I tell the stars about you

Chapter Five

Quite a few months had passed since that night. Albert and Race grew much closer, but so did Race and Spot. Albert's crush grew into something more. He had come to the conclusion that he was head over heels in love with Race. He almost threw up out of pure worry once Mush helped him discover that. Spot and Race's relationship had grown so much it was almost unbearable to Albert. Spot would come to the window in the lodging house almost every night once everyone was asleep. Albert always stayed awake, listening to their conversations, which always ended with Spot and Race kissing or Spot bringing Race back to Brooklyn. It was getting harder and harder for Albert to just be friends with Race. Albert wanted to kiss him and hug him and tell him he loved him, all the things a boyfriend would do. It wasn't fair Spot got to do those things with Race. Albert and Mush had gotten really close too. Some nights they would both fall asleep on the roof after telling each other about their problems. Mush had fallen in love with Kid Blink. Albert was surprised at how stupid they both were. They were clearly in love with each other, it was scary. Race always talked to Albert about he and Spot's relationship. Albert put on a smile and gave him whatever advice he needed, which was making Albert go insane. He felt like he needed space but it was hard, especially since they were less than five feet away from each other every night.

"Race?" Albert asked from under their bunk. There was no one back at the lodging house yet so it was just Race and Albert. Albert was thinking about things and he had to say one of them out loud.

"When is your birthday, I know you're turning 17 soon but I don't know the day, I wanna get something for you." Race put his book down as Albert hopped down to Race's bed so they were sitting side by side.

"I turn 17 in 8 days. When's your birthday?" Albert grinned.

"Less than a month, I'm so excited."

"Aha, so I am older than you, Jack owes me 5 cents." Race got up and started jumping around. Albert's smile fell.

"Noooooooooo, I can't bully you anymore, that was the one thing I thought I had, why do you have to be so tall." Race got up and put his hands on Albert's head.

"Genetics, shortie." Albert turned around and tackled Race to the ground tickling him on his sides. Race burst out laughing trying to swat Alberts hands away.

"A-albert I c-cant breath A-albert I cant- s-top-p." Albert was laughing too. It was moments like these where he understood why he was in love with Race. Race flipped them around so he was on top of Albert. His arms were around Albert's back and neck, holding him close. Race's smile faded. They stared at each other for a long time, way longer than friends should. Albert glanced down at Race's lips. He was so close. Albert looked back up at Race's eyes. He wanted to kiss him. He needed to kiss him. He slowly started to bring his face up to Races but their lips never connected. Albert rolled out from underneath him. What the hell was he doing? Why was Race letting it almost happen?

"Race, I'm sorry I-I didn't mean to- I don't want to." Race got up and rushed over to Albert who was having a full-on panic attack.

"Hey, hey, hey it's ok, it's ok, you didn't mean it, it's ok." His heart shattered into a million pieces. You didn't mean it. You didn't mean it. You didn't mean it. Those words repeated in Albert's mind for a long time. The problem was he did mean it. He was really about to kiss Race. He was so close. What was wrong with him? He calmed down after a while Race still holding onto Albert.

"Racer, where are ya, i'se got something for you'se." Spot walked into the lodging house.

"Spot," Race laughed and got up to kiss his boyfriend.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well you didn't come to Brooklyn today and I got worried, so I came here, and i'se gotta show you something, it's back in Brooklyn so come on we better get going if we wanna get you there, and back before dark." Race nodded and look back at Albert.

"You go wait outside i'se will be right there." Spot nodded and walked out. Race kneeled in front of Albert, who still had tears running down his face.

"Albert look at me." Albert looked up. Race had a soft expression on his face.

"You did not mean it, it's okay, it happens, I was close to you, you were close to me, it's okay, plus we really can't call each other best friends if we haven't almost kissed at least once right?" Albert looked back down.

"I'll be back alright." Race walked out leaving Albert with his thoughts. The boys started coming back from selling, laughing, and talking with each other. No one talked to Albert who was laying on his bed staring up at the ceiling.

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Race and Spot walked to Brookyln their hands intertwined together.

"What was up with Albert was he ok?" Spot broke the comfortable silence they were in.

"Yeah just... his family." Race didn't want Spot to know he and Albert almost kissed. They walked to the docs where Spot had left a bunch of flowers.

"Spot this is so beautiful." Race squeezed Spot's hand again.

"Only for you, come on let's go swimming." Spot pulled Race into the water. They both came up to the surface holding onto each other. Spot put his hands on Race's hips pulling him closer and placing a kiss on his lips.

"Race."

"Yes?"

"I think I love you." Races heart soared. He kissed Spot on the nose.

"I think I love you too Spotty." Race stayed in Brooklyn that night cuddled up with Spot in his bed. Albert laid on the roof cuddled up with no one, feeling heartbroken and embarrassed. He was going to tell Race how he felt. Tomorrow.