Archangels

My mom always does the most for my birthday. She says they’re important, the way I think about it. You are one year closer to dying and what’s the point in celebrating that? Honestly, I just want to hang out with my friends at the basketball court. We were all trying out for the team at Brooks High but we just like to mess around. I put on a pair of sweatpants and a tight-fitted white long-sleeve shirt. I sneak out of my window around 7:30 being careful not to disturb my mom. I usually sneak out every night to go to the basketball court. I could care less to hear my mom cuss me out because she’s drunk. She has always drunk but ever since my dad left she’s become addicted. If she doesn’t drink she has withdrawals which make her mope around a lot but when she drinks she’s as violent as a motherfucker. I’m the reason my dad left and she never lets me forget. if she ever found out that I’ve been sneaking on she would have bruises all over me. She tries to avoid my face so that no one will suspect anything. When she’s really under the influence she doesn’t give a shit. I sent a text to my friend’s group chat.

Alex: Meet me at the basketball court. I know it’s early but it’s the only time I can leave the house!

AJ: Don’t worry about it,

we know how your mom is.

Alex: a while guys are amazing.

I shut off my phone and make my way to the court and all of my friends are already waiting for me. I honestly don’t think I would even be alive if it wasn’t for them. As I approach them they start singing Happy Birthday.

“Thanks, guys, but you sound like you have been smoking your entire life.” They start laughing and I can’t help but laugh too.

“We should just start before my mom wakes up and notices that I’m gone.” Aj slaps me on the back.

“sure thing.”

during the game, I catch someone out of the corner and my eye making their way to the bleachers. I stare a little too long and the basketball smacks me in the back of my head.

“Get your head in the game! Xander shouts. literally”

“sorry about that, I’ll be right back.” I grab my water jug and walk over to where the kid is sitting. His hair is so black it’s blue falling into his eyes. He’s got a silver stud nose piercing a matching earring in his left ear and a bar on the right. He’s wearing a white hoodie and light blue ripped jeans that look a little too tight. The thing is, I’ve always been attracted to guys. I haven’t told anyone yet because most of my friends are boys and I don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable. They joke around about me possibly being gay because I never hang around any girls. I haven’t given it much thought but I think that they might be right. I am about to speak when I’m suddenly nervous then he looks up at me. His eyes are a bright green with blue and gold specks around the iris. Almost making them a teal color.

" Hey, are you new?” I ask my voice slightly cracking.

“yeah, I just moved in last week.”

" Do you want to join us?”

“Really?”

“yeah come on, let’s see what you got.” He smiles and my knees go weak. what is wrong with me? I straighten my shoulders and walk back to the court the boy following closely behind me.

“We have another player.” is ay approaching my friends. Xander looks the new guy up and down.

" What’s your name?” Xander asks

“Reeve,” He says shyly.

“Well... Xander says holding out his hand.” Welcome to the team.”

We switch the teams around and Reeve ends up on Mine he’s good. When I get the ball I immediately pass it to Reeve testing his reflexes. Surprising me again he catches the ball firmly and when Aj tries to grab the ball Reeve crosses him up. The rest of us laugh and cheer him on. AJ’s face is a dark shade of red as he walks over to reeve. For a moment it looks like he is going to punch him in the face, but instead, he takes his hand and holds it up. He whoops

“You are way better than I thought you would be.”

" I get that a lot.” Reeve’s chest is rising and falling extremely fast. I look up at his face his eyes are shining. I know I’ve been staring too long because Ray’s cheeks turn pink. I look down at my feet. What is wrong with me? I ask myself for the second time today. I look down at my phone checking the time. My mom is going to kill me.

“I have to go,” I say suddenly. I call Reeve over as my friends start to go their separate ways.

“Let me put my number in your phone.” He raises his eyebrows. I feel heat crawl up the side of my neck and I’m pretty sure my face is red.

" I just wanted you to come by while we practice and I was...was going to text you when we come out here.” I’m tripping over my own words. This guy probably thinks I’m a freak.

I expect him to walk off but instead, he smiles.

“That would be great.” he hands me his phone. I quickly typed in my number. He starts to walk away then he pauses five feet away from me.

“Is it okay if I call you later?” Did he just... I try to sound casual but my voice is like 3 octaves higher.

“If you want to.”

“yeah, talk to you soon.”

I’m sneaking back into my room when my mom knocks on my door.

“Alex” shit I mumble. I jump under my blankets soaked in sweat from playing basketball.

“Yes,” I say, sounding like I just woke up. She knocks on the door one last time and then opens it.

“Happy birthday sweetheart.” The first thing she notices is my still open window. I must have forgotten to shut it on my way in. How could I be such an idiot? She doesn’t say anything as she walks across my room to shut it. She looks at me narrowing her eyes.

“Get ready, your cousins are coming over.”

“you’re going to let me meet some of my family,” I mumble. She looks at me and smiles sweetly

“Well, we wouldn’t want them to see why your dad left, now would we? My fist tightens underneath my blankets. She walks out slamming the door behind her. I groan. At least she didn’t hit me. My phone starts chiming. it’s the group chat.

Xander: you okay?

Aj: Did your mom catch you?

Alex: Are you dead?

Me: Made it just in time.

Xander: Just wanted to make sure you didn’t

die on us. Even though I’m pretty sure you

have a death wish.

I roll my eyes and place my phone on my dresser. I grab my clothes and take a shower. I can’t decide whether this is bad but I’m scared to meet my family. What if my mom’s right? What if I just explode? It’s just been me and my mom since I was 8. Then my mind wanders back to Reeve. I want him to call me. I’m probably crushing on a straight guy. Even if he was gay my mom would kill me if she caught me talking to him. My mom wants grandchildren and I don’t want to disappoint her. I can’t help but feel how I feel. I’ve never been in a relationship. I’ve never even been kissed. There are a lot of firsts I’ve never done because of the incident that happened with my dad 9 years ago. I spend another 15 minutes in the shower letting the cold water trying to relax. I hear my mom calling my name. I pretend I don’t hear her until she starts banging on the bathroom door.

“What!?”

“Hurry up,” she says banging on the door.” your cousins should be here any minute.” I quickly dry off, put on some fresh clothes, and head downstairs

“I’m going out,” I call out to my mom. She’s in front of me within seconds.

“Don’t tell me you’re going out to play with that ball of yours, What do you call it?”

" Basketball,” I say rolling my eyes.

“You know what, I don’t care. You’re staying here. It’s your birthday and I want to spend some time with my only son she says caressing my cheek. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and my mom gives me a weird look.

“Who is it?” I look down at my phone for several moments trying to process the message I just got.

Unknown number

we’re coming for you, son. I know what you did to your father. call this number, turn yourself in and we don’t have to hurt you or your family.

I feel my hands start to shake.

“It’s just spam,” I say returning my phone to my pocket.