Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:49:01 -0800 (PST) From: Jason Decade Subject: Ever After 12 Disclaimer: This is a story about gay people...if you can't read it or don't like gay people, leave. Go...bye. But if you like it, read it and write to me. Chapter 12: ~The Way I Am~ "I cannot believe you!" Zack yelled. "Me?! You kissed my best friend!" Hannah shouted. "Are you kidding me?! Are you going to bring that up everytime we fight?" Zack said angrily. "You guys!" Julie said, distraught by not only the fight but the circumstances, " He's dead." Hannah and Zack looked at each other. Hannah looked over to Marco, who was at the peak of his stoicism, " Marco, are you alright?" he asked. "I just...umm, I can't believe...he was just always there. Around, you know." Marco said. "I remember he used to follow us around." Harry added. "He won't be doing that anymore." Christina said quickly. "Chris!" Hannah spat. "So, what about the other two?" Zack asked, " Are they gonna be okay?" "One of them is in a coma and the other has scratches and a broken arm." Hannah answered, " The answer is...not really sure." "The police said..." Zack started. "Doesn't matter. Five people died because someone couldn't call a cab or take keys." Harry interrupted. "Who asked you." Zack spat. "Guys." Julie said warningly, " He's dead." "Yeah and he was dead five minutes ago." Christina sneered. "He's always going to be dead. No coming back." Julie said sadly. "None of them are." Marco said, putting his arm around Julie, " But it's okay. At least someone has another chance." "I wonder...." Julie said, staring at him nervously. Across town, away from the funeral... I woke up. I found myself laying in my bed and I tried to sit up, but a pain shot through my arm and I grasped my arm, but soon it was my head and I grabbed my head and noticed that there was a sling on my arm. I threw the covers back and looked around the room, then walked to the window and almost fainted when I got there. The pain was unbearable. One of the nurses was skipping their job today. I searched my mind, trying to remember how I got to this spot. How I got here. I couldn't. "Hey, I see you're awake." Kendall said from the door. "Kendall?" I asked nervously. - - - - - - - - - - As I listened to Kendall's sypnosis of my life, I couldn't help but feel like I was a hero. I had come out as a gay guy, dismissed Hannah, my best friend, and learned to live my life. The only thing I had trouble with was the Hannah issue. Hannah and I had always been so close, how could she do...what she did? And There was a crash? Zack....asshole! Marco...that's what I meant to ask, but I didn't. "So, we're friends now?" I asked. "I wouldn't say friends." Kendall smirked, " We're party buddies. And I think you were crushing on my brother." "Ballard?" I asked. "That's who you were with in the crash, him and another guy." Kendall said. I looked at her, my eyebrow raised, " I got around, huh?" I smirked. "Yup, you were even starting to dance on tables." Kendall chuckled, " Pretty good, if I remember right. I was kind of drunk and stuff." "And stuff?" I asked. "Tell you when you're older." Kendall said. "Oh...what happened to Ballard and the other guy?" I asked. "Larry Bergman. Geeky. You and him weren't...he was the designated driver and..." she trailed and her eyes watered, " Ballard is, um, in a coma." "What?" I asked, " Larry died? Bergman?" "Yes." she said. "Ballard...is he..." I trailed, trying to remember what happened, but I couldn't. It wasn't there. "There could be brain damage. The doctors say...they say he could be a veggie-tale." Kendall chuckled, crying softly. I hugged her and patted her back, not really knowing what to say. I looked up to see my family standing in the doorway. My mom, Grandma, Grandpa, brother, Eric, and Dad. "I'd better go. Mom and Dad have probably left." Kendall said, leaving. "Sure." I nodded. Kendall hugged me and left, " Hi guys." "Honey, are you okay?" Mom said, running to me. "He's fine, aren't you son?" Dad said, hugging me. I nodded. "I don't care what you say. Oh! Your arm. His arm..." Grandma said, rushing to me. "Are you okay little brother." Eric asked "Eric? What are you doing here?" I asked. "Apparently coming to see my new and improved brother." Eric said. "What's that mean?" I asked. "Eric..." Mom said, casting him a dangerous glance. "No, really? I wanna know." I said quickly. "Your mother is right, boys, now is not the time." he said, walking to me, " Adaen are you alright?" "Yeah, I just have a broken arm." I said quickly. "So, you're remembering?" Grandma asked, " The doctor said that you might not remember things." "I...don't know. I mean, if I don't remember them, how am I supposed to know what I've forgotten." I said quickly. "Your mother and father have told that you are...umm, homosexual." Grandma said quickly, " And we're alright with it. We are a little disappointed, but we've taken the opportunity to find you someone we'd view as acceptable." "You told them what?! So you guys know?!" I asked angrily. "You don't remember?" Dad asked. "Not about telling you, what kind of idiot am I?" I asked. "Oh heavens, you're not dating anyone are you?" Grandma asked. "i told you?" I asked. "Adaen." Dad said, " Yes, you can't take it back. It's alright." "Is the Kipton boy alright?" Mom asked. "He's in a coma." I said. "Didn't you go to school with his older brother, Eric?" Mom asked. "Yeah. Dylan." Eric said. "Uh, where are you guys staying? And how long?" I asked. "They are staying with us. And as long as they want." Mom said. "Speaking of which, we should really get going. To get you guys settled in." Dad said, " You gonna be alright here?" "Yeah...I" I stopped when I looked at the door. Davis was standing there and I immediately remembered something. Everything. I was shocked to see him standing there, " Davis?" "You Davis?" Mom asked, " No, you're Adaen sweetie." "No mom, my friend Davis." I pointed to him, " Caught me off guard." "Oh, well, we'll give you time. Come on everybody." Mom said, guiding everybody out of the room. "Hey." Davis said, " You're okay. I just came to see if you were okay, and you're okay." "You thought I'd be sleeping, didn't you?" I asked. "Kinda." he said nervously. "SO, you expected me to be dead by now?" I asked. Davis sighed and turned to leave, but stopped, " God, do you have to do that?" he asked. "Do what?" I asked. "Be a total jackass! I mean...I came here to see about you. I wanted you to be sleep because we tend to argue when you're awake." Davis said angrily. "Does it matter? I mean, I'm just some gay guy. Nobody is gonna want me." I said angrily, trying to fold my arms, but there was an intense pain and I groaned. "Are you okay?" he asked, walking closer. "I'm fine." I said angrily, cursing my arm. "Adaen." Davis asked. "What?" I asked, looking at him. "Are you okay?" he asked. "I don't know. I mean, my heart is broken and I don't have anyone to tell about it." I said quickly. "You know I love you. I don't want us to be apart. I want to be with you! when we're apart, I can't stop thinking about you and..." Davis stopped as I kissed him. We stopped when someone cleared their throat, " Mom thought it'd be a good idea if I stayed." Eric said from the door. Davis looked shocked, " Umm, I'd better go." he said, leaving quickly. "What was that?" I asked. "What?" Eric said. "You could have waited." I said quickly. "I don't like the idea of some guy, especially some jock who's slept with everyone, to have his hands on my little brother." Eric said, " Have you two had sex?" "What? I don't have to tell you." I said angrily. "You have, haven't you?! I'm going to kill him." Eric said angrily. "No. I haven't." I groaned, hopping in the bed. "So, you're gay now. What else is new." Eric asked. I just smiled up at my big brother, " I thought Tanya would have come." I said. "She got snowed in. She says she'll be here soon, though." Eric said, " Now, enlighten me on the whole 'gay' thing." - - - - - - - - - - Marco, Julie, Christina, Hannah, Zack, and Harry walked down the hall of the crowded hospital, going from room to room, trying to find Adaen or Ballard. Marco stopped and looked at Harry. Harry stopped also, noticing the odd stare that Marco was giving him. "What, man?" Harry asked. "My sister." Marco said angrily. "You guys..." Hannah said quickly. "go ahead, we need to have a talk." Harry said, causing them to go on ahead. "You...and my sister? You're supposed to be my friend, friends don't do shit like that, bro!" Marco said as loudly as he could without yelling. "We didn't..." Harry frowned. "Do you like her?" Marco asked. "Marco, man..." Harry stammered. "Do you still liker her?" marco asked. "Does it matter?" Harry asked. "After this is over, I'm going to help you out. You're like my brother." Marco smiled, " Besides, that Zack guy is an asshole." "True dat." Harry said, " We cool?" "Cool, just as soon as we find Adaen." Marco said. "What about Adaen?" Eric asked, walking out of Adaen's room, " Marco! Harry! Hey dudes, it's good to see you!" "Eric!" Marco said, shaking his hand, " Where's Adaen?!" "In the room." Eric said. Before he could say anything, Marco sped past him, " Ok, so I see they're still closed." "Definitely." Harry said, " How's college?" "College is harder than it sounds." Eric smirked, " So, you and Hannah, right?" In the room, Marco hugged me warmly and I giggled to myself. I was shocked at his quickness. "Owww, watch the arm!" I groaned. "Are you okay?" Marco asked. "Why does everyone keep asking me that?" I asked. "I'm so sorry." Marco said. "Sorry?" I asked, " What do you have to be sorry about?" "I shouldn't have let you leave, it's just I was shocked by Harry and Hannah and..." Marco said guiltily. "It's cool, your not my dad." I said quickly, " I just can't see Ballard yet. It's annoying, I'm worried about him." "Worried?" Marco asked. "Yeah. I mean, he's in a coma. I feel bad." I said quickly. "You're worried about Ballard?" Marco asked, " What exactly happened in that Tahoe?" "What do you think happened?" I asked. "No! Please say you didn't..." Marco gapsed. "I don't know what you're talking about." I said quickly. "Adaen, you've always told me everything." Marco said softly reaching his hand out. I snatched my hand away, " Things change. People...change." I said, causing us both to gaze at each other for a second. There was an odd silence in the room and we couldn't take our eyes off each other. "You're awake." Hannah shouted at the door, " You guys, he's in here!" she yelled after the other, " I can't believe it, you could have died!" she said, running over and hugging me. Harry, Julie, Zack, and Christina showed up and gawked at me. I felt an odd sensation. It was an odd assortment of people, sort of like the breakfast club, only...i don't know...not. It was odd, but suddenly I was angry at the sight of them. These people had been my primary downfall. When it was just Hannah and I, life was simple. Now, it was anything but simple and to be honest, it was kind of scary. "What are you guys doing here?" I asked. "We came to see you, Adaen." Julie said hopefully. "Sorry, but Adaen's not here." I said, walking past them. - - - - - - - - - - As I walked down the hall, I found myself looking around at the white walls and cleanliness of the hospital. I couldn't help but wonder how many people had died here. I couldn't help but feel that my luck was the only reason I was...I shook it out of my mind and stopped at the nurse's station. "Hello." she smiled. She was a dark skinned woman of about fourty, with brilliant brown eyes and a soft demeanor, " Can I help you?" "I need to see Ballard Kipton, please." I rasped. She checked the log, " Only family can see him. He's in critical condition." she said regretfully. "I was in the accident with him. I just nee..." "I'm sorry I can't." the nurse said. "FUCK THE RULES! I NEED TO SEE HIM!" I shouted. "Young man, I'm gonna need you to calm down or else I'll have to cal..." "I don't give a damn who you'll call, I need to see him dammit!" I shouted at the nice, polite lady, " It's important." "I can't...." she said, but she stopped when an alarm went off. She, and a few other nurses, quickly ran from behind the desk and down the hall, to which I followed. When we got there, I quickly noticed that Ballard had flatlined and Kendall bursted into tears, " Call it, Belinda, 8:25 December 24, 2007." "NO!" Kendall shrieked. One of the other nurses escorted her out and the rest of them left as I slunk down against the wall. I regained my energy and stood, walking to him. I stood there, staring at him for a second, then I slapped him, " COME BACK! YOU BASTARD, YOU ARE NOT LEAVING ME LIKE THIS!" I screamed, " I'm not gonna be the only one to survive this. I can't take it! Come back!" I said, pounding against his chest, " Please." I sobbed. As if by a miracle, the flatline stopped and Ballard began breathing and I immediately noticed. I stopped crying and looked over at him. He looked around and quickly found me. "Hey, kid, what're you doing here?" Ballard asked. "You jerk! I thought you were dead." I said, hugging him. "Wha...what happened?" he asked, still looking around. "We were in an accident and everybody died." I said quickly. "We (cough) survived." he said, coughing slightly. "No. We didn't." I said quickly, " I need to call the nurse." "I can't feel my legs." Ballard said, hitting his legs, " I CAN'T FEEL MY LEGS!" "Calm down." I said, not able to hear myself over his screams. Quickly the nurse came in, and she was shocked to see the boy she pronounced dead only minutes ago alive. She quickly pulled out a needle and stuck it in him and he immediately calmed and fell into a deep slumber. I just looked on, shocked at his revelation. - - - - - - - - - - Christmas... It was a beautiful Christmas Day. There was no snow, but the sun was shining and it was a wonderful day. I had started the day by opening presents with my whole family, relatives from out of town and everything, then we had dinner and explored our gifts. Everyone seemed happy and no one even brought up my gayness. I was thankful, how do you explain that to everyone you love? That you're forever different and there's no way to change it. I was not ashamed, but I was a very private person to begin with. I was having fun with my new Playstation 3 when I heard a knock at the door and quickly ran to see who it was. I was shocked when I saw Davis' truck outside, so I opened the door and there he was, holding a big box. "Nice package." I smirked. "Hey, how are you?" Davis asked nervously. "I'm good. A little out of it." I smiled, " What's with the box?" "I got you something." Davis smiled. "Me? I didn't get anything for you." I said, caught off guard, " What is it?" "I guess you'll know when you open it." Davis said, handing it to me, " Here, I racked my brain to find it." I opened the gift and ripped at the wrapping paper, then tore open the top. I was shocked to find another box, much smaller, inside. I chuckled, then opened the smaller box to find a ring. It was a ring I had seen on Buffy, Angel had given it to her. "I know Buffy's your favorite show, so I got you something special." Davis smiled. "Is this...this is real." I said, slipping it on my finger. "It's the real one, don't ask." Davis smiled. "I cannot accept this." I said quickly. "I love you." Davis said quickly, " I don't care what anyone says, I love you and I will fight for you. Whatever it takes." "I don't think I'm ready." I said softly. "Doesn't matter. I'll wait." Davis said, turning to walk away. "Davis." I said quickly. "Yeah." he said, turning to me. "I...L..." I tried, but I couldn't say it, " Thank you." "No problem." he smiled. I went inside and shut the door and Davis turned to go back to his truck, but was startled when Eric happened to be right in front of him. "So, Marchall, you're trying to date my little brother?" Eric said. "And if I am, Lawerence." Davis said angrily. "You'll have to go through me." Eric said, pushing Davis, " Stay away from my little brother." he said, walking back to the house. Davis just shook his head and climbed into his truck, leaving. - - - - - - - - - - Hey guys, Sorry it took so long, I was trying to put so much into this chapter. There was loads of stuff that I took out because I'm going to space it out, but Graduation is coming up soon and you know there's bound to be drama. And what about Eric? Is he overprotective or something totally different? And Adaen's hanging out with the Kiptons? That's gotta be bad. What about Ballard and Adaen? What about Davis and Adaen? What about Marco and Adaen?! Hell, what about Hannah and Adaen?! You'll just have to see. Thanks for reading, Have a Merry Christmas.