Chapter Four

Zeke Hayes

"You want us to hangout with those- those assholes?" Ava whispers, and it makes Cam laugh. We're currently at lunch, and I told her about being invited to hangout with Nolan, Sam and some of their friends.

"Come on Av, for me? I need to make more friends here, and they've been so nice to me '' I tell her, eating a piece of chicken from my tray.

"I don't know..If Nicole is there she will just cause issues, and i really don't like them, they're rich snobs that think they're better then everyone with their freakishly big bodies' ' she scoffs, rolling her brown eyes.

"They're not all that bad. Nolan is pretty nice, and so is Jack" Jack, is the curly brown haired boy in my homeroom, he does seem nice.

"You're just saying that because you have the hots for him" Ava says, and Cam shrugs. Cameron has short brown hair, and he's a bit taller than me. But he has a thing for the rich snobs I guess.

"I don't have the hots for him" he waves her off, taking a bite of his pizza.

"Sam is really nice too, she's done nothing but try and help me adjust here" I tell them, and Ava sighs.

"Fine, I'll go" she drops her head into her hands, letting out another dramatic sigh.

"Thank you" I smiled. My phone buzzes then, and I pull it out, my brows furrowing at the notification.

peyton_williams requested to follow you

I click on the notification, and go to his profile to see that it is, the same peyton from class, the same one who says nothing to me. I accepted his request, and sent one of my own. It approves immediately and a message follows suit.

peyton_williams: Hey

ZekeHayes: Hey

Peyton_williams: Sam wants to know if you guys are still up to hang? Her phone died.

ZekeHayes: Oh yeah, we are! Are we meeting there?

Peyton_williams: ya, that works. See ya then

"Who are you texting?" Cam asks, and I slide my phone back into my pocket.

"Peyton texted asking if we're still going. I told him we are"

"Ahh '' Cam mumbles. I don't know much about Peyton, he doesn't really talk around me, I hear him talk to Nolan and Sam sometimes, but when he sees me he pretty much goes radio silent. I thought he was just a dick at first, but I wonder if he just isn't a people person, or maybe he's shy?

I don't know, I doubt it's that, but it kinda seems like it.

–

We're walking into the cafe afterschool, Ava is leading us to the counter to get some food, or coffee. I order an iced coffee, and then we go to the tables in the back. We start talking about school, plans for the weekend and so on. Cam and Ava are sitting across from me.

The bell rings on the cafe door, and we glance over to see a group of kids from school. There's Jack, Peyton, Sam, Nolan, and a couple others we don't know. Well I don't know.

Ava huffs and leans over the table "The brunette is Nicole '' she whispers, and I nod sipping on my coffee. Sam sees us, and waves and puts up a finger, signaling one second. They all get in line, and then after they get their orders they are walking over. Peyton slides in the booth next to me.

His thigh brushes mine, and I almost swear it feels like little shocks. I glance throughout the group, as they move a table over connecting it to ours. Sam sits next to Peyton, and Nolan. Nicole, Jack and the other kid slide in on the opposite side.

"So Av, how are you?" Nicole asks, saracism soaking her words. Ava's eyes narrow in on Nicole.

"Nicole, don't be a bitch" Peyton cuts Ava off before she can even respond. That's the longest I heard him talk around me on purpose. Ava sends Peyton a small smile, and Nicole shuts right up, turning to the boy beside her.

"So how was your guys' day?" Sam asks, trying to redirect conversation.

"It was boring, per usual" I stated, also wanting to get away from the awkwardness.

"We got our first Math assignment" Cam grumbles, and I smile.

"That's true" I glance around the table, my eyes catching on Peyton. He narrows his eyes slightly on Cam, but he must feel me staring because his eyes connect with my own. I glance at Nolan. "What about you guys?"

Conversation slowly turns fluent, and Nicole actually holds a decent conversation when she's not being an ass. She's made some snarky comments towards us, but everytime she does Peyton calls her out and she shuts up. Maybe they're dating? He seems to talk to her the most, and she listens. 

I've also seen them around the halls together a lot, but it also seems like they're fighting so maybe they're not dating. I jump to conclusions too fast. 

After an hour goes by, my phone vibrates. I pull it out, reading the text as my throat tenses.

Dad: Where are you?

My relationship with my dad isn't the best. He treats me like shit most of the time, but he's really good to my mom. He can be abusive, but if I stay in my room and don't cause too much of a disruption he isn't too bad. But I have to leave my room at some point to go to the bathroom, and if he catches me then I get called names, or things thrown at me. Hands, objects. Whatever he wishes.

But I deal with it just fine, I'm not sure if my mom knows, honestly.

"You okay?" someone kicks my leg, and I glance up to see Cam looking at me. I nod

"Yeah, I gotta head home though" I shove my phone in my pocket.

"Do you need a ride?" Cam asks, and before I get the chance to respond, Nolan speaks.

"I actually have to head out, I can drive him?" he suggests.

"I'm fine walking, really" I try, but Nolan insists. So after saying bye to everyone, I follow\Nolan to a black pickup. I climb in the passenger side, and he turns the engine on. I give him directions to my house, which isn't too far from here.

"Cam seems to like you a lot," Nolan suddenly says, and I laugh at that.

"Yeah, I guess. I think he has a crush on your friend though "I admit "Ava says he has the hots for him" I glance at Nolan, and he glances at me.

"Do you swing that way?" he blurts out, taking me back for a second.

"Uh, i mean no not really" my mind starts to wander, is he worried i'll make a move on Sam? "Did i- Did i overstep with Sam?'' The question leaves my lips quicker than I have time to process. "I really didn't mean to if i did, she's been so welcoming to me, and besides Ava and Cam i have no one, so i really really didn't mean too" i confess, and Nolan just laughs and shakes his head.

"Nah man, you didn't do anything. I just know Cam is really the only other openly gay kid at school, and he seems flirty with you. I just wasn't sure, and subtlety isn't my thing, clearly" he smiles, pulling in front of my house. I nod, unbuckling.

"Okay, cool. Well thanks for the ride, i appreciate it" i tell him before slipping out of the passenger side. I make my way to my front door, taking a deep breath before pushing it open. I step inside, slipping my shoes off and I try to go right for the stairs.

"Zeke?" my dad calls out, and i let out a heavy breath my blood turns cold and anxiousness settles in my stomach. 

"Yeah?" I call out, hoping he doesn't answer. Please dont answer. Please please ple-

"Come here.'' His tone is hard, and I can hear the blood pumping in my ears. I slowly make my way to the living room, to see him sitting on the couch. "Why weren't you home?" he asks, his eyes zeroing in on me.

"I met with some friends to work on school work" I sorta lied, I did meet with friends.

"You made friends?" he asks, ending with a short laugh. He pushes off the couch, standing up. He sways slightly. Then he starts walking towards me. I swallow around the thickness building in my throat. He's a few steps away from me, and his eyes are glossy. He's been drinking. "Answer me" he spits out, and I flinch at his tone.

"Yes, I made some friends" I tell him, and i dont notice his hand coming up, and I didn't realize he backhanded me until I heard the sharp noise and the throbbing in my face. I swallow harder, my throat clenching as i try not to show any emotion. That'll just make it worse. 

"Don't give me attitude, kid" he glares, and I nod.

"Sorry" i mumble, and he shoves me into a bookshelf behind me. The corner goes right into my back, and i hiss slightly at the pain. He ignores me, going to the kitchen. Probably for another beer. Once he's out of sight, i bee line for the stairs. I stop quickly in the bathroom, then I head to my room.

I shut my door, flicking the lock into place. I slump against the door, my head is pounding from the adrenaline that rushes through me.

It doesn't take long for tears to fill my eyes, or for me to climb in bed and fall asleep.