Connor got up, dusting his pants off. Evan sprang up with him.
"You came here to climb a tree, didn't you?" Connor asked. Evan nodded. "Let's go find one then," Connor said, running off to find a good tree to climb. He knew that the tree he had nearly killed himself by was excellent for climbing, but he didn't think he could face another failed suicide attempt, nor did he want to step in a puddle of his own vomit.
Connor found a decent tree and waited for Evan to join him. Surely enough, Evan came running close behind. Connor started climbing.
"Beat you to the top," Connor said. Evan started climbing with delicate expertise. Even with a broken arm, Evan beat Connor to the top of the tree with plenty of time to spare. They sat on the same branch near the top of the tree, side by side. Connor laughed at a thought he had. Evan looked at him oddly. Connor smiled at him.
"Evan, now that we're friends, I've decided to make you my new project," Connor said, trying his best to stifle his laughter. Evan looked down at his hands as they picked at his shirt.
"You really don't have to do that," Evan said, his ears flushing red.
"Oh my fucking God. You know Wicked?!" Connor exclaimed.
"Well, I mean everyone knows 'Popular.' It's, um, the most overused theatre audition song," Evan said casually.
"Only someone who listens to musicals would know that little fact," Connor replied accusingly.
"Fine! I, um, like musical theatre. So shoot me. And what, um, what about you? You obviously listen to musicals, too," Evan said.
"Yeah, I do. Unapologetically. It's funny, everyone thinks I listen to metal or something, but if they got to know me, they would see that I'm a musical theatre nerd," Connor explained. "So what do you like, Evan?"
"I like trees," Evan said, twisting his shirt.
"Well you certainly seem to fall for them," Connor pointed at Evan's cast and giggled at his joke.
"That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Evan deadpanned.
"Oh come on, it's a little funny," Connor said. Evan relented, giving Connor a small smile.
"I don't think I've smiled this much in my entire life," Connor said.
"Me neither. My face is starting to hurt," Evan replied. He watched the smile start to slip from Connor's lips. Connor's face darkened at a thought.
"Honestly, I don't even know why you saved me. I was such an asshole to you," Connor said, frustrated with his own behavior.
"Well, when I broke my arm, I wanted someone to, um, someone to come find me. But nobody did. I was just laying on the ground, hoping that someone would come get me. So, I decided to come get you," Evan explained, staring at his ratty tennis shoes. They sat in awkward silence. Connor noticed the sun making its way towards the horizon. He had spent the whole day at the park again.
"Look, I should probably start heading home. My parents will freak out and call the cops or something," Connor said, starting to descend the tree. Evan followed close behind him.
"Did you bring your car?" Evan asked Connor.
"No, I don't live very far from the park," Connor said, starting to walk off. He turned around to face Evan. "Do you have a ride?"
"No, I don't live far from the park either," Evan said.
"Oh, okay. I'll see you tomorrow, I guess?" Connor said, turning back around to walk home.
As Connor walked home, he felt as if someone was following him. He didn't want to turn around in case it was one of the boys who tormented him. He didn't want the boys to figure out where he lived either. He decided to turn around, despite the fact that he might get beat up.
"What the hell are you-- Oh. Evan. It's you," Connor recognized the person behind him. Evan stopped walking, staring at a spot on the ground.
"Um, hi, Connor? I guess we, um, live close to each other," Evan stuttered.
"Right. Sure. You're following me. I knew you just wanted to make fun of me," Connor said. He couldn't believe this. He had made the mistake of trusting Evan. Not once, but twice. Connor's feet couldn't move. He was hurt by the abuse of trust he always saw.
"No no no, Connor. I can prove it! Look! There's, um, my house," Evan said, pointing to a house at the end of the block. Evan ran over to the house, waving Connor over. Connor sighed and ran after him. Connor realized then that he overreacted. He wanted to kick himself.
"Home sweet home," Evan said, unlocking the front door. Connor walked up the steps of Evan's porch. He sighed.
"Look Evan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. It just, it's... I don't even know," Connor said. Evan gave him a small smile.
"It's, um, it's okay, Connor. I know what it's like to, um, to not be able to control the way you feel," Evan said, twisting his shirt in his hands. Connor smiled sadly and started to walk away.
"Uh... see you tomorrow?" Evan called out as Connor walked away. Connor turned his head to face Evan.
"We'll see."
