Lord of the Flies: Learning How to Love [UNFINISHED]

He Answered; But at What Cost?

if you want to imagine the song in your head (i'm referring to the last scene change in this chapter) it's almost exactly identical to steven universe's escapism.

"Ralph?"

He repeated his name quietly, frantically. Ralph's face was whiter than a fluorescent light. Their hands were still on each others. The boy with fair hair kept starting a sentence, but only ended up stuttering and shaking. He eventually made a muffled sentence that consisted of the word "no." Jack didn't know what to say. The pianist played. They stared at each other, baffled, in confusion.

Ralph felt his eyes go heavy, a sudden function in his body. Soon his face consisted of both tears and band-aids that began to peel off from the moisture. The one stuck to his chin peeled completely off to reveal a scar. Jack immediately recognized it. He removed his hand from its light grip on top of Ralph's hand and touched his cheek, rubbing at the tears that came from his astonishing eyes.

"Jack?"

Jack Merridew could feel Ralph's face move as his hand was still placed on him. He replied instantly without thinking at all.

"Hi."

"No! No! No—!"

Ralph still whispered harshly; now understood from therapy that he shouldn't have been near Jack. He bounced back and hit his wrist on the front of the pew.

"Dammit! Jack, no—! You can't be here! Ow—! Go!"

The pew shook a little as Ralph got up quickly, quietly, gripping his wrist. He shielded his face from everyone as he walked towards the main entrance. Jack sat, shifted, still holding up his shaking hand. It still held some of Ralph's tears. He wiped them on his khakis and threw his head against the barrier of the pew. Now was an exceptional time to cry.

Maybe he'd wake up after that. Everything felt so, so unreal.

　 -

Maurice had finished praying but still held on to Roger's hand as he concluded his prayer. It was surprising to both boys that this common gesture of affection was comfortable. Only in that time and place, though. Roger finished his rather long prayer and let go of Maurice's hand. He wished he didn't, but there were better things to dwell over.

"Are you okay?" Maurice asked Roger, who was brushing himself off.

"Are you? Sweaty-ass hands."

Maurice blushed slightly and ignored the comment, making a flirtatious statement.

"I prayed for you."

"What?! Why?"

Roger had no doubt in his mind he knew why, as he had done the same.

"So you stop being a huge twerp."

"Don't think God can help that."

The piano ended for a split second; and Maurice and Roger found themselves looking at each other in difficulty. Could this be the perfect time to share some dubious feelings? It wouldn't hurt to try. Maurice pushed himself closer to Roger.

"Can I say something dumb?"

"Shoot."

Maurice began to layout a speech. No, that was too much. Now there was the need to find a distraction or Roger wouldn't shut up about the unfinished statement. The brown-haired boy looked over towards where he knew Ralph was sitting. Instead, Jack was there. Ralph was nowhere to be seen.