Speak Loudly.

Chapter 2

Date: June 26, 1993
Joey: Age 7
Shane:Age 8
{A week or so since last chapter}
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{Shane's Pov}

We built sort of a make-shift fort. The tent was pretty big, and we had high walls made of wood planks, big rocks, and bricks. It was secure enough for now.

Shane: I can't believe it.

I stated, wiping sweat from my forehead.

Joey jumped up and down in excitement. I don't think he's ever had this much freedom. I smiled at him.

Joey was sweating way more than I was, but that was always normal.

He naturally sweated more than I did, even though he was younger.

Heck, I don't really know many people who sweat more than him, not even adults, now that I think about it.

Gross.

Joey: It looks awesome! I'm so excited Shaney!

It's only okay when my mom or he says it, so don't even fucking mention it.

Shane: So, baby kangaroo.

I put my arm around him and pulled him close to me.

Joey: Ow! That hurts!

I let go of him.

Shane: What?

Joey: Don't grab me that hard.

I rolled my eyes.

Shane: So sensitive.

Joey: It's not my fault, I bruise easily.

We looked at the fort surrounding us.

Joey: It really does look great, Shaney.

Shane: Yeah. Let's sneak out here later tonight.

Joey: I don't know, that seems risky.

I set my arm gently around his shoulder.

Shane: What's life without a little bit of risk, eh? We can come out here before it gets dark and make a leaf pile or something cool.

We started walking back up towards Joeys house.

Joey: You know what, Shane?

I looked into his blue eyes that glimmered a little. He had nice eyes.

Shane: Hmmm?

Joey: You make me really happy. Like, a happy I can't explain.

I tilted my head and shrugged. Joey made me a weird happy sometimes too, but I didn't really know what to call it.

We walked into Joeys house, and his mom was almost done making dinner, and his dad sat at the table reading a newspaper, like an old time American dad.

I wish my parents were like that.

Debora: Joey, Shane, clean up and come sit down at the table and eat something.

Joey: Okay.

We ran up the stairs to Joeys bathroom. We laughed and giggled as we fought our way to the sink.

Shane: Move it, Graceffa!

I splashed two handfuls of water at him, soaking his shirt.

Joey: Shaney! That wasn't very nice!

Joey couldn't help but giggle, and I just stared back at him with so much love.

Love?

K.

Shane: Take your shirt off, I'll grab you another one.

He pulled off his shirt and I saw something.

Bruises.

Bruises where I wrapped my arm 'too hard' around him earlier that day.

Bruises from last week where I pushed him away from me.

Bruises on his wrist where I grabbed and pulled at him.

Joey stared back at me with worry in his eyes.

Joey: Please don't tell my parents.

I shook my head in disbelief.

Shane: Did I actually hurt you?

Joey shrugged, but returned to being worried.

Joey: You can't tell them! They already think something is wrong with me.

Shane: What if there is something actually wrong with you?

I gently brushed my hand across the wounds.

Joey: I don't want to leave you. Just don't tell them.

I looked at him, his eyes were filled with tears.

Shane: Yeah, okay. I'll go grab you another shirt.

I ran to his bedroom and brought him back a nice shirt.

Joey: Thanks.

He buttoned up all the small buttons on it and finished washing his hands.

Joey: Let's go eat.

We rushed back down the stairs and we were fed pork chops and green beans.

We both sat in silence as his parents talked and laughed back and forth.

For once In as long as I've known Joey, I had nothing to say to him. I didn't know what to say to him.

I'm just worried about him I guess.

He looked anxious during the whole dinner, as if he thought I would tell on him.

I'd never break my word.

When we done eating, we washed our plates and put them away. Joey ran upstairs surprisingly faster than I did, and plopped on his bed.

I didn't say anything. I knew what was wrong, so there was no need to ask. But I gently wrapped both my arms around him and even threw a leg over his bottom half.

Joey: I'm scared, Shane.

Shane: How long has it been this way?

Joey: A long time.

Shane: You're my best friend. You can tell me anything.

Joey sighed.

Joey: I'm just messed up I think.

Tears flowed down his cheeks. I felt like kissing him.

I wanted to kiss him.

Not kiss kiss, but comfort him.

I kissed him gently on the cheek, but he didn't say anything about it.

Well, kinda.

Joey: Thank you.

But he didn't find it weird.

So I laid and held him and tried to make him feel okay.

{A/N: Is this too short?}