Love Is Our Chance | DreamNotFound

| 28 |

TW!

"You can drop me off here, I'll just walk the rest of the way."

"Shut up George, I already said I'd drop you home." Clay said bluntly and signalled right, "Just wait."

George sat nervously in his seat and turned his head slightly to watch the blonde drive. His face fell when he noticed a scar on the side of his forehead, it was faded, but it definitely wasn't there when they were friends.

He subconsciously lifted his head and reached out, brushing his fingers against it gently.

Clay froze and yanked his head away, accidentally swerving the car slightly, "What are you doing?"

The brunette's eyes widened and retracted his hand, looking away in embarrassment, "S-sorry, I wasn't thinking."

Clay didn't want to admit it, but instead of moving because George touched him, he moved away because his heart started beating rapidly. The second George's familiar touch ghosted his skin, he felt his heart jolt.

The blonde swallowed and continued looking straight, "It's, uh, it's okay."

Silence washed over them as they stared at the road in front of them. It was a quiet night, not many cars
on the road. The only source of light was the street lamps and the car's headlights.

"H-how did you get the scar on your head?"

Clay frowned and turned his head slightly, meeting George's eyes for a second before focusing on the road, "Uhh, I got it over a year ago."

George paused, "Doing what?"

The blonde laughed lightly and shook his head, "Uhh, you were there." He smiled weakly, "That was the night Aiden smashed the camera over my head."

The brunette exhaled loudly as Clay spoke. Out of the corner of the blonde's peripheral vision, he could see George stare at the side of his face, his mouth agape. He closed his eyes and muttered something before looking away.

"Oh...I'm sorry you have something to remember that."

"It's okay." Clay shrugged, "It's not your fault, I was the one who hit him first." He paused, "Y-you didn't get any scars or anything, right?"

George shook his head, "No...," He drew in a breath, "Well not physically-," He cleared his throat, "But it's okay."

The blonde quietened down, "Um, I never apologised."

"For?"

"I didn't protect you." Clay muttered, "I promised to protect you and I didn't." He bit the inside of his cheek, "I don't know what happened to you after I blacked out and I'm sorry. I tried to protect you and-,"

"Dream." George said calmly and put his hand on the blonde's shoulder, "It's okay."

Clay tensed under the boy's touch but slowly relaxed. He nodded slowly, "O-okay."

"Nothing's been your fault, so don't blame yourself."

The blonde grimaced and let out a haggard breath. If only George had told him that ages ago...

"That's really reassuring, thanks George." The blonde smiled to himself, "So is your Dad home?"

"No, he, uh-," George smiled, "He's actually on a date."

"Oooh." Clay said excitedly, "I'm so proud of him."

"So am I." George agreed, "It's been long enough."

The blonde nodded, "Agreed." He paused, "So, you're gonna be home all by yourself?"

George shrugged, "I guess you could say that." He tapped his foot against the bottom of the car seat, "But it's alright, I'm already eighteen."