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Dakota's POV

I wanted to tell Reid what was going on, but I knew he wouldn't like it. I just didn't want him to over react and end up hurting someone.

I sighed and stood up, going to the kitchen behind him. He was washing the dishes and I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"I'm sorry, Reid." I mumbled. He laughed a little, turning his head to look at me a little.

"I just want to help you Kota. I'm not hurt that you don't want to tell me, just worried." He finished washing and wiped his hands, turning around.

"I'll be okay. I'm going to take care of it, and you'll be worry free. So will I." He searched my eyes before nodding stiffly. "I just think it's better this way." He sighed and rubbed my arms.

"Okay, I respect your decision."

"Thank you."

~

I didn't sleep last night, again. Not even because I was worried about anything, but because I slept too much the day before. But, Reid was worried, and I didn't think he trusted me.

"Baby, I promise, it was because I slept too much after class." I tried to convince him.

"Dakota, I know I told you you could tell me when you're ready, but I rather you not lie to me." I sighed, starting to get aggravated.

"And I know I'm not telling you, but you should fucking trust me! Stop being so damn worried about it, I told you I slept too much! Drop it!" He glared at me, stomping off towards his class.

"Reid!" I yelled after him, but he kept going. I groaned and started towards my class.

"Hey man, see you today at the field." The captain of the baseball team told me, appearing beside me.

"Who told you I was going to be on your team?" He threw his arm around my shoulder.

"Oh come on cutie, you know you want to play with the bats and balls." I laughed but took his arm from around my shoulder.

"One, I have a boyfriend, stop flirting with me Brady. Two, you're straight. Three, I'll have to see." He laughed. He wasn't really flirting, he was simply kidding with me.

"Seriously, what is it that's keeping you from playing?" I turned and looked at him.

"A few of your players are douchebags." He raised his eyebrow, getting angry.

"They're messing with you? I'll take care of it now Dakota. I don't tolerate that."

"Thank you Brady, but as soon as you say something it'll only get worse behind your back. I'll just have to beat their asses." He laughed, then looked at me seriously.

"I'd love to have you on my team Dakota. Please, let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

"I will. I'll also consider your offer more, and you might see me at your practice later." He grinned widely.

"That's great. Thank you Dakota. I'll keep watch on those boys." I nodded and he squeezed my shoulder before leaving.

I turned around and ran into someone. I looked up seeing just the guy I was talking about.

"What the hell do you want Garret? I'm starting to think you have a crush on me." He sneered at me.

"You faggot. I'm giving you one more warning. Don't come back to my field or you'll have a replay of yesterday."

Brady showed me around the facility and I loved it. The field was beautiful and so was the locker room. I really wanted to be on the team.

"How do you like it?" He asked me, hopefully.

"I love it, honestly." He grinned widely.

"Great! Dakota, I'll give you some time, but I really hope you decide to be on the team. We could really use you, you're an amazing player and an amazing guy-"

"Hmm, sounds like you're flirting with me." He laughed and bumped my shoulder.

"Fuck you. Well, that's all there is to show. I'll go get my keys to bring you home. Just wait here." I nodded and he ran towards the locker room. Just as he did, Garret made his way out of the locker room.

He saw me and sneered.

"What're you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay away from me?" I knew him from high school, he bullied me freshman year. I have a class with him this semester and it's started up again. I try to stay as strong as possible with this tormenting, but it's hard.

But yesterday, he pushed me while Reid was there. Then, he should've known not to mess with me, but he still did.

"Brady wants me to play on the team. Aren't you excited-" I began sarcastically, but he pulled me by my shirt and slammed me into the wall. My head hit it and I winced, the pain shooting through my head.

"You have no right! I don't want a faggot on my team!" I kneed him in his balls and he doubled over, groaning.

"I don't care what you want, leave me alone." He pushed me back and glared at me.

"Stay away from me and my team. Got it?" He stomped away, just as Brady came back.

"Hey, ready to go?" I nodded and he took me home.

"If I remember correctly, you didn't do much." I smirked, smugly to him.

"Try me." He said, stepping closer.

"No, you try me." I told him, standing my ground. He sneered in my face, going to grab me by my shirt, but I pushed him back. "Leave me the fuck alone or I'll beat your ass. I've been trying to stay calm, but I can't take much more of this shit. I'm warning you."

"Or what? You'll get your boyfriend on me?" I raised my eyebrow.

"That and I'll handle you myself, you dick. Then you'll have two faggots whooping your ass. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm late for class." He stood there, surprised, as I walked away. I turned back to see him stomping away from me.

I sighed in relief. I was tired of being bullied for being gay. I just wanted to be left alone to love who I want.

I went into my class, sitting down. I remembered the fact that Reid and I had just got into an argument and I groaned.

This is way too much stress. I began to get a headache and I rubbed circles on my temples.

"You good man?" I looked to the right to me to see a guy from the baseball team. He smiled at me, he had one of those pretty boy smiles. Quite like me, but mine was absolutely perfect. His... ehh, not so much compared to me. But still nice, nonetheless.

"Yeah, thanks. Just dealing with a lot." He smiled and nodded.

"Uhh... I'm Ethan. Really hope to see you on the team." Beep beep beep. That's the sound of my gaydar going off. Not to mention, this man was checking me out, and I'm not just saying that because I'm arrogant. But, he seemed nice. I didn't think he'd try anything stupid.

"I sure hope so too." He nodded and I held my hand out. "Oh, I'm Dakota." He smiled and shook it.

"Nice to meet you." I leaned my head on my hand.

"So how many gay guys are on the team besides yourself?" He looked at me surprised. "Don't worry, it's between me and you."

"I don't know how many of us are. There will for sure be two if you come. It'd be nice to have another guy like me there. Not to mention you're out." I smiled.

"It'd be nice to not be the only gay guy there. I guess I'll go to practice today."

"Great. We could be good friends Dakota." From there, I knew he wouldn't try anything stupid.

"I think so too Ethan." He smiled and turned his attention to the professor.

The classes of the day passed by slowly as I thought of ways to keep Garret away from me. I didn't want Reid to get involved, but I knew I might just have to.

Reid got out of classes early today, so I asked him to bring me a change of clothes and my equipment to the practice facility before class ended.

I sat outside, waiting for him. He drove up after a quick five minutes. I was going to go to the window, but he got out.

"Hey." He told me, searching my face.

"Hey." I told him, rocking on my toes. He handed me the bags and I smiled. "Thank you." It was quiet for a bit.

"I'm sorry." We both said at the same time. He smiled and took my hand in his.

"I should've trusted what you said. You're right, you would've just told me that it was that." I shrugged.

"I shouldn't have gotten so mad at you so quickly." He sighed and squeezed my hand.

"It's okay. Enjoy your first day at practice babe." I grinned and leaned up to kiss him.

"Thank you." I mumbled on his lips before pressing mine against them.

We pulled back and I hit his butt.

"Alright, that's enough. I don't want to miss practice." He laughed and kissed me quickly one last time. "I love you."

"I wouldn't rather hear anyone else say that. I'll pick you up?"

"If ya wanna. Five thirty." He nodded and ruffled up my hair before going to the car. I grinned and turned, going towards the locker room. But not before I saw Garret watching me, with a disgusted look on his face.

Practice was great. I was doing better than ever to say I was new to the team. The guys were nice, and excited to have me there. All of them except for Garret.

After practice Brady patted my shoulder.

"I told you you'd fit right in! Good job Dakota. I'm glad you came today. Hope to see you at every practice from now on."

"I think you will." He grinned widely.

"Do you need a ride today?"

"No, my boyfriend is coming! Thank you." He nodded and left. I walked out of the locker room and was pushed up against the wall. "What do you want Garret?" I asked, pushing him off.

"I saw you and your disgusting boyfriend making out."

"And what? You were turned on?" His eyes widened and he punched me, making me stumble back.

"Don't you ever say anything like that to me!" I regained my balance and punched him.

"Don't put your fucking hands on me!" He pulled me by my shirt and kneed me in my stomach.

"You fucking fag! I'd kill you if I could. You're a piece of shit! You're going to hell for this!" I felt tears come to my eyes and I pushed him off, punching him as hard as I could. He fell to the ground, surprised.

"I can never have a break! I'm always targeted! For what? For loving a man? I don't understand why it makes me so horrible! To be happy. You can be happy with a woman, and it's completely fine? I'm so fucking tired of people like you. Leave me alone Garret. Please." I picked up my bag, wiping my eyes and going to the bathroom to clean my face up.

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