CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Emerson was awakened by a noise after managing to fall asleep in the early hours of the morning. As he blinked awake, he felt exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept at all.

His attention was drawn by a knock on the door. His mother’s voice called out. “Honey, why is this locked?”

“Hold on.” With sluggish movements, Emerson rose from his bed, his joints popping with each motion. He unlocked the door and opened it halfway, revealing only half of his body. "Sorry." he muttered apologetically.

“Now, come on, get ready for school; your brother’s waiting for you.” Giving her son a quick once-over, her brows furrowing. “Are you alright?” she asked softly, reaching out to feel his temperature with her palm.

But Emerson retreated just before her hand could make contact with his body. “I’m fine.”

She pursed her lips, as if she had eaten something sour, and eyed her son. When he remained silent and just stared at her, she nodded. "Hurry up."

Exhaustion seeped into Emerson's bones as he shut his door, barely having gotten any sleep the previous night. His phone vibrated, prompting him to move towards the device. He unlocked his phone and saw a message from William.

William (7:20am): Good morning. Stop apologizing, it wasn’t your fault.

Though it wasn't Emerson's fault that William got hurt, he couldn't help but feel guilty. Mason punched him because they were together, leading Emerson to somehow believe he was responsible for the situation.

Emerson (7:22am): Still…How is your face?

William (7:24am): My face is fine, my lips though, they’re busted.

Emerson (7:25am): I’m sorry.

William (7:26am): What did I say about apologizing?

With everything seeming to have calmed down, Emerson couldn't deny that he missed his friend. Despite Mason's disapproval of gays and their disagreement on the matter, it didn't mean their eighteen years of friendship was over. Emerson hoped it wasn't, and he was willing to give it a try.

He decided there and then that he would seek Mason out and have them talk about it. A vibration jolted Emerson from his thoughts.

William (7:30am): It will hurt less if you come give me a kiss.

Emerson smiled at the message, he clicked his phone off, looking around his room he decided to get ready for school.

The drive to school was quiet, with Benjamin in a happy mood, chatting away on his phone. Emerson noticed a blush on Benjamin's cheeks more than once, but he refrained from pointing it out. As soon as the vehicle entered the school premises, Benjamin was collected by his friends.

Emerson noticed William engaged in conversation with Emma and a petite guy he recognized was friends with William. Locking eyes with William, Emerson’s legs carried him.

“Emma, Louis, I will catch up with you guys later.” Emerson heard William said as he approached them.

Meeting William halfway, Emerson quickly scanned the parking lot to ensure they were in the clear. Without hesitation, he pulled William close and captured his lips in a breathtaking kiss. His heart rate spiked at the contact, and tingles rushed down his spine. It was nothing like when Olivia had kissed him.

“Whoa, what was that for?” William asked after they broke apart, he was dazed, a smile stretching across his face.

“Just…” Emerson's senses were electrified as he assertively guided William, pressing him against a nearby car. Their lips met once more in a fiery embrace, a tantalizing fusion of desire and raw passion. As the kiss deepened, every moan that escaped William's lips sent shivers down Emerson's spine, igniting a primal hunger within him. He savored the taste of their connection, his senses overwhelmed by the intoxicating blend of emotions.

Amidst the approaching voices, they reluctantly pulled away, their faces mere inches apart, their intense gaze refusing to be broken, even as their breaths labored with desire.

Ava, accompanied by another girl, sauntered gracefully towards them. As they glided by, Emerson's eyes briefly locked with Ava's.

Tenderly, Emerson traced the bruise that had formed from Mason's assault beside William's lips, a mixture of concern and protectiveness in his eyes. "We should probably head to class," he suggested softly, and William could only manage a solemn nod.

The rest of the day dragged on, every passing minute amplifying Emerson's anticipation to confront Mason privately. Finally, as the day neared its end, Emerson spotted him heading out the school doors, seizing the opportunity to address the lingering tension between them. “Mason!”

Mason turned towards the sound of the voice, his eyes momentarily locking with Emerson's, but a hardened resolve glimmered in his gaze as he chose to press on, refusing to acknowledge Emerson presence.

“Hey! Mason wait up!” Emerson's heart pounded in his chest as he jogged up to Mason. Overtaking him, he boldly took hold of Mason's hand, effectively blocking his path. "What is this?" he asked softly, the air charged with a mix of vulnerability and determination, as he gestured between the two of them.

“I don’t know Emerson, you tell me.”

Emerson’s lips released a wistful sigh as he loosened his grip on Mason’s hand, his fingers running through his hair. “Can we not fight anymore?” he murmured softly, his voice carrying the desire for a truce that could mend the fractured pieces of their once unbreakable bond.

“Yet you chose the fag.”

“Could you stop calling him that?”

“Why?” Mason bit out, “That’s what he is, a fucking fag.”

This wasn’t working, Mason was still angry, and unwilling to listen to anything Emerson said.

“Why do you even hate them so much?” Emerson fired. “I mean what have they done to you?”

Mason’s eyes clouded, and he glare down to his left, Emerson watched; Mason's brow furrowed, his jaw clenched, and his eyes lifted from the floor, directing the heated glare towards Emerson.

Emerson was taken aback by the sheer force behind Mason's glare, that he unconsciously took a step back.

“This is pointless.” He brushed past Emerson.

The moments that followed next would be one that Emerson would surely regret for the rest of his life.

He panicked, upon seeing the hatred and hurt in Mason's eyes, desperately yearned to understand the reason behind that expression, realizing he might not have another opportunity to speak with Mason. “Tell me what I should do to fix this, and I will.”

Mason's attention was immediately drawn, causing him to halt in his tracks and turn sideways. “Anything?”

Emerson's throat tightened as he swallowed hard, his eyes remaining fixated on Mason without wavering. “Yes.”

Mason turned fully. “I don’t want you hanging out with him again. Can you do that? You seem to cherish him so-”

“Mas–”

“You said you would do anything.”

Emerson swallowed again, his mouth suddenly very dry, he hesitated, and Mason saw it, shaking his head. “I thought so.”

The panic returned full force, he was going to lose his only friend and for what? And then what? He was going to be alone. Will William really be enough? He sure does have friends, what happens when he wants to hang out with them? What happens when you become too much for him? Hmm? Emerson! Everything was becoming too much for Emerson, nothing really was going his way.

“You can’t make me do that.” Emerson voiced was pained. He felt like crying, why can’t just someone be on his side? How could he always be on the wrong.

“If you can’t stay away from him...” Mason countenance was cold, hard and unrelenting. “…then we might as well be strangers.” Mason said walking off.

Emerson’s heart clenched at that. “Done!” he couldn’t stand and watch Mason walk away, it hurt too much. His word cause Mason to halt again. “I-i-i-”

Mason was on Emerson the next second, roughly shoving him. “You what? Hmm? Emerson speak up.”

God this escalated quickly, but Emerson was desperate to hold unto the only friend he had. He squeeze his eyes shut. “I'll stop okay…I’ll stop hanging out around him.”

Upon opening his eyes, he encountered Mason's intense blue gaze fixed upon him, as if delving into his very soul, attempting to uncover his lie. Overwhelmed with apprehension that if Mason stared too deeply, he might just call him out on it, so he shut his eyes again. I don’t think he believes you. The voice came again.

“Are you gay?”

The question hit Emerson like a sudden gust of wind, leaving him breathless, his eyes snapping open in surprise. “Wh-what?”

Mason approached Emerson intruding on his personal space. His blue eyes flicker down to Emerson’s lips, he did it in a slow manner, making sure Emerson caught every motion of his eyes, then he lifted his gaze to meet Emerson’s. “Are you gay?” Mason asked again, his face neutral, devoid of any emotion.

Emerson was unsure if this was the perfect moment to be honest with his friend. He hoped that if he opened up, Mason might not react harshly, considering Mason's previous anger was triggered by Emerson keeping things hidden. Emerson opened his mouth to respond but the voice stopped him. Don’t you dare!

“No.” Emerson breathed out. “No…I’m not gay.” It took everything in him not to break down. His eyes stung but he held back the tears, saving them for later.

A smirk spread across Mason’s lip and Emerson was starting to reconsider his actions. “Good.”