Aiden is an average seventeen year old senior with crazy best friends and a supportive family. Aiden is what people would like to call a 'closet gay' for his own personal reasons. He goes through high school, doing what he knows bet; being invisible. But everything changes when his cousins come to stay while his parents are on some sort of business trip which could be weeks. Even months. Now his whole world is turning upside down and the only person that can help him is Liam Jacobs, the star quarterback, the most popular and most definitely the straightest guy in school. There's NO WAY! But what Aiden doesn't know is that Liam has a secret and he's trying his best to fight it but how long will it last?
Aiden
Senior year, the last year of high school but to me, it would be the last year of a four year long prison stay. No, it's not because I don't like the school work; actually I'm a straight A student. It's just a constant reminder of any problem.
I know this school like that back of my hand so that means I know the people. And I don't feel like being picked in and thrown in a dumpster everyday.
Why, you may ask am I scared of my fellow class mates?
Well... I'm not. I'm wary of what they might do to me when they find out I'm the big G.A.Y
Yeah, now you know my problem.
You could say I'm shamed of my sexuality.
My parents are the ones that tell me that I should be proud. Yeah can you believe that; I was shocked too.
Okay, okay I'm not totally ashamed, maybe I shouldn't use that word; here's a better one. I'm scared of it.
So here in an incognito, playing the straight guy in my anatomy class writing notes, being the awesome A student I'm. The teacher was ranting on and on about medical studied and whatnot and I was trying to keep up. This class was my favorite just because the medical field was what I was going to be involved in for my career for the future. Jeanine who I call J, my all-time best friend was annoyingly tapping her pen against the desk next to me which made me to snatch it and throw it across the room. I gave her a narrow eyed glare while she frowned at me.
I eyed the one suggestively hoping she would get the hint raising my eyebrows at it. Apparently not, since she mouthed "what" to me.
Rolling my eyes, I picked my pencil up and waved it at her.
"Oh" she mouthed and set her pen down.
"Finally" I said heaving a heavy sigh.
"Mr. Carlisle is there something you would like to share with the class?" Mr. Simon asked giving me a stern look. I shook my head and said a sheepish. "No" Jeanine giggled at me along with the rest of the class
Glaring at her I turned back to my notes grumpily. Why is it that I'm always the one who gets in trouble when Jeanine and I talk in class? Slowly I laid my head on my desk and ignored the rest of what Mr. Simon said basically because I knew it already.
I suddenly found myself dosing off, Mr. Simons voice was starting to become a low mumble when a huge banging sound erupted. My head snapped up to see what was happening but all I saw was two body's bursting through the door, practically breaking it down and tumbling to the floor. There was a collective gasp from the class with a few screams from the girls. Everyone quickly stood from their desks to see what was happening.
And of course I was the one who would be caught up in the fight since I was the one right next to the door. They roiled too close to my desk making it up over with me in it.
I hit the floor with a hard thump, then the pain came screaming in my wrist and head as the fight progressed next to me.
"Mr. Parker! Mr. Jacobs, stop this now!" Mr. Simons yelled at them while I was still struggling to untangle my legs from the desk.
"Aiden!" I heard Jeanine exclaim, I never had the chance to look at her before something hard hit my stomach causing the wind to be knocked out of me and my head to hut the floor again.
"I really needed to get up now!"
Again the person was slammed back into me, ruining any motivation to even move. I was waiting for it to happen again but it didn't. Everything was quiet now it maybe it was because I was trying to sort out my head. All I know was that I was having trouble seeing straight.
*****
The nurse's office smelled funny when I woke. I tried sitting up but my head was swimming and pounding so badly I decided that staying still was my best option.
I looked around.
"What am I here again? And seriously why does it smell so weird in here?"
"Aiden! Are you up?" Jeanine's voice sounded from behind the curtain.
"Yeah." She pulled it back with a small smile on her face.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" She asked, taking a seat on the bed.
"Like hell. What happened?" I asked. I watched her face change drastically from shocked before taking on some sort of dark expression.
"Uh oh" I thought.
"You don't remember?" I shook my head. "No."
"Well, those stupid jerks came barging in the room in a huge fight, making you fall from your desk. You hit your head pretty hard. Are you sure you're not feeling woozy or anything?" Ignoring her concern, I asked who was fighting.
"It was Kyle and Liam," I starred at her side eyed.
"You're saying that our school star football players were fighting in our class and I got dragged into it?" She nodded.
"I'm lucky to even be alive right now," I exclaimed.
"Yeah. Mr. Simons had to break them up because he feared for your poor pathetic little life." She said with an evil smirk.
"Ha, ha very funny. It makes me feel so good inside that you care," I rolled my eyes.
"I know, you should feel honored. No but seriously I'm going to get the nurse to make sure you don't need some serious medical attention," with that I watched her disappear behind the curtain.
It didn't take long for the nurse to examine me and see if I was ok. So even she released me, she told me she called someone so I didn't ha e to walk home. She proceeded to give me instructions on how to take care of my head and wrist since I might have a mild concussion and I definitely had a sprain.
Jeanine walked me out and down the hallway outside; school let out ten minutes ago and I was glad because I had a major headache. As we made our way outside, J told me everything that went down in class since I missed most of it.
When we passed the principal's office, I suddenly heard raised voices. I had this cold sensation that was begging me to look through the rooms window so I gave in and saw the principal, of course, giving a very expressive lecture to non other than the hooligans that squished me.
Maybe it was just because he had this "look at me' type persona going in but my eyes especially trained in Liam. Well, his back and can I say what a nice broad back it was. His hair looked ruffled and crazy from his earlier fight but I had to say it was pretty exy from the back. I'm sure it was more so in the front. I never really seen Liam uo close and the famous star quarterback. But from what I heard, he was a total heart throb or whatever girls said about him. Me personally I never looked because I didn't want anyone to see me checking out dudes.
The abrupt tugging on my arm caught my attention.
"Aiden what's up? What's wrong?" Jeanine asked watching me with concern.
I shook my head, when did I stop walking? I was drawn to look into the window and notice Liam staring at me. He had a confused and shocked, almost angry expression. With a yelp, I moved from the front doors at a hyper speed.
He saw me staring at him!
Oh God now he thinks I'm a freak or worse, he knows I'm gay! He's going to tell and I'm going to be best friends with the dumpster for the rest of my senior year. I'm such an idiot.
Jeanine was staring at me weird, her dark brown eyebrows raised at me.
"What?" I asked innocently. "You know that top really compliments your skin tone." I said distracting her with the beet extreme gay fashion designer impression I've seen on TV, which always makes her smile. But really, she was wearing a light yellow blouse that went well with her light brown skin. It really did look good on her, even though I know nothing about fashion. I might be gay but fashion went over the head for me. If I could I would still have my mom pick my clothes in the morning.
"Uh huh, whatever. Your dad's here by the way," she said pointing to the Mercedes waiting in front.
"Crap, thanks,' I gave her a quick hug. "I'll call you later." I said slowly walking backwards towards the car. She shook her head, "I have dance practice so I'm going to be dead tired later."
"Oh alright. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." I opened the car door ready to slide in.
"Yep, feel better," she said.
"I'll," was the last thing I told her before closing the door. Buckling up, I tested my head against the head rest.
"What is this I hear about fight?" My dad said as he started to drive. "Are you hurt badly, I know the nurse called me and said you were knocked out but no need to go to the hospital," he said concerning giving me sideways glances.
"No dad, I'm fine. I just have a headache and I sprained my wrist." He nodded.
"K. We'll go to the stroke and get you a wrist brace and aspirin alright?"
"Okay."
*****
At dinner, I got a whole bunch of questions about what happened to me and answered them to the best of my abilities. My kim like always thought that a gay basher was always terrorizing me. Dad stayed quiet and just agreed with everything she said. It was really annoying. My fourteen years old sister, Connie was sneaking text messages under the table since phones weren't allowed at the dinner table. My parents think our generation is rulled by technology.
I know, crazy right?
My brother, Nash was out with his girlfriend like usual and since he went to the community college, he still lived with usm he hasn't yet heart what happened to me and I was hoping it stayed that way. Ever since I came out to my family, my brother has been the one to be the most protective.
Like this one time the family and I were over at my great grandparent's house for a family reunion. So Connie, Nash and I were hanging with our cousins and you know how everyone has a douche bag cousin. That guy who always put you down whenever you're feeling vulnerable. A straight up bukky if you were knew one. Well mine happened to be Brent. So any who, Connie accidentally let it slip out that I was gay at dinner. I mean she was only eleven. She probably didn't even know what that meant yet or thought it wasn't a big deal.
So like the douche bag Brent was, he made a huge scene saying it was disgusting and wrong. He then did something I least expected. He called me a fag. No one had ever called me that before and to be truthful, it was kind of traumatizing. I mean, if my own family didn't like who I was, how would everyone else take it. Bad, that's how. Nash's face had gone bright red as we all sat at the table shocked. My brother had shot to his feet so fast no one had time to stop him as he sockef Brent square in the face. As Brent crashed to the floor in his chair.
"Never say that to my brother again you piece of shit!" Nash exclaimed snatching Brent from the floor and that was when a full scale war broke out. My dad and his brother, Brent's dad were struggling to try and separate them.
I remember how afterwards everyone was arguing and pointing accusing fingers at me like I was the bad guy.
It took so much in me to keep from crying.
They told my parents to never gone back with me so my dad told them if I couldn't be a part of the family, then none of them would ever come back. He took my arm and walked out of the house with his dignity intact while mine crumbled and blew away with the particularly strong wing that day.
The second we arrived home, my father instructed everyone to go inside while he kept me out with him. I could still remember how hard it was to look him in the eyes at that moment
"Look at me Aiden," I shook my head to ashamed at what I was and there was no way he didn't feel that same. I was a disgrace and no matter how much he tried to put on this facade, to make me feel better, I knew I was a screw up of a son.
"You don't have to pretend," I whispered. " You don't have to pretend that you love me." The sob tore through my throat as I said those words and before I knew it I was suddenly drawn into a bone crushing hug. Too shocked to say anything. I just let the tears come, sobbing in his chest as his arms tightened.
"I'll never stop loving you. You're my son, Aiden and not a thing is going to stop this family from loving you unconditionally!" Putting me at an arm's length and for the first time ever I tear in my father's eyes. And just like the stubborn man that he was, he refused to let them fall.
"There were in the wrong, not you. And I swear that I'll never let them hurt you again. Do you hear me?" I stared at him unable to move or speak.
"Aiden, I need you to understand, tell me you do," I then nodded, wrapping my arms around him tightly.
"I love you, Aiden. More than you'll ever know," he said kissing my hair.
"I love you too dad."
That was the last time I had seen my dad's side of the family. My mom's side were more accepting so now we go there for reunions.
****
I put my fish in the sink and headed up stairs to my room. I didn't realize how tired I was till my head hit the pillow and I had gone out.
A young and innocent girl, bullied and shamed for her complexion, fell in love with a newly admitted classmate in high school. A twist- she had a best friend since kindergarten who always had her back and stood for her against all odds until his feelings grew stronger than friendship. She got close to her crush and they became tight friends than ever, causing jealousy among the girls, especially the most popular ones. It finally reached the night before prom when she found out she was being played by the new student. He always led her on since he was dared. Her best friend saw the signs and warned her before then but she turned a blind eye. Shattered and heartbroken, she needed a shoulder to rest on and her best friend came through still something usual happened. What could it be?
Indeed, Life makes you a villain when you give people the taste of their own medicine. A beautiful girl at a very young age found it hard to fit into the world she found herself in for she was bullied and belittled all through her childhood days. Finally growing to understand how life works, she took a huge switch. Niniola Anderson, A British Nigerian who's a C. E. O at the age of twenty-five made her business her priority. She was seen with no sentiment and treated people the way she pleases just as she felt a long time ago. She finally employed Lola Akhimen who grew to become her personal assistant for two years steady. Lola tries to understand the person she's working for and comes up with a different goal. Being a friend. Will Nini welcome it with open arms and cast her away like a piece of garbage?
A young and innocent girl, bullied and shamed for her complexion, fell in love with a newly admitted classmate in high school. A twist– she had a best friend since kindergarten who always had her back and stood for her against all odds until his feelings grew stronger above that friendship. She got close to her crush and they became tight friends than ever, causing jealousy among the girls, especially the most popular one. If finally reached the night before prom where she found out she was being played by the new student. He always led her on since he was dared. Her best friend saw the signs and warned her before then but she turned a blind eye. Shattered and heartbroken, she needed a shoulder to rest on and her best friend came through still something usual happened. What could it be?
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
Maria took her sister’s place and was engaged to Anthony, a disabled man who had lost his status as the family heir. At first, they were just a nominal couple. However, things changed when things about Maria were gradually exposed. It turned out she was a professional hacker, a mysterious composer, and the sole successor to an international jade sculpting master… The more that was revealed about her, the less Anthony could rest easy. A famous singer, an award-winning actor, an heir of a rich family—so many excellent men were chasing after his fiancee, Maria. What should Anthony do?
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
After five years of marriage, my husband is always absent on my birthday. No gifts, no blessings. He said, "I've given you the money, buy whatever you want." But he started preparing for Fiona's birthday half a month in advance. He said, "She's different, she only has me." As the sole survivor of a unexpected fire, he has been heartbroken for over a decade. Watching Fiona in Moments holding a cake and kissing his face. I slowly commented. 【Just this useless person, I'm giving him to you.】
"Carroll Brown is dead! But you have to marry him in your sister's name." My mother said to me in a cold tone. My sister was engaged to the hottest billionaire. It should have been a perfect marriage. Unexpectedly, Carroll was dead in an accident. My sister didn't want to become a widow, so she forced me to marry her dead fiance. And I had no right to refuse her. Actually, I was the biological daughter of the Smith family. My sister was an adoptive one. My sister and I had been swapped at the hospital when we were just born. My parents had already had a deep relationship with her. So they chose to sacrifice me. On the wedding day, I was taken to the mourning hall. "Ma'am, please keep Master company and let him feel warm." The housekeeper said with a cold expression. I couldn't help but look up at the portrait above the coffin, and my heart skipped a beat at this glance. The man in the portrait was more handsome than the superstars in Hollywood. Carroll Brown? My dead husband? Wow, he was really handsome! I didn't know how long had passed when my stomach began to rebel. After one glance at the coffin, I swallowed my saliva and then begged with my fingers crossed. "Mr. Carroll, I'm starving! May I eat your pastries? You don't mind, do you?" "I do." "Ah!" Scared, I broke out in a cold sweat. My legs went limp, and I fell to the ground. I shouted, "Ghost!" Carroll curled his lips, leaned over, and touched the black coffin. "Mr. Carroll has risen from the dead. What do you think of this headline tomorrow?"
Lucien Gray, the young and powerful head of an international consortium, has always had everything within his reach-wealth, influence, and any woman he desires. But when the unassuming Nina Morrison crosses his path, something unexpected happens. She doesn't fall at his feet, nor does she seem impressed by his status. Her indifference sparks an irresistible challenge in Lucien-a desire to conquer her at all costs. Determined to make Nina his, Lucien's pursuit becomes relentless. But Nina's fiery spirit and refusal to be controlled push Lucien to his limits. With every struggle and defiance, the tension between them grows, threatening to shatter the boundaries Lucien has always maintained. Now Lucien vows to claim her as his own. Will Lucien's obsession break Nina's spirit, or will she force him to confront his deepest vulnerabilities? In a game of power and desire, who will win-and at what cost?