Want You (BoyxBoy)

-19-

-Ry-

He didn't get to stay much longer since his mom called him to come home for dinner. And only after he leaves do I remember his mom's plate. Damn it. I guess I'll give it to him next time.

When the next day comes, I refrain from asking him to hang out, again, not wanting to come off overbearing, so I spend the day selling. By Wednesday, I can't help asking him after he gets out of school, but he sadly declines because of homework. Thursday, I resist trying again and decide to use the day for myself. And unfortunately, that conversation with Ronnie happens to come to mind. Fuck it, I guess today is as good as any.

I find myself outside the penitentiary that I thought I'd never step foot in again. Okay, I can understand why Ronnie didn't want to come here. Not too thrilled about it myself. I take a deep breath before going inside.

Once I get signed in, the guard takes me to the visitation room where all the phones are separated with a plexiglass wall. I take a seat at the one the guard tells me to and wait for them to bring him. And as I'm waiting, I realize that I have no idea how this is going to go. I know he's mad, so he might refuse to even talk to me. But that leaves my mind when he comes into view. Seeing him in the jumpsuit just makes me feel bad all over again.

He stares at me with no emotion for a moment before taking the seat. And now that I'm getting a good look at his face, I can tell he's gotten sober with the way it's more filled out. Even his eyes look healthier not being sunken in anymore. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen him look better.

I reach for the phone and bring it to my ear. He hesitates but follows my actions. The sound of his breathing comes through the phone, and I can tell he's waiting for me to speak first. As I should.

"Hey, Jaimie."

"Why are you here, Ryland?" he asks, not bothering with any pleasantries.

"I thought... We need to clear up everything between us," I say, cutting to the chase.

"What's there to clear up? You snitched on me," he says with a sneer, glaring his eyes.

"I did that for you."

"How the fuck was that for me? You just wanted out."

"I was only in there because of you," I throw back, getting angry.

"I didn't know cops were going to show up."

"Yeah, I'm sure you didn't," I say with a scoff.

"What the hell are you trying to say?"

"Did you set me up?" I try to read his reaction, but I start to doubt it with how offended he seems.

"What in the actual fuck, Ryland? Are you seriously accusing me of that?"

"Well, did you? It was real odd for them to show up right after you gave me that shit."

"I just didn't want to fucking lose it in the store. I was high," he exclaims, slamming his hand down on the metal table. A guard steps forward, but he quickly apologizes, making him back off.

"You always were. That's why we got into this shit in the first place. It's why I snitched."

"Huh?" he asks, seeming confused.

"Look, I know it doesn't justify it, but I wanted you to get better. And honestly, it looks like it worked, considering this is the healthiest I've ever seen you."

He looks to be thinking about my words for a moment. "So you threw me in prison? A rehab would've sufficed."

"Would you have willingly went?" I ask, already knowing the answer. The one time I mentioned his drug problem, he blew up on me and didn't talk to me for a week.