“Hey man you trying to come out tonight?” Shepley had called me while I was in the middle of ‘working’ which sucks so much because I would rather go out with him than be here for another second is all I am saying.

“I can’t tonight Shep. My mom is making me work now so I don’t ask her for money anymore.” I really hope he doesn’t ask me what I do because that would be quite embarrassing.

“No shit? What does she got you doing?” Of course he would ask me what it is I am doing, why wouldn’t he?

“It isn’t a real job or anything. She has me watching the kid from across the street while his parents are away.” Shep was silent for a moment and then you could just hear him burst out with laughter. Yeah I am so glad that he thinks that this is hilarious.

Because it isn’t. This is the worst. I am so bored and it has only been like a half hour or so since his parents left. I am going to lose my mind if I have to stay here any longer.

“Your mom wouldn’t let you get a real job Elliot?”

“No she wouldn’t. Even after I told her I would she still didn’t believe me.” I really don’t see why either.

“Probably because she knows that you wouldn’t have went to go look for one.” This is probably true but we aren’t going to talk about this. “Look man I just wanted to shoot you an invite. It is just a couple of us getting together since it is Friday night, plus Seanna is going to be there.” Shit, Seanna. I didn’t tell him what happened between her and I earlier.

I wouldn’t want her to be the one to say anything to him and then he get upset that I didn’t tell him.

“I am glad that I am not going then.”

“Oh shit what happened?”

“We were in the middle of one of our....meetings, and someone walked in on us and she got mad at me for not saying anything. I just didn’t see the big deal about it when literally the whole school knows about her.” You could hear Shepley just laughing on the other end.

“Of course her eyes would make a big deal out of it but whatever, forget her. We are gonna find you someone worth your time man. But I gotta go, okay? Talk to you later.” And with that he hung up the phone, leaving me once again in silence.

I slouched back in this white couch and took a look around. This house was so...white. Like everywhere you looked it was either white, cream and maybe a little bit of tan.

Do these people not believe in color what so ever? It just makes everything look so bland. At least they could have some color on their front door! I am literally making myself so upset about the color of their decor, this is how bored I am.

I got up off of this couch to go and find myself something to do because if I sat there any longer I was going to leave their child here by himself and not think twice about it. I was going to head into their kitchen but then I heard noise coming from the door that Jaxon came out of.

Was he listening to music? I know he doesn’t want me here but maybe he could be some entertainment until it was time to go. I turned his door knob and sure enough it was unlocked so I just let myself right on in.

As I walked down the steps his room was coming more and more into view. Finally, a room with color. Actually to be more specific his walls weren’t just one color, there was art all of them like different types of things. Did he do all of that? Once I was at the bottom of his stairs I looked around the corner and seen that he was at his desk doing something.

Drawing I guess? He didn’t hear me walk down so I was going to take this moment to really look at his walls and what was on them. It looked like he had made each wall a different season, like summer fall winter and spring. They were all so beautiful in their own way.

I couldn’t stop looking at them and really taking in what he had done, well if he had done all of this.

“What are you doing in my room?” I was totally scared from what I was doing by the sound of his voice. I turned my head to him to see that he did look kind of mad.

“I uh—“

“What do you want?” This kid was pretty damn rude if I don’t say so myself.

“I heard music and wanted to check it out. Also I was bored so....Did you do these?” I said as I motioned to his walls. He looked around before he sighed and sat his pencil on his desk.

“Yeah. I did.”

“It looks amazing man.” I said as I walked closer to the wall on my left. This one was winter, I wasn’t sure if I liked this one the most or not.

“Thanks. You can sit down if you want.” He said to me before shrugging his shoulders. Does he want to have some company and just acts like he doesn’t?

I nodded and went to go sit down on his bed. It became very quiet in here because he had turned off his music so there was nothing except our breathing. This was so weird I would rather be upstairs once again.

“So—“

“Are you and that girl together?” Oh here we go again with this.

“No, we are not.” He slowly nodded before turning his entire body towards me.

“I was just curious. I have caught her a couple times before with other guys so I didn’t know if like...she was cheating or whatever.” This poor guy has had to see Seanna getting it on with other guys? No wonder she got so upset when she seen it was him.

“Yeah she is....I don’t want to talk about her.” He nodded and then took a deep breath.

“I don’t want you being nice to me just because you feel sorry for me or whatever. I know you have heard about the rumors, I mean everyone has. I am not a weird kid I just like being alone because I hate high school.” I don’t know where that all came from but it took me off guard.

Do people pick on him at school? I remember Shep telling me that there was a rumor about him being gay so is that what people are harassing him about?

I know that he said to not feel sorry for him but it’s like, a part of me can’t help it. That is shitty of people to do that just because he is different and being gay does not make you different at all.

“I don’t feel sorry for you...er I mean. That came out wrong.” I am an idiot. Let me just throw salt on the wound real quick. “What I mean is whether that rumor is true or not that is your business. I’m not concerned about that and I am not here because I pity you. I came down here because I was bored.” He stared at me for a moment before giving me a smile.

This was the first time I have ever seen him smile and to be honest I wish he would do it more. It fits him so well.

“Sometimes your words are shit but thank you Elliot.” His words now caused me to smile at him.

Things became less tense between us and he started to talk to me a bit more. We were talking about a little bit of everything which felt pretty nice.

I had asked him if he would show me some of his work and this seemed to have made him happy. He takes pride in his work and I could see that. He should though because for his age he is already amazing I haven’t seen anything like this.

It wasn’t until he got to a certain page where it was a picture of a guy, I don’t know who he is I have never seen him but whoever it was Jaxon seemed to have some sort of...past with him.

When I asked him who that was he quickly shut it down and pretended he didn’t hear me, okay so that must be a touchy subject for him so I was not about to push him into telling me anything that I didn’t need to know.

“Some things just need to stay hidden, you know?” I wasn’t entirely sure what he meant by that so I just nodded and pretended that I knew. 

“Yeah for sure Jaxon.” He sighed before looking right at me. Him and I were sitting on his bed side by side and since we were looking through his book we were extremely close so when he turned his head to me it was entirely too close. 

“Please call me Jax. I hate my name.” He was looking me right in my eyes and it was making me a little uncomfortable. I scooted over a bit to get out of that intense gaze and then nodded.

“You got it.” I said with a smile. He nodded and then looked back down in to his book. 

It got pretty quiet between us once again only this time it let so awkward for me. I don’t know why I am letting that get to me, it just felt so weird was all. 

And then it was like I was saved by the bell because we both heard his parents walking in the house from their date. Thank the lord. Him and I looked at each other so I gave him the best smile I could form.

Wasn’t the best but whatever I tried. 

We both started walking back upstairs, him in front of me. Once we were all the way up his parents looked so happy to see him and I. 

“How was he?” His mom was so chipper it made me want vomit. She grabbed a hold of Jax and pulled him in like the was some type of child. 

That poor kid looked like he wanted to die right then and there. 

“Uh, good? Just like any average teenager I guess.” What the hell was I supposed to say? 

“Mom please let me go.” He was so aggravated and just wanted to get out of this situation. That makes two of us. 

“Thank you so much Elliot we really appreciate it. If we ever need you again would it be okay for us to call you?” I looked over at Jax and if I was mistaken it seriously looked like he was begging me with his eyes to say yes. 

Did he enjoy my company today? 

Or does he just want to have that space away from his parents? Maybe both I don’t know. But I couldn’t just let him suffer like that. 

“Yeah totally, I wouldn’t mind it at all. Just, uh, hit my mom up or whatever.” Jules smiled and then let go of her son to come and give me a hug. 

This is making me ready to die. I looked at her son and he mouthed the word ‘sorry’ to me which made me smile a bit. I only have to deal with this for a moment, he has to deal with this everyday. 

“Alright well I am going to head out of here.” I said as I pulled away from the woman. “It was a pleasure to meet you all.” I grabbed my bag and then headed out the door. 

Once I was finally out and heading down the steps I heard someone call my name from behind. 

“Hey Elliot.” It was Jax. 

“Yeah?” He looked nervous and he also looked like he had wished he didn’t come out here. “Everything okay? 

“Thanks for...see you around?” I couldn’t help but to smile at him, in a weird was he was quite adorable. 

“Of course Jax. See you man.” And with that I turned around and headed to my house.

Why was that so weird? What was he going to thank me for? Why am I overthinking that whole situation?