Zealous Hearts

twenty-three

Narrator's POV

"Mr. Malik, are you paying attention?"

Phoenix's eyes were locked onto something over on the wall until the teacher slammed a textbook down on his desk.

"Holy-"

"Mr. Malik, I suggest you pay attention in this class from now on."

Phoenix held his chest where he thought that his heart was going to leap out. "Okay...good lord."

"Alright, the review is over. Time for the test. Clear your desks off."

Phoenix started to panic and he searched around frantically for his notes so that he could get one last look at them before the test. He searched through his bag and realized he forgot his folder at home.

He chewed on his pencil nervously. "Shit."

"Hey, man, you alright?"

The kid, who Phoenix knew as Mason, gave him a worried look.

Phoenix nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm fine."

His test was placed on his desk and he got started. Well, he tried to anyways. He was looking at the question, but had a difficult time actually focusing. So many things were running through his mind, and not one of them were about the test.

He had no idea what the question was about, so he guessed and moved on. It took him longer than he thought it should've to answer just one question. He drummed his fingers against the desk while nervously checking the clock.

"Hey, could you stop?"

Phoenix looked over at Mason and nodded. "Sorry."

Phoenix's head was everywhere else but his test. As much as he tried, he just couldn't focus.

"Time is up! Hand in your tests."

Phoenix sighed and handed in yet another incomplete test. When the bell rang, everyone got up except for Phoenix and Mason.

"Are you sure you're alright? You don't look so good..."

Phoenix glanced over at Mason and then got out his phone, frowning. "I told you I was fine."

Mason held his hands up and started to grab his stuff. "Alright, alright. I'll leave you alone."

Phoenix left not too long afterwards and texted Beau, telling him that he was gonna walk home from school today. He didn't want Beau to ride the bus all alone, but he just needed his time alone.

He walked home and sighed in relief when he found out his parents weren't home. He didn't want to be bothered by them.

He just shoved his face into his pillow and screamed. When he was done, he rolled over and looked at his alarm clock, checking the time.

He called Beau and bit his lip, hoping that he would answer. He needed him right now.

"Phee?" He could feel himself already starting to breathe easier after hearing Beau's beautiful voice. "Phoenix?"

"Yeah."

"Are you alright?"

Phoenix looked around his room, sighing. "I just need to hear your voice. That's all. Did anyone bother you on the bus?"

"No. I sat in the front."

"Good. I'm sorry I didn't get on the bus with you, B. I just needed a bit of alone time."

"Yeah. I completely understand."

He just stared out of the window, listening to Beau's even breathing. "I love you."

"I love you. Hey, should I come over?"

Phoenix shook his head, even though Beau couldn't see him. "Not if your parents are home."

Beau sighed in frustration. "Well, could you tell me what's wrong? I can tell something is wrong, and I can't do anything about it because I can't see you."

"There's something wrong with me, Beau. I don't know. I can't...I can't focus on anything. And it's affecting everything. I'm forgetting things and not paying attention. I'm not doing it on purpose, but...I don't know. I think I might be dying."

"You're not going to die, Phee. Stop being over dramatic. Maybe you should talk to your parents about it."

"Maybe. But my parents are so awkward about everything."

"Actually, Daddy talks extra slow, so that by the time he gets to the end of a sentence, we both forget what he's talking about. And Dad...well, I can barely understand him at times. I wish I could talk to your parents instead. They're so open about everything."

Phoenix chuckled. "You're probably right. Hey, how's school going for you?"

"Well, I'm making all A's. Except for pre-cal. That class might kill me. At this point, I don't care about my grades. Its way too stressful to keep them up."

"Hey, don't give up, alright? You're so smart. I know that you can do it."

"Thanks, daddy."

"You know how much that turns me on? Fuck."

"I know. Its because I'm a cutie."

Phoenix chuckled. "That, you are. You don't even have to try."

"I know."

"Hey, did you take your meds today?"

"Uhh...no, daddy. I'm sorry. I forgot. I'll take them right away."

Phoenix smiled. "Good boy." He held back a laugh when he heard Beau moan. "Try not to cum all over yourself, baby. My goodness, you're always horny, aren't you?"

"No."

"Right. Well I'm going to sleep, baby boy."

"Its early, daddy."

"Good. That means I'll be over early tomorrow morning to cuddle with you before we have to go to school. Goodnight, babe."

Beau sighed. "Goodnight, daddy."