第十话

“How did we get here? Where are we even supposed to go tonight?”“Honey, it's just a silly dream. You'll forget all about it soon enough,” she stated firmly. “Besides, it's your birthday! I can't miss that. Besides, it's already dark outside.

.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly while looking up at him expectantly with her bright blue eyes. He knew that look very well; it was the same look on her face when she wanted something from him, no matter how impossible of an idea it was. He didn't have any other choice but to comply.

It was her way or the highway. And the highway was always faster anyway. “So what do you want me to do?” he asked as he watched her turn away to dig through their belongings. They both had been running around like headless chickens all day trying to find the perfect gift for each other

, and hadn't managed to finish anything by the time they left home. She held up a pair of sunglasses in triumph and then gave him one, too. “Thanks. But where is this place we're going?”“You'll see. Just put them on. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you.

”“Okay… But if someone tries to hurt us or something, promise me you'll leave first? That's the only way you can be sure I'll stay safe and sound,” he said, feeling a little more secure knowing she would be watching over him instead of worrying about him. She nodded confidently, smiling widely.

“I'm counting on you!”“Good. Now let's go. This place isn't getting any closer.”He slipped on his shades and felt slightly better, although he had no real clue how they could end up somewhere this far away. “Alright. Let's go.”

They left their luggage in the hallway and then started down the stairwell towards the front door. There were lots of noises coming from the street below that he couldn't quite distinguish, and he felt his nerves rising every second. He looked back nervously to make sure that nothing suspicious was following him. “I wish I could've gotten a car.”“Don't worry, honey. We'll find one.”“I hope so.”“We will.”“I know we will.”“I love you,” he said suddenly, surprising himself. He wasn't usually one to express his feelings openly

. After the incident that happened the week before when his mom found out about the secret boyfriend, they never spoke much anymore, and their relationship hadn't really progressed since. He hadn't even seen his mother in years after he graduated high school, so he was always afraid to lose his relationship with her. He'

d thought he'd hidden it pretty well until now. But now, he found that he actually meant everything he'd said. “Promise me you'll take care of yourself while I'm gone.”“Of course.”She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips.

He wrapped his arms tightly around her, holding her close so she wouldn't slip away, and smiled into the kiss. It felt so natural – and right, somehow. He loved her and that made everything else just fade away, leaving them alone together. No distractions or expectations of anything else.

They would spend the night together, sleep in each others' arms, talk softly, and watch TV together after their morning coffee. He was certain they'd end up happy, eventually. And that was exactly what he wanted. She was his best friend and he'd never regretted having her in his life

But sometimes, he wished he had more freedom, and sometimes he wished that she was a different girl, a nicer person. He wished she was someone else. Someone who wasn't scared of being gay because she thought it would give her a chance with him.

Someone without a past. Or someone who didn't have the scars on her body.Someone who wasn't afraid of people staring at her – or rather not noticing her.Someone who wasn't constantly terrified that someday someone might call her a slut. She might not believe that someone could mean it. Not in those exact words at least.