Billboards and Benches

Chapter 6

She stands at the door of the bedroom she gave to the homeless man. She kicked her mom out this morning and her parents promised to give her space. They told her they'd come back at Christmas and see how she's doing. They're giving her a week of recuperation before they come back to bother her again. "Good morning." She smiles setting a coffee cup on his nightstand. She sits next to him on the bed and he looks over at her. With a gentile smile he just mutters his simple words. She doesn't pay much attention to them she's entranced by the way he so effortlessly sits up on the bed.

"I-I'm really grateful for you Dylan but I can't stay here." He mumbles nervously. She hugs him gently and they both freeze. She meant only to try and offer him some comfort but instead they're both frozen in a hug that they won't be able to pull themselves out of. They lean their heads on the others shoulder and sit for only a moment they don't want much they just like the company. He plans to leave soon anyways so he'll stay and he'll familiarize himself with her scent. He won't ever find it again once he's gone. He'll never find anyone like her. He'll never find anyone as amazing as her ever again. He almost regrets wanting to leave but he can't keep taking things from her that he knows he'll never be able to give back. He wishes he could offer her just a shred of the comfort she's given to him but he knows he can't. He never went to school he barely knows what money looks like he's never going to be able to offer her anything as thanks for what she's given him.

"You can and you will. I have some clothes for you in the closet. We can go buy you some new ones if you want?" She gives a smile but he looks terrified. In his moment of shock he gains the strength to pull away from her though it's difficult he manages.

"No, no! I don't need anything from you. You've given me more than anyone else ever has. I really shouldn't stay here. I'm endlessly grateful but I have to go." He sighs looking next to the bed. She has three shoe boxes sitting next to his bed along with five or six cases of socks. He looks back at her and sighs. "You are the nicest person I've ever met. Thank you." He nods walking past all of it. She looks confused and watches him walk out of the room and down the stairs. She follows him and watches as he struggles but eventually finds the kitchen and starts cooking for her. He looks at her grocery list and meal prep which she has written on the counter to decide what she wants. He hasn't cooked in years and yet still he's managed to find a cutting board and a knife to use to dice his fruits. She watches him closely while he puts all of the fruit together in a bowl. He managed to pick all of her favourites without even knowing it. She stares at the fruit salad he plates while he heads to each fridge she has to try and find other things. She can't understand why he's doing anything until he looks over at her. His eyes are gentile and he gives her a smile. "I thought I could make you breakfast." He lets his cheeks flush pink while he turns on the blender. She smiles as well walking towards him. She slides in front of him to man to blender while he works on so much more. She can barely understand what he's doing she's too focused on his smile. She can't help but stare at the wrinkles in his forehead while he stares down at the stove and the pan on top of it. She can't help but notice the way the seams of his shirt push open when his arms flex. She can't ignore the tense muscles in his back. She wants to relieve them but she doesn't know how she doesn't know what to do to relieve him from whatever trouble he's carrying.

"Come sit with me and we will eat together. This is beautiful." She smiles while he plates everything else he's made. She grabs them forks and sits him down next to her at the counter. "Do you really not want to stay?" She mumble to him popping a grape into her mouth. She rests her head on her knees and sighs. He doesn't like seeing her look so upset, worse because he's the cause. He doesn't want to be the reason her feelings are so hurt. He wants to stay with her to keep her smiling but he can't. He doesn't think he deserves it and he hates being here. He wants her to understand that he can't stay here without being able to give her a single thing.

"I-I just can't." He looks down and she sighs looking over at him. He looks so uncomfortable and nervous. She just wants to see him laugh or smile or anything that might convince him to stay.

"I didn't wanna have to do this." She teases and he looks terrified. "But we're friends now so I'm gonna force you to stay!" She smiles. He laughs quietly and looks her up and down.

"Your sweatpants cost more money than I've ever seen in my life." He sighs holding her hand softly. "I don't want to inconvenience you. I don't want to be the reason you stop doing things or don't talk to people anymore. I'm not going to be a dirty secret because you don't want to tell anyone that you found me on the side of the road." He sighs. She watches his movement. He hasn't even attempted to eat any of the food on the table no matter what she wants him to do. He just wants her to understand that he feels out of place.

"I'll help you get a job. I'll teach you how to work and I'll let you stay here." She stands to move her chair closer to his. She smiles when he pulls it to aide her in her time of need. "I want to help you because I needed this once and I didn't get it. I'm going to do everything I can to help you." She smiles and he looks at her hand. "I'm here for you whatever you need."

...

"Shawn?" She pushes the door open gently. Looking in at the sweet homeless boy laying on the carpet in the middle of his room. "What are you doing?" She chuckles laying next to him. He pulls her in for a hug though he hates it and he's walking on eggshells around her he is going to pretend he's okay with it for her sake.

"There's so much space! I'm not used to having this much space." He looks over at her. "I can lay on the ground and there's still space. This room is huge I can't stay here!" He whines and she rolls her eyes standing and grabbing his hand.

"Come here." She smiles walking him down the hallway. "This is my room. It was supposed to be mine and my boyfriends room." She shows him the space and his jaw drops. "He never comes home anymore so it's all mine." She sighs. "You can stay here with me if you'd like." She jumps onto her bed. "I won't even be near you, I've never had anyone else in this bed with me anyways so you won't have to worry about it." She sighs looking up at her ceiling.

"This bed is bigger than, than anything I've ever seen." He smiles laying next to her. She moves slowly towards him. She wants so many things from him and he wants so much from her as well.

"It's almost Christmas. I can get you one if you want." She smiles continuing to inch forward. She stares at his lips moving forwards slowly trying her best not to scare him.

"What are you doing?" He whispers when her hand fall against his waist.

"Don't fight me." She mumbles continuing to move herself slowly towards him. "I want to help you calm down. You need to calm down a little."

"Dylan you're getting really close to me." His breathing picks up and she smiles letting their noses touch. "Dylan what are you doing?" He begs shutting his eyes gently.

"Close your eyes and calm down." She smiles pressing her lips against his.

"Your hand is in my pants." He gasps pulling out of the kiss slowly.

"And you put yours in mine."