Cities Made of Starlight [BoyxBoy]

Three

Collin

That was a mistake.

Collin sits at his mother's grave, deep in thought. Calvin had left that morning for school and begged Collin to go with him, but the voice in the back of Collin's head had stopped him.

He's just like everyone else. Don't trust him. He's just going to hurt you the first chance you give him.

Collin shivers in the morning breeze. Part of him wishes he had accepted Calvin's sweater when he left.

He'll get your hopes up and then break your heart, idiot. Don't let him get close to you. You know how that always ends.

He stares at his mother's name, hoping for some sign.

What do I do, Mom?

As usual, the marble marker stays silent. He didn't know what he'd been hoping for, it was just a rock.

Don't be stupid, Collin. She's not coming back. You're alone.

~~~~~~~~~~

Collin shivers. The salvaged mirror in the corner is cracked, but it works fine for Collin. He hates his reflection anyway. He turns away from his sunken, tear-stained cheeks to inspect his bruises in the fading light. The worst ones are across his ribs, almost as dark as his hair against his pale skin. Lightly, he brushes his fingers over them and winces. There are more, he knows, but they're not as bad. They'll heal in a month or so. These might take two or three.

A tap on the wood makes him jump and he hurriedly slips his shirt back on to cover the bruises. He throws a tarp back over the mirror and crouches in a dark corner. His ribs protest painfully but he pays them no mind. He can feel his hands trembling and stuffs them into his pockets.

"Collin?" Worry hangs at the edge of Calvin's voice.

He's here? Why?

"Collin, you there?"

No. Don't let him in. Don't let him see you.

"Collin?" Calvin's voice breaks and worry spills through. Something pulls on Collin's heart and he feels a fresh wave of tears threaten to fall.

"Please be okay. I'll leave if you want me to, but please be okay." There's a sound of something settling in the grass, and then Collin hears footsteps recede into the night. He listens until they fully fade, and then creeps to the door. Looking out, he sees a Tupperware sitting in the grass. On top of it is a small stack of papers. Collin slides them under the door and sits on the bed. The papers are homework, he sets them aside. On top of the Tupperware is a post-it.

'Mom made chicken noodle for dinner. We had extra. Figured I'd pick up your homework too. Stay safe, Collin. - Calvin'

Taking a closer look at the Tupperware, Collin realizes that it's still hot. He holds it to his face for a moment before cracking open the lid. The smell makes his mouth water and he cautiously sips the hot broth. He smiles.

Calvin Marner

~~~~~~~~~~

Calvin stops by for the next couple of days, each time leaving a different container of food and a new homework assignment, and a plea to come back to school. Collin sets the homework in a pile in the corner and lays down.

I'll eat tomorrow. But he knows he won't.

Then he falls asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~

The tall grass feels nice beneath him. Collin lays on his back in a clearing near the edge of the woods. The breeze rustles the leaves above him. It's quiet. Peaceful.