After the fever incident, I tried my best not to be awkward. But that's kind of hard when your middle name is awkward. Well...my actual middle name...names...is...are... "Emmett Jameson", but as usual, you get my rambling point.

But right now, my entire self was in panic mode. It was getting dark, but I had a reason to be out biking. I was playing my keyboard, when I heard my phone ring one really loud ring. That's the signal for a text marked "URGENT". I immediately stopped and made a dive for my phone. It was Noah, like I expected. But all it said was "Get to the park. Now." First I cursed that he would want me to go somewhere even further away than his house, but it was probably something to do with family. Which means he needed to be alone and...well, that could never be a good thing. Noah alone with thoughts? Could go on forever. I needed to get there, and fast. I pedaled faster at the thought of what could possibly be going through his head right there. He needed me.

The sky was really gray and cloudy all day, but the clouds were letting up a little, the sunset-y colors were starting to show up in the sky, I kinda hoped this was over before it got dark. Even if that was selfish.

I finally reached the park and threw my bike on the ground. I can pick it up later, that's nowhere near important right now. I'm completely out of breath and searching. My eyes caught sight of him, laying on a bench alone, his dark skin would be hard to see soon, since it's getting dark. I'm at least a bit relieved I found him so easily. I ran over and sat on the bench beside him. "Noah! What happened, Noah?!" I shook him. His face looked more tear-stained than I had ever seen it before, it looked like he had fallen asleep sobbing. Something really bad must have happened.

His eyes finally blinked open. There was a moment as he realized I was here. He immediately sat up and threw his arms around me. Unlike him; but so is crying. "I'm glad you came. My family wouldn't understand." His voice was low, soft, and sad. If it doesn't have to do with family, then it must be...oh.

"Oh gosh. Please don't tell me..." I placed a consoling hand on his back.

"I...Apollo...he..." He sniffled and the tears started flowing again. "He was only eight..." He went back to sobbing. This time on my shoulder. He liked his golden lab more than his family. I wasn't really a huge fan, being allergic to dogs and all, but to Noah, Apollo was just as much a best friend to him as I am. Maybe even more, since he's had his dog longer than he's known me.

Minutes passed, and he showed no signs of letting up on the heavy tears. "Noah, it's okay. I'm here for you, man." I pulled him off my shoulder to make sure to make eye contact. That's how I was always told to get a point across, and I really meant what I was saying. His face had even more tears than before, and his eyes were staring blankly at the ground. Not me.

I took a deep breath. I needed to do something to get him to look at me, and something to bring some life back to those eyes. As I wiped tears off his face with my finger, my brain completely shut down and emotion took over. His eyes were finally on me, and I knew damn well where this was going.

I slowly leaned forward, and gently kissed him. It felt like the right thing to do and the right time to do it. It felt like it lasted forever, but of course, was over all too soon. I pulled away because I knew he wouldn't do it himself.

His eyes wouldn't look at me, which at first I thought was bad. But then I noticed how red his face was. He didn't say anything, but his face said more than enough for me. "Hey Noah, your face looks pretty red. You must have a case of that 'fever' I had the other day." I smiled a little at him to let him know this was okay.

His face tried so hard not to give in to smiling, but ultimately failed. "Yeah, I should...probably go home and rest and whatnot...Thanks, Cody." After taking a deep breath, he smiled at me happily, another thing he never does, then stood up to walk home.

I wasn't going to follow him. In fact, I wasn't even going to leave for a while. I wanted to sit on the bench and admire the really pretty sunset. What a freakin' cheesy atmosphere to have your first kiss in.

And then I mentally beat myself up for acting so cliche.


This chapter was inspired by one of my favorite songs. "Cry", by Mandy Moore.

I'll always remember
It was late afternoon
It lasted forever
And ended too soon
You were all by yourself
Staring up at a dark gray sky
I was changed

In places no one would find
All your feelings so deep inside
It was then that I realized
That forever was in your eyes
The moment I saw you cry

I wanted to hold you
i wanted to make it go away
I wanted to know you
I wanted to make your everything, all right...


So as usual, sorry I always take so long. Life problems, and complete lack of motivation to write usually postpone my thoughts being put to the keyboard. But hey, better late than never. I hope you enjoyed the cliché mush as much as I did, and if you have any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to message.

On a separate note, a lot of people have complained about "poor grammar" and such. Keep in mind, it's told from a point of view, which is never reliable, a 16-year-old boy, no less. Cody's grammar wouldn't be perfect, and if it was, he would sound less like a real teenager and more like an adult. In short, this would suck.

And for those of you that kept asking for Noah's thoughts; you got it. Next chapter will be ALL NOAH.

Thanks for reading.