twunderland

[twunderland]

Purple Hearts ~ Part 1

It was a cold October day at Night Raven College. Deuce Spade tucked his indigo blue hair behind his miniscule pale ears, spotting his friend Ace across the College’s cafeteria. Today was the day he would finally tell Ace that terrible secret he had been keeping . . . but would he understand? Would he even be able to forgive Deuce if he were honest with him? Only one way to find out.

Deuce approached his frenemy, “I need to tell you something.” He announced.

Ace looked up from his food and turned his full attention to his bestie.

“I’m . . .” Deuce began, “I can’t . . . I can't do this anymore, Ace!” he blurted out, unable to finish his sentence in one piece. Tears started streaming down his face.

Ace stared at his friend for a moment, confused as he took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. And then said, “What are you talking about?”

“Ace,” Deuce began once more, “I’m an emo!” he shouted. Tears sharted down his face as he looked back into Ace’s deeply autistic eyes.

Ace remained silent for a minute or two, processing what he heard. Then he spoke up, “Are you fricking serious?!” he yelled.

The students around them stopped what they were doing and turned towards the drama unfolding before them.

“Yuh.” Deuce answered. His head hung in shame. He wanted the floor to swallow him whole. Why did he let it get this far? Now everyone knew what he was. Now Ace hated him forever.

There was no point in lying now.

“You’re joking, right?!” Ace yelled again, grabbing Deuce by the arm, pulling him closer and pointing a finger accusingly at him. “If this is some sort of twisted prank, I'll kick your ass so hard you’ll see stars!”

Deuce shook his head, “I’m being serious bro!” he cried. “I’ve always known I was emo . . . I just didn’t have the courage to tell anyone until now.”

Ace took hold of Deuce's shoulders. “Is that why you buy all those monster energy drinks?!” He seethed, gesturing to Deuce's backpack full of the beverages he purchased from the campus vending machines every morning. "Just tell me the truth!"

Deuce lowered his gaze as his hands covered his face, shaking his head up and down violently.

Ace released his grip on Deuce and stepped back. “How could you do this? . . .” Ace asked quietly, sounding hurt. “How could you ruin our friendship like this?”

“I’m sorry.” Deuce cried, “I didn’t ask to be like this-”

“Don’t.” Ace blurted, cutting him off. “Just...don’t. Anything you say will only make this worse.” He looked at Deuce one last time before shaking his head and walking away, students dispersing to make way for him.

Deuce fell to his knees.