The Journey

Chapter 8

There was a small fire going where they had decided to set camp up. Benjamin, Douglas, and Patrick all sat around the fire. Theo had already fallen asleep on the log, and they were all taking turns pulling his head away from the fire.

Sitting up and letting out an enormous yawn, Benjamin said, "Oh, I am so tired. I seriously need to go to sleep. You two talk all night, but I'll be out. I'm joining Theo. Anybody else sleepy?"

Both boys shook their heads, even though they both preceded it with a yawn. They were all evidently a bit afraid of leaving themselves unguarded and defenseless asleep, but either Benjamin was too tired to care, or well, there wasn't any other good reason.

Once Benjamin was out cold, Douglas turned to Patrick. "Hey Patrick, what's with you and John? I want to hear the truth this time. Nobody else is awake. What the heck is it?"

Patrick was obviously nervous, and leaned back and forth, hesitantly. "It's not your business Douglas."

Douglas pulled Patrick down when he tried to stand up. "What is it Patrick?"

Patrick headed off towards the cliff. "Why do you care Douglas?!"

Trying to keep up with him, Douglas cornered Patrick into a corner. "Oh my god Patrick, what the heck?"

Patrick, looking desperate, and out of options, was near tears. "Douglas, I'm gay. Kay? Me and John once had something, but it never worked out. There? That what you wanted? Got it. Bet you feel a hell'a lot better now. Douglas pulled Patrick back. "Wait, it's okay! There's no reason to be ashamed or anything-"

Suddenly Patrick turned around and pinned Douglas to a tree nearby them, and kissed him. Pulling back, red in the face, he said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

Douglas was confused. "Patrick, what are you doing?" Patrick stormed back into the camp. Placing a hand on the spot where Patrick had kissed him, Douglas smiled for a second. Then abolished the thought. No, he couldn't think like that.