I'm thinking this is the last chapter of AFLR. Aww, sad to see it go? I kinda am too, although I felt this story could've been so much better. Oh well! I tried.

Here you all go. Hope you like it, and thank you all for being such great readers and reviewers.

Updated: 2-7-2012

…

"Here's your room Jane," Rory's mom said, indicating the room on the left. "And Ethan, yours is right here across from her."

"Thanks for letting us move in with you," Ethan said, turning towards the older woman, who smiled kindly.

"Ethan, you are my son's best friend. I couldn't let you stay in your home, being treated like that. How's your cheek feel?" she asked, gently probing his cheek, making him wince. It had gotten bruised from Sierra slapping him so hard.

"It stings, but I'll be fine."

"You poor thing. You put your stuff away and I'll get you an ice pack, sound good?" He just nods, watching her leave him and his sister alone.

"Jane… do you mind? That we left dad?"

"Of course not. That man was a pain in the ass."

"Jane! You're 11, don't cuss!"

"Oh please, just because you don't cuss doesn't mean I can't," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Jane…"

"Fine. I won't cuss as much."

"Fine."

Ethan watched his sister walk into her room, dragging her bags behind her. Shaking his head, he entered his new bedroom, dropping his stuff by the bed. "I'll unpack later," he says to himself, sitting on his new bed. He pulls out his cell phone to multiple missed calls from both his father and Sierra. He quickly deletes them all and calls his mom.

"Mom?"

"Ethan! How are you? How's everything at home? Is everything okay?"

"Mom… me and Jane moved out."

"What? Why?"

"Dad hired the daughter of his work friend to move into our house and be my girlfriend so I wouldn't turn gay."

"Oh Ethan! I'm sorry!"

"It's fine. I was holding up okay until …"

"Until what sweetie?"

"She saw me kissing this guy I like… And she threatened to tell dad. Then she slapped me across the face, leaving a bruise."

"She did what? ! ?"

"Yeah. So I moved in with Rory and his mom. Jane's here too."

"Oh Ethan, I'm sorry you had to put up with that crap. Well, I'm in the process of divorcing your father any way. I'm tired of his controlling ways, and hopefully I can get full custody of you and Jane."

"I doubt you'd have trouble with that. I wouldn't be surprised if he's sleeping with that girl either. Why else would he have her move in?"

"You have a point. Oh well, I'm leaving him. I'll be home tonight, getting my clothes and stuff from the house, and getting me a hotel until I can find me a nice apartment or small house. Hopefully you and Jane will come live with me."

"Of course mom. Y-you don't care that I'm … gay do you?"

"Oh Ethan of course not! You're my son. I love you no matter what. Unless you killed someone… then we would maybe have a problem," she said jokingly, making him smile.

"Thanks mom."

"Anytime sweetie. Love you, and give Jane my love for me."

"Love you too mom, and I will."

"Bye dear. See you tomorrow most likely."

"Bye mom."

"Is everything okay?" Rory asked, walking into the room, causing Ethan to jump in surprise.

"Y-yeah. I was just calling my mom and letting her know what happened."

"What she say?"

"That she's divorcing my father because she's tired of him, and that she's okay with me being gay."

"That's great Ethan!" Rory said, hugging him.

"Yeah… so your mom … said I was your best friend."

"S-she said that?" Rory squeaked out, looking at Ethan in surprise.

"Yeah. And can I tell you something?"

"S-sure."

"You're my best friend too," Ethan said quietly, smiling at the blonde boy.

"You… you always said you'd never have a best friend again."

"Maybe it's time to change that."

"Ethan, I'm proud of you. But… what about … Benny?"

"Benny… really likes me right?"

"So much. In fact … he might be in love with you."

"Love?"

"Yeah…"

"I'll talk to him tomorrow. I need to … sort all of this out."

"I understand. Mom wanted me to give this to you by the way," he said, handing an ice pack to the dark haired boy.

"Thanks."

…

The next day at school, Ethan and Rory walked in together. Ethan had never felt this relieved to be coming to school.

"You okay? You look…happy."

"I am happy. Mom's back, getting custody of Jane and me hopefully by the end of the day, I have a best friend again, and hopefully by the end of the day I'll have a boyfriend too."

"Boyfriend? Wow Ethan, you've really … "

"Yeah. I think it's time to trust people. Or try to at least."

"Well I'm never going to ditch you or stop talking to you. And Benny said so himself, he's not giving up on you."

"I hope he means it."

"He does. I know he does."

"I hope so. You know how hard it is for me to trust people."

"I know," Rory said, putting a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "But you need to understand, people care about you. And nothing you do can change that or get rid of us."

"I know. I need to talk to Benny."

"Go. I'll tell the teacher you guys are gonna be late." Ethan nodded and walked towards his locker, where Benny was waiting. When he saw him, he smiled.

"Hey you. How's your face feeling?" he asked, placing a gentle hand on his bruised cheek.

"I'm better. It doesn't hurt very much anymore."

"That's good."

"Yeah. I wanted to talk to you, in private. Come with me?"

"Sure. Teachers' lounge?"

"Mhm," Ethan said, turning and leading the way, Benny right behind him. Once there, Ethan let himself in and was happy to see no one was in there. Sitting down, he waited for Benny to sit next to him.

"So, what did you wanna talk about?"

"Us."

"Us?"

"Mhm. I'm … I'm ready to give us a shot… I'm ready to trust again."

"Ethan… are you sure? I don't want you to feel pressured into being with me or anything."

"Benny… I know I've only known you a couple of days, but … you like me, and I like you."

"I do like you. A lot more than I thought I would. And you like me?"

"Yes you idiot, I like you."

"So… you want to be my boyfriend?"

"If you want me still… Oh God you don't want me anymore. I waited too long," Ethan said, putting his head in his hands and beginning to hyperventilate.

"Ethan, Ethan! Calm down! I still want you. I was just in shock."

"Oh… okay."

"Come here," Benny said, pulling Ethan till he was flush against him and kissed him. As he pulled away he smiled. "I like you. And I promise I will never hurt you. You can trust me."

"I hope I can. I don't want to regret you or regret letting you in my life," Ethan said, leaning up to kiss Benny again.

"You won't. I'll never let you regret me."

"I'm trusting you not to hurt me."

"I'll never hurt you."

…

Aww, yes this is the end of AFLR. Although… there could possibly be a sequel. I don't know for sure yet. I have quite a few story ideas, so if I do a sequel, it'll be a while before I do it.

So this is a thank you to every single one of my dear dedicated readers that have read this story from the beginning and reviewed every update.

I really hope everyone liked the final chapter.

-JustMe133