FOURTEEN: Collin's POV {I just want to know you}

I had arrived at the coffee shop so I could catch up on my reading before I had to get ready to head to the gym.

It was a Richard Wright novel called "Native son" and my older sister had recommended it and I had to admit that I was enjoying it so far.

I was at the point of the story where the main character whose name was Bigger had been hired by a white, wealthy family when I looked up to see the guy from the night before.

He looked a lot happier than when I last saw him. I smiled and waved and was glad when he waved back. He was so adorable and I found myself wanting to just hold him.

I could tell that his pals were teasing him about it. Even if I had not been a huge fan of it, I knew that my position on the wrestling team made me popular and the fact that I inherited my mother's good looks added to it.

It was easy for me to get a lot of attention but the only person that I wanted any attention from was the grumpy cutie that refused to tell me his name.

I was still looking in his direction when a red haired girl called out to me.

"Hey, Collin"

It was Malia Patrick. I recognized her as one of the cheerleaders at Heldon and I believed that she was the friend of Sophia Burgundy. I knew that because I disliked her and her friends.

Somehow, they striked me as bullies. There was just this air of viciousness that I couldn’t exactly ignore.

"Hi" I said.

She smiled and tucked some of her behind her ear. Dear lord, I hope that she wasn't trying to flirt with me.

"I just wanted to wish you goodluck on the upcoming games. I noticed that you've become a bit bigger and I just know the competition does not stand a chance"

I looked at my arms as she commented on my body. I did not feel flattered, I just wanted her to move away so I could keep looking at Alex properly. I was still looking in his direction regardless.

"Thanks Mia" I replied.

"It's Malia" she corrected her smile becoming a bit strained.

"Of course"

"Just know that I'll be there cheering you on"

"Yeah. Hey, do you know what the guy's name is?"

"Who?"

I pointed at Alex.

"The one with the girl and the hispanic dude"

"Alex?"

"Alex" I repeated the name and loved the way that it sounded.

"What about him?" she asked, her eyebrow raised.

"Are you sure that's his name?"

"Yeah"

I nodded.

"Thanks, Malia. How about you go join your friends"

She looked at me like she wanted to say something more but then turned and left. I made sure that she was seated with her friend Sophia and would not bother me anymore.

When I was done staring at Alex, I turned my attention to the book. It wasn't even up to ten minutes when I began to hear a ruckus.

I looked up to see Sophia and Alex's friend yelling at each other.

Shortly after, Sophia made it her duty to announce that Alex was gay and stalking her boyfriend. That was such a bitch move but it was far from surprising.

This was Sophia anyway.

I low key wished that Alex's friend would slap her. Alex looked so helpless and confused and embarrased. He ran out of the shop and I immediatly got to my feet and ran out as well.

I followed him at a distance until he finally he found a lonely spot and he just sat on a bench and cried his eyes out.

My heart broke to hear him like that and all I wanted to do in that moment was hold and protect him.

He did not notice as I approached. I quietly sat next to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. He snapped his head up and pushed me away.

''STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!!" He yelled and I said nothing.

"Alex..."

"WHAT DO YOU FUCKING WANT FROM ME?! CAME TO MOCK THE GAY BOY? GO AHEAD!! CALL ME NAMES!!"

"You don't deserve any of that"

He could not stop crying or screaming.

"GO AWAY!! I DON'T WANT YOU HERE!! YOU'RE ALL THE SAME! YOU'RE ALL AWFUL AND JUST SO FUCKING EVIL!!!"

"I'm sorry"

"I HATE YOU!! I HATE ALL OF YOU!!''

"Alex..."

"I HATE YOU!! I HATE YOU ALL SO MUCH!! I HATE...."

He broke down and wept. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around him and he didn't push me away. He just cried his eyes out and I said nothing. I just held him and let him let all his emotions out.

I was glad that nobody was around to see him like this. In that moment, I hated Sophia and Julius. And if all this happened because of Malia, even if remotely, then I hated her as well.

After a while, he calmed down and wiped his tears. I watched patiently and said nothing until he was ready to talk.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked.

It was natural for him to be suspicious of my intentions. I would be too.

"I just want to get to know you"

"You want to get to know me?"

"And now, I guess I just want to protect you"

I didn't see a point in lying even if my words seemed to take him aback.

I did want to protect him. I liked him and the only reason that nobody ever shamed me for being bisexual was because I was rich and popular.

It felt unfair and I suppose I just wanted to keep him safe under my wing.

"Why would you want to protect a gay stalker?" he asked.

"Because Sophia Burgundy is a pathological liar and bully and I don't trust that hoe"

He laughed. I smiled.

It felt nice to put the smile back on his face and somehow it made his misty eyes so pretty.

"I used to date Julius," He said, "He said that he wanted us to keep our relationship on the low because he was a private person and had plans to come out as gay with me after school"

"And if Sophia is in the picture now and spreading all this false information that must mean that he lied"

He scoffed.

"My friends always told me that he wasn't shit but I never listened. I was in love"

"And now?" I asked, "Do you still love him?"

"Fuck Julius"

I was relieved to hear that. Personally, I didn't fuck with Julius. He always struck me as a piece of shit individual and now I could boldly say that I had a reason to hate him even more.

"I second that motion"

"How did you know my name?" He asked and I smiled.

"Well, since you told me off, I had to find a way to get it so I asked around"

He sighed.

"I'm really sorry about the way that I acted" He said.

I shook my hand to indicate that I didn't have a problem.

"Nahh, it's nothing. I'm not mad about it. You have every reason to be suspicious about people especially since I'm in the same social circle with those assholes"

He chuckled.

"Thanks, Collin"

I smiled.

"Looks like someone remembered my name"

"It's a cute name" He said.

"Careful now, mom says I already have a huge head. Any more compliments and I doubt my head gear will fit for the next game"

We shared a laugh and just then I heard a girl shout.

"Nico!! I see him!!"

I looked up to see Alex's friends run in our direction. The girl pulled Alex into a tight hug.

"We've been searching for you" She said.

"Are you okay, man?" The guy, Nico asked.

Alex nodded and pointed at me.

"Yeah. Collin followed me and made sure that I was okay"

It was then that they both seemed to notice me.

"Oh, wow" The girl exclaimed quietly.

"Hi" I said to the both of them.

"Collin, these are my friends, Rita and Nico"

"Thanks for looking out for him, Collin" Nico said as we shook hands.

"It's all good" I replied.

"Thank you, Collin" Rita said and I smiled at her.

"You're welcome. Next time, punch Sophia in the neck"

Rita let out an unexpected laugh, turned to Alex and said.

"I like him"

Alex and I shared a look and he smiled shyly. It was cute.

"Well, since you're all here I should take my leave," I got to my feet, "I'll see you three around yeah?"

"Oh you will," Rita said, "I'll make sure of it"

I smiled, said my goodbyes and left the trio to be. I was glad that I got the chance to find my way in Alex's circle and life.

In a way, I was grateful to Sophia.