Hugh-Mann Creek

10: I've Changed My Mind

Awsten and I walked around town until we stopped at the arcade with some food. He immediately spotted Frank at the counter.

"Oh, there's Frank. You really think he'll like this?" He asked. I shrugged.

"Hopefully..." He sighed and made his way to the counter with me close behind.

"Frank, hi," Awsten greeted, Frank just looked annoyed.

"Whatta ya want?"

"I bought you lunch!" He slid him the bag, "I feel really bad about the fireworks and everything." Frank looked through the bag and sighed. He took out the sandwich, and gazed back at Awsten.

"I'm vegetarian. I can't eat this." Awsten looked to his shoes, now sad.

"Oh, I didn't know..." Frank sighed.

"But I like your effort, and French fries." He said, pulling out the box of fries.

"So, are we cool?"

"Yeah, we're cool." Awsten smiled out of relief.

"Cool..." Then, I turned to see Mikey coming into the arcade. All I wanted to do was run into his arms, but, my nervous insides said no.

It's okay... I can see him... Awsten will protect me... oh god I can't do this! What if Gerard finds out!? What if he hurts Awsten!? I can't let that happen! Mikey, I'm so sorry...

"Uhm, where's the bathroom?" I asked, Frank pointed, and I was out of there. Once I was in the bathroom, I just stood there with shaking hands. Awsten's still out there... I don't want him to get hurt...

Quietly, I stepped out of the bathroom. A wall stood just outside, separating the bathrooms from the arcade. Cautiously, I popped my head out the side and gazed at the boys from afar. They all spoke to each other with smiles and laughter.

My eyes were caught on the elf boy. He held a sweet smile as my insides yearned to be with him. But I resisted. If I even say a simple hello, what could happen to me? To Awsten?

Then, the elf boy spotted me and came this way. My eyes went wide and I hid behind the wall. He just stood on the other side. Oh no...

"Hey sunshine, Awsten said you were over here."

"Yeah, hey..." I spoke nervously.

"Can I see you?" See me!? No!

"Uhm, no, no..."

"Why not?"

"I uhm... well... I just, I can't..."

"Mkay, uh, I was wondering if you wanted to go out tonight? There's this spot in the forest I wanna show you. It's beautiful there..." Oh I want to so bad... no... I can't...

"That sounds amazing, but I uhm, I can't."

"Is there any reason why?"

"Awsten and I are doing something tonight... sorry..."

"Oh, uhm, I guess we could go out another time..." I could practically see the sadness in his eyes from his tone. Oh Mikey... this hurts...

"Mikey, I'd love to, I really would, but I just, can't..."

"I understand, can I please see you?" I wanna see you too...

"No, I'm sorry..."

"Alright, I gotta get back to the gas station. I'll talk to ya later."

He sounds so sad... so heart broken... I just wanna hug him... tell him he's adorable... kiss his hands like he does for me... no... I can't...