I tell the stars about you

Chapter Eight

Albert and Race stayed like that for a while, sleeping, enjoying each other's presence. No one tried to move them, not many of the boys tried to talk to them except for Mush and Specs who occasionally brought the other boys food. Sometimes the two would sit up and talk, sometimes at night they would go out to the fire escape and enjoy the outside world for a few minutes. They mostly slept, both of the boys needing it more than anything. Race always wanted some type of touch from Albert, whether it was holding hands, cuddling, or hugging Race needed it. He felt like his heart had been ripped out and handed to him. Race still hasn't told Albert what happened that morning and Albert hasn't asked. Race didn't talk much, the occasional yeah or no was thrown out but not much else. Albert didn't mind. He knew Race was healing. One night Albert and Race were sitting out on the roof, holding hands and Albert was telling a story about something that had happened a while ago but he forgot to tell everyone.

"And then he fell straight on his face and-"

"Albert." Albert jumped at the should of Race's voice. It was the first time he had talked in a few days.

"I wanna tell you." Albert immediately shook his head.

"Race, you're just starting to heal, I don't want to have you break again, please, whatever's going on is something that clearly hurts."

"I know, I think telling you will help me, ok."

"Race, I'm not gonna stop you from telling me just make sure you're ready." Albert had a sincere look in his eyes. Race thought for a moment before he began.

"For about a month, I haven't been able to sleep. I woke up really early that morning and decided I was just gonna go to Brooklyn hoping to sleep with uhm to sleep with S-spot I missed him and he was being really distant, always picking fights," Race shuddered at the sound of Spots name coming out of his mouth. Albert squeezed his hand hoping this wasn't going where he thought.

"The sun was barely poking through the horizon when I got to the lodging house and it was only around 5:00 in the morning. I climbed up the fire escape and I-I was a-about to go in but S-spot h-he was uhm h-he," Race started tearing up.

"He was kissing someone, someone from Queens, maybe Midtown, I don't know. I was so angry. I pushed him up against a wall a-and he hit his head. I could tell it hurt. I asked him why he did it. And he..." Race trailed off. Remembering the hurtful words that Spot said to him still coursed through him, like a tattoo.

"He grabbed my shoulder real hard. He called me worthless and said that he was bored and just wanted to play with my feelings. And I punched him I think I broke his nose but I don't care." Race felt a tear slip out. He wiped it away quickly. Albert surged forward and engulfed Race in a hug. They both fell backwards Albert still holding onto Race. Race buried his face into Albert's shoulder. Albert pulled away, his arms were around Race's shoulder and back, holding him close. Race went red. It was the same way they were when Albert almost kissed Race.

"You are not worthless, you deserve everything. Who is Spot to tell you that bullshit, you are the best person I have ever met, he did not deserve you. He's the worthless one, you are too damn amazing for this world." Albert's eyes met Races and something went off. It was like fireworks had exploded in their minds. Race felt sick, but a good sick. All the feelings he had for Spot were completely gone. Whatever he felt for Albert in the beginning had returned, one hundred times stronger and he loved it. He knew at that very moment he was in love with Albert. Races eyes flicked down to Albert's lips. He felt his cheeks go red and his stomach erupt with butterflies.

Race looked back up at Albert's eyes. Alberts was going through the same emotions. He wanted to lean down a press a kiss to Race's lips, but he didn't.

"Thank you for telling me." He whispered and pulled away from Race. He sat back up and looked at the stars. Alberts hadn't talked to the stars in a while, he kinda forgot about them for a bit. Albert grabbed Race's hand again. Race smiled and the ground to himself, his heart fluttering.

"How long has it been?" Albert suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm? How long has what been?" Race looked at Alberts who had a confused expression on his face.

"Since you and Spot, you know."

"A week and two days."
"I think it's time I have a talk with that bastard. Come on it's late, tomorrow I'm going."

"Albert-"

"Race." Race looked up in surprise.

"I'm doing this. Come on." Albert held out his hand to Race who reluctantly took it. They walked back to the bunk room still holding hands. They climbed into bed together, Race putting his head on Albert's chest. This time though it was different, he felt his face heat up and his heart go wild. Albert felt the same way. They were in love with each other they just didn't know it yet.

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"Albert please-" Race was panicking at this point. They were in line waiting to get their papers.

"Race, I'm not letting him talk to you like that," Albert whispered to him. Race still hasn't told any of the other boys yet.
"I just don't want you getting hurt." Race put a hand on his shoulder.

"Race. I won't. He does not get to talk to you like that- oh hi 100 papes please, for me and my friend." Albert put down his money and walked out.

"Albert, please."

"Race, stop. I'm not letting him cheat on someone as perfect as you, it's pathetic, what kind of friend am I if I don't at least chat with him, I'm going, if you do not want to come, I understand completely, I actually think it would be better if you stayed, ill be careful." Race blushed at his words.

"I'm coming then too."

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The walk to Brooklyn was tense. Not a single word was spoken. Race grabbed Albert's hand as they neared the lodging house.

"Race, where has ya been we'se been worried," Hotshot yelled over to the boys walking down the docs. Race waved him over and told him everything.

"That son of a b-" Race out a hand over his mouth.

'"Ya I know just don't tell anyone 'bout this, please." Hotshot nodded and walked off. Race looked over at Albert who was looking straight ahead at the door to the lodging house. They slowly walked over and knocked on the door. Albert squeezed Race's hand and smiled at him. The door opened and non-other than Spot Colon himself was standing there a smirk on his face.

"Hi sweetheart, come back for more, huh."