Me: Do I still have to go??
I texted Mark.
Mark: Yes, now where are you? Will’s going to come get you.
Me: Art room
Not even a minute later a got a text from Will.
Will: I thought you’re always at the library at this time
Me: I needed to finish a project
Will: On what?
Me: Hurry up and all show you
Will: On my way
I got up and started clean the room, putting all of my supplies. Even though the door was open there was a knock on the door.
“Hey there reckless artist.” He smiled.
“William.” I smiled back.
“Why do you keep calling me that?"
“Your name?” I asked, putting the last of the supplies away.
“My full name.” He shot back.
“What? You don’t like it?” I asked, turning to him.
He shook his head. “It’s weird.”
“How is it weird?” I asked, smiling and almost laughed. Grabbing my spare key.
He shrugged, “I don’t know, it just makes me sound,” He paused.
“Like those rich sophisticated and uptight assholes you see in movies?” I filled in.
“Yeah exactly.”
“Okay, I’ll call you Will or maybe I should come up with a nickname for you.”
“Where’s your project?"
“Table.” I pointed over to the back table. He walked over and looked at sketch.
“It’s nice, I like it.”
“Is it?” I asked.
“Yes, yes it is. Like I said everything you sketch is good.”
I looked at the clock, “Shouldn’t we be going?”
“We have time.” He glanced at me, “Do you want to go right now?” He wondered, placing the sketch on the turn in rack.
“I mean not really, but we should probably go so Mark doesn’t get mad.”
“Okay,” He nodded and took something out of his pocket handing it to me. “Here you go,” I looked at him them to the object “the headphones.” He added.
“Thank you.” I said.
“You’re welcome.” He smiled, “Alright lets go.”
It was to crowded, to noisy and I didn’t like it. I know high school football games are noisy but that still doesn’t mean I like that.
“Aiden, you okay?” Will asked, the worry etched his beautiful face.
I clutched the headphones and nodded,“Yeah, I’m okay.” No I’m not, I’m literally panicking.
“Follow me.” Will sighed, tugging my sweater.
“Where are we going?” I asked, he was still tugging at my sweater.
“Under the bleachers, it’s not crowded or as loud.”
“Aren’t people going to be under there?” I asked. There usually were.
“There’s a spot that no one goes to.” He replied, moving under the bleachers.
“Where is that exactly?” The bleachers were big, but not that big.
“We’re almost there.” He replied. Geez this is a long walk. “We’re here.” He said.
“Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, you have to stand.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“It’s fine.” I replied. Will’s phone went off.
“I have to go before your brother yells at me.”
“Won’t he yell at you regardless?”
“Probably.” He smiled, running off. He was right, it is quiet. But not quiet. 6:30 my phone read. They should be coming out soon.
I know everything there is to know about high school football or just football in general. And yet I still don’t like the sport. I put in the headphones and continued watching the game. They had ended up winning by a landslide of points so everyone was yelling and cheering. I felt my phone go off inside my pocket. It was Will.
Will: Your brother’s going to the party, we still on?
Me: Yeah
Will: Great, let just grab something and I’ll come get you
Me: Okay
A few minutes later I got a text from Mark.
Mark: Behave, and don’t get hurt
Me: I always behave. ‘insert smiling emoji’
Mark: I’m serious Aiden.
Me: Whatever mom ‘insert eye roll emoji’
“Who are texting?” I heard Will ask from behind me. I jumped, almost dropping my phone.
“Mark.” I replied, slipping my phone into my pocket.
“What’s he saying?”
“That I have to behave and not to get hurt.” A small grin appeared on his lips. “Like don’t I always behave when I’m with you?” I asked.
He nodded, “You do.” He was still grinning. Walking the other way, motioning me to follow.
“Where are we going anyway?” I asked a few minutes later as we made it to his car.
“That burger place you like.” He replied getting in. turning on his car.
“Do you even know where that is?” I asked, he pulled out his phone and started typing something.
“So you do know.”
“So I do.” He repeated reversing out of the parking lot. The drive was quiet as I stared out the window looking at all the things we passed by. It was a quiet night in our small town, Friday nights usually aren’t. “Don’t fall asleep on me now reckless.” Will said, I turned.
“Could we go to the party?” I asked sheepishly.
“No.”
“But why?”
“Because I’m not risking it. Your brother could find you drunk or high out of your mind dancing on top of the roof, way to close to the edge.”
“That only happen once, and how do you even remember that?”
“No it didn’t just happen once and I just do.” He pulled into a parking spot. How does he even remember that? It was the first time I had gotten drunk, like really really drunk. Truth is I don’t remember the whole night but, I do remember that I somehow ending up in the middle of a truth of dare drinking game in which a few older kids dared me to dance on top of the roof. I ended up to close to the ledge with Will catching.
I begged him not to tell Mark which he agreed to but under one condition, that I would always text or call him before something happened.
“You just do.” I repeated getting out of the car. “Can I drive your car?”
He laughed, “Not right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because I one, don’t have a death wish and two, I have a little ptsd from the last time I let you.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” I grinned. Remembering that it was in fact that bad.
“Oh, yes it was.” He chuckled, “You sped up and ran red lights.”
“The street wasn’t that crowded and I didn’t realize.” I shot back walking through the door as he held it open.
“You didn’t realize running several red lights?”
“Shut it, you jerk.” I hit him on the shoulder. He laughed. I liked it.
YOU ARE READING
In the shadows, under the bleachers
RomansaAiden Clark has a crush on his brother's best friend, Will Brooks. He shouldn't have these feelings and yet he does. Will flirts with Aiden and calls him 'reckless artist' or 'reckless' The two eventually start a secret relationship trying their bes...
