Later that week, Phil found himself standing on the front porch of Ethan's house, feeling nervous. He'd never been inside one of the "popular" kids' homes before, and the thought of it made him uneasy. The house was big and neatly kept, reflecting the kind of life Ethan seemed to lead—perfect on the outside.
Ethan opened the door with a grin. "Come on in."
Phil stepped inside, taking in the modern decor and large living space. They made their way upstairs to Ethan's room, which, to Phil's surprise, wasn't as pristine as he expected. It was stylish, but lived-in, with posters of famous athletes on the walls and clothes scattered on the floor.
"Sorry about the mess," Ethan said with a sheepish laugh. "I don't get a lot of time to clean with practice and all."
Phil shrugged. "It's fine."
As they sat down to start their project, the conversation drifted. At first, it was light—school, football, the project. But eventually, Phil's mind wandered back to his mom, and the weight of it all came crashing down.
"My mom's getting worse," Phil blurted out, surprising even himself. He hadn't meant to bring it up, but now the words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.
Ethan's expression softened immediately. "I'm really sorry, man. That's... I can't imagine what you're going through."
Phil's voice cracked as he continued, "The chemo's not working. She's been blaming me for everything... like it's my fault she's sick. I convinced her to do it, and now..." His words trailed off as tears welled up in his eyes.
Without hesitation, Ethan moved closer and wrapped his arms around Phil, pulling him into a tight embrace. "It's not your fault," he whispered, his voice gentle but firm. "None of this is your fault."
Phil's heart pounded as he leaned into Ethan's warmth. The weight of everything he'd been carrying seemed to melt, if only for a moment. His mind raced, overwhelmed by the sensation of Ethan's touch. There was something comforting about it, something that made him feel safe. And as he sat there, held in Ethan's arms, he realized something—he didn't want to let go.
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Quarterback's Hidden Play Falling for the Gay Guy
Fanfiction"Unexpected Gravity" Ethan, the popular high school jock, has everything-looks, friends, and a picture-perfect life. A little clumsy and completely straight, he never thought twice about love, until an unexpected attraction pulls him toward Phil, th...
