The Trail (johnten)

1.9

after a few moments of silent walking, ten looked up at johnny.

"ten."

"what?"

"my name."

"your name is ten?"

"yeah"

johnny allowed a small smile to fall onto his lips. he looked down but ten immediately broke their eye contact.

"well at least that's what people at school used to call me."

"i like it."

"thanks," ten blushed slightly, hoping johnny couldn't see.

"if that's just what people call you, what's your real name?"

"i'm thai, my name is really long and awkward so i don't tell anyone anymore."

"well then, where'd you get 'ten' from?"

"my name has ten letters."

"really?"

"yeah."

ten looked down sheepishly before johnny spoke up again,

"oh, now you have to tell me. i'm curious!"

"you really want to know?" ten looked up to maintain eye contact with johnny.

"i do."

ten took a deep breath, other boys made fun of ten mercilessly for his name and he hoped johnny wouldn't to the same.

"my full name is 'chittaphon leechaiyapornkul'"

johnny gazed into the younger's eyes, "that's a very pretty name."

ten looked down, blushing once again, only to look back up as johnny continued,

"i think i'll stick to calling you ten though."

both boys began to laugh, ten reached over to place a light punch on johnny's upper arm.

"asshole." ten uttered between laughs. 

maybe he didn't mind having company as much as he thought he would.