Alex

He looked wrecked as I crawled into his bed behind him. I’d been there many times with Drew and Mandy during parties, but never had I ever felt like I was invading his privacy like I was now. He didn’t budge when I laid down behind him. He buried himself deeper into the pillow he was clutching, and his chest shook in contained sobs. Yet he was silent. How many times had he done this so no one would know his pain. All I wanted to do was to make it all go away, but I was afraid that the solution to that was for me to go away. I stayed and eventually his breathing evened out and I knew he’d fallen asleep.  I took in his scent with every breath. I felt his stomach rise and fall as he slept. He was calm and peaceful and he was safe in my arms. I drifted off to sleep and dreamed of holding him close and dancing the night away. I didn’t want to say no to him, but I didn’t do dances. I’d never gone to one, and I didn’t want to start now. But the thought of dancing with him made me smile. Him and me alone even though we weren’t alone on the dance floor, holding him close.

I woke to an alarm going off and Nox scrambled out of bed, “Fuck! You need to go if my dad finds you here.”

I shot up myself when I realized I was still in his bed. He stared across the bed at me and then his gaze dropped and he blushed. “I’m sorry.”

I walked around the bed picking up my shoes, “Nothing to be sorry about.” I said lifting his chin so he’d look at me. “We all have bad days.”

“I cried like a little girl.”

I chuckled, “No one will know.” I leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his lips and he moaned softly into my mouth. “I’ll see you in class.” I said and sat down on his mostly made bed and pulled on my shoes. He watched me as I climbed out the window and when I made it to the street I turned back to see him watching me hanging out the window. He smiled and waved and I ran the opposite direction of home, I didn’t want to pass Nox’s front yard again.

A text message came through as I was crossing the street three blocks down and I slowed to a walk and pulled out my phone to see a text message from Nox, Text me when you get home so I know you are safe.

I chuckled. He at least didn’t try to walk me home. I sent him a reply Go get ready. I’ll walk you to school. What time do you leave?

There was an almost immediate reply sent back, 7:30a Drew and I start walking to school.

I knew I’d have to deal with Drew too but that should be alright, Drew was being helpful maybe he’d get lost too. But it didn’t matter too much, I liked Drew for the most part, and even after the mishap in the bedroom I still found myself liking the boy who lived next door to my pretty boy. I’ll be there, but now you get ready, don’t worry about me.

See ya. The next image he showed me was the reflection of him naked against the glass shower door. I couldn’t really see much with the muddled reflection but the shadow was impressive. I wished he hadn’t sent it now all I could think about was him naked, rubbing down.

I had to shake off the growing feeling as I ran home to grab a shower and change quickly so I could be back at his house in about an hour. Good thing it wasn’t too far. Though still far enough away that I had to run.

It was home quickly a shower and then I was back out the door. My mom yelled after me from the kitchen, “Don’t forget Max will be home tonight, the Durante’s will be making room for you for dinner.”

Well that was good news, at least I was expected. Though with a sly smile, I might get to sneak in a few more lingering kisses with their pretty boy son if I had my way. But I was there for Max. I hoped that Max would be alright there. He wasn’t happy about staying. I wasn’t happy about him staying except it was an excuse to see Nox. A good excuse, but I was still leary about Max’s well being. Too much pressure for him to preform well. That wasn’t going to go well.

I ran until Nox’s house came into view and I saw Mia hop into Jace’s red convertible with Ryan and Lucy behind him. Drew stood by the gate waiting. I waited for the car to pull away before I stepped up next to Drew with a smirk. “He called.”

Drew laughed, “I see that. He’s happy. His mother called him in to get something off the top shelf for dinner.”

“Being tall has it’s disadvantages.” I echoed.

Drew nodded, “Is this gonna be a thing, you need me to find an excuse to not walk to school with him?”

I shook my head, “No, don’t make any changes for me. He needs you, and I’m just here to make sure that there is nothing wrong since I spent the night.”

“You did what?” Drew’s voice started out loud and then drained into a whisper.

“I didn’t get caught.”

“That you know of. Mrs. Durante is keen. She won’t tell his Dad but I guarantee that’s what she called him in for.”

Nox came out with a smile on his face and his mom looking out the door after him. Drew asked, “What was that about?”

“Mom’s making chocolate chip cookies for Max.”

“So nothing about me?” I asked.

Nox grinned and blushed a little, “She said and I quote, you should set an alarm a little early to get your friend out of the house, your father almost saw him sneaking out the window.”

It was my turn to blush. “I’m sorry.” I shook my head, “I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”

Nox laughed, and it went straight to my cock, “Don’t be. Mom knows we did nothing, they’d all have heard through the walls, she was happy.”

Drew put his arm around my shoulder and Nox offered me his hand and we started walking down the street. Drew’s arm fell away and he laughed, “She spoils the kids where their father is a bit more hard ass. It’s good she likes you Alex. If she didn’t she’d told Mr. Durante, and he’s not someone you really want to have mad at you.” Drew added, “At least for Nox’s sake.”

Nox

School was a drag. For the first time in my life I didn’t want to be there. It wasn’t that I liked school, but I saw everything for what it was today. I’d cried most of the night and it had taken everything Luc and I could do to make the red puffy eyes go away. My eye liner was exceptionally thick and my mood was about as dark, though no one seemed to notice but Drew.

Even he was quietly stepping around me so I wouldn’t break. He never asked me what was wrong, it was like he already knew. And he didn’t try to cheer me up. Mandy on the other hand was looking at me like she’d won the lottery. I gave Alex my science notes and I told him I’d keep doing it since he didn’t take any. At least he couldn’t say he couldn’t study then.

I went home after school. My mom informed me Max would be coming home the next day and I should help preserve Ant’s things. So all those trophies that lined his room I carefully put in boxes. I don’t know why Mom didn’t do it herself.

Lucy stuck her head in as I was taping up the last box. “You do such a neat job of this, Mom loves how your OCD makes you pack things perfectly so they don’t break.”

I rolled my eyes. “I get it from her ya know.”

Luc laughed, “No you don’t. Mom’s a pack rat not a neat freak.”

I sighed, she was probably right. “Did I miss anything important?”

Lucy stepped inside and wrapped her arms around me, “You okay?”

I shrugged, “Life goes on.”

She kissed my cheek and nodded, “It does, but his best friend is going to be living down the hall you gonna be okay?”

“It’s not like I sit next to him everyday in school. What’s gonna be worse? Coming home to him after school too.” I shrugged. “I’ll be fine – eventually.”

Lucy looked out Ant’s window and frowned, “He’s here now. I figured he’d be with Max longer.” She snapped her gum and put on her bubbly attitude and was skipping outta the room to go play games with Alex.

I sighed and beat her to the door and we raced down the stairs to see who could get there first. She won because she played dirty and pushed me into the living room door way at the bottom of the stairs. She smacked her gum as she opened the door, “Hey there, I didn’t expect to see you.”

I heard Alex’s voice, “Is Nox here?”

My dad came up behind Alex and clapped him on the back, “Nox is grounded, son, you’ll have to come back another time.”

Fuck! “Yes, sir. I have a question to ask you – a favor really.”

“Another one?”

“I know Nox really wants to go to Homecoming, maybe you’d think about letting him go.”

“Does he have some big date?”

“No, sir. I just know he’s trying to be extra good so that you’ll let him go. That photo was faked by a fake friend. He wanted to hurt Nox, and all you are doing is making that happen. Jace didn’t expect it was going to ground him, but by grounding him you pretty much killed his popularity.” Alex said.

“I’ll think about it. Max will be here tomorrow, you can say hi to Nox then.” My father said as he stepped past Lucy and frowned at me standing in the living room door. He closed it and he waited for Alex to walk away before he said anything, “You were going to meet with him?”

I shook my head and then sighed, “Yes, but I wasn’t going to leave the front yard.”

“Glad I stopped it then.”

“You don’t like Alex?”

“I’ve heard a few things about him.”

“And yet you don’t have a fucking problem with Drew.” I growled and stopped up the stairs.

“Nox!” My father called from the stairs. I stopped and turned around but didn’t snap What like I wanted to.

“Drew has always been your friend. Is there something I should be worried about?”

I shook my head. “No!” I turned around and stomped back up the stairs.

Lucy sighed, “Dad…” But he didn’t say anything and Lucy gave up and followed me up the stairs though less bouncy and no smacking of her gum.

I flopped on my bed and wanted to break again. My phone rang and I thought about not answering it but I knew from the ring tone it was Alex. “You don’t have to apologize for not coming in. Thank you for what you tried to do, but it’s best if you stop trying. My Dad is already starting to not like you because of me. So just stop.” I hung up the phone.

I pulled my pillow close to me and curled around it and let the tears fall. I was done with the day. Fuck chores, fuck homework, fuck dinner. I was just done.

There was a tap at my window and I jumped and looked to see what it was. Alex peered in through it and motioned for me to open it up. I crawled out of bed wiping away the streaked make up and pulled the window open then returned to my bed to curl up and die some more.

“You okay?”

“Do I look okay?” I choked out

“I don’t care what your dad thinks.”

I sat up with my pillow in my lap while Alex hung in my bedroom window from the roof. “I do. He won’t let you see Max if he thinks you and I might be a thing, and right now he’s heard rumors and he’s not willing to take that chance. So you need to go.” I said hoping that me turning to my side and lying back down would be an indicator that I didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

I heard more than saw Alex climb into the window and into my bedroom. He whispered, “I don’t know if I’ve ever been in here without Drew.”

I buried my face deeper in my pillow and felt the bed bounce and heard shoes hitting the floor, and then the next thing I knew Alex was laying behind me draping his arm around my waist and pulling me close to his body. The tears fell more as I let Alex hold me. I couldn’t help the raw rush of emotions. And I knew that it was all going to fall apart.

Alex

I didn’t know if he was worth it. Worth all this trouble. He gave me an out. And that morning instead of after school I dropped off all those things I said I would and knew Nox wouldn’t be around. His mother gratefully took them and told me she could give me a ride to school and if it had been someone else’s mom I might have thought she was hitting on me, but she wasn’t.

I was late to science and Nox was still perched on his stool at the far end of the table. He knew things were trouble already. He gave me a weak smile and that was it. We didn’t talk about anything like the rest of the students in class when we were supposed to be working on our joint science projects. I drifted off to sleep and jolted awake when the bell rang. Nox was gone before I even opened my eyes. Yeah dropping off those things was probably a good thing. He wanted nothing to do with me after I told him no to that stupid dance. I didn’t want to see him get crowned King with some snippy little girl. It made me growl just thinking about them using him.

I made it through the morning classes and found folded Notes stuffed into the vents of my locker. There was a note this time, I noticed you didn’t take any notes when you were awake so I’ll give you mine.

How did he expect me to pull of failing if he kept giving me his notes? Not that I rally intended to fail this year, but I had to be prepared to stay another year with Max. But then maybe staying with the Durante’s would be good for him – they were all straight A students even Ms bubbly blonde. Though she didn’t advertise that.

After school I visited with Max. His door was closed when I got there and I waited for a while before I realized it might not open so I knocked.

That was when I saw Lucy Durante leaving his room with a grin on her face. She twirled her hair and smacked her gum. “I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow too.” She said to me.

I stepped inside and looked at Max then looked out the door at the ass of Pretty Boy’s twin sister. She was cute, but he was cuter. “What was that about?” I looked back at Max.

He held up a pack of books and papers, “She brought me my homework.”

He rolled his eyes, “She said she would help me and I guess she is starting now. I guess I’ll be staying with them. Alex I don’t want to stay with that goodie goodie family. Why can’t I stay with you?” Max whined.

“Because when you are released you need 24/7 care and my parents can’t do that, and I they won’t let me miss school.” Which sucked because what was I going to learn anyway. I sighed. “It’ll be good for you, maybe you’ll graduate this year. Don’t you think it’s about time we did that.”

“I guess.” Max sighed. “You will come visit.”

“Everyday.” I said. “And not because of who I’ll see. We aren’t exactly talking anymore.”

“What did you do?” Max accused me.

“I didn’t do anything. He’s needy and clingy and a ball of fucking stress I don’t need.”

Max just nodded his head, “Sure. And that raging hard on you get whenever you see him, or catch a whiff of his scent in his room is going to go away just like that.”

“He’s made it pretty obvious…”

“No Alex, Lucy said he asked you to Homecoming and you said no. He cried himself to sleep last night.”

“What? How does she know?”

Max sighed, “Thin walls? I don’t know but she heard his conversation and went to sleep with him because he was so sad.”

Fuck me! “But see what I mean, he breaks because I said no. He thought he did something wrong when I didn’t show up at school because I was helping you out all day.” I complained. It sounded stupid when I said it out loud.

Max shrugged. “Sounds a lot like he likes you, and you keep rejecting him. You really do sabotage anything good. Makes me wonder why I’m still around.”

“You’re my best friend.”

“Why Alex? Because I do whatever you want?”

“No.” I growled. “You make my day interesting, we have fun together. I like hanging out with you.”

“You like being better than me!” Max accused.

“That’s not true.” I blinked at him, “Why are you saying these things?”

“Because they hurt don’t they?” He growled.

“It’s what you say to people to push them away. So what if Nox thought he did something wrong you tell him the truth and let him deal with his issues. So what if you don’t like dances because they are organized pieces of dung. You shouldn’t have told him no.” Max growled.

“Can we talk about something else?”

Max shrugged. “I’m tired.”

“Of course you are.” I growled. “When are you leaving tomorrow?”

“Mrs. Durante is coming to get me around noon I think. So you can stop by their house after school.”

I nodded, “Do you want to see me?”

“Of course I do. You are such an idiot. Go home. Play some video games for me, and then tell me all about it tomorrow.” Max smiled that goofy grin of his and told me it was okay. We weren’t over or broken and he was proving a point. A point I really wish he didn’t have to make.

I sighed and gave him a nod. “Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow after school. You better not be getting laid when I get there.”

He grinned, “And if I am you better fucking wait. Cause there is no way in hell I’m saying no to Lucy Durante.”

I laughed, “I wouldn’t either, you see that ass?”

Max nodded.

I laughed, he laughed and I gave him a wave good bye. I’d see him tomorrow.

Nox

I did as Drew suggested I did a few rounds in the gym downstairs. Even though it wasn’t blood, I got my anger issues from my father. It’s true that kids mimic what they see. My dad was a great man. I loved him very much but sometimes he was a little pig headed. I was grounded still, for being something he didn’t approve of. For something that had nothing to do with him.  It was later than I liked after I grabbed dinner with my family and finally got around to taking a shower. His words still rang in my head. Alex’s words that was. He was still top of my mind, and he made me angry but even without Drew’s help I still couldn’t stop thinking about him.

I pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms and grabbed my pillow and blanket again and crawled out on to my roof and laid down to look up at the stars. My phone sitting next to me. I didn’t know what to say. So I didn’t call.

My mom called lights out as she walked past and I picked up my phone. I told Drew I’d call so I did. Actually I never said I would but I did anyway. The phone rang and Alex picked up, “Hey Pretty Boy, I didn’t expect to hear from you again.”

I sighed, “Yeah well Drew told me to call you and I guess I agreed. He also said I had nothing to apologize for, but I’m sorry I’ve been a jerk.”

“Drew’s right, but I’m the one who should be apologizing. I didn’t know.”

“I didn’t want you to know. I don’t want anyone to know I still struggle with things outside of my control.”

“Being adopted isn’t a bad thing.”

“No, I love my family. We all came from places like Max is in right now. Me and Luc, our mom was a drug addict and didn’t work. She didn’t want kids to begin with, and when she got arrested for grand theft auto to fuel her drug habit, we went into foster care. Except we didn’t make it that far because my dad took us home to meet his wife and we sorta just stayed forever. I mean they went through all the legal things but to me that’s what it felt like. Ry’s parents abandoned him in a junk yard. Ant came from a place much like Max except his dad didn’t have an excuse like PTSD just a mean drunk.”

“I’m sorry. I saw your cling to Drew as a kid. It was so cute, and then so heart breaking.”

I shrugged. “Drew will always be like a brother to me. He and I will always be close.”

“I’m not worried about Drew.”

“I know. But you will be.” I said, “Even Mia in our fake relationship worried about her brother one day realizing he was in love with me and we’d run off together and live that fairy tale life.”

“Are you in love with him?”

I shook my head and closed my eyes, “Not in the way they always mean. I do love him, but I’m not in love with him if that makes sense.”

“Perfect sense.” Alex agreed. “Max is like that for me. He just found out about some of my extra circulars and asked me why I never hit on him.”

I smirked, “What did you tell him?”

“He’s not my type.”

“What is your type?” I asked curiously.

“You are.”

“Do you want to go to Home coming with me? Provided I can even go?” I asked.

Alex groaned, “I don’t do dances.”

“Oh.” I frowned and closed my eyes. The sting of rejection was never good. Mia at least told me that she wanted to break up with me before she put on the big display. We talked about it before hand. This hurt.

“How about I come over tomorrow with those things my Mom promised you guys and we can talk some more?” Alex asked instead.

“Sure, you were going to do that anyway, but we can talk afterwards.” I sighed, “I should go to bed. My mom said lights out before I called.”

“Are you being naughty Nox?”

“No. I’l lying down, just not in bed.”

“Where are you?”

“On the roof, looking at the stars.”

“Is that your safe place?” Alex asked with concern.

“Yes and no. I come out here when I need to be alone. And it’s not very safe considering I’m terrified of heights.”

“Then why do you do it?”

“Because I can control that fear. It’s a battle of controlling what I can when I can’t control other things.”

“I think I understand.”

I shrugged, “My parents think it’s just a phase too, that it’ll all get better as I grow. But my therapist doesn’t think so. And my parents won’t allow medication so I’ve found other ways to adapt. One of which is clinging to those that show interest in me particularly physical contact. You have every right to feel upset about it. You don’t need my issues on top of all that is going on in your life. So yeah we can talk tomorrow, but you don’t have to.”

“You sound so broken sometimes, it breaks my heart. And I find it funny that no one notices really. They don’t see the fake smile, or the feigned interest. Those girls just want to get in your pants at school.”

“I know.” I said. “They don’t care if I don’t like them, they just want the notoriety that comes with sleeping with the popular kids. Being on his arm at Homecoming and prom. They don’t care about me at all. But at least they want to go with me however fake it is and fake I am. I have to go Alex. I’ll see you in class.” I didn’t hang up this time.

“You are going to leave like that?” Alex asked, “I guess it’s better than you hanging up on me.”

“I’m sorry about that too, but I do need to go.”

“Night, Pretty boy.”

“Night Alex.” I said and hung up the phone and stared up at the stars for a little longer before I crawled back into my bedroom and into my bed and cried myself to sleep.

Alex

Nox hung up on me for the third time and I almost had enough, except for the look on Drew’s face. “What?” I asked.

“Come with me.”

“I’m putting a lot of faith in you for a guy who pushed passed my limits.”

“What?” Drew said, “When did I do that?”

“In Pretty Boy’s bedroom. You know I don’t go there with just anyone.”

Drew looked at me and thought about it and when it finally clicked in he blushed. “Fuck, I’m sorry.” He sighed, “I got caught up in Mandy and you moved so easily. I know it’s because you were lost in Nox. I’m sorry. So seriously sorry. Mandy said she didn’t want to play with you anymore.”

“No, no, no, wait. I told her I was done with you two.”

Drew sighed, “I see. I’m sorry. But hey it got you an in with Nox. He told me you left your phone.” He grinned, “I’d almost say it was on purpose but I know it wasn’t.”

“We aren’t friends Drew, why are you helping me?”

“I’m not helping you. I’m helping him.” He nodded in the direction of Nox’s house as we walked down stairs. “Do you know how long we’ve been friends? Me and Nox?”

I shook my head, “No, since we were four. His story is his to tell, but I can show you some things that can help.”

Drew lead me down into their basement where I actually had been before, the movie room as they called it was cozy, had lots of soft places and as I looked around we’d probably fucked on everything in there. But that wasn’t something that was going to happen today. Drew sat down and started rummaging through a bunch of old DVDs with hand written labels on them. He pulled out one and started it then sat down on the recliner and he nodded for me to sit someplace. “When Nox moved in next door, the Durante’s had no kids. So when they were just there all of a sudden I ran over there to play. My parents couldn’t find me. When I saw Luc it was like love at first sight. She saw me and she hugged me and gave me a kiss and then toddled off to find her toys. Which she’d never had before, so it was a big thing. Nox on the other hand, he was sitting in a corner, so terrified of everything. I crawled over to him on my hands and knees pretending I was a dog and that made him smile. This is what my parents filmed after they got over being upset I’d taken off.”

I watched as he started the homemade film, the quality was low grade but it was clearly as old as we were. A little blond boy was curled up in a boy who looks do thin and frail that he could break. His eyes were too big for his narrow face and he had big ears sticking out from a brown mop on his head. But he was curled up with little Drew and they were just holding on to each other.

Drew’s dad came to take him away and little Nox started crying. He cried until the short film ended. “Mr. Durante said he cried for three straight hours. And when my parents called to check on him and they found out, the had the Durante’s bring Nox up to the room across from my bed room and show them that I lived right there, he could see me through the window anytime he wanted. He calmed down, and ever since then I’ve looked out for him. You asked if we ever slept together, and Mandy would love to but Nox and I, it was never an option, it’s not about sex. He needed unconditional love and he couldn’t get it from a grown up at the time.”

The next video had started playing and it looked like it was a birthday party, they couldn’t be more than ten years old. Drew’s dad was filming the clown entertaining the kids while they waited for the birthday twins, a surprise party. When they walked in, there was a giant yell of surprise which made them jump, but then the clown piled out of the crowd of kids like some maniac covered in balloons and his hands open wide. Nox screamed and ran into the house, Drew ran after him and then the video ended.

Drew laughed, “Sorry he hates me showing that, which is why I made this DVD.”

“Was he okay?”

Drew nodded, “After I found him curled up under his bed yeah, but the clown had to leave or he wouldn’t come out to his own party. He still won’t go near clowns.”

Drew turned off the DVD player and looked at me, “He likes you. He’s just a lot. So if you don’t want to do it, I get it. But don’t play with him. That night he didn’t even doubt what he was doing with you. He doubts everything. Give him a chance. And I’ll make sure he gives you as many chances as you need to convince him you’re worth it.”

“Is it worth it, for either of us?”

Drew laughed, “Yeah, I know from experience. Nox is a great person. And you, are too even if you don’t think anyone notices. And from personal experience, I think you’d be good for Nox on a physical level. Just go slow, because he’ll jump in too fast.”

“I feel like I’m cheating talking to you about him. Like you are telling me half the story I should be learning.”

Drew laughed, “Maybe you are, but there is nothing wrong with that. I know homecoming isn’t your thing, but maybe you should ask him to go.”

I sighed. “I’ll think about it. Thanks.” I think. I thought to myself. Drew walked me out the door and he went around the side of the house. I glanced down the side of Nox’s and saw a glimpse of long legs behind a lawnmower before they disappeared behind the house. I wasn’t sure how I wanted to play this, if I wanted to at all, but right now all I wanted to do was go check on Max. Everything Nox had said made me worry.

Nox

That was probably the hardest thing I’d done since telling my dad I was cut from the football team. And somehow this felt worse. There was a dull ache in my stomach and my head hurt. My mom called, “Nox, can you come in here?”

I sighed, but called back, “Coming.”

I stepped into the kitchen to find my brother, and sister sitting at the kitchen island nursing chocolate milk and chocolate chip cookies. And that meant something bad. But what was worse was the woman and man with ice blue eyes sitting at the kitchen table with my father, everyone looking at me like I’d done something wrong.

“I’m not late.” I said glancing at my watch.

“You’re fine.” My mother said as she handed me a glass of milk and a plater of cookies she just pulled from the oven – the steam was rolling off them still. I grabbed one with the tips of my fingers.

“This is a family meeting.” My father started. “This is Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy. Your friend Alex blindly said they could take care of Max without really knowing the extent of his injuries. I’ve promised Mr. Wallace that we’d make sure Max was well taken care of. The Kennedy’s do not have the resources to tend for Max while he’s recovering. He will be staying here with us until he is fully recovered and the doctor’s give him a clear bill of health. And then he can go stay with the Kennedy’s if he desires.”

Ryan complained, “He’s not getting my room.”

I rolled my eyes, and my dad reassured him, “He will be staying in Ant’s room. When Ant comes home he can either bunk with your or Nox.”

“I vote Nox.” Ryan added.

I shrugged. “Whatever. When’s he getting out?”

Mrs. Kennedy answered quickly, “It’ll be several days. We’ll get a bunch of things he’ll need from his house, and some comfort foods he seems to enjoy to make his transition as easy as possible.”

“Is that all?” I asked.

“While Max is here I expect everyone to be on their best behavior.” My father said looking directly at me like I was the cause of all these issues.

“I’m not going to have sex with every boy who comes into this house.” I glared at my father, and then looked to my mother, “May I be excused.”

“Don’t forget to do your chores.” My father called after me when I left at my mother’s nod. I overheard him say to the Kennedy’s, “He’s just going through a phase.” But I slammed my door and didn’t hear their response. It made me wonder if they knew that their own son liked boys. I wondered if they knew he was part of a threesome. I growled as I flopped on my bed.

My phone rang I pulled it out of my pocket. “Not now Drew.” I said into the phone.

“I’m not Drew but I can call back later.” Alex said from the other side of the phone. I sat up in a hurry and looked down at my phone to check the number, and it was Drew’s Caller ID.

“What are you doing on Drew’s phone?” I asked.

“He and I were talking.”

“Really? Like I want to hear that.” I growled. And I was about to hang up the phone but Alex interrupted my thoughts.

“We were talking about you.”

“Like I want to hear that either.” I sighed. “What do you want?”

“I want to apologize.”

“For what?”

“For being a jerk. I was stressing out over Max, and I took it out on you. I’m sorry.”

“Fine. It’s over, don’t worry about it.”

“Sad thing, Pretty Boy, is I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t worry about me. You have enough to worry about with Max. Your parents are here by the way, and Max will be staying here. Apparently your offer to help fell on deaf ears.”

“What?” Alex nearly yelled at me for relaying the message. But at least he wasn’t trying to make me talk to him about what happened between us.

“Max needs to be taken care after he gets out of the hospital. My mom is here all the time. Your’s both work, it makes sense. Don’t worry you can come visit him. I’ll stay out of your way. I gotta go.” I said and hung up.

I lied. I didn’t have to go. I needed to go, I couldn’t talk to him anymore. Just thinking he was across the window and could see me through Drew’s bedroom window made he shiver in anticipation. But I wanted to know why Drew was inviting Alex over. It made me jealous, among other things.

So instead of dwell on it, I did my chores. Cleaning the pool was the least of them, garbage and I helped mom with dinner. All the things a good little boy would do. I even started mowing the lawn as the sun started to go down. It was Ryan’s week, but I needed to stay busy. And call it a little sucking up a little, maybe I’d get to go to Homecoming. I hadn’t even bothered asking yet.

Drew hung over the fence watching me as I put the lawn mower away. “I’m sorry, man.”

“For what?” I asked as I locked the shed door and wiped the sweat from my forehead.

“Letting him call you on my phone.”

I shrugged. “It’s okay. What did you tell him?”

“I showed him the home videos of the day you and Luc moved in next door.”

I groaned. “Why?”

“Because Nox, he really likes you. And like you he doesn’t exactly date, he’s gonna screw up.” Drew laughed, “And he needed to understand that it took you a long time to become this fake confident person you make everyone else see.”

“Tell me showed him our tenth birthday party too?”

He grinned at me, “I did. He was ready to beat the clown for upsetting you.”

“Why do you do that?” I asked Drew.

“Because dude you are my best friend. You attached yourself to me when you came here. And I love you like a brother. And when Ant came into the home you were so scared of him. And all he wanted was to fit in. Ryan too. And Alex wants to get to know you. And I think you need it.”

“So it’s for my own good?”

He grinned at me, “Yes.”

I sighed, “How should I apologize?”

“Don’t.” Drew said, “You have nothing to apologize for. But call him, give him a second chance.”

I sighed, “I’ll think about it.”

Drew smacked me on the back of my head as I walked past him to get inside, “Go smack the punching bag around for a little while, grab a shower, then call him.”

Alex

That didn’t go as planned. And neither did before school, he wouldn’t even look at me. I probably shouldn’t have said what I did, but I didn’t need to have that many issues on my plate at one time.  Homeroom went and I grabbed a bundle of homework and things for Max to take to him. Like he was going to do it. But I supposed I could help him. I stuffed them in my locker and went into science. Nox was already sitting there at the far end of the table we shared. He was busy jotting things down in his notebook.

He didn’t look up when I sat down. “Look…” I started to say.

He cut in. “I don’t want to talk about it. Don’t worry about me. I’ll do our project, you don’t have to worry about that either.” He never even looked at me.

“I tried to call you back to explain.”

“I turned my phone off, something about being needy and clingy I’m sure.”

I growled. “Nox, I’m sorry. This is just too much.”

“Like I said Alex, don’t worry about me. I’ll go be needy and clingy with some one else.” He looked up and smiled, “Don’t worry about me.”

The class started and that was the end of our chat. Not that it had gone well either. I rested my head on my hands and drifted off to sleep again. First period sucked. The bell woke me and Nox was already gone by the time I opened my eyes. So much for that.

The day went by great except every time I caught Nox in the hall he was chatting up some pretty girl and smiling and touching and being everything I knew he wasn’t. He was free to flirt with who ever he wanted now. Had he always been like that? Was I seeing things that weren’t real? Or was he doing it to piss me off.

Either way I was tired of seeing him around school and when lunch came around I did everything in my power to avoid him. And I was successful, except when Drew came up to me with a face that could chew gravel. He was shaking his head at me, “I don’t know why he bothers, but here are the notes you missed in Science.”

Drew handed me pretty boy’s photocopied notes. The only difference this time is there was no additional note on them. “I don’t know what you thought you were doing, but Nox isn’t like you or me. There are things you don’t know, things he doesn’t say to anyone. I wished you’d told me before you went up to his roof, I could have told you not to get physical with him.” Drew said and then he turned on his heels and walked away.

I hurried after him, didn’t figure we had much time to talk about anything but I wanted to know. I grabbed his arm and turned him to the wall it looked sorta like I was gonna bully him into giving me his lunch money but I was okay with that. He smirked at me, “It bothers you knowing that someone knows him better than you huh?”

“What happened to him?”

Drew shook his head, “Not for me to tell you Alex. But that needy clingy thing you got sick of after one day, I could have told you that if you’d asked. You ever think why he was more than happy to pretend to be dating Mia? Mia is safe. She loved him and he knew the limits of their relationship. He’s going to get broken, and you just put that first crack in.”

“Is that why you never, with him?” I asked.

“No, well yes, but no. By the time I realized he was into guys, I was with Mandy and he’s very not into girls.”

“You can’t tell by the way he’s acting.” I said.

“That’s his need to be with someone, Nox and Lucy didn’t start life off in the best place. They both deal with it differently.”

The bell rang and I let Drew go. I wasn’t going to get answers. “Is he going straight home?”

Drew shrugged, “I don’t know. Probably. He wants to go to homecoming pretty bad so he’s trying to stay out of trouble.”

“Like he’s in trouble.”

Drew nodded, “His dad grounded him for being gay, so yeah, there’s that.” He said then ducked into his next classroom.

I did my best to focus on the rest of my classes. Why was this pretty boy still on my mind, and why did he even care if I slept in class or not? He was an enigma at times.

At the end of the day I waited to see Nox, but I didn’t actually know the way he went home. So instead decided to wait a block before his house. I probably should have texted him, because when he walked up he was flirting with some girl. His smile was bright, his brown eyes sparkled and when he saw me I saw those lights dim. He was pissed at me still. He waved to the girl he’d been walking with and she smiled back at him. “Look Nox, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

He walked past me, “I didn’t know how you’d react to something that was mildly sarcastic and I was just stressed out. Max is in the hospital. His dad is in a facility for drunks, and…”

“I get it.” He said as he stopped in front of his gate and opened it and stepped inside. He was home. “Don’t worry about me.”

“Drew told me that there are things I don’t know. Things I should have known. I wouldn’t have…”

“Don’t worry about me, Alex. You don’t need needy and clingy and I’m sorry if that’s what you think I am. I’m sorry that my childhood drama affected you. I’ll keep my fingers and my thoughts to myself.”

He closed the gate and leaned on it. He looked so good. “Let me make it up to you.” I said

He shook his head. “Thanks, but no. You have Max to deal with. I’m fine.” He turned around and went inside. And that was that. Drew tapped me on the shoulder and nodded for me to follow him. So I did. I didn’t know what else to do.

Nox

I went to bed early that night. I wasn’t in a family mood, and Dad wasn’t even home anyway. He was working on some new case and it was taking up all his time. Which was a good thing, it meant that he couldn’t be here to yell at me or give me disappointed looks. I really didn’t want to see that look on his face just because I liked boys. He made it into something else, like the picture, but that’s why he was mad. And why I was still grounded, like grounding me was going to change anything about the people I liked.

As I lay in my bed I thought about the night before on the rooftop. How Alex had touched me and I groaned at the thought of his fingers against me. My fingers were laced behind my head to keep from grabbing myself. I’d made a promise I intended to keep. But did he even care? He hadn’t texted me back at all. And he hadn’t even been at school.

I rolled over and tried to go to sleep even with thoughts of him rolling through my mind. I must have drifted to sleep because I jumped when my phone rang. I reached across my bedstand and tried to find my phone, but it fell to the floor instead. I had to climb out of bed to retrieve it and by then the phone had stopped ringing. I looked at the caller ID and saw Alex’s name and my heart sank. I hit the call back button and hoped he’d answer.

He picked up on the second ring, “Nox? Did I wake you?”

“Sorta, but that’s okay. I’m sorry I didn’t pick up. I tried, but…”

“Don’t worry about it.” He cut in. “Max is in the hospital, it’s why I wasn’t at a school.” Before I could interrupt, Alex hurried on, “He’s fine. Broken ribs, a punctured lung but he’ll recover and your Dad is helping them out.”

“He’s been real busy with it all too, hasn’t been home to be disappointed in me.”

Alex chuckled, “He’s not disappointed in you.”

“You don’t see the way he looks at me.”

“He’s just confused. And doesn’t understand.” Alex said to comfort me.

“Whatever. I’m glad you are alright and not mad at me.”

“Mad at you?” Alex growled, “Why would I be mad at you?”

I shrugged. “Dunno. Just…” I let it trail off, I didn’t really have a logical reason, but that’s what paranoia and anxiety gets you; no real reason for your feelings.

Alex sighed, “Nox…”

“What?”

“Nothing, I think I’m beginning to see why Mia dumped you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I wanted to yell at him, hell I wanted to hang up on him.

Alex sighed, “I can’t deal with a needy clingy boy right now.”

“Fuck you.” I said and hung up the phone this time. I turned my phone off. I didn’t want to deal with him. He wanted to be an asshole then I didn’t want to talk to him. But he was right, I was being needy and clingy and I hated myself for it. One day of some fucking guy touching me and I was ready to do whatever he fucking wanted.

I went to sleep filled with anger. I should have gotten up and done some yoga, and I paid for it when my alarm went off. It had been a long time since I’d set that old thing, but at least it woke me up. I looked at my phone as I crawled out of bed before the sun came up and I left it off.

I did a longer than usual yoga routine to calm and recenter myself. I didn’t need to be angry when I went to school. It was a good thing I had the only class with Alex first thing, the mantra would still be fresh in my head, and I could have a good rest of the day without him in my head. Or worrying about what he might say.

My dad was at the breakfast table when I grabbed an apple and a juice to go. He didn’t say anything, and I didn’t even look at him. I just couldn’t deal with him or Alex today. Everyone had their opinions of me. And I failed in all aspects of them.

My mom gave me a hug as I walked out the door. Drew wasn’t there but I walked on to school without him. He caught up about a block down, “You in a hurry?”

I shook my head, “I’m …. had a bad night, sorry.” I said.

“You talk to Alex?”

I looked at my best friend and sighed, “Yes, Max is in the hospital.”

“See I told you it wasn’t because of you.”

“No but he called me needy and clingy and said that must be why Mia dumped me.” I growled.

“Shit. You okay?”

“Do I look okay?”

Drew laughed, “Point taken. Don’t worry about him Nox. He’s just some kid.”

“Some kid… right. My Dad’s helping Max’s dad, and that’s Alex’s best friend, so yeah just some kid.”

“Come on.” He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me down another street.

“Where we going?” I complained.

“Someplace else.”

I stopped and pulled free of Drew’s grip, “Thanks Drew, but if my dad catches me skipping school I’ll be dead. And then he’ll have a real reason to ground me and I’d kinda like to go to homecoming.”

Drew sighed, “Nox you can’t go to school with a scowl.”

“Watch me.” I frowned. And started back the way we’d came so I wouldn’t be late for school.

Drew caught up to me but we didn’t speak the rest of the walk. Alex was sitting on the grassy hill with his friends and I did my best not to look at them, or him. But it was hard not to, he drew my eye. And my gaze dropped the moment our eyes met. Drew stepped between us so that the view was blocked and he became protective papa bear. Which was funny to see but I wasn’t laughing. I didn’t need Drew to protect me from ‘some’ kid.

Alex

I left Pretty Boy’s roof top the same way I got up more or less. There might have been a little falling at the end. But no one saw so it didn’t happen. My phone rang half way home. “Max, it’s late? What’s wrong?”

There was only sobbing on the other end of the phone. “I think I killed him.” The man said, Mr. Wallace was crying and the only thing that ran though my mind was Max was hurt. I don’t think I even hung up the phone as I turned around and dashed the other way. Magnolia Pines wasn’t far from Nox’s place. A few blocks at most. I flew up the stairs to Max’s apartment, the door was already open and there was paramedics lifting Max on their gurney and I rushed over to him. There was a slight bruised smile on his face when he saw me. At least he was alive. I rounded on Mr. Wallace and he was curled up in the corner of the couch while the cops spoke to him.

I interrupted. “Mr. Wallace didn’t mean it.”

“Don’t make excuses for the violence in men son.” The officer said.

“No I mean he really didn’t mean it. He’s a combat vet, he saw some shit over there, where ever there was and once and a while Max will bring back those memories by dropping something. He wasn’t here. He just needs help. You can’t arrest him. He really didn’t mean it.” I pleaded with him. Max didn’t need an absentee father, as much as they fought, they needed each other. “Please. Let me call Mr. Durante. He deals with the VA and other situations like this. Max will stay with me.” I looked at Mr. Wallace. “He’ll stay with me until we get things worked out. Max will be fine, and you can get better. I got Max.”

Mr. Wallace looked at me with tears in his eyes and nodded. The officer said. “Call him now and see if we can get him in an facility ASAP.”

I could have called Nox to get his number, but I already knew his Dad’s cell. I’d already known he was a resource to help Max and his dad when they were ready and the phone call from his Dad was a clear message. Mr Durante answered his cell phone sleepily, “Can I help you?”

“Mr. Durante, my name is Alex, I’m a friend of Nox’s, he said that you handle Vets and alcoholics and troubles they two can bring on together. Mr. Wallace is ready for that help now.” Mr. Durante had approached them already.

“What happened?” he asked more awake than before. He muttered to his wife sleeping next to him but I didn’t understand what he said. And then I could hear him moving around his house getting things together.

“He hurt Max. Max is going to the hospital. But he’s ready to work I think, this was too close of a call for him.”

“I’m on my way. I’ll make a few calls right now, but Mr. Wallace will get the help he needs. And what about Max? That was the biggest reason they wouldn’t…”

I cut him off, “Max will stay with me when he’s out of the hospital, until Mr. Wallace has a handle on things again. So he can stay in whatever place you got for him, I got Max. My parents have offered many times over to help him out. They won’t mind.”

“I know they won’t. Good folks, the Kennedy’s.”

I hadn’t given him my last name. “How…”

Mr. Durante laughed, “You sound just like your pops. A good man. You should go check on Max, make sure all is well with him. I’ll meet you at the hospital after Mr. Wallace is settled. The officers can watch him, no need for another teenage boy to go into the hospital tonight.”

“Yes, sir.” I hung up the phone and looked at the officer. “Mr. Durante is on his way.” I looked at Mr. Wallace again. “I’m going to go stay with Max. You take care of yourself, I’ll watch Max till you get back.”

He patted my hand and I smiled at him. He was a good man. Life was hard on him. And the drinking only made it worse. Sober he was a great man. He just needed that reminder. Hopefully Mr. Durante could help there.

I spent the night and the half the day waiting for Max to get out of surgery. He’d been beaten so bad that a rib had punctured a lung and he was going to be in pain for a long time to come. It was lunch by the time I got in to see him, and my phone had long since died. Max was groggy and on a lot of pain meds but he greeted me with a smile. “How’s my Dad?”

“I called Mr. Durante and he’s gonna get him some help. Your dad was so scared he called me.”

“Is he gonna be okay? They didn’t hurt him did they?”

I shook my head, “He’ll be okay. He was fine when I left him. Mr. Durante came by and said that they were going to take him to Chickory Hills down across the county line. He’s on a 30 day program.”

Max nodded but it looked like it hurt to move. “Can I go see him?”

“When you get out we’ll go see him.”

“Good. I want to tell him I’m not mad at him.”

“He knows Max. I think that’s why he’s ready to go too.”

Max smiled, “So how did things go with Nox?”

I rolled my eyes. “You don’t need to know about that. But it went well.”

“Has he called yet?” Max asked.

I shrugged, “My phone’s been dead since before lunch.”

“You should go home and get changed. You look like shit.”

I probably did. I had called my parents from the hospital phone because I needed to tell them where I was. And the nurse let me do that so there wasn’t an APB put out on me. But I hadn’t changed, or showered since the prior morning, and I’d as good as missed the entire day of school.

Max smiled at me, “I’ll be okay. You can come back after school tomorrow. One of us has to go.”

I sighed, “You sure?”

“Yes. Go and when you come back I want to know what you and Nox did last night and tonight.”

“None of your business.” I said as I walked to the door.

I stopped in the door as Max teased, “You’ll tell me.”

“We’ll see.” I said, “My parents will come check in on you, and Mr. Durante said he’d stop by to make sure you had everything you needed.”

Max nodded, “Thanks Alex.”

“Don’t mention it.” I gave him a good smile. “And I mean don’t mention it.” I smirked as I headed out the door. Max was like a brother to me. I hated he had to go through this, but he wouldn’t go through it alone.

Nox

I don’t know why I agreed to his conditions. It’s not like anyone was going to be touching me anyway. Much less trying to get me off. I didn’t masturbate that often. What was I doing? But there was something about the feeling that he owned me that sent a thrill through me. Everyone had their kinks, I knew Drew and Mandy had theirs and everyone else had their own. I was sure my mom and dad did too but god if I wanted to know about. Alex climbed down from my tree and I sent him a text. Text me when you get home so I know you got their okay.

His response was almost immediate. Maybe. Go to sleep Pretty Boy.

My heart skipped a few beats hearing his voice in my head. I set my phone down and closed my eyes curling around the pillow he’d been laying on. There was a new scent of his cologne lingering on my pillow and I never wanted it to fade.

I dreamt of him, his hands on me, the vividness of how wet his mouth was, his tongue dancing in my mouth and what it might be like with it on other parts of my body. I woke with a hard on. And It was still raging even after I took a shower.

Lucy stared and giggled, “You should have taken care of that in the shower like everyone else.”

Normally I would have I thought, but I shut my door and got dressed. I was a little bit horny, thinking about my dreams. Lucy, Mia and Ryan all hitched a ride with Jace before I felt comfortable enough leaving my room. No telling what Lucy or Ryan were blabbing about me.

Drew came running up the stairs, “You’re late. You’re never late.”

I laughed. “I’m ready just didn’t want to see Jace.”

“Something happen?”

I shrugged and started for my door grabbing my backpack and rushing out without seeing my mother or father. I really didn’t want to explain things to them if they asked either. We were two blocks away from the house before I blurted out, “Alex came by last night.”

Drew chuckled, “Really? Why?”

I blushed and Drew grabbed my arm and turned me towards him, “Why was Alex at your house last night?”

“To tell me off, or get me off. I forget which was his real reason.”

Drew laughed. “Sounds like Alex.”

“He’s done that with you?”

Drew shook his head, “That sounded a lot like jealousy. What did you do with him?” Drew looked at me as we started walking again; he knew I didn’t really want to be late to school. “Let me guess. He didn’t tell you off.”

I shook my head. “His hand was so warm and so strong.”

Drew nodded knowingly with a shit eating grin on his face. “Be careful Nox. He doesn’t date. He’s only ever in it for the sex.”

“Maybe that’s all I want.” I lied. And Drew knew it, he nodded his head as if he believed me but I knew he didn’t. “Maybe I want to do something stupid for once.”

“Well, he’ll definitely help you with that Nox. Just be careful.”

“I’m always careful maybe I don’t wanna be this time.” I said as I hurried up into the school yard. I walked past the grassy hill Alex and his friends liked to sit and neither he nor Max were there. I doubted they were in class already, but I guess I’d see Alex in Science then.

Homeroom went by quickly. And Science too, but Alex wasn’t there. I wondered if he transferred out now that he’d gotten what he wanted. I made it through lunch without having an epic meltdown. This was why I never cared to try to date anyone other than Mia. Mia I knew, I understood her.

Drew watched me eat my lunch slowly and said nothing. He sighed when the bell rang and I got up with the rest of the crowd, “It has nothing to do with you, why he’s not here.”

I walked past the grassy hill and still didn’t see Alex or Max and I wondered if something bad had happened. I pulled out my phone and texted Alex quickly, You and Max okay?

And I then I quickly tucked my phone back into my hoodie pocket before I got caught having it on me to begin with.

I walked home immediately after school. I barely even waited for Drew. He was laughing and cracking jokes as usual. “Really Nox, I’m sure he’s fine.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, some guy jerks you off and then doesn’t show up the next day. You tell me how that would make you feel.”

Drew laughed, “For being you, you sure can be insecure sometimes.Mia really did a number on you.”

“Mia didn’t do anything.”

My friend put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close, “She did. You lived a perfect life with her. You never had to worry about her cheating on you. She wasn’t going to risk the popularity by doing that. You didn’t have to worry about what she thought about you cause you knew it was all a game already. Everything you do for Mia plays to her goals. And you were left with nothing in the end. Not even the confidence that you are worth it.”

Drew pushed me away, “And you are worth it Nox. You know that right. If Alex fucks with you I’m going to fuck him up. I don’t care if he is good in the sack, he doesn’t get to treat you badly.”

“Don’t do anything, Drew.” I begged.

“I won’t yet, because I’m sure this has nothing to do with you. Max is gone, Mandy says Jimmy is too. They are probably just skipping class.”

“On the second day of school?”

Drew laughed, “Why not? They don’t care what day it is.”

I shrugged and hoped Drew was right. “You want to hang through the fence? Or you think your dad will put you to work.”

“I have to do those silly chores before he gets home, then we can talk over the fence but I think I’ll sit on the roof.”

Drew laughed, “New home away from home eh?”

I shrugged. I didn’t want Drew to figure out that was where it happened and I wanted to live a little of that moment again, sitting there hoping he wasn’t playing with me.

Alex

His hands on my neck and shoulders were epic. At first I wasn’t sure I wanted him to touch me and then all I wanted him to do was touch me. I asked him who wouldn’t want to have sex with him. He sat staring out at the sky, “I don’t exactly have people pounding on my door.”

I laughed. “That’s because you’ve always been taken.” I turned around and our knees were pressed against each other, his hands fell to my ankles. I hoped he still wanted to touch me. I put my hands on top of his. “Everyone would be if they thought you were available. You think all those cheerleaders in the gym were there because they wanted to help?”

“Most of them didn’t.” he admitted.

“Trust me, every girl is into you. And any guy who even remotely likes guys is into you.”

“But you aren’t.”

I rolled my eyes. “I just told you I was. I’m here aren’t I? Sitting on your roof top talking to you, making innuendos that you completely ignore.” I turned to my side and laid down across his blanket. I snatched his pillow from behind him and pressed it to my face to take a big whiff of it before tucking it back behind my head to look up at him.

“I’m not completely ignoring them.” He said. “I heard them. I’m not sure how you want we to react to them.”

I laughed, he was too cute, too naive and probably too shy, but I was going to say it anyway, “I told you I was here to get you off and you completely let it go.”

His gazed dropped but I could tell he was seeing the small slip of skin that was visible in the darkness where my shirt had ridden up. It hadn’t been planned, but I was glad I’d done it now. I watched him as I moved my hands from behind my head to lift my shirt up higher. His eyes didn’t move, but he bit his bottom lip so I knew he was watching. I let my right hand slide down further until it cupped my cock. His breath hitched, and his virginity popped into my head. It would be so easy to take advantage of him. He was so hungry to touch and have sex like any teenage boy, he probably would let me take him now.

We’d work up to that, I thought to myself as I took his hand and replaced my own with his. I squeezed his hand and in turn he squeezed me. My eyes rolled in the back of my head as his fingers took their own directions. He hesitated and I looked at him, his eyes down cast, those long lashes spread out across his cheeks. He was gnawing on his bottom lip. I sat up and his hand stopped moving and I put two fingers underneath his chin and made him look up at me. His lips were red and raw and I leaned in to capture them with my own. He moaned and leaned back pressing his fingers to his lips and staring at me like I was some sort of alien.

“First kiss?”

He shook his head. “No. I got a beat down for my first kiss.” He smiled, “This was nothing like my first kiss. I should go. To bed. I mean.” He said but he didn’t move. He looked at me with fear and lust and I knew it was those two things. He didn’t want to go but he was afraid that if he didn’t he’d end up doing whatever I wanted. And he was probably right. But I didn’t want him to go to bed frustrated.

“I didn’t come here to tease you.” I sighed, “Well maybe I did. But not about what made you hang up on me. The fact that you are talking to me is pretty epic. I mean…”

He put a finger to my lips and I stopped talking and he leaned forward and kissed me. And before you know it I found myself on top of him, his back pressed into the rocky shingles and my fingers in his hair. My cock pressed against his and he moaned. Fuck I loved that sound so I shifted against him grinding our cocks together through my jeans and his pajamas. I slid to the side and he whined and tried to pull me on top of him, but my hand across his hard cut stomach stilled him and he pressed his body up into my hand. I slid my fingers underneath the elastic bad and found nothing else hindering my way as I pushed inside to grab his cock.

He was already leaking and soon his body was tense underneath me. He let out a groan and it was the only warning I had before his orgasm let loose and I felt the hot cum all over my hand. I continued to stroke until he was whining again, but he never asked me to stop. His head tilted back and I sucked a spot on his neck. He tasted so good.

There was a moment of awkward silence before he reached down and started grabbing at my buttons. I grabbed his hand and pushed it up over his head. He looked at me with wide fear-filled eyes. “First one is free.” I joked but he looked even more afraid. “Next time.” I said.

“Will there be a next time?” he asked.

I leaned down and pressed a hard kiss to his mouth, his lips parted and my tongue claimed him, just like I’d taught him, I would do it again and again if it would mean he’d kiss me like that again. “Absolutely.” I pulled away from him and smiled. “I’ll make you a promise, if no one, including you touches this.” I waved my hand over his whole body, “any of it, except for those much needed ablutions, then yes, there will absolutely be a next time.”

He laughed, “You don’t want me masturbating?”

I nodded, “Can you do that? No one touching you in anyway that is sexual or about gratification.”

“I guess that’s not hard, but how long you going to keep me hanging?”

I stood up with a smirk and then leaned down to whisper in his ear, “As long as I want.”

I stood back up and my cock was at eye level and I knew he was looking at the bulge in my pants. He nodded and looked up at me, god I loved that look from him, full of hope and lust and what he wanted. “Okay.”

I nodded towards the window, “Go back inside and I’ll go home.” I stood there and waited until he moved.

“Oh you mean now.”

I nodded, “Yeah, I want to make sure you are safe before I leave.”

He didn’t hesitate to pick up his things and shake out the gravel and leaves before stepping back inside. He didn’t close his window, I didn’t like that but he did slip into his blankets before I gave him a wave which he returned and I climbed back down the tree and walked home with a fucking hard on the size of Texas impeding my way.

Nox

Why the fuck did he get to judge me? I hung up the phone and climbed back inside my bedroom window. Drew was already asleep. He’d gone to bed before I had called Alex. “It’s none of his business.” I spoke to myself. But yet I had told him that. Told him the one thing people didn’t know about me. He was so easy to talk to.

My phone rang and I frowned at the caller’s name. It simply said Alex. “What?” I answered grumpily.

“There’s nothing wrong with being a virgin. I just didn’t expect it. A pretty boy like you, you’ve been with Mia so long everyone figures.”

“Yeah I know what they figure. And we let them think it.” I growled at him.

“Come on, don’t be mad. I’m sorry I laughed.”

“Whatever.” I said sitting down on my bed. “I’m sure the next thing running around school will be I’m gay and a virgin.”

“That would probably make all the girls want you even more.”

“Yeah too bad, I don’t like girls.” I sighed, “And I’m not interested anyway.”

“What are you interested in, or should I ask who?” He smirked.

He thought he was making a joke. “You.” i said and then hung up again. I didn’t want to talk about it. I did’nt know why he was suddenly top of my mind.  My phone rang again and I picked it up, “You really won’t let me brood will you?”

Alex chuckled, “If you keep hanging up on me I might be of the mind to tell you off in person.”

“Now? it’s almost midnight.”

“So?”

I hung up the phone. I don’t know why I did that. Did I really think he was going to walk all this way to my house and tell me off in person? Fuck! What if he did? What if he doesn’t come?

I sat there and waited for several very long minutes staring at my phone waiting for him to call back. And when he never did my heart skipped a beat. Fuck, was he coming?

I told myself it had all been a game and I’d called his bluff. I got ready for bed. Pulled on a pair of pyjama bottoms and tossed my clothes in the hamper and crawled into bed.

I closed my eyes and tried to think of something else. But my mind kept coming back to those blue eyes. My hand strayed to my dick as I thought about him. Then there was a tap tap at my window.

My hand shot out of the covers and I was sitting up in the same motion as I looked out the window to see nothing. Just a branch of the tree scratching against my window. Fuck!

I got up and opened the window and stepped back outside dragging a blanket with me. It wasn’t the first time I’d done it. And it wasn’t likely the last, but tonight it was different as flapped the blanket down on the roof and set my pillow up by the window. Maybe the stars would keep me company.

“You do this often?” A voice from the shadows said as he crawled out of the tree branches on to the roof with me.

“Do what? Meet a guy outside my bed room window?” Alex nodded as he sat down next to me. Like right next to me his leg and arm pressed up against me. “I’d like to say it’s the first time, but Drew’s climbed that tree and come to sit with me many times. But this is the first time in the middle of the night a guy has come to see me.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” Alex said. “And I told you’d I’d come tell you off in person.”

I smiled and pressed my shoulder against his then leaned back to my own safe position, “This doesn’t look like telling me off.”

Alex stared straight ahead, “Maybe I didn’t mean telling you off, more like getting you off.”

He never turned to look at my reaction but he had a smirk on his lips. I just stared at him like he was some sort of alien. Or maybe it was more than that. I couldn’t believe he was sitting on my roof like he’d done it thousands of times before. “This how you sneak out?”

I shrugged, “I can, but it’s just as easy to walk out the front door.” I sighed, “Why did you come?”

Alex still never looked at me, “I told you I would, and I couldn’t sleep.”

“Why though.”

He looked at me and smiled, “How often do I get challenged to come meet a boy I’ve been crushing on most of my life. I figured if I didn’t come then you’d probably not ever talk to me again.” Alex looked back out towards the street, “And I like talking to you. I don’t get why you are, but I’ll take it until the kids pressure you not to.”

“You think I care what they think?”

“Don’t you?” Alex looked at me again and nodded, “I mean look at you. Everything you do is praised and acknowledged. Even the stupid fake picture didn’t hurt your rep any, if it did anything it was make Jace look like an idiot and a bad photoshopper.” He chuckled, “The fact that you are even giving me the time of day is so fucking out there.”

“Why is it out there?” i knew I sounded offended and I was. Why was it that I couldn’t like Alex, or hang out with him. “Drew hangs out with Mandy, has for years, no one gives him shit about his rocker/slacker girlfriend.”

“Who is also known to fuck the foot ball team and Drew at the same time. No, no one gives him a hard time because they all secretly hope they’ll get to take part in her kink one day.”

“She’s not fucked the whole football team.” I laughed, “That’s a nasty rumor.”

“You know for certain?”

“I do. I know every guy they have brought into their circle of fucking. as they put it. And you are one of them.”

“I was one of them.”

“So I heard. Why’d you call it quits?” I asked.

Alex sighed, “Doesn’t matter. And how do you know I called it off?”

“Because Drew is upset about it. And I don’t think Mandy is telling the truth.”

“So if you don’t believe her about calling it off why believe who she has and hasn’t fucked?”

“Because Mandy is faithful to Drew in the sense that they always tell each other who they are fucking outside what they bring in together. Did you know you were the only guy Drew’s ever fucked alone. He doesn’t cheat on Mandy except with you.”

“I should feel privileged.” Alex rolled his neck like he had a stiff neck. I shifted so I could sit behind him and I put my hands around his neck and he froze. I pressed my thumbs into his spine and found a huge knot and started needed it. Alex groaned and relaxed all in the same moment.

“I wouldn’t say privileged.” I said as I worked the knot out of Alex’s neck, kneading strongly and softly at the same time. “Drew is loyal. And while he didn’t think of you as his boyfriend, he sorta hoped you would stick around for him.”

Alex laughed, “He’s the reason I ended it. He took advantage of my sensibilities and I know I never said no, but still he knew I don’t do that.”

“I’d ask do what, but that’s between you two. But if Drew hurt you I’m sure it was unintentional. You should tell him. Even if you don’t want to get back together with them, you should tell him he hurt you. I’m sure he didn’t mean it. He liked you.” I’d be disappointed if he got back with Drew, but Drew had him first.

“He talked about me?”

“A lot.”

Alex laughed, “I think he was feeling you out. Drew knew why I came over the night of the party. He knew this was the only party of the summer I’d say yes to and not because he asked, but because it was here. He asked if he could use your room cause of me. I don’t think he planned to do what he did, we sorta just ended up doing it that way. And the only thing I wanted was for it to be you.” Alex confessed.

“You wanted to be having sex with me?” I pressed my thumbs into a knot and my head fell against the back of his neck. I could smell him again, so much better than his lingering scent left on my pillow.

“Who wouldn’t?”

Alex

We ate dinner then Max and me played video games down in the basement for a little while before he left with left overs to take to his dad. Mom and Dad called it an early night and I heard their little baby making sessions sans the baby making part. I put in my ear buds and turned the music up loud.

But even before the first song ended my phone rang. It was the default ring tone so I thought about letting it go to voice mail. But I picked my phone up and saw Pretty Boy staring back at me. I answered it, “Hey Pretty Boy.”

“Alex?” He asked cautiously. “It’s Nox.”

I rolled my eyes, but the sound of his voice directly in my ear was making me all sorts of horny. “I know who it is.”

“I wasn’t sure by the way you answered.”

“What you don’t think you are pretty?” I smirked, “Or was it the boy part?”

“It was the combination of the two actually.” I could almost her the shrug in his voice, “I guess I never thought I was a pretty boy. They are usually players or hyped up gay.”

“And you aren’t either of those things.” I commented.

“No. Don’t think I’m either of those things either, but I guess it’s nice that you think I’m pretty. So I should thank you?” He flirted, I think he’s actually flirting with me. I sat up in my bed and looked out the open window wondering what he was doing.

“So what’s with the post school time call?” I asked trying to play it cool but I would stay up all night talking to him if that was what he wanted. Though afterwards I’d probably have to do something about the growing problem in my pants.

“Did you read the note on the notes I gave you?” He asked.

“Yeah something about a science fair project.” I shrugged and flung my legs over the bed, he only wanted to talk school. I was slightly disappointed.

“Do you want to work together on it. Normally I’d work with Drew, but since he’s not in my science class and I choose to sit next to you I’m offering. Even if that means I have to do it by myself. I’m still offering since we’ll be lab partners and all.”

“Do you always talk so much?” I teased.

“Yeah, probably, I don’t know.” He stammered on. “I’ll shut up now. So do you or not?”

“What did you have in mind?” I didn’t really care anyway. It wasn’t like I was going to help much.

“I don’t know, I’ll see what I can find and we’ll choose one together. Though it’ll have to be in school. My dad wasn’t happy I didn’t come home straight after school. Speaking of which, why didn’t you come in and help? You could have provided some different sketches instead of all mine.”

“I don’t draw.”

He chuckled which made me shift my junk. He was a fucking tease. “The back of your phone case says otherwise. I really liked the skull you drew, it was very detailed.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear and looked at the smudged pencil drawings on the back of it. How’d he even see them, no one else ever did. I put the phone back, “How close did you have to look at it in order to see those, I mean I can barely see them and I know they are there.”

“I don’t know. Anyway, I’ll let you get back to whatever it was you were doing.”

“I was just lying in bed listening to music. You don’t have to hang up.” I said. It sounded almost like I was begging him to talk to me. “But you do whatever.” I added to cover it up.

“I figured Max was over still.”

“It’s late why would he still be here?” I asked.

“Because his home life sucks and you watch over him like a hawk.”

I shrugged, “His dad was in a decent place. Hasn’t gotten violent since his last rehab stint, still drinking but not hitting on Max.”

“If Max ever needs any help you can’t help him with, give me a call. My Dad is big on supporting the kids that come from AA and the military, he could help them find the help they need.”

“Do you always try to fix things?”

“Sorry.” I could hear his voice change from the happy helper to something more depressive. “Just … never mind. I should go.”

“Hey don’t be like that.” I sighed. He called me. And now here I was begging him to stay. I smirked, “So whatcha wearing?”

“Tshirt and shor….” Nox didn’t finish his sentence and laughed, “Really?”

“Really.” I smirked and I wished I could see his face, the sparkle in his eye.

“Don’t you think we should, ya know kiss before we get into phone sex?” His voice was happy again, and that was what I was aiming for.

“I don’t know. Maybe I just want you for your body.” Which wasn’t far from the truth, but there was more to it. I mean I didn’t just stalk him cause he was cute. He was popular and nice, and…

“I don’t do one night anythings.” He said, “Not that I’ve ever had the chance actually, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that.”

“Why not Pretty Boy?” I asked.

“It seems unfair. I get it. But I’d probably just end up hurting myself in the end. So what’s the point.”

“Well you’ve had Mia your whole life, so who needs a one night stand.” I added to help.

“Mia and I never had sex. We rarely kissed. It was a fake relationship, she used me and it kept my dad off my back.” He confessed.

“So, wait, you’re saying that you and Mia never …. like ever? Not even close?”

“I don’t like girls, Alex. Not even a little. Sure they are cute and pretty and I can admire them, but short of the physical act of touch they don’t do it for me.”

I laughed. “So you’re a virgin?”

That was the wrong thing to say. “Yeah, what of it.” He snapped. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He said and hung up the phone. If it had been in the movies or old school he probably would have slammed the receiver down. I hoped he didn’t through the phone across the room in anger.

Nox

I stayed as long as Mia did and I walked her home just like we used to. Well not like we used to, she wasn’t trying to hold my hand or cuddle up next to me. Her jackass of a boyfriend had left after football practice without giving her a ride home. He merely yelled ‘I’ll call you’ from the hall as he and his friends ran past.

Drew was sitting on his door step when I walked Mia up. I smiled, he nodded, “No yelling yet. I haven’t heard any crashes either. Maybe he’s not home.”

I shook my head. “I’m never so lucky. Besides Ry’s home and he’ll have tattled.”

“You have a shitty brother sometimes.”

“Ry’s just looking out for me. He knows Dad will get pissed if he finds out later.”

“He might never have found out at all. Sneak in.”

I shook my head, “No I’ll take my lumps. Even if it’s gonna mean missing homecoming.”

“I wonder if your dad will still throw the after party?”

“Probably. Probably make me stay in my room while Ry and Luc have fun.”

“Ant left before you got home.” Drew added.

“He had to get back to the dorms before they kicked him out.” I said. “Or so his text said.” I sighed, “I better get inside. I’ll call if I can.”

“If not we can talk through our bedroom windows like we did as kids.”

I nodded. “If he even lets me out of his sight.” I laughed. But it wasn’t likely far from the truth.

I opened the door and I didn’t make it any quieter or louder than usual. Lucy was sitting in the living room reading a book and I heard Ryan’s music in his room, he was playing off key and it hurt my ears. He thought he was going to be a great guitar player but he truly and utterly sucked.

I walked into the kitchen with my back pack slung over my shoulder and my Mom looked up with a smile and handed me a cup of lemonade. “Your father is in the back yard.”

I sighed and set my book bag down on the stool and gave my Mom a hug before I stepped out the sliding screen door and saw my Dad cleaning the pool. “I had every mind to make you do this.”

“I still can. It looks like you just started.” I handed my dad the glass of lemonade and took the net’s handle from him and started cleaning the pool. It was hardly a punishment. It was just a random chore.

“I thought I told you to be home straight after school.”

I nodded as I scooped leaves out of the shallow end. “I know. Mia begged me to help decorate for Home coming. You know I can’t say No to her.”

“She’s not your girlfriend anymore son.”

I laughed, “It was never about Mia being my girlfriend. She’s my best friend’s kid sister who I adore. And just like my own sister I’d do anything for her.” I paused in my straining to look over at my father who was sipping his lemonade and watching my work. “Absolutely anything, Dad. And that included disobeying you.”

He sighed and I continued working on the pool. The silence was strained. “You are still grounded.”

“I know.”

“For even longer now.”

“I know.” I said again.

My dad sat down in the shaded lawn chair by the pool, “What’s this year’s theme?”

“You sure you want to know?”

“I’m going to find out later aren’t I?” He said rhetorically.

“Be Proud. Mia says its in honor of my official coming out. As if I just came out to the world, when it was only you that just found out. So lots of rainbows and colors. But I convinced them it’s not about coming out, it’s about proud of who you are as a person. That we shouldn’t just focus on the whole coming out thing. We all need to be proud of who we are.”

My dad chuckled, “Always the diplomat. I don’t understand.”

“I know.” I agreed. “I can’t explain it to you. But girls never have in any slightest fashion made my heart beat faster. Except to make me uncomfortable, and not in the sexy fun kinda way.”

“But boys do?” my father asked without looking at me.

I nodded. “Yes. You remember Dylan back in grade school?”

My dad laughed, “You and him used to play football together. He was your center for a while until he moved.”

I nodded, “They moved because Dylan’s dad found out I liked boys. And he didn’t want his son playing center to no fucking faggot.”

“How come I never heard about that?” He stood up and looked at me, “What else have people been keeping from me?”

“They didn’t tell you cause they know how you feel about gays. And they didn’t want you to go down your father’s path.”

“Because my son is gay?”

“You grounded me because I’m gay.” I shrugged. “So it’s not a far leap to think you might beat your son if you drank too much.”

“You honestly think I’d hurt you?”

“No. I don’t think you would. But that’s why people didn’t tell you. I knew you’d be pissed. And you’d punish me for it. But I never once thought you’d break your sobriety and beat me cause of it. I believe you beat that, I have faith in you and what I know of my father.” I finished cleaning the rest of the leaves out of the pool while my dad stood there staring at me, the water, whatever was in front of him while he was lost in thought.

“I’m gonna go take out the trash, and then help Mom with dinner.” I said. And when he said nothing, responded with nothing I broke down the net and put it in the shed before heading inside.

Alex

I didn’t know what I was going to do with those notes. I didn’t really need them. I’d either ace the class or fail it miserably. I didn’t really care. Neither did my parents. I tucked them back into my pocket. I’d read the note at the top of the page he’d added. We have to enter the science fair. What do you want to do?

He was asking me to participate? He should know better. But I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Thinking about spending time out of school with the guy I’d been stalking for four years or more.

The last bell of the first day rang and I found myself wandering the halls looking for Max. I walked past the gym and found a bunch of people working on the home coming decorations for later this month. Nox was in there and I stood in the door to the gym watching him as the girls flocked around him all chittering and chatting about things.

He got down on his hands and knees over a large piece of paper and started drawing with a black marker. There was a hand on the small of my back and then I heard Max laugh I turned to see a bubbly blonde with a pink streaks through her hair. “He’s gonna be in so much trouble when he gets home. But he can’t say no to Mia.” Lucy Durante giggled and patted Max on the shoulder, her hand sliding away from my back, “See you tomorrow after school at the town library in the back – way back.” She said and then left me and Max standing staring into the gym.

“What was that about?” I asked.

Max shrugged. “She’s gonna help me and I’ll keep her secret.”

I chuckled and nodded my head so we’d leave. Or I’d stay there all day or worse yet go and try to help. “You mean that she can read, the one you already told me?”

He nodded, “I told you, but I know you won’t tell anyone.” Max rushed through the words I knew it was a nervous habit.

“I won’t tell anyone. Who’s gonna believe us anyway?”

Max shrugged, “What we doing tonight?”

“You want to come over?”

Max looked at me, “What’s for dinner?”

“I don’t know, you can come find out.”

Max didn’t need anymore invitation. We walked across town to my house to spend the rest of our evening there.

We walked into my house and I could hear my Dad playing the guitar on the back porch and Mom was busy making dinner in the kitchen. I yelled, “Max is staying for dinner.” And I stomped up to my room, but Max didn’t follow. He went straight for Mom.

I pushed open my door and flipped on the light and pulled the papers Nox had given me out of my back pocket and tossed it on the bed. I turned on my favorite playlist but not loud enough to drown out Dad’s singing in the back yard. I liked listening to him, but I couldn’t tell him that.

I kicked off my shoes and they flung into a corner behind the door and I flopped down on my bed and opened up the notes. I didn’t really care much about what the notes said, but I read each page just to see his hand writing.

I’d seen a lot of people’s notes over the years, and Nox’s were different, there were no doodles in the margins or words scribbled out. Sure he crossed things out but it was elegantly done with two crossed lines. His pen was fine point and he made each stroke deliberate. It was beautiful to look at. The drawings from the board made it to the page and they were just as neat and carefully drawn as each letter had been. Nox had starred some passages, and on the back of the notes he scribbled next to the star Likely to be on a test.

I wondered if those were the teachers words or if Nox had a way of knowing what was important and what was not. But I didn’t get a chance to wonder before Max plowed into my room. “It’s fried chicken,” he said. “With mashed potatoes and gravy and the yummy peach cobbler your mom makes.”

Max had two sodas and a plate of cookies in his hand. He handed me a soda and set the cookies on the corner of the bed after he flopped down next to me. “Your dad must be feeling nostalgic.”

“I think he’s planning on playing at open mic night this Friday down at the Rio.”

“You going to go watch?”

I shrugged. “I’m not a fan of country.”

“That place is as country as it gets, but it’s your dad.”

“Do you want to come?”

Max grinned widely, “I’d love to go.”

“Okay, then we’ll go.” I loved seeing that smile on Max’s face. It really was the little things that made him happy. I never had to impress Max. Max just accepted everything and went with it. Was probably why he was my best friend.

“Those the notes Nox gave you?” He nodded towards the papers lying next to me.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do with them.”

Max laughed and opened up the drawer where I hid all the things I’ve taken from Nox’s house over the years. How he knew where they were I don’t know but he laughed as he tossed them inside with the rest of it. “Ya know most people build a shrine, not hide their crushes inside drawers.”

“That is my shrine. I worship at it every night what the fuck you think I do with all that.” I rolled my eyes and Max laughed spreading crumbs all over my comforter. “Maaahx.” I whined.

He shoved the rest of the cookie in his mouth and got up to find the dust buster my mom kept in the closet. “Sorry, sorry.” He said as he cleaned up his mess. He sat down with the dustbuster in his lap and held it up under his chin while he ate, “This better.”

“Much.” I said as snapped a picture of my dork of a friend.

“You gonna call him?”

I shrugged. “Doubtful.”

Nox

I watched Max pile his lunch from his tray into his pockets and I placed an extra apple on his tray when I walked past. He looked up and mumbled a thank you. “This for me?”

I grinned at him. “You or your friends.”

“You mean Alex?” his grin was wide and he was sorta cute with all the mess of hair and frumpy clothes. But not as cute as Alex.

“If he wants it. But you looked like you needed it more than I did.” I said as I went to sit with my friends. I still couldn’t believe Alex had fallen asleep in class. He didn’t snore but he looked peaceful – much more so than usual. I just wished I could have stared into those gorgeous blue eyes. How the fuck had I never noticed them?

Drew and Mandy were sitting at the end of a table and I sat down next to Drew. Mandy laughed, “So you in or not Nox?”

“In on what?” I asked.

“That bet we were talking about?”

“I can’t do that.” I said.

Drew laughed, “Told you he wouldn’t.” Drew knew I was starting to crush on the slacker skater kid who everyone avoided just because he looked like he was trouble.

“Joany heard from Jill that you sat next to him. Sounds like you are in to me.” Mandy added then grabbed her tray and headed out to the grassy hill where the rest of her people sat. She rarely ate with Drew. She was way too popular in her own circle to hang out with us popular kids.

My sister sat across from us still snapping her gum. She gave Drew one of those funny smiles that knew all too well what he’d been doing at the party in my room. Lucy looked at me with a right smile, “So I didn’t tell you, you know that loser you just gave an apple to?”

“Max?” I asked.

“You know his name?” Lucy laughed. “Yeah if that’s him I guess.” She smacked her gum, “Well he was looking for that other loser and he came into my room while I was reading. He was such a bumbling idiot, really like he didn’t know how to come in or leave. He just stood there staring at me. Turns out, he needs help reading. I told him I’d help him if he’d keep my secret.”

Drew laughed, “What secret is that? That you are a secret nerd? You know Luc, no one in their right mind would ever believe that kid much less if he said, Lucy Durante was reading a book. Does she even know what one is?”

Lucy giggled. “So true.” She smacked her gum and twirled her hair for effect, pulling her knee up to her chest and letting whatever boys wanted to look under the table see what she had to offer.

I sighed. “Luc, Dad’s gonna be pissed if you get sent home again for indecent clothes.”

She grinned, “Everything’s in school regulations. And I’m wearing shorts under this here skirt so the boys can look all they want.”

Drew made it an obvious point to look under the table and see for himself. He came up chuckling, “They say fuck off.”

Lucy reached across the table and smacked Drew. “Fuck off pervert!” She giggled.

I ate the rest of my lunch while our friends came and went and left us alone again until the bell rang. Mia sat down with us and Jace was next to her in one foul swoop my day went to hell.

Mia reached across the table and took my hands, “You are going to help with homecoming aren’t you?”

“I can’t. I have to be home after school.”

Jace laughed, “So Mr. Popular can’t make it. I will Mia.”

She looked at Jace with big brown eyes that turned to puddles of liquid lust when he smiled at her. “Thanks babe, but Nox is really good, we need him.” She turned back to me and smiled. “Come on Nox. I’ll owe ya. We all will. Your Dad can’t be mad at you, the picture is obviously fake.” She looked at Jace and smiled, “It’s really bad babe!”

He was a bright red in anger but he said nothing, “My Dad grounded me because I’m gay Mia not because of Jace’s dumb ass picture.”

She begged, even got down on her hands and knees and pleaded with me. “Fine. But you owe me.”

I sighed, “I have to go do something, I’ll see you after school.” Apparently I was going to be decorating for Homecoming after school tonight. Good luck with that I thought to myself. I could see my Dad storming into the school in a angry rage and pulling me out by my ear, or my hair, whatever he felt was necessary.

But I headed into the office. “Hey, Ms. Sinclair. I need to borrow the copier.”

“Go right ahead Nox.”

I copied my science notes and wrote down a quick note at the top for Alex. And then I headed to the grassy hill where he normally sat. Mandy was sitting there with all her friends, and Alex and Max were talking quietly to each other. I stopped in front of them on the side walk and waited for someone to acknowledge me. I didn’t want to interrupt. Alex and Max looked up when I cast a shadow on their conversation. They both frowned. I held out the photocopied notes to Alex. “For the class you missed.”

Alex took the papers from my hand and just stared at me. “Thanks I guess.” He said and went back to his conversation with Max. This time in even quieter whispers than before. The bell rang and I sighed, so much for that, I thought and headed back inside to get to my next class. I guess I shouldn’t have expected him to be happy about the notes. But I had hoped.

Alex

First day of school was like every other day. Me and Max and the rest of the boys we hung out with sat on the grassy hill over looking the buses. Usually we had loud music playing and some of the other kids accused of smoking pot. But none of us had ever done that – at least not on school grounds. Not even Jimmy who was our celeb pot head. Been busted a few times and suspended a few more for being high on school grounds.

Max and I lounged in the greenery while the others lingered in the back talking loud and playing air guitar to the music blasting on the old school boombox via MP3 player of course, but it was the aesthetic that Johnny went for and it was worth it most of the time. “What about that one?” Max pointed out a well muscled guy wearing a tank top and shorts and looked like he’d spent his days on the beach – which there were none around here so family vacation.

I shrugged, “He’s probably got a small pecker so no.”

Max chocked on his own spit laughing at my comment.

A girl in a tan dress that nearly showed off her nether region and definitely showed those leopard print panties she was sporting. “Her?” He asked without a snicker though he couldn’t hold it back.

“Probably a virgin trying too hard, so nope.”

Nox and Drew walked by with Mandy on Drew’s hip. She waved at us, though I think it was just pretense really, we were done and she was pissed about it. Even called me three times in the past week to make it up to me. Max laughed, “I know the answer to those three – Yes, yes and fuck yes.” He laughed even harder.

I rolled my eyes and stood up. “Class, let’s go.” I pulled Max up and he stumbled after me still laughing. We had the same homeroom this year. Unusual for us. So we slipped inside and low and behold there was Pretty Boy sitting in the center of the room like he belonged there. Everyone piled in around him, chatting and catching up. I wondered if anyone brought up the picture at all. Max and I moved to the back of the room though as we moved past he looked at me and smiled and gave me a slight nod to acknowledge our eyes met.

I nodded back unsure of what was going on. We never had the same classes. Max sat in the back corner of the room by the windows and I sat next to him. I got a great view of Nox’s backside when he stood up after roll call and homeroom ended.

Ten minutes in the same room and I was still wondering why he gave me his number.

“I got rem math next. I’ll see you at lunch.” Max said as he pushed past me to head off in the other direction.

I had science. One of the most boring classes in school. And the one that was the hardest to fake. It wasn’t hard to do, labs just made it that much more difficult to fail when you don’t really want to blow up the classroom. I’d had to resort to getting sick during dissections last year. This year I think was chemistry, I don’t know but it didn’t matter really.

I was the third person in the class room and sat down at a lab desk at the back of the room. Mr. Whitmore looked up from his reading and frowned when he saw it was me. He opened his mouth to say something but we both were shocked when tall popular and fucking hot pretty boy sat down next to me. His mouth snapped closed and he blinked at us. Fuck I didn’t even know what to say to that. It wasn’t like the last seat in the place he’d walked to the back of the room and purposefully sat next to me, “You don’t mind do you?” he said.

I shook my head still in stunned silence. What the fuck?

His knee brushed against mine and there was a bolt of electricity. I pulled away it felt like it hurt but was so exciting too. Fuck me, I was screwed here. I leaned forward on my elbows and hid my mouth behind my hands, “Why are you sitting here? We aren’t friends now.”

Nox smiled. “I figure if I’m your lab partner you can at least pretend to cheat off me to get the grades you actually earn.”

I blinked at him and he smiled with a slight pink tinge to his ears and neck. “Why do you care?”

He shrugged and opened his notebook and scribbled down a note and pushed it to the middle of the desk so I could read it. I just do! It was written in elegant hand writing you’d expect from some art kids or the popular girls but without all the swirls and hearts. It was elegant that was the only word for it.

He pulled his notebook back to his side and wrote the date and started making notes. Of what I don’t know class hadn’t even started yet. The bell rang and Mr. Whitmore start talking almost immediately. I rested my head on my hands propped up by my elbows and closed my eyes.

The next thing I knew the bell rang and Nox was standing up and stretching, his t-shirt rode up past his jeans and a small slip of skin shown and I groaned. “Finally wake up sleepy head?” He asked as his arms fell.

“Yeah. Something like that.” I said as I hurried to stand and move out of the classroom. Nox followed me and I wanted to escape his scrutinizing look.

Nox followed me half way to my next class before he ducked into his next one. Thank fuck we didn’t have another class together.

The rest of the day until lunch I worried that he might be in another class, but he wasn’t. I met Max on the grassy hill with my usual apple and chocolate milk. I couldn’t stand school food so I never ate more than that. Max on the other hand had a tray full of everything packed into his bags as he hurried out the cafeteria to sit on the grass with us. This was his only good meal all day long he soaked up the food like a sponge.

“Anything fun happen in your classes?” Max asked.

I shrugged, “Nox sat next to me in science class.”

Max’s eyes went wide, “Was he late or something?”

I shook my head, “No. He sat down next to me. Something about letting me cheat off of him.”

Max laughed. “He could cheat off of you if you cared enough.”

Max was one of the few who knew what I’d done to stay in the same grade as him for a couple of years. “Actually he said it was so I could earn my grades and pretend to cheat off him.”

“He knows?” Max whispered.

“Apparently he grades some of the papers in down time and saw what I did to fail the tests.”

Max sighed. “And he’s not going to tell?”

I shrugged again, “I dunno. He hasn’t yet. Or if he did they don’t care.” I growled, “I don’t wanna talk about it anymore.”

Nox

The past week saw me and Drew hanging out with the chain link fence strung up between us. I hadn’t left the property since the night I took Alex his phone. My Dad was so pissed that night he’d spent the whole time punching his bag in our home gym. He wouldn’t have heard me even if I hadn’t been quiet. Mom on the other hand did, and we had a conversation about sneaking out when I was grounded. But when I told her I was just returning a guy’s phone she let it be. My Dad won’t find out about that one at least.

But today was the first day back to school and I had permission to go. My dad had left an hour before I got up. He didn’t want to look me in the eyes. He hadn’t looked me in the eyes since he found out. Ryan was soaking up the extra praise, and Lucy took it as a sign she could go even further overboard with her stupid guise. The bouncing bubbly blond with big boobs. Dad never even noticed that she stuffed her bra even more than usual. Mom just rolled her eyes as we grabbed our things and headed out the door with Lucy smacking her gum and twirling her hair.

Ant was lounging on the couch watching the news. Must be nice not to have to go to class early.

“Don’t forget, Nox, come straight home. Your Dad will be here and he expects you no later than 3:15,” Mom reminded me. Which mean I actually had to run the fuck home or I’d get grounded further. Lucky me.

I nodded, “I will be here,” I promised.

Ryan laughed. “At least you’ve kept in shape.” He said as he pushed us all out the door.

Drew and Mia met us at the end of the sidewalk to our house. Jace pulled up in his convertible and Mia climbed in with a wave, “Anyone want a ride?”

Both Lucy and Ryan piled in and off they went. Drew looked at me and sighed, “He’s just an ass.”

“I know. I’m not worried about him.”

“You worried what the others are gonna think?” Drew asked.

I shrugged as we continued towards school. “I don’t care. It’s not like people don’t already know. I mean look at me.”

Drew laughed. “You mean like the guy liner, and the strawberry lip gloss, and the fashionable clothes – that you don’t even know the name too, but that’s besides the point.”

I rolled my eyes, “Just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I like fashion. Lucy demands that I dress according to the name.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know Luc is like your personal shopper. Now if I could get her to shop for me I’d be happy. I’ll even model for her.”

“You’d be so lucky if Luc wanted to do that for you.” I poked my tongue out at my best friend, “She doesn’t like Mandy.”

“I know. She tells me every time I run into her on the way to the bathroom. You know you’d be so much cooler if you’d date within your league. As if I wanted to.”

“Everyone asks why you date her, and I’m like he’s addicted to the sex.”

Drew laughed, “Mandy is nice. Yes. The sex is awesome and how many girls are going to let their bisexual boyfriend fuck other guys, as long as she gets some play time too.”

“You know you can’t do that forever, she’ll want solidarity one day.”

Drew sighed, “Yeah, I think we are getting there. She told me I couldn’t see Alex anymore. A fucking shame. Did I tell you…” Drew started but I shoved him into the road.

“Dude, I don’t want to hear it.” I didn’t say why. I didn’t even tell Drew I’d given him my number. I never kept secrets from Drew.

We were at school by the time Drew said, “You really are out of it all. Don’t worry about Jace, or anyone else, everyone here loves you and Mia is not worth being sad over. Rep or not. Any guy or girl would be lucky to have you as a boyfriend. And your Dad can fuck off.” Drew said just as Mandy wrapped her arm around his waist. “Hey babe.”

Mandy smiled, “I bet Nox can get anyone to fall in love with him just like we have. Show your Dad that you’ve got balls and he can’t do shit about it anymore.”

Drew laughed. “I would take that bet.”

Mandy smiled slyly and looked over at the grassy hill where all the skater slacker slash rockers sat in the morning – her crowd. She gave them a little wave and snickered when Max waved back. “I bet Nox could make Alex fall for him.”

We walked past and Drew looked back at the pair that were still talking. “I know he could. You in Nox?”

“In for what?” I asked.

“Making Alex fall in love with you?” He had a shit eating grin on his face and I wanted to know why? But the bell rang and Drew and Mandy rushed off into another class room and I was left with myself and wondering about a bet that I wasn’t sure about. Those sorts of bets always turned out like shit in the end. Never with any happy endings, and I wasn’t some jerk ass person to do that sorta thing to someone. Specially to someone who I might actually like if he gave me a chance.

I sighed as I walked into Homeroom and sat down in my usual middle row, middle of the room seat. I hoped this teacher didn’t like assigned seats by name. Seriously hated that.