Escaping Reality...With My Enemy

Part I ~ Secrets

TW: homophobic slurs, violence, mature language, slight sexual themes (lemon)

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*George's POV*

I slap my phone off my nightstand but the alarm doesn't stop blaring. I slowly pick my heavy head up and the rest of my body follows little by little like links on a chain.

I let the weight of my body guide me down to the floor to silence my phone, then to the bathroom to get dressed, then back to my room to put on my beloved silver chain. It's the most expensive thing I own and was given to me by my dad.

I always wear it even if it doesn't go with my outfit. Part of me keeps it on my person for obvious reasons such as I like it and was the best gift I've ever gotten, but another part of me keeps it with me so my mum, well, stepmum, won't come into our house in the middle of the night and take it. She's done it before - taken things, I mean. She took a gold bracelet given to me by my best friend (and only friend) Karl. I haven't seen that bracelet for years plus I had to lie to Karl when he asked why I hadn't worn it in a while. Sure, I could've told him the truth - that my stepmother does too many drugs to think straight, has bipolar disorder, is basically separated from my dad, and steals and throws stuff in her manic state.

That's the big secret I'll never let anyone know. I'll make it through high school without anyone knowing how dysfunctional and depressing my family is.

"Good morning, George," my dad says as I try to sneak past him on my way out.

"Hi, dad," I mumble. I head towards the door.

"Wait, come here."

"I'm gonna be late." I open the door, but my dad stops me from the kitchen.

"It's serious and will only take a minute."

I sigh, but step into the kitchen despite the threat of being late.

"She got fired," he said, taking a sip of coffee slowly. It was emotionless, blank. I don't think he had fully processed that information yet. Or maybe he had and was already accepting his fate.

"What?" was all I could say.

"I just wanted to let you know. Is everything hidden or with you?"

I nod, still trying to process it like my dad.

He nods and then shoos me away. "Go to school, then. I'll see you tonight but remember no guests. She'll most likely be coming here tonight so don't do anything to provoke her in any way."

I nod, but what I really want to do is roll my eyes. I want to tell him I'm not an idiot. I know what to do and not do. Doesn't necessarily mean I will and won't do those things. I've pretty much given up trying to do the right thing at this point.

*Dream POV*

I woke up in a cold sweat again. My alarm hadn't even gone off yet. Looking at the time, though, I decided it was okay to get up and get ready for the day a little earlier than usual. Besides, today was game day and that deserves a little bit more prep in the morning.

I use the extra time to take a cold shower to calm myself down from the dream I was having. I couldn't believe it was one of those dreams yet again. I let the water run down my body, letting the cold wash away any thoughts that remained in my head, but they don't fully go away. They never do. I don't know what would happen if my parents found out - or worse my friends. My reputation at school would instantly be trashed and I can't let that happen. So I'll shut my mouth and never tell anyone about my sexuality even when I'm older.