Page 28 of Forever We Fall

“Do you have your receipt for it?” he grumbles.

“No.” I almost smile because I know how much he hates the radio, or more aptly, the music I listen to on it. “And no, I don’t sell drugs.” I mouth the last part because the old man is shuffling our way. “I sell school assignments.”

Hota’s shoulders go down hard. His chin goes up, and his mouth hangs open. He stares at the ceiling while I finish the transaction and collect my new laptop.

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of that.” He smacks the hair back from his eyes and heads for the door he was so reluctant to enter. He pushes out and stops in the alleyway, his mouth still agape.

A laugh sneaks out of my chest, works its way up my throat, and filters into the damp air.

Hota’s face jerks in my direction. A beat passes, and then a vibrant smile blooms on his cheeks.

“Don’t worry about it.” I bump my shoulder with his and head toward the main street. It’s not until he hangs back that I realize what I did. I touched him. Not skin to skin, but shirt-covered shoulder to shirt-covered shoulder. It’s a big fucking deal. And I did it without thinking.

He just makes me comfortable. When he’s not annoying me, purposely ruffling my feathers, or inadvertently plumping my cock, he feels like the safest place I’ve found since my world imploded.

He feels like my guy. Whatever that means.

My friend. My person. Integral to the beating of my heart.

As soon as I turn, he straightens his features and falls in line beside me. I’m thankful he didn’t make a thing of it. So thankful that the corner of my mouth turns up.

“If you think that’s a lot of money...” I pat my pocket. “Just think how much rich teenage boys will pay for porn access.”

He whoops, tossing himself into the air and basically stopping all forward progress. “You said porn.”

“Are you proud of me?” I can't believe I’m having this conversation.

“Yes.” His laughter is rich and boisterous.

It does something to my insides. It knits our souls a little tighter together. A thread that started the first day I saw him, though I didn’t want it to. A thread that grew thicker last night when he watched over me as I slept.

“You’re a genius.” His hands go palm up on either side of him. “I’m a genius too. Why didn’t I think of it?”

“They say necessity is the mother of invention.” I shake my head. “Desperation is.”

“Speaking of desperate.” He turns toward the main part of town and starts walking again. “Now we have to get you jerking off.”

“Who says I’m not?” I am not. I hate that he knows it. I mean, it’s something I was plenty familiar with before everything went to shit.

“Who’s the deviant now?” He looks over his shoulder at me. A grin is plastered on his face.

“You. Definitely, still you.”

His lips purse as he assesses me, as if he can tell by simply looking at me. “Nice try, but you’re not.”

“I don’t know how it’s any business of yours.” I walk a little faster, trying to pass him. Too bad he keeps up easily.

I’m not able to outrun my embarrassment. Hotaru has none, it seems.

“I’m your friend. Friends look out for each other’s well-being. A daily jerk is part of a healthy lifestyle.” He takes a breath to continue.

My hand comes up between us. “If you say one more word about it, I’m not buying you lunch, and you’ll have to eat cafeteria food on this dreary Saturday.”

“Fine. You bought my silence.” A smirk grows across his face. “For now.”

“If your mother was abused at a boarding school, why the fuck would your dad send you to one?”

Arlo lies casually with his head at the foot of my bed. His school issue blanket is neatly folded under his clasped hands, which prop up his brain. It’s this ridiculous game he plays.

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