The Giving (BoyxBoy)

②

And everyday the boy would come
and he would gather [his] leaves
and make them into crowns
and play king of the forest.

Luke was eight.
Ashton was ten.
Luke came over sometimes and asked Ashton to help him with his math homework. Luke didn't really need help, but he really needed Ashton, so he pretended to be dumb so Ashton would talk to him.
Ashton wasn't very good at math, though, and he would get frustrated and cry, and Luke would be sorry he asked for help.
Luke spent lots of time trying to make sure Ashton didn't cry. He would draw him pictures and sing him songs and let him win everyeveryeverything until Ashton was giggling and smiling and spinning dizzy tales about how he would grow up and be great, and Luke would quietly think Ashton already was.