Ian feels he has not been blessed with good looks, and his treatment from others lends weight to these beliefs. From a child, where he is teased about his big nose, to his twenties, where his best friend, the handsome Zack, seems to get all the attention, Ian is made to feel inferior. The resulting insecurity means he won't look in a mirror unless absolutely essential.<br><br>Then one night at Zenith, the local gay club, he locks eyes with Brad. He likes what he sees, but so does Zack. As Zack approaches Brad, Ian's heart sinks. However, there is a small chance Brad will tell Zack to take a hike.<br><br>Is Ian's life about to change for the better? Will he finally get a chance at love? Or will his so-called best friend Zack ruin everything? Could Zack really be that cruel?

Ugly

“Built-in handle,” said Michael, one of Darren’s close buddies.


Ian was terrified. He knew what a group of boys in this kind of mood was capable of.


“You gotta learn to fight,” said Darren. “Especially someone with a face like yours.”


“Yeah,” said Bryan, another of Darren’s mates. “What are you gonna do when the monkey wants its arse back?”


Darren punched him, and being the wimp he was, Ian took the blow. Darren punched him again. This time, Ian punched back. The minute his fist came into contact with Darren, the other boys began raining punches down on him, knocking him to the ground, then kicking him. He could taste blood. Every part of him throbbed with pain.


In the distance, the bell to return to classes rang and the boys ran off, leaving Ian bleeding in the dirt.


Chapter 14