Chapter 14

                                    

                                          
"Angel, I need to talk to you." 
He sighed, turning around to face Reese. It was the end of the day and most of the students had cleared the hall. Angel had run late because his band teacher wanted to talk to him about the winter concert. Emmet had texted him saying he would wait for him so he could catch a drive home and Angel was hurrying down the hall so he didn't keep waiting too long when Reese grabbed his arm and pulled him aside. "What?"
Reese blinked, pulling his hand back. "You're angry."
"No, I'm just in a hurry. What do you want?"
Reese lips turned down. "Why are you in a hurry?"
Angel's temper was wearing thin. "None of your business. If you don't tell me what you want, I'm leaving."
"What's gotten into you? A month ago, you would never have talked to me like this."
"Well maybe I'm finally getting fed up with your shit."
Angel couldn't deny the satisfaction he felt at seeing Reese's stunned expression. However it only took a few moments to turn into anger. "What the hell? Is this about Emmet?"
Angel blinked. "What's he have to do with anything?"
"He turned you against me. That's why you're acting like this."
Angel rolled his eyes. "Don't be ridiculous."
"It's not ridiculous! We were best friends. We were always together and now I barely see you! I had to find out from some gossiping freshman about what Charlie did to you this morning!"
"Charlie didn't do anything to me. He was just upset."
"But he had no right-"
"No, you had no right to use me every time you feel lonely. Charlie genuinely likes you, why don't you give him a chance?"
Reese took a step back. "What?"
"That's why Charlie was upset with me. He thinks we have this thing."
"We do have a thing."
Angel barked a laugh. "Really? So now we have a thing? After all the times you told me it was nothing? You don't get to switch up when it's convenient for you, Reese."
Reese was pale and Angel noticed his fingers tapping against the side of his leg as if he were nervous. It was weird because Angel had never known Reese to be nervous. "It's not," he started, coughing. Angel noticed the tapping start again, faster. "It's not that I do it because it's convenient for me. I didn't- I didn't mean for any of this to happen." Reese burst into tears. Angel froze in shock. He had never seen Reese cry, for anything. He could only stand and watch as he tried to wipe the tears away with his sleeves, continuing through a hoarse voice. "I know I treated you like shit and I shouldn't have." He sobbed. His knees buckled and he fell to the floor, Angel's shock growing. "I was so terrible to you and I can't ever make it right. I hated myself and I took it out on you." He covered his face, voice becoming slightly muffled. "I thought I could play it off like I didn't care but you made it so hard and it only got worse."
"What got worse?" Angel found his voice.
"I love you," he cried. "And I hate myself for it."
Angel didn't know what to say. "But... Why?"
Reese blinked past the tears, sniffling. "Why what?"
"Why would you hate yourself for loving me?"
"Be- Because loving another man is disgusting."
Angel pinched the bridge of his nose. "What makes it disgusting? Are your parents homophobic? Is that why this is such a big deal for you?"
Reese shook his head. "N- No. I don't think so."
"Then why do you think it's disgusting?"
Reese shook his head, looking away. Angel sighed, coming to kneel in front of him. Reese watched him, no sound other than that of his sniffling in the dead hallway. "I really wish you had of told me this to begin with. I'm sure by now you know that I loved you too."
Reese's lips wobbled. "Loved?"
"Reese... I can't. After what you did to me, how you made me feel... I don't know if I can ever get over that. And I think... I think I might love someone else."
"It's Emmet, isn't it?"
Angel smiled sadly. "Yes."
Reese's eyes darted to the side and Angel followed his gaze, heart dropping when he saw Emmet standing a few feet away from them. How did he not hear him come up behind him?
Emmet blushed when he met his gaze. "Sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop or anything, I was just worried. You weren't answering my texts and I thought, well, I don't know what I thought. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
Angel couldn't help but smile. "I'm fine. I'll meet you outside in a minute, I just have to-"
"No." They both turned to stare at Reese. "Just go. I want to be alone right now."
"Reese-"
"Go!" Reese snapped, his fire starting to return. 
Angel nodded, walking towards Emmet. He cast one final glance back at Reese before taking Emmet's hand and together they walked out to his car. 
The sun had lowered significantly and the air was cool. The scent of burning wood lingered in the air, indicating that it was near dinner time. His focus drifted to Emmet's hand in his, fingers callused from playing the guitar. 
"Did you mean what you said?"
Angel looked up but Emmet wasn't looking at him and a light blush had spread across his cheeks. It took Angel a moment to realize what he was talking about. He couldn't help the smile tugging at his lips as Emmet's gaze finally met his. His cheeks darkened. "What?"
Angel stopped, tugging Emmet close. They were nearly the same height but Emmet did have an inch or two on him. Before Emmet could open his mouth, Angel tugged him down, pressing their lips together. Emmet melted into the kiss and Angel's fingers tangled in his long hair as he pulled him closer. When they finally pulled back for air, both of their faces were flushed, eyes glazed with lust. "Does that answer your question?" Angel asked. 
Emmet nodded, still out of breath. "I think so."
Angel smiled. "Good."
He had always been a timid person, following in Reese's footsteps and joining the football team brought him out of his shell but since he met Emmet, he was finally starting to feel confident. He loved how much Emmet opened him up and how comfortable he felt around him. Just this morning, he was trying to deny that he had any feelings for him because he was afraid. But he realized that he had nothing to be afraid of. He loved Emmet and he knew his mom would accept him, that she already did. He was excited to introduce her to... "Emmet?"
They had just gotten situated in the car and Emmet was clicking his seatbelt into place when Angel said his name. "Yeah?"
"Do you want to be my boyfriend?"
Emmet grinned. "I thought that was obvious."
Angel shrugged as Emmet pulled away from the school, heading towards Angel's house. "Just wanted to make sure before I officially introduce you as my boyfriend to my parents."
"That's fair," laughed Emmet. "I guess that means I'll have to share the news with my dad."
"Do you want to tell him together or..."
While keeping his eyes on the road, Emmet reached over and took his hand. "We can do whatever you prefer."
Angel smiled, heart filled with love and joy.