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A/N: Kyle Griffin in the picture above. Happy reading!
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When they arrived at the field, the game was over and the onlookers had already begun to disperse from the stands. They walked up to the side-lines were Leo sat with Cam and the rest of the team.
‘I gather it didn’t go well?’ Samuel asked as he studied their grim faces.
‘We were completely annihilated,’ Leo snapped. He scuffed the ground angrily with tip of his cleats. ‘We would have won if you and Paul had played with us.’
Paul patted his back comfortingly. ‘We’ll get them next time. Come on, let’s go get you changed.’
He guided Leo to his feet and the rest of the team stood up with him. They turned to make their way to the changing rooms but were stopped by the Leonare soccer captain.
‘Have you forgotten our little deal Ferrars?’ he called, walking up to them with the rest of his team in tow.
‘Forget it, Griffin. I’m not letting you take Cam away,’ Leo spat, turning to glare at him.
Griffin walked up to him. ‘Now, now,’ he said in a disapproving tone. ‘A deal is a deal. We won fair and square, don’t be a sore loser.’
Luckily before the situation escalated into a full-on brawl, Cam stepped between them. ‘Fine. I’ll go with you.’
Leo sputtered. ‘What? You can’t…’
‘Let it go Leo. You are the one who got us into this mess in the first place.’
Griffin beamed and gestured to one of his players who stepped up and handed him a backpack. ‘Here you go,’ he said, pulling out a Leonare soccer jersey with his number and name printed on the back.
Cam stared at it warily. ‘What do you want me to do with it?’
‘Put it on,’ Griffin ordered. ‘The deal was you would do everything we say.’
Leo took a threatening step forward, but Cam pushed him back and grabbed the red jersey from Griffin, pulling it over his head.
Griffin nodded in approval. ‘Red is a much better colour on you than blue,’ he remarked, earning a laugh from his teammates and furious glares from the Lumière soccer team whose cheeks burned red from anger.
He placed his arm around Cam’s shoulders and swung him away. ‘Let’s go, you’re one of us now.’ He gave a mocking wave to the others before sauntering away with his team, Cam disappearing from their view in a sea of red.
Leo clenched and unclenched his fists several times before stomping away in barely concealed fury.
‘So that just happened,’ Paul remarked ruefully.
Jayden paused and looked around him. ‘Have any of you seen Noel today?’
Sam and Paul shook their heads. Jayden’s eyebrows creased slightly together in worry. ‘I better go look for him then.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Samuel offered.
‘You guys go do that, I’ll try and cool Leo down before his hot head gets into any more trouble,’ Paul said tiredly before taking off in Leo’s direction.
Samuel followed Jayden as he walked through the booths, keeping an eye out for Noel’s familiar figure. They hadn’t gone very far when they heard someone shout Jayden’s name.
They turned to see Noel waving excitedly at them. He was surrounded by all sixteen members of his family who smiled warmly at him.
‘My family came over for a surprise visit, isn’t that amazing?’ Noel said as soon as they came over, his cheeks flushed with excitement.
The twins immediately surrounded Samuel, looking him over with curiosity.
‘Is this Charles?’
‘You’re right he is a hottie.’
‘Reckon we’re hotter than him, though aren’t we P?’
‘Definitely K, way hotter.’
Noel pushed the twins aside with an eyeroll. ‘Stop hounding him, that’s not Charles.’
Panyin huffed. ‘When are you going to introduce us to Charles then?’
‘Yeah,’ Kakra continued. ‘We want to meet the guy who thinks he’s man enough to make out with our little bro.’
‘Just to talk of course,’ Panyin finished with a falsely innocent smile.
Noel rolled his eyes at them. ‘Of course you do. That’s why you would never meet him.’
‘Hold on,’ Jayden interjected. ‘You know he’s…’
‘Gay?’
‘Homosexual?’
‘A fairy?’
‘Friend of Dorothy’s?’
‘Likes the Ds instead of the Ps?’
‘Prefers the backdoor to the front door?’
‘I think he gets it,’ Noel snapped. His ears were burning with embarrassment.
Panyin and Kakra snickered wickedly. ‘Of course we know.’
‘It’s not like he kept it much of a secret anyway.’
‘Having a little brother who kept posters of shirtless hunks under his bed is bound to raise a few questions.’ Panyin wiggled his brows suggestively, causing Noel to kick him sharply.
‘And you’re okay with it?’ Jayden asked with surprise.
‘Of course we are,’ the twins said in unison.
‘It’s not our business who our little brother sleeps with,’ Panyin stated.
‘Be it man,’ Kakra continued.
‘Or woman,’ Panyin finished.
‘We however draw the line at bestiality,’ they chorused.
Noel kicked them again but it was easy to tell from his expression that he was touched by the twins’ words, as weirdly expressed as it was.
Samuel leaned down to whisper in Jayden’s ear. ‘Do they always talk like that?’
Jayden nodded. ‘You’ll get used to it.’
‘Wait a minute,’ Kakra said, staring at Samuel. ‘If that’s not Charles, who is he?’
Samuel grinned awkwardly. ‘Hi, I’m Samuel. I’m his boyfriend.’ He pointed to Jayden causing the twins to stare at him in amazement. They smirked at each other, and Samuel slowly took a step back at the mischievous glint in their eyes.
‘So…’ Panyin began.
‘You and Jayden huh?’ Kakra continued.
Samuel nodded unsurely. ‘Yeah?’
‘Why?’ they asked together.
‘Erm, I guess I’m attracted to the dark and mysterious type.’
‘You sound like Jayden.’ Kakra pointed out curiously.
Samuel chuckled awkwardly. ‘What can I say, he’s rubbing off on me.’
A wicked grin appeared on Panyin’s face. ‘Oh, I’m sure that’s not the only thing you would like him to rub off on you.’
Samuel choked and had to cough several times before he could regain his breath. He was saved when Noel’s father came up to them. ‘That’s enough boys. Give the man room to breathe.’
‘We were just having fun Pa.’ Panyin protested.
‘Yeah, he’s Jayden’s boyfriend.’
‘Oh,’ he regarded Samuel with interest. ‘In that case, welcome to the family, young man,’ he said, thrusting his hand out to him. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you.’
‘The pleasure is all mine sir,’ Samuel replied, taking his hand.
Noel’s father turned to the twins. ‘That’s enough mischief from you two, go help your mother and the other twins.’
‘Yes sir,’ they saluted and went off. Noel’s father shook his head and followed them to make sure they didn’t get into any more trouble.
Jayden was watching them leave when he suddenly felt a tug at his side. He looked down to see Noel’s youngest brother, Bubu tugging his clothes. Bubu raised his arms and ordered imperiously, ‘Up!’
Jayden laughed softly and picked up the toddler. ‘Did you miss me, little one?’
Samuel’s eyes widened with delight at the sight of the toddler and stepped closer to Jayden to meet him, but Bubu pushed him away from Jayden with his chubby arms.
‘Mine,’ he said firmly as he put his arms possessively around Jayden’s neck.
Jayden looked on in amusement as Samuel fixed his mouth into a small pout and attempted to come closer to him again, but Bubu pushed him back even more firmly.
‘Mine,’ he stated again, glaring at Samuel.
This went on a few more times until Samuel sighed and gave up. ‘I can’t believe I’ve lost my boyfriend to a two-year-old.’
Jayden laughed at the sulky look on his face. ‘He takes better care of me than you. Don’t you, Bubu?’
Bubu beamed and nodded firmly, clasping his little arms even tighter around Jayden, causing him to laugh even more. ‘My little knight in shining armour,’ he cooed, rubbing his nose against his.
Samuel humphed and crossed his arms on his chest but he couldn’t keep off the fond smile from his lips as he watched Jayden play with Bubu. Panyin and Kakra materialised behind him and put their arms over his shoulders.
‘I know how you feel buddy,’ Panyin said sympathetically.
‘We lost our girlfriends to the little tyke too,’ Kakra added.
They bent down and whispered conspiratorially in his ear. ‘We can take him down together.’
‘When their backs are turned, we grab him and make a run for it.’
‘Dump him where he can never steal our dates again.’
‘You take his head, we’ll grab the legs.’
‘You in?’ they asked in unison, a matching grin on their faces.
Samuel laughed and was about to reply when he caught a figure walking away from the corner of his eye.
‘Hold on, I’ll be right back.’ He untangled himself from the twins and run after the figure, calling out when he was only a few feet from her.
‘Mrs. Mills?’
Victoria turned around in surprise. ‘Oh, hello Samuel. Is there something you needed?’
Samuel shook his head. ‘No, I saw you watching us and was just wondering what you were doing here.’
‘I had some business nearby and was done early so I decided to stop by and see the hard work you all put into this fair.’
‘Did you want to speak with Jayden? Let me get him for you.’
His back was already turned but Victoria stopped him. ‘No, it’s alright.’ She had a wry smile on her face. ‘I don’t think he would be pleased to see me.’
Her eyes looked behind him to where Jayden sat with Bubu on his lap. There was a small smile on his face as he listened to the twins’ animated conversation whiles Bubu played happily with his fingers.
‘He seems happy,’ Victoria remarked quietly.
‘He is,’ Samuel confirmed.
Victoria nodded. A far away look came into her eyes. ‘I’m glad,’ she half-whispered to herself. ‘That’s all I ever want for him. To be happy.’
The look disappeared and she turned to smile at Samuel. ‘Please take care of him for me. I know he can be stubborn sometimes-‘ Samuel scoffed at that and she corrected herself with a smile. ‘Alright, he’s always stubborn as hell but be patient with him.’
Samuel nodded and Victoria smiled at him one last time before walking away. He watched her go before turning to make his way back to the rest.
On the other side of the school, Cam was walking through the booths with the Leonare soccer captain. The rest of the team had gradually slipped away to enjoy the fair with their friends until it was left with just the two of them.
Cam stared at Griffin’s back as he walked ahead, trying to figure out just what he wanted with him.
‘If you keep staring at me like that, I might just kiss you till you beg me to stop.’
Cam blushed and looked away. ‘That’s not going to happen.’
Griffin hummed. ‘You’re right.’
He suddenly stopped and turned around causing Cam to walk into him. Griffin looked down, forcing Cam to meet his eyes.
‘If I kiss you,’ he whispered. ‘You will beg me not to stop.’
Cam’s cheeks flashed a wild scarlet and he quickly stepped away from Griffin. Griffin laughed at the expression on his face and continued walking.
Cam walked with him and there was silence between them.
‘Griffin,’ Cam started but Griffin cut him off.
‘Kyle.’
Cam blinked. ‘Huh?’
‘My first name is Kyle.’
Cam didn’t know what was more surprising, the fact that he wanted him to call him by his first name or the fact that his first name was Kyle.
‘Kyle,’ he said, testing out the name on his tongue. Kyle smiled at him and he found that the name strangely fit him. ‘Why did you want me to come with you?’
Kyle shrugged. ‘Just because.’
Cam was slowly growing exasperated. ‘Just because what?’
Kyle didn’t answer. He walked into a food stand and took a seat under one of the umbrella tables. Cam sighed and moved to take the seat opposite him.
‘Just because what?’ Cam asked again.
Kyle shrugged. ‘Just because I wanted to.’
‘Why?’ Cam insisted, refusing to let it go.
‘You ask too many questions.’
‘And you answer too few of them.’
‘You might not like my answer,’ Kyle countered.
‘And you will definitely not like my fist in your face,’ Cam retorted.
Kyle sat back. ‘Touché.’
Cam mirrored his move. ‘Réponse.’
Kyle chuckled and stared at Cam with an amused smirk, saying nothing. Cam began to grow uncomfortable under his gaze but luckily a waiter soon appeared carrying a tray with two medium-sized cups.
‘But we didn’t order anything,’ Cam told the waiter as he placed the drinks on the table.
‘Don’t worry it’s on the house,’ the waiter replied with a wink before disappearing.
Cam stared suspiciously at the drink as Kyle placed a straw in his cup and took a sip. ‘It’s quite good,’ he said. ‘Try it.’
Cam took a cautionary sip and was surprised to find it was actually quite tasty. ‘What’s it called?’ he asked, taking another sip.
‘Kyle,’ Kyle answered simply.
‘What?’
Kyle laughed at the surprised look on his face. ‘This is my cousin’s booth. He named the drink after me after we came up with it together.’
‘You have a cousin who goes to Lumierè?’
Kyle nodded. ‘Two actually, but they are both seniors.’
Cam was quite for a moment. Kyle looked up and noticed his expression. ‘You look surprised.’
‘I am but not by your cousins. I thought you were supposed to ask me to do whatever you want not sitting here in the shade having a drink.’
‘Who said this is not what I want?’
‘Well, it’s almost like you’re hitting on me.’
Kyle stared at him. ‘What if I am?’ he asked quietly.
Cam was too flabbergasted to respond. However, he didn’t need to for at that moment Kyle’s teammates arrived.
‘Yo Kyle, we need to get going. It’s time for us to head back to school.’
Kyle nodded and stood up.
‘Wait,’ Cam called out. Kyle turned back with a questioning look. ‘Thank you for the drink.’
Kyle waved it away. ‘It’s no problem. Don’t think about it.’
‘No. I don’t like owing people.’ Cam muttered.
Kyle paused and seemed to think about it for a moment. ‘In that case, you owe me lunch. Then we’re even.’
He grinned at Cam and turned to walk away with his teammates. ‘What about your jersey?’ Cam asked for he was still wearing his crimson jersey.
Kyle didn’t look back. ‘Keep it. It’s yours now.’
Later that night, Samuel was sitting on the rooftop of the observatory with Jayden’s head on his lap when Jayden suddenly turned to him.
‘Samuel?’
‘Mhm?’ Samuel responded absently.
‘What is your favourite thing in the world?’
‘You mean apart from you?’
‘Yeah.’
Samuel considered the question for a minute. ‘The sky,’ he answered finally.
Jayden sat up and stared at him. ‘The sky?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why the sky?’
Samuel shrugged. ‘It holds a lot of memories for me. It was right here underneath the sky that you first opened up to me. It was underneath the sky that I finally came to terms with my feelings for you and kissed you. It’s also here, right under the sky that I can openly be with you. I don’t have to hide my feelings for you or look around before I take your hand or sneak into empty classrooms when I want to kiss you.’
Jayden shook his head and lay it back down on his boyfriend’s lap. ‘Cheesy.’
Samuel laughed. ‘No but really, there is something strangely powerful and humbling about the sky. It keeps reminding us that no matter who we are or where we come from, whether we’re black or white, gay or straight, we are all under the same sky. And in the end, our lives and problems are as miniscule as the smallest atoms in the vast tapestry of the cosmos. We are all just doing the best we can with the best we’ve got and just hope that our best would be enough.’
‘Yeah, I’m definitely rubbing off you.’
Jayden laughed as Samuel’s expression became horrified as he remembered that awful experience. ‘Please stop.’ he grimaced but that only made Jayden laugh louder.
‘By the way,’ he said after Jayden was done laughing at his expense. ‘Before I forget, your mother was here today.’
Jayden’s face became expressionless. ‘She was? Whatever for?’
‘She wanted to make sure you were alright I guess.’
Jayden scoffed. ‘I highly doubt that. My mother is not the worrying type, least of all someone who worries about someone other than herself.’
Samuel said nothing and Jayden sat up to look at him. ‘What is it?’
‘It’s just,’ Samuel sighed. ‘I know things have been complicated between you and your parents but there’s still hope. Not with your father though; he’s a spineless snivelling bastard and the next time I see him I don’t think I would be able to stop myself from punching him in the face for all that he’s done to you.’
‘That would make an interesting sight,’ Jayden said amusedly.
‘Your mother however,’ Samuel continued. ‘She’s a different matter altogether. I can tell that she loves you very much. I can see it in the way she looks at you. When we went missing back in first year, she personally came into the forest to look for you and I can still remember her expression when she saw you again. The greatest show of love are not the grand showy gestures but the subtle acts that come about from genuine care and affection. She might not always go about it the right way but she does genuinely care about you.’
Jayden was silent for a long moment. Samuel watched him apprehensively. ‘I’m not saying that you should overlook what she’s done but just, try to give her a chance. Will you promise me that at least?’
Jayden sighed and nodded causing Samuel to beam brightly. ‘Great, now give me a kiss to seal that promise.’
Jayden scrunched up his face and turned away but Samuel held him down and placed little kisses all over his face until he finally gave in, their laughter ringing out into the night sky.
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