Speak Loudly.

Chapter 8

Date: December 5, 1995
Joey: Age 10
Shane: Age 11
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{Shane's Pov}

I just recently turned eleven. Man, I was getting old. I turned eleven a couple days ago, on the first.

{A/N: I know that's not Shane's actual birthday, his birthday is I believe in July. But for this his birthday is December😂}

I can't really remember the last time I had a big celebration for my birthday. My dad was never a huge part of my life, besides the beatings I would get.

My mom is planning on pressing charges and or suing him for me. I'm the only one he ever feels the need to beat.

I never understand why I deserve this, or any of the pain he displays on me.

I walk up to Joeys house all bundled up. We got off from school today because it snowed eight inches.

It's like the freaking Antarctic or something up here. Is that what it's called?

I knocked on Joeys door.

He opened it wearing a big smile on his face. We had been hanging out almost everyday, like usual lately.

He was also wearing a big red sweater with a gingerbread on it, which he tucked into his dark blue jeans, which had red suspenders attached to them. He was wearing brown combat-looking boots, and had long grey socks on which you could see. He was also wearing his glasses, which ha barely and prescription in them, but he looked adorable. He had even done his hair.

Then there was me.

My basic grey sweatpants with underarmour under them, which I had gotten for Christmas a year or so back. I wore a grey sweater with a black hoodie over it. I was wearing a size-too-small pair of gloves, and I had my black combat boots on. I wore a black beanie, too.

Joey: Mom! Shane and I are going to my room!

Joey called as we ran up the stairs of his house, and into his room. We laughed and Joey closed his door, and pushed up against it with his back. I giggled at how cute he is.

He's so adorable I just... I can't. He's just too cute.

Joey: Hey Shaney!

Joey said with a smile.

Shane: Hey kangaroo.

I said back to him. I grabbed his suspender and started to run my hands up and down them.

Joey: I swear Shane if one of those unclips and swats you in the face I'm gonna laugh so hard.

I looked up at him and stuck my tongue out. He laughed.

Shane: Whats with the suspenders, anyways?

Joey: I don't know. I look good.

Shane: Yeah.

I cleared my throat.

Shane: Wanna go to the tree house?

Joey: Yeah, sure.

I let go of Joeys suspenders and we went out of his house.

Halfway there, Joey was shivering.

I laughed.

Shane: You should've worn a jacket. It's literally freezing.

Joey rolled his eyes and held himself.

I stopped.

Joey looked at me and stopped too.

I pulled the hoodie from over my head and quickly pulled my sweater down. I handed the hoodie to Joey.

Joey: Shane, you don't-

Shane: Shush. Put it on.

Joey nodded and slowly slipped the black hoodie with 'Dawson' written on the back.

I grabbed Joey and pulled him tightly into me.

We walked and finally made it to the treehouse, where we both quickly got inside.

Joey: Thanks for letting me wear your hoodie.

Joeys cheeks got red and I didn't know if he was blushing or if it was because it was cold outside.

Joey went and turned on the heater.

Shane: No problem.

Joey began to take it off, but I stopped him.

Shane: Keep it.

Joey smiled at me and whispered an 'Okay'.

Joey turned the small T.V to
Anime. He smiled at me, trying to convince me to watch it. I sighed and he won.

Shane: Come cuddle.

I called to Joey from the top bunk. He smile up at me and quickly climbed the ladder up.

I held out my arms and he crawled to me as hugged me tightly. He laid his head on my shoulder and I smelled his hair, which smelt like pomegranate and felt soft pressed against my cheek.

Joey: You're the best friend I've ever had.

He's all I ever wanted and more in a person.

I felt at home in his arms.

It's such a weird thing, being completely infatuated with someone.

You leave the place you live, and eat, and sleep at, to see that person.

But for some reason when you go see that person, it feels like you're coming home.

So it's leaving your house to go home.

And everybody says that 'Home is where the heart is.'

But how can this younger boy, the boy who bruises and is always yellow looking, the boy who people avoid in the halls and call mean names, the boy who is always running some type of fever but never goes to a hospital, possibly be the same boy who makes my veins feel on fire? He sends sparks down my spine and makes me feel something I shouldn't feel for another boy. I want to hold him forever, protect him, be there for him. I want to be the one who instead of at the end of the day saying 'Goodbye' he says 'Goodnight' to. I want to be his home.

I held him close to me as we watched whatever show was on the television.

I was behind him, holding him gently. He grabbed my hand in his and my chin laid on his shoulder from behind him.

It's not quite fair.

I feel bad for the boys who don't have another boy to hold and care for.

I feel bad for the boys who don't have another boy to hold and care for them.

I feel bad for the boys who like girls, basically. Because I feel bad that I have a person as amazing as Joey in my life, and I wish every boy and every girl had their very own Joey.

I looked over Joeys shoulder and saw he had fallen asleep with my arms around him. He was breathing into my hoodie.

I wrapped one leg around him as well
and kissed the back of his neck lightly, where a small bruise was. I want to kiss all his bruises away.