Set Me Free

I died and went to heaven a little that night, but not all fun can last forever. Drew got a call from his parents right before I left; Felicity woke up and was expected to come home in a couple of days. He nearly ran me over trying to get to the hospital. Mom didn’t expect anything when I got home that night; she didn’t even look at me.

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Talking to Drew that night made me realize that I had to tell someone about what was going on in my life now. There was no way in HELL I would dare think about telling my parents; they’d disown me...then hire someone to light me on fire.
I couldn’t tell Drew about my more than possible crush on him; he’d freak and refuse to talk to me forever and I would not dare risk that. Only one person then; Jorge it is then.

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It’s been a while since I talked to Jorge, seeing as he had his own life to live and I couldn’t keep pestering him with my petty problems. If I wasn’t so afraid of death, I’d have moved in with him and his boyfriend a long time ago. We looked a lot alike and he looks really young, so when we used to go out together when we were younger, people often mistook us for twins. We were extremely close, so it would be nothing for me to move in with him, but my parents...they definitely would not allow it. After futilely trying to talk to my mother about nothing in particular, I slowly made my way up to my room, picking up my cell and dialing the familiar number.

Hopefully Jorge would pick up his phone.

“Hello...” Jorge sounded exactly the same as when I called him a few months before. His voice was deep and masculine and almost a little intimidating, but he had a kind face, so they evened each other out.

“Heya Jorge. How's it going? You and Kris (his boyfriend) doing alright?” I tried to keep my voice as light and cheery as I possibly could, but there was no fooling Jorge. I could’ve won a million dollars and looked like the happiest person alive, but Jorge would always know when something was wrong; sometimes even when I didn’t know it myself.

“Cut the crap Dane, what’s going on with you? Finally tell mom and dad that Jenny’s a cheating whore?” Yes, I told him everything about Jenny and he hates her almost as much as I do. He knows why I can never tell mom and dad about her and he agrees with me. He says that he’d hate to see the same thing happen to me that happened to him, but if it ever does, I should know that I’m always welcome at his house.

I didn’t know how to start my long, probably boring story about Drew, so I just started from the beginning. The thing I loved most about my brother was that he listened and didn’t interrupt when you began talking, nor did he make fun of you when you finished. I told him everything, including what we had for lunch at school the day before. When I finished, he just sighed and chuckled slightly.

“Wow, well...you’re having fun over there.” I could just hear his smirk on the other end, as well as Kris laughing along with the television. “Okay then, well you obviously have a crush and should think about shipping that bitch (Jenny) away to some deserted island, telling her it’s a vacation. This Drew guy sounds really nice; tell him sorry for me for what happened to his sister.” I had told Drew about Jorge in our talks and he didn’t seem like a homophobe to me, but that could probably be because I didn’t give him any time to give any opinions; I talked a lot.

“Yeah, I know that, Jorge, but what should I do? Just sit back and admire from afar? You have to be able to answer these questions; that’s why you’re gay.”

“Thanks little brother. Well, I won’t tell you to just go out and tell him now, because I think that’s too soon. Just stay friends with the guy, let him get to know you and you should get to know him better; then...when you think the time’s right, tell him.” He made it sound so simple. Since when was I brave enough to go up to someone and tell them that I like them? Especially when that person was absolutely perfect in every way? Of course I didn’t tell Jorge that, I knew he was just trying to help and I was too nice to say anything negative.

We didn’t talk about my big little problem after that, since I refused to let him ever bring it up, but we spent about an hour catching up. I’m like a girl when it comes to talking on the phone; I could stay forever, but unfortunately Jorge had to get some sleep since he had work the next day...or so he said. He might’ve thought I didn’t hear Kris’s horny moan for him to come to bed, but I did, I just decided not to say anything and just started laughing softly to myself.

Looking out the window after I hung up the phone, I saw that Drew wasn’t home yet; well, of course, if his sister was in the hospital he shouldn’t come home right away...for me. God, I’m selfish; poor Felicity’s in the hospital, suffering and all I’m thinking about is getting to see Drew, who she needs more than I do. I don’t even need him; I just want him...bad. Today was a pretty good day overall though, I have to admit. I got to skip school for the first time, got to know Drew better, got to talk to my brother I haven’t seen in over seven years and didn’t get beaten up by my father. Too bad good things don’t usually last.

Drew hadn't come home that night, nor did he go to school that next morning. I would normally be just a smidge worried, but he was most likely still in the hospital with Felicity, so I wouldn’t complain. I was just sort of hoping he’d come to school, so I could have someone normal to talk to. Though, I highly doubt he’d stay with my group, seeing as everyone would try to jump him. Losers need to get lives.

“Baby, you didn’t come to school and you wouldn’t pick up your phone, what happened to you?” Jenny asked at lunch, trying to climb onto my lap. She’d been bugging me ever since I came back. She probably thought I was with another girl and got jealous. Apparently she can sleep with anyone she wants, but I can’t so much as look at other girls.

“Jenny,” I finally snarled through clenched teeth. “Please shut the hell up.” I whispered so only she could hear.

I would never say that to anyone, but this chick has gotten on my last nerves. She gave a cold, hard glare before going back to gossiping to her friends.

The rest of the day was uneventful, seeing as I had nothing to look forward to. The math teacher decided that having a pop quiz on a subject we’ve never learned would be fun...so everyone failed, except me. Now we all hate him...well, more than we used to.
Some poor kid got beaten to a bloody pulp after school and the principal had to call 9-1-1 since he was barely breathing. I knew that guy, his name’s Gabriel or something; he’s the only one at this pathetic excuse for a school who openly admitted that he was gay and now everyone hates him for it. If it was Jorge in Gabriel's position, he would’ve cracked the jaw of anyone who dared make fun of him, but Gabe wasn’t like that. He was short for a 17 year old boy and sort of lanky and very shy; he wouldn’t hurt a fly and now he was in the hospital, right there with Felicity. I would’ve talked to him a long time ago if Jenny would stop hanging off my arm; poor kid would probably run away, thinking that we were going to make fun of him (though Jenny most likely would).

What the hell is so important with this kid, you might ask. Well, I’m pretty sure he’s the only one in school who doesn’t lie about who he is and look what happened to him. What if I did what Jorge told me and told Drew what was going through my head? I’d get killed! I’m probably taking the coward’s way out, but it’s just who I am. I can’t tell Drew how I feel about him; he’ll most likely hate me for crushing on him, seeing as he’ll most likely only see me as friend...then what? I don’t know Drew long enough to effectively judge what he would do; would he tell people? Would he hate me enough to go around, telling people about me liking him? I’d be just like poor Gabe, on a stretcher, on my way to the ER. And what happens when my parents find out? Jenny would most likely go tell them about everyone’s new discovery and my father would beat me to death; I’ll be wishing for the beatings from the people at school after he gets through with me. I hate my life; now I will never be able to tell Drew how I feel and I’ll never know if he feels the same about me. Damn it all to the deepest pits of hell.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I went home feeling crappy and there was only one thing that could make me feel worse than I already did...dad coming home early.

His car was in the driveway when I parked, something told me that he was just waiting for me; two days of not picking on me were too much to handle for him.

As soon as I stepped foot in the house it began. First it started with the name calling and telling me how much of a disappointment I was to him, then he started with the small slapping, which quickly escalated to me withering in pain on the ground as he kicked me repeatedly in the ribs.
I was literally saved by the bell; one more kick and it was another trip to the emergency room. Dad kicked me into the corner of the living room, away from sight of the front door; wouldn’t want anyone seeing him beating his own son, now would we?

The voice that flowed through the house was angelic and amazingly familiar. My savior...Andrew.

“Oh, I’m so sorry Andrew, but Daniel’s not feeling very well right now. I think he said something about going out somewhere.” Dad lied smoothly.

“Oh, really, because I see his car right outside.” Andrew sounded genuinely suspicious, which no one has been of my dad, ever. He’s the founder of one of the world’s leading companies in the world, why would anyone want to get in the way of that?

“Oh yes, it is, isn't it? Um...he might be here but he might not be feeling well at the moment, I think he said something about getting into a fight at school today. I don’t know where he is at the moment actually.” Dad let out a shaky laugh, feeling the nerves crunch into him.

I was praying to everything that was holy that Andrew would just invite himself into the house and see me right now, then maybe he’d jump to conclusions and call an ambulance. My hands were currently throbbing in pain, so there was no cell phone use for me.

“Alright, well then, I’ll just try his cell phone.” Andrew replied.

Oh, he was definitely suspicious alright. He might be the one person I confide in with all of this; I haven’t even told Jorge what goes on between me and dad and he knows absolutely everything about my life. If Jorge ever found out though, he’d be here in less than a minute, FBI at his tail to drag me right out of there. Maybe I could stick around for a little while...and I’m not saying that because of Andrew...okay, partly I am, but mostly it’s just that I really don’t like San Francisco, especially the street Jorge lives on (I’ve done my research).

Within the next two minutes, my phone was ringing loudly next to me, on the ground where I’d dropped it. I was in too much pain to move to show that I was at least alive on the ground. My eyes were swollen shut from dad punching me in the face repeatedly, so I couldn’t see Andrew (sad face). I could hear two pairs of footsteps coming over to me. Two sets of gasps ran through the air.

“Oh my goodness, son, what happened to you? I didn’t think it was this bad?” My dad was a good liar, but he sounded a little too nervous to genuinely be worried about me.

A dull thud sounded through the room, I took it as someone dropping down on their knees.
The softest pair of hands passed through my hair as delicate as air. His fingers traced he outlines of my face and brushed stray hair from my eyes, to be able to see my face better. Even though I was in more pain than ever before, I was in deep bliss when Andrew touched my face as gentle as he did...as if he cared. I would’ve smiled if I could feel my face.

“Dane...what happened to you?” He whispered to me, as if he spoke too loud, I’d be in even more pain. My dad announced that he’d go fetch me an ice pack; for someone who didn’t know (which was everyone), it sounded as if he actually gave a damn about my well being.
“I’m going to pick you up, okay? I’m sorry if this hurts.” Andrew spoke, sliding his hand under my neck.

My skin burned with the sudden contact with Drew’s bare skin, but that was quickly expelled by a sharp pain shooting from my side. Well, I guess I wasn’t actually saved by the bell. I’ve broken my ribs enough times to know what it feels like.

My throat all of a sudden decided that it didn’t like being clogged anymore and decided to just dispel the loudest, ear-spilling scream that it could carry out in one breath. Of course, I’ve screamed like this before, but Drew wouldn’t know that, now would he?

Skipping through everything that’s no longer important, you can guess that my dad didn’t come back into the room after he’d left. Drew was freaking out, scared shitless that he was the one causing all of my pain. I hated my dad more than anything at that moment. Not only was he the reason from Drew’s discomfort (and mine), but he was the reason why I wasn’t enjoying this moment.
Drew was carrying me out to his car like I was the most fragile thing in the world and I couldn’t enjoy it! I couldn’t relish the feeling of his arms around me as he ran down the street to his car, nor could I savor the way he would constantly touch my face to get my hair out of my eyes. I hate my father!

Another trip to the hospital was the one thing that I did not want, nor need, that day, seeing as I’d have to go back to school the next day, but it seems that fate hates me and just likes to toy with me for its own satisfaction.

The nurses and doctors at the hospital all know me; they’re too used to me being here because of supposed ‘fights’ at school. I think they know what goes on behind closed doors, but are afraid of saying something and being wrong.

I was in searing pain the entire way to the hospital; I was practically crying in the back seat of Drew’s car, but I was in too much pain to be embarrassed. Of course, it’ll come back to haunt me some day, but my brain was currently on fire from trying block out the violent stings that shoot through me every time the car went over ground that was not level. Drew looked like he was in the same amount of pain I was. It was as if he was trying to drive fast so we could get to the hospital sooner, but slow at the same time so we wouldn’t hit uneven terrain as hard, but he was never in the middle...does that even make sense? Drew also kept apologizing, looking on the verge of tears whenever I whined or screeched.

Finally! After what felt like forever in the back seat of a car (which was only about ten minutes) we made it to the Beverly Hills hospital. Drew attempted to lower me into a wheelchair, which meant me bending and screaming out in pain. Doctors heard and came, rushing me away from Drew and into one of the hospital rooms I grew accustomed to.

Bye Drew...