I was awoken by Dylan laying on top of me shaking me. 'Matt my parents are coming home early, we have to get this place clean!' I had a hell of a hangover so his screaming, and shaking was killing me. 'Ok let's get started' I said trying to ignore the throbbing headache that I had just received. He jumped up and snatched me off the bed in one swift movement.
'Thanks bro' he said hugging me and swinging me like rag doll. I couldn't even speak he had a death grip on my waist, and i just slumped back almost lifeless. He let me go and i gasped for air. 'Oh sorry about that' he said smirking. Surprisingly we got the house cleaned in time, but when his parents walked through the door I got a surprise of my life.
`MOM, DAD?!'
Have you ever seen kill bill? Of course you have, you know the part when she remembers an enemy and everything goes red, and the music gets intense? Yeah that's where I'm at right now as I look at my parents. I look over at Dylan, and he is angrier than I am.
'Mom they....' Dylan started, but since we were about to descend down the steps I pulled him around the corner. 'Dylan you can't say a word' 'But...' 'Dylan if you get them fired I lose my apartment!' 'You could live here' 'I know, but I like having my own place. Besides you could move in at eighteen' 'Yeah....but..' 'Dylan promise me' 'Okay, okay I promise, but I don't like this'.
We headed downstairs where my parents asked to speak with me. We stepped onto the front porch, and I had to sit down. My head still hurt really bad, and I was trying to shake off my minor hangover. The stared at me for a moment not really recognizing me. The last time they saw me I was sixty pounds fatter with much shorter dreads. They looked exactly the same.
Everything about my mom still resembled her Hispanic upbringing. Her skin is a beautiful golden color, are her dark, curly hair expanded all the way to her butt. She was still small in stature reaching about 5 foot exactly. My dad was fairly tall at 6'2, and was still fairly fit for a man in his late forties, although he's starting to bald. (Good thing that he keeps a low haircut anyway). All they wanted was to justify there reasons for kicking me out, and make sure I wasn't going to get them fired.
'Okay, okay enough, honestly spare me on the details your jobs are safe. Now can I go because the two of you are getting on my last nerve.' If you thought I was mean to Dylan and Devlin, you haven't seen anything yet. They looked at me like I was a new person, which I kind of was. 'That's not all matt, we want you to come home.' My mom said trying to look as though she was sorry. My father didn't even try to pretend as if he regretted the decision to kick me out, and to a degree I respected him for it.
Before I continue let me explain something about my parents (good ol' mom and dad). They are both opportunist, and will do anything to maintain their reputation. Hell they'd probably trade each other to get ahead in life. I still have no clue how Donna and Lawrence haven't been able to see through their façade. I know for a fact that I wasn't kicked out because of my orientation, but because that issue mixed in with my appearance and demeanor was the excuse that they needed to be rid of me.
'You guys kicked me out thinking I was going to crumble. You expected that when I called you the next day I would beg to come back, and be the same fat spineless boy you raised. So it was a surprise when I got on the phone the next day and finally said what I should have a long time ago. And now you see me for the first time in a year exactly and you realize that I'm happy, independent, and looking damn good so you want me back. My number hasn't changed, nor has my address so you to can save this fake ass apology for another sucker because I'm over the both of you.' I stated, standing up at the end of my speech.
Apparently this was all of the time that Dylan would allow me to be alone with these people as he chose this moment to come outside and take me away. As we made it to his car (BMW) I looked back and took great pleasure at seeing my parents shocked faces. I was so proud of myself, because through everything that had happened to me I still was able to hold my tears.
We left for my apartment for some clothes. After I got dressed we headed out to lunch. Afterwards we went to our spots in the woods. We played and talked for hours. My phone kept ringing, and it was Jacob. I ignored them all, and then I got message of Facebook from Ashley. I had been checking Facebook frequently because everyone kept texting me about how wonderful the party was, and wishing us a happy birthday/New Year's. I didn't know who it was so I clicked on her profile. It was Devlin's girlfriend, and she wanted to meet me. I told Dylan, and he refused to let me go alone.
'Dylan I'll be right back' I said annoyed by him treating me as though I am a child. 'Matt either we are both going, or neither one of us will go.' I was annoyed that he was so stubborn so I made a dash for it. I got about thirty step before I was thrown over his shoulder as he walked us to the mall. He put me down as we got inside, and I spotted Ashley. She looked up at me and asked if I could sit down.
We talked for a while, and she admitted she wanted to leave devlin. She said she couldn't because she was three months pregnant. She also said that she wanted it to be a girl, and that the she wanted the name to be Angela.
She also said that since she was a year older, and about to graduate, she was scared of what will happen after graduation. We tried to convince her everything was okay, but I wasn't so sure it was. After about an hour Christy walked into the mall and spotted us. She gave Ashley the cold shoulder until we filled her in. Christy had two little sisters so she knew much more about kids then Dylan and I who were only children, we'll kind of. After a while Dylan and I left as Christy and Ashley seemed to form a bond. We walked back to our special place, and then returned to his home and went to sleep soon after. This was a great start to the New Year and our seventeenth birthday.
School started back much too soon. I reluctantly got back into the swing of things. Christy got really close with Ashley so we didn't hang out as much, but Dylan and I were as close as ever. Tommy and I grew really close as well, so close that I shared my past with him, and he frequently comes over to study or just hang out. He's still a it reserved, but I believe that it's just his personality.
One day after hanging out a little longer than normal he freaked out and ran to get his stuff. He tripped and it all fell on the floor. He quickly picked it up and ran towards the elevator. I ran after him, but the door had already closed, and I live on the fifteenth floor. I got back to my room, and saw something black on the floor. I picked it up and realized it was a rusty box cutter. I opened it and saw dried blood stains on the blade. (Oh Hell No!). Tommy was going to answer for this.
The next day was Saturday, and he was supposed to come over and hang out around noon. He came a little early, and was as giggly as ever. Normally I loved seeing him so happy, but when I saw him looking around for something I got pissed again. I returned to the kitchen were I was cutting collard greens. When I'm upset I tend to cook and clean so at this point my apartment was sparkling and I was cooking a huge meal. Fried chicken, collard greens, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, biscuits, pound cake, and fresh squeezed lemonade to wash it down with.
'Mm I love collard greens' he said. 'Me too, I just need a sharper knife to cut them' I reached in the drawer and pulled out the box cutter. I opened the blade and slammed it into the cutting board. I slammed it so hard that it stuck in between the thick wooden cutting board, and didn't fall even after I had removed my hand from it. 'Let me see your hands!'
'Matt... please?' he said softly. 'Now tommy!' He gave me his hands and I pulled back his sleeves. There were cuts all over his wrists, and I was fuming. How could I have not noticed? Since its January, and we live in Boston I understood him wearing long sleeve shirts, but I never expected this. He started crying. 'I'm so sorry, but I haven't done it since you've been my friend.......please don't hate me.' He whispered while refusing to meet my gaze. My anger quickly turned to sorrow.
'Tommy I can never hate you, but why?' Tommy told me that since his father passed his mom has been bringing guys home and they abuse him. After taking this all in I came to a decision. I tilted his head so he was looking directly at me. 'Which room do you want?' 'H...huh?' 'Pick a room, because you're moving in.'
'M.....matt are you serious?' He asked 'Yeah, but you only have one choice in a room... until we move into a three bedroom.' I said. 'Are you sure?' he asked timidly. 'Yeah.' 'But I don't have a job, I can't pay you anything.' 'The last time that I checked I didn't ask you to' he wiped his tears away. 'Smart ass' he mumbled
'I'm sorry what was that?' 'Nothin.' he giggled. 'Uh huh come on.' I said grabbing his arm. 'Where are we going?' 'To get your things.' he initially put up some resistance, but I always get my way. I turned off the stove and we made our way to his old home. Once we arrived at his house he stopped. The place wasn't to bad looking, but it lacked the warmth that only a happy family can bring.
'I left my window open, so let's just sneak...' He started. 'No we're going to go through the front door and they aren't going to do shit to either one of us' he grabbed his key and we entered. Some smelly man was passed out on the couch. His mom walked out of the kitchen and glared at us.
'What the hell are you........' 'Shut it bitch!' I yelled walking up the stairs behind tommy. She went completely silent. Tommy grabbed everything he wanted, and I grabbed an aluminum baseball bat lying on his bed. As we headed down stairs the man had woken up and started charging us. He wasn't that big, but I still cannot fight unless I'm angry so I held the bat up. He stopped quickly and just glared.
'Now that I have both of your attention I just wanted to let you know that he's leaving with me, and he isn't coming back.' his mom started to cry. `I will get my child back.' She yelled angrily. Tommy just handed her the house key and we left. Back at my apartment I apologized to tommy about the way I talked to his mother. 'Are you kidding I've wanted to call her that for years.' he said smiling.
We started getting his room set up when I got a knock on the door. 'Hey matt' Dylan said giving me a hug. 'Hey Dylan what's up?' I asked when he put me back on the ground. 'Nothing much bored, you?' 'I got a new roommate' I said matter of factly. I led him into the room were his shocked expression went to joy as he saw tommy. We filled him in on everything.
'Well I think its great to have two friends under the same roof' with that he tackled us onto Tommy's bed. He had one arm on each of us as we struggled to move him. I actually got his arm up pretty high, but I still needed Tommy's help.
'Tommy you got to help me!' I said struggling. 'I am, he's just too fat!' He whined. Dylan didn't seem to like this comment as he added more weight. 'Take it back!' He said. 'No!' 'Take it back!!' 'No!!' 'TAKE IT BACK!!!!!!!!' 'NO!!!!!!!!' at this point I was running on fumes. 'Tommy take it back!' 'Fine I take it back!' he said barely above a whisper Dylan moved, and we gasped for air. We spent the rest of the weekend getting tommy situated. After we finished his room I finished cooking my soul food and we had dinner as a small, but happy family.
'Hey I just met you, and this is crazy but here's my number, so call me maybe.' I sang jumping on Tommy's bed. It was valentines day. Tommy had been living here for about a month and things have been perfect. I've never had a valentine before. Well Christy, but just friendly. That never stopped me from having fun, today was Saturday, and we needed to clean up. Tommy mumbled something unintelligible and pulled the covers over his head.
I jumped on him and we wrestled to the floor. After a struggle he gave up and started cleaning. I turned the music up louder as we started dancing as we cleaned. I wasn't worried about neighbors, because these apartments were known for there wild parties. As I was cleaning my windows I started dancing even more. I noticed a guy look from the building next to mine. I couldn't tell what he looked like, but I started performing for him. He was in only a towel and looked fairly young, but I didn't really care. I was having a good time so I just continued dancing while trying to get a better look.
'What are you doing?' Tommy asked poking my sides. I almost jumped out of my clothes. We just laughed and continued cleaning. Dylan came over about noon all smiles. He told me he had a date. I was too excited for him, and offered to help since he had no game. 'What's she like?'
'Funny, confident, but has a bad temper.'(sounds like a bitch... wait did he just describe Christy). Now I'm really excited. I took him by a flower shop so he could be prepared. He was going to pick red roses, but Christy hated them. (Think Matt what is her favorite flower, daises, tulips). My train of thought was cut off when I saw birds if paradise. These are my all time favorite. (Authors note: true statement). We decided to go for lilies, and headed to his house for clothes. After that we headed to my house to talk about his plans.
'Where should we go?' He asked. 'Um some place romantic, but not overwhelming. You want to sweep her off her feet, but make sure she's not after your money.' After a while he headed home to get ready.
About an hour later I was sitting down reading the glass castle I got a knock on the door. Dylan is standing there with birds of paradise in his hands. I had no clue what was going on, but I had to admit that he looked really, really good.
'Matt will you be my valentine?' For the first time in my life I was speechless. (Wait did I call myself a bitch earlier?). All of a sudden everything hit me like a train. He smiled and I put the flowers on the table before leaving with him. I had never looked at Dylan as someone I'd like, but tonight felt different. We got in the elevator, and I was still quiet. 'Wow Matt this is the first time I've seen you this quiet.' He said with his signature smirk, but he seemed a bit nervous.
I looked at him, leaned forward, and gently pressed my lips against his. You know how on cheesy romance movies fireworks go off when the right people kiss? Well this is true because our fireworks were dark blue hearts while hey soul sister played in the background, well in my head at least. I removed my lips, and he turned as red as a tomato.
Now it was his turn to be speechless. We arrived at our favorite spot where we had an amazing, and romantic dinner he had set up. Afterwards We lie back, and just looked at the stars. As we were laying there Dylan walked into the woods and told me to wait there. He came back with a black book. I opened it, and it contained every picture we had together since birth. It took everything I had not to cry. Dylan grabbed my hands and looked me dead in the eyes.
'Matt words can't even describe how I feel about you. Would you please do me the honors of being my boyfriend. (Hell yeah!!!). 'Id be honored to.' I said. We walked back to my house. As soon as I opened the door I saw tommy standing there smiling.
' It's about time' was all he said before heading into his room. Dylan, and I went into my room and we kissed and held each other until we fell asleep. Never in a million year would I have expected my best friend to become my boyfriend.