~NATE~

“Hey, who are you?” I glanced up from my text book to see a kid staring at me.

“Who are you?” I responded confusedly, I was in my room studying for a science test, and really didn’t need a distraction.

“Alex?” My adopted mother, Amy, peered around the door frame, “Ah there you are!” The boy-supposedly named Alex- ran to her and clung onto her leg.

“Who is he?” I looked at Amy for an answer, “I’m trying to study.”

“Nate, this is Alex. He’s going to be staying with us for a little while.” She smiled gently and patted the boys head, “I was wondering if you could keep him company for tonight while I make dinner.”

“Yeah I guess so.” I looked at Alex, he was still clutching Amy’s leg as if it was the only thing keeping him tethered to the Earth.

“Thanks!” She quickly broke free from Alex’s hold and ran down the stairs, “Oh, and he’s sleeping in your room while he’s here!”

I stared at the kid, who had already made himself at home, pulling various toys out of his backpack. I rolled my eyes and turned back to my work, but I couldn’t focus. “Hey can you be quieter?” I glared at Alex, who was pushing toy trucks across the floor, all the while screaming about how ‘aliens were coming’.

“No.” He replied simply. “I’m 7 and you can’t tell me what to do.” I looked at him, in complete disbelief. How was I supposed to survive with this ornery kid staying with us? He just grinned, revealing a gap filled smile, even so, it was the brightest smile I had ever seen.

Needless to say, I gave up on studying, and instead played with him until dinner was ready.

~

“He saved my life. He gave me something to care for.” I sighed, placing my head on the cafe table. “I fell in love with him, I didn’t even realize it, I really thought I was straight.”

“Nate you’re an idiot.” Justine whacked me across the head with her pocketbook, “an absolute idiot.”

“Ow!” I sat back up, “Aren’t you supposed to be nice to me?” I rubbed to back of my head in mock pain.

Justine laughed at me, “No, I’m your cousin, I’m supposed to keep you in line.” She slung her purse over her arm, and stood to leave. “You’ve never told me the full story before, Alex is clearly very important to you if you’re willing to spill everything for some advice.”

“Thank you.” I stood as well, placing the bill on the table, having already paid. “You know, I’m surprised that your father never told you the full story. They were brothers after all.”

“You know that my Dad wanted nothing to do with yours, seeing how badly he treated you.” Justine kissed my cheek, “I’m sorry that that also meant he wouldn’t take you in.” We walked together to her car, we said our goodbyes, and we went our separate ways.

~

I began the walk to my car, still parked in the hospital parking garage. Seeing as Justine and I work together, it was easiest to go to the cafe across the street from the hospital. I arrive at the security checkpoint in front of the garage, and sitting there on the side of the road is Alex.

“Alex?” I run toward him, “Why are you here?”

He looks up at me, tears still fresh in the corners of his eyes. “Oh, I was coming to tell you that I could move out soon. They said you were across the street, but I saw you were busy so I left. I was about to leave to go stay at a friends so I could be out of your hair.” I flinched, realizing I hadn't cleared things up, this was it, I really had to say it.

“Uh, Alex. Come home with me?” I managed to choke out, “I’ll give you a ride, just, please come?” He nodded silently, but he seemed confused. “Come on, my car is over here.”

~

The ride home was awkward enough, but sitting here in the living room across from each other is worse. I really just have to get this over with. As I sit there deliberating, Alex stands to leave, “I get it, you don’t have to tell me again, and I don’t need your pity.”

“No, Alex, please don’t go,” I grab his wrist, pulling him down to sit next to me, grabbing his shoulders. “I never wanted you to leave.” He looks startled, whether from the fact that I basically just assaulted him or from what I said, I don’t know. “You’re important to me, more so than anyone else. I love you.” I finally say it, the weight resting on my heart and mind melting away.

He looks at me strangely, blankly, before responding, “Yeah, I love you too, you’re my best friend. I’ll stay, okay?” He freed himself from my grasp, and ran back to his room. I watch him go in absolute bewilderment, wondering what I said, and how that could have possibly been taken the wrong way.