Loved

11.

(The date, continued)

After Ichiru and I had finished our coffees, we walked to the park. Well, actually, I dragged Ichiru to the park. He was reluctant, but I knew he loved the park.

"So," Ichiru says as we sit down in the grass, " Is this what you had planned?"

"For the most part... I guess..." I gaze up to the sky.

Ichiru looks at the sky as well. Even though I'm not looking at him, I can feel his gaze on my face. I pretend not to notice it, but I can't stop the shivering sensation that I get when he looks at me. I smile softly.

I look over at Ichiru. He tries to hide his face from me. He's blushing. I don't think I've ever seen him blush. He's so beautiful. His auburn hair is flowing just perfectly in the wind, and his eyes, they're so blue. They are more blue than a summer sky. They glow like a glittering ocean. His skin, it's so pale and covered in freckles, freckles that make a million different constellations on his face. I can't help but reach over to him and grabbing his hand. I look back at the sky once again.

The sun is setting now and the sky has pinks and oranges. It's like a beautiful, colorful, spontaneous watercolor painting.

"Hey! Get out of here you stupid homos!" A voice yells from behind us. I stiffen.

I turn around to find an older man walking up to Ichiru and I. As he gets closer, tears begin to form in my eyes. Not again. I yank my hand away from ichiru's. I stand up.

"Ichiru.... I... I'm gonna go home now...." I don't even look at him. "See ya around..." I start to walk away as Ichiru starts to get up. I push past the man, but turn back to him. "Sir. You got the wrong idea. I'm not gay. I never was and never will be. But, you need to learn some manners, sir. And.... your wife'll be mad when you show up home late smelling like alcohol... g'day." I turn and walk towards home.

I hear the man mutter a few words and he walked in the opposite direction from me. I hear hurried footsteps behind me.

"Yui-chan!" I ignore him. "Yui!" Again, I pretend to not notice. "Yuichi!" I stop.

I turn around to face him. "Go away, Ichiru... I just... I want to go home... let me go home. . ."

"I won't do that... I can't just let you go home after....."

"After....?"

"After I promised you I wouldn't let anyone hurt you... not even yourself... Yuichi.... please.... don't go... not yet..."

I shake my head "no... I have to go... it's almost supper anyhow..."

"Then.... let me walk you home... please?"

". . . Okay."

He smiles then. Just when I thought he was on the verge of tears, he manages to smile. That's Ichiru for you. Happy. Something that I have never known .  .  . At least, not without him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yoooooo!!!!
So this is short.... barely 500 words... but hey! I got what I wanted out there! I just wanted you guys to know that this actually almost made me cry! But, anyways, thanks for sticking around this long!

Don't worry guys! There's....

MORE TO COME!