An Artist Colors

Chapter 2

"Anyways... What are you doing?" Collin asks as if everything is normal between them. He smiles at him and smirks at Matthew's reaction. What the... how can he act so normal after telling me something like that?

"I...Collin... are you..."Matthew asks hesitating to even finish the question. Is he? No, he can't be, right? Or can he? There is no way... right?

"Am I what?" Collin asks getting closer to Matthew. Heat rises to Matthews checks feeling uncomfortable having Collin this close.

"Umm... nevermind. Umm... I'm just composing an original piece of music." Just pretend that didn't happen and you'll be fine. Just breathe in and breathe out.

"Really?" Collin asks with a hint of curiosity in his voice, "What's the name of the piece?"

"It's called 'It's going to be okay'," Matthew answers quickly hoping he will be uninterested and leave but if anything he seemed more and more drawn into knowing more.

"What is it about?" Collin asks getting close enough that their legs are touching each other. The touch has Matthew throat in a knot, feeling nervous and a bit speechless but tries to continue.

"Umm... It's a song that is supposed to make you feel better when you are down. It starts out sad, to a point where you can hear all the pain the person is going through but as the song goes on it gets happier and happier. The point is to show that no matter how much pain you go through, you can still get back up and be happy." Matthew then looks at Collin to see what he thinks and sees that Collin is smiling which sends him comfort that his idea is not that bad.

"That sounds beautiful Matthew. Do you think I can hear you play the song once you're done?" Matthew thinks about for a bit but nods.

"Yes. I'll let you know when I'm done so that I can play it for you and Charlie." Matthew smiles, finally someone who understands that he doesn't like to perform until it's done.
The bell rings, finally school was out and not only that but Collin and Matthew could finally go visit Charlie. As Matthew was heading out, as he was about to open the door of his truck, he feels someone pull him back causing him to fall on his butt in the middle of the parking lot. Matthew looks up to see who pull him down and not to his surprise it was Joshua.

"Matthew you better back off of Collin do you understand. I don't want anyone like you to rub off on him. People are starting to get the wrong idea about Collin and I don't want anyone to think less of him just because someone like you is around him."

Matthew was confused, what does he mean people like me? Joshua still standing above him waits for Matthew to respond but Matthew doesn't say anything. Joshua gets frustrated and grabs Matthew's shirt, pulls him up and pushes him against Matthew's truck a few inches above Joshua's height, which scared him since Joshua was 6ft 7inches. How in the world can he carry me without showing a sign of struggle?

"Do you understand what I am trying to say fag?" Joshua says holding Matthew even tighter. Matthew feels his chest tighten at the name and doesn't even know what to say.

"Did... Did you just call me a... fag? Matthew asks terrified that Joshua will beat him senseless not caring what other people think.

"Yes, I did because that's what you are you fag. You better back off of Collin or you are going to find yourself with a black eye and a few missing teeth. Do you understand me?" Matthew nods, he would have stood up for himself but he knew he was no match. He hated that he was weak but he knew he had to say he would or he would never leave him alone.

"Good you better, if I find you anywhere near him again then it will be ten times worse than you can imagine." With that Joshua slowly sets Matthew down back on his feet, but when he was putting him down, Joshua accidentally touches Matthew chest for a very long time. Matthew wanted to tell him to let him go but he was too afraid that Joshua would hit him for trying to tell him what to do. Joshua looks lost in thought, just looking into Matthew's green eyes. After a while Matthew looks away, not being able to look at him in the eyes anymore and Joshua snaps out of the trance.