Glory Be

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Isaiah had lost track of the time. It was just pure dark outside now. A full moon's light was the only guiding beacon. It should've worried him, he knew that. An empty bed awaited him at home, but right now, all that mattered was following Sydney back to the printshop.

"My dad's probably sleeping," Sydney whispered as they crept in through the back door. A giggle of delight was hiding in the back of Isaiah's throat.

The two crept up the creaking stairs. Sydney skillfully stepped on the edges of the boards near to the wall. Isaiah quickly followed the procedure, and the sounds dimmed. Once they reached the second floor, Sydney shinned a mischievous grin, swiftly hiding it behind a finger to his lips. He made a shushing noise, before turning and walking to his room. Isaiah followed, nearly holding his breath now. The darkness became even deeper within Sydney's room, not a single lantern was lit.

"Here's your clothes," Sydney whispered into the dark. Isaiah reached his hand out unknowingly, trying to locate them. His hands swiped against Sydney's arm before soundly landing on top of his outfit. The texture was almost unfamiliar now. Compared to the soft cotton sweater of Sydney's clothes, his usual outfit lacked any substance.

"Thanks," Isaiah whispered back, as he took the clothes into his own hands.

"You don't have to change now if you want," Sydney suggested, "You can just return my clothes tomorrow."

"No," Isaiah softly laughed, "I can't, the thought of accidentally leaving them out where'd they'd be seen is haunting. Then my family would know I snuck out."

"That's true," Sydney cooed.

Isaiah made his way to the washroom in the dark, trailing his hand alongside the wall. Within the depths of the dark room, he awkwardly slipped on his clothes, exchanging them with Sydney's. With Isaiah's best effort he folded Sydney's clothes into neat squares. He returned them with open hands.

"Thanks," Sydney said as he took them from Isaiah, "I'll walk you out then, hm?"

"Will you?" Isaiah leaned into the teasing again, and a playful elbow hit his arm.

"It'd only be polite," Sydney joked as he walked past Isaiah.

The two made their way back downstairs and to the backroom. Isaiah reached the door first and creaked it open. He stepped out onto the back porch and turned to see Sydney leaning in the doorway.

"I'll be fine from here," Isaiah said with a smile, as he was now able to see Sydney's face drenched in moonlight.

"I was sure as much," Sydney nodded.

Isaiah knew he should've turned and started walking then but leaving felt like the most horrible thing. For a few seconds the two just looked at each other.

"Thanks for inviting me over again and thank you for playing that song; it was beautiful," Isaiah said. His thumb rhythmically rubbing against his index.

"I'm glad you liked it," Sydney said, "I ain't much of a singer myself,"

"Sure, you are," Isaiah insisted, "Don't say that."

Sydney chuckled softly, "Okay, if you say so, Isa."

"I guess I owe you a look at those sketches now," Isaiah said.

"A-ha, you do," Sydney laughed, "I'd say show me at lunch tomorrow, but you'll be at your brother's wedding anyhow, right?"

"Yeah, but I'll bring my notebook the day after," Isaiah said, "I promise."