Prologue

"Lian!" Callum called as he ran toward his best friend.

"Shit, slow down!" Lian tried to warn but it was too late.

Callum threw himself on Lian but the boy was unable to keep his balance. The two fell on the floor with a thud, Lian taking the brunt of it. Callum hurriedly got off of his best friend as he groaned in pain.

"Oh fuck, I'm so sorry," Callum quickly apologized as he tried to help Lian up but his hand was just swatted away.

"I'm going to fucking kill you," Lian grumbled as he pushed himself up from the ground. 

Callum kept his distance as Lian dusted off his clothes. He definitely does not take Lian's threats lightly. 

"Why did you run me over anyway?" Lian asked in annoyance. 

"I just missed you, man," he shrugged. "I mean, we're supposed to be spending the last weeks of senior year hanging out but you spent the last month traveling around Europe," Callum complained.

"Oh no, god forbid I spend time with my family," he rolled his eyes. 

"You're an ass you know that," Callum pouted.

"Stop it. You look stupid."

He lightly shoved Callum but he overestimated his push and Callum fell down on his feet. Instead of apologizing and helping him, Lian bolted inside the school halls with a whining Callum trailing far behind. The school day ended quicker than they anticipated and the two went straight to a pond where they have always hung out ever since they were children.

Callum took off his shoes and socks before rolling his pants up. Lian quicky followed suit and the two dipped their feet in the pond, letting the fishes swim around them. The sky was getting dark. A small lamp illuminated the space around them while the two sat in silence. Lian carefully rested his head against Callum's shoulder and the latter wrapped his arm around his waist and pulled him closer. 

"I'm scared, Callum," Lian confessed. 

He clung onto Callum as he hid his face in his chest. Callum lifted his chin up and pressed his lips against his. Lian relaxed against Callum's body as their lips moved together. He didn't need Callum to say anything, the kiss was enough of an assurance for him. He loved the man more than anything. Lian was willing to lose everything, even if that meant he'll be dragged down deep underground.