[Prologue]
Ah, the sweet time of autumn.
In Chris' opinion, it was the best season of them all. Autumn brought about the change of colour in the trees that turned their leaves the warm orange and red, the smell of apple cider, and the perfect excuse to splurge on scarves to match with coats to keep him toasty in the crispy, cool, air. Autumn also gave him a time to reflect over his year. He never waited until the end of the year to do that; always autumn. He liked to contemplate over everything that had happened- the good and the bad. This year, not much bad had happened, but he wanted to change something... He wanted to find love. He was tired of being alone; it was lonely. He had never been much of a people's person, but he didn't like being completely secluded for long periods of time. He knew he wanted something like love at a young age, and he knew that it was unlikely he'd find it... But still, he wanted it. He wanted to at least try to get it. It wasn't going to be easy though- with all his odds stacked against him, there was one more.
He was gay.
He loved men. He had figured out his sexual orientation at the tender age of twelve when the rest of the boys in his class were looking at Jenna Jakarin, he was studying Bryce Nolanski. He was grossed out by the thought of kissing a girl, and well, Jenna fell into the 'girl' category. However, Bryce? Chris thought it would be nice to kiss him... he had pretty much figured then that he was like the guys his dad had told him about. Surprisingly though, his father had been rather accepting of his sexuality once he found out, and had welcomed Chris with open arms.
The nineteen year old brushed back a lock of brunette hair, and sighed softly as he thought over his life. When he was five his parents had moved him to the small town of Salem, Massachusetts. The town was welcoming in its looks, the people were nice enough, and he had no problem in transitioning into a new school, it was just... Even though he had friends, he felt as if they weren't genuine. He knew that people talked about him behind his back. There were very little gay kids in his school; he could count maybe two of them, and three that were gay and just didn't know it.
"Ugh." Chris murmured as wind raced past him, picking up leaves and tousling his hair out of place. The teen was walking through a park that was near home. It was a place he went when he wanted to have time to think or clear his head. The park had long ago been abandoned, and now weeds grew through the cracks in the worn plastic border that surrounded the little slide, swings, and jungle gym play set, while other plants tangled around other toy in the park. If you were one who didn't mind all of the overgrowth, the place would be a perfect to just escape from the world and just focus on yourself.
At least that was how Chris viewed it as he sat down on an old swing, and looked up at the old chains that held it, rusted from water and age. He slowly began to swing himself, continuing his previous thoughts on love. Perhaps the reason why he couldn't find love was because he was so serious. He had been told so many times to 'loosen up' a bit and he agreed; he needed to. Given he agreed, that didn't mean he did it. Sure he tried, but every time he fell flat. The scene that he was supposed to fit into... It just didn't fit him.
He could see how that would be a hindrance to him finding love. Really... Who wanted a stick-in-the-mud, for a boyfriend? No one did... He just wanted someone to accept him for him. To love him for all the seriousness he had to offer, and maybe bring out the kid in him to make him laugh and try new things.
He needed someone to love him for him.
Jesus... Finding love was already harder than it needed to be.