Boy *space* friend (Cameron Boyce)

chapter 2

we touched down at LAX at around 12:30 in the afternoon. after getting some lunch, we took a cab over to Aunt Leila's place to get our house keys and Nathan's car.

when we got there, we rang the doorbell. soon after, my beautiful aunt stepped out to meet us. she was wearing a lemon yellow button-down tucked into cropped jeans and blue floral flats. her short brown hair fell around her face in short corkscrew curls. she smiled her thousand mega-watt smile.

"hey, squirt! look at you!" she held out her arms and i gave her a hug. "good to see you, Aunt Leila." i said.

Nathan nodded. "hey, Leila." he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

she lead us into her house. everything felt really cozy and familiar. i was looking at our old pictures on her piano when she and Nathan walked out of the kitchen. Nathan had the keys in hand and we were ready to head on out and move in next door.

just as we got out the doorway, Aunt Leila called after us, "visit the Boyces once you've caught your breath! they're really excited to see you guys!"

we waved back. "we will!"

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"the van will be arriving tomorrow morning so it's just your clothes for now." said Nathan as we stepped into the house.

i looked around. it was really pretty.

"the green room down the hall is yours." Nathan told me. "go crazy, kid." i smiled and pulled my suitcases to my room.

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an hour later, i was able to unpack all of the stuff that i brought along. i walked back down the hall and i found Nathan bent over, fiddling with the wires of the TV set. the user's manual was strewn across the floor. he looked really confuzzled. i had to laugh.

"hey, can we go over to the Boyces now?" i asked, leaning against the doorway.

he let out a breath. "fine." he said. i pumped a fist.

"but" he added. "you're staying up with me tonight and helping me unpack. clear?"

i gave him a salute. "crystal."

we locked up the house and marched over to the house across the street. i rang the doorbell and soon enough, Victor Boyce answered the door. he instantly broke into a smile. "well, well, well if it isn't the Knights!"

Nathan shook his hand and gave him a bro hug. "good to see you again, Victor." he said. Victor then turned to me. "Max!" ha said, giving me a hug. "look at you, you're so tall! last time i saw you, you were this high." he held his hand up to his stomach. i smiled. "it's great to be back." i said.

he lead us into the house and he gave us some snacks and we caught up a little bit. after a while, Nathan said that he had to get back to the house to get mor unpacking done.

"Max, you can stay a while if you want." Victor said. i looked at Nathan. he shrugged.

"yes please" i said. Victor smiled. "well, Maya is over at a friend's house but Cameron's out back if you wanted to meet-"

that's all i needed to hear. i took off and let the grown-ups talk.

music was blasting in the backyard. i found Cameron shooting sme hoops by himself. he was wearing Ray Bans, grey and white basketball shorts that hung low on his hips, revealing the waistband of his blue checkered boxers. he wore green and purple a pair of Nightwing 2303's and NO SHIRT ON.

damn. Cam could rock a six-pack. my heart suddenly kicked into overdrive. i couldn't stop looking. after a moment, i snapped out of it. i paused ths music which startled Cameron making him miss his shot. the ball bounced of the ring and was rolling in my direction. i stopped it with my foot.