I tell the stars about you

Chapter Two

Albert was pissed. Who was that guy and why did he so close to Race? It made him really angry thinking that someone would hurt him. They had no reason to. What did it matter that Race was on this guy's turf? He wasn't even selling here, they were selling on the bridge which surely couldn't also be his. Was everyone in Brooklyn that rude? Albert looked over to Race. His cheeks were dusted with light pink. Albert reached out and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, you alright, let's get outta here." Race just nodded. It was like he shut down or something. His shoulder felt warm like something was making him flustered. Albert grabbed Race's hand and lead him out of the alleyway.

"Sorry about that, that was uhm that was Spot, Spot Colon, King of Brooklyn, he always thinks i'se is selling on his turf but I only sell on da bridge." Race looked down and played with his hands. Albert furrowed his eyebrows. Race was clearly hiding something and he was clearly uncomfortable with this Spot Colon. Oh. OH. Race probably has a crush on Spot. That made a lot of sense. Albert felt a pain in his chest. It was almost like a pang of jealousy. Shit now was not the time for him to develop a crush on a boy he had only met a few hours ago. Especially if he already had a crush on this annoying Spot dude. Albert did not like Spot if that wasn't already clear. And the fact that Race liked Spot only made him angrier.

"Anyways uhm let's go, I still gotta show you that place." Race smiled and grabbed Albert's arm once more. Albert felt his face heat up at the sudden touch. Dammit it, he thought, this was not how this was supposed to go.

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The two boys walked out of the Races, smiles plastered on their faces. Race had won many bets. He let Albert bet a few times, even though he was horrible at it.

"You have terrible intuition, Al, absolutely horrible." Race laughed and punched Albert in the arm playfully. Albert blushed and looked down at the ground. He didn't want Race to see him like this and think he had fallen head over heels in love with him when in reality it was only a small crush, it would go away, it had to go away. Albert walked over to the edge of the bridge leaning on it and looking out to the water. It was a nice golden color. The sun was setting in brilliant shades of rose gold, yellow, orange, and light purple. Albert looked over at Race who had joined him leaning on the bridge. He looked stunning. The sun cast its colors over his face, his eyes becoming an even brighter blue if that was possible. Freckles dusted his cheeks along with a light shade of pink. He closed his eyes and let the breeze fly through his face and blonde curls. Albert kept staring. The longer he stared the more he felt his heart flutter and the pit in his stomach rise to his cheeks turning them a deep shade of red. He turned to look back at the water, heat overtaking his whole body. Maybe it wasn't just a harmless crush. He was so screwed.

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They both walked back into the lodging house smiling and talking with each other. Albert was having a complete internal freakout. He had only met this boy a few hours ago. He couldn't like him. He just couldn't. He could get killed for it like literally killed. The boys would probably end up throwing him out and letting him die on the streets. This should not be happening. He should like a girl right about now, not a boy. He hated the fact that this is how his life was now. He hated his feelings. He wished he was normal and not some freak who had a crush on his friend. Wait were they friends, or were they just people to one another?

"Hey, Race." Race looked at him and hummed in response.

"Were friends right?" Race broke out into a grin. He put his arm around Albert's shoulder, which of course he blushed at.

"Of course we'se is Albie, hell I wouldn't be surprised if you called us best friends." Race smiled down at Albert. They walked up the stairs and into the bunk room. Many of the boys were sitting around playing cards, some were reading, others were laughing with each other or talking.

"Racer, Albert come here and play a round, we just finished," Jojo called over to the two boys. Race wasted no time going over and sitting down. Albert slowly followed him and carefully sat down.

"You know how to play right?" Race whispered into his ear. Albert shivered at the hot breath going into his ear. He nodded and looked away. Race did not need to see how red he was. The game started and almost immediately Race won the first round. Each of the boys gave him a penny which he happily took. The cigar he always had was hanging out of his mouth. Another round started up, this time with much more conversation.

"So, Racer, how was Brooklyn, did ya see Spot Colon," Mush said wiggling his eyebrows. Race looked down his face going bright red. Albert looked down too. He didn't want to boys to see the hurt expression on his face.

"Maybe." Race mumbled still looking at the floor.

"Oh my god tell us everything." Mush raised his voice excitedly.

"Come guys seriously I don't like him alright." Race said quietly.

"Yeah, and I have a million dollars under my bed," Jojo said rolling his eyes.

"Race you are honestly so hopeless, we see the way you look at him, it's sickening how much love you have for him, it's honestly sad." Finch joined the conversation. Albert looked up. Race was gay. And the boys didn't hate him for it. Wait did that mean other people here were together?

"Wait Race you'se is gay?" Albert blurted out.

"Yeah, he is you gotta problem with dat." Mush glared at Albert.

"No no I'se was just wondering im sorry I......" He trailed off.

"It's ok, I'se probably shoulda told you sooner." Race smiled at Albert.

"Ok then sorry about getting angry with you'se earlier, we'se just...have had a bad experience with people in the past, they wasn't ok with Specs an Romeo being together, same with Jack and Davey so we'se kicked em out. End of story." At least now Albert wouldn't have to hide his liking boys. He would just have to make up some random boy or something. He was not going to tell Race or anyone for that matter. Nothing was ever going to get his secret out. Nothing. He was going to make sure of that.

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Everyone was getting ready for bed or had already fallen asleep. Race and Albert were getting ready for bed. Race on one side of the bunk Albert on the other. Race took off his suspenders and shirt. Albert, of course, just had to turn back around at that exact moment. He was pretty sure he had just had a heart attack, died, come back to life, and died again. Race was hot. Like super hot. Like completely shredded. Albert turned back around almost immediately, his face going bright red. How the hell was he supposed to live like this if he couldn't stand to see Race shirtless without going completely blank? He sighed and hopped up into bed. Race did the same and soon he could hear the soft snores coming from him. This "little crush" was going to be the death of him.