Alleyway BxB

I (Home)

MONDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER
NATHAN COVINGTON

"What did I tell you about coming home?"

Any expression of anger looked unnatural on the soft features of his face, and the little gift-wrapped box with a bow in his arms did nothing to help his puppy dog glare. "Oh, please," Matthew rolled his eyes as he plopped his bag down, along with the box. "He looks about dead on the couch downstairs. I'm here for you. This is your special week and there's nothing you can do to stop me." Almost on top of me, he jumped straight into my bed. "A sleep-over sounds exciting. I've missed you a lot." I moved further toward the wall to make room as he squirmed to get under my covers. My bed made for one was not ready to accommodate the both of us... but I didn't mind. It had been about a week since I last saw him.

I wished we were closer.

It wasn't our fault.

Matthew snorted. "I forgot how funny it was to sleep in your room. There's nothing creepier than having that poster of Marcello watching my every move." He rolled over in my direction, his back now towards the door. "How do you get changed in here?"

I felt the warmth flood to my cheeks, and I could only hope that the darkness concealed it despite my pale complexion. "It isn't that weird... is it?"

Matthew furrowed a brow. "It wasn't... but now I'm the same age as him in that photo. You need to update your stock, Nate." He closed his eyes, let out a deep breath, and it beckoned me to do the same. "Marcello's cool to have a crush on. You know what else would be cool though...?"

Breathe in...

I knew what was coming and I did not want to hear it.

He continued, "... I'd hate to rush you, Nate... Take your time. I get it, but-"

"I'll do it soon." I cut him off.

"And that's what you say every time."

"This time, I mean it."

With a lot of hesitation, he nodded. "It is from one of those girl magazines... I think it's cute. Can't say what your macho football friends will think about it, though." Then, his eyes snapped to me, looked me dead in the eyes. "Have you told them or is Ryder still the only one that knows?"

I bit my tongue. The time was never right nor could I ever find the right words. But I had promised to do it so long ago.

The absence of Matthew brought me back to my room, and he had replaced the blanket to its original state. "It's fine. I know how hard it is..." Shaking his head, it must have been hard to hide his disappointment. Opening his mouth to push a few more words out, he sighed. Raising his hands, he signed it instead.

'We both know what happened to me when I did it.'

The same response from his last few attempts to push me. "I'll be in the bathroom. Give me five minutes."

I grimaced at the memory, didn't even want to think about what he had to go through in the past year.

"Don't worry, Nathan," I muttered to myself.

On Thursday, you can leave the house for good.

No need to worry about him anymore after that—except Matthew. He only recently turned seventeen... and was still under his custody by law.

~~~

MARCELLA LOCKHEART

I couldn't help but stare at the way he suddenly shook his head; through the slight blur and delay of the mediocre resolution but decent connection, the bounce of his dark golden waves and tired smirk was enough to fill me with joy. "Isah — go to sleep... for the last time-"