WW | The Love We Hide
Zavien spotted Jolan’s trademark blue hair swaying as he exchanged books from his locker and school bag. That’s strange, wonderful warmth he felt whenever he was around Jolan searched through him, and he nearly giggled in the busy hallway. Instead, he approached, grinning from ear to ear.
Jolan sensed him approaching, and smiled. “Hey,” he nonchalantly said.
“Hi, how’s it going?” Zavien replied.
“Good, just another day of high school.”
“Yeah,” Zavien replied with an awkward giggle.
“You okay?”
Zavien smiled at him. “Yeah.”
Then, Jolan’s face shifted from happy to upset, and his eyes focused on some thing behind Zavien.
Perplexed, Zavien glanced over his left shoulder and saw Curtis Sorenson walking up to them. He didn’t look happy.
“Hey Curtis, what’s up?” Zavien asked, shifting his stance.
“Can I talk to you? Now?” Curtis’s angry eyes remained focused on Jolan as he spoke.
I am, sure. Zavien turn to Jolan. Guess I’ll see you around.
“Yep,” Jolan replied, hastily looking away and slamming his locker shot. Then he stormed off, as if Curtis‘s presence upset him.
“Walk with me,” Curtis instructed, moving in the opposite direction.
“But my class is this way,” Zavien protested.
“Just do it,” Curtis spat, grabbing Zavien’s elbow.
Zavien rolled his eyes and followed Curtis, knowing exactly what was about to happen.
“Do you know who that is?” Curtis asked, speaking quickly and in a low voice so as not to be overheard by their peers.
“Yeah, he’s Jolan Winters.”
“Do you know what he is?”
“A boy with blue hair?”
Curtis glared at him. “This isn’t the time or place to joke around.”
“But this is the time and place for fraternal correction?”
Curtis glared at him, and Zavien saw his mentor’s jaw tight. Then, Curtis rounded on him and stepped close, well inside the comfort of his personal space. “He’s a homosexual. Quit hanging around with him. Got it?”
Zavien frowned. “Sure, I guess.”
“You guess?”
“Fine,” Zavien fired back.
Curtis shook his head and then stormed off, leaving Zavien alone in the crowded hallway. Rolling his eyes, Zavien turned and waded through the throng of students to his next class.