The Boy Next Door

The Boy Next Door - Part 2

I've got the writing bug today enjoy :) x

Over the coming weeks a lift together became a regular thing. Although they ran in completely different circles they realised they had some things in common. Their love for football, they watched the same tv and well they both hated college and didn't want to be there. A friendship started to grow between them and one day after dropping Ant off around the corner from the college - because there was no way in hell either was gonna get seen together because they both valued their lives - Dec asked Ant if he would like to hang out some time. The taller boy agreed and they exchanged mobile numbers.

The following day Dec was sat at home having a 'study day' when he received a message.

"Are you busy? You wanna come hang out?"

He couldn't help but smile to himself as he read the text from Ant.

"What? Now?"

He text back quickly excited at the possibility of spreading the afternoon with Ant.

"No in 3 years time of course now! I'm bored of 'studying' :)"

Dec packed up him textbooks he wasn't really reading and headed down to the kitchen where his mam was busying herself. "Mam I'm just popping out for a bit I'll text you to let you know when I'm home" He smiled at her before replying to Ant's message.

"Where?" Was all he put.

"Mine. Do you need directions or will you find your way across the alleyway? ;P"

Ant's cheeky nature really made Dec's heart thud as he ran out the front door. A few minutes later Dec was stood on the front door step waiting for his newly found friend to answer the door. And there he was hair all messed up, baggy jumper and tracksuit bottoms to match. A rush of air left the smaller boys lungs and he looked at the boy in front of him. "You coming in or what?" Ant laughed and pulled him gently by the arm. "So what ya wanna do?" Ant asked as he sat down on the sofa. "I dunno watch a film of something?" Dec took the seat next to him. "We could see what's on Netflix?" Dec suggested. "I don't have it" The dark haired boy looked down. His mam refused to pay for it for him and he didn't have a job which meant Ant had never been introduced to Netflix. "It's alright we can use mine have you got a laptop or something we can connect to the internet?" Dec got up from his seat and looked around. "Not got one of them either mate sorry" Ant looked at him sheepishly. All he had was an old TV in the corner of the room with a small pile of DVD stacked next to it. "DVD it is then" Dec smiled and walked over to the pile and started looking for something they could watch.
The two settled on a bond film as it was both one of their favourites but neither of them had their attention on it as they started to talk about everything that's happened in their lives up to this point.

The next day Dec dropped Ant in his usual spot and proceeded to make his way into college like he had done since he started. As he went to get out of his car and group of older students approached him and started slurring abuse at him for his size. This wasn't something unusual for Dec though he'd had to put up with it for his whole life so he choose to ignore the group and carry on his walk into college. However this was the wrong decision. Before he knew it his backpack was being yanked backwards with his in tow and was soon laying flat on the floor. The group were now hovering over the winded boy and were laughing at him as he tried to catch his breathe. It was a few seconds later when he heard Ant's name being called and his new but secret friend appeared in his eye line. Ant reached out a hand to help him up but it was soon slapped away. "What ya doing man? Don't help him he's an idiot look at him!" One of the larger boys laughed. "Come on Ant man lets go" The group started to walk away leaving Ant behind. "Sorry Dec" Ant looked down at him apologetically before turning and running in the direction of his so called friends.

That night Dec was just getting out of his car after a terrible day of college when Ant came walking down the street. At first he didn't look up. He didn't want to be around Ant anymore if he was involved with that group. But the taller boy came running up to him demanding his attention. "Declan wait i'm sorry about earlier I just" He went to place a hand on the smaller mans shoulder but Dec brushed him off. "Save in Ant I've had to deal with those kinds of people my whole life I don't need you added to the list as well just leave me alone" Dec croaked tears threatening to fall. He really liked Ant as a friend and maybe something more he wasn't 100 percent sure and knowing he was just as bad as the others upset him.

Ant watched as the smaller boy made his way into his house and slammed the door behind him. But something was happening inside of him. He'd hurt people before but he never felt guilt like this not on this level and it scared him.