After the movie ended they sat around talking for a while and finishing off the rest of the food. Ethan dodged a couple of questions about his life back in Sydney and eventually, everyone grew quiet.

"We should probably get going, we have school in the morning and Jake's parents will flip if he misses curfew," Jacie explained

Ethan frowned, he would have liked them to stay longer but it was getting late so he reluctantly agreed and jumped to his feet, "I'll walk you to your streets then so everyone gets home safely"

"What about you though?" Jacie pointed out

"I'll get Lucy to pick me up" he lied

The street lights were yellowed with age and cast a pale light on the trees, more than a few times Ethan spotted cats or other creatures like possums hiding in trees or bushes, their eyes glowing from the light and slinking away as the group passed.

They reached the twin's street first and by then the pair had found something to bicker about, Ethan looked at Jake who shrugged and rolled his eyes as if to say that it happened all the time,

"Whoever reaches the house first wins the argument ok?" Ethan interrupted They both nodded and with a quick goodbye sprinted for their house, Nate got there first by the skin of his teeth and Jake and Ethan could hear him cheering even when they were two streets away.

"They must drive each other crazy," Ethan laughed uneasily, suddenly aware that he was now alone with Jake.

"They do but they try not to show it around other people. They care a lot about each other but they are super competitive, they can never let the other win easily." Jake said quietly

"How long have you known them?"

Jake took a breath while he counted "Nearly seven years"

Ethan made a terrible attempt at a whistle and successfully resulted in sounding like a strangled cat "That's quite the friendship"

Jake nodded "it has been a strange and amusing experience and already you have caught our attention and turned it into something different," he said softly

Something about the way Jake said that and the look he gave him made Ethan both nervous and excited, his stomach turned and he imagined swatting the various butterflies that were fluttering around in there but also knowing that even if he could, they'd outspeed him.

They walked several more blocks and the night air started to cool rapidly. Ethan noticed Jake was trying not to shiver and without a second thought he took off his jumper

"Here," he said and handed it to him, their hands brushed against each other as Jake accepted it and even though it was only a brief second it was like fire for his body and even as he drew back he wanted it to continue.

Jake smiled gratefully, "Thanks, we are getting closer to my house now"

Ethan was lost in his eyes and smiled stupidly

Jake laughed and they kept walking, neither of them said anything for a few minutes as they passed various streets but finally, they reached Jake's street and slowed to a stop on the footpath.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow Jake," Ethan said softly

Jake reached for his hand and Ethan's heart began to beat like a drum but Jake shrugged off Ethan's jumper and placed it in his hand,

"Thank you for letting me borrow that, I was cold which is weird because I don't normally feel the cold."

Ethan heartbeat dropped back and he sagged a little, "It uh, happens like that sometimes" he said awkwardly

Jake nodded "I am really glad you turned out to be a nice guy Ethan. I think life around here is going to be much more interesting with you around."

Ethan's pulse quickened even more and he had a brief moment of concern that Jake would hear how hard and fast his heart was beating, "I'm glad I met you too," he whispered.

Jake studied him for a moment, he tilted his head then moved closer to Ethan but then changed his mind and let go of Ethan's hand "See you at school" he laughed shakily and took a step back. Ethan noticed how Jake's hand went straight to the scar but then he shoved his hand in his pocket

A car pulled into the street and indicated to turn into the driveway "Jake" the driver called "The rule of your curfew is you are inside before I walk in the front door, hurry up." Jake snorted, "Yes dad but by the time you get your big gut out of the car I'll be inside", Jake's father laughed as Jake headed up to the front door "Cheeky blighter!" he called

Jake smiled and shrugged at Ethan then waved, Ethan nodded and waved back as he walked back up the street.

"I'm sorry we couldn't talk longer" Jake called

Ethan stopped and turned around "That's alright; you need to beat your dad inside. Besides, I can text you."

Jake nodded and waved again before stepping inside.

Ethan grinned as he moved out of sight then sat on the gutter and took another deep breath, willing his heart to slow down. "I'm in trouble," he whispered.

Eventually, he got up and walked unsteadily down the road, replaying his last few moments with Jake repeatedly. He scrutinised every little thing that he did and so, completely absorbed by his thoughts that he did not hear or notice in any way the three boys slowly approaching from behind.

His brain was whirling and he felt as if his thoughts were just small drops of water in the entire ocean, everything was insignificant and he stood in a park just enjoying the cool air against his burning face.

"So, first my hang-out spot and now my boyfriend, is there anything you don't steal you little thief?"

Ethan spun around and found himself face to face with Justin and two guys he didn't know.

Ethan crossed his arms "I have no idea what you are talking about as usual Justin," he said calmly

Justin sneered at him "Didn't your mummy and daddy ever teach you not to lie to people"

Ethan's temper flickered but he remained silent trying to make out more than the silhouettes of Justin's friends.

Justin snorted angrily "I saw you with him you little mutt, holding his hand flirting with him"

Ethan's eyes widened "That? That was nothing" he stammered, "He was just giving my jumper back, We are just friends"

Justin scowled "It didn't look like nothing to me" He turned to his friends "What about you boys, did it look like nothing to you?"

Both boys shook their heads and Ethan saw a flash of teeth as one grinned, Justin walked around Ethan forcing him to turn to look at Justin. Justin nodded "Grab him" he spat

Ethan spun and tried to step out of the way but he wasn't fast enough and the two boys grabbed his arms keeping him still. Ethan swore at them and tried to rip his arms from their grip but he didn't have enough strength to overpower both of them. He bit his lip in frustration and kicked at their shins but they merely took a step back while keeping hold of him.

"Can't you do anything on your own Justin?" he challenged

Justin laughed and walked back around to face him, "Don't ever go near Jake again!" he hissed.

The first punch rocked Ethan's head and the second knocked the breath out of him as Justin drove his fist deep into his stomach. The two boys dropped him and someone kicked him onto his back. Ethan's eyes were blurry and his vision dimmed, he blinked a few times and then his vision started to clear.

He leapt to his feet and swayed slightly. He feinted a left jab then slammed a right hook into Justin's cheek, something cracked but Ethan couldn't tell whether it came from his hand or Justin. The blow from the left dropped Ethan to his knees, in the heat of the moment he cursed himself silently, forgetting about the two thugs that Justin had brought with him was a huge mistake and he shouldn't have expected a fair fight. Justin's foot knocked away his thoughts when it smashed into Ethan's chin snapping him flat on his back with a thud.

Ethan could feel everything going numb, he was cold and it was a fight to keep his eyes open. He shivered from both the pain and the cold and his eyelids fluttered then closed. Despite the obvious fact that Ethan wasn't getting back up Justin didn't stop, he stomped on and kicked at Ethan's fingers until he heard them break and kicked him in the stomach until vomit exploded from his mouth. The two friends eventually dragged Justin a few metres away when Ethan no longer made noise and blood began to pool around him.

Justin pushed at them "It's fine, I'm all good" he said angrily but they didn't let go, Justin laughed and raised his hands as much as he could "Honest. I'm not gonna hit him again."

They let him go and watched as Justin grabbed Ethan's phone and then pressed his thumb to it before typing in the phone for a minute. He slid the phone back into his pocket, spat on him and then walked away.