compare scars

forty

It had been nearly a month since the art gallery. The school year was once again back. Dan spent most of the days decorating his classroom, getting it all ready.

He looks to the wall above his desk. Hung in a frame is a picture of his first class. It brings back all the memories. He's never felt so attached to a group of people.

At their graduation he sobbed like a baby. It was like a damn had been opened with no way of shutting it off.

"Hey." He can hear Kyle's voice from the doorway.

"It's like the first time we met." Dan smiles looking around the room. His room still feels the same. Paintings and students photos and Christmas lights are still hung around the room. It still doesn't feel like a high school art room, but something more personal.

"I thought you were so cute." Kyle smiles, thinking back to the first time they met. He was hanging a painting. He could tell them that Dan would be different.

"Stop." Dan looks up from the picture he's hanging to Kyle.

They've both aged in the short three years they've known each other. Kyle's body is covered in scars from the time with father. He doesn't have the same sense of innocence he used to have.

Dan looks the exact same. Mentally he's completely different. Mentally, nothing is the same as what it was. He's tougher and stronger. Going through what he's gone through has given him unexpected strength.

"I wanted to talk to you." Kyle says, so incredibly nervous.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just want to apologize." His hands are shaking, he's having trouble trying to find the right words. There's nothing he can say that can change the past, but he wants to get it out in the open.

"We've already gone over this. Look I mean it was shitty and all, but I forgive you." Dan sighs, watching as Kyle's face drops.

"I just, Dan I don't even know what to say." It bothers him that he can't come up with the right words to say, he feels like he's blowing it.

"You were fucked up, I get it." He holds a bit of bitterness in his words and he's not even sure why.

"That's no excuse though. Dan I loved you so much. And I just want you to know from the bottom of my heart that wasn't me, and that I'm so sorry." Tears are in his eyes, he wipes them away quickly with his shaky hand before Dan sees.

Dan drops the picture and the tack and leans closer to where Kyle is sitting. He's never stopped caring for the man in front of him. Through the thick and thin he's always wanted the best for him. For him to be truly happy, to feel like a full glass.

"Look Kyle, we can't change the past. But I don't hold it against you. We've both changed for the better. We're both completely different people than we were." His tone is soft as he watches Kyle perk up. He can't help but smile.

"You're my best friend. I'd never want to live my life without you in it." Dan grins, taking Kyle's hand in his. He softly plants a kiss on it, watching Kyle blush.

"Thank you." It's all he can manage to say before more tears start to fall. This time though they're tears of pure relief and happiness.

"Dan I just love you." He chokes over his words, the tears falling freely.

"I love you too." Dan says, carefully wiping the tears from Kyle's cheek.

—
Wow it's literally been forever since I've updated this. I'd like to thank anyone out there still reading this, you get a veterans discount!!

I couldn't just leave this story unfinished. It's not perfect and certainly not all that good but it's just I feel like it represents me in a way. That sounds so stupid and I apologize. But idk I just feel like it's like a reflection of how I'm doing or idk that sounds dumb I'll stop rambling now

Ily