“Me me me! Mrs Windleton! Choose me! Look at how smart I am!”

The others laughed as the bullies pretended to be Jayden. They stood behind him while he finished locking up the classroom. He checked to see that the lights were off, and locked the doors behind him. He needed to return the keys after lunch. Their impersonation of him was not at all like him, it was a poor imitation, and that alone was triggering. But he ignored them.

The  high school could be considered large for its size, but a good check of the map dawned the thought of it being the only one in the city upon anyone who cared to ponder. And the city, it's denizens must point out, is one of the size of a state capital. The reason is because it once was in fact, a state capital. Then things happened, places got burnt, people died, a rich widower got married... etc and thus that title was removed.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going?” The ringleader ran up to block his path. “We’re just tryna talk to you, Pajamas.”

The young man in front of him was called Alex, someone who Jayden knew very well... or used to.

He managed to sidestep Alex and continued walking towards the cafeteria. Jayden's mind was focused on going over his daily routines. Swimming practice was on from four to six. Then his shift went from eight to midnight. Kickboxing class was on tomorrow at seven, he needed to rehearse before then.

“What? You think you’re so tough? Must be great hey, to be so much smarter than the rest of us.”

Alex ran up and shouted as he walked away, but Jayden ignored him.

“Fucking loser,” he spat as he walked back to his group.

“Don’t worry about him Alex. Wanna come smoke a fag after?” Thomas said, as he adjusted his old baseball cap with the letters "AKT" embroidered on the front.

“You meant “a cigarette”? Sure.” He said as the bell rang. “I’m taking 6th period off, my families’ coming in to see the principal, so I’m outta here. I’ll see you guys at the usual place”

“Yep, usual place.” He packed his stuff as the others left for their classes. The zip on his bag caught the band-aid on his finger. It wasn’t fully healed but Alex peeled it off anyway. Checking his arms he saw the scars he had accumulated. He should really avoid fights, but the more he avoided them, if he had tried, the more they came. His mom would have been so mad with him.

Once classes started the school was quiet, and he could hear his step-mom’s voice on the other side of the building. Being careful not to be spotted through the windows, he crept past the administration block and walked to the back oval. From there, there was a gate that they never bothered locking up which lead outside. 

The leaves blew quietly in somber harmony, bearing witnesses to his escape. Walking out of it, Alex thought twice about leaving. He should really stay and finish matters off with his step-mother. But he doesn’t feel like seeing that woman right now.

“In conclusion, the cause of populace deficiency is that there is a depravity of sexual reproduction. This is a result of homosexual intermingling, and therefore quote gay marriage unquote, should not be legalized.” Jayden smiled to the class as he finished his speech. 

“Great job, as always.” His public speaking teacher said. She looked at the clock and said “We are more than on time today, so if no one has any questions I don’t see any problems in finishing early-”

“Actually that argument doesn’t make sense. Because homosexual intercourse is not in cause-and-effect with marriage.” Rebecca interrupted from the front row.

“If you wouldn’t mind, me and my friends have made a small effort in composing these posters. Some of which are effective counter-arguments to Jayden’s main point.” She signaled for Vishaj and Lingshan, who were sitting next to her to bring out their posters.

“As you can see, legislations in favor of homosexual behavior exemplifies societal progress and free-will development”

To step up when class was about to finish…. Was she just looking to annoy the others? Of course not. See, she knew she was being a pain, but she loves teasing Jayden. 

It's worth the hate, that is, if they can bring themselves to hate me.

“Of course,” Jayden said, after thoroughly examining the posters. 

He went on to spending the rest of the remaining lesson time explaining why societal progress is diminutive in contrast to societal comfort, ending his argument by inviting her to a further discussion outside of class in the café should she have any other questions. By the ringing of the last bell, it was clear that he had proven his point.

“You always win a debate, that’s what I love about you Jayjay.” She grinned at him as she walked out.

***

Outside, Hannah was waiting for him. She’s been a childhood friend ever since he moved into the area. 

“Who said homosexuality makes people uncomfortable?” She said. She had a little pout and a frown going on, to look as if she was angry at him.

“Well…” He stuttered.

“Huh? Jayden have you ever seen anyone uncomfortable when you’re kissing another guy?” She pressed.

“But I’ve never kissed another guy.”

“Yeah that’s the problem, you need to find someone and try it out.”

“No TY” he said, taking a step back. “But yeah, sorry about today, I forgot you’re into that stuff.”

*Sigh* “Let a young lady keep her dreams.… You’re coming to swimming practice later right?”

“Yep, got a shift at the C-Mart after too,” he said, as he stretched for a yawn. He felt his core muscles are still hurting from being pushed too hard yesterday, but he’ll be fine.

***

Alex is bored, he don’t feel like staying with his brother, but he doesn’t feel like crashing at his friend’s place either. Going home wasn’t an option. He moaned as he strolled around the district. Night had long fallen but it was summer so it didn’t show until it was too late. The only shops around that are open are…

“Hmm? Haven’t been to this part of town before.”

The streets were dirty. It was the sort of dirty he grew up in. Not abandoned dirty, not poor dirty, but a lawless sort of dirty. The street lights and signs had been cleaned but they too were dirty, neon, crimson dirty. There were a couple of hookers here and there. Their calls were almost enticing. Had those people not been the dirties of the lot.

He turned around a corner, he felt like getting lost.

“Oooo what a handsome boy” some effeminate guy flirted under a drag dress.

“Stardust Saloon would always welcome a well-built young man like yourself,” he continued. Alex ignored him, trying not to make eye contact.

“Feeling dirty tonight? In a dirty town? Just for you, we’ll make it free for one night.” He persisted.

“Into fems? Or not? Guaranteed to have something to suit your needs, hmmm?”

The voice faded as he walked further and further away, then grew again in excitement as the caller caught sight of someone else.

He turned another corner, then another until the streets grew quiet. A small convenience store caught his eyes.

***

“Welcome to C-Mart, good evening how can I help you today?”

Jayden looked up from behind the counter and realized it was Alex. 

Trouble

He cringed.

“Oh ho ho, look who’s working here?" Alex said as he slammed his fist on the counter; playfully claiming his temporary territory. "Let me guess, you’re volunteering for work experience cause you’re worried that your resume isn’t perfect enough.”

“What do you want Alex?” Jayden said, as he wet-wiped the prints Alex left on the stainless steel counter.

“Whatever you guys got on half price, and a packet of cigs," He said, then added. "The cheapest brand will do.”

Jayden looked at him. Alex was not of age. Definitely, not of age.

“WHAT? Just hand it over,” he checked for cameras, walking around.  “Nope, no cams, hand it over before I trash this place.” He said, as he stepped one foot up on a tea-table in the coffee area. 

Jayden gave him the look.

“What? You think I’m afraid of the Kickboxing Club Captain? Like you guys are anything but wimps who can’t win in a real fight?” Alex moved back up to the counter, looking at him eye-to-eye.

Alex had a thick muscular build, but Jayden was fit and lighter and likely more agile. Jayden paused for a moment, going through his options.

The phone was close. The door was on the other side of the room barely visible behind rows of shelves. The chaotic nature of the suburb would camouflage any noise from the neighbors, not that the potheads and gang members would care for a fight much.

He probably could get away with it if he ended it with a quick blow. But Alex doesn't look like he'd be taken out that easily. Alex would come back now that he knows where Jayden works but-

"Come on, Pjay pajamas just pass me a box already. Look I'm even willing to pay for it." Alex said. Though he didn't get a chance to prove his point.

“PUTS YOUR HANDS UP IN THE AIR AND DO AS I SAY!” A voice shouted behind him. Two menacing shadows entered the shop....

CHAPTER END

XXX

“And how are you this morning?” His arms came from behind and hugged him around the waist.

“Don’t, I’m gonna be late.” He said, as he felt his neck nibbled.

“Shhhh” His fingered traced his lips. His biceps came around Jayden’s torso.

Then Alex paused, waiting.

…

Jayden let out a small sigh as he set his books aside on the Redwood Table.

XXX

EDIT: A lot of people have been asking what the bit after "CHAPTER END" is. *SPOILER ALERT* Read on if you don't want to find out yourself.

These are just NSFW scenes from the future that, for now, has no role in the plot. From this chapter onward, there's always gonna be a scene that shows the contrast between their adult life NSFW scenes and their younger day conflicts. As an example, in the next episode, Jayden pushed Alex away because of his body odor when they were young, BUT, when they're adults, Jayden was turned on by it. As another example, in the "you don't know me" episode, Alex was shown chasing down Jayden similar to a terrifying beast, but when they're adults, Jayden makes Alex wear cat ears to tease him.