Labyrinth

Chapter Four

Today was the first day of Cameron doing chores on the farm. In Missouri, he lived in a suburb. He wasn't a city boy, but he wasn't a farm boy either. Cameron had no idea what even goes on in a big farm like this.

"What's first?" Cameron asked Christian.

"Is someone actually showing interest in something?" Christian asked amused.

"Don't flatter yourself, I just want to get this over with." Cameron retorted.

"You have no idea what you'll be doing here, do you?" Christian asked.

Cameron replied with a glare.

"Well first we need to collect the eggs from the chickens." Christian said seriously.

Cameron noticed every time the farm or animals were mentioned Christian got more serious. He saw the care Christian put toward the animals. It's like Cameron can see the passion in Christian's eyes. Christian owned up to his responsibilities on the farm. Cameron didn't expect this from the elder.

Christian was explaining what they needed to do, and Cameron was lost watching Christian.

"Did you even listen to anything I just said?" Christian asked with a pout.

"Yes." Cameron answered in a daze.

"Good, let's see you try then." Christian said.

Cameron went into the coop and came running back out screaming when a chicken ran after him.

Christian was on the ground laughing his butt off.

"Don't laugh at me." Cameron said.

"They won't hurt you, they're chickens... now go back in there." Christian demanded.

After that obstacle was completed, Christian now explained how to feed the animals in the barn.

"You really enjoy doing this don't you?" Cameron said with an unreadable look on his face.

Christian blushed from the look of intensity Cameron was giving him.

"I do. I grew up on a farm and you know everyone has their opinions of me...but the animals don't judge or make mean comments to you or hurt you in any way." Christian replied. "Even my own father doesn't understand what it's like to be me. I would always come to the animals or Bailey, my horse, and just talk."

Cameron didn't know how to reply to the vulnerability Christian was showing. 

"It must get lonely." Cameron decided to answer.

"It does." Christian simply answered.

"I thought you would be off at some random guy's house or getting drunk when they told me I needed to do the farm chores..." Cameron laughed.

That stung.

Christian couldn't blame him. That's what everyone thought about him. Cameron was just like everyone else.

Christian was showing Cameron how to feed the horses. There was a huge bucket filled with feed that Christian helped Cameron hold up.

In doing so, Christian's hands brushed against Cameron's hands. Cameron could feel Christian's breath on his neck, and he didn't know what to do with this level of closeness.

Cameron dropped the bucket and stumbled back causing Christian to fall on his butt from the sudden movement.

"I told you I am not gay. I told you I don't like boys. Why can't you get it through your thick head that I am not interested in someone like you." Cameron yelled to Christian.

Christian wanted to cry. "I was just holding the bucket to help you." He cried out.

"Bullshit. Boys like you always make moves to get what you want." Cameron said.

"Don't say things about something you know nothing about." Christian said.

Christian wanted the ground to swallow him whole. The embarrassment he felt was immense. But he was getting fed up with everyone calling him names, making assumptions about him, being mean to him.

Christian got up, dusted his pants off and walked up to Cameron. Cameron took a safe step back. Christian stood there for a minute before slapping Cameron across the face. Cameron cupped his cheek and looked at Christian shocked.

"You don't deserve this ass, anyways, asshole." Christian simply said and walked into the woods.

Cameron was flabbergasted by what just happened, but the confidence and actions of the boy left Cameron feeling intrigued.

Before Cameron could even think, Christian was far into the woods.

It was the afternoon, so it was light out, but what about when Christian returns? What if there are animals in the woods?

Cameron then asked himself, why does he care about Christian's wellbeing?