Chapter Text
“ My whole body see through
Transportation, handmade
And I know it better than most people”
-Frank Ocean
I’m awoken by the sound of the front door being slammed and whispering.I shuffle out my bed the covers trapping me preventing me from escaping as I struggle.As I finally break free from my blankets I creep out my room tip toeing around carefully as to not alarm whoever’s at the front door.I turn the corner slowly in anticipation,millions of thoughts wander through my head figuring out what I would do if I was found out and how I would defend myself.When I finally reach the living room I hide behind a wall to not make myself stand out.
I poke my head out slowly and observe my father seemingly talking down to someone on the couch.I get closer and I fall off the wall and land on the ground creating a thud sound gaining the attention of both my father and the mysterious person.Both of them stare at me in silence before my father breaks the silence “Alex what are you doing up this late?” My father asks.I get up rubbing my arm wincing from the small pain”I heard you get back and I heard you talking with someone” I say turning my head to meet the stranger.His face appears rough like he had just gotten into a fight,his eye looks blacked with dried blood directly above his lip.”Um dad who is this?” I ask with a concerned look on my face. My father was no stranger to bringing home people from his work but they were usually younger than me, no more than 10 years old.My father clears his throat”this is Montgomery De La Cruz he will be staying with us for a us for a few weeks and he will be going to school at liberty as well”.
I stood there confused at the audacity that my father would force someone into my house into my life the day before school started.”How’d you get him enrolled at Liberty so fast?” i ask still trying to process the fact that for the next few weeks a stranger will be living in my house.”I know you have a lot of questions but it's late so can you show him to Peter's room so he can stay there” my father says in a stern but reassuring voice.I let out a small sigh and signal for Montgomery to follow me upstairs to Peter's room.We walk in silence as awkwardness fills the hallways leading up to Peter's room.I turn my head and open my mouth to try break my silence but nothing comes out causing me to turn my head forward and keep walking.Out of nowhere Montgomery blurts out”Your Names Alex right?” I turned my head in response”Yeah? You're Montgomery right?” i say sarcastically.”Call me Monty, it's less of a hassle,” he says with a smirk on his face.I roll my eyes in annoyance”so not that it's any of my business but-” “if it's not any of your business don't ask” he interrupts.
I scoff but keep walking as we reach Peter’s room grabbing the handle, turning it and pushing it open.”I don’t see any bags with you so do you wanna borrow some of my clothes?” I offered.I might not be comfortable having him in my house but i can’t be a dick about it.”a small smile forms on his face”Uh yeah thanks” he says looking at his feet.I turn around and walk to my room thinking about what could've happened to Monty to have his face looking so damaged.I reach my room walking over to the closet door opening it and picking out a random assortment of clothed crumbling them together in my hands.I walk over to Peter now Monty's room and as i'm standing in doorway i see Monty is already asleep peacefully snoring.I smile a bit and walk over to the dresser to lay the clothes down for when he wakes up.I walk back to my room and grab my phone, screen flashing in my face as i notice the time 2:47 am “guess i won't be getting any sleep tonight” I thought as i put my phone back on the dresser as i drift off to sleep.
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My alarm blares, scaring me from my slumber as I roll off the bed and land on my shoe.”Ow Shit!” i exclaimed.I hear a laugh as I turned around to see Monty 2 steps away from my doorway with a smile on his face leaning up against a wall” You okay down there Standall?” he says laughter pouring out his mouth.”Laugh like that in front of my Dad and lets see how fast he’ll throw you out”I blurt out biting my tongue as soon as the words fly out my mouth.I see his smile fade as he scoffs and walks out i sit there wondering if i took it too far with that comment especially since i don't know why my father brought him here.I shake my head pushing myself off the ground grabbing a dark blue and red striped shirt and a jacket with jeans and head out my room.
I walk to the living room greeting my mother as she plants a kiss on my cheek”Good morning Alex sweetie have you met our new guest Montgomery” she says with the sun basically beaming off her smile.I open my mouth but get cut off by Monty”Yes Ms Standall me and Alex have been acquainted after he fell out of bed this morning” he says with a smirk on his face.”So your falling out your bed now Alex?” my dad chuckles walking over to Monty and patting him on the head like a dog then makes his way hugging me and planting a kiss on my moms lips.”yeah well my alarm scared me and i almost overslept due to you bringing home a stray” i say adding extra aggression on the stray .”Alex don’t say that Monty is not a stray he’s just misunderstood with support from me your mother and even you he has potential i seen the way he is on the field he’s a natural born football player all he needs is love”
I scoffed and rolled my eyes”so he’s just a replacement for Peter?”I say.My father shakes his head”No No nobody can replace your brother but I don’t want to see potential go wasted like this” My father reassures.I cross my arms and go silent for the rest of the breakfast as my dad coaches
Monty on his skills while my mom quizzes him.I exit my house behind my dad and Monty scrolling on my phone looking through the cascade of texts from my group chat with Jessica,Justin,Clay,Hannah and Zach.I wanted to enter the conversation and tell my friends that i have a stranger peter replacement living in my house but i don't want to put Monty’s business out there especially if he’s going to liberty and becomes a football player with Justin and Zach,who knows how Bryce will treat him if he found out.I open the backseat of the car to let Monty and my dad continue their conversation it's not like they’ll notice me anyways.”Monty what classes do you got i bet Alex can help with some of them i know he’s great at math and science”.Monty turns around and grins “So your a little nerd” he says sarcastically”now Monty he’s not a nerd he’s just a natural when it comes to school its something i’ve always been proud of Alex of”.I smile a little hearing my father praise me like that he’s never acknowledged my skills and always focussed on Peters accomplishments instead of mines.
We reach the school and my father places his hand on monty’s shoulder and nods to him then turns to me grabs my head and plants a kiss on it”Have a great first day boys” my dad says with enthusiasm.We both exit the car and awkwardly walk by each others sides as i spot Justin Jessica Zach Hannah and Clay at the entrance staring at me with mixed reactions.I give a awkward wave as Justin goes in to hug Monty to all of our surprises.”Monty its good to see you brother” Justin says smiling”You finally got to become a Liberty Tiger huh”.Monty smiles while playfully pushes Justin”Yeah i'm uh doing that “program” you told me about” Monty says while rubbing the back of his neck.Justin catches on and wraps his arm around him”Guys this is Monty when me and my mom used to go through it with CPS me and him would always be paired in the same facilities”.
We all stare awkwardly mostly because Justin told Monty’s business without asking him if he wants his business out there for a bunch of strangers he just met to know.”Monty let me introduce you to Liberty High’s Star Basketball Baseball and Football Star Zach Dempsey.”Justin says while playfully shaking Zach.Zach puts his hand out for a handshake and Monty accepts as they look each other in the eye laboriously.”This Monty is my Brother Clay he saved me from my mom he saved me from Meth Seth and most importantly he saved my life” Justin says with a tear sliding down his cheek.Jessica wipes the tear from his face and reaches her hand out”Im Jess his girlfriend” she says cheerfully.Hannah sits ineptly waiting for her introduction,I take the initiative by saying “And last but not least Hannah she’s very artistic and nerdy”.Hannah jokingly punches my arm then tucks her hair behind her ear”Don't let his sarcastic demeanor fool you Alex is a big softie” Hannah says in a teasing tone.I roll my eyes”Come on before the bell rings” i say rushing everyone into the school.
I entered the first period with Jess and Hannah and sit down in the back with Hannah and Jess giggling while looking at me and whispering.”What's so funny?” i say annoyed”Sooooo What up with you and Monty” Hannah says with her bubbly laugh.I retch in disgust”Dude no my dad just picks him up to and from school now due to some transportation issues” i lie fooling Hannah but not Jess, i can tell on her face she knows i'm lying.”Hannah can you get our papers from the front” that was usually Jess’s codeword for “he’s lying i'm gonna interrogate him”.Hannah gets up and the moment she's 2 feet away Jess cracks”I know your lying about Monty i can tell he’s going through the same thing Justin went through before he met Clay”.Truthfully,I never took that into consideration and now that i have i feel guilty.I turn my head to the left and mumble”He got into a fight yesterday” Jess eyes widened”Alex you don't think he’s being-” i cut her off”Whatever it is he’s staying at my house now and my Dad’s handling it so it's nothing to worry about ok?’
Jess nods her head and turns forward as Hannah comes back and gives us our papers and returns to her seat and for the rest of class we barely speak.School goes by quickly until it reaches our last period and i see all the seats are filled up apart from the one next to Monty.I sigh loudly and walk towards my seat and reluctantly sit next to him who’s leaning back in his chair.”Aww did you not want to sit next to me Standall what happened to the Love and Support your dad said” he says mocking my fathers words.I sneer at him”You're mocking the man making sure your sorry ass isn't on the streets fighting”.Monty straights back in his chair looking at me with aggression”You dont know what your fucking talking about Standall” he says with anger behind his voice causing goosebumps to appear on my body.”I know what Justin went through so save me the bullshit-” Monty lunge his hand covering my mouth with it”Listen you don’t know what the Fuck your talking about Standall and I’d appreciate it if you dont yell my business for the world to hear it was already embarrassing that Justin would put it out there” he says removing his hand from my mouth and faces forward.
I hesitate to speak feeling bad using my Father against him knowing he possibly has nobody but him.”Just leave it alone it's none of your business and its nothing like what Justin went through” he says calmly focussing on the board now.”Listen im sorry Monty i didn’t mean to use my father against you” i say remorsefully.He lets out a faint laugh “It’s alright Standall besides you looked pretty jealous this morning anyways i guess this was just your way of getting back at me” he teases.My face turns red a bit as i playfully push him causing him to almost fall out his chair.The class ends as he starts walking in a different direction confusing me”Hey Monty my dad’s this way”.”I got football practice he said you volunteered to pick me up’ he says walking backwards then turning and walks to the field.I walk to my fathers car and open the passenger seat and start barraging him with the same question”Why would you volunteer me for pickup!”.He chuckles and places his hand on my shoulder”I think after this morning you and Monty should spend some time together besides you get to finally drive after bugging me for months since you got your license”.I want to argue back but he’s right ever since i got my license i’ve been dying to start driving and it means Monty has to answer my questions now that we’re stuck together in a car.
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Its 6:07 Monty text said practice ended at 6 sharp and i'm tired of sitting in this car wondering if i'm going to get harrassed and called a fag by the footballers.3 more minutes pass before i see Monty coming towards the car with a bag on his back and grass lingering on his head.He opens the door and immediately im hit with a wave of straight must and the moment he steps foot the car i start gagging and roll down the windows.”What do i smell that bad?” he questions looking confused by my several dramatized reactions to him stepping in the car.”Dude why didn't you use the shower room with how long you were taking you could have spared me the smell now i gotta drive hom smelling this” i yell.
He rolls his eyes and smiles”I smell bad huh” he says with a devious smirk forming on his face as he lunges his armpits in my face trapping me and forcing me to smell them.”Monty let me out it smells horrible jesus the fuck were you doing” i question as Monty lets up and returns to his seat buckling up.”Nothing just basic drills to start off the seasons” he says looking out the window as i start the engine and prepare to drive.”That Dempsey kid has mad talent i can see why you Justin was hyping him up this morning” he says with a hint of Jealousy causing me to snicker”What are you jealous of Zach?” I tease him as he turns away from me”Shut up of course you're defending your boyfriend”.I take my hand off the wheel and punch him in the arm”Zach’s my best friend so you don’t have to worry about him running your friendship with Justin” i say returning my hand to the wheel to me a turn.”So you really are a fag huh?” Monty says reeling back in laughter causing my face to turn red “So What if i am?” i blurt out causing Monty’s laughter to disappear “woah dude i was just-” i cut him off”Joking i know you seem to be full of them: i say aggressively as we reach the house causing both of us to go silent as we both open the doors and walk in.
We open the door and spot our parents laying together on the couch watching a movie.”We’re back” I shout , causing my father to look at us and put a finger to his lips signalling my mothers sleep.I mouth an apology as Monty walks past me and heads to the showers and i follow behind walking to my room sitting there for 20 minutes before i get a knock on my door.I sit up from my bed and notice Monty there wit a apologetic face”Can we talk real quick?” he says”Sure” i say unsure if i want to talk to him just yet.He walks over and nervously plays with his pants strings”I'm sorry for calling you a fag in the car I-” i interupt “Dude dont apologize it's fine i get worse shit from your friends anyways” i say laying back down.Monty shoots a confused look towards me”Friends?” he asks”The football players Mainly Bryce and formerly Justin”i say nonchalantly.”They aren't my friends those guys are assholes” he says walking over to my bed sitting next to me.”Then why do you hang around them?” i question sitting up to face him.”I mean who else would i hang around your friends seem nice but tha Jess chick scares me,Clarence and Harmony are weird,Zach and Justin mostly hang around the jocks so other then you i really have no one to be around” he says with a gentle voice.Month stretches and yawns before getting up”Well its getting late I’ll see you in the Morning Standall” he waves me off before leaving.
Night