Trust me, I'm Lying [Boyxboy]

Chapter Twenty

"So, how's NYU?"

Cole had aged. And by aged, I mean this bitch had a five a'clock shadow and was working it damn well. The messy college look was a good look on my boy. 

I hadn't seen Cole in person in over five years, so seeing him now, face to face, seemed surreal. We had skyped, texted, and called each other, but nothing compared to being able to see his bright- still innocent- goofy smile. 

"It's been good. Same as since I talked to you like an hour ago, Beau." He shook his head.

"Don't give me lip. Are you giving me lip? I have been traveling for f-"

"Oh my god," Cole laughed, and shook his head, "I forgot how awful you are when you're sleep deprived."

"I personally think I'm in my prime when I'm sleep deprived," I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Yeah, okay."

"Tell me about collleegeee, please."

Cole ran his hands through my hair, messing it up. 

"Can we just get you some sleep first. You seriously look like you're going to drop at any second."

I looked around at the Starbucks we were at, "No."

"Of course not. So what've you got crossed off on your list so far?"

I took my list- my good one- out of my coat pocket and unfolded it onto the table. 

1. Visit Australia-Done

2. Sky dive-Done

3. Sexxxxx-;)

4. Go to an ice glacier- Done

5. Have my name written in another country- DONE

6. Graduate- Done thank god

7. Live past age 18- DONEEEEE

I passed it over to Cole and he glanced at it for a second. 

"I'm still jealous that you got to visit all these countries."

I shrugged, "Yeah, well, PeaceCore perks."

"More like layover perks," he rolled his eyes.

"True. Your labs seem fun though. And your friends seem cool."

"Yeah the labs are interesting. And my roommates rock. I'd rather have you as my roommate though."

I smiled, "Yeah."

"When do you think you're gonna be done with the Core?" Cole asked. He asked this a lot. Cole had just finished his undergraduate school this year, but would be going to graduate school for another 5. 

I liked the PeaceCore, though. It was rewarding, and eyeopening. I enjoyed the travel, and meeting new countries and traditions. 

"I don't know. I'm probably going to do it for a while."

"Even after I'm done with college?"

"I dunno. Maybe for a few years after."

He nodded, "I understand. You seem to really like it. I'm glad that you found your niche." 

"But don't feel like you have to wait on me-" I started.

"Well me either, babe. You do what you want, and I'll do what I want. And when we're ready we'll start our life together again. Whenever that may be. I get that may not be right now, or even in 5 years. But sometime we will have that picket-fence and rings on our fingers."

"Marching down that isle in boss ass suits." I smiled.

"Now will you let us get some sleep, please?" 

I gave him a glare, "fine."

We got back to his apartment in no time, and I met all his roommates. The three of them were really nice, definitely Cole's kind of people. Into sports and the like. I was happy for him, I was happy for us.

I fell asleep in his arms, and woke up in his arms. This is all I really wanted in life.

We laid in his bed for about an hour after I had woken up just talking and still waking up. We were both on separate sleeping schedules. He was on the deprived college kid schedule, whereas I was on Africa time. 

"You should add to your bucket list," Cole said.

"Maybe. If you make one."

"But I've got everything I want." 

I shoved his sappy ass off the bed.

"Okay, okay," he said laughing, "I'm getting paper."

Cole crawled back into bed with a piece of paper and a pen.

At the top of the paper he wrote Cole and Beaureguard's Life Promises

To always be together, no matter how far apart. he wrote.

I took the pen and wrote underneath it.

To know when to apologize, and to try not to do things worth of apologies.

Cole pursed his lips, 

To laugh, even when the jokes aren't remotely funny. 

I shot daggers at him,

To do my best to clean up, even though I (you) know I (you) can be messy.

Cole chuckled, "Well played."

I wrote another, concentrating on the sound of the paper underneath the pen.

To try, no matter the circumstances, not to lie.

"Beau."

"Yeah."

"You know I forgive you, right? You've worked on your lying." Cole had a deep voice, seriousness creeping in every word.

"Yeah, I know." I shook my head.

"Beau, I'm serious."

"I know.. So am I," I said, eyeing him weirdly.

"Just know I forgive you. I forgive you." Cole leaned in and kiss my lips softly. There was no rush in it, just a delicate dance that could be played forever. Our tongues moved against each other in familiarity. 

Five years was nothing when you know the person this well. I knew where his birth mark on his back was without looking. I knew where to put my tongue on his teeth if I wanted to feel the sharp edge where he had chipped it on the road when he was eleven.

I knew exactly where to place my hands on his neck. Where his hairline ended, and where the line of his backbone lined up. I knew just how to run my fingers along his back to feel the familiar bumps rise along his skin, feeling him respond to my touch. 

I knew all of this, and I would never forget any of it for the world.

I would have stayed like this forever, but Cole broke us apart to write one more thing down.

To love each other.

I looked at it.

Infinitely. I added.