CHAPTER FIVE

HOVERING SINS

I paced around my room, still holding on to my phone with sweaty palms. The photo on the screen felt unreal… It was a picture of me and my ex sitting on the couch shirtless, with his hands inside my shorts.

I recognised the scene. It was at the Sterling’s house party back when we were in Tennessee. I had lied to Dad that we had a group assignment, and Mum had permitted me to sleep over. For real, past sins do haunt.

“Who could have taken this picture?” I thought aloud. And Why?

I was very cool with everyone in my old school, and the Sterling triplets were either gay or bi… They’d never permit or allow photos like this to be aired, let alone taken…

“Cariño, our visitors are here, come join us at the table,” Mum called out.

“Coming, Mum,” I answered, tossing my phone on the bed. I snatched my glasses, arranging my curly hair briefly before walking into the dining room.

As I stepped in, I froze as my eyes met a very familiar pair of brown-hazel eyes. Tyler sat beside Dad. On the other side of the table, a middle-aged couple sat with warm smiles. The woman looked very much like Tyler, her hair shoulder length and chestnut brown.

I blinked subconsciously, but it turned out I wasn’t hallucinating.

Can today get any weirder?.

“Senator Trevor and his family decided to pay us a visit, Cariño,” Mum squealed in excitement Waking me from the trance.

“Go…od evening, forgive my manners…” I stammered, sitting between my parents. Of course, I didn’t expect our visitors to be Tyler of all people, and his parents.

“Good evening, dear,” his father greeted.

“Your boy looks so charming; I know Tyler must be so intrigued…” his mum smiled, Intrigued? More like the opposite. A maid brought in trays of food, dropping them on the table and we started eating after Dad gave thanks.

People usually found it weird but from the looks of things, Tyler’s I just flowed with him.

“Benedict Miguel was my roommate back then in college. I didn’t know the superstar they’ve been talking about was your son,” Senator Trevor said, with his mouth full of rice.

“Well, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, I guess,” Mum said proudly. I looked up at Tyler. He was so uninterested; you could tell he didn’t want to be here… None of us did, but he didn’t have to make it obvious.

“Young man, you haven’t said a word to your classmate since we arrived… I’m finding it hard to believe you two are friends as you claimed,” Senator Trevor nudged him.

Friends? What does he think he’s playing at?

“Dad, it’s chill, we’re good,” he forced a smile. How pathetic.

“We’re just acquaintances,” I cut in. I could never be friends with such a shallow kid who thinks he’s king of the school.

“Acquaintances? The way Tyler spoke about you suggested more than that,” he said, and I scoffed.

“He said you tutored his girlfriend Eleanor, and she got good grades,” his mum added. This was getting weird.

“Oh! You know Eleanor!” Mum squealed. “Such a sweet girl.”

I bowed my head, daring the ground to open and swallow me.

“Perhaps you could tutor Tyler too. His grades are worse than the current state of our national infrastructure,” Senator Trevor joked, and I almost choked on my glass of juice. He really had a sense of humor.

“Dad! I don’t need a tutor! my grades are fine” Tyler growled.

“I support that. I bet he spends most of his time on the field than in the library,” his mum added. For the first time in my life, I felt pity for him… One part of me rejoiced; the other part felt bad for him. Besides, everyone was different. I didn’t know I would get roasted too.

“Asher has his flaws too; every kid does,” Mum said, trying to lighten the air not knowing her words will act as a catalyst.

“He’s not masculine enough, doesn’t act like boys his age or engage in sports, just books,” Dad Complained, and Mum rolled her eyes.

“He’s not even outspoken. Have you ever heard of a shy man?” he said further. I fixed my eyes on the plate in front of me, stabbing into my rice… I had lost my appetite.