Tanner was, what he thought, in love. Lana was so amazing. However, he always told himself that she isn't as amazing as Rowan. Lana was also beautiful. But not as beautiful as Rowan. Lana was also so fun. But... you guessed it. Not as fun as Rowan.
No matter what, his thoughts went back to Rowan. The boy was so sad when he wasn't growing. But he will. Tanner knows it. And then, he'll be even more beautiful.
Rowan wore a sweater during his play date with Tanner. This was off for Tanner. It's hot today. And the temperature is only going to be rising. Which made no sense for Rowan to wear a sweater.
"Why are you wearing a sweater, Ro. It's hot as hell right now." Tanner said.
"Umm. I'm cold." Rowan tried to brush it off but Tanner wasn't buying it.
"Ro. Why are you wearing a sweater?" He sternly asked. He wasn't going to let this go.
"Fine!" Rowan had enough and took off his sweater. Underneath, he didn't wear a shirt underneath.
Tanner gasped and saw the return of the bruises and cuts on his body. "Ro! What the hell! Why didn't you tell me!" He approached Rowan and traced his fingers over his cuts.
"My dad started hitting me again. And the boys at school keep making fun of me for not growing up." Rowan began to break down crying. He still remembered the boys pushing him on the floor after school and kicking him. Then coming home to his father who was angry at him for not standing up for himself.
His father decided to give a lesson to his son to defend himself. It started with slaps, then pinches, kicks, and then punches. Rowan didn't defend himself. He sat there taking every blow. Since then, his father keeps giving him lessons to be a man.
"Let's get Aunt Ava to fix these." Tanner said. He couldn't believe what he saw. He wanted to cry. He wanted to go to Rowan's house and kill his father. Make him suffer what Rowan suffered.
The two boys slowly stood up. Rowan put the sweater back on, wincing when the fabric touched any one of the cuts. Tanner held Rowan's hand and they both walked the roads together and reached Ava's house.
Ava had been cooking lunch for the two when the boys stumbled onto her porch. Tanner explained what was wrong. She insisted Rowan lie down on the couch while she tended to his wounds. Rowan was in pain and would scream when alcohol entered his cuts.
And the entire time, Ava noticed that Tanner never let the other boy's hand go.
The women decided to give Rowan some sweets for being so brave and being a strong boy. And she also gave Tanner some for being a supportive friend.
"I haven't grown yet, Tanny." Rowan said. He wiped his tears and refused to put his sweater on. "Is there something wrong with me?" He asked.
"No, there isn't anything wrong with you. Maybe you're just a late-late bloomer. I know another person who hasn't grown yet." Tanner tried reassuring the smaller boy.
"That's one other person. Everyone else is ahead already." Rowan looked up at Tanner. He was now standing at 5'7 while Rowan was still at at 5'1. He was dwarfed in height. The days when he was able to look at Tanner directly in the eye are gone.
One thing that wasn't gone was how much Tanner cared for the other boy. Tanner still knew about how much Rowan suffered all his life. He provides himself as a beacon, an escape from his horrible world.
"I know you hate that you haven't been growing, but trust me. It's coming soon! I bet by the time I see you next year, you'll be up to here," Tanner signaled to the middle of his face. "Then you won't be as short!"
Rowan giggled. "I hope you're right."
"Either way, you're still beautiful." The two sat in the patio chairs and watched the leaves on the trees sway in the wind. Ava had been watching the entire time in silence. She watched as Rowan would give Tanner eye glances.
Throughout the past months, she's noticed that when the conversation of Tanner comes up, Rowan would talk nonstop about him. He would mention every detail about Tanner and the comfort he feels when he's around him.
There's no doubt about it. She knew that this boy was in love with her nephew. However, she made sure not to push them together. Instead, she'll watch on the sides and hope they don't make the same mistake she made.
"How's it been with Lana?" Rowan asked. He didn't actually want to know about the girl stealing Tanner from him. Might as well learn about this girl and how she makes Tanner feel.
"It's been great! We hold hands all the time and share Oreos during lunch time." Tanner said.
'We share snacks. We eat dinner together most nights. You hold my hand all the time. Why not me?' Rowan thought.
"She sounds nice." Is all Rowan said.
"She is! I want to kiss her so badly!"
"Is she taller than me?" Rowan asked.
"Mmm. A little. Maybe by two inches." Tanner said. Well, shit. Now Rowan is shorter than a girl. Who knows, maybe he will grow this year.
Then maybe the kids will stop picking on him. And then his father will leave him alone because he no longer looks so young.
As Tanner was putting the last of his clothes in the car, Rowan had only one thing on his mind.
'Tell him! Tell him you love him! Do it or he'll never love you back!' His mind kept telling him.
Rowan wanted to say something. Speak up. Tell Tanner that he's in love with him.
"Tanner!" Rowan called out. Tanner, before entering the car, turned around to see Rowan standing there.
"Yeah, Ro?" He asked. His charming smile was another factor that Ro was starting to fall for more. Including his brown eyes.
"I-I uh. I..." He stuttered out. The words are taking so much for him to say.
"You, what?" Tanner asked.
"I-I'm gonna miss you." He said. He ended up not saying it. Because at the end, what if Tanner didn't love him back? Rowan would've ended the only good thing in his life. And then the next year, Tanner won't come. And Rowan would be back being alone.
"I'm gonna miss you too! I'll see you next year! Don't lose hope! You'll get taller! Bye, Ro!" Tanner said. He hopped inside the car as it drove down the street.
Another year of Rowan keeping his feelings to himself. He doesn't even know if Tanner likes him back.
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bye! i love you all!
<3
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honeysuckle ✔️
RomanceRowan hated his life. At 7 years old, his parents didn't love him and he was abused everyday. It was faith that Tanner, a bubbly kid who's visiting his aunt in Oregon, runs into a crying Rowan. Every summer, the two meet at the same honeysuckle flow...
