chapter 12

He was at school Monday, but we didn't say a word to one another. I felt weird. He looked so different now and it made my insides hurt. I thought that I was going to throw up.

I saw he chose not to shave over the weekend so his chin was covered in stubble. It was attractive, but I just couldn't stop thinking of him as a monster, a psychotic, jealous creep.

I got a ride to work from my mom, and trust me, when you were a senior getting a ride from your mom, it was really embarrassing. I thanked her and went into the restaurant. "Mason!" I called as soon as I saw his large form.

"Kid, where have you been?" I ignored that he called me kid. "Are you alright?"

"Yes...no, I don't think I am."

"Let's go." We walked into the worker's station. "What happened?"

"Dan went crazy, that's what happened." He looked at me, waiting for more information. I sighed, hating that I'd have to tell the story of how Dan went ape shit. "Well, he beat up that guy I was telling you about and then he pinned me against a locker."

"Okay."

&quo t;I was so ***ing scared. I don't know why he did it. I told him that I'd never cheat on him, and that I love him."

"Maybe he's crazy..."

"Thanks Mason. Really, you were so helpful with that."

"Sorry, sorry. Maybe you two should talk it out."

"I don't think I can. I'm too scared to talk to him."

"Come on, do you really think he'd do something to hurt you?" I didn't think he would...but still. "Oli and I will be with you." I gave a nervous squeak that I didn't really want to make. "After work," he said. Danny showed up and didn't say a word to me. I said hello and he didn't greet me back.

I'd tell him I needed something and he would shake his head or grunt. God, I just wanted to not exist. It would make things so much easier if I liked thin, pretty girls. Work ended and Danny headed for the door. "Hey Dan," Oliver called.

"Yeah?" Dan asked.

"Come here a sec."

"Yeah, sure..." He walked up to the bar area.

"So, what's up?"

"Just going home," Dan said, a bit perplexed.

"Don't you want to wait for Scott?" I was clearing my last table.

"I think he can make it on his own."

"I could use a ride...if you don't mind," I said in a shaky voice.

"Yeah, fine."

"Dan, listen. Scott is afraid of you." Oh my god Mason! Really? 'Scott's a little bitch who can't look at you without fainting.' He couldn't have made me sound more pathetic.

"Oh..." Dan looked at me. "He shouldn't be."

"I'm...I'm not afraid of you," I said.

"See! Now kiss and make up!" If only it was that simple Mason. Oliver kicked him in the leg.

"Okay," he agreed. He walked over to me and I felt my body tense up. We've fought before, but not like that. I didn't have a chance this time. I guess he'd always let me think I could win before he beat me when we were younger. He kissed me on the cheek. I actually was hoping for something more than that. "That sucked," I mumbled.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

"I mean...about...about at school," he said. His face showed regret. Mason and Oliver had retreated into the kitchen. "I...I didn't mean to do that. I just...god I'm so sorry." I hugged him. I felt his soft warm belly press into me.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too Scott." I got a real kiss.

"Let's just not get so crazily jealous we go around hurting people."

"I told you not to talk to him."

"But why?" I asked.

"Because he's good looking...and gay," he said. "You could have someone like Alare and realize that I'm just not good enough."

"Dan, you're better than good enough. I just love that you want me."

"I won't act like that again."

"Okay." We kissed.

Once we graduated and got our apartment, he reached 300 pounds. He'd always show off his massive body around our place, glad we were together.

Alaire and I kept in touch and he was back in France. From the pictures he sent I'd say taking over his dad's bakery had piled a few pounds onto his already stocky frame. The best part was that Dan kept his word; he hasn't acted like a psycho in ages.



The End!