Just Maybe

Chapter One

Tyler was plain.
So plain that he knew he was invisible.
Not ugly but not good looking.
Not loud but also not quiet.
Not dumb but not smart.
He was, in his own mind, the epitome of being so equally balanced that he was boring. 

He had mousey brown hair and brown eyes. And he stood at 5'2ft exactly. So I guess you could say that maybe his short stature may be the most exciting thing about himself.  He certainly considered it his most exciting feature. Which, honestly, was just sad.

Then again, being gay was the second most exciting thing about himself. Not that anyone else really knew. other than his parents and older brother, of course. Frustrated with his ever boring self, he gave a sigh.

"What's the matter with you? Boy on your mind?" came the deep baritone voice of his older brother, Brock.

Brock, as well as their parents, were the only ones that didn't consider Tyler invisible. Far from it in fact. Tyler was their handsome or cute son/brother. Compared to Brocks 6'2ft height, Tyler felt minuscule.

"No, I'm just tired is all" Tyler almost scoffed at his also boring voice. He lied smoothly about his real thoughts as not to indicate to his real problem.

"Of course you would be. After the trip we've had this weekend" Brock was referring to the trip the two took this long weekend just past. Deciding on going into the forest into an old cabin his parent owned, to get away from their lives for three days, was Tyler's idea. But Brock was a sucker for his cute little brother and couldn't help indulging him. More like spoiling him but indulge is what Brock calls it when his friends comment on it. Mind you, Brock was happy for the break from work. Teaching at the same school as his brother had pros and cons. And so after grading what felt like millions of essays, Brock was glad for the escape.

"Tell you what. If you make it through the day, I'll take you down to Rush Munro's ice cream after school, deal? " Nodding excitedly and grinning at his big brother, Ty perked up at hearing the name of his favourite ice cream parlour.

"Walnut ice cream?" Feeling giddy inside at the thought of his cold, creamy goodness. Ty would have promised Brock anything

Laughing and reaching down to hug Ty with one muscle heavy arm Brock replied
"Isn't it always?"

"Now come on. We gotta boot it off to school before we're late"
Both boys stood up from the kitchen table just as their mother walked into the kitchen wearing her bedrobe.

"Morning boys. Off to school?"
"Yeah, Ma. We'll see you after school"
"Don't forget to be home by 6 tonight. Your father and I are gonna be working late on this case tonight"
"Sure thing"

Just as both boys laced their shoes up and headed for the door, they both froze at the sound of a clearing throat. Turning back to look at their mother, who was pointing at her cheek, they quickly walked back to kiss her cheek before grabbing their bags to leave.

Tyler, who had his own car, didn't like to drive. So he made his way instead to his brothers 1968 Ford Mustang gt-500. His brothers 'baby'. Mum and dad had it when they were young and Brock cleaned her up and got her running again.

"Morning baby" Tyler looked up to see his brother smiling at his car while unlocking the door. Rolling his eyes with a smile on his face, he threw his bag in the back seat and sat in front. The promise of ice cream really lightened his day.

The ride to school was a quick one with Brock singing along to Grayson Hugh, Robert Cray and Solomon Burke while dancing like an idiot.

"Meet me at the car as soon as schools done and we'll go straight to get ice cream"

"I'll probably beat you here" joked Ty as he turned his back and left.

He's so adorable, thought Brock as he remembered a small chubby Ty laughing and sucking his cheek as a baby.