Written by user laysoo_haneul

The smile on his face is still fresh on the way home. Russell just felt more relieved after their first official meeting with the other gay kids at school. He was totally nervous, but he overcame it easily as he stood with full confidence in front of all his friends.

As he reached his room, he was about to lie down on his bed to take a nap, but something pause him. He sees a small rock located on the end table beside his bed. He grab it slowly and sit on his bed. Russell's mind starting to messed up. All the things he missed so much starts to flow into his head. He can't handle it. His tears starting to appear. He tried to hold it in, but he can't manage to hide his feeling.

Russell is truly hurt by Kevin's decision. But, he did not regret for what he have done to himself. Something he should have done earlier, which is coming out of the closet to public. Now, he has no reason to hide it, except from his parent. He still needs more time to tell the truth to his parent, especially to his father.

Russell lay himself down on his bed and let out a big sigh. He's still holding the rock tightly on his hand, thinking about Kevin.

"You're such a coward Kevin. I didn't literally mean our relationship to be like this. I was waiting for you." said Russell to the rock. He stares at it and throws it on the floor.

Suddenly, his phone vibrates. He quickly get up and pick up his phone. It was a voice mail.

"Where are you? I need to see you. Just call me, okay?"

It was no other than Kevin. Surprisingly, there is about 20 missed calls and 8 voice mails. Russell couldn't hear it as it was in his bag. He put it on his table as he arrived on his room.

"Russell, I'm sorry. Meet me up somewhere."

"Russell, please call me back asap. We need to talk."

"Russell, meet me at the park. 2 o' clock. I'm really sorry. Give me a call."

"Dude, you there? I'm already here. I'll wait here until you come."

He listens to the voice mail one by one. Russell was really mad to even think about Kevin right now. But something is still bothering him. On the other side, he really loves Kevin and wants to forgive him. The other side, he still can't accepts Kevin's selfishness. He stares at the clock long enough. It was very hard for him to decide which side he would go.

"I'm just going to say goodbye anyway. Nothing more than that. I'm done with you Kevin. I'm done." he sighed.

Russell finally made a decision to meet Kevin, hoping that Kevin will not bother him anymore. He grab his sweater and walk off the room.

He speeds up his bike as he was two hours late. It was already 4 o' clock. He thought that Kevin may had left already. He was wrong. As he arrived at the park, Kevin was still there standing near the big tree. Kevin walks forward and backward over and over again. He can't seems to calm down.

The moment he saw Russell standing behind him, he quickly approaches him.

"Where have you been? You didn't answer my call."

"Well at least I showed up."

Kevin grabs Russell's hand gently.

"Look. I'm sorry, okay? I'm still not ready yet."

"Don't touch me! Don't hurt me, don't lie to me, and don't give me fake hope."

"I-I'm just not ready. Russell, you have to understand me."

"No! You just don't care about me. All you care about is your football team and, and your cool jocks who praise you all the time!"

"I care about you Russell! More than you can ever think of. Please.." Kevin is getting closer to Russell. Close enough to hear Kevin's breath through his nose.

Russell can clearly see the sincerity from Kevin's eyes. He can't resist Kevin's affectionate gesture towards him. Plus, he still have feelings for Kevin truthfully. Russell realize that he is being selfish too towards Kevin who's still stuck in the closet.

"I thought you really wants to forget about me after what I said to you. I didn't even see you after school earlier today. You vanished, just like that. You keep hurting me."

Kevin move even closer towards Russell. Their nose are practically touches each other. He speaks in a whispery voice as they are too close.

"Hey, listen. I was going to see you but you didn't even pick up your phone. I'm really sorry. I'm stupid for letting you go just like that. Let's just forget about today, okay?"

There's a moment of silence. Only the birds chirp can be hear. Russell is thinking for an appropriate answer.

"Just promise me you will come out some day. For me and for us. Okay? And I'm sorry too for forcing you. I was being selfish towards you."

A big smile is formed on Kevin's face. He immediately kisses Russell passionately. Russell too can't resist it. He kisses him back. Russell put his hands on to Kevin's sturdy chest to keep a distance while Kevin keep a grip on Russell's neck. Few seconds later, Kevin holds back the kiss after realizing they are in a public place.

"What's wrong Kevin?"

"Nothing's wrong but, we're in public Russell. I think we shouldn't ki-"

"I get it. I understand. But you haven't answered my question yet."

"Oh, yeah. I promise. But I hope you'll wait for me no matter how long it is. Plus, I hope you're going to keep a secret about us too. Does it sound okay to you?"

"That's two against one. You're being unfair."

"But I thought you'd do any-"

"It was a joke Kevin. That's for calling me an alcoholic." he chuckles.

"Dude, that's not funny. Let me walk you home. It's getting late."

"Dude, I live just two blocks from here. Don't worry."

"Let's go. I just wanna know where you live. Maybe I can drop by sometimes."

"Suit yourself."

Russell grab Kevin's hand and walk together. Kevin feels a little a uncomfortable with it. He slowly let go off his hand and made Russell stop.

"What's wrong? Oh, right. No public places. Got it."

"I'm sorry for making stupid promises between us. I hope you can understand me."

"It's okay. I'm fine."

Another moment of silence as they walk to Russell's home.

"Say something." demands Kevin.

"Something."

"Say something to me."

"What do you want me to say?"

"Never mind. I guess you're mad at me huh?"

"Sorry. I'm just tired I guess."

"That's okay. Now where do you live? You said it was just two blocks-"

"Here we are."

Russell stop him and point out his house which is just in front of them.

"Oh. Who's that?" asks Kevin while pointing at the men standing in front of the door.

"That's my dad. Wanna greet him?"

"Sure."

They walk towards Mr. Middlebrook together.

"Hey dad."

"Son. Where have you been? Mom was looking for you at the kitchen. And, who's your friend son? I never saw him before."

"Good evening Mr. Middlebrook. I'm Kevin, Russell's schoolmate. Nice to meet you sir." Kevin greets him with a handshake.

"Nice to meet you too Kevin. Russell never talked about you."

"Dad, we are not re-"

"I'm busy with my practice sir. We can't hang out much. But I'll try to have my time with my best friend." Kevin wrap his left arm around Russell's neck to prove how close they are.

"Well, that's a good thing. Russell spend too much time with, uh, what was his name son? Gupper?"

"It's Gunnar dad."

"Gunnar! I think he's a bad influence."

"He's my friend dad, and he's not a bad influence."

"Whatever. Get in the kitchen and help your mom for the dinner. Oh, Kevin, wanna join us for dinner? Turkey for tonight."

"Dad, I don't think Kevin wants to join us-"

"Cool. I'm in sir."

Russell was startled, but happy at the same time. He can only smiles to him.

"Great! Now, go get him a drink Russell. He might be thirsty. Just come in Kevin. I'm trying to fix this stupi-, I mean fix this door first. I'll join you guys later."

"Okay sir."

Both of them enter the house.

"Your dad is a great guy, and funny too."

"I guess so. Let me show you my room."

"Okay, but I should greet your mom first."

"Just go that way. I'll go upstairs first."

"Got it. I'll catch up to you later."

Kevin goes to the kitchen and greets Mrs. Middlebrook politely.

"Good evening Mrs. Middlebrook. I'm Russell's friend, Kevin. It's very nice to meet you ma'am."

Russell's mom who is busy preparing the dinner shocked a bit.

"Oh! Good evening. Very nice to meet you too young men. I'm sorry for looking like this. Uh, would you like some juice? Now where's that boy? Russell! Russell!"

"It's okay ma'am. I'm fine. Russell went upstairs. He said he wanted to show me his room."

"Oh. It's very unusual for him bringing friends to his room, except for one his friend, Gupper, Goober, Gu-"

"Gunnar ma'am."

"Gunnar! Yeah. Sorry. Would you like to join us for the dinner Kevin? It's turkey for tonight."

"My pleasure ma'am. I better go upstairs now. Russell's waiting."

"Alrighty then. I hope you guys can be best friends together."

"Certainly Mrs. Middlebrook."

Kevin then went upstairs. He is actually confused which one is Russell's bedroom. He try to call him with a whispery voice.

"Russell! Russell!"

No answer. There's an open door on the left. He slowly enters the room, hoping that he's not mistaken. As he enters the room, Russell can be seen standing in front of the wardrobe, wearing brief only. Kevin never knew Russell has a hot bods like that. He did saw Russell's body during their science trip but it was too dark that time. Kevin is still standing in front of the door, staring at Russell.

"Kevin. Kevin! Snap out of it!"

"Oh. Uh. What? Oh! What is it that you want to show me?"

"Just help me find my sweatpants. I can't find it."

"Okay." Kevin still in his own world. Russell notices him not moving.

"Dude! Can you even hear me?"

"Okay, okay."

He quickly joins him searching for the sweatpants.