🖤𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐞🖤

Chapter 4: The Woods

(Jaxson's P..O.V)
             Mom kicked us out and told us to go explore the new neighborhood. We found a really cool wooded area. There was a pond, an old-looking treehouse, a hammock, and tons of climbable trees.
            "Now if you'll excuse me..." Kody ran up to the hammock and tried to climb in. He fell off and yelled... because he landed on a rock. From the other side of the tree, we saw two silhouettes, one a few inches shorter than the other.
            "Kody?" I said quietly. He responded with a slightly groaned, not so quiet; "Yeah bro." I stayed quiet and just stared. The shadows stayed still too. Kody stood up rubbing his back.
            "Jax?" I heard someone say. The voice sounded familiar. Kinda sounded like Gray.
            "Who are you exactly?" I asked, still wondering if it was Gray or not. Kody finally decided to walk forward.
            "It's Carina and Gray.  Why are you guys here?" One of them said. It was In fact, Carina. They moved forward and waved.
            "Oh, hey, how long have you guys been here," Kody asked sheepishly.
            "Long enough to see and hear you fall out of Carina's hammock,"  Gray said laughing. Kody crossed his arms in embarrassment and stayed silent for a bit. Carina was a little farther away from Gray. She looked like she was talking to someone.
            "Quick question; Did Carina see?" Kody said a little less sheepishly than before. I smiled at him, I knew he liked her. It was obvious and hilarious.
            "No, I don't think so. She stayed a little behind to call someone. But why do you wanna know hmm?" Gray started teasing him about it. It was cute...Gray was cute. A hot red blush spread across my face when the thought came to my mind. Before Gray could spit out his next sentence, Kody headed over to Carina.

(Kody's P.O.V)
             I walked over to Carina, to see what she was doing, totally not anything else. Gray said she was on the phone, but it didn't look like it. She was pacing back and forth.
            "Heyya, are you still on the phone?" She looked confused and shook her head vigorously like a dog.
            "I was never on th- O-Oh, yeah, um, yeah, I am." I nodded skeptically and started messing with my fingers.
            "You okay?" Carina asked. I nodded silently and pointed behind me at Gray and my brother.
            "You wanna..." She nodded. She seemed frantic; it was weird. Maybe I could t- no I don't know her enough yet. She doesn't trust me yet. Carina started walking over to Gray and Jaxson, so I followed, but something seemed off. There was more edge in the air. It was colder next to Carina. It was definitely weird. I wanted to focus all my senses on what is here but that would mean that I'd have to stand completely still with my eyes closed. Not a very good look for a first impression. Arriving at the hammock, Gray and Jaxson were very awkwardly talking.
            "Oh, Hey Carina, is it ok if I show Kody and Jaxson our treehouse?" Practically begging, Gray smiled and waited for an answer.
            "Sure, just don't go in the chest in the corner. You already-"
            "I know, I know. Don't go in the chest, don't look through your notebook. You've told me like a million times." He said beaming. My questions only deepened by this forbidden chest. Running to either side of the tree Gray and Jaxson raced up the ladders to the top.
            "Kody! Kody, it's sweet up here! You and Carina coming up or what?" Jaxson shouted over the edge of the treehouse railing, almost falling over.
            "Nah You know I'm scared of heights. Plus I wanted to check out the lake down the way!" I shouted back. Since I was a kid, height terrified me. Carina didn't look up for it either.
            "Ok. Be back soon. Don't Die!" Jaxson shouted back before finally disappearing.
            "You wanna check out the lake? I'll take you. I know the way." Carina said looking at me happily. She smiled when I nodded. It was a tired smile, her smile made me smile. With that, we started off walking. I hope it isn't too far away.  It took about 5 minutes to get to the lake. The walk here was mostly filled with awkward small talk and a few get to know you games. But otherwise, it was pretty peaceful.

(Grays P.O.V)
Jaxson and I were sitting on two of the four small stools in the treehouse. He was talking about asshole teachers and old friends. I wasn't really paying attention, I was thinking about Kody, not in a crushy kinda way, but he seemed off, paranoid even. Might just be because he likes Carina, but I don't think so.
            "Do you?" Jaxson asked. I had no idea what he was talking about. Should I say yes? No? If I say I wasn't listening, he might think I don't like talking to him...But I do!
            "Gray? Did you hear me?" I looked at him and shook my head.
            "Oh, um, I was asking if you liked anybody? Not tryna be weird or anything, j-just curious." I smiled awkwardly. I wasn't really sure. I looked at him and my face went a little hot.
"Yeah..." He looked at me like a four year old that was given a piece of candy.
            "What's her name?" My slight blush faded away. I wasn't sure what to say. I mean- clearly he doesn't know I'm gay, and I don't think I wanna tell him yet-
            "Her name is Jaxs- Jackie, Jackie, yep, Jackie." He nodded slowly. We stayed silent for a bit. I looked around and saw Kody and Carina talking happily. Not gonna lie, I was a bit jealous, but I didn't really mind.

            "What about you." I asked. He blushed, looked out one of the windows, looked back, and shrugged. I smiled and gave him the sarcastic "Okay." look. He chuckled and we both looked down at his brother and Carina. They still looked really happy.
            "Wanna go down there with them?" I shrugged. They were kinda having their own little moment, and I didn't wanna interrupt it.
            "Nah, I think I have somewhere else we can go." Jaxson nodded and got up. I followed him and we kinda raced down the ladders again. I decided I was gonna show off. Halfway down, I tried to jump the rest of the way. (Not) Surprisingly, I fell on my ass and practically rolled backwards, hitting my head on a tree.
            "Owwww."