3. You don't like him, do you?

Ethan's POV

When I first met Corey Price in middle school, I didn't think too much of him. He was this scrawny little kid who looked so frail that I thought I could break him in half. Delicate and cute. But it only made me want to protect him and to hold him.

I did for several years. We were stuck to each other like glue, and I was happy. I looked forward to seeing him every day.

He had this bright smile that made my shitty life a little better. He was my best friend.

Then everything changed when we entered the freshmen year in high school. His constant presence near me was starting to bug me.

No, wait, that's not true. It wasn't me who was bothered. It was Brian and Mike.

I met them when I joined the football team, and we became instant friends. I guess I fit certain criteria when I became the quarterback and attracted beautiful girls. You know...the ones in the cheerleading team. Especially Jennifer Sullivan.

She was considered the hottest girl in our school, and she had her eyes on me. When she came up to me, swinging her hair in her skimpy cheerleader uniform, and asked me out, I couldn't refuse.

And that put the nail in the coffin. I became the most popular guy in school, and everything was perfect.

Except for one thing. Corey. We stopped hanging out and eventually didn't talk much anymore despite all his efforts. I was always busy with football practice and the other guys. He simply didn't fit in my new crowd.

"Why is that guy always trying to hang around you?" Brian had asked me one day.

"What guy?" I was confused.

"That skinny bitch Corey. Is he gay for you or somethin'?" Brian commented.

"Don't be an asshole. He is alright," I tried to defend him. Weak, I know.

"I heard rumors that he is a total faggot. And he wants you," Brian chuckled.

"Really?" I was surprised. I never thought of him that way. My heart suddenly hammered against my chest, and I didn't like it. Shouldn't I feel more upset?

"Why? You don't like him, do you? Fuck...that's hilarious. You a fucking queer?" Brian said in a mocking tone.

Anger fueled in my head suddenly. No. There was no way. Anything but that. My friends would abandon me. I'll be ridiculed instead of praised. This town was tiny, and these types of things were not accepted. No-one will look at me the same and my father...

Well...let's just say he'd make sure the bruises on my face and body would be twice the size every day.

"Shut the fuck up! I'm not like him. I'm dating a girl, remember?" I said, referring to Jennifer.

"So what? You could turn. In fact, I feel like you're already halfway there. Weren't you all buddy buddy with him before? Tell me, Ethan, did you to did the dirty when mommy wasn't looking?" Brian laughed. "I bet you'd let him fuck you in the ass."

I grabbed his collar and glared at him.

"Fuck off, asshole. Stop saying these things," I said with gritted teeth.

"If it's not true, then teach that fruit a lesson. Prove that he means nothing to you," Brian said. His eyes were twinkling like he had just found a new toy.

So it began. I proved to them how 'manly' I was by dating girls after girls and, most of all, by torturing Corey every day.

It started small. Like a little push here and there. Teasing him. Calling him names, but then things escalated into something bigger. I became crueler.

I became addicted to hurting him. I could feel his lingering gaze on me, and despite my cruel treatments, they weren't the look of hatred. He admired me. Or dare I say...loved me.

I couldn't handle it. I was weak. I wanted to ignore my own heart and punish him. Again and again, and he loved me until the end. That dreaded day when he confirmed his feelings for me, it was the final straw.

I couldn't handle it. Like a coward, I let myself be swayed by those assholes and beat the only person who'd accept the real me. Each blow I landed on his face felt like a stab in my own heart, but I kept going. God...I was such an idiot back then.

I waited till they left then took him to the hospital myself. I held his bloody, unconscious body and cried like a little bitch they usually called him. I told him I was sorry. But he didn't hear me. Even if he did, he would've never forgiven me. I knew that much. And that was the day I lost him. He was gone, and I thought I'd never see him again.

Until now.

When I saw the name Corey Price in that pile of resumes, I knew it had to be him. I just had that certain gut feeling.

Don't get me wrong. I didn't hire him just because of the name. He qualified. I anxiously waited to meet him all day. And when I finally saw him with my assistant from a distance, I wanted to grab him and crush him in my arms. It was him!

He looked nothing like he did in high school. His former skinny body had changed and morphed into this lean and muscular frame. His face was slightly fuller but still had those adorable dimples when he smiled. I could hardly control my heart as it started to beat rapidly. I thought I was going to have a heart attack.

Of course, our first meeting wasn't exactly pleasant. He looked at me with intense hatred, and it shook me to my core. I guess I deserved that.

I wasn't the type who gave up on anything, so this isn't going to be anything different. I'll spend the rest of my life making up to him if I have to.

Don't worry, Corey, I haven't given up on you yet. I will win you back no matter what. You just watch me.