The Gay Nerd Who Stole His Heart
Chapter 45

It had been the fifth day that he missed school. All he did was remain laid in his bed, snuggled amongst his sheets. He had barely eaten anything, doing all he could to avoid seeing his father. He wondered if anybody had even noticed he had stopped going to school and sighed, shuffling in his bed as he returned to sleep for the fourth time in the same day. He had missed enough school that the Vice Principal had called, but he hung up immediately, his father not having been home.

That day, with money he found in his father's room, he drove to the grocery store, wanting to buy a few snacks that he could binge on as he sat in his bed amongst his own loneliness. He needed to go to the grocery store a bit further from his neighborhood since his was closed, and when he parked, he recalled the last time he was here. It was when he met Jonah in the parking lot while he was dating Ashley, was it? He could not recall, but none of that even mattered. After a long sigh, he descended from his vehicle and headed inside the store. He acquired a few items, more candies than anything else, and then as he was rushing to the cashier register, he stopped in his tracks when he recognized the man standing there, staring at the chips on the top shelf. He had difficulty reaching, hence why he jumped, his shirt raising a bit and showing the abs he was hiding underneath. When he descended back to his feet, he smirked when he had grasped the bag he had wanted.

However, he felt a burning gaze on his cheek and raised his eyes, only to replace the ones of Kylan peering back at him. It caused his heart to ache as always, but this time, even more guilt raced through him as he remembered what Ella had told him a few days ago.

"He's cutting himself again," she sobbed in panic, gripping her face as if she wanted to peel off her own skin, "he's not okay, Jonah. Please talk to him with me."

"No," Jonah had scoffed, "he's probably doing all that for attention."

"Jonah," Bradley had been stern.

Ella added, "Please."

Jonah had rolled his eyes, wrapping an arm around Leah, "Besides, I moved on. I have my girlfriend and my son with me, what more could I want? From him especially?" He had gotten a slap from Ella and narrowed gaze from Bradley as he followed after Ella, consoling her.

The truth was, he hated Leah. She was always clingy, needing his attention every second of the day, and she never even appreciated anything he did for him. He was no longer in love with her, but his parents had panicked when Kylan had stormed into his home, and he needed to prove to them he was not gay. Hence why returning to Leah was the best choice, but he did not even like her.

Truthfully, he missed Kylan, but what he had done was uncalled for, extremely rude and invasive, but not enough to make him hate Kylan.

As Kylan turned around and attempted to make his way to the next alleyway, Jonah said his name, causing his muscles to be paralyzed. He squeezed his palms into fists, attempting to relax the anxiety that suddenly raced through his system, and slowly turned on his heels, completely avoiding Jonah's gaze.

Jonah's hair had grown longer, letting it pass his eyes with trimmed sides. He seemed to have gained a bit more muscles, and unsure whether it was Kylan's imagination or not, he seemed much happier than he ever was with Kylan. Kylan bit his bottom lip, holding his arms behind his back as he murmured, "Hi."

Jonah approached him and stopped in front of him. It had been weeks since the last time they spoke, but it pained him every time Kylan got bullied, got beaten. At first, he was angry, but after a while, it began to pain him when he realized Kylan was mostly alone, Ella having started avoiding him ever since he shoved her, and Bradley glaring at him whenever he got the chance.

Jonah sighed, sending a hand through his hair as he breathed, "How are you?"

Kylan shrugged his shoulders, "I'm fine." He was quite dry, and Jonah had been expecting that.

"We lost the finals," Jonah initiated small talk, a tight smile on his lips, "it was a close game."

Kylan did not respond. Instead, he gave a short nod that he had heard him.

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Jonah nodded his head as well, "It was a great season, though."

Kylan smiled distantly, "I'm glad."

That was enough for Jonah, as he stepped forward closer to him and bluntly said, "Ella told us that you've been having a rough time."

Instantly, Kylan chuckled, the fakest laugh Jonah had ever heard, and said, "No, that's not true, I've been fine." When Jonah sighed, he attempted to leave, "It was nice seeing you."

"We're worried about you, Kylan," his voice tightened, and he observed how Kylan's muscles became rigid, stopping its trembling for a bit before continuing once more as if he was cold. Kylan rapidly shook his head, chuckling again, but his eyes were nowhere near laughing, "I'm fine, really. My father has been nicer to me, and Charles been sweet as well—" "Charles said you haven't spoken to him in a long time, told him to give you some space."

"Don't worry, alright?" Kylan said, his voice a bit sterner as he tightened his grip around his items, "I'm fine."

"You're not fine," Jonah retorted, "just tell me you're not fine."

Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 005s.org for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! "I am fine," his voice grew.

Jonah shook his head, "Then look me in the eye and tell me you're fine."

Kylan sharply raised his eyes and met Jonah's gaze, but the moment he did, it felt as if his entire body had run numb. He recalled the moment they had gone to the beach, and Jonah wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him inside. When they headed to the movies, and Jonah proclaimed their status as he had no shame in kissing him in front of all those girls. He also recalled their fights and their breakup, and instantly, tears began swelling his eyes.

He dropped all the items in his hands and stepped backward, not able to turn away from those mesmerizing navy eyes that stared at him with such worry. It had been his fault for not trusting him, but he had loved him. Jonah had been different and treated him with such dignity that he assumed his life not to be useless. He could not stop the tears from falling from his eyes.

Jonah felt guilty, forcing his own tears to be held back as he said, "You're not fine, Kylan."

Kylan shook his head, "Leave me alone "

"Show me your arm, Ky." He stopped in his steps, paused for a moment with raised eyebrows. Jonah ascertained, "Yes, show me your arm. Ella told me, but I don't believe her. The Kylan I knew wouldn't be that stupid, so show me your arm." "That stu..." he trailed off, widening his eyes as tears leaked from his eyes faster than he realized they were.

Jonah's face softened as he raised his eyebrows, "Why are you crying so hard, Ky-"

"Don't touch me," he breathed heavily, rapidly shaking his head, "I need to leave." He raced outside of the store before Jonah could grab him and headed to his vehicle, speeding down the road with trembling fingers.