Whatever, Cowboy.

Graduation Party_1

Caps and gowns poorly fit to hundreds of rows. People standing shoulder to shoulder with neatly wrapped diplomas in hand, eyes scanning the stage on which the principal says goodbye to her most troublesome grade. "It certainly has been a difficult few years for you all yet to some surprise, I do feel sadness to be letting the class of 2025 out of the Raven's nest." Principal Marron explained sorely in her conclusion. "Now the moment you all have waited for since you saw your very first graduation scene in a movie. You may now, remove your caps..." She emphasized, "one... two... three!" Caps erupt through the sky, cheers filling it all the same. As the sky grew darker and the sun ran closer to the horizon, pods of families scattered around the Raven High School outdoor sports field. Cameras flashing, smiles ear wide with pride and courage, and a dark purple.... cowboy hat. He doesn't even realize how singled out he is, smiling with his cheeky dimples, those lost wondering eyes searching for his girlfriend who's probably off cheating with some soccer goalie; her usual type. Back to Tyler and his illuminate smile, his dusty, messy farmer hair that sways sweetly in the wind. Thankfully, no one knows how much I watch him, how I analyze the way his eyes seem to frown on their own when he is alone in school hallways, how he laughs with puffy cheeks, and how his arms glow after he's had weight training class. Almost everyone, at least...

"Hey Bro! You coming to my party tonight? My parents already cleared the house and book apartments for themselves." A low pitch voice interrogates from behind, a familiar voice. I turn to connect with my best friend of 8 years, Aaron Johnson.

"Of course, man! Do you want me to pick up any drinks or nah?" I fired back cheerfully, folding my arms to combat the cold.

"Nah, just show up at 10."

"Bet." I agreed.

The night continued slowly before the party. Once I arrived, the music began getting louder and louder as I pulled in next to the house. I only plan to be there for a good hour or so. Just to make an appearance, I don't like the whole 'get drunk and then fuck' thing. As I enter the house, I hear plenty of whoops and yoos heading my way. I make my way through the crowd of already drunk swaying graduates. On the way past the kitchen to my initial destination of the dining room, I see Aaron with some girl on the kitchen island talking to some other friends I couldn't care less to memorize the names of.

"Auuuuustinnnn!" Aaron slurs with an ear wide grin, alcohol absolutely fresh on his breath.

"Hey man! Who's this?" I ask just to start a conversation.

"Theeiiis is Ellllla." He replied full heartedly. "We're gonnnna get mmmarried!" I couldn't help but cough up some vodka through chuckles.

"Of course you are, man. Hey, I'm gonna go find a quieter spot. Headache hits hard bro." I laugh through the diversion. I don't like loud spaces but I hate the quiet just as much. It sucks to be an athletic popular but not be treated as a human being anymore. Getting caught in my mind, I didn't realize the familiar intoxication figure that I've looked over so many times ahead of me. Somehow he managed to move to the side before I inevitably bumped into his shoulder, finding the staircase quickly. Regaining my right mind, well the drunk version of it, I stop at the 2nd floor level from the stairs and look for an unoccupied room. After seeing the quest room was still untouched by any intoxicated graduates, I rushed inside to claim the bed for my own. As if I hadn't slept in it just two weeks ago. Aaron's parents love me; maybe more than they do him because of our trouble makings. Because of the heat in the house, I removed my shirt carelessly; throwing it to the floor. Finally in the break between silence, I drift into sleep; the world of numb calmness that sinks away out of reality. Just as the sound faded from my ears a loud slam blairs through my eardrums; the bedroom door. Then another sound that I can't fully recognize... is it crying? Who is sniffling in here? I turn over my shoulder to pear through the dull, moonlit room. I can't see who it is but I see a figure against the wall, covering their head in dispare. The shoulders shivering in pain as the cries continue. I shift out of the bed and creep over to them, sliding down the wall beside them. Looking over I can make out the larger features like the chiseled jaw that suggests he is male, the Adam's apple of a conditioned neck, the hair droopy and dusty. My eyes widen as I add the details as one; Tyler is crying in the same room as me, and I am shirtless...

For some reason, I begin hushing him just as my mother did to me; rubbing his back in circles. He's so muscular, but his back feels smooth through his muscle shirt. "It'll be okay, let it out." I emphasized with sympathy. Eventually through the night, Tyler's head ended up on my bare shoulder. We both seemed to fall asleep at some point. At the time, I hadn't noticed. Looking back at it now, he'd never wore a chain necklace before. It's silver gleam shining through my dreams as it dangles over top of me. My eyes shoot open as I gasp, confused by the wave of emotions. I feel around the floor of the dark room for Tyler's last reminisce, failing with racing thoughts.

Did I do something in my sleep? What time is it? Why is the music still playing? These thoughts paused by the click of a door, the room darkening quickly as footsteps stomp closer.