The Paths We Take [boyxboy]

The Paths We Take {11}

                I laid in bed, hands folded behind my head and phone resting on my chest. It was getting late and I found myself starting to nod off a little.

                I sat up, rubbing my eyes. My parents had gone to bed a few hours ago, so sneaking out should be pretty easy. Well, easy as long as I didn't fall asleep first.

                Night life. Not for me.

                But Aaron didn't sleep well at night, so of course he was eager to get out and keep himself occupied. Lying in the silent darkness gave you time to think, to remember. Those were things Aaron didn't want.

                I got up and went into the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face. I pushed aside the curtains on the window, but it was pitch black outside.

                I went back into my room and sat on my bed, checking my phone. Still no messages from Aaron.

                I shifted, moving to sit in front of my bookshelf. I pulled out my copy of Frankenstein, staring at the creature depicted on the cover of the book.

                Built to be a miracle only to be shunned and feared. Intelligent, trying so hard to do good things and fit in. But rejected, always rejected, dismissed as a monster until he finally embraced that title.

                I traced my fingers over the cover. Was that all Aaron was? Stitched together traumas, too smart for his own good?

                Aaron was the first kid to get kicked out of a class, but he also got high grades. He was perceptive and intelligent and sometimes those things did more harm than good.

                My phone buzzed and I stood up, setting the book down. I grabbed my phone and unlocked it.

                From: Aaron

                Outside.

                I tucked my phone into my pocket, made sure my bedroom door was locked, and shoved my window open. I swung my body out and carefully made my way down the side of it.

                When my feet touched the ground, I turned and scanned the area, spotting Aaron. He was leaning against my neighbor's fence, eyes sharp.

                "How did you get here?" I asked, walking over to him.

                "I made Bruce drop me off," Aaron said.

                "Well, he's not here now. Let's go for a walk," I said.

                We started away from my house, neither of us speaking. Aaron was looking around, taking in our surroundings.

                Once we had left my neighborhood, I let Aaron lead the way. He took us down a street that was busy in the daylight but nearly abandoned in the darkness. We crossed the street, Aaron not bothering to check for cars before moving into the road.

                I bit my tongue against the protests rising in me. There was no need to remind Aaron of how dangerous that was; he was well aware.

                We walked in silence until we reached a nearby gas station. Aaron led me inside, ignoring the bored looking employee at the cash register. The employee's eyes were on a TV overhead, some baseball game playing.