A Hint of Color (boyxboy)

Chapter 3

"He's so attractive," I tell Taylor, my best friend, after telling him about the guy I've been seeing. He just got back from vacation.

"And he's a nice person?"

"So far, yeah." Jake and I have been doing stuff together for several weeks now.

We're walking across the long bridge over the river, a few miles from town. It's a beautiful place, and under the hot sun, the wind up here is refreshing. Only people and bicycles are allowed on the narrow bridge, so it's quiet.

"It's funny, I would never have expected myself to end up with someone like him," I say, looking out at the mountains that border the wide river. "We dress like opposites, but we like the same music and stuff."

Taylor smiles at me. "I'm glad you finally found someone. So, is it official?"

I lean against the barrier casually. "Not really, no."

"I thought you met him weeks ago."

I chew my lip. "Yeah but we're just sort of... hooking up."

Taylor gives me a blank look. "You're joking."

"Nope. It's nothing serious." I think of what Jake told me and add, "It won't last forever."

He frowns and is quiet for a long moment. "You seemed really happy when you told me about him. I thought you were an actual couple, not just hooking up..."

Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. "Don't be so judgmental."

"I'm not."

"Yeah, you are. I can hear it in your voice."

Taylor sighs. "No, I'm just being protective. You know how I am. I know you want more... and you deserve more."

Running my hand through my hair, feeling tense, I don't know how to explain it to him. "I'm satisfied with this. Really."

"If you say so."

We start walking along the bridge again in silence.

---

At some point, Jake and I stop hanging out at his house. I think he's paranoid that his sister or one of her friends will get suspicious, but I can't blame him. They would probably freak out about it and it would get back to his parents.

Mom is home tonight, watching TV when I go to answer the door.

"Seriously, Ross? That kid is always here. You need to ask me before you invite him," she tells me, glaring.

I roll my eyes and place my hand on the doorknob.

"Leave your door open, too."

I turn the knob and let Jake inside. "Let's go upstairs," I mumble. He follows me to my room and I close the door anyway. "My mom is so fucking annoying."

He frowns and leans against the wall. "She doesn't seem to like me. She's always glaring."

"It's not you, she just hates me being gay."