Chapter five

KYLIE AS KADEN

I wanted to stay back. Damn, I really wanted to stay back, but seeing the coldness in their eyes when they spoke to me? I wouldn’t dare. Even the nice one who had the time to give me his name—Ross—still didn’t want me around. He warned me about his brother.

“Ugh!”

I threw my clothes into my box, fuming. What do I do now? Where do I go from here? What am I even supposed to tell the dorm master?

“Can I wait until they give me another dorm? But then again where would I sleep?”

I fell into my bed, gazing at the ceiling. I wish there was a solution to my situation. I would have fought them, even, but then they would know I’m not a guy and it would bring about a whole new issue.

“I’d better go.”

I resumed packing my things. I would just have to move out this evening and then let the dorm master know that I’ve been chased out of my abode. Perhaps then he would see that this was serious and get me a better place to sleep.

By evening around 7pm, I moved out silently. The boys didn’t even know when I left—or they simply didn’t care. I intended to go to the classroom, and so I rounded the corners of the hostels to get there. It was then that I saw the two boys kissing.

“Yes,” one murmured against the other. “Please don’t stop.”

I stopped, staring in shock. They were pinned together on the wall, kissing passionately. My cheeks flaming, I turned to another direction and started to race out of there. However, the more I walked, the more I came across men kissing each other against walls.

“Wow.”

 I wondered if this is how all male hostels are. i stood frozen in the middle,I couldn't believe my eyes. The all-male hostel was transformed into a love sanctuary, with couples embracing and kissing each other. I felt like I'd stumbled into a secret garden, hidden from the rest of the world.

How did I end up here? I thought, my mind racing. Homosexuality wasn't openly accepted in most schools, but this was Elites School - a place where norms were meant to be broken. I shouldn't be surprised, yet I was still taken aback.

“Hey, you!” Someone called.

I grabbed my box and quickened my pace. I just need to get to the classroom and away from these people.

“Hey, who’s that fine young pal over there?” Someone else was saying. “Is it me or does he look like a fantastic snack?”

“Definitely a snack,” another person agreed. “Hey, come here, dude!”

My heartbeat sped up in my chest. I could hear someone running towards me and before I could run into a sprint, they wrapped their hand around my arm, stopping me.

“Hey, hey, hey,” the boy who grabbed me crooned at me. “You’re so pretty. What are you doing around here, huh?”

I gulped, looking behind him. Everyone seemed to be paying attention to us, waiting for what would happen next. An oblivious couple was making out in the corner.

“I just want to go to class,” I said softly.

“Desmond wants to have a talk with you,” he replied softly, his gaze growing lustful. “You’re going to have a talk with Desmond, aren’t you?”

I tried to shake him off, but his grasp was firm. “I don’t know who Desmond is,” I said pleadingly.

He cocked his head to the side, showing me who Desmond was. Desmond had his dark hair falling over his face, a nose piercing and eye makeup. He was undoubtedly handsome and interested in me.

“Oh my god.” I blinked, trying once again to pull my arm away. “Can you let go? I have somewhere important to be!”

“Don’t be fussy, just have a word with Desmond!”

And then he pulled me towards Desmond. It felt like he was flinging me through the air because his grip was so firm. Desmond stood up as we approached, regarding me with a smile on his face.

“Pretty boy,” he gushed. “Why haven’t I seen you around here before?”

“Uhm…” I looked between his gang of men, some of which were licking lollipops and giggling to themselves. “Uh, I’m new.”

“You are?” he crooned excitedly.

“Yes.” I didn’t like the look he was giving me. “Can I please leave? I have somewhere important to be.” I then gestured towards my luggage.

He glanced briefly at them before turning back to me, his excitement growing bigger and bigger.

“That’s good,” Desmond said. “At least you get to spend time with me. Come, we would make a great couple.”

“Are you…” I paused, holding back my anger. “I don’t need to be with you. I just want to get to class. Can I go now?”

The corner of his lips twitched in amusement. “Well, you are in my territory, so no, you are not allowed to leave.”

“This is a classroom,” I pointed out. “It’s a school territory. It doesn’t belong to you.”

A dark look began to settle on his features. "You know what? This classroom might be the school’s property, but at this hour, it’s my territory. Anyone who walks in here knows they won’t be allowed to leave until the hour has passed."

Smiling, he sat back in his chair, fully relaxing as he stretched out his arms. "Might as well enjoy it while you’re here."

My face turned red. The image planted in my head was one that I did not want, and now it was there. The boys were giggling amongst themselves, pointing to me and speaking under their breath. Still, I could hear them. It’s not like they were being exactly quiet.

“Did he just turn down Desmond?” Someone was saying. “How can anyone turn down Desmond?”

Another laughed. “I know right? There’s no point in letting him leave now that he’s here. Such a pretty face, you know.”

I shifted uncomfortably on my feet. "I didn’t know the rules about this place," I told Desmond. "I’m new—I just arrived on campus. As much as I…" I glanced awkwardly between them, rephrasing my words. "I mean, I know you guys are having a lot of fun and all, but I don’t really feel like joining, you know?"

A long silence, and then Desmond said: “Is that so?”

“Yes, so please, can I go?”

He shrugged. “Sure.”

I couldn’t believe it. He let me go! Exhaling a deep sigh of relief, I turned around to leave when three boys blocked my way. I looked back at Desmond, horrified.

He just shrugged. “I said I would let you go, not that they would.”

What?!

One of the boys grabbed my arm, shoving me forward. "How do you want us to punish him for disobeying you, Desmond?"

Desmond rested a hand under his chin, smiling at me. Then, his eyes lit up.

"Undress him!" he said. "Let’s see if the rest of his body is as pretty as his face. But start slowly—from the shirt." He chuckled to himself.

 "Let’s feed my eyes tonight, shall we?"

"Damn you, you useless bastards!" I screamed internally as the boys reached for me. 

"Damn you!"