Family secrets

Chapter 9: Like old times.

I entered the house without warning, quickly greeting Clear before asking for Keith.

" his waiting in your room." was all she was given the time to say as I made haste up the stairs and to my room. Now standing before the closed door of my sleeping quarters, panting from my earlier activity. My hand hovers over the nod as I prepared myself for what, or rather who was behind the door. At that moment I recalled that I was still wearing Victor hoodie, quickly I took it off, holding the article of clothing in my arms after decently folding it.

After I received the call from Clear, before I could apologize for having to leave so soon, Victor sent me off.

" it's important right. Just promise me I'll see you soon." he wagered and I nodded, needing no time to think it over.

" I... I promise" I assured him, and with wide smiled he accompanied me to my vehicle. After I strap myself in and started the ignition he spoke again.

"Goodnight will." but despite the smile he wore, there was something that did not seem so elite.

" i...will see you soon" I returned before I drove away.

All I had of him now was his hoodie until I could see him again. But at the moment, that was not what took my attention. Turning the handle I opened the door, my eyes instantly falling on the form I knew too well.

He stood on the opposite side of the room, turning to face me the second the barrier was moved. His brown strands cut short, were pushed to the side, away from his familiar dark orbs. Unlike myself, he no longer wore his uniform, dressed in a sweater and three quarter pants outfit I remembered he often wore, with a variety of different designs.

I stared at him from the entrance, yet to have entered the room as i silently looked on. Eyes never leaving Keith's figure, whereas his own gaze strayed from my own numerous times. I could not think of words to say, nor could I move from where I stood, so I only watched as the boy I would to this day refer to as a friend if allowed, fidgeted in place.

"I...i'm sorry for appearing unannounced, I heard that you lost your phone and had not received your new number." he began, eyes now downcasted as he spooks. Keith knew as well as I did who took my phone as well as he was aware that whether he had my number or not, he was not allowed to call as I was not allowed to answer. "I never took you for one to stay out after dark" he continued, sightly biting into his bottom lip " I suppose plenty has changed."                                         I did not think, as my legs carried me to him, dropping the hoodie onto my bed as i closed the distance. Keith took a step back but it was far too late as I opened my arms and wrapped them around him.

"W...William!"

"I've missed you!" I exclaimed, tightening my hold as I spoke these words. Never had I expected to be able to do such a thing in this place so soon. Keith hesitate, he had always been shy to physical contact and judging from the unsteadiness of his breathing, I had startled him. But I could not restrain myself, filled with a mixture of joy and worry as I held my old friend in my arms.                                                                                                                                                                                      He soon returned the hug, arms around my waist despite the few inches he had over me in height.

"I did as well" he confest. And we remind this way for a moment before I pulled away.

"' am pleased to see you my friend, but why have you come?" I questioned.                                       We were now seated on my mattress, side by side as we conversated.

" I... I only wished to see you," he said, glancing away. I smile at this but it quickly fell.

" Keith, visiting like this is dangerous. What if he finds out?" I did not need to speak his name for him to know of who I was referring.

" ... I don't care." he breathed " and I don't want to talk about this." he raised his head and I nodded, feeling guilty for mentioning him. I lowered my gaze, fiddling with my fingers as the atmosphere was once again uncomfortable. I fiddled with my fingers, wondering when it had become this difficult to speak to my friend.

"What's this?" he questioned. Returning my attention to him, who was now standing, in his hands was Victor's hoodie.

" it seems rather big for you, does it belong to your brother?" Keith queried, holding it by the shoulders so that the cloth hung freely.

" no, it..." I began standing to retrieve it " it belongs to someone I... important to me." I said as an answer to his quarry, folding the article of clothing and placing it into my nightstand. "  will have to return it."                                                                                                                                                        Keith's a friend, but he could be ... rash when frightened. This paired with his involvement with Kaiden, resulted in me having to be mindful of what I say to him.

" someone important to you?" he repeated and I simply nod, ensuring not to say any more on the matter. I truly wished to share my experiences with Victor with him, to recount to him our time together and...m...my first kiss. But I restrained myself for fear of word getting back to Kaiden. I know not what he was threatening him with but I was certain that it frightened my friend and in his fear, he may get Victor involved as well, and I could not forgive myself if that were to happen.

Though the visit was short, we insured to fill it with all the things we once did as children, and for a moment it was almost as if he hadn't torn us apart.                                                                                As Keith prepared to leave, I gave him another hug, and we promise to try and meet in secret every so often. For the sake of our past selves.                                                                                                    As he left the property, I recalled something and made haste to my room once again. Collecting my mobile from the bed, I opened the messages application and selected Victor's log. But as I stared at the screen I could not type, the final message he had left being the main focus of my attention.

'I miss you.'

I could not refrain from myself from returning to the events from earlier this night.

Our proximity, the kiss we shared and our departure. I hadn't the chance to say my part, and judging by what I saw behind his smile, he, much like myself was not pleased by this.  I placed my phone down on the dresser and allowed myself to fall back onto the soft mattress, hiding my heated face behind the nearest pillow.

'I will see you soon.'