The Echoes Of Summer (Noah Centineo fan-fic)

Chapter 2

The tv chattered in the background as I slowly slunk downstairs and found a seat at the kitchen island. The cold marble lightly grazing my skin sent a shiver down my spine. Aunt Jen sat sprawled out on the sofa, magazine in one hand, and a remote in the other as she passively flipped through channels and pages.

" I swear those damed reality shows will be the deal of quality entertainment, but they sure do know how to find pretty people" She said with a sigh as she turned her attention back to her magazine.

A light knock on the sliding door behind me made be slightly jump and graze my skin against the icy marble again. "Speaking of pretty people" she said without skipping a beat or bothering to turn to look who was there.

Quickly turning around I'm met with the same familiar hazel green eyes and bright white smile. Every nerve seemed to be tingling and I couldn't tell if it was from the cold touch or from my heart beating out of my chest. Hopelessly I try to mask whatever confusing emotion I'm feeling and replace it with the thought of the bruise he indirectly gave me.

Stepping outside the warm air wraps around me and the smell of sea salt lingers. "Hey man just wanted to check and see how you were doing" He said as I walked passed him and made my way over by the pool light that made the water glow under the stars.

"Yeah, I'm good, I think I'll live that is" I reply as I offer a nervous smile and flicker my eyes up at him then back away at the pool.

"Well that's good to hear, because I don't know of many places around here to hide a body" He says as he walks up closer to me, making my hand sweat a little.

There was an awkward pause before he broke the air "Im totally kidding......of course I know where to hide a body" he says as he lightly pats a hand on my shoulder.

"So new kid, what's your story? Do you live here now?" He asked as he walked passed me and sat next to the pool steps, slowly dipping his toes into the cool water.

"Making yourself at home already?" I ask as I cock an eyebrow and squat down and trim my fingers across the water inspecting its temperature. "And no I don't live here, I'm here for the summer...I think, it's complicated. This place sure beats Texas" I say looking up at the sky.

"Well what can I say, figured I should get to know someone before I try to kill them with my skills.... or how did you put it?......"sucky skills" he said as he let out a light laugh "but I knew I heard a little southern accent peaking out today" he continued.

I couldn't help but crack a smile as I sat on the warm concrete and dip my toes in the water. "To be fair I only said "try to suck less" " I offer catching his gaze.

"Is that so? Sounds like you can do better?" He says as he arches an eyebrow.

"I could dribble circles around you" I say rolling my eyes and sitting back leaning my arms behind me for support.

"Is that so new kid? That sounds like a challenge." He says as he stands up and extends a hand down to me. The same familiar view from our first encounter.

"Any time. Any place." I say with a smirk as I grab his hand and am elevated to my feet.

"Bet. Tomorrow, let's link up for a game so I can show you how the big dogs do it up here in the north" he said with a smirk right back at me

"Id better bring a helmet to avoid the hospital, if you're going to be playing like you did today" I say as we walk over to the gate connecting his backyard to mine.

"Thats pretty low, you might want to bring a bucket." He says turning away from me.

I furrow my eyebrows trying to make the connection, give me a minute, it'll come.

He turns back and gives me a smile over his shoulder "because I'm going to mop the floor with you" he says and gives a quick wink that makes my cheeks burn.

"Yeah right, whatever you say man" I say playing off the internal shock my body is going through.

"hey, let me get your snap" He says opening the gate.

I walk over and reveal my snap code that he's scans into his contacts. 

"gotcha new kid, I'll snap you deets in the morning" He says walking out the gate with his eyes glued to the illuminated screen.

I slowly creep back into the house, the cool air hitting my skin, aunt Jen still sits on the sofa in the same position. I creep past and start to head to the staircase.

"So, how did that go?" She asked while still never taking her eyes off of her magazine.

"Fine. He seems pretty chill, I think we're going to play tomorrow" I say turning back and starting to make my way back to the stairs.

" What a fitting choice of words Nicky" She says with a little giggle, and I can immediately feel all of the blood in my body rush to my face."play basketball" I say and then race upstairs before she can get anything else out that would surly kill me from embarrassment. I just can't help but think as I lay to sleep, why she seems so unfazed by me being gay. In a way it's almost like she supports it, but before I know it I drift out of conciousness with all of these broken thought creeping into my mind. If she can seem to be so supporting then why couldn't they?