Page 6 of His Untoward Hate

“You know I don’t like it when people don’t follow me, yes?”

Jude struggled to keep his balance and was out of breath, yet he made sure all the things in his hands were safe.

“Y-es,” he answered.

“Then why came to me late?” Sky let go of his collar. “Huh? Tell me.” He poked his forehead with his index finger, making him step back this time.

Jude stared at the things in his hands. There was a second of silence, but it felt like an hour. Sky took a step forward, closing the gap between Jude’s face and his.

“Why are you late this time?” he asked. “Speak!” Sky snarled, making Jude almost jump off the ground.

Some of Sky’s saliva sprinkled on his face. The scent of the cigarette from his mouth fanned his face, sending a wave of allergens into his nostrils. He forced his sneeze to stay grounded. Moreover, Jude’s mouth went dry. He could hear his throat as he swallowed.

“I w-asn’t able to wake up to my alarm clock. I s-tayed v-ery late f-inishi—,”

“Then why the fuck did you sleep?” Sky cut him off. “Don’t spill your unreasonable reasons to me, faggot.” Sky said as he pushed Jude on his chest, making him step back once again.

“You do this next time, and I will kill you,” Sky warned sternly, leaving Jude speechless. “Give them to me now,” Sky said, referring to the schoolwork.

Jude obeyed immediately and passed each item with shaking hands. All of that was done without daring to meet his eyes.

Jude handed over the work for his exhibition first. Next was the essay paper, which already had a new sliding folder, followed by a plain white folder containing his science research, a proposal paper, and lastly, a large notebook filled with his Calculus assignment. Once everything was handed over, Jude found himself with the habit of clasping his hands together, anxiously pinching his fingers, and digging some dirt into his nails.

“If you come to me late next time, prepare some Advil and painkiller patches because I’ll make you a punching bag hanging on one of these trees for my workout,” Sky instructed, and with that, he left.

Jude let out a relieved sigh. He was aware that Sky would not just leave without hurting him. Today, it was different. Sky simply left.

Later that day, Jude heard that Sky had not even participated in the exhibition. And when Jude was about to go out from the school gate after his last class, with his own eyes, he saw the artwork he had spent hours making tossed into the trash.

That was when it became clear. Sky had never cared about any of it. He had always been like that ever since. It had all been for one purpose—to make Jude suffer. And somehow, Jude had been foolish enough to think Sky might take academics seriously, at least in their last year of high school.

3

Jude’s junior and senior high school years had always felt painfully staggering, as though time itself moved at a snail’s pace. The more he longed for it all to end, the more it seemed to take forever. Still, when he woke up that morning, he felt an unfamiliar sense of gratitude. They finally started the first week of the second semester. This only meant he was one step closer to leaving everything behind and finally pursuing college in another institution, hopefully one where nobody could recognize him. The thought alone filled him with great anticipation. Soon, there would be no more bullying. Soon, he would have the freedom to make his own choices. Soon, he would express himself openly without fear. Soon, hopefully, slowly step out of the shell he built around himself for a very long time.

Jude longed to study in an environment where excellence thrived without cruelty, where competition inspired rather than suffocated. He wanted to be surrounded by people who valued meaningful conversations, who challenged and understood him. Perhaps he might even find friends. Real ones.

Above all, more than anything, he could not wait to leave Sky Granger behind. The person he despised the most, someone who had brought nothing but misery into his life. The thought of never seeing him again felt like a promise of peace and a haven of more positive possibilities. He also dreamt of independence, living on his own, away from a place he never truly considered home. For him, it was nothing more than a house filled with an unloving family. Surely, he would miss his room more than anything.

Soon. Just a little longer. Endure a little more, and everything will finally be over. He mentally encouraged himself.

Hopefully, all these things he thought and planned about would happen in the future, and if they did, he hoped it would not be too late.

Jude snapped out of his thoughts as he wiped a drop of sweat cascading from his forehead. He only walked from their house to school because he missed the bus. Thankfully, as he had expected, the rain stayed behind the clouds today. The weather was fine, and he hoped it would stay that way for the rest of the day.

Jude continued walking through the school’s lobby, only to see numerous students jostling impatiently, tiptoeing assiduously, and craning their necks like giraffes to see what was on the bulletin board. He tried to keep his head down while his hands tightly gripped the straps of his backpack, heading toward them, wanting to know what the announcement was as well, though he already had an idea about this familiar commotion.

Jude halted in his tracks when he saw Jasper emerging from the crowd of students. Jasper’s eyes landed directly on Jude when he came out. Jude released a sheepish smile when he met Jasper’s dark eyes with flecks of gold. He was like a glacier calving under his gaze. Jasper strode toward him with his hands shoved in his pockets, smoking cool and handsome. His hair was neatly cut in a modern pompadour, and he looked good in his uniform, which did not seem to be crumpled. Jude believed he was perfect in all aspects, from his body to his clothes, and deeper into his soul. He was Jasper Granger after all: very handsome, tidy, organized, composed, always fresh, and with a sense of pride. Jude could even smell his sweat wafting in the air, which stank to his nose like perfume.

Jude felt like he was hallucinating when he saw the sides of his lips break into a smile, but despite this, his cheeks immediately burned at the illusion.

What does this man do to me? Why is he affecting me this much? Jude thought to himself.

Jude blinked several times when Jasper smiled at him, and this time it was very clear that he almost fainted. He noticed some of the students’ eyes gazing upon them. Some were throwing glares, envious eyes, and casual stares. The crowd knew their silent competition over academics. It had been going on for many years now. But for Jude, he was not competing with anyone. He did not consider Jasper a competition but rather the love of his life.

Jasper was one of the famous students at Lindaville University. As much as Jude did not want to share him with anyone, many of the girls, bisexuals, and gays were drooling over him, and somehow, Jude did not like the attention he was getting. He wanted Jasper to be his.

All his.