CHAPTER 8: LEAVE

It had already been a week since that day and it seemed that nothing was the same again. Katie had closed any relationship with Ryder, it was as if his best friend no longer existed for her. From that day she hasn't spoken to him except on rare occasions, for example when she had to take a medical examination to the pups. But even in those moments the joy she felt when she saw him had completely disappeared. Indeed, Katie refused even to look at him.

Even the pups had changed their attitude towards him. Certainly he was the leader and they continued to bring him the right respect. But they had stopped playing with him and during missions thought only of doing their duty, there were not times when laughing or enjoying themselves.

William, however, was left in his room all week and the only person who could talk with him was his sister.

Katie walked over to the door and knocked with a long sigh "William, can I come in?" she asked softly.

"Sure, no problem"

Katie smiled a little and entered the room. But before she could say anything she saw two large suitcases on the bed, one was already closed and the other was open to allow William to take in the latest clothes.

"Wil, what are you doing?" asked Katie, although it was a stupid question.

"I leave the city for a while. You know, I need to spend some time alone" said William.

"Are you going home?" asked Katie.

"No, I will not go back to our parents for the moment. I go to New York for a few days, I need to clear my head"

Katie sighed. "I was hoping we could spend more time together"

William looked at his sister. "I know, and I'm sorry. But I can't, I just need a bit of time"

Katie nodded "You don't have to apologize, I understand you and I can only imagine how you feel" she paused "Do you want to talk?"

William sighed "No, there is nothing to talk about. I mean... I thought Ryder was different" he admitted.

"I know. I still can't believe what he did, what an idiot" said Katie.

"No, he's not an idiot. He's just scared, but it will come the day that he will understand. After all, I too have reacted so early, I didn't want to accept my nature because I thought it was wrong. You know, I think you should talk to him" said William

Katie made a forced laugh "Why should I? I mean…"

"Because he needs you, Katie. He needs his best friend" answered William. "It is not easy for some people to accept their sexual orientation. When I needed you, in times of fear and insecurity, you were there"

"You are my brother" said Katie.

"And you're his best friend, he needs you now. Although it is difficult for you. Don't you remember the sleepless nights when I did nothing but cry because I didn't understand what was happening to me?"

Katie was silent.

"My plane leaves in three hours, I have to get to the airport with the train s ... maybe it's better if I go" said William.

"Sure, I'll take you to the station"

The two arrived at the station, the train was leaving in a few minutes. William turned to his sister and hugged her.

"I'll miss you" Katie whispered as a tear fell from his eye.

"I know, I'll miss you too. I love you" William gave her a kiss on the forehead before taking his bags and get on the train that would take him to the airport. "I'll call you when I'll arrive"

Immediately the train left the station and within minutes had disappeared into the horizon. Katie walked to the clinic looking at the ground.

Meanwhile Ryder lying on the grass and watched the sky. It was located in the city's highest hill, the same hill where he and William had kissed. The boy sighed. Although it was hard for him to admit, that kiss was incredible. He had not felt such emotion before that time. It had already been seven days since he had told to William that their relationship could not continue, and from that moment he never saw him . Even Katie had closed relations with him and those seven days to Ryder were like seven years.

Ryder had never felt these feelings for someone, it was something completely new to him. Maybe it was for these reasons that he didn't understand, maybe it was for these reasons that he was afraid. Especially since he had never thought about a relationship with a girl, and then suddenly begins to be attracted by the brother of his best friend? All this was absurd and confused.

"What happened to me?" he said taking a deep breath.

"Hi Ryder"

Ryder turned around and saw Katie a few meters from him. The girl sat on the grass, watching the city below them. Neither said a word for a long time.

"I'm sorry" said Ryder after several minutes of awkward silence.

"I know"

After these words among them fell silent again. Katie suddenly hit Ryder's arm with her fist. "Hey!"

"You've been an idiot" said Katie, looking angrily. Ryder just looked down. "I can't believe what you did. It was the most stupid and cruel thing I've ever seen! What were you thinking?!" asked Katie.

"I don't know okay? I don't know what I had in my head! The only thing I know is that I'm confused and angry!" said Ryder.

"Angry with who? With my brother?!" asked Katie.

"No, with myself" said Ryder.

Katie was surprised at the answer.

"I'm angry with myself because I don't understand what's happening to me. I'm angry with myself because in less than ten minutes I hurt William, I lost the esteem of my pups and I lost my best friend!" shouted Ryder rising.

Katie sighed and although she was still angry with him for what he had done her gaze softened. "Listen to me... I'm sorry too" said Katie.

Ryder turned around "What?"

"I'm sorry for abandoning you when you needed me. Even if what you have done is wrong, this doesn't mean that you don't deserve a second chance"

Ryder smiled "Yes well, I was an idiot. It's just ... I don't know, it's all so complicated"

"Ryder, I have to ask you a question, but you have to be honest with me otherwise I can't help you. Do you like William?"

Ryder said nothing, mainly because even he didn't know what to say.

Katie waited patiently. "You have to be honest. If not with me, at least with yourself " she said. But Ryder was silent.

After several minutes Katie walked over to him. "The answers you're looking for isn't out there Ryder" then she put her hand on his heart. "They're here. You just have to force yourself to see them"

The question that had made Katie looked simple, but for Ryder was the hardest question someone had ever done to him. What should he do? He had to follow his head telling him to forget him... or had to follow his heart as he told Katie. Even in this situation he didn't know what to do or what to say, but Ryder couldn't stop thinking of William, to what he felt when they kissed, shivering on his back when their lips are touched, the sensation of heat when their hands are intertwined. It was something he had never tried and maybe he will never experience again. And he liked it, he liked it a lot.

With a long sigh Ryder turned to Katie "I have to talk to William"

"Sure, I'd be happy to take you to him... if he was here" said Katie, scratching her head.

"What are you talking about?" asked Ryder, confused.

"Well ... you see… he has left the city and take a plane to New York in... an hour" said Katie.

"What?! In an hour?! Why don't you tell me this before?! "

"First I had to figure out if you were willing to admit your feelings. Anyway, this whole thing is your fault!" said Katie.

"If he takes that plane I would never see him again!" Ryder began to run toward the lookout as fast as he could. With his paw-paw pad called the paw patroller.

Less than a minute and the larger vehicle stopped in front of him. Ryder climbed aboard and headed into the control room where robot-dog was waiting for him.

"I'm happy to see robot-dog. Take me right away at the airport as quickly as possible"

Robot-dog barked and pressed his foot on the accelerator. The paw patroller began running toward the destination. "Robot-dog, pay no attention to traffic lights or speed limits" said Ryder.

The robot-dog looked at his creator puzzled. "Yes I know. Chase will kill me"

Meanwhile William was waiting for the last calls for his plane. Part of him wanted to stop, was a coward running away in this way. Maybe he should go back. At that moment he heard the loudspeaker announcing that his flight was leaving in less than 15 minutes.

William sighed "I'm sorry Katie and… I'm sorry Ryder" the boy walked toward the stairs that would take him at the entrance of his plane.

Outside the building the paw patroller stopped in the parking lot. Ryder came out of the vehicle and ran into the building.

"Please let him be still here, please let him be still here" he kept repeating in his head. As he looked around frantically he saw William coming up the stairs.

"Wil!" he shouted with all his voice but the boy didn't hear him.

Ryder immediately ran towards his direction. "William stop!"

But William couldn't hear him, there was too much confusion. After climbing the stairs the blond boy disappeared. "No no no!"

Ryder ran up the stairs pushing many people who shouted against him. "Sorry. Allowed. I'm sorry"

After a strenuous climb Ryder saw William a few dozen meters from him. "Wil!"

William was lost in thought, but suddenly heard a familiar voice calling him "Ryder?"

The boy turned and saw Ryder near the stairs. Ryder smiled and ran towards him.

"Ryder, what are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.

"I'm here to stop you" said Ryder, gasping for breath as drops of sweat fell from his forehead.

"Stop me? Excuse me but I have a plane just waiting for me, so, goodbye Ryder" said William turning.

"No wait"

Ryder grabbed his arm, forcing him to look into his eyes. "Listen, I'm sorry for what I said. I was scared and angry, but not with you, with myself. I know I said some horrible things... but I'd get another chance"

William frowned. "Another chance? Do you know how much I suffered during my life? Every day since I knew I was gay I suffered, because people are bad Ryder. People consider a danger everyone is different from them"

Ryder listened in silence.

"I trusted you. I thought I had found someone who would accept me for who I am. And maybe, for a while time, I thought I had found someone who could love me... but after what you told me, well, I realized that I was wrong"

"Yes I know, I was an idiot. But now I understand. I realized that when I'm with you I feel emotions that I never tried. I realized that when I'm with you all my problems disappear, and that I would like the moments when we are together never end. I realized... that I love you William, I love you so much that I broke all speed limits to come here. I almost cause accidents, and probably I will have to pay fines for having endangered the lives of others. But you know what? I don't care. Because I realized that I am willing to infringe my principles to be with you"

Between the two there was silence, until William spoke. "You've come too late" he said simply.

Ryder widened his eyes, he didn't believe his ears.

"I admit that there are things in my life that I would change, but this doesn't change who I am, this doesn't change what is important to me. But you are afraid Ryder. You are afraid of what people will think of you. I bought plane tickets, I booked a room at a hotel in New York, and now I should leave everything just because you think you love me?" asked William.

Ryder didn't know what to say. "I don't think I love you… I know that I love you…William... please ... come home with me. We can be together" said Ryder offering his hand to the boy, as a tear fell from his right eye.

William sighed. "No, we can't. Goodbye Ryder" and with these words he disappeared into the crowd.

Ryder stood motionless, tears streaming down his face. Then, without another word, he turned around to return to the paw patroller.