Unlikely Lovers

8: Evan

They organised to meet up after school the next day, head down to the park and "hang". It's not Evan's fault he has trouble using teenager terminology, they just speak another language. Like honestly what does lit or Yeet mean anyway? Let alone acronyms, Evan hated acronyms. Mainly because he loved English so much as was obsessed with grammar and punctuation.

Evan spent the first half of the day waiting for lunch. He spent lunch with Connor again, sitting by the old building just talking and enjoying each other's company. He then spent the second half of the day waiting for school to end so he could spend more time with Connor. Friends were addictive. Once you had one all you want to do is spend time with them. Class finished and the two boys bolted towards the park. Well bolted for 5 minutes until Evan couldn't breathe then walked the rest of the way. They found a small shady spot under a tree up a hill. The both sat up against it, looking at the sun through the leaves.

"Okay but listen to this one. How do trees access the internet?" Connor just threw his hands in the air.

"I don't know Evan." Evan put on his goofiest smile.

"They... log on." Connor faceplanted himself while Evan fell over in hysterical laughter.

"Your poor children Hansen, having to grow up with horrible Dad jokes like that." He got up and went to walk off. Evan leapt at him and pulled him back onto the ground. Connor completely lost his balance and fell.

"DONT LEAF ME CONNOR" Connor just looked at Evan and burst out laughing.

"You're such a weirdo." Evan shrugged and started playing with his shoelace.

"Sorry..." Connor put his hand over Evan's.

"Hey i never said that was a bad thing." Evan smiled. Connor grinned widely.

"Race you!" Evan was taken aback.

"What? Where?" Connor just ran off.

"Follow me!" He shouted as he ran between the trees. Evan followed Connor for a while and stopped as Connor started to climb up a tree. But not just any tree. The 40 foot oak tree Evan only knew too well. Connor looked down.

"Well you coming or not?" Evan could feel his chest tightening. But he thought "fuck it" and started to climb up. He remembered where all the footholds were and shortly caught up with Connor.

"On your left." Evan said as he climbed past. Connor laughed.

"You little shit- wait! Did you just make a Captain America reference at me?" Evan looked down to Connor, which was a first to be honest with the height difference and all.

"Yeah you've watched it?" Connor just laughed.

"Please i live for Marvel movies i own them all on box set." Evan nodded.

"I don't own any, i just watch them when they come on tv."

"I am so taking you to my house Hansen and we are going to have a marathon I'm telling you." Evan nodded, trying not to focus on anything. He just kept climbing and climbing until- until he stopped. Connor quickly caught up.

"Hey you alright?" Evan looked down. This was the spot, the exact spot. But he just looked at Connor and smiled.

"Yeah fine, beat you to the top." Connor sniggered.

"Oh you are on my friend." Together they climbed further and further up until Evan's head popped out the top of the tree, Connor showing up shortly after. "Okay i have to say, you are good with trees." But Evan wasn't listening, he was gazing out over the park, at all the hundreds of trees over the horizon, the sun shining on his face, the blue sky above him.