Behind Closed Doors

One 5 Second Moment

Tommy POV

I can trust Adam, right? I mean, of course I can. I know that. It's just... he told me that Mr Koskinen had invited him out for drinks later (he had made sure to add in that he wasn't interested in him at all, obviously).

But he is still going out with him; as friends. I'm just nervous. And clingy. And too fucking fragile if we're being brutally honest.

Nothing's going to happen. Adam loves me. At least, he says he does.

No Tommy! Shut the fuck up right now! Of course he loves you. You love him. Love comes with trust. Just do your fucking homework and play guitar. Just be normal. Well, as normal as possible with the life you're living.

Adam POV

"Hi!" I greeted Sauli at the bar, having decided to just meet him there.

"Hey Adam," he replied with a grin, accent sending shivers down my spine.

Pull yourself together. Tommy.

I went to sit next to him and ordered a tequila to sip. Usually I'm a shots guy but it's a Monday so I can't get drunk enough to have a hangover. I'm not 18 anymore. Unfortunately.

"So, how are you finding Test Valley School?" Sauli asked, with a small chuckle.

"It's uhh, good?" It wasn't meant to sound like a question. Shit, what if I just offended his school.

However, the man beside me was full out laughing so I can't have been too rude.

"Oh my god Adam..." he trailed off, breathing heavily from his laughing fit.
"It's shit, isn't it?"

Oh. So he's definitely one for honesty. I admire that in people.

"Kinda, yeah. But it's a hell of a lot better than my secondary school. At least you don't have a blind art teacher..." His face crinkled up into an amused smile, head tilted in question.

"Don't even ask." I advised, thinking 'fuck it' and downing the rest of my drink, wincing as the cold liquid slid down my throat. I just won't have another drink.

We spent the next hour or so just talking and laughing. Sauli is actually such a cool guy and we really just get eachother. By now, all romantic thoughts or worries were out of my head as I knew I'd found a friend. And just a friend. A cool, Finnish one at that.

The time flew by and soon it was around 22:30, so I got up to go home.

"This has been really fun Sauli, but it's getting late and I've got some marking to do. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes of course, I should get back too. Do you want me to walk with you to your car? My car is just up the road in that little car park."
"Sure, I think I parked next to you actually, I recognised your car from the school parking lot."
"Okay then, let's go."

We left the bartender a tip and headed out. I pulled my coat tighter around me in the crisp night air. A light mist of rain started to fall but soon turned heavy, leaving the grey pavements slippery, collecting puddles of murky water.

We began to hurry up the sidewalk to get to our cars. As we were parked on the opposite side to the bar, I went to cross the road.

I slipped and fell down, feeling my phone buzzing in my pocket.

"Adam!" I heard Sauli call from somewhere behind me.

Grazed palms stinging, I started to pull myself up from the dirty ground, feeling a bit light headed.

"Sauli?" I asked, confused about the panic in his voice.

"Adam watch o-"

Blinding headlights. Everything was spinning. Pain. And then nothing.

Numb.

Dark.

Cold.

My vision blurred in and out as everything moved in slow motion. Sauli running over. Another face above me. Beautiful brown eyes I fell in love with.
Being told to stay awake, not to close my eyes...

But I never was one to do what I was told.

So I let the darkness take me. Too tired to fight the pull of sleep. Too tired. Too weak.

Only one thought was clear enough to put into words as I felt myself be lifted somewhere.

"Tommy"

Tommy POV

"Adam? Adam please answer me. You said you'd call when you got home. I know I probably shouldn't worry, you probably just forgot... but fuck. Adam, I am worried. Please just tell me that you're okay." I paused. "Call me back."

The last line wasn't a question or a command. It was a plea. He better be okay. If anything happens to that wonderful, perfect man. Well, I don't know what I'd do.

Deciding to just go to the bar he said he'd be at, I grabbed my coat and keys and began to drive the short distance.

I tried his phone again on the way.
It was around 10:30, so I'm probably losing my shit over nothing. But screw it, he's my boyfriend. I'm allowed to lose my shit over him.

Pulling into a small car park, a short walk away, I noticed Adam's car a few spaces from my own. He must still be in the bar. It wouldn't look too weird to accidentally bump into two of my teachers in a bar at 22:30 on a school night would it? Nah, I'm sure it'll be fine. Plus one is the love of my life and my teacher, so the normal rules of what's okay and what's super fucking weird are a little muddled at the moment anyway.

With a small sigh, I locked my car and headed down the path as it started to pour down. Careful, not to slip I peered through the rain and thought I saw Adam on the other side of the road.

He went to cross and slipped.

I began to run as I saw the bright, looming lights of a car turn the corner ahead. Shit.

Adrenaline started flowing through my veins as I sprinted up the path, hearing Sauli call out Adam's name. I got my phone out to call him, hoping I could get him to move.

I was too late.

"Ada-" I began to scream as I watched the car hit him.

He went flying across the road.

I stood frozen in shock, as I watched Sauli run to him. I ran to join them.

Soon I was crying, screaming Adam's name, telling him not to close his eyes.

"I can't lose you." I sobbed desperately. "I can't fucking lose you."

"I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you..." I repeated.
As if it could reverse time, no longer caring about the presence of another teacher.

Someone had called an ambulance and paramedics rushed out to put Adam on a stretcher.

"Tommy..." I heard him mumble as they drove away and my heart broke all over again.

Sauli and I were left standing drenched in the freezing cold rain but I was already chilled to the bone. I ran to my car, slipping and sliding over the dark wet concrete.

This would be a long night.

7 missed calls, 4 unread messages, 2 blinding headlights..

The beginning of a 10 hour sleepless night.

The slow beeping of a heart monitor.

A thousand I love yous.

One 5 second moment.

All it takes to change everything.