What Happened in Winter [boyxboy]

Chapter Nineteen

Craft POV

Something weird was going on and Craft didn't like it. He felt like his poorly-sewn sanity was about to be stretched too thin, the threads finally coming undone.

Greyson was acting out of character. Yes, he still slept in class. Yes, he was still as aloof as always. But his eyes had changed. They looked more connected with reality, like he wasn't trying to hide behind a mask. His smiles were more genuine and his laughs were authentic.

And for some reason that made Craft uneasy. Since Jayson wasn't here to help Greyson, it had become Craft's responsibility to take care of Grey. He had agreed to Kyle helping Greyson because he figured it wouldn't last long and Kyle would forget about him. But that didn't seem to be the case.

Was it that punk who was making Greyson this happy?

The thought sparked anger inside Craft. 'What right do you have to be upset?' he thought to himself. 'You haven't been able to do anything for him this entire time.'

He rolled over in his spacious bed to face the large window in his room. He didn't remember getting home. He didn't remember most of the day, in fact. Except for Kyle disregarding Greyson completely in class. And the cigarette he smoked with River during lunch. He could still feel the memory of the smoke on his face and the lack of personal boundaries River had when lighting his own cigarette. Didn't he have a lighter? Yeah, he probably did, but he lit it with Craft's cig anyway.

Why?

Craft sighed and hit his forehead with the heel of his palm. 'Stop falling or you won't be able to pick yourself back up when you hit the ground again,' he chastised himself. But a part of him enjoyed this free fall.

River POV

Don hit him again when River got home from school. Which was expected; the weekend had been all too calm. Still, it fucking sucked to be punched in the gut until you puke and you're the one who has to clean it up.

River went to his room and locked the door, falling on his bed. Even though he got hit today, nothing could ruin his mood. None of his teachers assigned any homework, he had no upcoming tests, and he didn't have to work. Also seeing Craft so bent-out-of-shape today was a plus. There was something about the glint in his eye that made River excited.

River's phone suddenly vibrated and his heart sped up a bit, thinking it might be Craft. He immediately frowned when he saw it was Kyle, but he answered anyway.

"What's up?" River said, holding the phone to his ear.

"Heyyy maaannn..." Kyle said and River could practically see his awkward expression. This was going to be a grueling conversation.

"Just tell me why you called or I'm going to hang up."

"Have you talked to Greyson? He hasn't texted me or called me since this morning. I'm kinda worried," Kyle said in a rush.

"Kinda worried?" River prodded.

"Whatever, man. I'm worried in general."

"All teasing aside, I think you should let him cool down for awhile. He's stressed," River said.

In the most naive and child-like voice River had ever heard, Kyle said softly, "W-wait. What?" River's stomach suddenly clenched at how hurt Kyle sounded.

Flustered, River said, "I-I'm not saying to completely stop talking to him! What I'm saying is to not jump the gun. He's not exactly the most stable, but you've been helping him a lot. Let him take the lead right now."