Stopping Time

Chapter fifteen

Evan was laying on Connor, an arm across his chest. He was singing I See The Light from Tangled, the movie they were watching.

    He was singing both parts. Connor had no idea how he could hit a low note then suddenly sing Rapunzel's high note, but Connor loved it.

Connor ran his hands through Evan's soft hair. He smiled when he looked up. Evan smiled back.

"Connor?" Evan asked.

"Hm?"

"I like you."

"I like you too," Connor said.

Evan had a large smile on his face as he leaned up.

Connor's heart started pounding. He looked at Evan's lips, which were inches away from his own.

Connor hesitantly leaned down.

Connor jotted awake. His breathing was heavy. His forehead was slick with sweat.

He groaned, putting his face in his hands. His fingers gripped his hair tightly, accidentally pulling a few strands out.

He looked at his phone. 4:38 in the morning. He fell back, his phone flinging from his hand and landing next to him. His head hit the headboard of his bed.

He cursed and rubbed it.

That's the third dream this week and he hated it. He didn't mind the dreams, no, he hated the fact that he was having them every single night and that it's the only thing he can think of whenever Evan's around.

    His dreams always ended the same way, both of them saying they liked each other, never using the word love unless they were talking about a hobby or something.

He wasn't in love with Evan. He just. . . had a small crush on him. A crush that's been going on every since the hug at dinner three weeks ago. He's been good at hiding this, but it's been getting harder and harder the more time they spend with each other.

Connor sighed and stood up. He wasn't going to fall back asleep anytime soon. He walked over to his desk and opened a drawer. He pulled out his notebook and a pencil. He sat down, using a small lamp as light so he didn't wake anyone up.

He was in the middle of working on the left eye when someone started banging on the door.

"Connor!" Zoe yelled. "If you don't get up in the next five minutes you're gonna be late!"

Connor looked at his phone and noticed that it was 6:45. He must've lost track of time.

"God, ok fine!" Connor yelled back. "Now go away!"

He closed the notebook and put it away. He walked over to his closet and pulled out a random hoodie. It wasn't his usual one. That one was dirty. So he was stuck with a light grey one that he didn't like. It totally ruined his dark image and didn't go with his pants.

Grabbing his phone and backpack, he walked downstairs and to the kitchen.

Larry wasn't sitting in his usual spot so Connor assumed he left already. Probably due to traffic or something.

Cynthia walked over and handed Connor a plate with two slices of toast, one with jelly and one with peanut butter.

"Hurry up," she said. "Don't want you to be late."

Connor couldn't care less if he was late. As long as that dream was still playing on his mind, he wanted to avoid Evan in case he asked him what was wrong and he accidentally told him the dream.

Normally, Connor wouldn't care what he said around people, but Evan was his only friend. The only person that didn't look at him like a freak or a loser or someone who could snap and shoot up a school without a second thought.

Connor didn't want to lose that. He didn't–couldn't–risk it.

    So that's what he did. He did his best to avoid Evan.

The plan failed during lunch.

Connor didn't have anywhere else to sit and he most certainly wasn't skipping lunch.

"Why weren't you talking to me during first and second hour?" Evan asked, biting into his hamburger.

"I just. . ." Connor didn't meet his eyes. "Family stuff. I don't wanna talk about it."

Evan nodded. "You know I'm here for you if you do decide to talk about it."

Connor couldn't get those stupid dreams out of his head. Specifically the first one that happened at the beginning of the week.

In that one, it started out with Evan and Connor talking about something. It lead to Connor rambling about something Larry did and Evan telling him that he cares and likes him.

"Connor?" Evan asked, tapping on his shoulder. Connor jumped and turned to look at Evan. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yeah, yeah." Connor ran a hand through his hair. "I just. . . I'll be right back."

Connor pushed himself away from the table. He walked out of cafeteria and into the bathroom.

He walked right over to the sinks and looked at himself in the mirror.

His face was bright pink.

"Keep it together," he whispered to himself. "Just hide in here until lunch is over and you won't have to see him the rest of the day."

    But you have eighth period with him. Guess I'll ditch the rest of the day. Haven't done that in a while anyways.

Connor threw himself onto his bed and rolled onto his back.

    He was exhausted from today's events. He just wanted some peace for once. So he decided to sleep.

He dreamed about Evan again. They were dancing. Evan was singing. He was singing a song called Seventeen.

    Evan's hands were around Connor's neck. Connor's hands were on Evan's waist.

    They laughed as Connor spun him around. Connor had a genuine smile on his face.

    He felt his heart speed up as he leaned in.

    The scene changed. Connor and Evan were surrounded by darkness.

    Evan had tears streaming down his face, pain sketched into his face.

    Connor had his fists balled up. "E-Evan," he breathed out.

    "I-I was wrong," Evan whispered. "Y-you're a monster!" Connor took a step towards him. "S-stay away! Leave me alone!"

Connor bolted up, panting and sweating. He patted around the bed for his phone.

    It was 2:30 and he had four texts from Evan, all asking where he was and if he was ok.

    Connor set the phone down and reached down behind his bed, where he kept his secret stash of weed. He started hiding it there when Zoe found out and told their parents.

    He rolled a joint and lit it. He took a long drag from it, slowly letting the smoke out.

    He just needed to forget about everything for a while.