Strawberries and Stolen Kisses (boy x boy) [COMPLETED]

14.

Sam was squished up beside Emily the whole way to back. They shared Emily's earphones and listening to The 1975 and Arctic Monkeys, Emily quickly fell asleep on Sam's shoulder. Sam couldn't sleep, staring out of the window and tried to make more sense of his complicated feelings.

Liam had tried to sit next to Sam but couldn't manage to reach him, Sam rushed to the coach so fast, dragging Emily along with him.

He couldn't help but cringe as Amber stole the seat next to him, the one Sam should've been in. He missed the warmth of Sam's head on his shoulder. He stared out of the window on his side of the coach, he had never felt so close, yet so far away from Sam.

.............................................................................

Sam spent the next week trying to get Emily alone. He had to talk to her.

He finally managed to get her by herself after school one day, wheeling her away from Yuna and her friends. Dragging her over to his house, he noted that his parents weren't home.

"Ems I need your help" Sam was desperate.

"Is this about Liam?" Emily could read Sam best, after Liam of course.

"Yeah.... ok let's just get this out." Sam cringed "Liam kissed me"

Emily's eyes were like two dinner plates "WHAT? Our Liam? But he is super straight"

"Apparently not." Sam glared answering through gritted teeth.

Emily backtracked, noticing she wasn't being helpful "Shit sorry Sam! Ok so what happened. Start from the beginning"

Sam sighed "We have been hanging out a lot and we were alone and we kissed" he wasn't being any more useful.

Emily rolled her eyes "I'm trying to ask you if you like him too, Sam. I mean he obviously likes you so do you return his feelings"

"No... I mean yes... I mean I don't know" he held his head "I'm so confused"

"Sam.." she took his hand gently "I was like you, you know. Take your own advice and don't be afraid. Don't lose something great."

Sam couldn't help but smile at her "I really like him, Ems" he let slip.

"I know, Sam. It's written in everything you do" Emily revealed "I just wasn't sure he returned it until... well you know"

"Wait how did you know?" Sam blanched "is it obvious?"

Emily rolled her eyes again "I have a pretty good gay-dar Sam, Liam was the only one so far I haven't been able to predict. You felt good when he kissed you right?"

"It was amazing" Sam whispered.

Emily smiled "there's your answer, Sam"

"Oh shit but I pushed him away! He was so upset I really hurt him! He probably hates me"

"Sam he definitely does not hate you!" Emily's words caused him to blush.

"Look" Emily took his face in her hands "just talk to him ok?"

"Fine. God I'm scared" Sam had never revealed his feelings before "don't tell anyone"

"Hey! Gays got to stick together now!" Emily giggled and Sam shooed her out of his house
in mock anger. He sighed, leaning against the closed door behind him.

"You ok, Sam?" Sam's eyes shot up as he saw his sister come down the stairs

"How much did you hear?" Sam was almost green

"Everything" Paige replied honestly "but Sam don't freak out ok... I've always known, ever since I saw you two look at each other when they first came round"

Sam had gone even greener "You don't hate me? Don't tell mum and dad, please!"

"Sam I would never hate you! But even if you weren't my brother I'm not homophobic! Who do you think I am! And no it's your thing to tell, not mine. Just know I love you"

Sam started to sob "I love you too, Paige"

"I wasn't there for you when we were younger like I should've. All mum and dad's energy was on me and you had to grow up too quickly. But I'm going to make it up to you, I will be the sister I should have been" Paige was crying too.

The siblings held each other as they smiled through their tears.

.............................................................................

Sam's heart felt lighter having told someone. He still couldn't sleep, trying to find the right words to apologise to Liam. He went for a walk,  creeping out of his house and rushed to get to the park, maybe the fresh air would help.

He lay down on the cool grass by a tree and closed his eyes, putting his headphones in.

Lying there he felt a hand on his shoulder. Sam jumped up, snapping his eyes open to see a familiar face.

Liam laughed at his expression "I love doing that"

Sam looked back to Liam's face, his eyes softened under his recent revelation and a soft blush decorated his cheeks.

"I saw you walking here and I wanted to explain what happened in the forest" Liam sat down.

"No Liam you don't have to—"

"I do, Sam. I need to tell you something that I've been meaning to tell you for so long. Back in my old school, I found out I was starting to like one of the guys on my football team more than I should have" He awkwardly scratched his neck "I should have been more careful but I was young. I told him and he told the whole school" Liam laughed with no humour in it "The best reaction was from my friends who simply pretended I didn't exist"

"The worst...?" Sam asked

Liam smiled ruefully "I was beat up a lot By the guys from the football team. It's why I didn't want to join the team here. I've got scars from when someone smashed a bottle on my back"

Sam gasped and wanted to reach out to the
broken boy "That same weekend, I couldn't hide the cuts anymore so I had to tell my mum what happened. My mum and Lily supported me but my dad turned into one of them"

Liam took a breath "We moved here when my mum found out  he was beating me and filed for a divorce. We haven't seen him since. I blame myself every day for breaking up my  family"

"It's not your fault" Sam whispered

"It doesn't stop you from telling yourself it is" Liam let a tear roll down his face "so now you know. I'm gay and a monster for ruining our friendship"

Sam almost shouted "Liam stop. None of that was your fault. None of it. Your father and those bullies were horrible people and they don't deserve you."

"I told myself I wouldn't do the same thing here, that I would lie low and find a girlfriend. But I couldn't lie anymore Sam, not to you" he looked at the other boy with pain in his eyes.

Sam held the other boy as he cried. Sam wasn't the only broken one, everyone hides some part of themselves from view. Sam whispered words of encouragement, that he and his friends would never abandon Liam, and that they were still friends. It wasn't the right time for him to tell Liam.

Tonight was for healing, love could wait.