I dared open my eyes a crack and the first thing I saw… The only thing saw behind the blinding salted water…
Was that boy…
His expression painted an almost exact replica of my own except for the tears… His face was completely dry but he was a bucket of alarm, fear, worry, shock, devastation…
But there was one thing in his eyes that shared no remanence in mine…
Relief… Freedom…
So as this mysterious boy stood limp in a pool of emotional ruin, I lay cradled in my friends' strong hold… So as this mysterious boy stood almost effected as me, I lay wondering in cycles of constant wet cheeks….
I just couldn't believe it…
Chapter 3- Love to Hate…
(Lafayette's POV)
After we saw that injurious scene, our hearts began to drum- stop… Johns chest reverberated deeply in my own, and slowly stroked his head in comfort- partly not believing my own eyes… His life, house, home was crashed down as soon as the abolishing fire first sparked. I knew he couldn't speak. I knew he couldn't focus. And I knew I had to do something about it… Something about the boy being cradled by my own shaking arms…
"A… Aaron… Herc… Y…You… Can you go get an officer or… or anybody please?" I managed to croak- focusing a lot harder on my English.
They too, were shaking as they both stood on unsteady legs and stumbled toward the group of professionals.
My grip became even tighter around his smothered, sobbing body and thrusted him into my chest.
"Shh... Shh... Vous allez bien... Il ira bien... Tout va bien se passer... Tu vous ira bien..." I repeated again… Again… Again… Again…
"Shh... Shh... You're fine... He'll be fine... Everything will be fine... You'll be fine..."
Could he even hear me?
"Laf… Je… Je…" He could only whisper…
"Shh… Tu vous ira bien… You'll be fine… Herc and Burr have gone to get help… Just stay calm… I've got you…"
Slowly, gently his breathing steadied and he faintly relaxed placing a smooth hand to my chest.
"Hello Sir." A woman spoke. She was dressed in the navy suit an Officer would wear. Even though her blond hair was pulled back into a low bun (most likely to keep it out the way), I could tell her hair was an average length due to the density. Her face was serious- but in a comforting way- and I read her name tag…
Mary Robinson…
"H… Hello Mme…"
She looked confused at my use of 'Mme' but seemed to put it together that I was French. "I need to escort you and your friends away from the fire. The Fire Department have it under control but it is still too dangerous for any, especially young, citizens."
I simply nodded in acceptation and looked to Aaron and Herc for help as they remarked Johns limp body against me. Herc bent down and lifted away his weight from my lap with Aaron giving me a hand up.
"Thank you, Sir's." She smiled, "Follow me please."
She stayed by our side as she made a gap through rushing Paramedics, Ambulances and other Officers like herself. Mary offered many times to aid Herc in carrying carry John, though (being protective) he declined every time. We soon approached a tent which had the local Hospitals logo patterned on the side of the waterproof, fabric and stepped inside. There were a few seats, two Paramedics, a portable single bed and desk with what seemed like first aid kits stacked up on top other elements of the medical profession- equipment I couldn't name.
"Can you give him to me please?" One woman spoke indicating to John. Reluctantly, Hercules nodded and passed him over to her what looked like weak arms, turned out to show no struggle in holding a dead weight.
"You can take seat now boys." Mary instructed.
We did as told. Though she didn't the seat next to us… Instead she watched as that one woman carried John over the mobile bed and gave him a check over with his pulse, breathing and looking for any cuts or grazes.
"Do you know of any injury he may have picked up?" This time a male voice spoke, around a five foot eight, white, with a mixture between blond and brown hair.
"Je pense qu'il s'est cogné la tête et s'est blessé au genou- I mean… I th… think he had hit, not hard though, the back of his head a… and grazed his knee…"
Mary still stayed away from us, watching them remove his school satchel and reached for one of the many first aid kits took out of what I could see as bandages, sterile water and some special platers that wouldn't give him an allergic reaction- not that he had one… The team finished a few moments later and placed a blanket over him to contain his warmth. Though left as soon as they came.
"He's fine now. He'll be okay." Mary stood away from his sleeping body and walked over, now taking the spare seat near us all.
"As your parents are not here, I cannot ask any questions that are too personal about you. So, if you could, would you mind giving a name you feel comfortable being called. My name is Mary."
"Aaron…"
"Hercules…"
"Lafayette…"
"Thank you. Now can I ask your ages please?"
"W… We are all fifteen, 'Mam…" Aaron said with a numb voice.
"Good. Now can I ask the name of your friend."
I paused, "John Laurens… That was his house… And his father who was found…"
"Okay, so does John have a Mother we can contact?"
"No…" I replied hesitant with an abyss forming in my chest, only just realizing that if his Dad dies… He will be an orphan… He will be devastated…
"Does he have any Grand-parents?"
"They died about a year ago…"
"What about any Uncles or Aunts?"
I stopped for a long time… His only family in the country was his Uncle… His neglectful, homophobic uncle who disowned him years ago. He wasn't family. But I had to tell them the truth… It was to help him…
"Yes but... He 'disowned' him a long time ago…" I knew Burr and Herc looked shocked but stayed quiet knowing it was best for John if Mary knew half the story… "I can't tell you anymore due to confidentiality and under age adult consent reasons." Despite my harder thought on English, I was quite surprised I spoke such sophisticated words (I think I surprised many others as well).
"That's fine." She smiled again, and jotted down something down on the clipboard resting on her lap. "Does he have any siblings. You don't have to give exact ages or any names, just if they are over eighteen or not."
This question hit hard. Was his siblings' inside the house? Were they okay? Were they… Did they…
No…
"Who else did you find in that house?" I blurted out.
"What do you mean Lafayette?" She replied calmly.
"He has four siblings though only one is over eighteen but he is in England. The other three lived with him in that house. All younger than John. Were they in the house?"
"I'm sorry Lafayette… I can't give away that information…" I silently scoffed underneath my breath, but I understood she was doing the best she could…
"D'accord…"
"So, he has no eligible siblings in the country at the moment?"
"Oui…"
She sighed, "Does he have any family here?"
"Non…"
She sighed again, placing the clipboard back down on the makeshift desk. She ran her hands up to her face and peeking through the gaps in her fingers, looked at John…
"Do you have your parents' number's please?" Mary finally said.
"My Mother would be asleep right now…" Herc said quietly.
"My foster parents are at a work conference so their phones will be switched off…" Burr said at Herc's same volume.
"I have my adoptive parents…" I said unlocking my phone with a few taps and scrolled to Georges contact 'Papa :)'. "Do you want the number or use my phone to call them?"
"If it is okay with you, could you write down the number on this paper here please?" She said handing me a blank sheet of lined, A5 paper.
"Sure…" I said taking the pen and paper from her smooth, warm hands and scribbled down his exact number…
"Thank you, Lafayette. I will call him now." She stood up at a carful speed and made her way outside the tent leaving us there in silence with John steady breaths.
"Why did you tell her about his Uncle?" Herc questioned first.
"Je- I mean, I couldn't not tell her… She'd find out eventually and without my word of warning, John might have had to live with him…"
"I can see that…" He continued.
"Oui, but I don't think it would have been any better that we lie…"
"What about his siblings? Were they in that house? D… did th…they make it out?" Aaron whispered.
"Je ne sais pas… I don't know… John never mentioned anything about what was happening tonight…"
"Do you think he could cope not having them here?" Aaron hushed looking at Johns sleeping being.
"I dare not think about it… Pauvre gosse..."
We sat for about five more minutes contemplating different results of this nightmare, often drifting off into silence until another question would taunt us. During these silences, you could still hear the distant crackles and crashes of unstable structure crumbling away along with a few muffled shouts for help on keeping the fire at bay- each sudden noise making us jump a little… Mary didn't comeback in for what felt like hours (but obviously was not). When she finally did re-enter that 'aid tent', she looked a little less on edge and spoke softly,
"Thank you for that number Lafayette. Your father will be here soon as I understand you live nearby, is that correct?"
"Oui."
"When he gets here I can have questions for you, though unfortunately Hercules and Aaron, I cannot due to we need your parents' consent. I hope you understand boys…"
"That's fine. We understand." They murmured.
"Thank you for your consideration. Though, Lafayette, it is most likely I or another officer will visit you to collect information instead of discussing this now."
"D'accord…"
"Was John okay while I was away?"
"He seemed stable enough Mme…"
"Lafayette, Aaron, Hercules you can call me Mary."
"Merci, Mary."
Her face brightened at the use of her name. Personally, I found it better to call her 'Mme' but I knew it would have been a little bit rude to not live to her wishes. Plus, it was just a name and it really just didn't matter… Especially compared to what was happening in the heat just a few feet behind these fabric walls…
"Can I get you some water?" She asked trying to keep the quiet at bay, leaving us just simply nodding our heads.
"Okay…" She said picking up four plastic cups and walking over to a medium sized, transparent water tank, where she let the water trickle out evenly in each cup.
I wasn't thirsty in the slightest, I just needed to do something with myself- which didn't consist of lightly tapping my foot and chewing off the tips of my nails.
Considering my house was only a five-minute walk away from where John's… was… Papa was taking a while- though I couldn't exactly have any clear knowledge of time right now…
About two minutes into the wait Aaron had started to lean against Herc's broad frame which I found kind of odd… Well… Today everything seemed off in some aspect or another… That boy between the lockers… Johns phone call… Even the amazing time we had spent together after school seemed too good to be true… And now this… The fire…
"Gil!" I knew that voice. "Gil!" It called again… The only one of the two people who called me by that title… His voice unusually tight yet still held a strong sense of and deep pitched masculinity…
"Papa!" I called back at the low, frantic voice outside the tent. "We're here!"
Soon you could see a 6.2ft, black muscular man push through the (compared to him) small opening with worry and sympathy plastered all over his expression. He must have only just come home from work, as he was dressed in a tight, freshly pressed, navy suit with waist length, cream tie hanging down a little twisted (but who could blame him).
"I came as soon as I received the call! I apologize for being late, but I couldn't find the keys, there was traffic and I-… I'm sorry Gil…" He bent down stumbling to reach me but wrapped his large arms around me.
"It doesn't matter… You are here now, Papa…" I whispered back to him trying to calm his stress. He gave a comforting smile as he stood back up to tower over me- I smiled back. Though his gaze was somewhere behind me and his smile turned to a frown…
John…
"Hello Mr. Washington. I am Mary Robinson. I have taken your son and his friends away from the fire, the one who rang you." The blond said stepping closer, offering out her smooth skinned hand…
"Hello and thank you for protecting these boys Miss. Robinson…" He replied taking her hand.
"You're welcome, but there are a few things I need to run through if you could please sign to say you give your consent for us to talk to your child."
"With pleasure." He looked through the pages constantly making mental notes for what this meant. After he was sure he wanted this, he filled out some details and signed toward the bottom of the sheet.
"Thank you, Sir." She said taking back the paper, "Now, I am sure that now is not the correct time to talk into details but I can assure you that as soon as we know the facts, you shall know too."
"Thank you, though I have concern for John…"
"Ah yes…I am aware he has no family available accept for his Uncle…" She said trailing off slightly.
"But he can't go to him!" I blurted out putting a hand to my mouth to stop the continuous flow of words. "Sorry…"
"Don't worry Lafayette, it's fine. But, these are details we'll have discus at a later date. I am more concerned however, where he shall stay tonight."
"Do you have an idea on that at all?" George questioned.
"Well, due to your son's concern towards Johns Uncle, we cannot send his to them at this moment… So we are most likely going to have to keep him in a temporary foster home…"
No…
"I'm sorry but, do you really think that after all he has just been through, it is the best decision to send him to a place full of strangers, in a house he has never seen before?" George debated in his persuasive manner.
"No Sir, but we could also send him to a foster family for a few days…"
You could almost see the passion of an idea burning up through his dark iris's. A bubbling sensation along with the slight smirk that always seemed to creep onto his face whenever he felt adrenaline pump through his veins at the new prospective of a winning case…
"Well," He began, "As I am sure Gilbert has told you, I am his adoptive father which makes my wife and I eligible for child care."
She raised an eyebrow and George cleared his throat a little. My heart was pounding furiously for John… If this worked… he would be safe for a little longer…
Come on Papa…
"I have the papers here to prove and my driver's license to confirm my identity." He spoke while carefully unfolding my papers along while checking for his license and a credit card to add more evidence.
"I see…" Without realizing, my expression had caused my eyes to widen along with a slight gap parting my two lips. My posture was leant forward as it seemed that Aaron and Herc had the same idea. "Your papers seem orderly Mr. Washington… Okay… Though I warn you this may only be a temporary placement until we can contact his Uncle."
"Yes Miss. Robinson. I completely understand."
She smiled her satisfactory smile again and reached out, opening the filing cabinets to grab some more papers.
"Please fill out these forms. Take as much time as you need."
Without a sign of hesitation, he almost snatched the papers to his own grip. The relief surged through me as if it was an unseen dam finally being broken- though I still had to remind myself… it was only temporary…
"Boy's," He said still filling out papers, "gather everything you brought including whatever John had… I mean, is it okay to have the boys stay with me for a night? I shall talk to their parents as soon as they get home."
"You're I.D checks out so I'm sure I can make an exception."
"Thank you." He smiled and briefly looked up, scribbled down his signature and handed it back to Mary who nodded telling us we were free to leave. I walked towards the bed at John's sleeping body and couldn't have denied the swirling storm of anxiety clouding my stomach along with a sense of guilt that washed over me…
Unfortunately, love was something you couldn't resist. It hunts you down and preys on an unexpected victim. That person could be someone you hate. Someone you like. Or even your best friend… Like my case per say… So unfortunate… Yet it was something you had loved to hate… A paradox… The most confusing kind of irony…
Love…
Me as a person was probably the most emotional guy you would meet…
Favorite movie type: Romance…
Favorite book genre: Romance…
Favorite music category: Romance…
Though I despised when it had to take and strip all the ground around me without my blessing! Though, depending who it was… You could get used to it… Like I may have…
For every moment I spent just looking deep at him though his glossy eyes or having a mad adrenaline rush that made me reach and grab his hand under a starry lit sky… I couldn't push away the facts slapping me in the face causing my cheeks to turn red whenever his sweet voice graced in a blanket of pure bliss.
I finally admitted to myself what I knew what prodding me at the back of my mind every time… But was too afraid to admit it: I loved John Laurens.
Dammit.
Though also hidden within the clouded depths of my guilt, I found a small slither of pleasure…
I told you: it was something you loved to hate…
"I've got him." I said in a concerned manner as Papa came over to help though I just ushered him away. My right arm slipped underneath his arms and the left beneath his knees. I few jagged breaths were breathed passed his lips though he never woke…
Jesus… He's out cold…
Still, who could blame him? While I took some steps out the tent, just burning at the edge of my vision was the wispy embers dancing in a deadly beautiful array some even catching the cold edge of my cheek in the calm breeze. In the ominous blanket of black above, the shimmering dots of bright stars loomed and scattered themselves in an unscripted manner- but just to think, just over an hour ago we were gazing at the exact same pattern of stars, naive to what awaited us… It is a scary thought that every single one of us woke up expecting the worst thing to happen that day was a four-thousand-word essay or not finding a table at lunch… None of us could have predicted this… Especially not John…
Lost in my thoughts I was unaware that I had already sat in the large, white, land rover pulled up on the curb just a few meters away from the iron-weighing yellow tape. The hum of the road below us was the main sound that bounced around every ones' skeleton. George was in the driver's seat where I sat next to him- longing to be in the back next to John who slept behind me- but Aaron took up that middle seat leaning against Herc who took the seat behind the driver's.
The drive was a blur so I don't exactly recall anything to happen until I heard the familiar crunch of gravel underneath the tires. I was the first to step out the car and swung around to open John's door, heaving him out in my own embrace. Papa, Aaron and Herc followed long with the former taking out the keys to open the large doors of the Washington 'house'.
It was too small to be a mansion, but too big to be a house… A manor? I wasn't sure how to describe it other than it was big! Though the Washington's were very modest with their money- they could most likely afford to buy and run a mansion but don't like to show how much money they had… Which I am glad with! George was a very important politic- in fact- he was the first black Senate of Virginia! And my Maman was like George, she worked as one of Virginia's best Lawyers. Whoever was in a bad situation wanted her! Up to date now, she had never once lost a case.
As I was saying before, our house was big. As soon as you entered there was a large porch with an oak planked floor, white painted brick walls and a grey rug which added colour to the room. It was one of those rooms where the windows sat in the second third of the wall that led all the way around. It also held some dark-oak coat hooks, shoe wracks and some cabinets (all in the same texture). If you then walked through the next set of doors, you would reach another room with the same colour design, except the ceilings were much taller… From the door way, to the right you would see a seventy's-style oak staircase with oak railings. Then to the left of that was the lounge where two, long, white, fake-leather couches spread evenly (yet a distance apart) from each other. There was a white, fluffy rug where a glass coffee table sat firmly on top of it and if you just looked up you would see a flat, smart-TV sat accurately on the wall- another window spread next to it.
Behind the den was two arch ways one on the right leading to a medium, modern kitchen and the one on the left reaching the dining room which was hung with refined landscapes and more oak furniture (one being the dining table). Though instead of a normal wall, it was made from clear glass which lead outside onto a wooden balcony with a few deck chairs gazing out onto our lush, small, garden meadows crowded with perfuming with a dainty array of bursting color's that kept you gazing into distant memories that seemed though you could step back in and resurface to what seemed easier than what exploited you now…
If you then traced back to the staircase, up them you would find an L-shaped corridor with Maman et Papa's room at the end of the hallway with (like all bedrooms) had a small on suit and next to it sat Papa's work office filled with many organized draws and contracts, stacked in a knowable order. The closest room to the staircase was my room and sandwiched in between the two rooms on the corner was a spare room (mostly where John stayed during the holiday's).
Though after we heard the almost unheard click of the pins falling into place as we turned the key, we took a step onto the pure white porch out of the spine-chilling cold that pricked our skin. John fidgeted comfortably around my chest bringing a subtly small smile and red tone to my tanned skin.
He was so adorable.
"Gil, put him on the sofa." Papa sighed leaving the keys to sprinkle over another dark oak cabinet. He let his head fall in his hands and took many deep breaths.
He didn't really know Henry Laurens- heck- Johns father despised our family! Most likely because Papa beat him for the senate seat just under six months ago. Plus, that man doesn't exactly have morally correct views… Take for instance, in his eyes being a sexuality other than straight or being a religion other than Christian meant you were a 'lesser'. But what mainly ticked him off was that someone black was now the senate of Virginia.
George was a very calm man on all accounts and didn't despise Henry, but didn't exactly like him either…
"Yes Papa…" I finally said releasing Johns warmth from my own. Aaron and Herc took a seat next to the sleeping boy, wrapping a blanket around him. But I just stood…
Perplexed in thought…
Martha appeared next. Her posture showed her being calm and collected. Though if you trailed up to her eyes you could see the raging concern and worry boil behind her too, dark eyes.
It was always the eyes…
"George! Gil!" She picked up her pace to throw her arms around me and her husband- me not realizing how close we stood. "Are you okay?" She voiced, the question directed at me.
"I'm fine Maman. Just shocked is all… John's the one we need to worry about…"
As soon as I spoke the first letter of his name, she had almost twisted her head around to look at the boy asleep in a mountain of blankets. What she did next was such a 'Martha-thing-to-do'. She walked to the white sofa and placed her hand over the top of his hair and seemed to just look down at him and pull a small sympathetic smile to her face. Whenever she did this sort of thing, it seemed as if she could feel and see everything they did… I know because she did this a lot when I had first moved in with them. I was very hesitant- a scared mouse. I was in a new country, with new people and a new language… Until I met John that is… Best friends until… Well… Until I started to see a lot more in him… To be honest I don't remember developing feelings until half way through Freshman year. Most people expect a story like he saved my life or we shared a smoothie against a burning sunset on a river bank near a twinkling pond with a dainty breeze gently brushing away our wisps of hair. But… no… It was nothing like that… No dramatic scene. No romantic setting. It was simply a one night sleepover… Though one like no other…
"Will you keep your voice down?" I had laughed in a loud sort of whisper. The room was almost pitch black with the acceptation of the buzzing Netflix show and the light of my digital clock reading:
00:37
But he didn't seem to care. He never seemed to care back then. His mother was alive and his father was happy. In his Dad's eyes, he was straight and a perfect son. Not like the way he viewed him today…
"Why?" He had replied still laughing. Even now I can't exactly recall what we were laughing over. But knowing John, it was most likely one of his silly antics.
"Err… Maybe because people are trying to sleep?!" I chuckled with a mock of annoyance in my tone which still couldn't push down the smile drowning out anything else.
"Fine!" He rolled his eyes but let the large goofy grin sneak back and infect his face. "But you will have to face the consequences mon amour…"
My love.
He said obviously joking with the 'romantic' nickname.
"Oh?" I had said getting closer to his face in an almost challenging way. "And what might that be ma douce?"
My sweet.
He chuckled again realising the name I had labelled him as.
"That game." He smirked.
"Ah… That game… Heh… In. Your. Dreams."
"Ah yes… Only in my best…" Despite the raging dark bouncing between every corner of the room, I could tell he was wiggling his eyebrows obviously mocking the flirts. It was something we always did. I'm not really sure where the joke came from, but we were always sending meaningless flirts to one another- and everybody knew it was all for jokes sake… Most of the time… "But surly you can't resist a kiss from your prince?" His face inches away from my own.
"Oh? I'm sure I can manage!" This time I had shoved him back but he grabbed a tight grip to my waist… Making me tumble on top of his own defenceless body.
This is why I said it was like no other…
It was just simply a fall. A fall that knocked some sense into me. As I plummeted to the soft sheets of my bed, something managed to make everything tick by an hour slower. It seemed as if my mind was a soccer goal, catching every memory as it rocketed past my eyes, flashing happy, delicate scenes by my eyelids… And then his…
It was always the eyes…
His own seemed to spark in a small click though I could have mistaken it for the flash in my own… Instantly my heart rate increased while it fluttered like a caged butterfly in a twisted mess behind the barriers of my rib cage… And for the first time ever… I didn't have to question a single emotion… It all seemed to fit together… Like a missing puzzle piece that had been lost for years… But as soon as my heart had fitted that piece together I was snapped back to what was really happening around me…
I was on top of John…
Though despite the raging need to run away that stewed inside the bottomless pit I can now call a stomach, I just stayed there… And we locked eyes for a very long time…
His with happiness… Mine with something completely unexpected…
As soon as I spoke the first letter of his name, she had almost twisted her head around to look at the boy asleep in a mountain of blankets. What she did next was such a 'Martha-thing-to-do'. She walked to the white sofa and placed her hand over the top of his hair and seemed to just look down at him and pull a small sympathetic smile to her face. Though what she did next was unpredicted…
"G…George…" She stuttered a little hesitant in her choice of words. "Can we talk about this…"
"Of course…" He replied bringing his head up to look at me telling me to stay put. Nothing was ever a secret in this family. So that's why it took me off guard for a second.
"That's fine." I made out turning back to John. They nodded and walked towards the dining room.
Aaron and Herc both shuffled to make a space for me to sit (though I wouldn't be surprised if it was out of discomfort either). But I took up the offer and sat, sandwiched between Herc and John.
Herc was all muscle, but the rest of us were still strong, but in a slimmer build.
"Do you think we should head back home?" Herc questioned sending a crack through the silence. "It's almost ten…"
"Non mon amie, exactly. It's ten. It's late. I'm sure John would feel better if he wakes up to all three of us. Besides, I'm sure George and Martha wouldn't mind."
"Okay then…" Herc replied a little hesitant. "Sure…"
Despite the tentative, soundless echo I reached out for the blankets folded into a neat, singular pile and draped them over the top of each of our restless bodies. Just like we had rehearsed it many times, Herc reached for the remote and Aaron switched off the light, all of us just watching the images flash disappear from the screen as quickly as they came, John still snuggling up unconsciously as if he was awake too…
(Martha's POV)
As soon as he had spoke the first letter of Johns name, I had almost twisted my head around to look at the boy asleep in a mountain of blankets. What I did next was something Gil would have called, 'such-a-Martha-thing-to-do'. But I couldn't help it… I walked to the white sofa and placed my hand over the top of Johns hair and seemed to just look down at him and pull a small sympathetic smile to my face. Though what I did next was unpredicted…
"G…George…" I stuttered a little hesitant in my choice of words. "Can we talk about this…"
"Of course…" My tall husband replied without delay and brought his head up to look at Gil, telling him to stay put. Nothing was ever a secret in this family. So I couldn't deny the guilt clouding my rational state of mind.
"That's fine." Gil said turning back to John. We both nodded and walked towards the tall oak archway that lead to the glass-walled window room. In this room, there was no doors so we had to make do with hiding at the room with our voices kept to a low minimum.
"George…" I started in a low meaningful tone. "What did you do about John?"
"I… err… I signed a form to say we were eligible to take him into our care…" For once in what seemed like a lifetime (a side I don't think I had ever seen to him before) resurfaced as he shied away.
"That's fine, Honey." I pushed out to stroke his blazer-covered arm. "We can still look after him"
He said nothing but just smiled a smile that never reached his eyes…
It was always the eyes…
"You know he is going to question why John can't stay in the spare room, right?" By 'him' I meant Gil.
"Yes but… I know we were meant to tell him tonight, though is it still a good time?"
My eyes trailed along the picture hung walls to the room where all four boys cozied up tight underneath the fluffy blankets watching a show I couldn't give to a name. Each one of them leant against one another. Even Gil managed to drape his tanned arms around Johns limp body… Those two really were inseparable…
"We've kept it from him for too long…" I started, still observing the four teens lit up by the buzz of the TV screen. "We have to tell him tomorrow…"
He waited for a second. "Okay. Tomorrow…"
I gave him a slight smile. This wouldn't be easy… All I could make out was a simple but meaningful,
"I love you."
I could feel the warmth of his breath gently tickle the surface of my cheeks making my smile brighten.
"I love you too."
That same warmth softly transferred to my fore head as his lips pressed against my own darkened skin. "I-"
"Maman!" Gil's urgent voice cut off through the air of the dining hall. "John's awake!"
And just like that, our speed picked up towards the room which sat the boy, whose life had not only been changed for eternity but paralyzed for the future…
Authors Note: I was meant to get this chapter out on Monday but I fell behind :(
My parents are thinking of restricting my writing time because they're worried about how much time I spend on it xD
I admit, this is not one of best chapters but I'm not sure how I could have edited it… It was the longest chapter too! I'm sorry if it bored you :(
The next chapter will be quite emotional and deep (hopefully).
AND I was asked by a Guest when I usually update well I can say I don't like to give dates because it's too much pressure. So I will say maybe once a week? Or if I'm pushing it, once every two weeks? I honestly don't know…
Well, all I'm gonna say iiiisssss…
PLEASE LEAVE A CONSTRUCTIVE REVIEW!
(And P.S THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT!)
Yeah well… I'll update soon!
-L.E-Rae _x_