The G(r)ay Area

Part Thirty

Thirty

I pushed the pictures around the box and grabbed the t-shirt out. It was an old band shirt I'd given Lucas to wear on one of the sleepovers we'd had. Right after we started dating.

It was his favorite band. I didn't know when I gave him the shirt and since he was so excited, I let him keep it.

I stuffed everything back into the box then reached under the bed. I grabbed a plastic bag out and took the steps two at a time.

I pushed my door opened and was almost to the front door when someone cleared their throat. For a second, it sounded like my dad.

But it was mom. She was sitting on the couch, a book in her lap.

She raised her eyes wordlessly.

I swallowed back the lump that was forming. "I... um..." I nodded to the items in my good hand.

"Choose what makes you happy."

I held her gaze for a few more seconds before I walked out the front door.

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Lucas was sitting on his porch step, his phone in his hands. He was wearing a black sweatshirt; one I sometimes wore. He looked like he'd been crying.

I stayed back, wanting to take everything in, memorize it, before I moved. I wanted to remember this.

I took a deep breath before I started walking over to him. He lifted his head after I got a few feet closer and his eyes lit up. He straightened up but I was sure he was expecting a fight more than anything.

I held out the box to him. "I don't want it."

The light in his eyes went out and he took the box from me. "Oh."

I sat down beside him and nodded to the box. "There's something else in there."

He hesitated before opening the bag. He stared at it for a few seconds before looking at me. "You had it this whole time?"

I smiled. "You wouldn't tell anyone where you put it. Except me."

He ran his thumb over the design on the hat. The thread was fraying in some places and there was a pizza sauce stain on the bill.

"You didn't have to give me this."

"I wanted you to have it back."

Lucas got quiet.

I rested my head on his shoulder. "Am I an idiot for forgiving you?"

"I'm the last person you should ask, Aiden."

"You kind of are. I already asked my mom."

"What did she say?"

"That I'm an idiot no matter what I do."

"Looks like we have something in common."

"It takes one to know one, you know."

He pulled the hat from the bag and put it on my head. "You're the worst."

"Well if the hat fits."

He wrapped his arms around me. "I've really missed you, Aiden."

"I'd say the same but I look at myself in the mirror every time I'm in the bathroom. So it's kind of hard to miss myself."

He punched my arm.

I pulled back and pretended to be hurt. "Am I bleeding? Is there a scar? There's definitely going to be a scar."

"Don't joke like that. I almost lost you once."

"Then you better take better care of me."

"Am I allowed?"

"Just kiss me."

"I don't take orders from a bottom."

"Oh, you're going to pay for that."