Baby steps ∽『boy ✮ boy -EDITED

Twenty-fifth👣-edited

    I was still waiting in front of Carter’s house with my finger hanging in the air above the doorbell when the entrance door opened and Carter himself appeared in front of me.

      “I looked at you from the window and I might say the first ten minutes I found you adorable as fuck but as much as I would like to keep staring at you my neighbours are starting to get suspicious.” Carter greeted me with one of his cocky smiles, tilting his head towards the house next door, showing me an elder couple staring at me worriedly. I felt myself blush and I hurriedly walked past Carter and into the house, away from the piercing gazes of his neighbours. Once inside, Carter locked the door and looked up at me with a dazzling smile.

      “Hello, handsome.” He said, taking my backpack and placing it into his lap then laying his elbows over it and his chin in his palms as he looked at me while I pulled the layers of jackets and sweaters off of me.

      "Hi." I choked out an almost inaudible response, fumbling with my laces and getting them more tangled rather than undone. I groaned and pulled on the strings, making the knot tighten and my cheeks reddened in embarrassment.

     Carter chuckled.

      "I would offer to help vu but I'm enjoying dis sight too much." He said, his words coming out weirdly because he kept his cheeks squished between his palms.

      I scoffed, offering Carter one of my most expressive glares before deciding to pull my boots off without unfastening them.

      "Done. Problem solved." I muttered, just now registering how noisy the house was. "Do you have guests over?"

       "Yup. Actually, this is the reason why I left so suddenly a few days ago. I have a surprise for you."

    Saying this, Carter turned around and led me through the house, stopping in front of a room with blue door. On the door was hanged a wooden plate on which was written "Den".

      "I worked at this with my dad and papa all day yesterday so I hope you like it." He said almost bashfully, opening the door and ushering me inside.

      I wasn't even able to step pass the threshold and three raspy voices attacked my eardrums from three different directions.

      "Ryder, man."

      "Hey there, ice boy."

      "Mister quarterback."

      My eyes widened, looking at my teammates in astonishment.

       "Bob? Ricky? Jeff?"

       "In flesh and bones." Jeff responded, stuffing his mouth full of crackers while he watched Bob and Ricky play video games. The two sat on a couch while Jeff almost lost himself inside a bean bag. His shirt was the same colour as the navy leather, making it seem as if the bean bag itself had head and limbs.

        "You know..." Jeff started while Carter and I walked further into the room, signaling me to sit next to him. I did, occupying an armchair while Carter stopped at my right between me and the couch. "I was a bit surprised when this former QUEERback here called us over, but seeing you here as well makes me think he either lost his mind either ain't the real Carter."

     The boys chuckled, humming in agreement.

     "True. Carter used to hate your guts."