This story is about a young asian kid, confused/curious about their place in the world. It explores the good and the bad of friendship and young love. This story takes place in a small, fictional town named Haven.
I haven't written something in a long while and we're all confined to our homes due to the apocalypse so hopefully this will suffice for my return to Nifty.
Remember Me
Chapter One: Someone That I Needed
Hey everyone, my name is Fang. Well okay it's not actually my real name but this is the internet and who even puts their real self online? We're all liars online right? This takes place sometime around high school that may or may not be based on me, or an aspect of me.
The day started like any day, abruptly waking up from the incessant noise of my alarm, the tone reminded me of those old sirens in every cliche military base from movies. I should really get that tone changed but it is the only tone that wakes me up. Cupping my pale yellow face, slowing wiping the tips of my fingers against my furrowed brows continuing down to the outline of my round jaw. Traces of oil coating my fingers as I'm reminded that I forgot, well neglected, to wash my face the night before. As I slowly crawled out of bed I managed to bring myself to my feet.
Suddenly there was a knock at my door and not a second later, the painted black wooden door opened revealing my Aunt Jackie sporting her classic eggshell embroidered floral apron dusted in flour. Somehow specks of flour outlined the sharpness of her jawline and speckled throughout the flow of the crimson sea cascading down just below the nape of her neck. Besides the hair and the apron she was devoid of color, ghost-like even. I'll admit she's frightened me a few times at night. She just holds this haunting etherial like presence. Thankfully she's just the sweetest person I could have ever met, the ray of sunshine at the end of my gloomy outlook on life.
As you can probably tell by now, Aunt Jackie wasn't really my aunt, not by blood anyway. She was an old friend of my parents from their college years. She took me in after I came out to my parents last year. Yup the thing that broke the camel's back was my sexual orientation. I always thought my parents would accept me no matter what but they didn't. I took a chance and it bit me in the ass.
"Time to get up kiddo. It's your first day of school."
"Do I have to? Why can't you just continue to homeschool me like you did over the summer?" I replied as I slowly push my chest forward listening for those little pops in my spine.
"Now you know I can't do that. That was only temporary to get you caught up for everything you missed out on during the second half of last year." She walked towards me and let out a chuckle pointing at my hair. "What were you dreaming about? It looks like a bird made a nest out of your hair?"
Face scrunched, I rolled my eyes and dragged my feet to my bedroom mirror hanging from the wall on the opposite end from my bed. She was right, it really did look like a bird called it home in my hair. It was a disheveled mess. I wish I could remember what I dreamt about, it's all just a blur.
"I've made your favorite for breakfast, blueberry lemon muffins. Don't forget to grab one before we head out to school," just as she closed the door her voice vibrated against the wood "Oh and don't forget to take your meds before we head out."
Oh did I forget to tell you? I have to take meds daily. I was always in and out of the hospital when I was younger. The doctors finally found out a few years ago that I had a congenital heart condition I inherited from my dad's side. Don't worry, it's not all that serious. I'm perfectly healthy except for the fact that my heart skips beats and I could potentially die from it if my heart decides to beat erratically. But like I said don't worry, I have an implanted pacemaker like device in my chest and I take a tiny white pill every day to lower my chances of impending death. I mean we're all gonna die eventually so why bother? I take them so Aunt Jackie has one less thing to worry about.
Anyway enough of the gloomy bullshit, it's time to get ready for class. I turned around, tiptoeing around piles of clothes that seemed like my closet spit out angrily overnight. Pushing the flimsy constructed door on wheels open, revealing a black void. Ever watch those shows where the main character just seems to wear the same exact garment every single day like they don't own anything different? That's my closet. Everything is black: tops, bottoms, shoes. Who needs another color when black exists. On the plus side, it's very slimming. Not that I need it though, I'm all skin and bones. Aunt Jackie tries to get me to eat more saying something along the lines of "you need more meat on those bones" whatever that means.
Anyway, I eventually got my outfit for the first day of school. Now time to tangle with the birds nest atop my head. I wish I was one of those gays who knew how to look good or at least a fairy godmother, emphasis on fairy.
"Fang! Five minutes, we gotta get to school!" Aunt Jackie's voice bellowed from beyond the confines of my room.
Shit. Hastily brushing out all of the knots and tangles to the left side of my face, I eventually got my hair to look somewhat presentable despite this terrible cow lick in the back that just didn't want to behave. I haphazardly grabbed my black beanie, shoved it over my hair leaving my fringe hanging out. I guess you could say I was emo without the heavy handed eyeliner. I'm just a plain Jane emo kid. I took one final look at my mirror just to give myself another sign of approval, not like I was dressing to impress anyone since no one gives me a second look anyway.
Rushing out the door with my beat up leather messenger bag hanging off my right shoulder, turning corners, the jingle jangle of the metal buckles holding the straps as they crashed into my body just to hop into the empty passenger seat of my Aunt's onyx Jeep Wrangler.
"Fang, I'm not gonna say it again. You need to come down or else I--" Before she could finish her sentence, she noticed that I was already waiting in the car. "Oh, you're already here. Well I grabbed you a muffin since I figured you weren't going to remember"
She walked to her side of the door, tossed the classic brown paper bag into lap and turned the key into ignition. I probably should have paid more attention to the time or else Aunt Jackie wouldn't be speeding through our neighborhood. We didn't exactly live too far away from school but she doesn't like to be late and we are certainly going to be late. At times like this, I wish she had an actual car and not one where I could potentially get tossed out of if I wasn't wearing my seat belt. We eventually arrived with a few minutes to spare. Thank god because I definitely didn't want to spend another second in that car.
"You got your schedule?" she asked as she hopped out.
"Yup, I've got everything." I patted my bag and my pockets just to double check. "I guess I'll see you at the end of the day?"
"Unless you want to spill your guts during study hall."
Oh did I forget to mention that Aunt Jackie is the school's counselor? I guess you could say I will always have a sound mind living with a shrink or at least I should.
We parted ways as I headed towards first period, Biology. Upon arrival, you could say that I knew everyone there as I grew up with the lot of them.
Louise Landon, or Lulu for short, up at the front row with her tightly braided caramel hair resting just at her shoulders. She sat attentively waiting for class to start. If you ever had a problem in one of your academic classes she was always the first one to ask. She had to be the smartest person in my whole class, I'm sure when we graduate she'll be valedictorian. She's probably the only person in my town that I can call a friend. She's easy to talk to and she doesn't give in to anyone's bullshit. She really only cares about being number one in anything she pursues without being snooty.
Then there was Brock "The Beast" Hampton in the back. His family owned the Hampton Country Club. So you know he has money. While he wasn't the smartest, his family owned the town basically so he didn't have to be. He advanced through with his parent's money. I wish I could say he had one redeeming quality but I honestly can't think of one. He wasn't a looker. Sure he kept his body tight, well maintained; it was like he was sculpted by the gods. Except for the fact that he was hairy all over, even his pasty white ass had peach fuzz. He mooned my P.E. class last year. That surely was the highlight of freshman year. Brock reminded me Big Foot, big, dumb, and hairy, well except for that buzzcut he was sporting this year. Brock and I never really got along. The most we've ever spoken to each other was when we were forced to work together in Mr. Evan's geography class last year.
I ended up sitting behind Lulu as she was the only person I could stand in that class or just school in general besides my aunt.
"Black again Fang?" she asked without looking back at me. "So predictable."
"What can I say? I like the color black. When are you going to stop dressing like our school pushes school uniforms?"
She paused for a second like she was going to respond with a witty comeback but instead just turned facing me. "Can you believe The Beast is in bio, our bio?"
"As long as he stays away, I think we'll be okay" I sighed. "So how was your summer? Have anything to add to your truly inspired resumé?"
"Grams had me working at her restaurant all summer so I guess you could say I can add waitressing to the list. How about you? How's your recovery? You seem happier."
"Happier?" I replied with my eyebrows arched. "I guess I'm content now, but I don't really want to talk about it. I'm just hoping this year is a little less dramatic in this town."
"Well I'm glad you're okay. I was worried about you for a second. Honestly, I didn't think you'd make it back here after all that happened last year."
"Like I said, I'm good now. You really didn't have to worry about me. My aunt is always there to save the day after all."
I guess it's good to hear that someone among my class cared enough to worry about me. We continued to chat for a while when I saw someone I've never seen before walk into class. I guess we have a new kid in town and of course he's another white boy just what this town needs in its all too real vanilla fantasy. He was tall, had to be at least six feet tall, pretty good looking with thick raven coiffed hair. You could tell that he worked out. He wasn't as big as Brock but I couldn't really see any visible body fat. He had a sky blue plaid shirt on with jeans that probably could have fit him a little better as the end of his jeans dragged across the laminate flooring. He even had those Air Force one's that my class was privy to wearing. He had this all-American vibe that I was honestly digging. I continued to watch him as he walked towards me.
"Hey is anyone sitting here?" pointing to the metal clad swivel stool.
"Hmm? Oh no, no one's sitting there. You can take it if you want."
He smiled. And instead of taking it elsewhere, he just sat next to me. "Hi, I'm Carver." he said with his right hand out.
"Your name is Carver? What kind of name is Carver?" I said aloud. My eyes widened in horror realizing that I actually said that. "Shit did I said that out loud? Fuck I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry about it. I don't really care for my name either. I think my parents were drunk or inhaling something when they named me." he said as he tousled his hair.
"Let's start over at least. I'm Fang," I said as I offered him my hand.
"Wait your name is Fang and you made fun of me for my name?"
"He's got you there, Fang," Lulu said as she giggled facing back to the front of class. "Anyway class is about to start so you guys should probably pay attention."
And just like clockwork, our professor strolled into class. Leave it to Lulu for knowing exactly when class starts. Maybe I should start paying attention more often. It'd probably help me in the long run if I just cared a little more about my studies and less about boys who I had absolutely no chance with. Oh hormones making life just a little bit more difficult.
"Good morning class and welcome to your first day of Biology. My name is Mrs. Scotts and this will be my first year teaching here at Haven High. Since it's the first day I don't want to overwhelm everyone with a lesson so we're going to have a little fun."
Oh no, that's never a good sign. "Please no introductions, please no introductions, please no introductions," I whispered under my breath.
"I'm sure you've all noticed that you're all sitting in pairs. Congratulations, you've just met your lab partners for the year. Now I want each pair to talk amongst themselves for the remainder of the class." And with that she took a seat at her desk and dove into what looked like some romance novel with a cheesy Fabio looking guy on the cover.
I wish Lulu was my lab partner, I wouldn't really have to do much. Not like I don't do work but working with the smartest person in the class is a plus to me. Wait who's my lab partner again?
"Hey Fang, looks like we're lab partners!" Carver said that with his right hand up in my face.
"What's this? What are you doing?" I asked confused pointing at his hand.
"High five!" he exclaimed as he kept inched his hand closer and closer to my respective hand. "How about it?"
"Uh sure." I ended giving Carver a rather awkward high five. What are we in kindergarten? "So where are you from? You're new here right?"
"Oh I've been around."
"Around? What does that mean?" asking with my eyebrows raised.
"I've lived a few places before moving here." his eyes wandered a bit before he let out a loud sigh. "My parents died last summer and I've been hopping around the country with my relatives. I'm now living with my grandparents."
"What? Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have pried. That's...that's just awful. I'm so sorry." I stammered as I tried to figure out how to change the topic.
"Don't worry about it. It's not your fault. It happened out of nowhere and I just want to believe that they're in a better place." The light from his face just up and left after revealing what happened with his parents. I could tell that he was holding back the tears that were welling up in his eyes. "Uh how are you and your family? Good things I hope."
"Actually, no. My parents disowned me a few years back. I live with my Aunt Jackie now. I mean she's not my aunt. We're not related to each other by blood or anything but it's a long story. She's actually the counselor here. If you ever need someone to talk to she's really good at listening."
"Oh. I'm sorry. Can I ask why? Why did they disown you?"
"I guess I could tell you, everyone in this town already knows my personal business." slowing exhaling what I had left in my chest, I looked him straight into his sparkling hazel eyes and said squarely, "It's cause I'm gay."
My lips scrunched forward into a tight little circle as I could just feel the tension between us. Averting my gaze away from him, I turned in my seat facing the front of the class. He's probably like all the other close-minded assholes in this town. If he's disgusted by me now, I understand. Everyone but Lulu and Aunt Jackie basically shunned me from existence. Just as I was thinking about it, I could feel the saline welling up burning my eyes. Then to my surprise I felt someone's hand firmly squeezing my shoulder with their thumb slowly rubbing the blade of my shoulder soothingly.
"I'm sorry. I guess we both have had some pretty shitty experiences recently. But that should have never happened to you. I can't say that I know where you're coming from or how you're dealing with everything, I can promise you that if you need a friend I'm down to take that spot. I mean I'm new here and I could really use a friend."
I looked at him like he was crazy. "You want to be friends with me? Wouldn't you feel more comfortable with preps or the jocks? Being friends with me would only lower you social standing here. You'd be a pariah."
"Well I definitely don't know what that feels like but I really like you. You seem like a real, genuine person and I need that right now."
"I mean if you're really desperate I guess I could put in a good word to join my one man group," I answered as I wiped away what could have been a pretty embarrassing moment.
"Great well can I have your number?"
"My...number?"
"Yeah, your phone number." Carver turned to his navy blue bag. It looked like a typical bag you'd see people using around school. A little beat up with the tag in the upper center torn in half, its edges frayed reading something sport. Rifling through his things, he confidently pulled out his phone handing it over to me. "Where's your phone so I can put my number in?"
"Oh right my phone," I said snapping back to reality. It's not everyday a guy asks me for my phone number, least not one as handsome as he. Fumbling through my bag, I clumsily handed my phone over to him.
Once we exchanged our numbers, we continued to talk amongst ourselves. Turns out we had a lot in common. We both were into superheroes movies although horror movies were top dog, we both loved spending hours just playing video games albeit different genres, and we both can't stand those over the top scripted reality shows. It seemed like we were just talking for hours when the bell rang for second period.
"Class is over already?" Carver asked as he hurriedly crammed his things back into his bag. "I'll see you later?"
"Uh yeah, I'll see you when I see you I guess."
And just like that he was gone in a flash. As I started to gather my things, Lulu got up with her books cradled in her arms. "So it seems like you two really hit off."
"Who? New kid?"
"Yeah who else would I be referring to? You guys just kept going on and on. At one point I just wanted someone to end me. It was annoyingly cute."
"How about we walk and talk to our next class?" I asked as I tried to motion out of there.
We continued to talk out in the hallway even through the constant chatter of everyone else. Ever notice when you're talking to someone and you pause for one moment just to hear the sound of everyone's voices melded into something that sounds similar to the humming of bees? That's what it feels like trying to talk while everyone else is talking in such a confined space.
"So are you going to ask him out?" Lulu asked playfully poking at my side.
"Carver? I just met the guy. And there's no way he's gay, and even if he was there's no way he could be into me. No one likes me in this town. The best shot I have is to meet someone online but even then I'd have to get out of this godforsaken town first."
"Oh come on, you two obviously like each other. After all you were undressing him with your eyes when he walked into the room and then you two had your sob stories and then you guys talked about what you liked. I swear I was listening to you two on your first date."
"Well you didn't have to listen in so intently. You could have talked with your lab partner."
"Right I'm just supposed to speak to Silent Sue. Guess what Fang, she doesn't speak! She just kept staring at me. It was getting awkward real quick and I needed an escape."
"Well at least you got to escape."
"Yeah, that's the thing. Was it really an escape? I don't know what's worse. Listening to you two obliviously flirt with each other or having Sue try to speak to me telepathically." Lulu stopped in front of the AP hallway. "Well this is me. AP Spanish is at the end of the hall. I'll talk to you later Fang."
After walking Lulu to class, I shuffled my way to the other side of the school. With one second to spare, I arrived at the door of second period, U.S. History. Huffing and puffing, eyes adverted from anyone anything but the tight coiled speckled carpet. I threw myself in the back row. Slumping back, slinging my head on the faux wood grain desktop groaning at the thought of having to take history this early in the morning.
"Why me?" I asked gently smashing my forehead back and forth onto my desk. Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, I felt someone tapping my shoulder incessantly. Without thinking, I snapped back, "Will you quit touching me already?" To my surprise, Carver was sitting right next to me.
"Long time no see," he said winking at me.
All of our classes ended up being like that. By fourth period, we compared our schedules and we were in every class together. If this was the universe giving me a sign, trust that I heard loud and clear.
Carver was the first guy who knew who I was and didn't instinctively run. He was a breath of fresh air and I appreciated it. Just when I thought this could end up being my year, I forgot that I had to end every day with the subject any and all awkward and undoubtedly uncoordinated kid dreaded, P.E.