Cherimon-Finally

It was a dark night, raindrops piercing the black sky. The rain had started as a slight drizzle, and Charlie decided a run was not out of the question. So he tied up his running shoes and exited his room. Alex was in the kitchen, staring at the wall. Charlie stayed there for a minute. Just studying the older boy. He felt the butterflies in his stomach make an appearance. He frowned, Alex was just a friend. But lately he had felt awkward around him. But he was straight, right? Charlie was staring into space thinking when Alex noticed him.
"Charlie," he said and the taller boy jumped. "What are you doing?"
Charlie felt his heart rate speed up. "Um, I was just going out for a run."
"Well," Alex replied with a chuckle. "Staring into space isn't going to get you anywhere."
"Yeah," Charlie felt his face flush. "I was just...thinking" he said slowly.
"Ok. But it's raining." Alex said in a desperate attempt to keep Charlie home. Lately he had felt feelings more than friendship. But he knew Charlie didn't feel the same. Which made everything harder. He thought maybe living with Charlie would make Charlie like him more, but it didn't seem to be working.
"Yeah, but it's only drizzling." Charlie replied with little emotion, but his mind was spinning. Was that begging in Alex's voice? Did he want Charlie to stay? No, Charlie told himself firmly, he doesn't like you that way, don't get your hopes up. But he wanted to so badly. "Just a quick run tonight, I'll be back before you know it." Charlie started walking towards the door.
"Wait!" Alex pleaded. Stupid boy, Alex said to himself. Should he tell him? He had gotten into this hadn't he?
"What's wrong Alex?" Charlie said turning around and facing Alex. They were just inches away. Alex felt his face flush. Kiss him! his body seemed to scream.
"It's just," He started. No, don't kiss him, Alex's mind told him, talk to him him. "Can I talk to you before you go?"
"Of course," Charlie said. He felt the butterflies come back. Tell him now, Charlie told himself. The boys went over to the couch and sat down.
"I have something to tell you," Alex said.
"Me too," Charlie responded. "Same time, on three," Charlie offered. "One, two, three."
"I love you," the boys said at the same time. They looked at each other, really looked at each other, for the first time. Then Alex pulled the taller boy in for a hug.
"I was so worried I was going to ruin our friendship," Alex whispered into his ear.
"Same here," Charlie breathed. "I never thought..." he started, but just left the thought hanging there. They knew what he meant, they never thought they would be together, and here they were.
"Are you still going for a run?" Alex asked.
"Yeah, I think so. Don't worry, I'll be back," Charlie said to Alex's falling face.
Alex smiled at him, and kissed Charlie on the cheek. "See you later, be home soon."
"Okay Alex, I'll be back before you know it." Charlie walked to the door and exited the flat, thinking of his new boyfriend.


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Charlie's shoes splashed through the puddles forming slowly. About ten minutes into the run, it had started to pour. He decided to keep going because be was already soaked, but it was quite late. The night and the rain swallowing any object three feet in front of him. Charlie ran with caution. Using
his ears to catch any dangers. As he ran, his mind began to wander. It wandered to thoughts of Alex. Of his laugh, his smile. The way he made Charlie laugh on his worst days. He smiled at the thought. I have all that now, he thought to himself, he's mine. He forgot he was even running. It felt like he was floating.
As Charlie ran, he heard a strange noise. Headlights pulled into the road he was crossing. But Charlie didn't see this. All he heard was a mother cry out, "Abby, stop!" Charlie saw a little girl wander into the street. That's when he saw the car, just a little ways away. Charlie pushed the girl out of the way but he couldn't make it across the street. He heard squealing tires, desperately trying to put on the brake. But it was too late, a bumper slammed into his side, and everything went black.