Caged Bird
“Miles’ you’re going to be late!” My mother bellowed up the stairs like a madwoman, I groaned under my heavy sheets as I hauled myself out of my bed. I grabbed some random clothes from my wardrobe and went on my way. The carpet shuddered as I moved along the hallway and into the bathroom, I locked the bathroom door and did my business. After about 20 minutes, I was dressed in a plain army green t-shirt, blue ripped jeans, and The 1975 jumper from one of their tours. The clothes did hang on my bodily parts as I was a fairly scrawny 18-year-old teenage boy, my skin was clear though and my eyes were a seaweed green color which seemed to draw in the right kind of people so I wasn’t fussed. Happy with my appearance I met my mom in the kitchen, “There you are sleepy head.” She sang as she placed a bowl of fruit loops in front of me. In the background the news played some male extreme right-wing politician’s argument on gay marriage, I could hear my mom tut at the man on the tv. “What is it with people? Why can’t they just let people love who they like?” She spoke with a disgusted tone. With my mouth full I replied, “Because they have nothing better but to hate on anything that isn’t a white, straight, or male.” My mom gave me an approving laugh as she finally turned off the tv. Once I was finished, I dumped my bowl in the sink and kissed my mom on the cheek with an “I love you″.
Her final words of wisdom, she bellowed, “Bring me back a son in law while you out.” I laughed quietly to myself while I grabbed my bag. “Can’t promise that where we live.” I sighed sadly, my mom gave one last sympathetic look as she waved me off. I put on my shoes as I slung my bag on my back and began my journey to school in my rust bucket car, on the way, I picked up my best friend/ fake girlfriend Raya.
I have known Raya since I was about 4; she introduced herself to me in kindergarten and I can still remember how she waddled awkwardly towards me with her paint-covered hands that splattered leftovers onto my drawing of a dog. Ever since then we were inseparable, she was the bonnie to my Clyde and we loved each other for all of our flaws. So when I came out to her, she just laughed her arse off and spoke quite loudly about how she was also gay. So together we have protected our secret alongside our friend group, who she introduced me to, they were amongst the few that didn’t care about what a person but who they were.
“Good Morning Handsome.” Raya’s voice beamed outside the passenger’s door, a smile filled my face as she did our normal morning hype up. “Good Morning to you, why aren’t you looking as radiant as the sun.” We laughed at each other as she did her seat belt up. Raya was actually really beautiful; Her skin was a smooth chocolate color with litterings of kisses from angels, Raya had eyes the color of the ocean and when they sparkled you could see the wave rolling high inside. Her curly cinnamon hair was accessorized with an emerald green headband that matched amazingly with her green dress and flats. Even as I describe her, she was much more than words could handle. “So...did you hear about the news around the school?” Raya chirped consequently showing off her pearly white teeth.
I shook my head as I looked at her puzzled, “Really? That was surprising. Basically, we’re getting a new teacher in English.” I looked at Raya distraught. I loved our old English teacher, she was this nice old lady from Canada and she had a way of teaching that got to everyone. Plus, she handed out candy if we got a question right. “I know I’m just as sad as you are, Mrs. Hallow decided to retire after her husband died to spend time with her loved ones.” I had forgotten about that, I remember when she was called to the office in the middle of our lesson and a substitute had to finish. We didn’t find out about her husband until after she came back, it was really sad. “Were here.” The carpark was busy as usual and filled with mostly self-loving bigots. I looked to Raya and I could see the dread swirling inside her, “Let’s just get over to our friends.” She moaned as we got out of the car, as soon as we were near each other our hands clasped together. We were now under the persona of “FAKE-AIGHT” our friends called it.
Thankfully, we didn’t have to walk far as our friends were huddled a few cars down. “There they are!” Stella called as we approached them, we greeted them all with happy expressions. “Morning everyone!” We chimed, Stella swiftly moved towards Raya removing her hand from mine when we were out of view, and clasped their hands together. We all looked at awe at them as they stood with backs away from the school while Stella Sanchez’s twin brother, Jac Sanchez, just rolled his eyes at his jealous little sister. Stella and Jac looked really similar with their strawberry blond hair, pale skin, and bourbon eyes, their only differentiating feature was the style of clothes they wore. Stella had a very cutie pastel vibe to her while her brother was very punk, it was humorous how similar yet different they were. In fact, the rest of the group was quite different from each other. There was Mary Hogan with her olive skin, pale blue eyes, and her chestnut hair that she straightened every day. Her style was very much down to business and smart but it fit well with her slender body. she was incredibly intelligent but quiet. Then, there was Brett Flores. He had tanned skin, deep brown eyes, and short green-dyed hair. His style only consisted of baggy clothes, it didn’t matter what color or pattern it had on it.
“Come on we’re going to miss English,” Jac spoke with a grunt, we all walked off as a group like we usually did to hiding Stella and Raya’s hands. The halls were buzzing with excitement and whispers of the new English teacher; from what I could gather from the constant chatter, the teacher was an attractive male. I could feel myself needing to hurl at all the girl’s excitement and overly sexual descriptions of the poor man. Before English, we headed to our lockers to pick up our books when finally recognized the lack of weight on my back. I turned to my watch and cursed under my breath catching Raya’s attention beside me, “What wrong?” She spoke as her eyebrows furrowed in concern. “I left my bag in the car and it has my notebook, I’ll have to meet you in English. Tell the new guy where I am.” I told her, Raya understandably agreed as she hopped off to English.
Without a second thought, I ran to my car in search of my bag. Latecomers looked at me confused as I jogged out of the building and into the carpark, ‘Why did I park the furthest away from my fucking school?’ I scolded myself as I panted across the carpark. I pulled out my keys and clocked onto my bag laughing at me on the back seat, “There you are.” I pulled open my car door and slammed my bag on my back, with a satisfied smile I made my way back to school. Did I ever mention how clumsy I am, no? Whelp I am. With the two left feet I have, I missed one of the steps going up the stairway to English. Preparing myself for the pain of the floor, I screwed my eyes shut but I received no beating.
A deep husky voice attached to a set of muscular arms wrapped around my waist echoed in the stairway, “Little Bird, You should really watch your footing.” It laughed at me, I could feel embarrassment flood through me fueling the anger inside me. I roughly pulled myself out of its grip and brushed myself off, “I don’t need you to tell me what to do with my eyes nor will you call me little bird, I wish I could say I was grateful but, after that comment, I would rather the floor.” My breath was stolen as I looked at this dominating Greek God in front of me, ‘Was he new? Or am I oblivious?’ I racked up his body then met his Jade Green eyes. “Done looking at me little bird.” He smirked as he looked at me with an unreadable expression, the blood flowed to my cheeks as scolded my perverted stare and his uncomfortable little nickname.
“Do I look like a bird to you?” I fumed. His eyes rolled my body, ‘Is he seriously sizing me up.’ I thought defensively. “Yes, a caged little bird.” My eyes went wide as he saw right through me.
“I don’t care what you think, you arrogant ass. If we ever meet again, which we won’t, don’t call me little bird you weirdo.” I spoke my peace and walked up towards English, I could hear him chuckle a little as he followed me up. “Do you know who I am?” I shook my head not caring and gave him the fuck you finger like I would with any ass. I hoped he would continue up on to the next floor but he didn’t, he then followed me on to the second floor and down in front of my English classroom. “Would you quit following me!” I exasperated as I went into my classroom with him hot on my tail.
I huffed as I slammed the classroom door in his face, I found Raya with a paled expression amongst the crowd of people. I noticed the empty seat at the front of the classroom, I was about to mouth Raya when his voice entered the classroom. “Sorry, I’m late.” I turned to him to say something about the teacher not being here but I paused when I found him in the teacher seat. His face settled on a smirk that told me everything, ‘Oh shit...’
“Mr. Farling is it? Would you be so kind as to take a seat?” He spoke, my cheeks reddened quite significantly at his penetrating gaze. I scampered to the seat next to Raya and slammed my head on the desk as I began to regret my whole life.
“Sorry about that interruption class. My name is Mr.Bowman and I will be your English teacher for this year.”
