Chapter One.5

Author's note: We thought it'd be a good idea to publish the official changes we've made to this in-development book. It'd be a fun way for readers to keep an eye on this while waiting for it to become official. Since the readers have something to do with developing this book, you should know what we decided to change up.

Changes: 1) We were debating between Third person POV or first person POV. Third person would grant you access to the twins, while first person could immerse the readers into thinking they're the MC. We decided on both. There will be separate chapter of Lian's point of view of scenes that involve him so his character is fleshed out, called ".5" chapters.

2) He has met the twins before being a student-teacher, having a history with them will highlight why he likes one twin over the other.

3) He's still shy and timid, but with a bit of dimension. We don't want him to be too innocent. (Just sprinkle of spice)

Bold-Italic means a time jump or change of location.

LIAN'S POINT OF VIEW

I can't believe it. I've finally graduated and is now on my OJT program; a 6-month internship that will guarantee a job in my chosen establishment. My single mother immigrated from China and instead of relying on a man for a green card, she worked hard to apply as a teacher to one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Not an Ivy League school, but one that only requires generations of wealth instead of intelligence; a head attached is optional.

All employees' children get a scholarship grant, so I held that scholarship to the neck even while I was getting bullied from middle school. I was determined, even if they hated me because of how I look.

Back in middle school...

"Can you even see, Miller?!"

"Open those eyes!"

"Is it like looking through mail slots—hahahahaha!"

It was all that until I got to High school. As Kpop and Kdramas became popular, the race-centered bullying dwindled. I share the same interests for girl groups. Because of the culture, I learned how to do make up and enhance my male features, embrace my "eye bag" which made some girls admire me to the point I only had female friends. They're cleaner, much more put together, unlike those stinky boys.

I started to develop a feminine personality because of the girls I surrounded myself in. I had no perverse intentions towards my sisters; my single mother taught me how to treat women well. Also... yeah, I might not be attracted to women at all. That's when the other type of bullying started.

In the school parking lot, I was hit in the head with a box of condoms once. "Miller, do you join Chelsea in getting off the football team?! Here's some balloons to help you out!"

"Did you cut off your d*ck already, you tran—" a black-grey Kawasaki Ninja suddenly hit the boys since they were in the middle of the road, and the rider only stopped after he hit two of them. "Hey—!"

"You got a problem, b*tch?" The rider opened his helmet, and that's when I saw him for the first time. Jade Deveroux, 1/2 of the gorgeous Deveroux Twins known for being flashy and rebellious. Under that helmet I know he's got heavily gelled black hair, unexposed pale skin and eyeliner surrounding his gorgeous blue eyes. I know for a fact the Kohl is to protect those blues from the sun. And he looks so good with it, like a 90's male actor who doesn't give a crap.

"N-no Jade..."

"Sorry Jade..." the boys deflated realizing who ran over them.

Jade didn't even look at me as he closed his helmet. "Keep garbage off the f*cking road, you southern trailer trashes."

I don't hear of his twin much, because his other half doesn't appear in school because he already has a job. When I became a 2nd year college still carrying the burden of being gay, that's when the twins stepped into school as first year college students. That's when I saw a crowd of girls blocking my entrance, and I got pissed because I was getting to class late.

"Oh my god he's here!"

"My love, light, and whatever's on my side table that makes me feel good!"

"DADDYYYYYYY!"

When I got pushed to the ground by squealing fangirls, that's when I landed by the feet of a charming young Jonah Deveroux, a world-renowned child actor and teen model that walked the runways and cut open hearts with that jawline and nose of his. Brown hair, clear skin, a jaw that can cut open hearts, and deep blue eyes looking down on me.

"Hey, little guy... you okay?" he helped me up, making the girls aww and admire him more. He seems to enjoy the attention, while I glared at him for calling me little. I am a good 5'8, he's just a 6'4 light pole. Besides, he's just helping me to look good in front of his fans.

"Thanks, but let go of me..." I mumbled.

"Whoa there, someone's cranky... haha. I just..." Jonah seemed to stare at me judgmentally, probably criticizing the glitter in my aegyosal. "... helped you."

"Jonah, marry me!" / "Have my children!"

"But you're a guy—" / "I said what I said!"

"You're the reason I fell down in the first place!" I pushed him away, making the girls gasp. "Don't touch me.

I huffed before pushing between the shocked girls, taking advantage of their reactions. Once I get to the entrance, I looked back at the heartthrob who is busy being comforted by concerned girls. However, his smiling eyes snap to me, and I had to turn to go to my class.

The bullying didn't stop in college. I was still closeted, but they were accusing me of either being trans, a cross dresser, or gay. Whenever I separated from my girl friends, I would get smashed against the hallway on my way to the restroom.

"Where you goin, fruitloop?" mocks David, pinning me against the locker. "Are you just pretending to be gay to go to sleepovers? If you fetch me Alyssa's panties, I might spare you from a punch or two."

I wanted to avoid him, but he kept holding me down. "David please, if you wanted to wear panties, why don't you steal your mom's?"

I got my cheeky face punched straight in the head. I fell down, my vision going dark as he knees me in the gut.

"You f*cking—"

"David!" A pair of leather dress shoes came into my view and when I look up, it was Jade who's looking down on my with eyes that didn't seem to care. "Busy running from me, Dave?"

"J-Jade..." David seemed scared, but Jade grabbed him before he could run. I was too scared to move, because to be honest Jade would also mess with guys like me.

"Don't run, Davey. It's embarrassing for you to beat up someone like you're a gangster, but you run once you saw a real deal. Didn't you fail to pay me for that little favor I did for you?"

"I'll pay you Jade, I promise—!"

Jade slams his helmet onto David's head and held it tight as he knees him multiple times in the gut, something that made my eyes widen as I kept my head against the lockers.

David fell to the ground in utter pain by the time Jade pulls the helmet off him. Jade spat out, "Promises are for p*ssies. Next time, fight someone your own size."

Jade shot a dismissive look at me before walking away, and I could finally breathe and stand up. I watched as Jade goes to his class without sparing me a glance, but internally, I was thanking him for saving me from David. I ran away, leaving the guy with broken ribs crying on the floor.

Still, I was David's favorite person to bully because I was skinny and couldn't fight much. Him and his friends won't stop with the homophobic jokes and one time they chased me through the hallways intending to lock me in the restroom once again.

"Come here, Miller! Don't you want a fist up your *ss!"

"Go get him!"

I ran through the hallways, bumping into a few students which I apologized to. But mostly, running before they could catch me.

In a far more empty part of the school because their students are in PE, I spotted a classroom that is empty and darted towards it after I turned a corner. However, I bumped into a far taller and broader figure that was on the way to exit the room I was in. David and his friends are about to turn the corner and watch me go in, but before they can see me I pushed that student back into the classroom and closed it shut.

"You're pretty strong for your size."

My heavy breathing stops upon hearing that condescending remark, and I turn to face the student I mercilessly pushed. My face contorts upon seeing: "Jonah Deveroux?"

His eyes lit up, "So you know me?"

I avoid his bright blue eyes because honestly, they blind me. "Who wouldn't? Why are you here—were you smoking? You stink."

"Actually, this is my classroom. The smoke is from Jade..." he says with a dimpled smirk. He was looking at me like I'm sort of zoo animal. "Now excuse me cutie, I have to—"

"YOU CAN'T!" I stopped him from opening the door by pinning him against it. I look up at him, silently stuck in those wide blue eyes as I hear David and his friends run past the classroom, still shouting my name. When they passed, that's when I awkwardly pulled away from him. "S-sorry..."

"Why are you running away from them?" Jonah asks with his head tilted.

"Because they're chasing me..." I shook my head, "It's fine now, I need to go—"

"Hey," this time, the school heartthrob stopped me from exiting by holding my arm back, his warm grip baking my eyes bulge out of my sockets. "I want your name. You're the prettiest man I've ever seen."

"Wh-what... you think I owe you my name after a little compliment?" He's so entitled! Just because he's rich and gorgeous, doesn't mean he can take anything from anyone and that includes me.

"You have to tell me your name..." He lifts my chin with two finger as he smirks at my lips, "I have to know who these lips belong to. Don't tell me you'll resist... men, women... they're the same. They can't resist."

That may cause girls to give him their virginity and credit cards, but not me. No, I slapped him right across the face. I wasn't strong by any means, but the sheer shock of getting slapped in the first place threw the school heartthrob'a face to the side. He stared there stunned.

"I... I'm not gay, dude. I'm not one of your girls you can just spin around, either. I hope I never see you around again."

I left him back there, but I can still feel his stare at the back of my head. I just have to deal with the strange student sun this school for a little more until I graduate. Actually, a little bit more after I graduate. I still have my OJT program.

After my graduation, I was right to think they wouldn't let me breathe. I still didn't have a teacher's uniform, so I had to wear civilian clothing which is unlike the official students' uniform. Apparently my bullies didn't get the memo that I'm no longer a student.

I was pinned to the locker while David welcomes me with garlic breath.

"You dare show your face here, Miller? We just saw you in the bar, flirting with a male teacher from here." David slammed my head against the locker. "Not only are you gay, but you're also a wh*re."

I rolled my eyes. Does talking equate to flirting now? A teacher invited me for a drink to celebrate the fact I'll be practice-teaching in this school.

"You're such a queer sl*t."

"We'll tell everyone, Miller."

"You shouldn't even show your face here."

"You're nothing but a disgusting fa—" David's friends pushed me to the ground harshly, but before I could fall, I was caught in the arm by a strong, firm hand belonging to a leathered sleeve... Jade Deveroux.

"David," he greets one of the bullies with a perfect, terrifying smile, "Did you just throw a person at me?"

"J-Jade..." the boys immediately stepped back.

"What's your name, nerd?" Jade glares me, and I widen my eyes in fear.

"L-Lian... Miller..."

"I normally wouldn't care about you bullying a nerd. Hell," Jade clutched me harshly, "I'll bully this one myself. But I really don't like seeing your faces, it reminds me of the sad little pancakes your crackhead mom bakes. You turn a gay man straight with those cargo pants."

I find himself giggling at what Jade said. It's kind of true.

"Don't laugh, nerd—you're wearing skinny jeans, you're worse than them," Jade glared at me, which made me shut up and avoid his gaze. "Give me his clearbook, David."

"H-here, man... we good?" David hands Jade the book with trembling hands, but the hunk of a man grabs the clearbook and spins it until the edge lands on David's neck, making my jaw drop. Jade Deveroux is still as violent as ever! Without letting go of me, he knees David's friend right in the crotch before slapping the clearbook across his head.

Two down, and David had to haul their *ss away along with the other one in fear of the Deveroux twin. Jade releases his grip on me and hands me the book, looking like a brave Prince Charming who just saved a peasant.

"Don't get used to this, nerd. I only did it because David snitched on my weed. Consider this a lucky day and just transfer schools." He's still as mean and cold as ever, but I can't deny he just saved me yet again.

"But... I can't..." I can't transfer schools, I work here now. But he already left, and my gaze follows him as he goes inside the classroom. I was blushing, remembering the last time he saved me from David. I thought maybe he just wanted to beat David up... but this time, he really did help me unprompted.

I found myself smiling, until I realized Jade went inside the classroom I'm assigned in. That means... the other twin is there. Jonah Deveroux! Flashbacks of us in a classroom together flooded my mind and I felt a wave of embarrassment.

I took a deep breath before I went inside the classroom, but nobody paid attention to me. Most students were talking to the handsome and popular Jonah Deveroux, while his twin Jade was in the back listening to music. This is awkward now... I know Jade is going to recognize me form the hallway, but I hope Jonah won't.

"Uhm... everyone...? Hi... uhm... this class is kind of noisy..." Nobody is paying attention to me at all, is it my height? I'm 5'10 now; though skinny, I'm pretty stylish thanks to copying Kpop idols. I did my make up minimally, I shouldn't look disgusting. I guess these students just don't care.

I just turned around to write my name on the board. "Li-An Miller"

By the time I turned around, I met Jonah's eyes, and he's no longer talking to the people around him. That lead to them looking at whatever caught his attention, which was me. Gosh, he recognizes me, doesn't he? The guy who temporarily made him hostage in his own classroom years ago and slapped him? I hope not.

"Oh, you settled down... how lovely," I clap my hand happily, trying not to get intimidated by my first class. "I am Li-An, your student teacher. Usually, your homeroom teacher should be supervising me but she's 9 months pregnant and about to go in labor, so please be sure to send her flowers."

I try to be cheerful, I try to be nice. That's how they teach us to handle kids. But I doubt these little gremlins will respect a teacher almost the same age as them... ugh, I truly wished I worked with cute kids instead of grown post-teens.

"Wow..." Jonah suddenly says, making everyone look at him. I looked at him, confused and a bit shocked. Does he recognize me? "Sorry, you're just... beautiful."

"What?" Everyone burst into whispers as I turned red from embarrassment. "Did he just—?"

"Is he serious?"

"Jonah, what the hell?"

"Sorry, uhm—uhh, thank you, Mr. Deveroux." I awkwardly smile at him, a bit pissed he embarrassed me but hey, thanks for the compliment. I copied Hu Yetao's make up in Chuang S2, I'm glad someone appreciated. Not so glad that someone is him. "Let's proceed with the election of class officers? Who are you guys electing for President?"

"I nominate Jonah Deveroux!" A girl excitedly yells out.

Jonah was zoned out until he was nudged by his classmate and he stood up, still a tall young man with way more defined muscles showing through his rolled up sleeves. "Uhh... yeah, I uhh... accept."

"Great." Maybe he doesn't remember me. "Looks like everyone has their eyes on you, Mr. Deveroux."

vote | comment |

tell us what you want to see in here!