Shades Of Blue

51. Moving Day

Neel

May

Age 18

School had let out early that day for a faculty meeting, which ended up working to Benjie's benefit. He could be moved out before his parents got home from work.

It was 1 p.m. when Neel sat on the edge of Benjie's bed wearing a forlorn expression as he empathized with his lover. Benjie's face was like stone as he packed his life away into two boxes and his backpack. He had been especially quiet today, lost in his anxiety about moving out of his family home and into Neel's. Living with someone was a big deal in a relationship, and they would have to live with the presence of Neel's parents on top of it all. He knew it wasn't ideal for Benjie, but what other choice was there? He couldn't stay here anymore, and they didn't have enough money put aside to branch out on their own yet. Benjie would just have to make do with the Jones' until the couple saved enough money or until Neel went away to school. Neel preferred the latter, knowing that renting an apartment here would be a waste when they were moving away in September. It wouldn't be so bad. Neel's parents were fond enough of Benjie. If they didn't care for him, they at least pretended they did.

Still, when he studied Benjie's face, he had to wonder what was taking place inside his head. "If you changed your mind- "

"Nope," Benjie assured him, his voice at a higher octave than usual.

Neel scanned his surroundings, realizing that he would never sit in this room again. That was the hope at least. The plan. Neel imagined that Benjie moving in would only elevate their relationship to new heights. Neel was so in love that he entertained thoughts of marriage in the alarmingly near future. Living with Benjie would be all they had ever hoped for, like spending the rest of their days in their old treehouse where the world never bothered them. Benjie would be safe and loved.

"What's going on?" Ellie inquired from the doorway.

Instead of scolding his twin sister for neglecting to knock again, Benjie set down the sweater he was folding for storage and turned to her warmly.

"Were you gonna tell me you're moving out or were you just gonna leave?" Ellie demanded.

"I was waiting for you to get home to tell you," Benjie assured her, holding up his hand as though he were trying to calm a rabid animal. "I'm only moving to Neel's. It's really not a big deal."

"It is a big deal!" Ellie claimed as her emotions erupted into tears and she pulled her brother into a hug.

Benjie's eyes shifted from Neel to the door, signaling for him to leave.

Uncomfortable with Ellie's tears, Neel was ready to oblige. He stood and waited for Ellie to release Benjie, kissed his lover once on the cheek, once, tenderly on the lips, then quickly again and again all around Benjie's face, forcing out a genuine smile. "I love you," Neel proclaimed. "Text me when you're ready."

"K," Benjie agreed, giving Neel's hand one last squeeze. In the coming years, that was what Neel remembered the most; how Benjie had gently squeezed his hand to signal so much more than he could ever say. "Love you, too."

To give Benjie some privacy to deal with his sister and finish packing, Neel ushered himself out of the Archer home for the very last time.