble when I get called Angela" she laughs
"Ok worry pot "
"It's facts" the bell rings
"Bye cutie" she says getting up. She stops "my real name isn't Miana T I'll message you it" she waves then is out the door.'"
The story telling is getting to my head, everything I've been taught has been gone since Nicolas came into my life, his stories have been particularly good so far and, in all honesty, I don't want it to end.
"'Mr. Grey closes the door and I pack my notebook and phone in my bag. I hear a click. The door is locked. I snap my head up and Mr. Grey is in front of me "Angela Snow. Here is your timetable. I knew you would make friends. I just wished it wouldn't be Mia. She is a strange teen."
"Sir, why is the door locked?"
"I thought I would do that for classified information" I nod. I check my timetable
"I better get going to English" I say and Mr. Grey sighs.
"They have given you the closest thing to the same timetable as Mia. Good luck" then he kissed me and unlocked the door. I ran out and snapped Mia
"Help! Mr. Grey locked the door and then KISSED me! Then let me out...what do I do?" she replies instantly
"What class you near?" I check the door beside me
"Room 273"
"I'm coming."
Mia is there 4 minutes later. I sigh with relief. She traces my lips "he took your first kiss, hasn't he?" I nod. She kicks the wall hard
"You good?" she kicks repeatedly I grab her and spin her into my arms "stop" I say "stop hurting yourself, please" she hugs me back.
"Fine. I'm just so annoyed."
Mr. Grey clears his throat and Mia glares at him. I snuggle into Mia more "careful Angel. You don't want Mia the lesbian to fall for you" I'm shaking. I'm having a panic attack. Mia's strong arms are the only thing keeping me standing.
"Mr. Grey. I'm lesbian" I whisper. He either doesn't hear me or just ignored me.
"Come on let's go to English. Next time it's 'alone time' with you two. I'll be there" she basically growls.
She guides me to first aid "I do-"
"Yes, you do" she snaps. I've only just met her. Yet she is trying her best to look after me.'"
Nicolas smiles at me and whispers "This is based on a true story"
"Whose?"
"My mother's"
"Really?" Nicolas nods before Jenna whines complaining about wanting more of the story and Nicolas smiles before shaking his head.
"'"Let me check your foot then"
"What?" she asks
"Let me check your foot. You hit it hard off the wall"
"I'm fine" she is assessing me.
"Stop checking me then" I snap "I'm perfectly fine"
"You nearly fainted in my arms. Angela, please let me make sure you're perfectly fine" I look away and my bag pings.
She takes it out "it's your mum" she hands it to me
"Thanks for meeting me" she sighs and wraps her arms around me "
what are friends for?" she whispers in my ear.'"
Nicolas smiles and the story comes to an end for now since I asked a housekeeper to bring iced tea and Nicolas is drinking it slowly as Jenna downs hers and Nicolas gives her most of his before saying "Thanks" to me and smiles "that iced tea was fucking brilliant"
"No problem" I say with a laugh.
"Right, I'll tell you another story, okay?" he says before clearing his throat and beginning
"'I'm Aaron. Aaron Snow. I'm 17 and I'm a person who lives in devil's hell. My room is the attic I chose it to have space between me and my (homophobic & overly religious) parents. I have decided to keep as far away from dad. He is the worst. I hate that I must hide myself from them so they don't have a freak out.
The reason we moved is there was this guy. Jake. He was my crush. I used to go to where he worked with my friend Freya. I got asked to his because he needed help with his Italian homework. I went over and we went upstairs. I helped him do the first two pages when he said "I know you like me, Aaron." he said it like he wanted me to say yes or something. I just kept quiet. Studying the situation. I smiled
"What are you talking about? Jake seriously what are you on?" Jake grins
"I'm not on drugs Aaron" he faced me
"Why would you think I am?"
"you're talking nonsense" he laughs a deep laugh full of meaning.
He came closer "I may not know Italian but I'm learning" he says. I kiss him. My first kiss. His friend Sabastian comes out with his phone filming.
"Damn gay Aaron Snow taking a kiss from Jake Hillers! Wow we all knew that gay guys like straight guys." I turn and run. I ran home and dad found out. He moved us here to the countryside in the middle of nowhere.
I spend 2 full days setting up my room. It looks like my parents designed it but that's what they want anyways. I sit on my phone and I receive a message from Freya "hey A. Heard what happened... we both knew you should have given up on Jake. Homophobic guys are clearly just football freaks xx" I smile at the message
"Clearly xx" I head down stairs in my usual clothes. My white vest and red hoodie with a wolf on the back and black leggings. Dad stops me and says "Aaron. We want what's best for you... we need to get you normal again" here we go that is my least favorite word. Normal.
I sigh "Dad it's not like I'm going to find a guy as soon as I walk out! I just want to explore. You moved us here for a fresh start so let me wonder" dad nods
"Be back for 9" 9! Dad gave me a solid 8 hours. I leave before he can change his mind. I spot a group of people picking on a guy. I think it's just an argument before I heard the word "fag" leave someone's mouth. I go over "which one of you said that?" they all look at me like I have 13 heads. "Let me ask again which one of you 4 said that?
the paler of the 2 girls said "me, so what" I frown
"So? So, get a grip because you look like a vampire that hasn't seen daylight for over 3000 years"
"Back off mate" the buffer one of the 2 boys said.
They look like vampires too. "Why don't you give it a try for once, mate" I spat the word mate out like it was poison.
"Are you a fag too?" the other girl says
"Are you a witch" I say mock innocence. She growls and I smirk. The boy's eyes are wide.
"Jesus made us to prevent the devil rising"
"Yeah, and one of his testaments say 'love your neighbor' and if you don't follow it. He burns you. So, if I'm doing something wrong then I hate it because I will have to spend eternity with you" they leave saying stuff about me while they walk in their vampire huddle.
"You good?" I ask the guy.
"Yeah, thanks" I smile
"They deserved it" the guy laughs
"Yeah. They did" I am about to go when he says
"I'm Fin by the way" I turn
"Aaron" Fin nods and I think he blushes. A girl shouts his name and wraps her arms around his neck
"This is Jenny" he says. Jenny grins
"Who is this Finny" she says playfully. Finny. Cute. Finish flushes with embarrassment. "Hey give me your number. I'll make a chat with you, Finny, me and my girl Kelsey" I nod. She comes bounding towards me "so it is." I tell her my number and she put it in her phone. I get a ping and I'm added to a WhatsApp group chat. Fin smiled "well we have got to go. See you around Fin's mystery guy" Jenny says leaving. Fin gives me a small smile and I get a ping it's Jenny
"Hey guys, Fin's mystery guy has joined the chat so say your name and mingle xx" I smile at the text
"Except you my love xx" she adds. I head to the park and sit on a bench. Fin messages
"Ok I'm Fin. Jenny don't be corny with Kel xx"
"Finny! Stop making it weird then! Btw this is Kel/Kelsey xx" I add them all to my phone.
"Hey Aaron. You got Sn? XX" Fin.
"Yeah x" Jenny types
"Are you two gonna be all lovey-dovey now?"
"NO!" I laugh. They bicker like siblings.
I finally go home and dad smiles "only out for 2 hours my son. How was it?" I nod
"Fine. I'mma head to bed now I'm tired. Long run you see." dad nods
"Get rest school starts soon" I go to the attic and go on my bed. Fin messaged me on snapchat.
"Hey, sorry about Jenny. She gets over excited x" I smile.
"Yeah. Reminds me of my little bro x"
"Little bro? What's his name?"
"Kris"
"OMG that's a great name!"
"Yeah, he is 4 and living with my aunt and Uncle"
"4!! Lucky. I'm stuck with the twins. Hunter and Mason." I smile
"Twins? Older or younger?"
"Older :(" I grin
"Unlucky!"
"Yeah wait... Mason is tryna steal my phone wait" I laugh. Dad comes up.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I was just watching a funny text video. Nothing really. I was thinking of going out later. Maybe in a couple days before school. With Kelsey and Jenny"
"Kelsey and Jenny?" I nod
"Perfect my son. You are making progress"
"Yeah" he goes down the ladder.
"Hey this is Mason. I'm not going to be rude or anything because Fin asked me not to. If you hurt him in any way, I will not be Mr. nice guy... just wondering if you wanted to come to ours for dinner tomorrow. Don't make it weird Jenny and Kelsey will be there... Hunter says hi. Fin is telling me to stop and hand his phone back. Here is my Snap message me and I'll make a chat with me, you and Hunty" I receive his snap and add him.
"Hey. This is Aaron"
"Hey." I get another message from Fin.
"Sorry about them. You don't have to come"
"I'll be there"
"Ok I live in the house beside where we met beside the chipper? Number 3"
":)"
"So, tell me about yourself" I get 3 messages from Mason but I ignore them. He can wait.
"Well, I'm Aaron, 17, I like music, art and books"
"Fin, 16, make up, comics and cats"
"Cats? You prefer cats to dogs?? Are you ok?"
"LMAO!! You prefer dogs?"
"Yeah" I check Masons messages. One is a photo. I open it. Mason is tanned and has a snake tattoo on his neck and his hair has a green line on his fringe. He is unmistakably shirtless. I check the other messages.
"So, tell me about yourself" and then there was "Hunter was asking" it was on the group chat.
"WAS NOT" Hunter messaged.
"Well maybe you did"
"Did not! Mason just. Just stop" I quickly get changed then switched my light off and climbed into bed.
"Shut up Hunty"
"HUNTY? THAT WAS IN PRESCHOOL"
I send "..." Mason replies
"Ummm." I go onto Fin's chat
"Call?" he asked
"Sure" 3 seconds later I get a phone call from Fin. I answer.
"Hey, Aaron. I heard my brothers arguing about a snapchat text and I'm worried that you might be involved somehow"
"I am in that chat and I just laughed"
"How come?"
"You should see the texts!"
"Mason give me your phone!"
"Why?" came his response
"Cause I wanna show Aaron something" he is trying not to laugh. He changes the call to video and I switch my lamp on so I'm not a looming shadow. Mason comes into the camera and I nearly burst out laughing because he clearly changed after the photo and is now in a pink crop top! "Sammy?" Fin asked
"Sammy" Mason confirmed. A laugh came from another room and Mason shouts "Shut up you cow" I laugh softy and quietly. Mason looks at the screen. "You're on call. Who is it?"
"Aaron" Fin said. Mason laughed
"Sorry about the chat Hunty wanted to ask but to afraid"
"Really?" Fin snapped "or was it you" I can't help but laugh. Dad calls up
"Your Aunt is here with Kris" I call back "I'm coming" then I turn back to my phone. "I'll message later." Fin nods.
"Brother you like him don't you"
"That's enough" Mason said before hanging up. I rush down the ladder and run into the kitchen and scoop Kris in my arms. I carry him silently into my room. We play and my phone pings.
I check it and it's a new snapchat group with me, Mason, Hunter and Fin. "How's little Kris?"
"Cheerful"
"Really? Who woulda thought a 4 year old would be cheerful."
"Ha-ha very funny Hunter" Mason cut in.
"Kris you wanna chat to my friends?" kris nods eagerly. I put on a voice message and nod to Kris.
"Hey Ar's friends. I'm Kris and I'm 4! I love green, don't you? I hope I can meet you all but I must go back home tonight with Aunt Cathie" he nods and I end the message. Fin replies first
"Hey Kris. I do love the color green but it doesn't quite beat amber" Kris laughs
"I don't like green" Hunter
"I like green I guess" kris is grinning
"Are they your boyfriends?" I laugh
"No Kris. They're only friends"
"No, boyfriends" I laugh and message
"Kris is being a little hyper!"
"How come?" Fin replied
"He says you guys are my boyfriends"
"AHAHAHAHAHA"
"LMAO"
"WHY?" came their replies and I showed Kris
"See not my boyfriends" then it pinged'" Nicolas takes a deep breath before continuing. "Hunter whoever that is said 'we wouldn't mind though right Mason?' so not your boyfriends?" I sigh
"you're smart for a 4-year-old but no we are not a thing"
Dad comes up and takes Kris silently and I'm alone again. "My time with Kris is over :(" Hunter gets back first
"Hey. It's fine you might be able to see him later x" I sigh
"They go home today"
"Well, you have our little sister if you want her that is. That wee devil" I laugh
"I would love that" Mason types then stops.
"Mason what is it?" Hunter asked.
"Stop being cute you guys... I feel left out" I laugh loudly and Kris screams that he doesn't want to go home. I check again and Fin has replied
"Stop flirting with my friend! Guys, come on! You barely know Aaron"
"Well guess what"
"What is it, Hunter?"
"He will be ours one way or another" I'm laughing my head off. Mason messaged
"That's right bro" I reply
"..." and Fin replies
"Idiots he is on this chat!"
"We know" Mason replied.
"Let's call it will be easier" Fin says. I go into my desk and collect my air pods. I connect them and join the call. We all have our separate bit and it's cute how alike the twins are but they are also so different. Hunter is a slightly lighter tan and his eyes are a slightly darker green. His fringe is the exact same as Mason's. I'm in the pitch black.
"Hey Aaron how are you?" Fin asks
"Fine, you?"
"Tired, wait are you in bed with your clothes on?"
"yep" Hunter laughs
"Too tired to change?"
"No just can't be bothered" Mason looks thought full.
"So, you wanted our little sister, right?" I nod
"Thank god! We have gotten rid of Emily" a call came through on their end and Mason shouts back
"We are on call with Aaron." a pause "Our friend" then he flushes "No we are not dating" then he sighed and nodded "Mum let us be on call then you can question Hunter" he shouts.
I try not to laugh as a woman that looks terribly like Fin comes in and takes Mason's phone "Are you Aaron?" she asks politely.
"Yeah"
"Good. I wanted you to know now in advance that you will be staying the night with Fin but if you wanted Hunter and Mason would be more than happy to-"
"Mum" Hunter said in a whiny voice.
"Please stop embarrassing us" Fin laughs
"You deserve it you two little simps" he says coldly. I'm half asleep and dad storms into my room I flip the phone over and dad says
"Aaron Snow I get it. Pretend to be asleep to not have to talk about your sins. Man, up and sit up so we can talk." I hear Fin leaving his room into Mason's. Hunter leaves and does the same and they are all in Mason's room listening and waiting. I sit up to speak.
"Dad just go see mum and have your coffee while watching Suits or whatever"
"Don't you dare say that to me!" he bellows "you are so unholy that you have lost all common sense"
"Unholy?? For being gay? Dad come on. I'm 17! Old enough to leave but no because you think I'm an embarrassment and a failure to have to stay! So don't act like it's all my fault when it's you that want me to stay here with you"
"Aaron. It's hard for us all"
"For us all? Dad when I came out you, you freaked and I had no one to talk to. You say it's unholy to love the same gender when the main thing you say is 'love your neighbor as you love yourself'" dad's face goes dark.
"I hate how this has effected your youth" I groan. Not this again. "Me and your mother has decided to get you a therapist"
"Dad. Kindly go away. I don't have the energy to deal with you." I hear Fin whisper something to the twins and I want to cry
"Well get it sorted out, Aaron. I don't do this because I want to. I do it cause I love you"
"Yeah, say anything that will help you sleep tonight" he goes out and shuts the hatch.
"Sorry about that" I whisper Fin sighs
"Unsupported, understandable why you care more about gays but seriously. It's his loss not yours. Leave if you want. Stay with us if you need but please let us see something other than your pillow." I try not to laugh. "Fine" I put my lamp on and flip my phone over. They can't see me but that's great because I'm probably red and puffed-up eyes.
Hunter sighs "Fin it's late gone to bed"
"But Aaron-"
"He is gonna talk to us for a bit before we sleep"
"Alright" Fin leaves and Mason says
"Aaron. Where do you live? I'm picking you up"
"I'm fine" I say
"Look into the screen and we will decide that for you" Hunter cuts in. I turn the screen to face me and I hear Fin say goodnight to his mum.
"Sweet love of god" Mason mutters as he hides from the camera. Hunter frowns
"Ok. One cute and two where do you live?"
"2 Furrow brae Street" I whisper
"Ok pack and me and Mason will be there"
"No, I'm fine"
"Fine isn't good enough"
"I'm good ok. I can manage my life."
"I'm no doubting that. Ar please. Let us do a little something to help"
"No" Mason groans
"Aaron. Let us help or we will help with force and that isn't always pretty."
"I appreciate it but still no. My dad would shoot you on sight." Mason gives Hunter a look.
"Please we are on our way so either you pack or we will for you" Hunter says then hangs up.
Shit.
I climb down the stairs and Dad gives me a look. "Just going out. I need a walk before bed."
"Really?"
"Yes, I'll be back later" I leave and take my phone out "no point I'm not home" I send it to the group chat that doesn't have Fin.
"Well, we are nearly there so. One way or another. We just want you to be happy."
"I am happy"
"Clearly" I head into a little coffee shop and order a large caramel milkshake. I sit there waiting for a message to come through and spoil my time alone. Instead, dad walks in with the twins at his heel. I try not to notice them as dad slides into the booth and the twins sit beside me. "Aaron."
"Yes dad?" I ask innocently.
"You never told me about Hunter and Mason." not a question so I stay silent I kick one of the twins under the table and they kick me back softly. I look into dad's eyes and he sighs loudly. "I told you we moved to get rid of your... unholiness" I make a note to punch these two idiots.
Hunter and Mason done it now. Dad knows. My secret is out there, yet I feel an odd sense of anger.
"You have no need to get upset, these boys are nice. I heard about their brother, Fin, was it?"
"What are you getting at Dad?"
I want Kris. He would cheer me up.
Dad waits a beat. "Mason mentioned a therapy"
"Therapy? Dad?"
"For both of us!"
"About" Hunter holds my hand and gives it a squeeze.
"Calm down Aaron."
"What the fuck" I mouth.
He kicks me under the table. Letting me know swearing is a no go.
"About your sexuality. I want to accept that you're gay and Kris might manage to stay with us again, when we stop arguing about it. Kris believes that you're his guide, I'm his father, yes but you mean more to him than I do" that brought tears to my eyes.'"
Nicolas smiles before smiling at Jenna "that's all for the day"