Page 8 of 4-Ever

“Brad, so help me God, if you don’t support Ronin, you can get the hell out of my house right now!” Callie roared.

“This is your fault, Callie!” Brad shouted back at her. “Letting him grow his hair long, and encouraging him play that shitty music all the time. Filling up his head with your stupid, liberal ideas.”

“Get out!” she screamed.

I glanced up at Ronin and his eyes welled up with tears. He was visibly trembling, so I grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him closer to me.

His dad and mom kept yelling at each other and then, suddenly, Brad pivoted and pointed his finger at Ronin. The hate in his eyes was unmistakable.

Without thinking, I stepped in front of my best friend.

Sure, I was shorter than Ronin and his father. But I wasn’t going to let Brad hurt his son any more than he already had.

“Get out of my way,” Brad threatened me, getting up in my face. “Did you do this to him? Did you touch him? Did you put that stupid idea in his head?”

I shook my head, astonished that any parent would react this way. But more than that, I was afraid for my friend.

“We’re leaving,” I announced with a shaky voice, my heart pounding out of control. “Right now.”

His mom was crying, tears rolling down her face and she moved to step beside Ronin. Three against one.

Brad stared at us and shook his head. “I can’t believe this. I won’t.”

And then he stomped out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

I turned to find Ronin still shaking, crying, and I hugged him as tight as I could. Me and his mom.

“What’s going on?”

Ciara’s sudden voice startled me.

“Why was Dad yelling?” she asked. “Ro, are you okay?”

My friend wouldn’t answer his sister. Ro just stood there, shaking his head.

“Ronin?” I said his name and he finally wiped his face and took a deep breath.

“I told Dad I was gay. He didn’t take it well. I don’t think he’s coming back.”

His voice broke. Ciara rushed up to him and gave her brother a hug. All four of us stood in the kitchen in shock.

“Thanks,” Ronin whispered as he stared at me. “For standing with me.”

I reached for his hand and squeezed it tight. “There’s no other place I’d be.”

CHAPTER 3

FAISE

AGE 14

“My parents are sending me for testing tomorrow.”

Ronin and I were in my bedroom, playing video games as we usually did after school. Well, when we weren’t playing music. It was a Friday like every other. Except, I had news to share. News I’d been keeping to myself for a week now. But no longer.

“Testing for what?” he asked.

“A learning disorder. They think that’s the reason I’m not doing well in English. Well, in most classes, except math. Despite having a tutor. And, depending on the results, they might send me to a new school.”

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