d r e a m b o y | t. russell

3: m o v i e

The two boys walked towards class, Raymond occasionally kicked some stones on the sidewalk while Ty continued chattering happily. The afternoon sun was nearly covered in fluffy, white clouds, and it rays were visible in bright streaks along the horizon. Ty gave a soft smile.

"What are you smiling for, moron?" Raymond looked in the direction Ty's eyes reached for. There was a peaceful silence.

"Thanks, Raymond." Ty said, still staring off into the sky. His head swiveled around to face Ty, shooting him a baffled expression.

"What for?" He asked bluntly, despite the countenance his face held.

"Well, you continued to visit me, brought me food, agreed to study with me. It was just very kind of you." He finally turned to face Raymond, he still held the smile.

"I guess." Raymond shrugged. Ty chuckled and nudged his elbow with his own.

"I'm serious. I really appreciate it." Raymond gave a smile at this, it was nearly invisible, but Ty saw how the corners of his mouth perked up ever-so-slightly. Raymond nudged Ty's elbow rougher in return.

"Whatever, dumbass." The smile grew and Ty could feel his heart squeeze. Raymond was smiling, genuinely smiling. Ty then smirked and nudged his elbow again. Raymond's eyes set onto his, his glowing, amber irises were glowing against the shadows cast over his face. He bumped him harder.

They continued to mess around until Raymond had accidentally bumped his arm too hard, causing Ty's arm to sting. Afterwards, they continued down the sidewalk to the school in a peaceful silence.

   The two boys entered through the double doors, shoulder to shoulder. Ty was laughing his usual heavenly melody as Raymond gave a smirk. Raymond wouldn't say it out loud, but he was kind of grateful, in a way, for Ty's accident, aside from the pain he endured of course. It had resulted in a new bond between them. The thing is, Ty felt the same way, and he didn't know what was going on with his body in real life, but at least he was enjoying his experience.

"Hey guys, look!" Pip was shaking Matthew's shoulder violently as she pointed in Raymond and Ty's direction, flashing a toothy grin.

     The five gathered at the back corner of the classroom, where Raymond's desk was. Harrison and Matthew were arm wrestling on the desk while Pip and Ty only laughed. The arm wrestling match was getting intense, Matthew was about to touch Harrison's hand to the desk, when the classroom door slammed open. The whole class went dead silent.

     Class went on normally, and before he knew it, the day was over, and Ty would have to go take the test after school. Harrison waved as Ty departed from the group, his bag was slung over his left shoulder as he silently made his way down the deserted hallway. 'Let's get this done and over with.' Ty sighed as he slumped down into his seat.

•••

     It wasn't yet dinner time when Ty finally arrived at the dorm building. He climbed the stairs, not a word spoken to anyone, then arrived at his room. There he stood, in the isolation of his room, in the heavy silence begging to be broken. He set his bag down with a thud and trudged over to the mirror in his bathroom. He looked exhausted, purple seeped from under his eyes and the grey of his irises looked more.... dead. Almost like the decaying complexion of a zombie.

'What is happening to me?'

He unbuttoned his shirt.

'Am I hurt in reality?'

He stared as the white cloth slipped from his shoulders.

'Am I hospitalized?'

He stood, his eyes fixed on his scarred shoulder.