Out

To California.

"Hey Mom, by the time you get this message I'll probably be gone- but I'm okay, I promise."

Nicodemus hung up the phone and started the truck.
"That's it?"

"What?"

"That's all you're going to tell them?"

Nicodemus grit his teeth nervously.
"You think I should have said more?"

"Absolutely!"

"Like what?"

"Well, I don't know but that's not exactly the most reassuring message you could've left. It sounds like you're going to kill yourself."

"Well I'm not."

"I should hope you're not. Why would you even say that."

"Sorry, just a response. I don't know what to tell them!"

Guilt suddenly began to well up inside Nicodemus. His parents cared for him so much, and they were such great parents- and he didn't know how long he and Dmitri would be gone. They hadn't even packed anything, it was just them against the world.  Maybe it would be okay, just Nicodemus and the boy he liked- the boy who liked him back. He knew he should phone Michael, they had always been as close as brothers could be, and he knew Michael would be angry with him. Nicodemus took a deep breath and pulled onto the freeway.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, it's good. I'm  fine."

Dmitri put his hand on Nicodemus' bicep
"Geez you have good muscles." He laughed under his breath "You really don't sound fine, we can go back home, maybe this wasn't a good idea."

"No, we're not going back."

"Alright. Do you need a distraction?"

"I don't know, maybe. I feel bad for leaving Michael mostly. My parents will be mad but they're kind of used to me taking off, Michael's gonna think I ditched him. He doesn't really have friends."

"He's fourteen, he'll be okay. I promise. Besides- you'll go back eventually."

"Won't you? You can just live with me."

"I wasn't made for that town. I'm meant for bigger places. Somewhere I can be normal and just fade into the background. Some city or something. Who knows, maybe I'll stay in California."

"If you stay in California I want to stay with you."

"Huh. You really like me." Dmitri mused.

"Yes, I do."

"Wanna fuck?"

"I-in my truck?" Nicodemus began to blush, checking his rear view mirror as he changed lanes.

"Yeah, why not?" Dmitri smirked.

"You're serious?"

"Not really." Dmitri laughed.
"Unless you actually want to. I just like making you blush. It's funny."

"Jesus Dmitri, getting me all hot and bothered."

Dmitri crossed his arms
"Well, did you actually want to?"

"Of course I want to have sex with you Dmitri."

"I didn't even know you were interested in sex."

"Of course I am. I'm a man for God's sake. I'd love to just..."

Dmitri grinned wickedly.
"To just what?"

"You know what! Don't make me get crude."

"Crude? You want to get crude with me? Nicodemus!" Dmitri feigned dismay.