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“What’s wrong with you?” Nico asked as we were on our way to my house.
“What do you mean what’s wrong with me? Nothing’s wrong with me. Why do you think that’s something’s wrong with me?” I replied nervously.
“Yeah, nothing is wrong.” Nico said sarcastically. “Come on, you can tell me anything, after all, we’re dating now.” He added as he looked at me.
No way. There’s no way I could tell him that I was acting weird because I was nervous that he might be up to something tonight. It’s not like I can easily ask him if he’s planning to do something to me tonight. “Don’t worry, it’s really nothing.” I lied and smiled.
Nico sighed. “If you say so.” I could clearly see in his expression that he was quite disappointed, I would not feign ignorance, I knew exactly why.
“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, Nico, it’s just that it’s so trivial that it’s not worth talking about. I was just thinking about something so childish, it’s really nothing to fuss about.” I explained.
“Really?” Nico asked.
“Really.” I replied.
“I just want you to feel like you can tell me everything, I want you to feel that I’ll always be by your side, listening to you, supporting you, helping you.” Nico explained.
We watched TV for a while as we wait for my Mom to come home. She looked happy to see Nico visit. The three of us ate dinner together, and frankly, I like the feeling of having a meal with the two people I love the most.
My heart almost exploded when Nico and I finally went up to my room. “Dinner was really great.” Nico said. “Your Mom’s cooking is to die for.” He said cheerfully as he sat on the edge of my bed.
I went to my study table and logged-on to my laptop. I never sleep without typing a few sentences first, it was a way for me to calm down, to relieve myself from the stressful day. “She’ll be really happy to know that.” I replied.
“So, what are you doing?” Nico asked as he suddenly appeared on my side. He leaned closer and rested his chin on my shoulder.
“Homework.” I lied and closed the word file. I’m not really comfortable showing anyone my works until they’re done. Well, I’m really close to finishing it, so I would have a chance to show it to Nico soon.
“Ehhh… how hardworking…” Nico mused. “Hey… I’m bored…” He said in a childish way, his head was still resting on my shoulder. “Let’s do something fun…” Nico suggested cheerfully.
My heart skipped when I heard Nico say that. What kind of fun is he talking about? This is bad, I’m starting to have impure thoughts, because of Nico. I’m really starting to become a pervert.
“You can watch TV, I’m going to finish something first.” I said nervously.
“I’m tired of watching TV.” Nico complained.
“Then read a book.”
“I’ve read hundreds of books already.”
“Then… HEY!” I was surprised when I suddenly felt Nico bit my ear lobe. I looked at him while holding my ear that he just bit. It wasn’t really painful, instead it kind of felt good. I blushed, and my face was red all over.
Nico burst out laughter when he saw my face. “How cute…” He sat down on the bed. “Your embarrassed reaction is really the best.”
“Hey!” I complained and then looked away. I took a deep breath and calmed myself down before looking back at him. “What was that for?”
“Because…” Nico said in a childish tone. “You weren’t even paying attention to me.” He complained.
I sighed. I felt guilty for trying to avoid him just because I was nervous that he might take away my innocence. I was also guilty that I was doubting Nico. He’s not that kind of guy, he would never force me. “I’m sorry.” I said as I sat beside him. “I was just nervous, because this is the first time that someone I like would be sleeping over.” I explained.
Nico looked at me with a surprised expression. “Drew…” He said and then smiled. Before I could even say anything, Nico pulled me for a hug. “I’m really glad that I’m the first.” He said as he squeezed me tight.
“You said you’re bored. What do you want to do then?” I asked.
“Mmm…” Nico said as he pulled away. “I don’t know. Seeing you’re cute expression, suddenly I’m not too bored anymore.” He chuckled.
I clicked my tongue. “Then I’ll take a shower first, you can take one after.” I said as I stood up. “Feel free to do anything, you can use my computer if you want.” I closed my word file anyway, and hid it in a password protected folder.
“I’m not interested in that. Do you have any childhood pictures, I think it would be more fun to look at them.” Nico asked with a smile.
“Fun for you, not really for me.” I said, shyly. I have many embarrassing childhood pictures, and I don’t like Nico to see them. He might be turned off by me.
“Come on, I won’t laugh, I promise.” Nico said, trying to convince me. “So, tell me where you keep the pictures.”
“Not telling…” I teased as I took a towel and a change of clothes form my cabinet.
“You’re no fun.” Nico said and then stood up. “Then, what about I join in the shower instead?” Nico asked with a grin.
His question sent me into nervous frenzy. My whole face turned red and my heart jumped. “I don’t want to!” I said as I threw another towel in his face.
Nico was laughing as I walked out of my room. It looks like he found something fun thing to do after all; to tease me.
I usually take a warm shower every night before going to sleep, but that night a cold shower was best suited. Not only does it awakened my senses – I needed that, since I wanted to keep my innocence that night – it also calmed me down. The cold water helped me wash away those impure thoughts that I was having at that moment. For all I know, I was the only one thinking about that, for all I know, those kind of things wasn’t even crossing Nico’s mind at all.
When I returned to my room, Nico was near my study table holding the box that Joseph gave me. “That’s the box that Joseph gave me.” I said as I was drying my hair with the towel.
“I know…” Nico muttered. “I mean, I could tell.”
“What do you think is inside?” I asked him casually.
“I don’t know…” He replied meekly. “I think I’ll take a shower now.” He said and put the box down. “I’ll be quick, so don’t miss me too much.” He said and then chuckled.
“As if.” I said as I threw my towel to his direction.
I was in front of my computer when Nico came back from the shower. “That’s refreshing…” He said as he entered my room.
I turned around and blushed instantly as I saw Nico standing by the door, half naked, with only a towel on his waist. Embarrassed, I turned back to my computer screen instantly. My cheeks felt really hot, but I must admit, Nico looked really sexy. That perfectly sculpted abs, those defined muscles, I could never get tired of seeing them.
Wait! What am I thinking?
This is bad…
This is really dangerous…
Don’t look… I can’t look…
Sure, I’ve seen Nico’s body before, I mean, we’ve swam a lot together, but seeing him like that, with only a towel on his waist, in my own room, that was simply very different.
“No need to be embarrassed.” Nico said in a coy tone. “You could look all you want.” He added.
That idiot, he’s really enjoying teasing me.
“Hurry up and get dressed.” I complained.
“Are you sure?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“Nothing, I just thought that you wanted to see me like this a bit longer.” Nico said in a teasing tone and then left out a little chuckle.
“What?! Hey, do you want to get hurt?” I said, without looking back at him.
“You can look now, I’m done.” Nico said. “Ahh, that’s right, I brought something for you.” He said.
I turned around and saw him holding a red button-down shirt. “A shirt…?”
“Not just any shirt, my shirt.” Nico said proudly.
“Your shirt? Why are you giving me your shirt, what am I going to do with your shirt?” I was confused for a moment until realization hit me. “Ohh, no, no, no… I’m not going to do that.”
“Come on why not? I mean every girl in romantic movies wear their guy’s shirt when they sleep over.” Nico explained.
“Ummm, did you even hear yourself? First of all, you’re the one sleeping over, not me. Second, we’re not in a romantic film, and third, I’m not a girl, Nico.” I complained. “Maybe if I am, I would gladly wear that, but as a guy, I’d rather sleep naked than wear that.” I complained.
“Ohhh… I see…” Nico mused. “Then, are you saying you’ll naked tonight?” He asked provokingly.
“What?”
“Well, I must say, I kind of like that option too.” Nico said. “So, which is it, Drew? Are you going to sleep wearing my shirt, or sleep naked tonight. Should I remind you that I plan on sleeping in the same bed as you, I mean I’m not used to sleeping on the floor and such, and I won’t allow you to sleep on the floor either.”
“What?” I repeated confusedly. I know, I know, I dug my own grave yet again. There’s just no winning against Nico once he set his mind into getting something. Of all people, why do I always have to be the victim of his outrageous whims?
“Sleep naked or wear my shirt, choose.” Nico ordered.
“Fine.” I said as I walked closer to him and snatched the red shirt form his hands. “I just have to wear this right.” I said as I took my tee off and then wore his button-down shirt. “Is this…?” I asked as I smelled the collar of his shirt. “Is this your cologne?” I asked him with my eyes raised.
“Why, yes.” Nico answered proudly. “That way you could smell my scent and feel like I am hugging you while you sleep.”
“Ehhh… How troublesome…” I said. “Don’t you think that’s too much of an effort?” I asked as I buttoned the shirt. “Considering that you can hug me, personally, as we sleep?” I asked with a grin.
“Drew… that’s…” Nico sounded and looked a bit surprised. “Can I really do that?” He sounded confused. “Are you sure? Can I really hug you while we sleep? Really?” His tone changed, to enthusiastic.
“I was going to, until you made me wear this shirt.” I said and then stuck my tongue out a bit at him.
Nico scoffed. “How childish…” He complained as he sat on the bed.
“Well, this is ridiculous…” I complained as I stepped in front of my body mirror. Nico’s shirt fits almost perfectly, except for two parts. Nico’s shoulder was broader than mine, so the shirt looked a bit oversized, he’s also a lot taller than I am so the shirt and sleeves were too long for me. “It looks like my hands are chopped off.” I complained as I pull up the sleeves to reveal my hidden hands.
“What are you complaining about? It looks perfect.” Nico said cheerfully. Then I heard a familiar sound. “Oops…” Nico said as I heard the sound of a camera shutter.
“You, what are you doing?” I asked.
“Muting the shutter sound.” Nico said as-a-matter-of-factly and then pressed the screen of his phone once again.
“Hey, stop that. Don’t take pictures.” I complained.
“No way, I couldn’t possibly let this wonderful moment slide.” He said and then took another picture.
“Really… How many photos have you taken…?” I asked angrily.
“Not sure, but still not enough.” He replied and then smiled. “How cute…” He said and then smiled proudly at me.
Acting angry never works on Nico anymore, he would always say that I also look very cute when I’m angry. The more embarrassed I look the happier he seemed to be. In that way, Nico is a bit sadistic.
“Give me that.” I said as I walked towards him.
Nico stood up and then raised his phone in the air. “I’ll erase them, if you can reach my phone.” He said with a proud smile.
I clicked my tongue and sighed. “That’s unfair, you’re obviously a lot taller than I am.” I said as I tried to reach for the phone. It was still out of my reach, even though I was already tip-toed and Nico wasn’t doing anything.
Nico smiled proudly down at me. “Too bad…” He teased.
“You’re a bully, you know.” I said in a firm tone.
“You’re a cutie, you know.” He replied, which made me blush even more.
“Hisss…” I hissed at him. “You’re really pissing me off right now.” I said at him. Nico only raised an eyebrow and grinned.
The cold and snobbish Nico seemed like a distant dream compared to the Nico beside me at that moment. Before I got close to him, I would’ve to steal a glance just to see his smile, but now, almost every time I look at him, I would see a smile.
“It’s not my fault that you look adorable. It makes me want to tease you even more.” What an utter garbage of an argument. Basically, he’s saying that it’s my fault that he’s teasing me. Darn, it’s not my fault for being like this.
“Give. Me. The. Phone.” I said and then jumped for it. Nico stepped back, but the edge of the bed hit the back of his knees, making him fall back on the bed
I didn’t react quickly as well so I ended up falling on top of Nico. My hands were on the sides of his head and our faces were only inches away. “I never knew that you are this aggressive, Drew.” Nico said in a sultry tone.
“Idiot.” I complained as I tried to get up.
“Do you think I would let you go just like that, after me pushing me on the bed?” Nico said as he pulled be back closer to him.
His hands burned on my waist, his stare was piercing right into me, and my heart was almost stopped by that sexy smile of his. “I didn’t push you…” I replied shyly.
“Really…?” He asked sarcastically as he pulled me closer to him. Our chests were almost touching and I could hear his heart beat racing as fast as mine. It was loud and it was very clear, and soon our heart beats synchronized.
I was amazed and awed how our hearts beat as one.
It was amazing.
It was very amazing.
“Can you feel that? Our hearts are beating as one…” Nico said and gave a small smile.
“Yeah…” I replied shyly.
Nico chuckled and then smiled. Then he wrapped his arms tighter around my waist. “I could sleep all night, like this.” He said as nestled his face on my shoulder.
“My back will break if we sleep all night like this.” I said.
Nico sighed. “Why do you have to be anti-climactic?” He complained as he loosened his hold on my waist.
“Awww… Are you sulking now?” I teased as I pulled slightly away. “Here, to make up for it.” I smiled at him and then gave him a quick kiss on the lips before standing up.
I was glad that Nico didn’t stop me from standing up, that he didn’t pull me back for a more passionate kiss, because if he did, then I wouldn’t be able to control myself, I would’ve lost myself to the heat of the moment, to his passion. If Nico pulled me for another kiss then…
I would’ve given up my innocence.
I would’ve handed it to him.
I guess we’re both nervous that night.
We’re both holding back.
Because we both know that it wasn’t the right time yet.
Nico and I laid on the bed with a little bit of space in between us. “Drew…” Nico called my name. I couldn’t see his face anymore, since we turned off the lights. “Can I hold your hand while we sleep?” Nico asked in a gentle tone and I answered by holding his hands tightly, intertwining my fingers with his.
“Is that good enough for you?” I asked.
“Yeah…”
“Really? For me, it’s a bit lacking.” I said as I turned my head to his direction.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Although, I can’t see his reaction, I know for sure that Nico was surprised.
“I prefer this.” I said as I moved closer, placed Nico’s arm over me before facing him and embracing him.
“Drew…” Nico muttered.
“Isn’t this a lot better?” I asked.
“A lot.” He affirmed and embraced me gently back.
I moved even closer to Nico and practically muffled my face on his sturdy chest. Nico embraced me tighter, then. Sleeping like that was both relaxing and exciting to me. I was in dreamland and my heart kept on racing, and I could hear Nico’s heart racing as well.
I was really happy that night, being so close to Nico, embracing him and being embraced by him all night long is something that I could get used to, something that I would want to do for the rest of my life.
Ever since my parents’ divorced, I slept at night with a heavy heart, but with Nico, that night I slept with nothing in my heart but joy, utter and complete joy.
We woke the next morning, in the same position. When I opened my eyes, I looked up at Nico and saw him smiling at me. “Good morning.” He said sweetly and then gave me a kiss on the forehead.
“Good morning.” I replied with a smile and buried my face on his chest once again.
Nico chuckled and then petted me on the head. “You’re still sleepy, huh.” He said as he pulled me even closer to him.
I was still lying in bed, with my head still buried in Nico’s chest when my phone rang. Nico seemed really annoyed about it, he seemed really disappointed about the interruption of that moment, but my phone just kept on ringing that ignoring it was really difficult to do. I moved closer to my bedside table and answered the phone.
“Brent, what’s wrong? It’s very early, I’m surprised you’re already up.” I said as I answered the phone.
“I couldn’t sleep well last night.” Brent said, he sounded really worried. “Kyle, there’s something I want to tell you, it’s about the incident at the lake.”
“What is it, you’re making me curious? Have you found out something?” I asked.
Nico sat up on the bed and moved closer to me. He rested his head on my shoulder.
“I found someone who knows what really happened at the lake, an old lady who lived in our town ever since she was born.” Brent said, he seemed enthusiastic, but his voice sounded a bit worried. “Remember when I told you that this wasn’t the first time that someone disappeared on the lake? Well, what I heard at the police station was right, it did happen before. Several times actually, the last one was four years ago, a young boy disappeared.” Brent said carefully. “I was out of town for the summer that year, so I had no idea, nobody told me about it, and nobody even talked about it.”
“Really?” I asked curiously. “I don’t remember hearing anything about someone disappearing on the lake four years ago. I mean, if someone should know about it, it’s me, since I swim on that lake almost every night.”
“That’s just it, Kyle, no one wants you to remember.” Brent said.
“What? What are you talking about?” My curiosity was growing. Why is he talking like that? What does that even mean?
“Kyle…” Brent paused for a while. “Four years ago, you were swimming on the lake at night, there was full moon…”
“Brent, cut to the chase…” I said impatiently and nervously.
“Kyle, you’re the boy who disappeared on the lake four years ago.” Brent said and my heart stopped.
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