Date: Sun, 16 Apr 2017 20:09:31 +0000
From: Danny writing <danny2017writing@outlook.com>
Subject: Even If We Tried - Part 8

The regular warnings apply as always, and please do consider
a little charity for nifty's awesome service.

Feedback would be very appreciated, if you would like to send
me an email. I'd love to hear everyone's opinion as all
feedback is read; and I do try and reply to all of them also.

I wish to apologize for missing the weekly deadline. I have
been super busy, and have been suffering with adrenal fatigue.
But just to put it out there, I do intend on finishing this
story by the summer; so, I'm still writing.

I wish to thank all the fellow readers for sticking with me
and the couple of good friends I have made.

I want to say a particular thank you to hunter, the writer of
Open Hearts. He is an amazing writer and friend; so, thank you
for the help and feedback. Do check out his amazing story.

Please don't alter or reproduce my work without first
contacting me.

If anyone is interested there is a soundtrack for every
chapter I have written of the story. The songs below are the
songs I used while writing this chapter. In order of the
scenes; I have included ***** in the story where each segment
of the music ends and the new music begins.

*****Sam & Austin *****

This Town by Niall Horan
Only You by Selena Gomez
Seven Billion Smiles by Reed Deming

*****Ethan & Sam*****

The Truth by Fernando Val zquez
Campfire by John Hopkins


In The Last Chapter: The warm effects of Austin has really
taken its toll on Sam. He enjoyed a peaceful and loving night
out on the town with Austin. Secretly he is falling in love,
yet disaster still looms and is fresh on his mind. Could this
be the chapter that wedges a far harbour between both of Sam's
worlds? Keep reading to find.

Even If We Tried - part 8

*****Sam & Austin*****

The bright and blinding light poured through the narrow slits
of the venetian blinds, and was a harsh assault on my
eyesight. I felt the rays burn my eyes as I tried to open
them; I also felt the warmth that was being provided by the
rays on my arm. Sometime during the night, I must have gotten
to warm and ditched my shirt on the floor as I was only
wearing my t-shirt now. The room was quite stuffy, and in
attempt to air out the room and fix the lack of oxygen. I
fumbled with the handle on the window and made such a racket
as I reached through the narrow opening in the blinds to open
the window and pushed it out a little.

Sighing and breathing in the warm room contents and the
partial fresh air now coming from the open window, I looked
around my room a little baffled daze. I was trying to make
sense of my surroundings and to answer my curious thoughts; of
why I was sleeping on the window seat. I guess my train of
thought was dropped on its head when I seen Austin asleep in
my bed. All the encountered memories of last night flooded my
brain and my thoughts became very muddled and noisy. He was
asleep in my bed, I blinked. This cannot be a dream, is it? I
questioned myself. I evaluated the probability and the odds
that this was in fact a dream, but I could not bring myself to
try and pinch my arm to make it end. Why would I, he's so
dreamy; And cute just lying there. He lay in the same position
as he had before he decided to move last night when I was
drawing him. Facing the underside of the bed, his hair was a
little messed up from the possible tossing and turning he had
done thoughtout the night. I found myself fan-girling for a
second, he has bed head. "Oh that's, totally adorable." I
found myself becoming more and more infatuated by his
presence. I remembered everything now. I remembered sneaking
out to meet him. I remembered holding hands with him; I
remembered feeling my heart drop when he fell. I remembered
playing doctor, to my injured cutie.

Last night was not a blur at all; It all still felt so fresh
in my mind. His adorable little gestures; His laughing, his
burping and his smile. His laugh; his laugh was contagious.
Just like when you feel the sudden urge to kiss him, his laugh
does the same thing to me. I just feel like kissing him when
laughs and smiles. I craved the exciting little world his eyes
would bring when he was awake. He looked so peaceful and at
ease. His little scar above his eyebrow and his nonchalant
face, everything was perfect. I would have had to admit, I
would have loved to lean over and kiss him. I could only
imagine him wakening up as; I kissed him and those expressing
eyes just looking across at me to make the next move.

The smell in the air was not just my own body odor; It had a
subtle smell to this time. Almost like strawberries. I liked
the new smell; looking across at the sleeping Austin. I felt
my heart beat in my chest faster and I just wanted to wake him
up. To make him laugh, and make him smile. I wanted to feel
those butterflies take flight in my stomach, like he always
would make me do. I wanted to feel nervous, suddenly. Because
in everything I felt; I was myself when I was nervous around
him. I felt home for some odd reason, it gave the illusion I
had a safe place to retreat to. As much as I wanted to wake
him, I just couldn't. He had to sleep, he was just to adorable
to wake up either. "God; what's wrong with me, all these mushy
feelings are emotionally draining and so good, all at the same
time." I questioned myself. I felt and heard a slight grumble
in my stomach. Placing my hand over my stomach in
acknowledgement; I shifted my position on the cushioned window
ledge and my journal slid off the end and onto the floor
making a loud clunk as it hit the floor. Austin didn't wake
up, and as proof I looked up in haste to make sure I did not
disturb him. Sighing out of relief I was glad that he didn't
wake up. Looking back down to the journal on the floor.

I scooped low and gripped it; Leaning back up against the
cushions behind my back. I rested back; I could feel my neck
developing a crick from the awkward sleeping position I slept
last night. "Last night, must have definitely happened I
assured myself. It was kinda magical I admitted." I was
distraught for a moment when Austin tossed the blanket I had
placed over him last night off onto the floor and turned back
facing me with a sigh as he turned. He was still dressed, like
he had been last night. His cute shirt and black skinny jeans.
He had lost his shoes to the floor and black leather jacket
also. After a moment of ruffling he settled back into his
sleep and relaxed. Smiling at him, I opened my journal and
flicked through the pages, admiring my previous drawings. I
was kind of neglecting them I thought sadly; and the world I
said I was going to create. But With all the pressures and
demands of school I just couldn't bring myself to pick up the
pencil lately." But I guess it all made up for it with Austin
ten times over. His drawings were the best ones I had ever
produced. I knew that much; for sure. Looking at the sketch of
Austin, I placed my hand beside his left cheek in the journal
and admired the finished drawing. Looking over at the real
Austin, I compared the level of detail between the both of
them. I was happy with the finished version; but of course,
the real miracle was indescribable.

Realising I needed to relieve my bladder, I nudged the
blankets off me gently and quietly; while placing the journal
down on the spot I was sitting and toddled to the bathroom.
Wiping the sleep away from my eyes, I pushed the door opened
and pushed it closed slight so that it was still ajar and
walked the small distance to the toilet bowl. Hooking my thumb
into my belt buckle, I undid it and unzipped my trousers and
hooked my thumb into the waistband of my underwear and pulled
down with one hand. Taking my flaccid boyhood, in my spare
hand I aimed it at the back of the toilet and started to
relieve myself. Once I was finished I zipped everything
backup. I then flushed the toilet and then washed my hands and
headed back out the small opening in the bathroom door by
turning sideways and slipping through it.

Austin was still asleep in the bed; In that moment I felt I
wanted to be with him; rational thought was no more, I wanted
to be close to him. It was the first time I had ever really
felt this emotion. I did not know what to think of it, but all
I knew is that I wanted to be close to him. It was innocent. I
didn't have any other thoughts other than to be beside him for
comfort. Slowly walking to the bed, I felt nervous. I didn't
want to wake him, but I was not sure if I should precede; but
non-the less I did. Crawling as slowly and as gently as I
could I lay flat on my back behind Austin in the space he was
not occupying. Looking up at the land mattress in front of me,
I placed my hand over my heart and I could clearly feel it
pounding in my chest. I didn't dare move any further. This was
as far as I could go for now.

I got such a fright when Austin turned over suddenly and
draped him arm over my chest and his head slid into my shoulder
and the side of my chest. He woke up suddenly with surprise as
he lifted his messy bed head up from my shoulder. He looked
totally kissable in that moment; but of course, I chickened
out. He squinted to see and opened one of his eyes. Surveying
his location, he seemed content, when he looked up at me and
smiled when he caught sight of me. Those gorgeous eyes. They
were both open now and so full of life and mystery. He stat up
a little but didn't move his arm or leave his position. He
just looked at me with this innocent look about him. "Good
morning." He whispered and groaned softly while he stretched a
little.

Chuckling a little I said softly "Morning; Adventure boy." He
blushed slightly before he placed him head back down on my
chest and sighed in a relaxed way. I placed my head back on
the pillow behind my head and looked up at the lattes both
blushing and smiling while he lay across my chest. It was such
a sweet moment, everything was peaceful and I was enjoying the
heat radiating from Austin pressed against my side.

He broke the silence after a couple of minutes with a soft
murmur. "This is nice."
I felt all these warm feelings compress my chest and my arm
that was being crushed by Austin was getting pins and needles.
I was so glad that I had made this decision to lay beside him.
I could feel his small inhales and exhales as he breathed in
and out.

"Austin" I said softly, just like that he lifted his head as
quick as I said it. He was looking at me with those puppy
eyes. That's when knew I had to tell him how I felt.

"I... "I trailed off. "I really like you." I said softly and in
a composed way. My heart was racing and I was a nervous wreck.
But he was still clinging to my side. Nobody has ever held me
this way. This was a first for me. The last time someone held
me anything as close to this was my mom; and that was more of
a gentle hug. I could still recall a particular time that she
held me close, not long after my dad had walked out on us. But
this was different though.
I never imagined it would feel as great as this, love I guess.
Was I in love; I asked my underage brain. If this is what love
feels like, then I want it to last as long as possible.
I've never been this close to one of my friends, not even
Ethan. I have given him a hug, yes. But not like this. I think
it would feel wrong with one of my friends; it feels right to
be lying here with Austin.

I felt the small trembles of Austin chuckle as he tried to
control himself. "I REALLY REALLY like you." Austin said with
a softness to it.

I wanted to kiss him so bad that I thought about asking him.
He was just being too cute. I can't keep holding out. "Can I
kiss you?" I asked to make sure that's what he wanted. He gave
me a knowing coy smile and with that I leaned in and kiss him
gently on the lips. It was short a sweat, and like that it was
over and I felt a little disappointed that it hadn't lasted
longer.

He then scooched back down and placed his head back on my
shoulder and became a little panicky as if he wanted to get
something of his chest. I was glad when he said "Can I tell my
real story." in a soothing and sweet voice.

I breathed out lovingly and lifted my head slightly to look at
him. "I'd love to hear your story." I mentioned in a confident
way and lay back down as he pondered where to start.

"Well... It started about a year before I moved here. My family
has been saying that we moved because of my dad's work. But
that's not the real reason. I moved... I mean we moved, to
protect me. I liked this guy at my school, he was in my social
circle. He was one of my friends. Anyway, I came out to my
friends and I lost a couple of them; but he was one of them
that stuck by me, when most of them had walked away. I started
to slowly develop feelings for him. And I told him one day
when we were hiking; that I liked him. He said cool, but
didn't really dig into much that day. I remember a week later,
he had a pool party and afterwards I ended up kissing him. I
thought he was giving me signals but I guess I didn't
understand. That's when he pushed me away, and got mad. I
tried apologising. But before I could do anything he had
everyone at the party aware that I had kissed him. I ended up
leaving embarrassed. By the next week, everyone knew. It
started off with slurs and insults. But it started to become
physical; with shoving and pushing. This boy started hanging
around with a group and he confronted me day after P.E. I
couldn't exactly go anywhere, so I tried to talk reason. But
he would not have any of it. Instead that day I came home with
a black eye. That's when my mom took action and went to the
school. The school dismissed the problem; but the bullying
didn't stop. It wasn't as physical but it was still
persistent. About eight months into the bullying both in and
outside of school. I asked my mom for help because I was
feeling very low, and here we are now. I don't want you to get
hurt Sam. Because of me; So, I understand if we need to go our
separate ways."

He sniffled a little bit as he clued me in on a big part of
his life; He also resorted to drawing circles on my chest out
of nervousness. I felt my heart really sinking. Before I could
do anything, I could feel my eyes watering up. I wasn't going
to leave him, I felt his pain and his story was defiantly
disheartening.  "I'm sorry." I gravely said. "You are a very
special person to me; I admire you for that. Whoever you
choose to give your love and energy to, should be grateful."

"I'm grateful; I'll always be listening, to anything. Anything
you ever want to say." I stated kindly and appreciative. He
softly then just curled into me and held me tighter, and I
felt good to be a trusted person in his life. I knew I had to
live up to that name. I had to make changes. I guess I made
him feel safe; as did he make me feel safe.

I was about to close my eyes feeling so relaxed and all. But
Austin sat up and started kicking his legs like a giddy child
would. Looking down at him in a baffled manor. He asked in a
hurried way. "Can I use the bathroom."

'Did he really just ask me to use the toilet I found myself
thinking. I guess it was not different than me asking to kiss
him; so, I guess it wasn't a big deal.'

Pointing at the ajar door I smiled and said softly. "Sure; you
know where it is."
After that I watched as he navigated towards the ensuite and
closed behind him.
I smiled and shifted my head towards to natural sunlight that
was coming from the window and the gentle fresh breeze that
accompanied it. The room was not humid anymore and I could
finally breath. I was smiling over nothing at all, I guess "I
was doofus" just looking out the window from my bed as the
rays warmed my skin. Lifting my arm up I inspected my forearm
and its small fuzz of soft hairs. it got me thinking; was
Austin naturally tanned all around or was it just his exposed
skin to the daylight. It made me wonder; either way I could
only imagine that he was beautiful regardless of what skin
colour he had beneath his layers of clothing. I looked over at
my alarm clock and seen that it was 8:02 am. and decided it
was time to get Austin on his way; as much as it pained me to
say it and see him go. I didn't want him getting into trouble.
With that I slid off the messed up bed and started picking up
small articles of clothing that I had pushed under the bed and
out of the way last night.

When Austin reappeared; He smiled at me as he stood in the
door frame, and coyly passed by me as I entered the bathroom
with the dirty laundry. His messy hair, and cheeky smile was a
perfect dosage of adorable for this time of morning. Dropping
the laundry into the basket.
I heard Austin say from the next room that he thought he
should go home. Looking back out into the bedroom I seen
Austin smiling as he lost himself while putting his shoes back
on. Slipping into the door frame, I smiled as he pulled on his
jacket and tried to flatten down his messy hair and little
that dangled and emerged from his head. "I'll Leave it." He
scolded himself when he couldn't to get it to settle down,
which was funny and with that he was ready to leave. I didn't
want him to leave, this whole little world was perfect, nobody
was there to invade us or tell us that us being that close was
gross. Looking down at the ground with a saddened gaze. He
said that he'd call me and that made it all that much better;
I was going to ask when, but I refrained from asking as it
would probably make me look needy.

Closing the distance between us I met him at the bottom of my
bed and just stared at him. Lifting my hand up to his face, I
held his right cheek and placed my finger around the back of
his head and my palm gently grazed his cheek.

"I'll miss you." I admitted looking deeply into his eyes and
then leaned in for a kiss as I let go of his cheek and drop my
arm to my side and pressed in. I had to slightly stand on my
tippy toes to be level with him. I wanted it to feel magical,
but that wasn't the case; I was more nervous about trying to
look cute or be cute. I was too busy trying to make him happy
then resorting to my own desires. After the kiss broke I felt
disheartened that it had broken; because I was only getting
into the mood of it when he decided to stop.

He smiled and started for the door "I'll miss you more..." He
offered gently. I quietly followed him as he opened the
bedroom door and started the decent down the stairs and zoomed
through the kitchen and opened out the patio door. Closing the
patio door behind me, I watched as he clenched onto his bike
and started wheeling it towards the side entrance.

Following closely like a lost puppy; I walked him to the curb
where he got on the bike and looked both ways before he pushed
out onto the street. Watching him pedal away, he stood up on
the bike to give a wave as he as he pushed forwarded and
slowly disappeared into the endless road that was still quiet,
white flakes of sun coming through the trees and the sounds of
birds chirping.

Heading back inside; I closed the patio door gently as to make
it appear nobody was awake. I then fumbled to the fridge,
rubbing my stomach from the hunger that was growing stronger.
It was only then that I thought that Austin didn't have
anything to eat. 'Damn it, I frowned to myself. Why didn't I
think of this when he was here, did that make me a terrible
person for not giving him something to eat. I should have
offered him some food.' Grabbing the glass nutella jar. I
placed it on the counter beside the cooker and shut the fridge
door and opened the cupboard that was hanging from the
ceiling. Looking for the white bread, I noticed it on the
second shelve and reached for the plastic packaging and pulled
it down by its plastic tassel. Shutting the cupboard doors, I
dragged both of the contents from the counter to the breakfast
bar. Digging into the top drawer under the countertop I fished
out a butter knife and then took a seat on the stool as I
heard the clunk from the drawer close as the cutlery rattled
from the force of the drawer closing.

Unscrewing the white lid, I dropped it on the counter and
watched it bounce to an abrupt stop. Picking up the butter
knife I scooped a large amount of chocolate spread onto the
knife. It was clearly too much; but I was not phased, because
it was chocolate.  Freeing the bread from its packaging with
my free hand; I placed a slice on the counter in front of me
as the small little crumb partials sprinkled around the
vicinity of the surface around the bread; and I started to
apply a firm hand in applying the delicious chocolate coat to
the bread.

After putting chocolate on three slices, I picked up the first
one and smelt it; The deep chocolate smelled so good and with
that I took my first chunk out of the bread and started
munching away devouring the delicious snack. Heading back
upstairs, I cleaned my mess up from the kitchen and found my
way back to my bedroom closing the door behind me. Leaping for
my bed I sprawled out at the comfort and pulled on the pillows
from behind me head a placed it at my side where Austin would
have been lying, I did miss his touch and his closeness
already and that was saddening. I ended up dosing off thinking
of Austin with a cushion clutched close to my side.

*****Ethan & Sam*****

A little while later I was woken up by my mom who was all
praise. I was a little confused as to why there was an
overdrive of it all of a sudden. But as quick as she blurted
the news out. I could not keep up with her. Asking her to
"Explain it again" She did so without thinking much into and
said that the coaches from Lacrosse and Baseball called and
said that I had made both the teams. "Oh" was all I could
bring myself to say. I had not planned on getting both, sports
but here It was non-the less. I guess I was happy a little
that I was selected out of the possible hundreds that wanted
to play; so, I guess I should try and at least look happy to
be picked. I wondered if Ethan had gotten picked to, and I
also wondered who were my team members. I didn't want to wait
that long, the anticipation would kill me but I guess I had no
choice. I reached across for my phone and thanked mom for the
news as she left the room and said she was making breakfast.

Unlocking my phone I had a message from Austin, just like he
said he would call me but the message was unexpected. I first
went to Imessage and typed a message for Ethan. Deciding to
send it was another matter. I wanted to talk about last night
with him, he must have questions of course and I wanted to try
and clear up everything with him. I also wanted to talk to him
about Austin. I knew Ethan was being a dick, but he was a
longtime friend so I at least owed him a sit down talk to try
and explain everything and also be able to listen to what he
had to offer. Hitting send.

Sent: Hey, Man can we meet today around lunch: )

I then navigated to Austin's message; I smiled at its content
and thought about what to write back.

Austin - 8:42am: Thanks Sam. I had a great time last night,
and I'm home now.

Sent - 10:02am: Me 2. It was a great night; with you.

Placing my phone on my chest I looked around the room, I drew
in a contended breath and smiled. We hadn't got caught, it was
so awesome. If my mom had suspected something she probably
would have said it by now. The emotions from last night were
still fresh in my mind and everything was happy. I felt my
phone vibrate and picked it up from my chest and seen it from
Ethan.

Ethan - 10:14am: Sure, meet at 1 outside the back entrance to
Macys."

Tossing my phone on the bed, I jumped up and headed into the
bathroom; stripped off and showered like every other morning.
Fishing out a clean pair of underwear and socks I pulled them
on and settled with my blue jeans and red hoodie. throwing on
my Nike shoes I headed downstairs to get a proper breakfast.

Arriving in the kitchen, I was surprised to see Lauran who was
already up; on a Sunday. I found myself saying that; that was
very unusual. Pulling the milk from the fridge and cornflakes
from the cupboard my mom complimented me as I sat down at the
table. "Your all fresh. You heading out sweetie." She said in
a soft but humble voice. "Yep... I'm going to meet Ethan in a
little bit at the mall." She carried on doing some of her
motherly chores as I ate breakfast. She asked if I could help
out around the house before I left, and so I did. I did the
dishes from the breakfast, took the garbage out; Made all the
bed upstairs and dusted while my sister vacuumed.

Grabbing my phone before I headed out I checked it to see if I
had a message back from Austin who was now up and awake. He
had responded to my message from earlier. I was excited that
he had sent me back a message so quickly. I decided to not
answer back as quickly, I didn't want to get into a bad habit
of being a constant replier. I did have things to get done;
and that would possibly set a bad example. Saying cya later to
my mom and sister. I opened the front door and headed off down
the street towards the mall; without my bike. This had been
one of the first times in days that I left the house without
it and I felt a little naked without it. I must have gotten
used to having it by my side or tagging it along everywhere I
went. I thought it would be best of leave it at home; since I
would be having a talk with Ethan, and then there was the
whole situation of the mall, frankly it was possibly just too
much of an effort to bring it.

I did have my heart set on talking to Ethan; and nothing today
was going to jeopardise that. I wanted to say things to Ethan,
he was not the best person at the moment. I was not entirely
happy with him. But with that being said nobody's perfect, not
even me. Unless your Austin; then your perfect. I found myself
chuckling at my joking about. I walked to suburban area
towards the Spokane Valley Mall. The temperature was slowly
raising and the sky was relatively clear with only a couple of
scattered clouds above hand. Summer really was on its way and
I was definitely enjoying the sunshine; I had nothing to moan
about.

The sounds of birds, lawnmowers and children's laughter
started to fade out into the background and by the time I
reached the mall. The sounds of traffic and the faint rustling
of the wind was the only sounds that could be heard as I was
relatively out in the open. Walking across the already packed
car park. I came to Macys and waited beside the door for Ethan
to turn up. If there was any one thing I liked about Ethan; I
would have to choose his punctuality. When he said a
particular time, he would always show up on time or just
before it. I did feel slightly uncomfortable standing there
looking around; I could feel people that were entering and
leaving ogling at me and it made me feel uneasy.
Like clockwork he turned up five minutes before one and we
both greeted each other with a fist bump before heading inside
the mall after agreeing to take shelter from the heat.

Waltzing at snail pace we passed by each of the store fronts;
and just casually small talked and strolled the whole length
of the mall. He didn't bring up the events of last night. But
as hard and as confusing as it was to me, I was going to let
the cat out of the bag. Ethan must have felt a need to show a
little skin today, he must have been feeling the effects of
the lovely sun. I guess I should have worn shorts and a t-
shirt too; I moaned to myself as I knew I would be sweltering
later. Turning around when we reached the last strip of the
mall we ended walking back towards Macys when Ethan suggested
we get slushies. Heading towards the counter. I placed my
elbows on the wooden surface as Ethan order his drink. I was
going to opt out buying a slushy; But I thought it would break
the ice if I kept things as normal as possible. We used to do
this all the time when we were younger, we would get drinks
and snacks from here and head on over to our fort that we
built as kids.
Ethan got a regular blue slushy and I decided to go with the
colourful red, blue and green combination. Slurping and walking
we both walked at a slower pace than before; so that we could
drink our drinks without getting brain freeze.' Yep, brain
freeze is a bitch.' Heading back out the same door beside
Macys we ended up walking back across the carpark; slowly but
surely as he avoided and stopped for a number cars to pass.
When we finally got to the grassy area that separated the mall
carpark from the small secondary road; we darted out across
the road so hard that I could feel the harsh vibrations of
each step, so much that it hurt my feet.

A little out of breath we both descended the small inclined
down towards the river. You know Spokane River. I walked at an
angle so that I could pace myself going down the hill; yet
Ethan just flew past me and was nearly approaching a record
breaking speed. Running down the hill thought; that was him.
I could never understand how he never fell, going at that
speed. A couple of times I guess you could say he had a close
call and stumbled to stop before either falling or ending up
in the river. Finally, I set foot on the bank, Ethan was
already tracking onwards towards the base that was about 100
yards ahead. The sun was gradually rising the temperature, the
smell of fresh water could be inhaled from the mucky water
logged banks and the overgrowth of weeds and yellow cress.

I thought of how I was going to say this to Ethan as I trailed
along the dry patch that had been slightly worn over the years
from us coming down here. How was I going to approach the
subject of Austin; Do I tell Ethan I have feelings for Austin,
should I tell him that Nash was an evil bastard. Should I tell
him I'm gay... DEFINITELY NOT; I scolded. The fort consisted of
collected and crapped wood, that we had collected. It had a
couple of blue tarps to stop the rain from flooding in when it
did downpour. To my surprise the base never flooded; with it
being so close to the river, I guess from where we built it
was kinda sheltered from the railway bridge that was above and
it was built on the highest point from the river bed. The worn
faded panels that made up the walls, was evidence that the
front wall that was most exposed to weather was starting to
rot, but we never got around to fixing it. Life was going on
without the fort.

Reaching the door, I ducted going through the doorframe. At
last I was now standing in the base I built with Ethan; it had
so many good memories and so much joint effort contributed to
make this sanctuary truly ours. it was away from prying,
adults and all our peers. Only people we choose to hang out
with, got the privilege of knowing about this place.

I can recall all the games we played, and all the joking we
did at times. I remember that some summers we would get water
from the river and have epic water fights; but that was a long
time ago. I guess you could say we were too old for any of
that.
Ethan parked himself on one of the sofas we had in the base. I
could never remember where exactly we got that sofa. But the
best bit was getting it down the hill and in here. I remember
the thing barreling down the hill when I let it slip and thank
god Ethan had cat like reflexes because he would have ended up
in the hospital if that thing landed on top of him.

Sitting down on the white faded chair in the corner; that I
had salvaged from a skip, going back three years now. I raised
my slushy to my mouth and took a sip. Deciding to ease the
subject slow I decided to talk about the news I had got this
morning.

Nervously I offered "So... Em. Did you hear back from the
Lacrosse and Baseball?

He looked across at me and took a sip from his drink also,
which had clear beads of water rolling down the plastic cup.
Finishing his gulp, he said quite lively "Yeah I got on the
lacrosse."

"I really wanted to play baseball this year though." He said a
little saddened.

I was excited to tell him; but I thought for a second. Should
I tell him I got baseball or just lacrosse. I decided to go
with lying and told him that I only got Lacrosse. It made me
feel guilty for saying it but before I could say anything he
was so happy about the both of us getting Lacrosse; that I
didn't have the guts to tell him that I got the baseball too.

The conversation carried on in the dimly lit room; partials
from the outside world peered in the small cracks in the wood
and offered some additional lighting. Everything was calm, as
we ended up turning the conversation into games. the soft haze
of dust that floated in the middle of room was the only sign
of life. Not even as much as the river could be heard. No
traffic; nothing. I was just us and the specks that floated
seemingly in the air between the both of us. Some time had
passed and it was then that I decided to bring up the subject
of Austin. I held my tongue for brief moment before I blurting
out something that could destroy the calm mood.

"Ethan..." I said softly, unsure about how to precede

"Yeah?" He asked with a merry ring to it.

Drawing in a breath of frustration, I found it difficult to
think of the words to say.

"Em... Ethan." I said practically shaking. "I want to be friends
with Austin and nobody is giving him chance. I thought you
would give him a chance, but you seemed to have distanced
yourself." 'There I said It I thought to myself. I felt a
moment of proudness overcome me as I felt I was now becoming
untouchable in the moment.

Like that Ethan made a quizzical face and set his empty slushy
down on the ground.

Stuttering he found some sort of weird compassionate tone as
he said "Look if you want to hang out with a gay boy; you're
on your own."

Feeling my eyes water a little bit and partially offended, I
offered.

"Nobody knows him; you haven't even given him a chance. I
thought you of all people would understand that." I said in a
flustered but a hopeful pervasive tone.

Ethan went quiet, He was never the sort of person who could
produce much in serious situations. Letting out a sad sigh, I
thought of were to bring the conversation.

"He needs friends. I'm going be his friend; and I was hoping
you'd still be my friend..." I said rather emotionally, with all
that said I almost lost my voice when I got to the word
friend.

Ethan then sat forward and placed his hands on his knees and
thought, he just thought. I felt like I was being judged for a
moment, just sitting there in the chair. he had not spoken yet
and I was starting to worry if I had crossed the line, but I
wanted to get my point across. I have been able to talk about
anything with him, but this seemed to be the hardest.

"Nash, is the one who spread the nasty rumors about Austin." I
implied, hoping that he would see Nash for who he was.


"I have talked to Austin, and he really needs a friend.
Everywhere he's been, people have not shown kindness. I know
Austin... The real Austin." I stressed trying to tell him the
awesome person I have gotten to know.

He gulped as he looked a little agitated, and started to
rattle his left leg to find something else to do.

"Austin got beat up in his last school, and all he ever wanted
to show was kindness to people. But people won't respect him
for him." I cried out. It was the first time that I had
actually broken the desperate barrier, and Ethan seemed to
have picked up on it. I guess he found my weakness. But with
all that said he looked generally distraught for me.

"I don't care..." He said getting emotional to.

"You don't care?" I asked. Feeling hurt by his remark.

He went quite for a moment and then blurted out "No!"

"So if I was same... Would you care." I asked nervously.

He just looked at me and back to the ground.

"I know who you are." He said welling up.

"I don't care about him; I care about you." He said abruptly
and sadly.

"He's taking you from me." he stammered softly before wiping
his red nose and started to sob gently.

"He's what?" I questioned. I was confused, did I hear Ethan
right.

Again, I repeated the question trying to dig deeper. "He's
what?"

Just then he shot up from the sofa and started screaming at me
coldly. Most of the words bounced of my head, I didn't take
any of them on board but the last seven words made me shiver
as I heard them as clear as day before he stormed out of the
room with the slamming of the door. Then the room returned to
the quietness. "I don't want to be like you." Those were his
words; I sat shocked and afraid to move from the chair.

I drew in a sobbed deep breath and started to cry at all the
mixed feelings I was experiencing. I must have sat there most
of the day, trying to piece parts together in my head. Because
the daylight disappeared slowly, and Ethan never came back.

Sitting there along in the dark. I was perhaps the most
confused, and isolated I have ever felt in my entire life.

The End Of Part 8

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading. Please
comments are welcome. I'd love to hear what people do think.
I'd be grateful to hear an acknowledgment that people are
reading my stories, thanks again.

If you wish to read my first story it's called Spring-Tide

Email Me at danny2017writing@outlook.com

Stay tuned for the next instalment