Broken

Chapter Twenty-Six: Devil Incarnate Pt. 2

I returned to William's house and he was antsy, per usual. He was worried about the party, per usual. After hearing word that his ex would crash he went out of his mind, per usual.

"What will I wear? I have to make her miss me!" He paused and facepalmed. "Oh god, look at me! How can I be so dumb? She should be begging me to come back and that's the way things should be! Yeah..." Every night he would let his head and his heart bicker out loud. Every night I went to bed with a migraine.

This time though, he was bickering with Michael when I returned. Michael was clad in jeans and flannel while William was half dressed in pants. His head was in his hands as he paced the kitchen. Michael calmly watched in amusement as they went back and forth.

"No, Michael! It's a SIN! I can't do that to God, I can't do that to my family. I'm bad enough, I can't let you mess things up even more! It would ruin my life if anyone--hey, Jordan--found out. JORDAN!" He jumped in surprise.

"How you doing?" I sat next to Michael. He shifted uneasily.

"Fine."

"Fine." They both said.

I looked between the two of them. "You seem weirder than usual. I'd think with the party in three days you'd be off the walls, Michael."

"I am." His face was deadpan.

"I can tell."

"Jordan, really, there's nothing wrong."

"I never said there was anything wrong." I pointed to William. "I just want to know why he is so anxious. Do you want more advice?"

"NO! NO. MORE. HELPING."

"Maybe we should, William." Michael suggested.

"He's been here for like what, two, three weeks and you trust him? You are so dumb, Michael."

"Am not!"

"You can't even count to ten and have to label your shoes L and R!" William retorted.

"Says the man with a bible up his--"

"Hey!" I interrupted. "Be nice to each other."

"This man is a sinner!"

"I wouldn't be one to judge Mr. Jungle Fever."

"What?"

"It's a classic movie."

"I've never heard of it."

"Me, neither." Michael said. He eyes me warily.

"The movie doesn't matter. What's the deal?"

"This...this...homosexual wants to rape me!" William cried.

"He's stupid don't listen to him!" Michael raised his voice.

"You asked to kiss me!"

"That's not rape, you coconut!"

"Hold up!" I yelled. "William, I don't understand why you're so upset. You told me that you're bisexual."

"Great John Wayne, really?" Michael looked at me with wide eyes. "I mean I knew he was into Cocoa for a while there but..."

"He said he liked black men, too. So why not, Michael?"

"How are you so calm? I am a--"

"Sinner." Michael and I said.

"I think it's normal from where I'm from."

"I think you're confused. Homophobia is normal. Not homosexuality."

"Bisexuality is accepted where I'm from, too. I think. I'm sure of it."

"You came straight from hell."

"For the love of God shut up! If God really believed in Adam and Eve, Eve would look like Elvis and not Elizabeth Taylor." Michael sighed.

"Do we really need to have this conversation, again? I'm not like you nutjobs! In fact, Jordan get out! Stay somewhere else. Our deal is over. I'm done! I can't take it anymore! Tell my parents I love them! Sayonara!" He ran into the nearest bathroom and closed the door behind him. Michael and I sat in silence.

"So, you're gay?" I asked.

"Yes." He said so quietly I could barely hear him.

"David was the only one who knew?"

"Yes."

"And now you've pissed him off?"

"Yes."

"Just making sure I'm following."

"Sure."

"Do me a favor, Michael." I took his arm firmly in my grasp. His long sleeve shirt rolled up a little. Jagged red marks line his forearm. He winced. Poor thing. "I'm going to check on Johnny."

"What happened to him?" He became alert at Johnny's name, his brown eyes large and suddenly watery. I smiled a little. How did I miss it before? He's clearly got the hots for Johnny.

"An incident happened at the park with Katrina. Nothing bad. But while I'm gone, talk to William and be super gay for me." I patted him on the back and headed for the door.

"Oh and William!" I yelled.

"WHAT!" He shouted back from the bathroom.

"Our deal is still on and I'm still staying here!"

"I DON'T LIKE YOU! BUT FINE!"

Great. Now onto the big challenge.