Two gay guys on the mountain (Charlie X Nathan)

Chapter 5: Band Practice

Nathan's P.O.V:
"Okay, Your all fixed up! I'd lay off skiing, you'll be sore and it will be hard to walk for a while so just hang out in the lodge or head home. Enjoy your night!" The med worker says to Nathan.

"Thank you so much," Nathan says, giving her a smile and slowly standing up from his seat.

Charlie lends a hand to help him a stand and Nathan gratefully takes it. He holds on a little longer than needed but he didn't think Charlie noticed it cared.

"Let's go to the lodge" Charlie says, flashing Nathan a grin.

"Sure," Nathan says, returning the smile and starting to walk.

He trips a little and Charlie grabs his waist to support him.

"Thanks" Nathan says, blushing slightly.

"Just hold on to me so you won't fall face first on the way to the lodge" Charlie says with a laugh, tightening his grasp around Nathan.

"Oh fine" Nathan says rolling his eyes and shifting closer to the taller boy.

A few minutes later they were at the lodge and Charlie let go of Nathan, to his disappointment.

Because he would probably fall again that was the only reason he was disappointed

"You want food?" Charlie asks, fiddling with his credit card.

"Sure, I am kind of hungry anyway" Nathan says.

The next day...

"One, two, three, four!" Nick shouts over the music, tapping his drum sticks together.

Nathan turns his head down to his guitar, starting to play the cords.

His pick moves swiftly across the strings. Playing the familiar tune of his bands favorite song.

Nathan and his band are on the small stage in Reggie's garage where they often practice. The band consists of Nathan the lead guitarist, Nick the drummer, Chris the bassist, and Reggie the lead singer and rhythm guitarist. They had started their band 2 years ago when Nathan had been 13, he hadn't been very good but neither had the other members. They'd come a long way.

His fingers moved without him moving them, the chords coming easy to his fingers. He loved to play. It helped him forget, forget about his mom and everything else but the strumming patterns.

He took his last note of the song, letting his fingers relax.

"All right! That was great!" Nick says, grinning.

Nick was 17 so he was the oldest of the group. Reggie was 16 and so was Chris. Nathan was the youngest at 15.

"We have our concert tomorrow so let's run it one more time." Reggie says, running his hands through his dark brown hair.

Later that evening...

Nathan entered is house, setting down his guitar and school bag in the entry way.

His Mom sat in the dinning room, a half empty wine bottle sitting next to her. Her hair was a mess and her under eyes were darkened with bags. She didn't look like the mom he'd used to know.

"Hey Mom" Nathan says stepping into the dinning room.

"Oh Nathan" She responds turning to him with a frown.

"You shouldn't drink so much, and are those cigarettes!?" Nathan says, noticing the small red and white pack next to his mom.

"You said you quick smoking! It's bad for you mom!" Nathan says, stepping even closer.

"Already pestering me" she mumbles, placing a hand on her face.

"It's fine. It's not even that bad for you" She continues, raising her voice, her words slurring.

"Mom. Go get some sleep" Nathan says firming, reaching to pick up the pack of cigarettes.

"Nathan! I don't need you here right now!" She suddenly yells, painfully grabbing his wrist.

"You already wasted your time at your little band instead of doing homework! You need to be smarter, I can't get you tutoring. Have you ever thought about me!" She shouts, throwing his wrist away from her.

Nathan winces, grinding is teeth together.

"Okay mom..." he says, turning away from her and walking away.

"I raised an idiot" He hears her scoff as he runs up the stairs.

He quickly closes his bedroom door behind him. Tears gush down his face the minute it shuts.

He shouldn't cry, people don't like boys who cry

"You're fine, you're fine" he whispers to himself between his sniffles.

He try's to concentrate on his breathing, that's what Charlie would always tell him to do when he had panic attacks.

"One, two, three" Nathan counts, trying to steady his breath.

He slowly stands up, making his way to his bed and lying down.

Fall asleep, just fall asleep, then it will all be over

He closes his eyes and feels his tears run onto his pillow.

Think about something happy

Charlie. Charlie was the first thing that came to mind. All he needed to do was think of him. If he had him it would be all right.

You'll be alright.