The Wounds Within My Heart By James
Disclaimer
If it's illegal for you to read about sexual/romantic situations between consenting teenaged boys, then back out of the story now. If you're offended by said material, then exit the story now. If you're disturbed by issues such as Racism, Ableism, child abuse, sexual assault, Anti-LGBT Bigotry or suicide, then exit out of the story now.
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Thanks to my editor K. who's done a really wonderful job with editing this story. You've done really well with finding and fixing mistakes that need to be corrected. Thank you.
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The Wounds Within My Heart
Chapter Four
Nohea
It was now in the middle of February, and nearing Valentine's Day. Pietro and I had talked about what to do for the holiday, and were still discussing ideas. We were both of the attitude that every day we spent together should be as special and wonderful as was Valentine's Day. That being said though, we still wanted to make that holiday for lovers truly special for the two of us.
Aside from that topic, Pietro shared some news with me at the beginning of the month which really made me feel hopeful. He had started to run into various accommodation issues at his high school during the past month. They were small things at first, such as a couple of the teachers refusing to allow him to have a few extra moments to complete certain assignments. He simply worked to complete them faster, and this did work at first. Had that been the end of it, then he probably would have been alright. Unfortunately though, it didn't stop there.
The next thing to happen was when Pietro wanted to help on one of the sporting events. It was a wrestling exercise. Pietro was open about being gay, and the school seemed accepting of it. No one had given him any trouble, but there was a new wrestling coach who made it clear from the beginning that he wouldn't put up with any behavior that even remotely appeared gay. The new coach started at the end of December, and Pietro hadn't thought much about it since he didn't think he'd go out for any sports.
That changed though when he decided he wanted to get more athletic as he returned to school. He told me about it the day before he started back, and I told him that he had my full support. When Pietro saw that wrestling tryouts would be soon, he put his name on the list. Waiting for a response, he figured that it would take time, so he went about the next few weeks thinking nothing of it.
When it came time to announce names towards the end of January, Pietro noticed immediately that his name wasn't on the list. When inquiring regarding the matter, Coach Hermon, who was the new coach I mentioned above, loudly let Pietro know that no deviants would be allowed to perform on his wrestling team. When Pietro asked what the coach meant by "Deviants", the coach quickly replied that he wouldn't allow any boys on his team who were into liking other boys. There were several guys who were there listening at the time.
When Pietro let him know that his sexual orientation had nothing to do with his abilities when it came to sports, Coach Hermon went on to say that it didn't matter. Last thing he needed was one of the guys feeling Pietro's junk against his and freaking out about it. The final blow was Coach saying that he wasn't going to be held responsible if Pietro lost his balance and got hurt when falling due to his leg problem.
By this point several guys attempted to speak up in defense of Pietro. Coach Hermon lifted a hand quickly, a terse gesture, clearly warning them to shut up. They did, but the looks on their faces said it all.
That evening when Pietro called me, I was as pissed as Pietro and the other boys. He said that he just wanted to forget about it that night, and I agreed. I knew how much it hurt him though, and I was really disgusted by the coach and his backwards bigoted behavior!
When Pietro and I had that conversation, he was the only one home. So he hadn't had a chance to talk with his family yet, but he did later that evening. The next day when he and I talked, he told me that they immediately brought up the idea of transferring him to another school. The only other school to which they could transfer him without completely leaving the city or state was the school where I attended classes. We both figured that we would be in the same grade, and I immediately loved the idea of us both possibly sharing classes. We talked a little more about that being a possibility, then eventually signed off for the evening.
Finally, a couple of days before Valentine's Day, Pietro told me that his family spoke with the administration of the school which I attended. The school looked over Pietro's records, and said that they could have him placed within the next week if not sooner. I was so excited when Pietro told me about what they said! My dad and Triston were even more excited when I told them, and we took Pietro along with his family out for dinner that evening to celebrate.
With that conversation out of the way, Pietro and I spent a little time in my room, once back from dinner. We discussed plans for Valentine's Day, and he talked about how he'd love to have a quiet dinner at home, and also how much he would love to slow-dance with me. He then mentioned how nice it would be to spend some time making love afterwards.
"I'd really love that too," I said. "What would you like to eat for dinner that night?"
"I'm not really sure," he replied.
"I'm not either, but I'll think about it," I said. "Besides, I'd love to make dinner for you. You remember that special night we had when you had me over at your house when you made dinner for me back in December?"
"I remember that," he said. "I really loved spoiling you that night. I'm really glad you loved it too."
"Me too," I answered. "I'd love to do something similar for you on Valentine's Day when it gets here. What would you think of that?"
"I'd really love that Nohea," he answered.
"Good," I said.
We shared a couple of kisses, then just held each other until Pietro's family was ready to return home for the night.
The days passed as our special day slowly approached. I was making the list of things I needed from the store, and I had been talking with my dad about what I had in mind. He was supportive, and let me know that he would go over to Aunt Beth's house for part of the evening. He'd be taking Triston with him, and I was glad that he was willing to give Pietro and I that time together. Dad also took me to the store and helped me shop for the food I'd need. Soon it was all set, and everything was arranged in its proper place the day before our special day.
After school that Valentine's Day Eve, I texted my dad letting him know that I wanted to get a card for Pietro. I had forgotten that when we had been at the store a couple of days before, and I hoped that they weren't all picked over. Dad let me know he would be home when I arrived there after being at the store. Little did I know the strange and disturbing occurrence I'd experience once leaving the store that afternoon.
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Shutting off the car, Officer Mark Harris exited the vehicle. He walked towards the door of the store in which Nohea was looking over Valentine's Day cards. Harris was at the store wanting to get a bottle of aspirin. He had been having a hard day at work all day. He had to deal with writing a couple of traffic tickets, a suspect who immediately lawyered up, and two co-workers who suddenly called in sick. He was angry enough by the time he entered the store, that he only needed an excuse to fuck up someone's shit bad.
With the bottle in hand, Harris walked in the direction of the check-out area, when he saw the boy. The boy was walking with a long white-colored stick in front of him at a slanted angle. As Harris spotted him, he saw the boy reach down and into his pocket. That was all the justification Harris needed. It didn't matter that the boy pulled out his phone, and that his stuff he was about to buy was under his left arm. Harris immediately figured the boy for a perverted little freak with his slightly shaggy black hair and smooth face.
"Hey!" Harris called out in the direction of the boy. "Stop!"
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Nohea
When I heard the voice yell to stop, I wasn't sure if the guy was yelling at me, or just in my direction. I turned my head in the direction of the voice, and went to speak, but he spoke first.
"Yeah, that's you I'm talking to!" he said voice sharp with authority. "Keep your left hand where I can see it!"
"What are you talking about?" I asked. "Are you a cop?"
"You trying to be a smart ass?" he asked, now standing right in front of me. "Also, put your stick down on the ground beside you and your phone back in your pocket. I want both your hands free."
"Are you a cop?" I asked again, but with an edge to my voice.
"Watch your fucking tone with me boy, and yeah, I'm a cop," the man said low and threatening. "I'm Officer Harris."
"The stick I have in my right hand is what I use since I'm blind," I explained. "We normally call it a cane."
"Damn, you really are a smart ass aren't you," he said stepping even closer now. "I don't fucking care what you call it, put it down on the ground beside you. Now!"
I was scared at this point, and didn't understand what this fucking guy's problem was. I hadn't done anything, and had been as respectful as possible while in the store up to that point.
"You reached suddenly in your pocket," Officer Harris explained. "It was a sudden move, and that might not mean anything to you, but I don't take too kindly to that. What if someone thought you might be reaching in to pull out a weapon!"
"Look man," I began, but Harris grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me towards him.
"God Damn it!" he shouted right in my face. "My name isn't fucking Man! It's Officer Harris! You fucking understand me!"
He immediately shoved me away, and I almost lost my footing were it not for a woman who appeared behind me, helping me to stand. My legs were like rubber, and I was truly scared now.
"You gonna behave yourself, or do we need to take a trip downtown to the station?" Harris asked smirking.
"What is this!" I said, struggling to keep the panic out of my voice. "I haven't done anything!"
"He didn't do anything," the woman said sharply.
"Thanks, but you probably shouldn't argue with him," I said turning to her.
"No, this is Bullshit," she said, getting in between Harris and I.
"He didn't do anything, and I saw him the whole time," she said, not making an attempt to be nice to Harris. "You're going after this boy for no reason, and I won't have it!"
"Who are you Bitch, his fucking attorney," Harris said in that low threatening tone.
"No, but I'm not going to put up with your shit either," she shot back.
She, even more loudly, stated that she was writing down his badge number. She did so, then Harris stepped away.
"Fuck this!" he yelled. "Go on, get the hell out of here after you ring up your shit. I better not see you in here again acting like some fucking juvenile delinquent!"
I rang up my card, then the woman rushed me out of the store. We both stood on the sidewalk. I figured that she was giving me a moment to calm down.
"Bastard!" I said as my heart rate returned to normal.
"Do you need me to call your parents, or someone else?" the woman asked. "I'm Cathy, by the way."
"Hi Cathy, I'm Nohea," I answered. "Thanks for helping me, and I'll call my dad to come and get me. I think I'm still too rattled to walk."
"I'll wait with you if you'd like," she said.
"Thanks," I replied. "I'd really like that."
It didn't take too long, and soon my dad was pulling up close to where Cathy and I stood. He hugged me hard once spotting me, then he and Cathy introduced themselves. Soon we were on the road, and I told him what had happened.
"Fucking hateful Bastard!" he said, his voice dark with rage.
I was glad he wasn't yelling, but I figured that it wouldn't take much to get him there.
"Yeah, so what do we do now?" I asked.
"I'll take care of it," he said. "I'll be making a report to the Mother Fucker's superiors, whoever the hell they are. They'll probably try and downplay it, and I would expect nothing less. That's usually how in-house workers do things, especially administrators. If that doesn't work, then I'll go to Plan B."
"What's Plan B?" I asked.
"I'll find officials who will get the job done," he answered.
"I just know that I don't want to deal with that creep again," I said as the car slowed for a traffic light.
"You won't have to if I have anything to say about it," Dad said, gently squeezing my shoulder. "I'll protect you like I've been doing since you've come back into my life."
"Thanks," I answered.
"You're welcome," he replied.
Once the car was parked, I reached out and my dad and I hugged for a long moment. Holding him tightly, I immediately felt so safe, as he had his own arms wrapped just as tightly around me. In that moment, I felt more love for him than I could ever put into words, and I didn't think it could get any deeper!
After we separated, I exited the car with my card in hand. Once in the house, Dad helped me sign my name to the card, and I put it in my room in a place deep in the back of my closet. After shutting the closet door, I went in to check on Triston.
He must have seen something in my face, or sensed something. He came up to me hugging me tightly, and after separating, I sat down beside him on his bed. After finishing explaining what happened, he hugged me again, then typed.
"That guy sounds like a total creep!" he said.
"I agree," I answered. "I'm just glad I'm home now. Hopefully I won't have to deal with him again."
"I hope so too," Triston responded.
After Triston and I finished talking, it was time for dinner. The rest of the evening went well, and I talked with Pietro. Once confirming our plans for the next day, our special day, I showered. Once finished, I said goodnight to everyone, then got in bed for the night. Despite the disturbing event earlier that day, I did manage to fall asleep quickly with thoughts of Pietro in my mind.
Author's Notes
I can imagine that the confrontation between Harris and Nohea will be disturbing to read about. This is only the beginning for Harris, and there will be more coming down the road where he's concerned.
As for Nohea and Pietro, they'll be sharing Valentine's Day Together, so keep an eye out for that in the next chapter. I hope everyone enjoys how things turn out between the two of them.
All that being said, I hope everyone is doing well, and having a nice evening. I'll see you all in Chapter Five.