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“Mom! Mom! Someone’s at the door!” Kai exclaimed, jumping off the couch and rushing into the kitchen, where his mother, Maya, was finishing frosting a cake she had made.
“Oh really?” She put the frosting down, taking off her apron as well. “Well then, let's go see who it is.”
Kai followed behind his mother quickly, practically bursting with excitement once they were in the foyer of their house. “Who is it Mom? Who is it?? I wanna see!” He said, jumping up and down to try and see through the peephole of the front door. He was unsuccessful.
“Kai honey!” Maya laughed, picking Kai up and moving him out of the way gently. “I can’t see who it is if I have a rambunctious little boy in the way!” She pinched Kai’s cheek affectionately before kissing him on the forehead, making him laugh. She smoothed out her clothes, having been wrinkled by the apron, and opened the door.
Outside stood a young woman with a tray of baked goods in her hands. She gave a warm smile once she saw Maya. “Hey there!” She greeted them. “I’m Lilly! It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m your new neighbor and I wanted to come over and say hello,”
“Well isn’t this a nice surprise?” Maya exclaimed, taking the tray. “Are you the people who just moved in a couple days ago? I saw that huge moving truck next door and I was wondering who moved into Mrs. Roseman’s old house.”
Kai was getting restless. He couldn’t see who the lady was all that well due to his Mom being in the way. “Mooommm! Please can I meet the new neighbors? Cmon Mom I wanna see!”
Maya chuckled a bit. “I almost forgot. This little one is my son, Kai. He loves meeting new people. He’s a bit of a social butterfly.”
“Oh my goodness he’s precious!” Lilly cooed, making Kai beam. “How old are you sweetie?”
“I’m five!” Kai told her with pride, holding up five of his fingers. “Mom says I turn six in seven months!”
“Oh my gosh, that’s lovely!” Lilly chirped before looking back over to Maya. “My son Cole is his age. He walked over here with me. He insisted on coming with me so I let him.”
“Ah, still in his separation anxiety phase?” Maya asked.
Lilly nodded. “Yep. He’s a clingy one that’s for sure. Come on Cole honey, why don’t you say hi to the new neighbors?”
Kai looked a little bit more and, just behind Lilly was a boy, right around his age. His hair was dark, way darker than Kai’s. He was clutching onto his mom's jacket, peering out from behind her. Their eyes met, and Kai waved at him, a huge smile on his face. Cole ducked back behind Lilly, clutching onto her jacket tighter.
“Oh sweetie it's okay,” Lilly comforted Cole. “They’re just the new neighbors, nothing to worry about.” She ruffled his hair affectionately, before turning back to Maya. “He’s a little shy.”
“Oh don’t worry about it! Here, why don’t you guys come in? I just finished making a cake, I can get you guys some if you’d like,” She offered. The mention of cake seemed to grab Cole’s attention immediately. He peered back out from behind Lilly, eyes sparkling.
“That sounds great! Thank you so much for the kind offer!” Lilly said, taking Cole’s hand gently, leading him into the house. He trailed along cautiously, reminding Kai of a baby duck trailing behind its mother. Kai followed his mom into the dining room, sitting at the table along with Cole and Lilly. He kicked his feet in anticipation. His mom was so good at baking, she made the best cake in the world! This time she made chocolate cake, which was his favorite. He wondered if it was Cole’s as well.
Maya served the little kids their cake and asked Lilly to join her in the kitchen for some tea. Once the adults had left, Kai saw the perfect opportunity to get to know the new kid.
“Hi! I’m Kai!” He said enthusiastically with a wide, toothy grin. His two front teeth were missing. “What’s your name?”
Cole looked up from his hands, his eyes meeting Kai’s. He hesitated a bit, before shyly muttering, “...m-my name’s Cole…”
“Ooh I like that name!” Kai giggled, taking a bite of his cake. “It sounds like a superhero name! Or a ninja!”
The compliment seemed to make Cole feel more comfortable. “Really?” He asked, taking his attention away from his hands.
“Yeah! It does! You could like, totally be a superhero if you wanted to!”
A shy smile spread across Cole’s face. “Th-Thank you….I like Kai too,”
The two talked as they ate their cake, with Kai carrying most of the conversation, not that he minded. He was always described as chatty, and full of energy. Cole liked listening to Kai talk. Already he was beginning to relax, which wasn’t something that came easy to him in new situations.
Once both of their plates were empty, Kai looked over to Cole. “Hey, wanna see my treehouse?” He asked excitedly.
That got Cole’s attention. “You have a treehouse?” He asked, eyes wide as saucers.
Kai nodded. “My dad built it for me! Cmon! We gotta go see it!” Kai exclaimed, taking Cole’s hand and dragging him into the kitchen. “Mom! Mom! Mom! Can I go show Cole my treehouse? Please please please???”
Maya and Lilly laughed at Kai’s silliness. “Yes you can Kai, come here though,” She grabbed a washcloth out of the drawer and wetted it with some warm water. “You have chocolate all over your face love.”
“Moooom!” Kai groaned, little cheeks flushing red as Maya cleaned his face off.
“Hey, I’m not the one who covered their face in cake,” She teased, booping him on the nose once she was done, making his nose wrinkle. “Alright, you two can go play. Kai make sure he knows how to get up there safely! I don’t want anyone getting hurt!” Called after the two as they rushed through the kitchen and over to the back door.
Kai rolled his eyes as he put his red jacket on. “Yes, mom!” He called from the backdoor before opening it and dragging Cole outside. Once they were outside, Kai ran over to the treehouse as fast as he could, super excited to show Cole his treehouse.
“Wow…” Cole awed, looking up at it in wonder. “I’ve always wanted a treehouse!”
Kai nodded and began to climb up the ladder. “My dad built it for me last summer!” He explained as he climbed up. “I call it my Fortress of Awesome!” Kai took Cole’s hand and helped him climb up the ladder into the treehouse. “And do you know what the best part is?”
Cole climbed into the treehouse and sat down on the floor beside Kai. “What?”
“No girls allowed!”
Cole laughed at that, and the two boys began to play up in Kai’s treehouse. First, they started by playing Pirates, with Kai as the pirate captain, and Cole as his first mate. As Cole became more comfortable, it turned out that he was fun to play with! They went on an entire swashbuckling adventure full of treasure, and fun. They probably stayed in that treehouse until the streetlights came on, and Lilly and Cole had to leave.
”Cole come on honey! We have to go back home and make dinner!” Lilly called from the back door, watching as both boys poked their heads out of the treehouse window.
”Aww, can I stay a little longer? Can I please mom?”
Lilly only smiled and shook her head. “No honey, we gotta go home and make dinner. Kai needs to eat his too. Besides! We live right next door, you can always come over and play tomorrow!”
Cole sighed. “Okay!” He called from the window, before gathering his coat and climbing down the ladder. “Bye Kai!” He said as he walked to the house, waving goodbye with a smile on his face.
“Bye Cole!” Kai called back, waving as well. “Tomorrow we can play ninjas!!”
"First day of first grade!" Lilly chirped, snapping a picture of Cole and Kai who were standing on the sidewalk dressed in their finest school clothes, well...as fine as you can get for first graders. Cole had on a simple black and grey striped hoodie with some jeans, while Kai had a fire engine red t-shirt with orange stars, and a pair of black shorts. Both of them held lunchboxes in their hands, and backpacks on their backs. Kai was beaming with excitement, while poor Cole was shaking like a leaf, already looking like he wanted to go home.
"Aren't they just precious?" Maya awed, snapping a picture of the boys as well. "Oh, they grow up so fast."
"Mom! Do you know who our new teacher is?" Kai asked, taking Maya's hand as the group walked to school together. "Brandon, one of the big kids, said that the first-grade teacher is like, really mean and she's secretly a witch in disguise!"
"Wh-What?" Cole whimpered, eyes widening in fear.
"Kai quit scaring Cole. Number one, that teacher retired last year, and number two, she was not a witch in disguise. Although I wouldn't be surprised if she was..."
"Wasn't that Mrs. Freeman?" Lilly asked, looking over to Maya.
"Yes, it was. She was the meanest lady I had ever come across. She made PTA meetings a nightmare," Maya sighed, shaking her head. "Although I heard that the new first-grade teacher is nice. I think her name is Mrs. Scott. So, there is absolutely nothing for you boys to worry about."
"I wonder if she gives out candy like the kindergarten teacher," Cole mumbled. "I liked Mr. Kieth, he was real nice."
"I don't know, you'll have to wait and see," Lilly replied as they came upon the front door of the elementary school. The two ladies walked the boys into the building, showing them the first-grade classroom. They talked to the teacher a bit, while Cole stayed behind. Kai however was exploring the entire classroom, poking his head into closets, investigating the cubbies, looking at all of the books they had in the classroom library, he was having a real ball. Maya had to tell him multiple times not to get into things he shouldn't, but he did anyway. Eventually it came time for school to start, so both ladies kissed their boys goodbye and walked down the hallway waving. Kai leaned out the door, waving goodbye excitedly. Cole however didn't go into the classroom alongside Kai. Instead, he stood outside the door fiddling with his hands, he looked like he wanted to cry.
When Kai noticed that Cole wasn't walking into the classroom with him, he worried. “What’s wrong Cole?” he asked, both confused and worried. Why didn't want to go into the classroom with him? Was something wrong?
Cole sniffled, hiding his face from Kai as a few tears slid down his cheeks. “I’m scared Kai,” he whimpered as he began to cry. “I don’t wanna go in there.”
"Hey, it's okay! Don't cry!" Kai comforted, giving Cole a hug. "Why are you scared? Mrs. Scott seems really nice!”
Cole shrugged as they broke the hug. “I don’t know…” he mumbled, wiping his tears away with his fists. However more just kept coming. “I just am. What if the new teacher is like, really mean? What if the kids don’t like me, and start to pick on me? What if- what if-” Cole couldn’t even finish his sentence as more tears came to his eyes. The poor thing was so scared.
Kai looked down, trying to think of a way he could comfort his friend. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he got his answer. “Do you wanna hold my hand?”
”Wh-What?”
”Well, whenever I’m scared, my mom always holds my hand,” Kai held his hand out for Cole to take it. “Do you wanna hold my hand so you won’t be so scared?”
Cole stared at it for a little bit, before accepting. “O-Okay…” he sniffled as he wiped his tears away again, taking Kai’s hand in his.
“Feel better?” Kai asked once he took Cole’s hand.
Cole nodded. “Mhm...thank you..."
Kai gave Cole a bright smile as they walked into the classroom together. Although Cole was still pretty scared, he felt safer knowing that Kai was there with him. Maybe, this year wouldn’t be so bad?
“Kai! Come downstairs! Cole’s on the phone!”
Kai groaned at the mention of Cole. Normally he would be excited to talk to his friend, however, he knew damn well that Cole wanted him to come over, meaning Kai would have to show him his face.
Which could. Not. Happen.
”Kai!!”
”Coming!” Kai yelled back, dragging himself out of bed and running downstairs to answer the phone. He felt his stomach swirl with worry as he emerged at the bottom of the stairs, making his way into the dining room over to where the phone was. He took the phone from his mom (not before hearing a light “it’s rude not to answer people when they’re calling you”) and greeted his friend on the other line. “Hey, dude, what’s up?”
“Kai! Where have you been dude?? I haven’t seen you in like forever!”
”Yeah, life happened I guess. I uh…” He looked around for something to lie about. “Took the driver's test.”
”We’re in seventh-grade dude…”
“I learned early!”
”Kai you’re a horrible liar. Cmon you’re hiding something.”
Kai sighed. Cole could always see right through him. It drove him crazy. “Okay fine, you’re right. I uh…I just….”
”You what?”
”I…forget it. It’s nothing.”
”Right it’s nothing. Sure. Hey, listen I’m bored as hell, if you wanna come over and tell me you can.”
Before Kai could say anything his Mom walked by and grabbed the phone from him. “He’d love to come over! He’ll be over in around ten minutes!”
”Mom!”
”You’ve been avoiding him for too long, he was bound to find out eventually, now go get dressed, and have fun with your friend,” Maya said as she gave the phone back to Kai, and walked off.
Kai rolled his eyes and held the receiver to his mouth. “I’ll be over in ten minutes. See you then,” he said simply before hanging up to go get dressed. He rummaged around his room for a bit before settling on a simple t-shirt, red jacket, and jeans combo. He ran a comb through his hair and slicked it up with some hair gel. Once he was dressed and satisfied (ish) with his appearance, he slipped on his red converse and climbed out his window, and across the tree over to Cole’s backyard. He jumped down, thinking he’d stick the landing, only to be proven otherwise.
“Ow…” he groaned, slowly getting up from his spot in the ground.
”Why can’t you just come over like a normal person?” Kai looked over and saw Cole standing on his back porch, staring at him disapprovingly. “You’re gonna fuck yourself up one of these days.”
”Jokes on you, I do it out of spite,” Kai winced as he got up off the ground. “Can I come in now?”
”No I only invited you over to banish you outside, yes you can come in dingus,” Cole laughed, sliding open the sliding glass door, and walking inside. Kai followed. He had to admit, after the worst week of his life, it was good to see Cole again.
”So, how’s your mom doing?” Kai asked as they made their way upstairs.
”Doing good. Still sick but the doc says she should be doing better with this new medication she’s taking.” Cole replied, leading Kai up the stairs and to his room.
”Oh good! Glad your mom’s doing better man. She’s tough as nails though, so I had a feeling she’d kick this sickness’s ass.”
Cole laughed. “Oh yeah. Mom wouldn’t let sickness take her out. She’s far too stubborn for that,” Soon enough, the two were at Cole’s door. They both walked inside and sat down somewhere in the room. Cole sat down in his bed, while Kai took over the computer chair.
”Alright, you can't hide anymore,” Cole said, looking over at Kai. “What’s going on with you?”
Fuck. “What do you mean?” Kai asked, still trying to play dumb hoping Cole would just drop the subject.
”Come on dude. Ever since your dentist appointment last week, you’ve been avoiding me like the plague. Come on, what’s wrong?”
Kai wasn’t going to back down easily. There was no way in hell that he was going to show Cole what had become of his teeth. If he found out, he might as well just sign up for a permanent membership at the dork club. “What do you mean? There’s nothing wrong, I’m fine!”
”Right. And my name is Mary. Come on man, just talk to me! It’s not like I’m gonna bite you or anything.”
Dammit. He didn’t know how, but Cole was slowly persuading Kai to show him what all the fuss was about. He knew better, but he still found himself opening up like an idiot. “Okay, but you have to swear not to laugh!”
Cole rolled his eyes. “Okay Kai, I swear.”
”Uh uh, you gotta swear not to laugh. Got it?”
Cole began to laugh a bit. “Okay Kai okay!” He held his right hand over his heart and held up his left. “I, Cole Brookstone hereby solemnly swear not to laugh at my friend Kai Smith, and whatever he’s about to show me,” he moved his hands back to their natural positions. “Okay, happy now?”
Kai sighed. “Yeah, I suppose so…” he felt butterflies in his stomach as he mentally prepared himself to show Cole what was probably the dorkiest feature about himself. He hoped to God he wouldn’t laugh. I mean, it was Cole, and he swore not to laugh so he didn’t think he would, but it never hurt to be prepared. He took in a deep breath and held his head up as he looked at Cole with a smile, heart pounding in his chest as he awaited his reaction.
”Oh you got braces!” Cole realized, looking at the metal brackets on Kai’s teeth. “I think they look pretty good on you!”
”No they don’t!” Kai exclaimed, immediately covering his mouth again. “I look like a total dweeb! Might as well go get me a pocket protector and a pair of velcro shoes. Hey maybe while I’m at it I can sign up for the Math Club or whatever the hell the nerds do with their spare time.”
”Kai, you’re not a total dweeb, trust me,” Cole laughed. “If anyone here’s a dork, it’s me.”
”Really? You’re the dork? Dude, I have a face full of metal and wire, you’re decked out in spiked bracelets and rock t-shirts how in the hell are you a dork?”
Cole sighed. “Well, you told me your secret, might as well tell you mine,” He leaned down to grab his backpack. A sheepish smile spread across his face as he reached into his backpack, and pulled out a small black case.
”What’s that?” Kai asked, curious.
Cole sighed and opened up the case. “Glasses.”
”Glasses? You wear glasses?” Kai asked, genuinely surprised.
Cole nodded and slipped them on. He….actually looked pretty good in them. Kai didn’t know why, but he actually really liked how Cole looked in those glasses. A small part of him wished he would wear them more. “I’ve had em since like, fourth grade I think. Although I never wear them despite what my dad says,” Cole’s slightly embarrassed but still good-spirited expression really pulled the whole look together. Kai really liked it, but he couldn’t put a finger on why. “Doc says it’s possible I’ll grow out of them though.”
Kai swallowed, trying to think of words to say. He was just astounded as to how…good his friend looked in his glasses. “Well, I think they look pretty good on you.”
Cole looked up at Kai with wide eyes, as if he hadn’t expected him to say that. He looked genuinely surprised and flattered at Kai’s words. “Th-Thanks…” he mumbled as he averted his eyes, Kai could have sworn he saw some blush on his cheeks.
The silence was deafening, although not uncomfortable. Kai still decided to break it though. “So, Brace-Face and Four-Eyes. Sounds like a superhero team or something.”
Cole snorted. “Yeah. It sounds like we go around knocking bad guy’s teeth loose in back alleys or some shit.”
”We’re the new Batman and Robin duo! With you as my trusty sidekick!”
”Please, if anyone were to be the sidekick it would be you,”
”As if!”
”Wanna settle this over some Smash?”
”Oh you are so on.”
Cole didn’t know what he hated about Kai’s new girlfriend.
They started dating sometime during Sophomore year. She and Kai had met at the roller rink while on some school-funded trip, and ever since then, they’ve been stuck to each other like glue. They looked genuinely happy together, only making Cole feel worse. There was just something about her that he just couldn’t stand. I mean, there wasn’t anything wrong with Skylor, she was funny, smart, incredibly good at video games, hell she even had some of the same music tastes as Cole. Cole should have loved Skylor, yet whenever he saw her and Kai together all he could do is grind his teeth together in anger as his blood boiled inside of him.
He assumed he just had a crush on Skylor. I mean, that’s just what he told anyone who pressed him about it. Although, funnily enough, his friendship with Kai hadn’t changed in the slightest. Whenever he and Kai hung out alone, he didn’t have those same feelings of resentment and jealousy that he had whenever Sky was around. Everything was just the same as it had always been. Just how he liked it. Although whenever he was just in Skylor's presence, Kai present or not, he just hated her, and he couldn’t understand why. He tried to shove it to the back of his mind, although it started to get harder and harder to keep it there as time went on.
They were all hanging out at the mall. Kai had insisted they all hang out together, and Cole didn’t have a valid excuse to use to get out of it. So here he was, sitting at one of the many tables at the food court, trying his best not to let his anger show. He was just sitting on his phone, not paying attention to anything that Kai and Skylor were saying to each other. Honestly, he just wanted to pack his shit and leave.
“Cole!”
He was snapped out of his thoughts abruptly by Kai, who was looking at him in irritation. “You got cotton in your ears or something? I’m trying to talk to you man.”
”Oh shit, sorry,” Cole mumbled. “What’s up?”
”I was just asking where you wanna hang out next weekend. Because I’ve been picking the spots for forever now and want someone else to do it for once,” he explained. “Sky was thinking we go to the roller rink, what about you?”
Cole shrugged. “I don’t really care,” he said flatly, turning his attention back to his phone. “Whatever you two wanna do,”
Apparently, that wasn’t the correct answer, because that only seemed to piss Kai off. He exhaled out of his nose sharply. “Cole, can I talk to you for a minute?”
Fuck. Just what he needed. A pissy Kai was not a fun one. “Sure,” he replied, keeping his voice monotone, trying not to show any emotion at all as he followed Kai across the food court, over to an empty table. Upon arrival, Kai immediately started with the interrogation.
”What’s your deal dude?” Kai asked. “You’ve been acting really pissy and moody for like, the entire time. What’s wrong?”
”Nothing’s wrong Kai,” Cole rolled his eyes. “I’m just tired.”
”Right. Tired. I don’t buy that for a goddamn minute. Something is bothering you, and I’m getting to the bottom of it.”
”Dude, nothing is wrong, I’m fine!” Cole lied, starting to go on the defensive. “Like I said, I’m just tired, that’s all.”
”Really? You’re just tired? So every time we hang out one on one you’re fresh as a fucking daisy but whenever Skylor’s around you’re just magically exhausted? Is that it?”
Cole felt his anger start to rise again. Partly due to the truth of that statement, and how Kai could assume it in the first place. “The hell are you implying?”
”I’m implying, that you’ve been acting like a freak ever since Sky and I’ve started dating. Every time she’s around it’s like you’re off in your own dimension,” Kai explained. “You never talk to us, you never try to contribute anything to the conversation, and you basically sulk in your own little corner the entire time, and whenever you do speak to us, it’s always in that same pissed-off tone! What’s your damage?!”
”I don’t have any damage!” Cole spat. “You’re just way over-analyzing things! If anyone’s being weird it’s you.”
”Oh really? I’m being weird? Look, I at least try not to do the thing that every couple does, where they make their relationship really fucking obvious. It’s not like Sky and I full-on make out in front of you and the others or anything! What’s your fucking problem?”
“I don’t have a fucking problem!”
”Well it certainly looks like you do!” Kai shouted, probably making a couple of heads turn around them but he didn’t really care. He was far too angry “Sky has done literally nothing to you. She tried to get along with you, but you just keep shoving her away! That’s not fucking cool dude!”
”I don’t shove her away!”
”Yes you fucking do! Every time Skylor tries to talk to you, you snap at her like she did something! It’s always one-worded replies if you give any at all. You haven’t even gotten to know her!”
”Well I’m sorry, I just don’t like her like you want me to!” Cole shouted back, standing up and leaning over the table. “I don’t like her, okay?! Was that what you wanted to hear?! I tried to be cool at first Kai, I really did. I tried to get along with her, I tried to be nice, I just don’t like her! Sometimes people don’t click Kai! You need to realize that!”
”Fine, but that doesn’t mean you need to be a dick about it!” Kai stood up as well, getting up in Cole’s face. “You know, if you don’t like Skylor, you are fucking welcome to just get up and leave.”
”Fine! Maybe I will!”
”Then good fucking riddance!”
Cole tried to get another word in, but Kai ended the conversation before he could get anything in, slamming his chair in as he stormed off to where Skylor was sitting. Cole just stared as Kai took Skylor by the waist, and walked off to another side of the mall. The sight of it tore Cole’s heart to pieces. He simply sighed, put his phone in his pocket, and stormed off towards his car. However, his anger quickly subsided once he got in his car, unclouding his judgment, allowing him to think more quickly.
Kai was right. Cole had been a dick to Skylor for no reason. Skylor tried to get along with him, and yeah maybe Cole was nice at first, but he just turned on her out of the blue one day with no rhyme or reason. What a shitty fucking friend.
Cole sighed and started the car. He didn’t even bother pulling up a playlist to listen to and drove in silence back to his house. He winced as he drove by Kai’s place to get to his own, and saw the treehouse in the backyard, looking run down, and forgotten.
Neither of them talked to each other since the fight.
Two weeks had gone by, and not a word was spoken between either of them. Cole’s phone was as barren as the Sahara Desert, and he hardly saw Kai at school. He had begun hanging out mostly with his other friends, Jay and Zane, who were both in the video game club with him. Both of them were fun to hang out with, but Cole’s heart still ached whenever he saw Kai walk down the hall with his little entourage following him. Cole remembered being right besides Kai in that little group, talking and laughing away with everyone as they talked about various subjects such as the latest episode of their favorite show, or the latest album that dropped from their favorite band. Now, Kai only looked at him with a scowl every time he passed by. Cole missed him terribly.
The walk home was lonely as all hell. Cole normally preferred the walk, but he was seriously considering just taking the car. Kai normally would walk home with Cole, but ever since the fight he’s been catching rides with Skylor. Damn fool failed the driving test like twice. Cole felt himself chuckling at the memory, only for it to be replaced by heartache. He trudged on home with rain clouds hanging over him as he walked in the front door.
As he made his way up to his room, he decided to pay someone a quick visit. He walked down the hallway past his bedroom, and over to his parent’s room. He knocked in the door. “Hey mom, I’m home. Can I come in?”
He waited. Soon enough, he heard Lilly say “Oh hello Cole! Sure you can come in!” Cole felt warmth in his heart from the sweetness in her voice, and walked in the door. There she was, laying in bed reading from a book, glasses sitting on the tip of her nose due to gravity pulling them down. She looked up, taking her reading glasses off as she smiled at Cole warmly.
“Hey mom,” Cole greeted, pressing a kiss to her forehead as he sat beside her on the bed. “How are you feeling?”
”Oh I’m feeling a little crummy, these new meds the doctor put me on are making me feel woozy. It’s nothing I can’t handle though, so don’t you dare go worrying about me,” She said with a playful tone, looking up at Cole with sparkling eyes.
”Can’t make any promises,” Cole laughed.
“So how was your day honey?” She asked, taking his hand in her, stroking it with her thumb affectionately. “You look like you’ve got rain clouds over your head. Did something happen?”
Cole sighed. Nobody knew him better than his own mother. She could see right through his ‘I’m fine’ persona he liked to put on for her. It drove him up the wall. She already had enough on her plate, she didn’t need Cole’s problems to deal with as well.
“Well, yeah but it wasn’t anything big. So don’t worry about it, okay?”
Lilly sighed. “Cole, you know you can talk to me about anything-“
”No no I know that,” he cut her off. “I just don’t want to stress you out more than you already are. You’ve already got so much to deal with, you don’t need my problems on top of it. I can handle myself.”
”Oh please,” she gave Cole a playful shove, making him laugh. “I may be sick but I’m not on my deathbed. Cole, you worry about me too much. I love talking to you, and your problems do not stress me out in the slightest. Now come on, tell me what happened.”
Cole sighed, “Alright, alright,” he took in a deep breath as he began to open up about what happened. “Kai and I got in a fight…”
”Oh honey,” Lilly sympathized, knowing how close Kai and Cole were. “I’m so sorry…”
Cole sighed. “It was my own damn fault. I’m not a big fan of Kai’s girlfriend, Skylor, and I’ve been acting really shitty towards her as of late. Kai called me out on my bullshit but of course, my dumbass refused to listen, and we got in a fight. We haven’t talked in two weeks.”
Lilly nodded, processing everything Cole had told her. “Well, I’m proud of you for being able to look past your pride and own up to your mistake. Not a lot of people do that you know.”
“Well, they should. I’m not trying to be a good person mom, I’m just doing what’s right.”
”I know you are Cole,” she reassured. “Still, it’s good that you were able to come to your senses and see that you were in the wrong. Now, how come you don’t like his girlfriend?”
Cole shrugged. “I don’t know honestly. She’s really funny, really nice, she’s incredibly charismatic and charming, but she’s also genuine. She’s not toxic or bad for Kai at all, so I have no idea why I don’t like them together. Like, whenever I see them together my just blood boils. I get so irrationally angry and I just don’t know why.”
Lilly hummed in acknowledgment. “Well Cole, that sounds like Grade-A Jealousy right there. Looks like you’ve been bitten by that big green-eyed monster.”
Cole looked over at her, puzzled. “That’s what I thought too, the thing is…I don’t have a crush on Sky.”
Lilly stared right back into Cole’s warm brown eyes. “I never said you had a crush on Skylor, Cole…”
“Well, who else would I be jealous over then?”
She continued to stare him down. “I think you know exactly who I’m talking about.”
”What…Kai??” Cole asked, genuinely confused as to how his mom could come to a conclusion. “Mom I’m- I’m not-“
”Cole…” Lilly began, taking his hand again. “Do you remember when I took you to that One Direction concert?”
Cole cringed at the mention of his One Direction phase. “Oh god don’t start…”
”Just listen,” she chuckled, smiling fondly at Cole’s embarrassment. “I remember that day like it was yesterday. You probably in what…fifth grade? It was a birthday present, and you just turned eleven so…yeah I’d say fifth grade. I remember the look on your face when you saw them walk on stage, and how excited you were. The thing is Cole, you weren’t looking at them in pure admiration alone. When a boy gets that look in his eye, it can only mean one thing. He is absolutely, completely head-over-heels with someone, and on that day the look in your eyes told me you were absolutely smitten.”
Cole’s heart was racing. I mean, deep down he knew, but he just…he just didn’t know ya know? What did his mom think? Oh god, what would his Dad think once he found out? Oh shit, this was bad, this was really bad. “M-Mom I- I just- I-“ Cole stammered, feeling his heartbeat beginning to beat even faster.
”Cole, Cole, Cole look at me please,” She said, taking his chin in his hand, and tilting his head so his eyes met hers. “I know how your father is, and I know that he’s rather…traditional in his views, but I promise you that I don’t think like he does. You are my son, and I will always love you regardless of who you fall in love with. I promise that I will be right there at your wedding someday, regardless of whether they’re a bride or groom. Cole, it’s okay if you’re gay, or bi, or however you want to identify as, because at the end of the day, it’s just love, and love is a beautiful thing regardless of the genders involved.”
Cole felt a lump in his throat. His mom's words were so comforting to hear, and they sounded so genuine. He’d been so deep in the closet for so long, he hadn’t even realized it, but now that his mother laid it all out in front of him, it all made sense, and the fact that she was supportive made him feel that much better. “S-So…” he swallowed down his anxiety. “It’s okay that I like boys?”
She brought her hand to his cheek, stroking it with her thumb affectionately. “Of course,” she whispered, giving him that same warm smile that she had greeted him with. “I think you’re in love with Kai honey, there’s no denying it.”
Cole tried to stop his hands from shaking as he swept his hair out of his face. “How did you know?”
”Well the story you told me could have told me all I needed to know, but I’ve known you two and your dynamic for over ten years. I’ve seen the way you looked at him whenever you two are together. When he’s around, your eyes always have this certain sparkle to them, like you’re looking at the most beautiful person in the entire world. It’s just like how they were at the concert.”
Cole sighed. His mom was right. Cole was absolutely head over heels with Kai. It would explain why he hated the relationship so much, and why his blood would boil whenever he saw those two together. It would explain why he absolutely despised Skylor but was completely fine with Kai. It explained…well, everything.
”You’re right…” Cole said, still processing everything. “I’m gay for my best friend…”
”What…”
Cole’s blood froze as his head whipped around to see his dad standing in the doorway, a look of both shock and fury stricken across his face. He was staring at Cole with wide, anger-filled eyes that only filled Cole with pure dread.
”D-Dad…”
Kai groaned once he heard a knock at the door.
Kai was laying on the couch playing video games once he heard it. He was hoping it was his new headset that finally came in the mail, although it was dark outside, so it was highly unlikely. The only other person it could be was the one person that Kai definitely did not want to see right now, which was Skylor.
Kai felt like a shitbird. They’d been dating for a full year, and Kai just ended it, one day out of the blue. The only true reason he was able to tell her was that the attraction faded. He just fell out of love, and he didn’t know why. Sky looked absolutely devastated, which broke Kai's heart in two. I mean, he wasn't a monster. He really cared about Skylor, he just...he just didn't feel that way about her anymore.
The knocking on the door became more frantic. Kai groaned as he paused his game, mentally preparing his entire I'm Sorry speech for Skylor. Although once he opened the door, he wasn't met with his ex standing on the front porch. Instead, he saw Cole standing there with messed up hair, red puffy eyes, and tear-stained cheeks.
"Cole?" Kai asked, his voice soft and concerned. "What are you doing here?"
"Hey uh," Cole sniffled. "I-I know you're still pissed at me about the fight and everything, and I know it's like really late, and you're probably tired but," Cole's breath shook as he inhaled, more tears began to fall down his face. "My life is a fucked up mess right now and I just need someone to talk to."
Any resentment that Kai had left, if any at this point, had been completely overshadowed by pure concern and worry for his friend. Cole was crying, like...actually crying. He never did that in front of him, not since they were little anyways. Cole was vulnerable, and Kai would be a really shitty friend to turn him away right now over a petty fight. "Of course man, let's go upstairs to my room, we can talk about it there, okay?" Kai said, inviting Cole inside, and shutting the door behind him. He brought a hand to Cole's shoulder as he led him up the stairs and down the hall to his room. Once the two were in the privacy of Kai's room, Cole began to break down right in front of Kai.
"I can't go home, Kai..." Cole whispered, staring vacantly at Kai's wall with wide, shaken eyes as he slumped against the wall. "I can't go home I just can't..."
Kai immediately went over to Cole's spot on his floor and sat in front of him. "Why can't you go home? What's wrong?"
"Because my dad is a fucking nutcase..." Cole sniffled, "My Dad is a crazy fucking bastard and I FUCKING HATE HIM!!"
Kai was shocked. I mean, Cole's always had issues with his father, but they never crossed over to actual hatred. Most of the time when Cole ranted about his dad, it was because he had crazy high expectations for him. "Jesus..." Kai whispered, astounded as to how upset Cole was "What happened Rocky?"
Cole inhaled shakily, trying to keep his composure. "Basically, we got in a fight, and it got really heated, and-and he called me a bunch of horrible names and then Mom overheard and she started to cry, and then he-" Cole choked down more sobs as he tried to continue telling the story, although he was too panicked. He broke down into a sobbing fit as he hid his face in his hands. His choked, violent sobs rang throughout the walls of Kai's room, making his heartache.
"Hey now, come here..." Kai said softly, bringing Cole into hug. Cole wrapped his arms tight around Kai, gripping the back of his jacket with so much force that he was worried it would tear holes. Kai didn't care. Kai just held onto Cole tight, allowing him to cry himself out onto his shoulder, not caring how many tears were spilled, or how many holes were torn. "It's okay, it's all okay don't worry..."
As Kai held Cole on that spot on the floor, he noticed that Cole began to calm down. Soon enough, his sobbing turned to sniffling, and his breathing had gone from hyperventilating to light stutters. "There we go..." Kai said once Cole began to calm down, his voice soft, and comforting. "Feeling better?"
Cole nodded, sniffling as he ended the embrace. "I'm sorry..." He apologized. "I'm just-"
"Nope. You don't get to be sorry. Cole, you're like a brother to me, hell I'd say even closer than that. I don't know how you can get closer than kin, but that's how it feels. You know I'd do this for you in a heartbeat, so don't apologize."
"Okay..." Cole exhaled slowly, his breath still stuttering. "Thank you, Kai..."
"Of course man. You don't need to thank me," Kai bit his lip, trying to figure out a good way to word his next question. "So...you said that you and your dad got in a fight. What was it over exactly? if you don't mind me asking."
Cole swallowed hard. I mean, he wanted to come out to Kai, but at the same time he was petrified to do so. He never knew Kai's views on the whole LGBTQ thing, what if he was unsupportive? Who would he go to then? Then again, Kai wasn't a hateful person like his dad. I mean, they had gay friends and he treated them like any other person. Although, those gay friends weren't as close as he and Kai were...
Kai broke the silence. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked-"
"No! You're fine! Seriously," Cole said quickly, not wanting to make Kai think he was uncomfortable. "I'm just...scared to tell you is all. I want to tell you, I'm just nervous."
"Cole you don't have to be nervous," Kai reassured. "You can tell me anything, you know that."
"Okay, but you have to promise that it won't change anything, or fuck up the friendship or anything like that okay?" Cole asked, feeling his heart pound again in his chest. "You got to promise that you won't hate me, or think I'm weird, or anything like that, and please don't tell anyone."
"Cole, you could literally tell me that you murdered someone last week, and I would no shit drop everything and help you hide the body," Kai took Cole by the shoulders and looked into his eyes intensely. "I promise that I'm not going to hate you or judge you, or anything like that. And I never break my promises."
Cole felt himself relax at that. Kai loved to mess around, but Cole could tell when he was being serious, and right now, he was being dead serious. "Okay," Cole sighed, taking in a deep breath. "I'm gay Kai..."
Kai's eyes widened, although not in a bad way. He just looked surprised, but not disgusted. "Wait seriously?" He asked. "You're into dudes?"
Cole nodded.
Kai couldn't help but crack a smile. "Okay I am so sorry for killing the mood here, but that explains your One Direction phase perfectly"
Cole couldn't help but laugh at that, and Kai began laughing too. "Oh my god, you're so right!" Cole laughed, causing Kai to fall backward onto the floor. The pair dissolved into a fit of giggles as they remembered how obsessed little Cole was with One Direction. He had posters of them all over his wall, he had their T-shirts, hell he even had an autographed photo of Harry Styles. God, Cole missed this. Despite the sucky situation that brought him here, he was happy to have Kai back.
"Ah shit...that was fucking beautiful," Kai panted, trying to regain his composure. "What did you ever do with those old posters?"
"I think I buried them somewhere up in the attic," Cole replied. "I kinda wish I burnt them though."
"Nooo please don't! Those belong in a museum!"
"They belong in the past, and they will stay there,"
Kai gave Cole a fake pout, before putting his 'serious face' back on. "So, that was what your dad was so pressed about? He's mad because you wanna kiss boys instead of girls?"
Cole nodded. "Yep. Pretty much."
"Wow..." Kai said. "That's fucking stupid."
"Thank you!" Cole threw his hands up in the air. "Exactly what I said! I mean, why the fuck does he care who I wanna kiss in my free time?! I mean, I could be so much worse than he makes me out to be. Like, I could be out doing drugs, joining gangs, getting arrested, and he decides to kill my ass over being gay?? What the fuck?!"
"Yeah, you're right. Your dad is a fucking nutcase..." Kai sighed, shaking his head. "So that's why you can't go home?"
Cole nodded again. "Dude the fight was horrible..." Cole stared vacantly as he remembered it. "It was easily the worst one I've ever gotten in with him. I mean, there was screaming, yelling, crying even...he called me multiple slurs such as homo, and uh...the F slur just to name a few. Said I was a sinner who was going to burn in hell for my choices. Oh! And to top it all off, he said that I was a disappointment to the family, and my choices were probably what was causing Mom's health to decline. Fucking fun."
Kai's jaw dropped at that. I mean, he knew Lou could be vicious when he was mad but fuck... He had no idea that he could be that brutal. "Shit..." Kai murmured, too astounded for words. "That is probably one of the worst things you could ever say to somebody, I am so fucking sorry..."
Cole shrugged. "It's fine... it's not your fault anyway..."
"No its not fine," Kai argued. "He can't get away with treating you like this. I mean he literally just said to your face 'you being gay is making your mom sick' do you not understand how fucking horrible that is to say to somebody? Especially to somebody who's mom is like, really sick?"
Cole nodded. "I understand Kai. It's just, I don't know what I'm going to do. He still has complete control over me legally, so it's not like I can just pack my shit and move out."
"Ah that's true...still, I'm so sorry man," Kai sympathized, eyes downcast to the floor before he picked them back up to look at Cole. "How'd he find out anyway?"
Cole, without thinking, replied. "I was talking with Mom about the fight that we got in, and he overheard..."
Cole immediately regretted what he said though. Because once Kai's face twisted into an expression of pure confusion, it hit Cole like a ton of bricks. Kai had 0 context about what Cole and his mom had talked about, and if he did....oh shit. Oh shit, he really fucked up now.
"What does our fight have to do with you being gay dude?"
Cole's mouth hung open. He tried his best to think of what to say, trying to think of a way to possibly escape this trap he put himself in. Although, the longer he stayed silent, the more the puzzle pieces in Kai's mind clicked together. "Cole...do you have feelings for me?"
Cole was panicking again. No, no no no no no no no. This could not happen. This COULD NOT BE HAPPENING. "I-" Cole stammered. His breathing started to speed up. "I-uh..."
"So that's why you were so acting so weird when Skylor and I were dating..." Kai mumbled. "You were jealous of her weren't you?"
"L-Listen..." Cole tried to stay calm. "I didn't- I didn't mean to tell you that, I'm being dead serious. I-"
"Cole..." Kai said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay dude. Seriously."
Cole looked up at Kai. "Wh-What?"
Kai nodded. "Yeah, because I uh..." He swallowed hard. "I feel the same way..."
Cole felt like time had stopped completely. Was he being serious? Was Kai actually being serious? But he, he had Skylor didn't he? How could he have feelings for Cole? It just didn't make any sense. "You-" Cole stammered. "You're serious?"
Kai nodded. "Dead serious. I don't joke about this kinda stuff during times like this."
Cole was relieved, and really excited, although he was confused. "But, but you have Skylor."
"Yeah about that..." Kai laughed nervously. "We broke up like a week ago..."
"Oh shit," Cole said. "That wasn't because of me, was it? I'm so sorry I-"
"No no, it wasn't because of you. I had been contemplating doing it for at least a month," Kai explained. "It wasn't anything she or anybody did. The spark just died you know? I was just too scared to tell her because she's a really cool person, and I really do care about her. It's just that my feelings kinda turned out to be more platonic than anything."
"Ah, gotcha..." Cole replied, processing everything Kai had said. "Still, I'm really sorry about how I acted during that whole thing. Skylor didn't deserve that, and I feel like shit for treating her like I did."
"Ah, it's whatever. Skylor was more confused than anything. I'm sure if you just talk to her about it she'll understand. She's pretty cool."
Cole nodded. "Yeah, I hope so.." Cole sighed. "So...you actually feel the same way about...yeah?"
Kai nodded. "Dude, I have no idea how you've never noticed until now, and I had to tell you. I've been head-over-heels in love with you since fourth grade. I was so obvious about it, I was actually afraid that I was making you uncomfortable, and you weren't interested. That's why I didn't say anything and tried to date other people. I no shit just thought you weren't interested in me at all."
Cole was shocked. The fact that Kai had returned his feelings was shocking enough, but the fact that it had been going on since the fourth grade was just mind-blowing. "You're serious?!" Cole asked. "Dude I...oh my god this isn't real. This is a dream, I swear..."
"Nope, it's not a dream..." Kai said, taking Cole's hand in his. Cole felt his heart skip a beat but in a good way this time. "I have genuine feelings for you dude. I have for years."
"Wow...this is a lot to take in..." Cole laughed. "Holy fuck this night has been a rollercoaster..."
"I can imagine. I mean, you went from crying hysterically about your daddy issues to love confessions, so it's understandable..."
"Holy shit..." Cole sighed. "I...never mind..."
"What?" Kai asked, leaning into Cole's space. "What is it?"
"Promise not to get freaked out?"
Kai rolled his eyes. "You're too paranoid. I promise."
Cole sighed, smiling as he looked into Kai's amber eyes, finally getting to tell him what he's wanted to say since the day they had met. "I love you Kai."
Kai returned the smile and planted a soft kiss upon Cole's cheek before pulling him into an embrace. "I love you too Cole,
Cole grunted as he hauled the last of his things into the trunk of his car, along with Kai's various possessions as well. It was sometime in mid-August. They had just finished high school, and they were already packing up for College. Kai had gotten a football scholarship to one of the various well-known schools in the area, and Cole's straight A's had landed him a scholarship to the exact same one. In a twist of crazy luck, they had also gotten paired up to share a dorm, which they were both thrilled about. After the crazy mess that was the last two years of high school, things were finally looking up for the two.
"Hey! Careful with the Xbox! I don't feel like replacing that!" Kai called as he came rushing out of his house. "That thing was like 600 dollars! Took me a solid three months to save up for that!"
"Yes babe, I'll be careful," Cole rolled his eyes as he put the Xbox in the back, even going as far as to put a seatbelt around it just to tease Kai. "Happy now?"
Kai smiled. "Very." He said as he kissed Cole on the cheek. "Fuck, I'm gonna miss this place."
Cole nodded. "Yeah, so am I. I mean, everything big that's ever happened in our lives has happened in these two houses right here."
"You're right," Kai agreed, leaning against the car as they looked back at the two houses. "I remember the day we met. You were so shy."
"I was five years old, of course, I was shy."
"Still, even for a five-year-old, you were pretty shy," Kai laughed. "I mean, my mom literally had to bribe you with cake to get you to come in the house."
Cole shrugged. "Yeah, but once you opened your mouth I think we hit it off pretty well."
"Oh yeah," Kai agreed. "We had so much fun together. Once I showed you the treehouse you never wanted to leave. I remember the pirate game we were playing. I my name was Fire Beard or some shit, and you were Rock Fist."
"Oh yeah! Rock fist the pirate! I remember now!" Cole smiled as he looked back on that. "Remember when you got braces, and when you came over to show me you decided to just climb the tree and hop the fence rather than just walking over like a normal person?"
"I did that all the time dude!" Kai laughed, giving Cole a playful shove. "I think my favorite memory was when we were in first grade. It was the first day of school, and you were just petrified."
"Oh yeah, I remember that," Cole chuckled. "I remember crying in front of everyone. I was so embarrassed."
"You were quite the cryer when you were little," Kai pointed out. "I never noticed that until now."
"And you will continue to not notice it from this point onward." Cole joked. "But yeah, I remember you trying to calm me down. You were so sweet about it, I expected you to tell me to stop crying and just walk in, but you didn't. Instead, you held out your hand and asked if I wanted to hold it."
"Yeah, Mom would always hold my hand when I was scared about going somewhere new, so I thought I might as well try it with you," Kai chuckled. "God we were cute kids."
"We were," Cole agreed. "I think that the moment where I realized I was in love with you," He remarked as he looked back. "I mean, I didn't know it at the time because I was six, but looking back...that was definitely the moment where I knew that I wanted to be more than just your friend," Cole took Kai's hand in his. "I just never thought it would actually happen."
Kai laughed. "Well, it happened, and now you're stuck with me," Kai joked, planting a slight kiss on Cole's cheek. "You know, Dad never tore down that treehouse. Wanna go up in it? For old time's sake?"
The mention of Kai's treehouse piqued Cole's interest. "No shit? It's still there?"
Kai nodded. "Yep. It's still pretty sturdy too. I mean, it's probably full of old toys I forgot to clean out of there but it's still in pretty good shape. We could totally go up there and just chill for a little bit if you want."
Cole already began running to Kai's door, looking like an excited little kid. "Fuck yeah let's go!" He shouted excitedly as Kai ran after him. The two dashed through Kai's house and out the backdoor, racing to the treehouse like two excited little kids. Cole hadn't felt this giddy since he was little. Neither had Kai.
The two made their way up the ladder, and now here they were, standing in Kai's treehouse, reminiscing on all of the adventures they used to go on in their imaginations. Cole felt nostalgia weigh heavy in his heart as he leaned against the wall. It certainly felt a lot smaller than it did when he was a kid. He remembered it feeling like a castle. Now it felt like he was standing in a tall cardboard box. However, there was probably no other place he would rather be in, than this treehouse.
"Damn," Cole sighed, looking around. "It's really starting to hit me now."
Kai looked over to him from his spot across from him. "What it?"
"You know, we're not kids anymore," Cole replied, crossing his arms. "We're done with high school, we're done with this little suburb. Now we're packing the car, going off to college together, and starting our lives for real. I mean...when you're seven years old you never think that you'd ever get to this point because it seems so far away, and yet here we are..."
That last statement hit Kai like a ton of bricks. Cole was right. Time had slipped by so fast. The last time Kai had stepped foot into his treehouse, he could barely touch the ceiling. Now he was trying his best not to hit his head against it instead. "Shit you're right..." Kai mumbled, walking over to where Cole was, standing beside him. "What the fuck happened?"
"No clue," Cole chuckled, looking out the window and out onto the lawn of the backyard. "I'm scared Kai..."
Kai looked over at Cole, puzzled. "Of what?"
"Everything," Cole laughed slightly. "I mean, we're adults now. We're going to college. We're gonna have to learn how to do adult things and live in an adult world. We're supposed to have our shit together. Dude...I don't even know what I want to major in yet, and I have a scholarship!"
Kai sighed. "Well...no matter what life throws at us," He took Cole's hand in his, and stared lovingly into his eyes. "At least we'll have each other."
Cole couldn't help but smile at that. "You're right. No matter what happens, I'm always gonna have you aren't I?"
Kai nodded. "On that, you are correct," He leaned in and kissed Cole, feeling butterflies in his stomach as Cole brought him closer, deepening the kiss. Once they broke apart, Cole took Kai's cheek in his hand and stroked it affectionately with his thumb, smiling as he stared deep into his eyes.
"I am so goddamn lucky to have you."
"I should say the same. Also, I packed the One Direction posters."
"You did not."