7 years later…Cailen sat in the backseat of the taxi, staring out the window at the familiar roads of Beverwood.It was the first time he's been home since he went off to university two years ago. He realized what a dick move that was but Eden and Dean were very understanding that he needed to focus on his studies.He felt really bad about lying to them, because of course, he could have made time to come home for Christmas at least but he didn't. He was worried that being around them would make them see through his mask he's worked so hard to construct.He knew he couldn't be his true self around his family or they wouldn't accept him. He learned early on that he needed to act more like other boys or Eden and Dean wouldn't have kept him.That's not to say he is a completely different person around them, no, just... More reserved in a way.There were certain things he didn't discuss with them or around them, certain things he didn't do around them and he was okay with that. Pretending
Edenspun around in confusion, her eyes searching the room until they landed on Cailen.She gasped as well, dropping her oven mitts on the ground. Cailenthanks whatever god is up there that she wasn't holding a roast or something.Stellaturned as well, wondering who could have caused such a reaction and squealed when she saw him."Cailen! You came!" Stellasaid excitedly, making her way around the kitchen to pull him into a hug.Cailenchuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly but also being cautious of the knife she still held in her hand."If you poke me with that thing, I'm gone,"Cailenteased as he pulled away, eyeing the knife.She grinned at him, then turned to set the knife down. Cailenactually saw Stellanot too long ago so she really hadn't changed a whole lot since then. The only thing that's changed is she may have gotten a hair cut, but Caile
Asherlooked up and met Cailen'scerulean eyes.He smiled shyly at Cailenand he didn't blame him because he knew he was staring but he couldn't pull his eyes from him."Hey, Cai,"Ashersaid awkwardly with a small wave.Cailenreally had to pull it together. He knew that but he couldn't believe this was Asher. He couldn't believe this was little scrawny Asher. Asherthat begged him to tell on the bullies in school. Asherwho cries at Toy Story, every time.Asherwho always made sure to include Cailenat the parties he was invited to. He couldn't believe this was Asher."Jesus, what's in the water here?" Cailenjoked, trying to cover up his utter shock and possible drool.All four boys chuckled at Cailen, even Noahwho really didn't know him."I should have stuck around.I seemed to have missed the puberty bus,"Cailenjoked, looking down at his s
"This summer is going to be ace,"Matthewinformed the other four boys while they waited for their food to arrive.They were sat in a local diner that they always used to eat at. Cailensupposed they still ate here. It was only him that used to eat herebefore.They sat in a booth with Matthew, Williamand Noahsquished in on one side and Asherand Cailensitting comfortably on the other. Cailenwas looking around at the diner, seeing it really hadn't changed a bit.It still had the old beat up chairs and tables, the red booths still had rips in them, if not more, but Cailenloved it all the same.It was a piece of home and Cailenwouldn't change it even if he could."Yeah, we'll actually be able to score some beer without begging people to buy it for us,"Noahsaid, grinning at Matthew.Matthewsnorted."Who said you wouldn't have to beg? I want you on
The two boys silently climbed the stairs to William's room together, Cailenflopping on the bed when they got thereand Williamflopping down beside him.William's room looked like any other teenager's room.A bed against the wall in the middle, a desk on the far wall that had his school bag hanging from the office chair there, and a TV on the opposite wall of his bed, facing the bed so he could watch while laying down.There were band posters lining the walls along with school awards and sports medals, most of them being the award for 'most improved' or 'hardest working' because Williamreally wasn't very coordinatedand tended to fall a lot but that didn't stop him from trying."What do you think happened?" Williamasked, finally breaking the silence."I don’t know. She'd tell us if someone died, right?" Cailenasked.Williamnodded."Could be nothing... She really could be
When Cailenfirst saw Ashercome out of the bathroom the first day he came back,he was surprised and very pleased with who Asherhad turned into.Now, seeing him nearly naked, jogging into the water,took his breath away.Asherhad a defined chest with a growing sixpackabs, his arms were muscled but nicelytoned and that's all Cailencould see in the faint light the moon offered but that's all he neede-or could handle because he was fairly certain-anymore,and his brain might short-circuit."What are you gonna do about it?" Asherasked, grinning at Cailenas he approached but he wasn't capableof speech right now. "Hmm?" Asherencouraged and frowned when all Cailencould do was stare. "Cai? Are you okay? I didn't hurt you,did I? Cai?""Hm, what? No! No, I'm fine,"Cailensaid quickly but Ashercontinued to frown at him, probabl
He saw Asher’s eyes move down to his lips, then back to his eyes.Cailen didn’t know what was happening anymore as he saw Asher’s adam’s apple move as if he was swallowing something.Time seemed to stop when he suddenly felt the tip of Asher’s nose against his. He didn’t even know who moved and he can’t really hear anything anymore other than the pulse in his ears.Cailenfelt like he couldn't breath again, and not only because Ashermight be squishing him, not that he actually minded that, but because of this feeling inside him.It took his breath away, making his stomach flutter and his heart skip and…What was he doing?This was Asher.He shouldn't be feeling this when he looks at Asher.Asherwas his friend, has been since he was thirteen. He shouldn't get that kind of reaction from him.It was one thing to think he was fit when he to
Cailensat on the edge of his childhood bed with his eyes locked on the envelope in his hands.He only stared at it because he didn't know what to do with it. He didn't know why Edenand Deanhad given it to him. He didn't know why he was dwelling on it either.It was just a letter.Supposedly a letter from his biological mother that's he's never even seen before, but still, just a letter.Obviously he should open it, he should read it and try to make sense of it but he couldn't.There was something stopping him. What, he did not know, but there it was inside him, preventing his finger from tearing open the envelope and seeing what was inside.It was just, he's never wondered about his biological mother. Not really. Sure, for a while he wondered why he was dropped off attheorphanage in the first place but he's never actually wondered about what his mother looked like or what kind of person she was.