Two Birds On A Wire

ch 30

Julian lazily opened his eyes and almost had a cardiac arrest when he saw Ivan lying beside him, smiling at him with his sleepy face. "Morning, sunshine!" He said in a gravelly voice and Julian slapped him on his face.

"Ow!"Ivan protested and glared at the other boy who turned to lie on his back, putting an arm over his forhead.

"Why are you still here?" Julian sounded so exhausted.

"Well, someone refused to let me go last night" Ivan saw a shade of red creep up the sideof Julian's neck and he chuckled.

"Don't you dare breathe a word about it ever again"

"Never, sir" Ivan giggled.

Julian gave him a scowl and sat up on the bed. He felt too tired and embarrassed. He turned and looked down at Ivan who was watching him with an arm behind his head.

"How are you gonna get out of here? We have school in like...three hours" Julian frowned when Ivan casually eyed the window pane. Way in, way out.

"No way... don't you think it would be weird if someone saw another boy climbing out of my window?"

Ivan made a scowl and sat up, annoyedly scratching his head. "So You think it'd be better if I just casually walk out your front door? Maybe I can greet your folks too" he shook his head in disappointment. "Since when do you care about what people think?"

Julian pursed his lips and got up with a sigh. He fetched a fresh towel out of his wardrobe and threw it at Ivan. "Go wash up. You stink"

Ivan couldn't help but chuckle as he too got off the bed and the boys went on with their chores.

•••

"Man, I feel weird" Ivan scrunged his nose up as he looked down at himself.

"This is the most less-vibrant piece of cloth I could find in my closet, bubba!" Julian bit into his sandwich as he walked beside Ivan.

Ivan made a low click. "Why do you only have such bright colours for a dress!?"

"Admit it Ivan, I totally rock in these"

Ivan rolled his eyes as far back as he could. "Like hell you do"

"Come on, it's just for a day. They sure is eye-catching, don't you think?" Julian bounced on his heels, trying to radiate a little enthusiasm.

Ivan wasn't getting any enthusiastic at all. "It's eye-pricking"

"Dude, now you are hurting my feelings!"

"Like you even had any to begin with..."

Julian giggled. "Trust me, dude. You're going to turn heads"

Ivan made a scowl. "Yeah, everyone is gonna wonder if it is an alien invasion"

"Since when do you care about what people think!?" Julian asked in a squeaky voice, clearly to mock Ivan, using his own words against him.

Ivan pursed his lips. "You know what, if I were asked to write all the reasons why I hate you, I would empty all the stationery shops in the U.S. off of ink and paper and still, it wouldn't be enough"

Julian just grinned at him. A cheeky grin. And as he watched him, Ivan found his own lips curl up into a genuine smile.