I tell the stars about you

Chapter Six

Albert in fact did not tell Race. Albert still hasn't. It was Race's 17th birthday and he was selling, as always. Tonight they were all gonna go to a diner a little bit away from the lodging house. Albert had never been there, and he didn't want to go. Ever since he almost kissed Race that night he decided he was done. He decided he would live with whatever the hell was going on with his heart. Race and Spot are in love now. Albert put on a brave face and told him he was so excited about that. He was not.

'Albieeeeee, guess whatttttt?" Race ran up behide Albert.

"Let me guess, you are going through early menopause." Race looked at Albert.

"What the hell you dork, no it's my birthdayyyy"

"Oh my god really, why didn't you tell me." Albert sarcastically put a hand over his mouth.

"I hate you." Race said putting his cigar in his mouth, which Albert took as always.

"Gimmie that back- Albert! Come on seriously," Albert giggled as he held the cigar over his head. He was standing on a small box so he was taller than Race.

"I'se will push you off da box, give it." Race stuck his hand out. Albert rolled his eyes and jumped off.

"Your lucky we'se is friends or I would've run off with dat thing, I swear you love it more than me." Albert sighed handing it back to Race.

"It's cause I do." Race shrugged and walked off. Albert smiled to himself shaking his head. Today might not be that bad after all.

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Not many of the boys knew their birthdays so when someone had a birthday it was a big deal. Everyone celebrated and I mean everyone. Albert walked back to the lodging house. He had stalled a lot, he did not feel like interacting with people tonight. Spot was going to be there, which should explain why he didn't want to go tonight. Albert walked into the lodging house. All of the boys were already at the diner Albert still didn't know the name of. He walked up to the bunk room. He just wanted some peace before all the chaos. He laid in his bed staring at the ceiling his thought overtaking him. He thought about him and Race. How good of friends they had become. He thought about all the times they wrestled with each other over Race's cigar or how Albert always poked Race with his stick just to annoy him. He thought about all their conversations and how Race always wanted to talk. Sometimes about nothing, sometimes about everything. That's why Albert fell in love with his best friend. That's why Albert will always be in love with his best friend. Albert thought back to his last birthday with his family, it was really nice, he turned six. He had a small cake and even got a present. His family was always really poor so he was over the moon. After his little party, everything started to go downhill. His Mom and Dad kept getting into fights, big ones. Albert's mom would always get a little too rough and end up hurting Albert's dad. One night the fights got to be too much for him. He hung himself in his bedroom. Albert couldn't stand being in the house after he found his dad. He ran and ran and ran. He didn't know where he was going. He remembers slamming into another boy his age. He remembered rushing over to help this boy and then running some more. He remembered spending the night in a small box. He went home in the morning. His mother just got to be very abusive. Things got much worst as time went on. That morning he came to the Newsboy lodge, she had pulled a knife on him and screamed at him to get out because he spilled some water on the ground. She had hit him in the face with a flower pot, that's where he got his black eye. She pulled a knife on him and cut his arm, but he ripped off the sleeves of his shirt and tied a small section to his arm. He never took that piece of fabric off, it was still on his arm. Usually thinking about his past would make him tear up but he just felt numb. He was tired of crying. He was tired of being in love. He was tired of trying to get Race's attention. He was tired of living, but he knew he had to. So he got up and headed to the party.

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"Look who finally decide to show up, hiya Albert." Mush grinned at him.

"Hey, you guys sorry I lost track of time," Albert said sitting next to in between Race and Mush. The boys all started talking and laughing and having a perfect time. Albert actually didn't hate it as much as he thought he would. Albert was talking to Mush when he felt someone tap his hand. He looked over at Race who had intertwined their fingers. Albert blushed and continued talking with Mush. Sometimes in a big setting like this Race would get nervous even if it was mostly just the boys. Albert squeezed Races hand to get his attention. Race looked over at Albert who was hiding something in his other hand. Albert leaned into Race and whispered.

"I got something for you." Albert leaned back and held out a small object. It was a necklace. It was a small silver chain, one you slipped over your head. Race put it on and reached up to play with it.

"Thank you." He whispered looking at Albert. They were still holding hands and as soon as Albert realized that he felt himself go red. Albert looked at Race again who was still smiling at him. Albert could stare at Race forever and never get bored. Albert wanted to stare at him forever. He wanted to kiss every single freckle on his face, especially the one on the tip of his nose. The door opened and their gaze tore away from one another. Oh. Spot was here, how amazing. Race stood up and went over to kiss his boyfriend. Albert turned away. He ended up staying to himself the rest of the night.

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"Davey?"

"What's up, Jack?" Jack looked at his boyfriend. They were walking back from Jacobi's

"Albert's in love with Race." Davey chuckled and pulled his boyfriend into a hug.

" thought Race was in love with Albert." Jack nodded.

"I know my boys, he is, they're in love with each other. Their so oblivious."

"Kinda like you and me huh Jack." Jack nodded and kissed his boyfriend. He was so in love.

Albert walked up behide Race and put his hands on his shoulders.

"Hiya Race, how was your birthday."

"It was pretty good, thank you." Race smiled and put his hands up to Alberts arms. They walked up the step to the lodging house, all the other boys following them. Everyone went straight up to the bunks. Albert hopped up into bed after getting ready. He was exhausted but something wasn't sitting right with him. Race seemed off tonight when he was with Spot. He was less talkative than usual and he was a lot more touchy with Albert. Maybe they fought. Maybe Race just didn't feel good. Little did Albert know his feeling was right. Tomorrow was about to go to shit.