Why Not?- Chapter One
The waves crashed against the shore angrily, spraying tiny droplets of water all over
Ray's face. He was standing on the dock at the Alvarna harbour, the sun not yet risen
over the horizon, watching the sky turn from deep blue to its paler counterpart. In the
boy's hand was a mug filled with sweet hot chocolate, with steam reaching its wispy fingers for the sky.
Because of the ocean's roar, the young doctor-in-training didn't hear the footsteps
coming from behind him. It was only when they were coming next to him that he
noticed. His pink hair, which was loose from its usual ribbons, flew around his head as
he turned to look at the newcomer. A few drops of the hot chocolate splashed onto the
wooden planks beneath his feet, and onto the tips of his boots.
"Oh, h-hello," he said shyly, smiling at the person who had appeared next to him.
Barrett, the mayor's son, with his messy brown hair and bright blue eyes, the colour of
the sky, merely grunted at the younger boy and continued on with his business. He set
down the tackle box on the dock and opened it.
"Good morning," Ray said cheerfully, although his checks were still tinted rose.
There was something about Barrett's surliness and rough manner that made him
nervous. However, he felt an urge to talk to him, so, despite that fact that he didn't have
anything he thought was important to say, he moved forward. "So, uh,
y-you're fishing this morning?" He mentally kicked himself.
"Yeah," the other replied, putting bait on his hook. He didn't notice when Ray huffed
a sigh of relief at having his awkward comment go unnoticed. The pink haired boy
looked curiously at what Barrett was doing and tilted his head to one side. He had never
been fishing and was interested in how it was done.
"Can I watch you?" He asked, pleased that he hadn't stuttered when he spoke. The
tall boy who was now tossing his line into the water nodded and seemed to forget about
the doctor. The doctor, however, definitely did not forget about the fisher. The way that
he concentrated on the water where his hook was intently was captivating to Ray, and
he found himself gazing into his face often. Without anyone to distract him from his task,
the mayor's son wasn't so harsh and sat relaxed against a post.
After what seemed like a few minutes to the young doctor, Barrett stood up to leave, his
bucket full of fish. "Good job!" Ray cheered, and then blushed heavily. He sounded
childish to himself, and that was one thing he definitely didn't want the tall young man to
think of him as.
Barrett looked over at the boy and nodded his acknowledgement of the
congratulations. Then, experiencing an inner battle, he smiled and said, "Would you like
some?"
Ray was surprised by his offer while at the same time thrilled by the smile. Never
had he gotten a smile from the man, and he hadn't expected it today. "I-I would love
some!" He answered, beaming. However, in a moment his face fell. "I can't carry it,
though." He said in a small voice. He looked very disappointed.
Barrett sighed and looked down at his boots. "I guess I can carry it to your house for
you." He grunted. Ray flushed. There was something about the image of Barrett in his
home that made him excited.
"Oh, thank you!" He exclaimed and had to hold himself back from hugging the other.
He didn't think that Barrett would appreciate that very much, and he didn't want to make
him uncomfortable or angry. "It won't be out of your way, will it?" The doctor-in-training
desperately hoped not; he was looking forward to having Barrett in his home, even if it
was just to drop a fish off.
"No, it's fine," he said gruffly and Ray smiled. They walked silently for a bit down the
cobbled street. Ray followed the man even though it was his house that they were going
to. Barrett had lived here in whole life, while Ray and his family has just moved to
Alvarna five years ago. His mother, Natalie, had just finished medical school in Kardia,
where she trained with the esteemed Doctor Edward. Right after she had gotten her
licence, the young woman moved her, his older sister, Alicia, and himself to this quiet
town. She had opened this clinic and trained him as a doctor. Alicia had not stayed
around the house long enough for Natalie to teach her; she earned a bit of money
by "fortune-telling" by the pier.
In almost no time at all, the two were standing in front of the door to that clinic.
Because he was holding the fishing gear and the bucket full of fish, Barrett couldn't
open the door. Ray rushed past him to let the mayor's son inside.
"Oh, hello dears," Natalie said kindly when she saw her son and Barrett enter. Ray
smiled at her and motioned that they were going upstairs. Seeing that Barrett was only
going to grunt, she nodded and waved as they disappeared up the staircase. Ray ran
up the steps and stood like a bird on his tiptoes waiting for Barrett.
"Where's the fridge?" He asked, holding a large salmon over his shoulder. Ray
jumped over to the refrigerator and held the door open for him to place the fish inside.
With a grunt, the brunette slid the large fish off of his shoulder and onto an empty shelf.
Ray saw his arms flex with muscles and he held in a shout. He wanted to feel those
arms around him, but he looked down at his boots and tried to rid his face of the blush
capturing it.
"W-would you like something t-to eat and drink?" He asked, flustered. His face was
still red, but he looked up to see his answer.
"Just a drink," he replied, sitting down. Ray blushed some more when he realised that it
was the chair that he usually sat in. He looked at the rugged face and the loose front of
the white shirt, wet with sea water and sweat.
"O-okay, um, I have, uh, tea and milk and water and, uh, orange juice-" he started to
list out all the drinks he saw lined up in the fridge. However, he was cut off by Barrett's
response.
"Just water," he said quickly, tracing a grain in the wooden tabletop with his finger.
His hair fell away from his face and his chest rose and fell so that it was visible
underneath his white shirt. This sight sent a shiver through Ray, and he was glad he
was looking in the fridge, because he was blushing again. The young doctor told himself
to calm down, but he was still red when he handed the glass to Barrett.
"Thanks," he said, taking the drink. He looked at the boy's pink face but said nothing.
Ray sat down opposite the mayor's son and gazed at the tabletop, not trusting himself
to look at Barrett. He could tell that he was being watched, and felt mildly
uncomfortable. However, the thought of Barrett looking at him made the boy want to
impress him. He sat up straight and smiled a weak, yet very sincere, smile. Barrett's
face was rough, but clear. His eyes were a bright, mystifying blue, and his lips, wet from
the water he had just drank, were tantalising. He felt butterflies flapping desperately to
get out of his stomach when he looked at them, and started to lean across the table,
hypnotised. But Barrett stood up and grabbed his fishing tools.
"Bye," he said gruffly, and stomped down the stairs. Ray shook himself out of the
daze he was in and followed him to open the door.
"Good-bye!" He called to the tall man. "See you tomorrow!" He didn't close the door
until he could no longer see him.
"That was nice that he came to visit." Natalie said from behind her son. "Are you two
friends?" Ray continued to look at the door, and tried to forget that feeling he had when
he looked at Barrett.
"No, he just...came over." Ray said awkwardly. He knew Natalie wouldn't accept that
answer, but he dashed up the stairs before she could question him further. Once in the
safety of his own room, the boy stared into the mirror above his dresser. His pink hair
was loose and his face a matching shade. 'Why did I think that?' He thought, looking
intently back at his reflection. 'I hope he didn't notice.' But deep in his heart, in a place
he didn't often go, he wanted Barrett to notice him, even if it was just to see his blush
and confusion whenever he was around.