Step Into the Sun

10

"It's always busier in the morning, we should have some privacy," Evan explained as he pushed open the main door leading to the separated stalls.

From what he could hear, there was only one other person showering at the moment. He led Connor down further, avoiding the person in the first stall but also guiding him to the good ones.

"Take that one, it's closest to the water heater," he told him, pointing to the farthest door back, then claiming the one right next to it. "I'll wait for you if I finish first."

Connor nodded before entering the stall, locking the door behind him. He wanted to take his time like he usually did, but he knew he shouldn't.

Taking off his shoes and socks first, he placed them on the raised ledge out of the way of any water. Then he stripped off the rest of his clothes and turned the knob to hot, the water creating an echoey splattering noise on the tile floor.

He heard Evan turn on his shower next door and closed his eyes as the heat kicked in and nearly seared his skin, steam rising around him like a comforting blanket.

For some reason, his mind was clear. It was like he hadn't just been face to face with the person he missed more than anything from his old life. His brain was blocking out the memory already, shoving it back to live with the last time he had seen her.

James was also off of his thoughts for now. He hadn't heard from James since Tuesday, much to his pleasure.

Instead, he was able to focus on imagining what it would be like once he left the hell he had created for himself. Evan was a new experience for him. After being alone for so long, Connor finally had someone to be around who didn't mistreat him like James did.

He couldn't help but enjoy being around Evan already, even if the kid was a bit awkward sometimes. Right now, he couldn't be bothered to worry about how much he probably annoyed Evan or didn't deserve his help and attention.

Caught up in his daydreaming, he didn't notice that Evan's shower had stopped until he heard a light knock on the stall door.

"Connor, just letting you know I'm done now but you can take your time," he called softly, his voice echoing through the rest of the stalls as well.

"I'll be out in a minute," Connor answered, rinsing the shampoo out of his hair. He turned off the water when he was finished and then grabbed the towel from where he had hung it over the door and wrapped it around his waist so he could squeeze the water out of his hair.

"Jared texted me, he has no impulse control and he just ordered two boxes of cheesy sticks from Domino's," Evan sighed.

Connor stifled a laugh as he pulled on his underwear, then slipped Evan's sweatpants over them. Unlocking the door, he pulled it open as he grabbed the shirt from the ledge, making sure it faced the right way before he could put it on.

Evan stood there, his eyes widening at Connor's openness. Despite having seen him shirtless the first time they met, he was shocked and slightly embarrassed to see Connor's bare chest again. Luckily, he didn't notice Evan gaping as he draped the towel around his shoulders and gathered his things.

When Connor stood up straight and glanced at Evan, he shut his mouth quickly, his face still burning up.

"What?" Connor tilted his head, frowning in confusion.

"N-Nothing," Evan sputtered, turning to walk out of the bathroom.

Shrugging it off, Connor followed him to the door where Evan stopped to put on his socks, so he did the same.