uneasy (boyxboy)

4 - Elephants

    "Give it back Ethan!" My seven-year-old self squeals and jumps for the toy bear. His devious smirk doesn't fade as he taunts me, "This one?"

    I nod and just before I grab it from him he throws it out of the window becoming stuck at the ground between the walls of our houses. I wail in distress over my only friend. My chubby face directs its fury towards the culprit. "You're such a bully!" his jaw clenched and his looks contorts in anger.

"I'm not a bully! God, you're such a wimp Riley." His childish features stomp out of my room after pushing me to the ground, leaving me a sad, blubbering mess over my precious teddy.

"You can have mine if you want? It's not a bear but elephants are cool too." I look up to see his younger (barely) brother Grayson from the window. His eyes bore into mine kindly and hypnotize me instantly. I nod, thankful for it. He leaves the frame of the window while I stand back up and comes back with his blue elephant and tosses it to me from his house. My eyes twinkle thankfully and watch him walk away. I look down towards the soft toy and wonder why my mother keeps planning playdates with Ethan.

__

My squinted gaze stays glued to the bright ceiling while holding a tattered, worn elephant. So much has already happened in the last three days making me really rethink things. For instance, if Ethan was just going to do that  to me again then what are his ulterior motives? I turn on my side and look towards the closed window blinds covering Grayson's room. I sigh and close my eyes finally drifting off to sleep at 8 am.

"Riley!" my eyes shoot open at the call of my sister. I let out an irritated groan and walk out of my room, not missing the fact its only noon. "What's up?" I ask while padding down the stairs, still shirtless from being asleep. My gaze locks with Grayson's calm and content stare. He does me a once over letting a slight smirk tug at the corners of his mouth. I can feel my entire body crawl and flare from his simple glance. 

"Your friend is here," she says eyeing him up "He showed up a minute or so ago.". I chuckle at her horrible flirtation skills. I nod my head towards the upstairs signaling us both to walk towards my room.

"So explain to me why you're still asleep past noon?" he asks mockingly clearly taking into account my half-naked attire. My answer is silent as I realize that the elephant is still on the bed. Thankfully Grayson's gaze is diverted by my childhood pictures. I panic while trying to find a place to hide the little memory. I begin to see his figure spin...

"Don't turn around!" I shout throwing the elephant under my stark white bed. I hear his light chuckle.

It'd be more comfortable with someone in it with me.

"Why?" He asks cooly. My face burns as I shake away those thoughts and blurt out the first thing that came to my mind.

"I'm, uhm, changing?" I reply in a half question looking around for something to switch with what I was wearing now.

"You're changing?" He asks clearly not convinced in the slightest.

I sigh and give up on the charade, "No." I sit down on the bed after grabbing the elephant from under it again and watch him turn around. His gaze locks with it and makes an indescribable look pass through his warm hazelnut eyes. My cheeks twinge pink and I let my gaze catch his.

"You still have that?" He asks cautiously, smiling a little though.

"Yah, I just couldn't bring myself to donate it years ago. It's just kinda been with me for a while." I can feel his stare while mine is on the floor. The bed dips next to me.

"I remember when Ethan used to tease you." He mumbles, fiddling with its ears

"It only got worse in high school." I reply playing over his hurtful memories. My head spins from the polar opposite sides of nice and mean I received from him in the past.

"Let's just not talk about it." He says looking sad, worn down by something he hasn't told me.

"Ok, uhm, why are you over?" I ask attempting some type of conversation.

There was no reply for moments.

"Riley." It was quiet but gruff. I immediately look at him. I swear on my life I could see the universe inside of him. There was no instant answer from me.

"Riley?" It was as more of a question, asking for permission

"Yah." It came out as more of a mumble than anything. There wasn't an answer. We just stayed there completely silent for moments to pass by, keeping our stares locked. My stomach was doing flips. I lean in and place a soft kiss on his lips, testing out the waters. He stilled for a moment, causing me to nearly die. His movements slowly melted into mine, leaving flames licking at my cheeks. He suddenly pulls away looking at me for a moment then looking around.

"That never happened." I can see the confusion in his features as he convinces himself he didn't kiss me.

"Grayson I didn't mean to-" He cuts off my sentence by spinning around and pointing at me.

"This. Never. Happened." I close my mouth and nod looking downwards. He leaves the room silently and stiffly. I fall back on the bed, my legs dangling from the edge.

***

Hurt is evident in my features when Ethan opens the door to his separate apartment.

"Hey E" I smile weakly.

--

Hiiiiiiiiii

I missed all of you. Even the ones reading my book and not voting or commenting. Yah I'm onto you sisters.

Sorry I hate myself lmao.

Anywhore I'm stopping here because you know a good author always leaves on a cliffhanger :)

much Much much Much love, Stephen.