Laurence darted into the crowd, fighting his way to the food truck. Connor took one more long look at the surrounding people; a few people’s gazes caught on him. They recognised him without him recognising them, so it took no stretch of the imagination to figure out how they knew him. Connor’s chest squeezed in longing for Adonis, the ocean, open seas, and peaceful winds. How did he used to enjoy crowds like this? How did he find respite in the distraction and not utter madness?
Connor turned from the crowds walking toward the empty docks further out. He could walk the water line to kill some time. The food truck was only open until evening, and then they’d pack up and head home.
Yellow lights hung everywhere. The winking lights reflected off the ocean water. Connor paused, admiring the glittering effect. He imagined Adonis out there somewhere beneath the waves.
Connor wondered what Adonis would think if he borrowed scuba gear from his dad’s lab and went under the water with him? Connor would have to explain that he had to be careful with the equipment, and he’d most likely have to put up with some level of mocking from Adonis aboutneedingequipment… but he’d probably like it. And Connor would see exactly what Adonis looked like while moving underwater. A summer of exploring the colourful reefs with Adonis… how amazing would that be?
“Connor Kelly?”
Connor looked away from the ocean to the pair standing in front of him. Two adults, a man and a woman, dressed casually. He didn’t recognise them, but they’d used his full name… He sighed, no doubt in his mind about how they knew him. “Can I help you with something?” The voice that came out reflected someone done and exhausted with the world.
“I’m Alice, this is Harry. We’re journalists with the Independent.”
Connor suppressed an audible groan. Reporters. He hadn’t had to deal with any since the swift court case. He’d expected more fuss when he came home, but then again, he spent more time in his dad’s lab underwater or on the ocean. He'd been turned away the only time he’d ventured out somewhere new.
“Right,” Connor said dryly.
“We’re here to cover the festival,” Alice said in a friendly, conversational tone. “We’ve both been keeping up to date on your case… do you think that your sentencing was odd?”
Connor had read a few articles about the injustice of it all. How unbelievable it was that in this modern day that someone got away with such a blatant hate crime. His mind snagged on his very short trial; it had happened so quickly that he’d been sentenced before there was any excitement around him; the news broke after. Looking back now, he couldn’t fathom why he’d been so stubborn. Why didn’t he just tell the truth? Why was the spite he felt toward everyone used to hurt only himself? Sure, he would have gotten into trouble for fighting Peter either way, but admitting he was gay would have cleared him of the hate crime aspect.
“Sure,” Connor said, aware that he was being watched. “I’ve read all about how odd it is. I’m not doing an interview, so if you’ll excuse me—”
“We spoke to some of your classmates,” the man, Harry, said. He didn’t pretend to smile or act like he was Connor’s friend. “A few of them mentioned that Peter’s been in a lot of fights before your…spat.”
Connor snorted. He knew at least a dozen guys who would talk shit about Peter the second they got the chance. Guy had a mean streak and a habit of pointing out other people’s insecurities. Connor had never hated him, exactly. Their paths didn’t cross often, and any remark Peter dropped his way was nothing compared to what Connor used to hear from his mom. Plus, Connor had never taken anything lying down—he was far from a soft target. “I suppose everyone will think twice about picking a fight with him now, won’t they?”
“They also had a few things to say about you,” Alice added, her gaze boring into Connor’s.
He hesitated before walking away, thinking about that line. Thinking about the way Alice and Harry looked at him. Like they had an inside track, and that track didn’t make them hate his guts.
“What did they say about me?” It could just be the remarks that his teachers used to leave about him being a menace to deal with. Sharp-tongued and bristly. Or it could be something that one of his former friends let slip, finally breaking their silence.
“That you’re gay,” Harry said.
Connor blinked in surprise at his bluntness. Information that he’d been so stubborn about keeping close to his chest, and here it was in the hands of two reporters. He almost laughed. His situation wasn’t funny, but his own spiteful attitude… It hadn’t been smart to do what he did. Not to lose his temper, nor keep his silence, no matter what his lawyer advised. But he’d done it, and he’d scorned the world for believing something like that about him, even though he did nothing to defend himself.
“So, you came here to cover the festival, hoping you’d see me?” Connor asked.
“We’d like to help you.” Alice stepped forward. “The more we dig into your case, the stranger it gets.”
Connor had first attributed the rush of his sentencing to Peter’s mom pushing to get sympathy votes for her upcoming election, and the light sentencing he’d gotten to a system that wasn’t concerned about protecting members of the LGBT community. Now, his mind gravitated to Cessair, and his creeping presence in the case.
Now that Alice and Harry had interviewed his friends and someone had actually talked, letting slip about Connor’s orientation, he had no doubt that an article was on the way. No doubt Connor was about to become a sensation yet again. He’d finally found some peace and normality. The idea of going back into court rooms and meetings all over again was exhausting.
“I’m good, thanks.” Connor looked past the reporters, a tall figure catching his eye. Trevor was approaching, walking swiftly along the ocean path. As he got closer, Connor saw his frown. “And as I said, I don’t care to do an interview.”
“Everything alright here?” Trevor asked as he reached them. His broad shoulders were stiff as he stood next to Connor, his gaze sharp on the two reporters.
“It’s fine,” Connor said. He wasn’t going to stand by and let Trevor get into an argument with two reporters. Though part of him warmed that Trevor was clearly ready to have his back. “I was just coming over to you guys. Fryers still burning? I’m starved.”
Trevor’s eyes flicked to Connor, sweeping over his face. Connor guessed he was looking for signs of distress, and when he found none, his expression relaxed. “Laurence and Nick are running the place. I was just coming to check on you.”
“Well then, let’s go grab a bite. Nice meeting you two.” Connor sidestepped the reporters.
“Connor.” Alice thrust her hand out, offering a small business card. “If you want to talk, don’t hesitate to contact us. And I would advise you find a new lawyer. I can give some recommendations.”
Connor glanced at the card. He hesitated, but took it from her and put it into his pocket.
