Noah chuckled as he and Ezekiel trouped into the kitchen. Luckily for them, Chef Hatchet was off taking a swim.
"I wonder what crap old Cheffie has planned for us for dinner, eh?" Ezekiel said.
Noah grinned.
As the two finished their chores of washing dishes, Noah noticed Ezekiel's gaze constantly sneaking over to glance at him. He raised an eyebrow.
"What?" he asked finally.
"N-nothing." Ezekiel replied quickly.
Noah dried off his hands on a towel. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"N-no r-reason, eh. I-I just…" the home-schooled boy stuttered, trailing off.
Noah rolled his eyes. Ezekiel bit his lip. He wanted desperately to say something…
"How's Cody?" Ezekiel blurted out.
Okay, maybe not like that.
Noah whipped around in shock. "W-what?"
Zeke clapped a hand to his mouth in horror. He knew how sensitive Noah was about that, but his socially screwed-up mind had gotten the better of him.
Noah's eyes blazed in fury. "Sh-shut the hell up, you dumbass! What's wrong with you?"
He shoved the hat-wearing sociopath to the floor. Ezekiel could only stare in terror as Noah raised an arm to punch him. He shut his eyes and felt couple of tears squeeze out as he awaited the pain.
But it never came.
He cracked an eye open hesitantly. Noah had averted his eyes and turned away. Something had kept him from hurting the other teen, but what?
Was it that look of desperation?
The tears that had slid down his pale face?
Or something else deep within himself?
"I'm s-sorry, eh. I was really stupid to say that."
Noah sighed and helped Zeke up.
"Whatever. At least he's kissed somebody."
It took a moment for the insult to sink in. Now it was Ezekiel's turn to be angry.
"W-what's that supposed to mean, eh? I don't have anyone to kiss, but I could still be a better kisser than him!"
Noah giggled. "Yeah right."
"I mean it!"
"Can't."
"Can!"
"Can't."
"Can!"
"CAN'T."
"CAN!"
Noah shut his eyes, his humor turning into exasperation. "NO, you c -!"
Next thing he knew, he was up against the wall, his hand held up by Ezekiel. The home-school grey eyes stared into his own dark chocolate ones. A deep, flustered redness had settled over his pale cheeks.
Then, he kissed him.
Noah's eyes widened. He could hardly believe it.
A blush sneaked onto his own face as he realized that Ezekiel was right. He was a better kisser.
Maybe it was the fact that this mouth had never been pressed against someone else's, or maybe it was the way he was kissing him, but this was different.
It was fantastic.
Noah closed his eyes and pushed forward a little, enjoying every moment. That sweet taste, almost like candy, would remain with him forever.
Barely a second later, Zeke pulled away, realizing what he had done.
"Oh, geez. I-I-I'm so sorry..."
He spun on his heels and turned to run from the kitchen, head in his hands.
Noah grabbed his arm and pulled him back. Ezekiel froze.
"So that's why you keep joining me for chores and games. You like me, don't you?"
A pause. A sniff. Then the boy nodded.
"I-I'm sorry. I won't do it again, eh." he choked out mid-sob.
Noah waited for a second, listening to the sound of Ezekiel crying.
Then he wrapped him in a big hug. Zeke gave a little gasp.
"I like you too." Noah said with a smile. He reached up to give him a little kiss on the cheek.
Ezekiel stood still for a moment, soaking in what had just happened.
The one person he liked…
…liked him back.
A spastic smile crept up onto his face.