-Luke-

Finally alone with Troy. My parents were seeing their friends, so we decided to spend the rest of the evening at our house. When I tried to open the front door, Bella was already jumping against it, barking and whining in excitement.

"Someone's happy," Troy chuckled.

"She doesn't like to be left alone," I explained. "Bella, move..."

She didn't give us any room to come in. The second the door opened, she was at our feet, rubbing her head on our knees. She even tried to jump against Troy, but I stopped her from doing that.

"Where's your manners, young lady?" I asked, gently grabbing her by her cheeks. She wagged her tail so furiously her whole body was swaying. "Right, I forgot, you don't have any manners... No, you don't... No, you don't..."

I felt a pair of hands on my stomach when Troy suddenly hugged me from behind. I turned to look at him over my shoulder, and he gave me a smile.

"Hi," he smirked.

"Hi," I said, feeling a bit confused, but happy.

"Don't mind me," he said. "Carry on."

I let go of Bella, turned around, and placed my hands on his cheeks. "Where are your manners, young man?"

Troy started to laugh, and the sound and sight of it warmed every part of me. Then, he wrapped his arms around my back, and got up on his toes to press his lips on mine. As sad as I was for not being able to hear his laugh anymore, I wasn't complaining. I was always too scared to initiate the kiss, because I feared he would turn away. This was a good sign.

"We should take this inside," he purred in my ear, pushing his hands inside my shirt in a very seductive manner.

I grabbed him by his arms and pushed him a step away from me. Spiders. Spiders. Not the ones we had here, no, the ones they had in Australia.

"What?" Troy chuckled.

"Manners," I muttered.

His laugh faded slowly, and he tilted his head a little. "I didn't mean to turn you on," he said, but I didn't detect even a hint of apology in his voice.

"You're doing that on purpose," I grunted, and turned to walk inside.

"Well, for the record, it's not that hard," he said, and started laughing. "Not that hard..." he whispered, and laughed harder.

I laughed as well and shut the door once we all were inside. "I'm a teenager. I can't help it. That thing has a will of its own..."

"Don't worry, I take it as a compliment," Troy spoke and stepped in front of me. "But, I promise not to provoke any salutes," he said with a wink.

"You are horrible, you know that?" I chuckled.

"Like you don't love it," he replied, turned around, and started climbing upstairs.

I shook my head in amusement and followed him and Bella, who seemed just as excited as I was to have Troy as our guest. He seemed to be warming up to me really fast now, and I wondered what had made him lose his doubts. Or was he just acting like he didn't have any concerns about me anymore? That was more likely.

Troy stepped into my room and left his bag by the door. I watched him take his jacket off, and I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but it seemed like he was doing that in a teasing manner. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked away. Just to keep things innocent. I was a horrible human being for having such impure reactions to basically everything he did.

"Dude?"

I carefully looked at him from the corner of my eye. "Hmm?"

"I did something wrong," he said quietly, apparently picking up my mood.

"No."

"Talk to me," he said, and stepped in front of me. "You have that look."

"What look?"

"Like you're in pain," he said softly, touching my cheek.

I didn't want to talk about it, but I had the feeling he wouldn't let it go. "I just... wish I was a better person..."

"Honestly, I don't think it's possible," he said and forced me to look directly at him. "You are such a great guy, so it would be hard for you to be even better."

"I'm nothing like that," I muttered, pushing his hand away.

"Yeah, because you're kicking children, pushing old ladies in front of cars and sacrificing cats to Satan," Troy spoke, and grabbed me by my cheeks. "Listen to yourself."

I stared at him for a moment, and my head kind of clicked out of those dark thoughts. "Well, if you put it like that..."

"Dude, I watched you when Sky was telling you about manuls. I saw you baby talking to Bella. You have a good heart, and I wish you could see that," he spoke quietly.

Now I had ruined the mood. I was too embarrassed to say anything. I always ruined everything.

"I think you need rest," he said, took my hand, and pulled me to my bed.

"I'm not tired," I said, but he started taking my jacket off.

"You're always tired," he replied.

"I'm not now," I said, and stopped him from climbing onto my bed. "Let's play something."

"Tempting," he said. "But first I want you to smile for me," he added, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Smile? I don't smile," I said, resting my hands on his sides.

"Really?" he smirked. "I could've sworn you do that occasionally."

"Emphasizing occasionally," I said.

"Aren't I a good enough reason?" he purred.

I couldn't hold back the smile any longer. That was why I loved him so much. He could wipe away my dark thoughts with only a few words. Everything about him was absolutely amazing, but the way he made me feel better about myself was extraordinary.

"Okay, can we now play?" I asked.

"Yes," he said with a smile.

*****

The next morning, I woke up with more energy than usual. Troy and I had played games for a couple of hours last night, and spent the remaining time making out. I still felt bad for not being able to contain my urges too well, but Troy seemed to find it flattering. I'd been sad when it was his time to leave, but I got a couple of more minutes with him when I drove him home.

My first period of the day was empty, but I still got up to catch the first bus. It was better to study at school anyway, with the good library at my disposal.

I did my morning stuff, ate a big breakfast my parents had prepared for me, before taking Bella for a walk. Dad... Gwen promised to take Bella with her when she left to help a friend fix their boat, so we didn't need to go for a long walk.

I shook my head without even noticing, waiting for Bella while she was doing her business. This thing with dad... with Gwen... Having one parent suddenly coming out as transgender... I was five back when she came out for the first time, but since our families were so negative about it, we moved all across the globe to start anew. We decided to move here mainly because it meant better job opportunities for both of my parents. It took years before Gwen finally started being herself, and carefully started showing her true identity. She was met with negativity here as well, but it was different when it came from strangers. Easier to accept, I guess.

Lately, I had started to think that maybe I should call her mom, since it felt just weird to keep calling her dad. Ma was maybe better if they wanted to have separate terms. Gwen was way too concerned about making me feel uncomfortable around her, that it was making me feel uncomfortable. I guess she believed she was at least one of the reasons for my problems, but that wasn't true. The only thing about the whole situation that made me confused was the term, dad. The one she insisted me to use, so I wouldn't get confused.

"Ma," I spoke out loud, and liked the sound of it. "No, I, hmmmh..." I sighed, when Bella thought I was talking to her, and started jumping on her hind legs.

Soon we returned home, and I saw Gwen reading a paper in the living room.

"Ma," I said as a test, but she didn't move a muscle. "Ma?"

She just glanced at me shortly before turning her attention back to her paper. Then she seemed to realize I was calling for her. "W-What?" she flinched and lowered her paper.

"The only thing that confuses me is calling you dad, so that stops now," I said. "Also, is it all right if Troy and the squirts come over after school?"

She just stared at me for a moment before she got her voice back. "O-Of course! Will they be staying for dinner?"

"I'll ask. I'll give Bella food, so you don't have to," I said, walking into the kitchen.

I heard footsteps following me, and I turned to see Gwen by the door. "So... Ma?" she spoke carefully.

"It has a nice ring to it," I said, filling up Bella's bowl.

"Yeah," she said with a smile, and nodded. "I think so too."

*****

The short moments I had with Troy in the morning and during the breaks weren't even nearly enough. I had only a couple of classes that day, and one practice alone with our coach – he wasn't happy I had missed three weeks' worth of practices – so I spent most of my time studying in the library.

The practice went well, I guess, since my knee had loved the three weeks of sitting around. It was in much better shape now, and I wished it would survive until the end of the annual game. I hated myself for quitting football, but I didn't have the time for practices with all the exams coming up. I felt like I was a failure for giving up, but rationally thinking, I just didn't have the time. I would never become a pro at football, so I might as well give up now, since I needed to focus on more important things.

"Hey, Luke."

I looked up from my book and saw Lisa walking to me, tousling her hair like she was in a shampoo commercial. She had a lot of makeup on, and was wearing an outfit that was probably against school rules, or at least damn near it. She was showing so much cleavage and thighs.

"Lisa," I grunted and turned my attention back to my book.

"Aww, don't be like that!" she chirped, sitting next to me. "I thought you'd be happy to see me!"

"Why?" I asked, marking down a page I needed to check out later.

She was silent for a moment before she leaned closer to me. "Watcha doing?"

"Trying to pass high school."

"But that's so boring to study all the time! You should hang out with me!"

"Could you be any more obvious?" I asked, turning to face her. "I already told you I'm in a relationship, and no, I have no interest in hanging out with you."

She stared at me with wide eyes. I guess she wasn't used to being turned down so harshly, but goddamn, she was thick.

"Fine. You don't need to be so rude," she spat at me, and stood up.

"I'm rude to everyone," I scoffed, pulling my book closer.

She marched away, and I shook my head. Lucky for me, school would be over soon. I hadn't asked if Troy, Max, and Shrimp would like to hang out at my place, but I kind of wished they would. Every time I left home, I felt bad for Bella, who always seemed so heartbroken to see me leave. I was fine if Troy wanted to come alone, but I didn't mind if Max and Sky tagged along.

Once the final period ended, I gathered my stuff and headed to the exit. Soo, I heard Troy's laugh somewhere, and turned to look in that direction. I forced myself to keep my expression neutral because people probably would've freaked out if I smiled. And it would draw some unwanted attention.

"Hey, dude," Troy spoke when he spotted me.

"Luke! Hi!" Sky said, his body almost shaking when he stopped in front of me. He stared at me with such a maniacal expression on his face that I started feeling slightly concerned.

"What's going on?" I asked slowly.

"Sky has something to ask," Troy smiled.

"I can see that," I said, and turned my attention back to Sky. "What's up, gremlin?"

"Iwaswonderingifyouwouldliketocomewith–"

"Whoa there, one word at a time," I said, stopping him.

"I can't!" Sky breathed out, looking like someone had made him drink twenty cups of coffee. "You! Camping! With us! This weekend!"

"Camping?" I repeated.

"Yeah, Sky wants us to go with them when they go see the owls," Troy translated.

"AND BELLA!"

"And Bella," Troy added. "What do you think?"

Troy seemed like he wanted to go, so I didn't have to think of my answer for longer. "Sure, sounds like–"

Sky let out an inhumane screech and threw himself around my neck. I was pretty sure the gibberish he was spewing out was him trying to say how excited he was.

"Awesome," Max said, and peeled Sky off my throat.

I laughed lightly. "I was actually going to ask if someone would like to come play with Bella today."

Sky's grin grew wider, if it was even possible. He started nodding so furiously my own neck hurt. I planted my hand on top of his head to make him stop.

"So, my place?" I asked, and Sky started nodding again.

"It's settled," Max laughed.

When he started leading Sky to the bus stop, Troy gave me a warm smile and leaned closer. "Yeah, you're such a bad person," he whispered.

I smiled as well, even though I wanted to start arguing back. Maybe I wasn't sacrificing old ladies to Satan, but I had my flaws. He just didn't want to see them.

An hour later, I was sitting on the floor of our porch, between Troy's legs, my back against his chest. He was playing with my hair, and we kept arguing whether or not I should cut it short.

"If you cut your hair, I can't do this anymore," he said, gently pulled my head back, and planted a kiss on my lips.

He won that argument. Once he removed his tongue from my mouth, I turned to look at Sky, who was playing with Bella in the yard. Troy continued brushing his hands through my hair in a slow manner, making me feel drowsy.

"We'll need some camping stuff, right?" Troy asked Max, who was sitting on a chair close by.

"If you have good boots, it's a plus, but it's not that far of a hike. Sky has an extra tent, and his parents can let you use their sleeping bags if you need them," Max explained. "We already asked them."

"I have a sleeping bag," I said, trying to stay awake while Troy massaged my head.

"I don't, but I can go buy one," Troy spoke. "Anything else we need?"

"Just warm clothes and a positive attitude," Max chuckled.

"Damn, I think I ran out of positive attitude a long time ago," I muttered as a joke.

They both laughed, and Troy pulled my head back again. "I'll find you some positive attitude, don't worry."

I received another kiss.

"I can't believe we only have two weeks left," Max suddenly sighed, and added with a sad tone, "After that, the project is over."

"Please go find Max's positive attitude instead," I told Troy, and they both laughed again. "Why would you be sad about it?"

"It's been so much fun doing it, and camping at the farm," Max spoke.

"Like you can't continue going there after the project is done," I said.

Max thought about it for a moment, and his expression turned cheerier. "We could actually start finding new locations to camp at," he spoke. "I bet Sky would love that."

"There you have it," I muttered, and leaned my head back against Troy. "Just ask him when I'm not around. He's scary when he gets excited."

"Ask what?"

"Oh, Lord..." I said and looked up at Sky, who had now joined us on the porch.

"I'll protect you," Troy whispered in my ear, wrapping his arms around me.

"Ask what?" Sky said and turned his attention to Max.

"Well..." Max said and gave me an apologetic smirk. "Once this project is ready..." he began speaking, and I covered my ears with my hands.

Just a couple of seconds later, everyone in a one-mile radius knew how amazing Max's idea was.