Rule Number One (BoyXBoy)

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, one two, three...

My hand patted against my thigh rhythmically in time with my steps on the pavement. I hummed under my breath. Anything to fight off the crippling loneliness.

I pondered the things I would never have an answer to from the lack of human existence: who would have won the presidential election? What happened in the next Heroes of Olympus book- were Percy and Annabeth okay? How did the dinosaurs look? Is evolution more than just a theory? Did Daryl and Glen survive? How did Sherlock ever survive that fall?

A dark flash, ducking under a car.

I paused, wondering in this was the instance I was going insane.

I spend so much time lost in my imagination anymore that it can be difficult to distinguish between reality and dreams occasionally. But no- the movement again!

I ran over and looked under the red BMW and caught a glimpse of a foot before the person was running away towards the park.

I tailed after them, running as fast as I could, and had to face the fact that I was out of shape, severely, considering I walk or bike everywhere.

For my effort though, after a half mile of sprinting, desperate for human contact, I grabbed the person's shirt, causing us both to trip, rolling with each other while momentum fought friction and I got covered with bruises because of it.

I pinned the person down in my desperation.

Blue eyes stared up at me, terrified.

I memorized the wide eyes, small button nose, pale mouth that was busy taking ragged breaths. He was a boy with shorter brown hair and pale skin. He was small, very short. And he was still pinned beneath me.

"You...you're a PERSON!" My hands roamed over his face, his neck, his chest, anywhere I could touch. I felt body heat practically scortch my hands. "An actual person," I sobbed involuntarily.

"Of course I'm a person. I'm certainly not a kitty cat," the boy rolled his eyes. "May I please have my body back now?"

I realized I was still sitting on him. I jumped back quickly, sitting to the side as he righted himself.

"Now," he said. "What's your name?"

My mouth opened and closed a few times. A blush stained my cheeks which were still covered in evaporating tears.

"Well," he continued when he saw I couldn't, "aren't you a big ball of social awkwardness. I'm Teddy." He held put his hand for me to shake with a smile.

"B-Brian," I took the hand in mine, trying my best to put the right amount of pressure. "Do you...do you know what happened to everyone?"

Teddy shrugged. "As much as anyone."

"Anyone?" I questioned. "It's just us..."

"You really have been off the grid," he shook his head.

"What do you mean?" I asked, heart racing with possibilities.

"Brian," he began, "there's a whole community of people. You're not alone."

I looked at him blankly.

"You're lying," I accused, turning away. "YOU'RE LYING!"

My voice ripped through the empty space with a slight echo. "Lies, lies, all lies..." I fell to the ground in a mess of tears, arms wrapped tightly around my torso to hold in the unbearable emotion. Overwhelming, everything was so overwhelming.

Hope, I couldn't bear hope. Depression, anger, pain, loneliness- all evils I had come to accept. Hope was a danger that could not be faced. For if I had hope, and it turned out to be false, everything would crumble around me more quickly than my heart was now hammering in my chest.

Warm, soft arms gently wrapped around me.

"You've been alone for so long," Teddy murmured quietly. I didn't remember how I was supposed to react to human touch, to companionship, so I just followed instinct and hugged him back fiercely. He was sturdy for his thinness, smelling of cinnamon and laundry detergent. It was surprisingly comforting. "Shh...you're not alone anymore."

"I'm sorry, sorry, sorry," I apologized. "I don't know to be...human anymore."

It was an odd apology, but Teddy got the meaning nonetheless.

"That's alright," Teddy helped me to stand, reaching up to straighten out my shaggy hairdo. I noticed his was far neater than mine even with its curly manner.

He was a good five inches shorter than my 6'0". He was nice, and comforting, and accepting. He wasn't weirded out by my questionable behavior. He was, obviously, the best- and only- person I had met in years.

He wrapped his arm through mine, walking us away from the park.

We walked around stalled cars, over litter and debris, no particular direction in mind. I suppose that's a benefit of being the only people. No one questions where you're going. There is no pressure to get to places on time. It's just your desires and whims guiding you.

"So tell me about yourself," Teddy said, obviously more adept at this social thing than myself.

"Not much to tell," I mumbled.

God, here I had complained about not having anyone around, and when my prayers are answered, what do I do? Dodge questions like a damn prat.

"Do you have any hobbies?" he tried.

"I like to sing," I shrugged.

"Wow! Are you any good?" He bounced a little on the balls of his feet in excitement.

"I don't know," I answered non-committedly. "I haven't had an audience since my voice finished changing."

I blushed as I realized what I had said. He just chuckled.

"You'll have to sing for me one day," he smiled up at me. I realized he had cheek dimples, and they were rather adorable.

"Al-alright," I smiled back.

Hope was crawling into my chest much to my displeasure. I begged that it wasn't a permanent thing. I didn't think I could survive being alone again.

I tightened my grip on Teddy, my best friend (I didn't have anyone else, which immediately made him the best), and vowed I wouldn't let anything happen to him, wouldn't let him go. Without human companionship, I am nothing. Absolutely nothing.