Chapter 24
Chapter 24
“Hey, Dildo, you alright?”
He jumps slightly, turning to me. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
I raise an eyebrow. “You don’t seem fine.”
He bites his lip before giving me a small smile. “I’m fine, Nevaeh. Don’t worry about me.”
He gives me another smile before walking off.
He is not fine. When is anyone actually fine when they say ‘I’m fine‘?
I purse my lips before making my way to class.
Do I really want to go to maths?
Nah.
I immediately change directions and head to the football field.
As I’m making my way to the bleachers, a familiar redhead runs out from behind the bleachers and rushes past me with red cheeks and a large grin on his face.
Should I go back there?
I shrug and make my way behind the bleachers.
Dylan is leaning against one of the poles, his cheeks slightly red and a goofy smile on his face.
Oh my-
“Dylan?”
His head shoots to me, his eyes widening.
“Holy shi–Nevaeh!”
“You and…Joey. Joey and you!” It all makes sense. “Dylan, are you-”
“I’m not gay!” He blurts out.
I raise an eyebrow. “You didn’t let me finish my sentence. How did you know if I was going to say that or not?”
He bows his head. “Um, I…”
I nod. “Talk to me, Dildo.”
He looks up at me. “So, I’m gay. Which you already guessed.”
“Do Noah and Max know?” I question, getting my answer when Dylan hangs his head again. “Why not?”
“What if they don’t accept me? What if they hate me?” Dylan looks up at me, his eyes getting glassy.
“Dylan, you listen to me.” I start. “They’re your best friends. They will accept you. They will never hate you. They love you. No one’s going to judge you for being gay. It’s 2018 for crying out loud.”
He smiles and surprises me by throwing his arms around me in a hug. “Thanks, Vaeh.”
I smile, hugging him back. “All good.”
I pull away and walk to the lowest part of the bleachers, sitting down and leaning against it.
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The Heiress’s Shadow
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Chapter 24
Dylan raises an eyebrow questionably.
I pat the spot next to me and he walks over, sitting down.
“Since you just came out of the closet to me-”
“Actually, I fell out of the closet.” He corrects. “On my face.”
I chuckle. “Since you just fell out of the closet on your face, I think I should share something with you.”
“So that’s why you wear your hood?” Dylan starts, a frown on his face. “Because you and Heaven were identical twins and now you can’t stand to look at yourself?”
I sigh, nodding. “Pretty much.”
Dylan narrows his eyes at me. “No.”
“No?” I repeat.
“It’s more than that, isn’t it?” Dylan starts.
“Dyl-”
“Nevaeh, the world isn’t made of mirrors. It’s not like you’re going to see your reflection every step you take. What’s the real reason you wear the
hood?” He stares me down.
“I-” I sigh. “My mum. She doesn’t like to think about my sisters. Every time she saw my face she would start yelling and crying. Sometimes she would even think I was Heaven, then when she realised it was me, she would say things that no parent should ever say to their child.”
“You’re insecure.” Dylan says in realisation.
“I’m not-”
“You are. You think that if anyone sees your face, they’re going to be reminded of your sister, and compare you to her. You think she was better than
you.”
I open and close my mouth.
He’s right.
“Nevaeh, your sister sounds like a great person, but she’s not better than you. You’re both amazing in your own ways, and if other people can’t see that, they’re fucking stupid.” Dylan tells me.
I smile slightly. “Thanks, Dylan.”
“Can I…uh, can I see…” He trails off nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Sure.”
I take a deep breath before bringing my hands up to my hood and pulling it off.
Dylan jaw drops. “Woah. Nevaeh, you’re beautiful. If I was straight, I’d totally date you.”
I burst out laughing. “Thanks.”
“Oh my gosh, you have dimples!” He exclaims before calming down. “Does anyone else know what you look like?”
“Yeah.” I answer. “Megan and Noah.”
“Okay, Megan, I understand, but Noah?” He raises a brow.
“It was an accident.”
“Accident?”
“Long story.” I state simply and he nods.
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Chapter 24
“Vaeh?”
Hmm?” I look at him.
“If you ever need anything, I’m here.” He says genuinely.
“Thank you.” For everything.
I smile at him and he smiles back.
I tap my fingers on the table of Pizza Palace as Megan and I sit in silence.
How am I going to tell her?
“Nev?” Megan snaps me out of my thoughts.
“Huh?” I look up from the table and find a small frown etched on her face as she stares at me with furrowed brows.
“What’s wrong?” She questions. “You’ve been off the whole day today.”
“I-” I stop and look around. “Can we go somewhere else? Somewhere more private?”
She nods.
We get up and walk out of Pizza Palace.
We go to an abandoned playground we found a couple years back when I first moved here.
