Fired up Hate

Two happy young adults were, preparing for their third anniversary. Alex had surprised Ryder with an Apartment in Asheville the year before. So Ryder wanted to do something incredibly special this year. Ryder was more of the sporty type, while Alex was a theatre kid. Their different interest offered new challenges for the two to overcome.

"Hey Alex, I'm going to go out for a little bit," Ryder states punctually. "I'll grab my shoes and hoodie. I'm starving can, we grab something to eat," Alex Replies fondly." Baby, I just want to go by myself. But, I can get us something while we're out," Ryder states blandly. "Oh, why can't I come? I want to spend time with you, "Alex grumbled. Ryder gets up off of the couch where they were watching television in their new apartment. He grabs his keys off the counter and circles back around to the couch to kiss Alex before he leaves." I'll be back soon. Where do you want me to pick up dinner?" Alex ignores Ryder and continues to watch television. "You can text me if you decide you have a preference, " He states as he walks out the door. Ryder takes the left elevator. It's always been his favorite ever since he and Alex had their first kiss in there. 

After reaching the Parking Garage Ryder checked his phone. There were no new notifications. He felt a little bad for leaving Alex in the apartment. Ryder just wanted to make sure everything was ready for his and Alex's anniversary. He planned to drive down to Lake Vince, Rachels, and the Cakeshop. Lake Vince was where they had their first date, and Ryder wanted to decorate for their walk tomorrow. 

Rachel was a blacksmith. She was turning the first Roses that Ryder ever gave Alex into a paperweight. Rachel was Alex's best friend. They'd been in theatre together since middle school. Rachels was the first stop on the list. So Ryder tried not to worry too much about Alex on his way to her house.

Rachel had let Ryder into her house nearly immediately upon his knocking. He sat to play with her dogs Mickey and Hannah, while she got the paperweight. Ryder felt something Vibrate in his pocket. He reached for his phone immediately. Upon seeing that, it was Alex calling Ryder answered. Mickey and Hannah began to bark loudly, and Ryder couldn't understand the first things that he said. "What was that?" Ryder questioned. "Where are you that has dogs?" Alex pondered. " You're allergic to cats. I know you're not at a pet store."

"Ready," Rachel exclaimed. " Who's ready? Ryder, What are you doing? Why are you at someone's house? Are you Cheating on me?" Alex cried. Ryder had no idea how to respond. In Alex's eyes, he could see that it could look like he was cheating. But he wasn't. Rachel walked over to Ryder on the floor. "Who's on the phone," Rachel asked? "Rachel?" Alex asked. Now Ryder's contemplating just hanging up."You're cheating on me with Rachel," Alex screamed. Ryder wanted to explain that he was only grabbing something from her house. But instead, the only thing that came out was silence. Alex waited about thirty seconds before hanging up. " Why didn't you say anything?" Rachel asked. "I'd never do anything like that. Also, you'd think that Alex would know just how much you love him. You'd never cheat on him," Rachel states. Ryder stands up from off the floor. "Paperweight?" Ryder asks." Of course," She states while handing Ryder a blue and white striped white box. " Thanks, I've got to go," Ryder mumbles. 

He places the present gently in his passenger seat. Then steps on the gas on the way to the apartment. He races into the left elevator and presses the floor five-button way too many times. On the way to his room, he almost knocks over the elderly lady that lives next door. He can hear her cursing him out when he opens the door. When he looks in the apartment room, Alex isn't there. " Alex, where'd you go?" Ryder asks himself. Ryder proceeds to call Alex multiple times but doesn't get a response.  

Alex

"He thinks that if he calls me, I'll come running back to him," Alex mumbles to himself. Alex walks to the park only, six-tenths of a mile from their apartment. He has to be careful because it's so dark out. When he checks his phone, it's 2:27 AM. He's received 6 Missed Calls and 28 texts from Ryder. 

"Hey, Faggot is your strong man with you?" One of the boys on the court says. The court was only lit up, by a few overhead lights. But, Alex could recognize his voice from school. "Nah, I think he's all by himself," Another one of the boys says. Ryder taught Alex how to throw a punch last summer. But, Alex couldn't take down the four people surrounding him. "If you come any closer, I'll have no choice but to call him," Alex bluffed. The last thing he wanted to do right now was to call Ryder to rescue him. The boy behind him grabbed something from one of the other boys. Then ran in the direction of the park's bathrooms. Before Alex could blink, One of the boys Upper Cutts him. He falls backward into one of the other boys. Who proceeds to push him into one of the boy's punches. One of the boys hits him in the stomach, and Alex convulses. Once Alex hits the pavement. The boys began to kick him till the boy that ran towards the bathroom returns. " Is it done? " the main boy asks. " Yeah, it will burn real good," the boy replies. The boys grab Alex by his hoodie and pull him towards the bathroom. "Why?" Alex mumbles. "You should have thought about that before you turned one of our guys into a faggot like you," the main dude replied. Once they reached the restroom, they all walked inside. Two of the boys tied Alex up with Zipties. While the other two prepared the matches. The boys each grabbed a match and lit it, throwing it somewhere in the bathroom. The bathroom immediately caught fire due to the lighter fluid the boy had applied. Alex heard the door close behind them. The flames were making it harder and harder for Alex to breathe. Alex wanted to cry out for help but couldn't due to the smoke. When the flames reached him, they burnt off his hoodie. He could feel the intense heat. Alex thought this is going to be the way he was going to die. He only wanted to be happy with Ryder, Chilling out at their apartment. Alex heard someone whisper. He turned to see Ryder.

Ryder 

 Ryder immediately bent down and untied the zip ties. He grabbed Alex. Ryder apologized upon feeling Alex wince at the pressure applied to his new burn wounds. 

Once Alex was outside, he doubled over having a coughing fit. Ryder called 911. When the Ambulance finally arrived, they took Alex to the hospital to deal with his burns, and the Firefighters put out the fire. 

Anniversary Day(Ryder)

When Ryder first walks into Alex's hospital room, it smells like cooked meat. He has to excuse himself every once in a while to get fresh air. " How are you feeling? Do you need anything?" Ryder asks. 

"How about a kiss?" Alex replies. Ryder drops off the blue and white striped box on the chair and kisses Alex three times. "Happy Aniversary," Ryder whispers in between his kisses. " That's today?" Alex asks. "Yeah, but the only thing I need is for you to get better." Ryder grabs the blue and white striped box and hands it to Alex. " "You didn't have to get me anything," Alex states. "I got Rachel to help. Alex rips open the box to find a rose-shaped glass paperweight with rose petals inside of it. " I was going to take you to the Lake and get you a cake." Alex starts to tear up. "I'm sorry I accused you of cheating on me. I love you," Alex murmured through his tears. Ryder proceeded to kiss Alex's forehead, cheeks, and neck. I love you, beautiful.