My Rival's Secret
Disdain, Part-1
It's 7'o clock in the morning.
The alarm buzzes ⏰ , cutting through the silence of the room.
Keith groans and buries his face deeper into the pillow to drown the relentless beeping of the alarm. He hates mondays and mornings. 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯𝘵?
It's not just the alarm he wants to escape, though. It's everything waiting on the other side of his bed covers- the college, the lectures, the assignments, his dad and the endless questions about what he wanted to do with his life.
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
Kai!!
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
Get up!
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
You're going to be late!
His mom's voice rings out from down the hall, sharper than the alarm. Keith sighs and squeezes his eyes tighter and mumbles.
Keith
Just five minutes more, mum...
A few minutes later, he hears footsteps coming down the hall. His sister pushes open his room's door, rolling her eyes as she marches over to his bed.
Kaya
You know mom's about to come up here herself, right?
Keith hides inside the blanket, whining.
Keith
Five more minutes... please...
Kaya
What are you? A five-year-old kid?
Keith
Go away...let me sleep...
Kaya sighs and says softly, inching closer towards his bed.
His eyes snap open. Any remnants of sleep vanish instantly. He throws the blanket off and stumbles out of bed, heart pounding. His father’s voice downstairs sounds faint, but it’s enough to make him move quickly, as if his very presence could set him off.
As Kaya waits for her twin brother by the door patiently. Keith finishes dressing and heads out of the room. She looks at him with concern in her eyes.
Keith
What're you sorry for, silly? It's not your fault if I'm-
Kaya interrupts him before he can finish demeaning himself. Her tone firm, but gentle
Kaya
It's not your fault, you know that right?
Keith slows down his pace, his face darkening as he looks down, his eyes clouded with frustration and exhaustion.
Keith
I don't know...it just feels like it sometimes...
Keith
Like everything's always a mess...and dad-
Kaya
You're not the one with the problem— he is.
Keith
Do I not disgust you?
Kaya looks at him in disbelief, her expression softening.
Kaya
For being who you are?
Kaya
Kai... you're not broken, you're okay.
Kaya
And that's all that matters. Don't let What dad says get to your head.
Keith's shoulders relax a little, though a faint sadness lingers in his eyes as he looks away, his voice soft and hesitant.
Keith
I might not have survived all of this if not for you being there for me every time...
Kaya
You're welcome but...
Kaya
I can't save you and me if we're any later than we already are for breakfast.
Keith looks at his watch and hurries to the hall following his sister quietly.
Disdain, Part-2
They both reach the dining hall. Kaya looks at Keith and gives him a reassuring smile before pushing the door open. He hesitantly moves in, dread evident on his face, trying to avoid his father's gaze.
His father, sitting at the table, speaks coldly, without looking up from his paper.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Finally decided to grace us with your presence.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Thought you would be hiding upstairs, under your bed avoiding reality like usual.
Keith settles down on the dining table, far away from Travis.
Keith
Good m-morning, dad...
Amelia smiles radiantly at her son and sets his plate on the table.
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
Morning to you too, my sunshine
Mr. Travis Anderson
more like an eclipse.
Travis scoffs and focuses on his tablet, reading some work related documents, making Amelia sigh.
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
Can we just have a calm breakfast for once?
Mr. Travis Anderson
Blame it on your precious son, Ami. If it wasn't for his unusual preferences-
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
He's your son too! And there's nothing wrong with his preferences
Travis snaps at her making her flinch.
Mr. Travis Anderson
This is all your fault!
Mr. Travis Anderson
Maybe if you hadn't spoiled him, he wouldn't be 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺!
Travis looks in Keith's direction, pointing a finger on his face.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Are you not ashamed of yourself?
Keith lowers his head. This has become a regular thing for him. He used to apologize and try to make his father understand — that being gay didn’t mean he had failed Travis, that he could still achieve everything, or at least try. But now, he just stared at his food, wishing he could leave the table as soon as possible.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Look at me when I'm talking to you!
Mr. Travis Anderson
Where did I go wrong?
Mr. Travis Anderson
After everything I have done for you...the least you can do is grow up as a man!
Kaya looks at her father and speaks gently to shift his attention away from Keith.
Travis scoffs and ignores her. His gaze and words piercing through Keith's heart.
Mr. Travis Anderson
You think anyone's going to tolerate this...𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘦 of yours?
Mr. Travis Anderson
You're throwing away everything I have built for you!
Keith sets the fork down with his trembling hands not able to take a bite of the food from the plate, tears gather in his eyes.
Amelia looks at Travis and says, almost pleadingly,
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
Please, Travis...
Mrs. Amelia Anderson
Just...stop. Haven't you done enough damage ?
Travis turns to Amelia, his anger shifting on her.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Don't you dare! You think it's easy for me?
Mr. Travis Anderson
You think I want to cause damage to him? He's my blood! I know what's best for him.
Mr. Travis Anderson
And maybe if you had raised him properly, we wouldn't be sitting here, looking at this...
Mr. Travis Anderson
this...mess
Kaya slams her fork on the table and stands up, making Travis clench his jaw, she reaches for Keith and grabs his arm, guiding him out of the dining room.
Kaya
Let's go, we're getting late.
Travis’s jaw tightens as he watches them leave.
Mr. Travis Anderson
That's right, walk away.
Mr. Travis Anderson
Keep running from what's wrong with you.
Keith's chest tightens as he follows Kaya out of the dining room, every step feeling heavier as his father's words echo in his mind.
Amelia’s lips tremble. She glances at Travis briefly, her eyes filled with quiet disappointment, "This isn’t the father you promised you’d be.” She gets up and leaves, making Travis groan with frustration.
Kaya stops in the hallway, her face filled with quiet anger and sadness.
Kaya
I'm sorry... I'm so sorry Kai...
Kaya
You shouldn't have to go through with this...
Keith speaks, his voice trembling, struggling to keep his composure.
Keith
Thanks... for being there...
Keith
I just...i don't know how much longer I can keep doing this...
Keith
𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴...it just...it feels like something inside me is breaking.
He clutches his chest, taking a shaky breath.
Keith
My chest...it hurts so much...
Keith
It hurts with every breath I take...
Kaya pulls him into a hug, and he doesn't resist, his shoulders shaking as he finally lets go, the tears streaming down his face.
He whispers as his voice cracks.
Keith
It just...it hurts so much, Kaya
Keith
I don't know how to make it stop.
Kaya holds him tighter, her own eyes filling with tears as she gently rubs his back, doing everything she can to keep him from falling apart completely.
Kaya
Shh...it's ok. I'm here.
Kaya
I've got you. You're not alone, no matter what dad says...
She wipes his tears. Her soft voice breaks slightly.
Kaya
I know it hurts—I know...
Kaya
And you know, you're strong...
Kaya
You're brave and kind...you're exactly who you're meant to be...
Keith's breathing slows just a little as her words reach him. He just nods at his sister as tears keep trickling down his face.
Kaya cups his face in her hands gently.
Kaya
And I'll keep reminding you, as many times as you need to hear.
Unhinged, Part-1
Kaya glances at Keith with concern as they arrive at the college building.
She nudges gently, pulling him out of his thoughts. When he finally looks at her, she asks softly,
Keith forces a small smile.
Kaya studies his face and sighs, deciding not to press him further.
Kaya
If you say so...you know you can tell me anything, right?
Keith
I know... don't worry about me.
Keith
You're getting late, by the way.
Kaya checks her phone for time and runs towards her class building, but then stops, glancing back at Keith with a smile, trying to lighten up his mood.
Kaya
Don't let dad ruin our whole day, Kai!
Kaya
Let's go eat after the class ends!
Kaya
Also bring those two morons with you!
Kaya
And don't overthink! Text me if you need me!
Keith
Ugh- just go away! You're late!
Kaya grins at him and with that she's off, hurrying inside the building.
Keith
She's so annoying sometimes...
Keith shakes his head and smiles slightly to himself, watching her go. he turns and heads towards his classroom.
As he enters the classroom, he spots his friends, 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 and 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲, already settled in. Oliver waves him over with a grin.
Oliver
Look who finally decided to show up!
Oliver
Thought you had bailed on us.
Keith rolls his eyes, settling into the seat next to them.
Keith
Trust me, I thought about it.
Henry notices Keith's red puffy eyes.
Oliver
Looks like he showed up after a good cry.
Keith
Just didn't get a good sleep, that's why...and I'm fine
Henry
Your eyes aren't agreeing to your excuse.
Oliver
Or maybe you are just aiming for a 𝘝𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤 look?
Oliver
Your red eyes totally give it away.
Oliver
That can't happen. Either you tell us what happened or watch me eat your ears. Decision is yours
Keith sighs making Oliver shrug.
He speaks in a small and vulnerable voice.
Keith just hums in response, his shoulders slumping as he leans over the desk, a gloomy expression settling on his face.
Oliver and Henry exchange a look, patting his back reassuringly.
Henry
It'll be okay, man. Just hang in there, you know?
Oliver
We should get your dad a hobby, like...... relaxing.
Oliver
Somewhere—far, far away.
Henry sighs, not minding his annoying friend's joke for the first time.
Henry
I guess I'll agree on this.
Keith
Seriously Henry...you too now?
Oliver grins, leaning in with a smirk on his face.
Oliver
We can tell him that he's promoted to 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦 𝘙𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘕𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘵 and his only duty is to leave you alone.
Oliver
Or maybe we can sign him up for a 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱. Imagine him meditating in the mountains.
Henry
As if that will work.
Oliver
Who knows—he might come back all zen, like, "𝙉𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚, 𝙨𝙤𝙣"
Keith lets out a small laugh. Henry's lips twitch in a faint smile at Oliver's deadpan jokes.
Keith
That would be a sight.
Henry
I'm all up for your mom's reaction if this camp thing ever gets real.
Keith
She'll probably think he's possessed by some ghost.
Oliver grins, his voice takes an exaggerated, high-pitched tone as he mimics Mrs. Anderson.
Oliver
She'll be like—"Who are you? and what have you done to my loud, mean husband ??"
Oliver
And bam— Next thing you know, he'll be hosting a yoga class in the living room chanting namaste to your dog.
Keith can't help but laugh, shaking head at his friend's antics.
Henry
I can't picture your dad trying to meditate. He'll end up yelling at the sand for not being in the right spot.
Oliver smiles proudly at his own performance as Keith chuckles at the ridiculous mental image of his dad trying to meditate.
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