Growing Up: Beginning Of The End- Part Two.

[2009 Flashback

"Do you want to go for a drink later" John Paul cautinally asked friend Elliot Bevan "I'm gasping"

"Erm I'd love to.. But I'm meeting Jessica" Elliot lied. For some reason, he just couldn't be there for John Paul. As much as he tried; he just couldn't.

"No worries" John Paul sighed "I'll go on my own". Again. For this wasnt the first time and he felt; it wouldn't be the last time he would be friendless for the night. It was becoming quite the habit.

Nancy was dead. Sarah was busy. Hannah was engaged. Eliot was loved up with Jessica. John Paul was alone. Not techinally alone, he had been dating Father Kieran for several months; but it was an affair- a sordid affair, you would have thought he'd learned his lesson when he fucked up with craig, but he didn't. And now Kieran was away on a holiday with the parish and he was alone. Again.

Suddenly; John Paul had a terrible thought and he rushed out of The Halls in a hurry. Running as fast as his legs could carry him. Jellylike state. He came to the benches and just burst into tears. Hitting the floor with his fist. Bruising his hands. Hurting. Inside and out. "Why.. Me" John Paul cried "Why the fuck me?". Tears dropped onto the floor, causing a tiny puddle to ensemble on the ground. He was bleeding blood but his heart was bleeding internally. For he had just remembered that today was meant to be his mothers 50th birthday. "All alone, noone loves me".

"John Paul" he heard a voice. A tiny voice. A sexy voice, if you like. "Are you.. okay". The question sounded so lame because, standing in front of him was a broken man- hitting the floor and crying- so of course he wasnt ok!

John Paul looked up at Justin Burton; and for the first time in his life he had real concern etched on his face. His gorgeous face. "Let me take you back to my flat and make you a coffee" Justin spoke "I'm gagging".

John Paul stopped crying; and momentarily ceased hitting the floor, and smiled at Justin, who by know was kneeling down and wiping away the tears from John Pauls face.

"It's ok to cry, It doesn't make you any less of a man" Justin spoke softly "Crying is good for you. It helps you cope"

John Paul didnt speak, just listened, as Justin handed out his bare hand for John Paul to hold onto, to pick him up from the floor.

"I know what you're going through John Paul, I might have been a complete bastard to you in recent times but I've lost people I've cared about, people I've loved, people I've cherised. Mel, Sophie, Mum, Katy.. All gone.. But not forgotten. You remember the good times, the laughs, the times you were embarrassed and even the bad times. All memories, all good memories. Each and every single one as precious at the next. Crying doesnt make you an idiot; it makes you more of a man because you can admit your not right. Your stressed. Your ill. But you will get better, in time, you will get better; and if you so wish, I will be here every step of the way".

Without any of them realising; the bond was already formed and was too late to break. They were now forever one. Whether either of them liked it or not.