Maybe Life Isn't So Bad

This is my story for the pride writing competition!
Warnings:
Includes abuse, depression, and mentions of suicide. It also has minor cuss words, and very little uses of them. If you are not comfortable with this, then I'd recommend not reading this!
* 
Other thing to note:
This story is NOT just a love story. It has elements of the main character going through mental and physical abuse and recovery of that trauma while also realizing he might not be into girls as he thought he was. His love interest DOES play a key role, but not EVERY part is going to be about his love interest because I want there to be LAYERSSSSSSS to the story.
* 
Chapter 1
Elijah was sitting in class. He was half asleep as the teacher babbled on about how to find the area of a triangle. He already learned this in 7th grade, he didn't understand why he was learning it in junior year of high school. He was always sleeping in class because his dad was always keeping him awake.
``Elijah!`` Mrs. Rayside shouted. ``Wake up!``
Elijah felt embarrassment creep over him as everyone was looking at him and snickering. He didn't understand why the teacher called him out like that. It's like she doesn't know how embarrassing it is.
He tried keeping his head up when he heard the bell. He started heading to his last class, which was science. When he entered the class he sat down. Science was his favorite class. Not because he liked what he's learning, no no no, it's because he thinks the teacher is the most understanding. And the teacher, Ms. Belle, often made the class more fun with videos, movies, and bringing stuff to experiment with.
He sat down at a table and rested his face on his hands. Ms. Belle was standing at the front of the class. She was wearing her normal pale yellow dress with her blonde hair pulled into a bun.
``Today, class, I'll be assigning partners for a project!`` Ms. Belle announced.
Elijah's eyes widened. A... partnered project!? Please no! NOOOOOO! He didn't want this to happen! 
He only wanted to be partnered with one person. It was a girl named Bethany. Bethany is a smart, funny, popular, and beautiful girl. But he was way out of her league. 
But, he knew he wasn't going to be partnered with her. Ms. Belle always partners boys with boys and girls with girls. He didn't want to work with ANY of the guys in his class. They were all incompetent jerks. 
``The project will be about an animal!`` Ms. Belle said. She walked about to the white board, and there was a basic form written out on it about what it should look like at least. ``You need to have notes about its family, eating diet, predators, where it lives, if it's close to extinction or not, a basic bone structure, and other facts that are important about it!``
The pulled out a small bowl and said, ``I'll partner you all up and then one of you will draw from this bowl. Whatever animal you get will be the one you'll be doing the project on!``
Ms. Belle examined the class. She began putting some people into groups when she finally called Elijah's name. He looked up and his eyes darted around the class, seeing the left over guys without partners. 
There was Liam. He's popular, for some reason. He's a jerk always picking on people. He is also a huge homophobe and transphobe. Then again, almost everyone in the class was. He was just more vocal about it.
Then there was Oliver. He's quiet, but scary and threatening. He has a large group of friends. He didn't want to go near him. He was always giving everyone around him a cold glare.
And finally, there's Noah. He's probably the only one he's OK with being partnered with. But, Elijah hasn't ever heard him say anything. That'll be hard to work with.
Ms. Belle continued looking at the boys without partners, contemplating who he's work best with. When she finally said, ``Oliver!``
Oliver and Elijah looked at each other for a moment. Elijah got up and shuffled over to where Oliver sat, feeling a cold nervous sweat at the thought of working with him. Oliver didn't seem nervous at all, which was understandable. Elijah was weak and looked like he's lose a fight to a training dummy.
After all of the other partners were assigned, Ms. Belle went to everyone's tables, holding the bowl out for them to get an animal to work on.
She finally came over to Oliver and Elijah. Elijah reached out to the bowl but so did Oliver. Elijah pulled back and said, ``O-Oh. You can do it.``
Oliver narrowed his eyes at him but then drew from the bowl. He took a piece of paper out and unfolded it. ``What's it say?`` Elijah asked.
``Okapi,`` Oliver answered bluntly without looking up from the paper. 
``Okapi?`` Elijah repeated. ``I.. um... never heard of it..``
``I don't care,`` Oliver said. ``We should copy the formate on the whiteboard on a piece of paper so we can remember what it looks like when we put it on the poster.``
``O-Oh! Right!`` Elijah said. He stumbled for his binder and pulled out a sheet of paper and copied the formate. ``So, um, we can do research on our project when we meet up.... Where do we meet up..?``
``One of our houses?``
``U-Um, your house?`` Elijah said, without trying to sound fearful. His house usually reeks of cigarettes and sometimes vodka. 
Oliver looked down, as if he was embarrassed. ``Well,`` he mumbled. ``We can't work at my house... My parents said I'm not aloud to have company when their not home..``
That's why he's embarrassed. Elijah thought. He's usually known as threatening and scary, yet he needs permission for people to come over. I don't see WHY that's embarrassing. Probably because he's one of the 'cool kids' who don't care about rules.
``How about we meet at the library,`` Elijah suggested. 
Oliver nodded. ``Erm, ya.. That.. sounds good. What time?``
``Well, this is the finale class of the day. When I get home, it should be about 4:00, so how about we meet at 5:00? It should be enough time to change out of our uniforms, get the supplies needed, to maybe eat something, and get there on time.``
``Ya,`` Oliver said. ``5 sounds good.``
They didn't really do much for the rest of the class. Elijah had gone back to his desk and waited for the bell to ring. When it finally did, Ms. Belle said, ``All right class, pack up your things and head home. And remember, the project is due in one month!``
* 
Chapter 2
Elijah packed his stuff up and went to his locker. He didn't have any homework, since it was a Friday. He walked outside where everyone was leaving. There were kids getting into their own cars, kids being picked up by their parents, and a few kids walking home. He was one of those few kids.
He waited for the teacher to walk out in the middle of the road to stop the cars to let kids walk past the street. Once she was out, he turned left and started walking home.
{About an hour later}
Elijah entered his house and was hit with the smell of cigarettes. He pulled his light brown blazer up to cover his nose. He looked around the house. The smell was only this strong when his dad was home. He went into the kitchen where he saw his dad and three men Elijah didn't know playing poker. 
Elijah turned around before they could see him and went to his room and locked the door. He checked the time and saw that it was 4:30. He thought it would be good if he was there early. He packed his bag with things needed for the project. He was trying to stay as quiet as possible. He then changed out of his uniform and into a black and dark blue striped shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and he put his black tennashoes on.
He unlocked his room door and began walking to the garage door when he heard a deep voice say behind him, ``Where do you think you're going?``
He knew that was his dad. He felt fear crawl onto his back. ``I need to work on a project,`` he answered, not turning to him.
He felt his dad put a massive hand on his shoulder and force him to turn him around. ``Ow...`` Elijah whispered.
``Look at me when I'm talking to you!`` his dad exclaimed, not caring he had 'friends' over.
``I'm sorry!`` Elijah said fearfully.
His dad grabbed his arm and said, ``Don't yell at me!``
``I'm sorry...`` Elijah said quieter.
His dad looked at him for a long while, still squeezing his arm. ``Fine. Go work on your project or whatever. Just bring me a pack of cigarettes when you get back.``
``But dad. I'm not 18. I'm 17!``
``I don't care! Find a way! Now go!``
Elijah opened the door and ran out of the garage, ran up the driveway, and continued running down the street. He began to slow down as he got far enough away from his house. He pulled his sleeve up, while still walking, and began to examine his arm, which was already starting to bruise. 
He wasn't looking where he was going when he was examining the bruise when he knocked into someone who was outside of a coffee shop.
``Hey!`` he heard the person shout.
Elijah realized that he had the person spill their drink on them.
The girl turned to face him and shouted, ``WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!``
Elijah covered his ears. He didn't like being yelled at. Too many bad memories. He looked up and realized who this girl was. His eyes widened and he said, ``I'm SOOOOO sorry Bethany!``
``How do you know my name?! Are you some sort of stalker?``
Elijah had a feeling in his stomach. A twisting, squirming feeling as he realized... Bethany had no clue who he was. Was he really that invisible and... pointless?
``I'm.. Elijah. We're in the same class.. You don't know me?``
``Ummm, no?``
Elijah inhaled, trying to to show how much that hurt. He looked down and said, ``I'm sorry!`` He darted away from the coffee shop and continued to run to the library.
* 
Chapter 3
Elijah entered the library. He was out of breath from all of the running. He walked around for a table to set up at when he saw Oliver. He walked over and said, ``Oliver?``
Oliver looked up at him. ``Oh hey. I wanted to be here early. Suppose we both had the same idea.``
Elijah nodded. He pulled his chair out, set his bag down, and sat down. He pulled the poster out of his bag and said, ``So, should, we, um... do some, er, research?``
``You stutter to much,`` Oliver said.
Elijah felt his face flush out from embarrassment. ``S-Sorry.``
Oliver shrugged. ``Whatever. We can use the library computers to do our research.``
Elijah nodded. ``You do the research and I write it down?``
``Sure. That sounds good. As long as we get a good grade.``
{About 1 hour later. I'm lazy, don't @ me.}
Elijah looked at the poster. ``So, we have our key points and the basic diet now. Maybe tomorrow we can work on the bone structure and its family?``
Oliver nodded. ``Hey, um. You wanna go to the cafe nearby?``
Elijah was taken by surprise. ``What? Why?``
``Usually when people work with me, their intimidated. You were at first but then treated me normally. I just wanna do that as a thanks..``
``Oh, you don't have to do that?``
``Well to bad. Pack your stuff up, because I am anyways.``
Elijah was taken by surprise but nodded and packed up his stuff. They walked to the exit door and quietly and awkwardly walked to the cafe.
* 
Chapter 4
Elijah and Oliver awkwardly sat at a table. A kind looking black waitress came over and asked, ``Hello, I'm Annie! What will have have?``
``U-Um,`` Elijah stuttered. ``I'll have.. tomato soup... please..``
``OK. What about you?`` She pointed at Oliver.
``I'll have a sandwich with turkey, ham, cheddar cheese, and lettuce.`` Oliver answered.
The waitress nodded and walked to the kitchen. Oliver and Elijah sat in awkward silence.
``So, um....`` Oliver said, clearly trying to break the silence. ``Do you like any... video games?``
Elijah shook his head. ``I've... never played video games.``
``Really? Well, um.. What do you like doing?``
Elijah felt his face grow warmer. He was going to sound like a freak with no life. ``Reading... but I'm usually painting.``
``Oh, you paint? My mom is actually a painter. She's been doing it for about 2 years. It's like a side job. Her real job is an accountant.``
``Oh...`` Elijah said, feeling silly about how he was embarrassed. ``My mom was a nurse.``
``Was?``
Elijah's eyes widened. Did he use past tense? ``U-Um, but now sh-she's a doctor....?`` He was sounding hesitant, but he hoped Oliver didn't notice.
``Uh-huh... Anyways, the food's here.`` Oliver pointed behind Elijah. Elijah turned around and saw their waitress coming toward them. 
``Here's your sandwich and soup,`` she said, placing the food in front of them.
``T-Thank you,`` Elijah stuttered.
She nodded and said, ``Um, can I get your number?``
Elijah's eyes widened and looked around. ``Me?`` he asked finally.
``Ya!``
``Oh.. Um... Sure.`` He took a napkin and wrote it on there. ``I'm E-Elijah b-by the w-way..``
``Cool!`` The waitress walked away.
``Well,`` Oliver said. ``That was... something.`` For some reason he seemed really annoyed. Maybe he hoped the waitress was talking to him? Elijah had no clue.
He looked down at his soup, still shocked about what had happened. They went back to awkward silence as they ate their meal.
* 
Chapter 5
Elijah was the first to finish eating, since he only had soup. He stood up, scooted his chair in and said, ``Um, I guess I should be going?`` He knew the Oliver wasn't done eating, but he couldn't stand being here in this bubble of silence that won't pop. 
``Oh, um. Wait a second,`` Oliver said. He called to the waitress. ``Can I have my food packed up?``
``Of course!`` Annie answered. She turned and went to the kitchen.
``You don't have to-`` Elijah said, before being cut off.
``Don't say anything about it,`` Oliver hissed. ``And don't tell anyone in school about me being.. nice to you.``
Ah, Elijah thought. Of course. We're not friends. He probably just wanted something to eat. He's probably going to make me pay for it soon.
But, he just silently nodded while looking at the ground, keeping a blank look on his face.
The waitress came back with a box and a cardboard bag with the name of the restaurant at the front. She took the leftovers of Oliver's sandwich, put it in the box, then in the bag. ``Here you go!`` she said, giving it to Oliver.
``Thanks,`` he grumbled back.
``Now, who's going to pay?``
Elijah inhaled. He knew he was only brought here to buy Oliver his lunch. He stepped forward and said, ``M-`` but was caught off with Oliver saying, ``I am.`` 
He took out his money in cash and handed it to her. ``All right,`` Annie said. ``Have a great day.``
``C'mon,`` Oliver said to Elijah while walking passed him. Elijah snapped back into reality and followed after him quickly.
``Why...`` Elijah stuttered when they walked outside. ``Why did you YOU pay?``
``Well, it was my idea to get something to eat. Besides, WHY does it matter?``
``I... I guess it doesn't.``
``Oliver?`` said a voice behind Elijah.
Elijah whipped his head around and saw one guy from their class. His name was Kenzo. He was all around rude to anyone who wasn't in his friend group. And Oliver happened to be one of his closest friends.
``What are you doing hanging out with a loser?`` Kenzo asked.
Elijah looked at Oliver. He had been so nice to him, and Elijah had been nice back. Half of him expected him to stick up for him, but the more obvious thing happened.
``I wasn't hanging out with him,`` Oliver scoffed. ``I got partnered with him for the science project.``
``Oh, feel bad,`` Kenzo said crudely. He stepped toward Elijah, looked down onto him, and said, ``Well, why don't you just leave?``
Elijah looked from Kenzo, to Oliver, then back to Kenzo. He nodded quickly and darted away from the and back to his house, not looking back at them.
* 
Chapter 6
Elijah went into his house. His dad and his 'friends' weren't here anymore. He walked over to the fridge to prepare dinner for his dad. They didn't have much. They really needed to go to the grocery store. He decided to make him a peanut butter sandwich, since they were out of jelly.
He noticed they were out of sliced bread, so he just took two bagels and smeared peanut butter on them. He put it on the counter, knowing his dad will take it, not caring whose it was.
He went into his room, and plopped himself onto his uncomfortable bed. He was exhausted from running. And social interacting drained his energy. He was an introvert.
He buried his head into his pillow, not caring he hadn't showered or changed. He just wanted to fall asleep right then and there. But then, he thought of Oliver. He didn't understand why though. Oliver was just a jerk. Like, he didn't stick up for him when Kenzo was bullying him.
But then again, he also bought lunch for him. That was pretty nice of him. Maybe he wasn't sticking up for him because he had a reputation to uphold? 
Elijah buried his face deeper into his pillow. Why does he care? It's not like Oliver's his friend or anything.
He heard a bing come from his phone. At first, half of him hoped it was Oliver, but then remembered they haven't exchanged numbers yet. But, why would he care? He shouldn't care, yet he still felt a glare of disappointment.
He saw a number he didn't recognize, so he texted 'who's this?'
'This is Annie. The waitress. Sorry if this seems a little creepy.'
'Nah, it's fine. Don't worry about it.'
'Well, I was wondering if we could maybe hang out tomorrow?'
'Hmmmmm, sure. How about we meet at the park?'
'Sure! See you then!'
Elijah set his phone down beside him. Did he ACTUALLY make a friend THAT easily? This all has to be some sort of set up, right?
The more he thought about it, the more exhausted he grew, until he felt his eyes close as he fell asleep.
* 
Chapter 7
Elijah was shot up wake as he heard a loud BANG come from the kitchen. It was the middle of the night. He went to his closet and grabbed the baseball bat he always kept in there. He started doing this after one of his dad's friends tried attacking him in here a few years ago.
He crept down to the kitchen where he saw his dad, facing away from him and looking down at... something. Elijah couldn't tell what it was from this angle. He got on his knees and crawled behind the counter and poked his head out and realized his dad was holding something. It was some, but silvery. It had a long point at the end.
Elijah felt a cold sweat. He slowly looked at what was on the ground. It was one of his dad's 'friends.'
``That's what you get for cheating in poker,`` Elijah heard his dad say. His dad turned. Elijah quickly crawled to the other side of the counter as his dad walked out of the kitchen and went to his own room. 
Elijah stumbled up. He glanced at the body, but looked away, feeling sick. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He ran to the door and ran outside, trying not to cry.
He dialed 911 into his phone.
``911, what's your emergency?`` said a lady from the other side of the phone.
``M-My dad....`` Elijah stumbled. ``He k-k-k-killed somebody.`` His voice was shaking, no matter how much he tried to stop it.
``All right, tell us your location.``
Elijah told them quickly. 
``All right, the police and an ambulance are on their way right now. Stay calm.``
``O-OK..`` Elijah said, nearly crying.
``Tell me, how old are you?``
``S-Seventeen,`` he stumbled. He knew that the operator was speaking to him to make him calm down as the authorities came.
``What's your name?``
``E-Elijah Rayso.``
He heard a little gasp come from the other side of the phone. The lady laughed ever so quietly. ``I had an old friend with that last name. She also had a son named Elijah. Was your mother's name Rose?``
``Y-Yes...`` Elijah's mother had ended her life when he was 10 years old. He was the first to stumble across her body. It was when his mother had lost the debate of who should have custody of him when his parents were divorcing. The only reason his dad wanted to keep him was so he could run errands for him. Elijah was pretty sure his dad bribed the judge and the jury into letting him have custody.
``Ya, I remember that case. We became friends along the way. She was a good lady.``
Elijah calmed down slightly. Every time he thought of his mom, he always did. He remembered her pale blond hair and her kind brown eyes. How she could even make the worst situations into the best thing ever.
His head jerked up as he heard a loud siren. He ran toward the noise and saw police officers and an ambulance at his house, and his dad's 'friend' on a stretcher, and his dad in handcuffs.
* 
Chapter 8
Elijah ran to the police car, and told the operator that he had to go.
He ran up to one police officer who was trying to get his dad in the car.
``You did this, didn't you!?`` Elijah's dad shouted. ``You're such a little-!``
``That's enough!`` said the officer, finally getting him into the car.
Elijah watched all of what was happening. He felt guilt, horror, and relief wash all over him. He felt a hand touch his shoulder and he immediately turned around with a jolt. His dad would put his hand on Elijah's shoulder if he had done something bad.
But, of course, he didn't see his dad. Unlike his dad, who was muscular and tall, this man was short and skinny. Unlike his dad, who has fiery red hair, this man had dark brown hair. Unlike like his dad, who had angry, cold green eyes, this man had kind and soft grey eyes.
``Woah there,`` said the man. ``I didn't mean to startle you.``
Elijah nodded, feeling embarrassed. The officer looked ahead of Elijah, looking at the cars, and the other officers, and the ambulance. ``Let's get you somewhere else so you don't have to see this. We need to take you to the station anyways.``
The man walked over to the other police cars. Elijah followed after him. ``W-what's your name?`` Elijah asked the cop.
``I'm Sheriff Lee,`` the man answered.
``Y-You're a sheriff?`` Elijah asked bewildered.
Sheriff Lee nodded. They made it over to the cars. Sheriff Lee went over to some of the other officers. Elijah got snippets of their conversation. They were talking about who he was going to live with and things like that.
Elijah sighed. He walked over to where his dad was. He looked at him through the window. Fearfulness looking back at pure rage. 
Elijah looked away, fearing his dad's gaze will burn into his forehead. 
Sheriff Lee walked over to Elijah and said, ``OK, do you have any family that you know of?``
Elijah shook his head. His mother and father both were the only child. And all of his grandparents had died a long time ago... If he had any other family, he didn't know who.
Sheriff Lee sighed. ``All right, c'mon, get in the car and we'll show you where you'll be staying for the rest of the night.``
Elijah nodded and got into Sheriff Lee's police car in the back seat. The car began driving. It was too dark for Elijah to tell. Or was he just too tired? He didn't know. His eyes forced closed as he was going to sleep.
* 
Chapter 9
Elijah woke up to Sheriff Lee shaking him awake.
``H-Huh?`` Elijah muttered. ``What's going on?``
``You're at the police station,`` Sheriff Lee answered. ``We needed to get you sorted with your living conditions.``
Elijah nodded. He slowly got out of the police car and was standing in front of a large police station. Elijah followed after Sheriff Lee as they went inside.
It was too bright in there for him. Maybe because he had just woken up.
Officer Lee had Elijah sit at a table where there was one more officer. ``This is Officer Grant,`` Sheriff Lee said.
Elijah nodded slowly.
``So, Elijah,`` Officer Grant started. ``You're 17, correct?``
Elijah nodded.
``Well, you only turned this age a few months ago, so it's still a whole year until you're at the age where you can live on your own. We might have to put you into foster care.``
``W-What?`` Elijah said. ``Foster care?! Will I be leaving the town?``
``No you won't,`` Sheriff Lee stated. ``We'll find a family here in town who will be willing to take care of you.``
``O-Oh,`` Elijah said, exhaling with relief.
``Now, it says here,`` Officer Grant continued while looking at a sheet of paper. ``That your mother is dead.``
Elijah nodded sadly. ``When I was ten.``
Officer Grant nodded and empathy. ``Well, do you have any family here and near here that you know of?``
``No,`` Elijah answered.
Grant and Lee exchanged glances. ``All right,`` Sheriff Lee said. ``Tomorrow, we'll introduce you to your foster parents. Tonight, you can stay at my house. Are you OK with that?``
Elijah hesitated. ``Do you have any family?``
``Mhm. One wife, son, and daughter.``
Elijah hesitated. ``O-OK..``
``All right,`` Lee said. ``C'mon.``
Elijah followed him back to his car. Elijah pulled out his phone and texted Annie 'Hey, something happened. Can't hang out after all. Sorry.`` He sent the message with guilt on his shoulders, but that didn't matter as he, again, slowly fell asleep.
* 
Chapter 10
Elijah woke up in a bed in a room he had never been in. Unlike his old room, it was clean, the windows didn't look like they could break with a touch, there was no dust or cobwebs. It was... much nicer.
He remembered he fell asleep in Sheriff Lee's car as he was taking him to his house to stay the night. This must be a guest room.
He stood up and realized he was still wearing the clothes he was wearing yesterday. And that he still hasn't taken a shower. He felt like utter trash. 
He slowly opened the door, half expecting his angry dad to be on the other side of it, but... he wasn't. Just a hallways with other doors, most likely going to Sheriff Lee's kids' rooms.
He walked to the end of the hallway, making sure not to touch anything.
He turned a corner and was in the kitchen. He walked around and heard, ``Elijah?``
Elijah immediately darted away, feeling frightened being in a new area. All he knew was, it wasn't Sheriff Lee's voice. 
He ran into the living room, but realized he had no clue about anything in this house. He looked at the couch and saw a girl on the couch who was wearing pajamas with moons and stars on it. She had her dad's gray eyes, except her's were bright eyed and curious. She seemed to be in middle school.
``So, you must be the kid dad told us about,`` she said. 
Elijah didn't do anything. He just froze, feeling very frightened.
``Elijah, why'd you run away?`` 
Elijah realized that he DID recognize that voice. He slowly turned around and was face to face with Oliver. What... Oliver's last name was LEE. He just thought the 'Lee' in the Sheriff's name was his first name.
``O-O-Oliver?`` Elijah stuttered.
``Ummm, yeah.`` Oliver said. ``I'm guessing your the kid my dad told me about. I'm guessing that's why you didn't wanna do the project at your house?``
Elijah shuffled, but slowly nodded.
Oliver sighed. ``Well, now I feel even worse about how I let Kenzo push you around.``
``Ummmmm,`` said Oliver's sister. ``Mind telling me how you two KNOW each other?``
``O-Oh, right. Me and Elijah are in the same class. We're also working on a project together.`` 
Elijah nodded at his sister in greeting. ``I-I'm Elijah... But... you all ready know that, I guess...``
``I'm Ellie,`` she answered.
Elijah nodded. ``N-Nice to meet you.``
``C'mon,`` Oliver said to Elijah. ``My mom REALLY wanted to meet you as soon as she heard about you.``
Elijah nodded and was going to follow after him, but Oliver just grabbed his hand and dragged him along, which took him by surprise.
Elijah went back into the kitchen with Oliver and realized there was a lady at the counter drinking coffee. She looked over to them and said, ``Oh, you must be Elijah!``
Elijah nodded.
``You got up quiet early after having such an eventful night. Are you OK?``
Elijah nodded. ``I'm used to it. Usually if I slept passed 9, my dad would beat shit out of me.`` He mostly whispered the last part. Mrs. Lee didn't hear him, but Oliver sure as heck did.
He scowled slightly and whispered to himself, ``Stupid idiot of a dad.``
Elijah felt embarrassment all over him. 
Mrs. Lee snickered as she looked at him. ``Um, Oliver... Do you usually hold people's hand?``
Oliver looked down, and so did Elijah. They both realized that they were still holding each other's hands. They both immediately pulled away. For some reason, Elijah's face was reddening up. It's not like he LIKED Oliver, or guys in general.
Elijah slowly looked at Oliver, who was scowling at his mom, his face completely red.
``I'm going to my room!`` Oliver announced angrily. He stormed off.
``Why was he so angry?`` Elijah asked.
``He gets embarrassed when we tease him,`` Mrs. Lee answered.
``But, why with me? I'm a guy.``
``Wait. Oliver told me the whole school knows. Did that boy lie to me, or did it just go over your head?``
``What do you mean?``
Mrs. Lee smiled and said, ``Oliver is pansexual.``
* 
Chapter 11
``Wa-Wait... He is?`` Elijah said, trying not to be too loud.
``Mhm,`` said Mrs. Lee. ``PLEASE don't tell me you're homophobic.``
``N-No, I'm not. I did grow up in a house with one, but I stick to my mother's morales. Not my father's.``
``Oh, OK,`` Mrs. Lee said. ``But, don't try to make it to much of a big deal. Especially with him. You can ask him about it, just... don't treat him any differently.``
``Of course not,`` Elijah said. He turned around and looked for Oliver's room. In the hallways, there was a room with a door labeled 'Ellie's room!', there was the room Elijah was in, a bathroom, and one more room. He opened it and said, ``Um, hey... Oliver?``
Oliver was sitting on his bed. ``Oh, hey.``
``So, um... your mom-``
``Told you I'm pan. I heard her. Don't make a big deal out of it.``
``D-Does the whole school know?``
Oliver burst into a laugh. But it was more bittersweet. ``Of course not! Pretty much EVERYONE in my friend group is a homophobe!``
``Then... why do you hang out with them?``
``Because I've known them for years. Long before I realized I was pan.``
Elijah shuffled. ``Can you tell me how you came out? That had to be pretty cool.``
Oliver smiled while looking down. For some reason, Elijah's heart rate went up a little faster.
``It was cool. My sister had come out to me first about being trans. Her dead name was Jason. I was the one who came up with her name. I also came out to her about being pan. We decorated the living room all night with pride flags. The next morning, our parents came out of their room to see the living room and us. It was so much fun, spending so much time with my sister like that. It was awesome bonding with her like that. It was about two years ago. And my parents were really accepting.``
Elijah smiled. ``That sounds awesome. I didn't know your sister was trans.``
``Well, yeah. It's been 2 years, so she always gets really happy when no one misgenders her, which is pretty rare now.`` 
Elijah smiled. ``That's really cute.``
Oliver nodded. ``Yeah. When she was first transitioning, she would practically squeal of joy.`` He laughed, probably thinking of a memory.
``Um,`` Elijah said. ``Are... Are we friends?``
Oliver looked at him, then looked back down. ``Sure,`` he said hesitantly.
Elijah smiled. ``We should work on that project today... But I'm getting my foster parents today....``
``That's gotta be scary...``
``It probably will be.``
``Maybe....`` Oliver said hesitantly. ``Maybe I can ask my dad if I can come with you.. Incase you get uncomfortable..``
Elijah smiled. ``I'd like that.``
* 
Chapter 12
It's been about a month since Elijah moved in with his foster parents. They were pretty nice, but he still had trouble referring to them as 'mom' and 'dad.' Especially Terrance. Every time Elijah tried calling him dad, he'd be worried Terrance would hit him, like Elijah's dad would if he called him 'dad' and not 'sir.' 
Elijah and Oliver had also finished their project a while ago and already turned it in. Ever since they did, they don't hang out as much. And Oliver would act... oddly.
But, Elijah and Annie had been hanging out a lot. They were best friends and were inseparable. And, recently Annie had come out to him to being lesbian. He was honored at being the first person she ever told. Ever since she came out, she's been very open to saying how she thinks certain girls are REALLY pretty, which she used to be very awkward about.
Anyways, they were walking around in the park, talking and hanging out, when Annie abruptly stopped. ``What's wrong?`` Elijah asked. 
Annie pointed ahead at a girl looking down at her phone. ``Do you know who that is?``
Elijah squinted his eyes. ``That's Bethany... My ex-crush..``
``Is she... um... single, and, um... nice?``
``Why? You think she's cute?``
Ann's face turned full on red. ``Well, yaaa! Just LOOK at her!``
Elijah laughed. ``Ya, she's single. But, no. She's NOT nice. Plus, she's homophobic.``
``Oh...`` Annie said, sounding disappointed. 
``Hey,`` Elijah reassured her. ``It's OK. You don't need her. She's just full of crap.``
Annie laughed. ``Thanks Elijah.``
``No problem!``
They continued walking when Elijah's phone binged. He looked at it and saw it was Oliver.
'Wyd?' Oliver texted.
'Hanging out with Ann' Elijah responded.
'Oh... I was wondering if we could hang out. How about tomorrow?'
'Hanging out with her again tomorrow'
'You always are hanging out with her'
Elijah took immediate offense to that. Annie was often bullied at the school she went to. Elijah got out earlier than her, so he's always waiting for her outside of her school, and he's always see her getting picked on. He's gotten a little more confident as the days went by, so he's always standing up for her. 'It's not my fault you're always busy'
'Whatever. Gtg'
Elijah huffed and put his phone away. 
``Who was that?`` Annie asked. 
``Just Oliver.``
``Ohhh, him. Your boyfriend, right?``
Elijah's face reddened. ``W-What?! No! I don't like guys!``
``Righttttttt. Then why are you constantly saying how handsome he is?``
``I can compliment how a guy's looks and not be into them! It's not illegal!``
``Sureeeeee.`` Annie gave him a mischievous smile. ``Soon you'll realize you like him. I'm good at predicting these things.``
* 
Chapter 13
Elijah was walking to his locker when he saw Oliver standing next to it.
``What do you want Oliver?`` Elijah asked exasperated.
``I need to talk to you,`` Oliver said.
``Well, hurry up. I need to get to Ann's school so I can walk with her.``
Oliver growled slightly. ``Why are you always hanging out with Annie? Are.... Are you dating her or something?``
Elijah gave him a confused look. ``We've only been friends for a month. Plus, I'm not her type... Like, at all.``
Oliver gave him an unsure look. ``Even if we were,`` Elijah continued. ``Why would you care?``
``B-Because..``Oliver started. ``Because we're friends. And... friends don't keep secrets.``
Elijah felt anger crawl onto him. ``Every time I ask YOU to hang out, you ALWAYS say 'I'm busy' or 'I'm hanging out with my friends' or 'I need to do chores.' And, the only times YOU ever wanna hang out is when I'm hanging out with Ann! So, don't go on and blame me!`` Elijah opened his locker, put his books away, slammed it, and walked away, saying nothing but, ``Hope you have a nice weekend.``
Elijah didn't have to look back to know that Oliver was staring at him in complete and utter shock. Since they haven't hung out much, Oliver hasn't seen the way Elijah stands up for himself more. How he's not much of a coward.
Elijah continued storming off angrily, even as he walked through the streets to Annie's school. When he finally made it, he saw that they had already let out of school. He looked around around saw two people shoving Annie around.
Elijah felt even more anger crawl on his back as he ran over there. ``What are you doing to my friend!?`` he shouted.
``What?`` said a girl from the watching crowd. ``You mean the lesbian freak?!`` A lot of people in the crowd mumbled in agreement. 
Elijah looked at Annie in bewilderment. ``You came out to your school?`` he asked quietly.
Annie looked at him with tearful eyes. ``It was a big mistake!``
Elijah angrily grabbed one of the guys who was shoving her around. He punched him in the stomach. ``C'mon Annie,`` he said walking back to her as the guy was trembling on the ground. ``Let's go.``
Annie nodded and followed after him.
``H-Hey! W-Wait!`` Elijah and Annie turned to see a girl with long black hair running after them.
``Oh, hey.`` Annie said. ``You're, um.. Coraline, right?``
The girl nodded. ``Um... I think it's cool how you came out to the school like that. I wish I had that courage. The truth is... I always thought you were cool, and.. um... was wondering if we could hang out sometime?``
Elijah gave a 'I smell a ship face' that Annie always did. She punched his arm and looked at Coraline. ``Sure!`` Annie took a piece of paper from her bag and wrote her number on it. She handed it to Coraline and said, ``See you later?``
``Y-Ya....`` Coraline whispered. ``See... you later.``
* 
Chapter 14
``She totally likes you,`` Elijah mocked as him and Annie were walking home.
``You think I don't see that?`` Annie asked. ``I'm not naive.``
Elijah snickered. ``Sometimes you can be.``
Elijah stopped when they reached the front of his house.``See ya later Ann!``
``Yeah, cya!``
Elijah went into his house and said, ``Mia? Terrance?``
``Oh, Elijah!`` said Mia, his foster mom. Her voice came from the living room.
Elijah went in there and saw Mia and... ``Oliver!?`` he shouted.
``I knew who he was. Terrance and I met him when we first met you,`` Mia said. ``And since I knew you two were friends, I let him in to wait for you!``
Mia stood up. ``I'll take my leave so you two can hang out.``
She walked out and Elijah looked at Oliver. ``What are YOU doing here?``
Oliver stood up and walked over to him. ``I'm sorry Elijah. It's just... you're the first friend I've had that I feel comfortable hanging out with. I didn't want to lose you.``
``Then WHY did you NEVER want to hang out unless I was with Ann?`` Elijah quietly snapped.
``I.... I don't know. I think it's because I didn't want to admit to the fact that I liked hanging out with the quiet, loner kid, so I always did other things... But.. then I'd see you hanging out with Annie and I'd get... angry? If that even makes sense.``
Elijah sighed. ``Me and Annie are hanging out today. You can come if you want.``
Oliver looked at him through an expression that said 'I'm really happy, but I'm not trying to make it too obvious.' ``Yeah! Sure!``
Elijah left Oliver in the living room so he could go to his room and change out of his uniform.
Elijah walked out and said, ``All right. Let's go.``
They walked out and, as usual, Ann was already waiting out there for him.
``Oh,`` Annie said. ``You're Oliver, right? Elijah's boy- er, friend.``
Oliver nodded. ``He invited me to hang out with you guys.``
``Awesome!`` Annie exclaimed. ``The more, the merrier!``
``Yeah, c'mon. We were planning to go to the ice cream parlor today,`` Elijah said. ``C'mon.``
Oliver nodded and slowly began to follow them.
* 
Chapter 15
Oliver, Elijah, and Annie were all sitting at a table in the ice cream parlor. 
Oliver had vanilla, Elijah had strawberry, and Annie had both birthday cake and cookies and cream.
``Why do you have two exactly?`` Elijah asked Annie.
``Wellllllll,`` Annie started. ``I may or may not have invited Coraline when I saw that you invited your friend.``
``Who's Coraline?`` Oliver asked bluntly.
``A girl who has a crush on Ann,`` Elijah teased.
``Oh be quiet! I'm only inviting her because you invited your friend!`` Annie said awkwardly.
``Are you even into girls?`` Oliver asked.
Annie glanced at Elijah with a nervous look. Elijah nodded and she looked back at Oliver. ``Ya,`` she answered. ``I'm lesbian.``
Oliver's eyes widened. He looked at Elijah. ``So that what you meant when-``
Elijah nodded amusingly.
The door to the ice cream parlor opened with a ding.
Annie looked over and said, ``Hey! Coraline! Over here!``
Coraline pulled an unused chair from another table to their table and sat down. She quietly took the birthday cake ice cream.
``Um,`` Coraline muttered. ``I haven't really met your friends.``
``Oh!`` Annie said. ``That's Elijah. He's my best friend. And that's his friend, Oliver.``
Coraline nodded to them shyly. 
``So,`` Annie said. ``What do you guys wanna do after this?``
``Maybe we can go to the estate sale and look at the shops?`` Elijah suggested. 
``Hmmmm,`` Ann said. ``I'm down. What about you guys?`` She looked at Oliver and Coraline.
``O-Oh,`` Coraline started. ``I'm fine with that!``
``Um...`` Oliver started. ``Sure. I don't see why not.``
{After eating. Again, lazy ;w;}
They all walked around the main shops. They split into groups. Coraline with Annie and Elijah with Oliver. 
``Let's go!`` Elijah said, grabbing Oliver's hand as he walked to one shop.
``Woah, slow down there,`` Oliver said laughing.
Elijah walked in front of one shop that was selling candles.
``Really?`` Elijah said in a teasing tone. ``A candle shop?``
``I like smelling the candles!`` Elijah defended.
Oliver laughed. Elijah began picking up candles, reading the labels, and smelling them.
``You're weird,`` Oliver said.
``You're weird because you think this is weird!`` Elijah shot.
Oliver shrugged. ``Whatever.``
Elijah grumbled. He grabbed a candle labeled 'Autumn Sunrise' and put it up to Oliver's face.
Oliver laughed, ``What's are you doing?``
``Showing you the best candle here!``
Oliver took it out of his hands and said, ``All right then. If it's the best, then I'll pay for it.``
``Noooooo!`` Elijah said.
``Why not?`` Oliver said slyly.
``Because if you bought it, I'd feel bad!``
Oliver slyly put 1 dollar on the table, took the candle, grabbed Elijah's hand, and dragged him away.
``Evillllllll!`` Elijah hissed.
Oliver laughed as he dragged him away. He sat him down at a bench. He placed the candle on Elijah's lap and said, ``There's your candle.``
Elijah didn't say anything. He only looked at Oliver. His heart was racing and he had goosebumps. Was he in love?
* 
Chapter 16
``What did you guys buy?`` Annie asked Elijah and Oliver when they all met up.
``Well,`` Oliver said. ``We got a candle and a jacket.``
``That's boring.`` Annie said.
``Well, Elijah liked the candle and the jacket, so I got them for him.``
``Awwwwww!``
``ANYWAYS!`` Elijah cut in embarrassed. ``What did you two get.``
``Well,`` Coraline said. ``I found a box full of different tea mixes. And, Annie got a skateboard she thought was cool.``
``I don't THINK it's cool,`` Annie said. ``I KNOW it's cool.``
``Today was fun,`` Elijah said.
``Ya!`` Oliver exclaimed.
``Maybe we should all do it again?`` Coraline suggested.
``Aw heck ya!`` Annie shouted. ``We're gonna be the best friend group ever!``
``Um...`` Elijah said. ``Oliver all ready has a friend group..``
``Honestly,`` Oliver said. ``I'm thinking about leaving.``
``What?`` Elijah said in bewilderment. ``Why?``
``They're all a bunch of jerks. And, ever since they learned I had to do that project with you, they started saying really terrible things about you. But, they didn't spread any rumors about you. Plus, they'll ditch me anyways once they learn I'm pan.``
``Well,`` Annie said. ``They sound like a bunch of jerks!``
``Y-Ya.. You seem way better off,`` Coraline said.
Oliver smiled. ``Well,`` he said. ``I guess I am.`` 
``Well,`` Annie said. ``Coraline needs to head home. She has really strict parents. I'm gonna walk her home. Cya guys later!``
``B-Bye!`` Coraline called as she and Annie walked off.
Elijah and Oliver sat at a bench. ``What time do you need to get home?`` Oliver asked.
``My curfew is 7:30,`` Elijah answered. ``You?``
``9:00.``
``What?! That late?``
``My parents are pretty laid back.``
``Your dad is a cop.``
``Your point is?``
``Nevermind.``
They sat there in silence for a little. But, it wasn't awkward silence. They knew each other too well now to be awkward like that. It was... a different kind of silence.
``Hey, Elijah?`` Oliver asked
``Ya?``
``If you don't mind me asking.... What.. What's your.....``
``What's my what?``
Oliver inhaled and blurted ``What's your sexuality?``
Elijah sat there for a little, not answering. A long time ago, he would've known. He could have easily answered 'straight' but now... ``I don't know.``
* 
Chapter 17
``W-What do you mean..?`` Oliver asked.
Elijah hunched up his legs awkwardly as he felt his face grow warm. ``For some reason, the more I've been hanging out with you, the more I've been questioning it..``
``R-Really?``
``Kinda...``
Oliver looked away from him for a little, looking like he's thinking immensely. Elijah plopped his head on his shoulder awkwardly, his face burning up so much, he might have a fever.
Oliver looked at him. He looked like he was about to say something, but slowly wrapped his arm around him and pulled him closer. It felt nice, for some reason. 
Suddenly, Elijah's phone went off and they were both sent back into reality.
Elijah stumbled for his phone and answered. ``H-Hello?`` he asked.
``Elijah, can you come home early?`` said Mia on the other side. 
``Oh, ya. Sure...``
Elijah hung up and said, ``Hey, Oliver, I gotta go.``
Oliver nodded awkwardly. ``Ya. I'll see you later.``
``Ya.``
Elijah turned and sorta sped walked home, wondering WHY he felt so comfortable being with Oliver like that. And it hit him like a bullet. No more defying it. He had a crush on Oliver.
{When he gets home}
Elijah went into the house and he heard a ``Surprise!!``
Elijah jumped and turned to see Mia and Terrance.
``Well,`` Terrance said. ``It's officially been one month that you've been with us.``
``And we wanted to celebrate that!`` Mia said.
Elijah looked at them with tearful eyes. He wrapped them into a hug and said, ``Thank you mom and dad.`` Elijah realized what he said. But, he didn't feel ashamed or frightened. He felt happy. Mia and Terrance hugged him tighter, showing they were happy too. 
After a while, Elijah went to the kitchen and saw a strawberry cake. ``You guys... didn't have to..`` Elijah said.
``You're our family,`` Mia said. ``Of course we have to.``
They all sat at the table to eat some cake and talk. It was so much fun. After a while, Elijah inhaled. ``Mom... dad...`` he said. ``I have something to tell you guys.``
``What is it?`` Terrance asked.
Elijah looked at the ground for a little. ``I.... I have a crush on Oliver.``
* 
Chapter 18
Elijah's parents stared at him for a moment. 
``You like guys?`` Terrance asked.
``Yes....`` Elijah said. ``Please don't be mad at me!``
``Elijah,`` Mia said sweetly. ``Why would we be mad at you?``
``Be-Because... Because I like a guy!``
``That's not something you can control,`` Terrance said.
Elijah smiled. ``Thank you,`` he said quietly.
``Now,`` Mia said. ``There's more we wanted to talk to you about.``
``What is it?`` Elijah asked.
Terrance walked over and put a sheet of paper right in front of him. ``We're no longer your foster parents. We've officially adopted you.``
Elijah stared at the paper. Adoption paper. He couldn't believe it. 
He jumped out of his chair and hugged them. ``Thank you... Thank you....``
They were up really late, all just talking and celebrating. Mia and Terrance gave advice on how to deal with crushes, with really helped. And, eventually, they all passed out on the couch.
{on Monday}
Elijah went into the school. He had a great weekend of just spending time with his parents and texting Oliver and Annie. 
He went to his locker where ehe saw a group of guys surrounding it. ``Um,`` Elijah said to them. ``Can you please move?``
One of the guys narrowed his eyes at him and lifted his head. It was Kenzo.
``Well, well, well. If it isn't the gay that made Oliver ditch our friend group,`` Kenzo said, approaching him quickly and angrily.
``G-Gay?`` Elijah stuttered. ``What do you mean?``
Kenzo laughed. ``We all saw the picture!`` He pulled his phone out. It was a picture of Oliver and Elijah sitting on the bench in the park.
``I-I...`` Elijah started.
``Don't even try!`` Kenzo snarled. He grabbed Elijah's collar and pushed him against the wall. ``We all knew you were different, but not gay.``
Elijah didn't know what to do. He had gotten braver, but he hadn't gotten stronger. Kenzo was much stronger then Elijah.
Kenzo punched his gut and a crowd started coming around to watch, all of them invested.
After a few punches, Elijah was already on the ground. He wasn't even trying to fight back. He was bruised all over.
He looked up at Kenzo, but then.... He saw his dad. ``Please... dad no...`` he whispered. 
Kenzo have him a confuses look. ``Dad?`` he mocked. ``You're a freak!``
``What's going on here!?``
Elijah looked up and saw Ms. Belle.
She grabbed Kenzo and pulled him away and suddenly Oliver was infant of Elijah. ``Hey,`` he said to him. ``Stay calm, it's OK.``
``Did you get the teacher?`` Elijah asked.
``Ya. Even I know I could never beat Kenzo in a fight. But, that doesn't matter. Are you OK?``
``Everything... hurts...``
For a moment, everything was normal. But then, everything went black.
* 
Chapter 19
Elijah woke up. He was in a clean white room with doctors and nurses. ``Where... Where am I?`` 
A doctor walked up to him. ``Everything is fine. Your at your local hospital. You have a broken arm and many terrible bruises.``
Elijah felt a stinging in his left arm and saw it was wrapped in bandages. ``Crap. That was my writing arm.``
``How are you feeling?``
``Dizzy.``
The doctor continued to ask a few more questions. 
``How long have a been here?`` Elijah asked.
``Not long. You just got here yesterday.``
``Yesterday!?``
``Yes. You also have some visitors. We'll let your parents in first.``
Mia and Terrance came in. They bombarded him with questions. Too many for him to process before they had to leave.
Next was Annie and Coraline.
Annie was acting like her usual self. She said she was going to learn where Kenzo lived and to beat him up. Coraline remained calm and kept Annie in check.
Lastly, was Oliver.
``How are you?`` Oliver asked.
``In a lot of pain,`` Elijah answered bluntly.
``I feel like it's my fault..``
``It's not. If I hadn't just let my feelings for you show, none of this would've happened.``
Oliver looked up at him through bright eyes. His face grew light red as he asked, ``Feelings for me?``
``You catch on slow,`` Elijah muttered. ``I basically just subtly confesses to you purposely.``
``I... never thought you...``
``Well, you're naive.``
Oliver smiled his usual smile that made Elijah's heart rate go faster. ``After you get better,`` Oliver said. ``Do you maybe wanna... go on a date?``
Elijah smiled. ``I'd like that.``
After a while, it was Oliver's time to leave.
Elijah slayed in the bed, daydreaming. Did this mean... Oliver liked him back? He supposed it did.
* 
Chapter 20
Elijah had gotten out of hospital about a week ago. His arm was still healing, but it was doing so quite quickly. Right now though, he was searching for a nice outfit to wear for his date.
``Here,`` Mia said. She walked up to his. It was a simple black collared shirt with blue jeans and black shoes. Elijah put it on and she also helped put a white tie around it. He thought he looked OK.
Mia dropped him off at the restaurant. He really needs to get his drivers license, something his dad never let him do.
``Wow,`` Oliver said looking at him. ``Um, I mean, you look, erm, really good!``
Elijah snickered. ``You don't look too bad yourself pretty boy.``
Oliver's face turned even more red. ``I'm not a pretty boy!``
Elijah just rolled his eyes in amusement. He grabbed Oliver with his right hand and went along to the the restaurant. Oliver ordered eggs benedict. Elijah just ordered a salad.
``You never really get an actual meal,`` Oliver said.
``Well, I'm a little... um... hesitant on my weight,`` Elijah muttered. ``My dad always said I was never good enough with anything..``
Oliver narrowed his eyes at him. ``Never say that again.``
``H-Huh?``
``Your dad is out of your life. You don't need that piece of-``
``Oliver, we're in public.``
Oliver sighed. ``But, you get my point.``
Elijah nodded. ``But I still feel like he's still in control. Especially after what I saw with my mom. Those are the effects he can have...``
``Please... don't let those effects go to your head.``
``I won't.``
They both got their meals. Oliver also made Elijah have some of his eggs benedict so he's at least have a bigger meal.
When they finished eating, they went to the park. There were lights strung from the trees illuminating the park beautifully. ``I've never been in the park at dark,`` Elijah whispered. ``I had no idea they do this.``
``Beautiful, isn't it?`` Oliver asked looking at him.
``Yeah.``
They walked around the park, just talking and talking. Elijah felt so free around Oliver. A feeling he had never felt with anyone, not even with Annie. It was a different kind of free.
Oliver stopped and turned to Elijah. ``Elijah,`` he whispered. ``I've had a great night. And, I hope you have too.``
``Of course I have.``
Oliver inhaled. ``Elijah, do you want to be my boyfriend?``
Elijah smiled. ``Dork. Of course I do.``
Oliver smiled. He pulled him into a hug. Elijah's never been this happy. The only other time he has was when he learned Mia and Terrance were full on adopting him.
But, Elijah was just happy. A happiness that warmed his heart from an icy cage it had been forced to stay in for years. 
* 
Chapter 21
 Oliver and Elijah had been dating for about a year. They were seniors now. Annie and Coraline had also started dating as well.
Elijah was now 18. But, he was still in high school. Everything's been pretty good so far. Elijah and Oliver had been pretty good staying out of drama. Ever since Kenzo got expelled, Elijah also got a restraining order. Most kids left him alone after that.
Those news also drifted to Annie and Coraline's school, because they also stopped bullying Annie and Coraline.
But, right now, Elijah and Oliver were standing in the police station. Finally, Elijah's dad was sitting on the other side of the glass for Elijah's visit.
``So,`` his dad said in a rough voice. ``You actually came to visit me?``
``I came to tell you,`` Elijah started. ``that you don't scare me anymore. And, I don't need you anymore.``
``Really?`` his dad said in a harsh laugh. ``That's it? Then why's you bring your little friend?`` He gestured to Oliver.
``That's Oliver,`` Elijah said. ``My boyfriend.``
His dad's eyes lit up with an unsettling rage. He stood up and tried banging on the glass. ``He's your what!``
Some officers came and pulled him away, his dad still shouting curses.
Elijah exhaled. 
``You OK?`` Oliver asked, putting his hand on his shoulder.
``Yeah...`` Elijah said. ``Just.... ashamed he's my dad.``
``Hey,`` Oliver said. ``You'll never have to see him again. I promise you.``
Elijah looked at Oliver. Their faces closer and they kissed. 
Elijah was taken by surprise. ``First... kiss...`` he mumbled.
Oliver laughed. ``You're adorable.``
``UghGHghghghghGHghghGHgh,`` Elijah said. He didn't even know what he was trying to say.
Oliver chuckled. ``C'mon. Ann and Coraline are waiting for us.``
``Ya, ya...`` Elijah said, his voice slightly breaking.
They walked out of the station where Annie and Coraline were.
``So,`` Coraline said. ``How'd it go?``
``He got really upset,`` Elijah muttered.
``Figures,`` Annie said.
``Buuttttt,`` Oliver said. Elijah shot him a glare, but Oliver ignored it. ``Me and Elijah did kiss.``
Annie's eyes lit up. ``Really!? Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh, ohmygosh-``
``Baaaaaaabe,`` Coraline said. ``Give Elijah some space.``
``But Coriiiiiiiiiii!``
``No.``
``Hmphhhhhh!``
Elijah laughed. ``You guys are awesome. And, I think, I was wrong throughout all my life. Life isn't that bad.``
Category:Literature
Category:Original Stories
Category:74's Work
Category:Pride Month Story
Category:Realistic Fiction
Category:Original Stories (Finished)