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“Ooooh, stupid thing! Just work already!” Ezekiel complained, hitting the back of his new phone trying to get it to work. He finally bought his first phone, disobeying his parents in the process; they were pretty uptight about technology and forbade him from engaging in technology excessively. However, they were on some hippie road trip around Canada so Ezekiel had the entire farm to himself for a while. He went out and bought himself a phone a little bit earlier, he enjoyed the newfounded freedom he had. His parents trusted him with the farm and he didn’t want to ruin their expectations; they told him that he was old enough to take care of the farm himself. He liked how his parents thought he was mature enough, even if he went and disobeyed their rules the minute they were out of his sight. Though, he never realised how hard it actually was to take care of all the farm animals now that he was the only one doing it.
He sat down along the prairie, leaning against the tree while he was sitting down for some shade. After a few minutes of tinkering with the phone, Ezekiel finally got a weak signal; which turned his frustration to excitement. “Booyah baby! I got a signal!” He said impressed with himself, even if he didn’t really do much. The signal was quite weak because Ezekiel practically lived in the middle of nowhere, and because the phone model was quite old. Ezekiel didn't grow up with much money, he was grateful he had enough money saved up to buy himself a phone though; even if it was clunky and slow.
He took a crumpled piece of paper out of his jean pocket and unwrapped it. The paper was clearly worn down from being stuffed in Ezekiel’s pocket for so long but there was a phone number with the name Trent written below in fancy handwriting. After the second season of Total Drama Ezekiel had the goal of being the best rapper in the world. He knew from the aftermath segments that Trent was a talented musician so Ezekiel asked Trent about helping him develop his musical skills, so Trent reluctantly handed over his number after Ezekiel’s constant pleas. I mean it’s not like he could even afford a music teacher. Do rappers have music teachers? Ezekiel didn’t know, and he sure as hell wouldn’t be able to get one. Ezekiel began to clumsily put in the phone number and called Trent.
After a few rings, he heard a familiar voice over the phone. “Hey? Who is this?” He inquired, his voice cracking due to the lack of a good signal. Ezekiel crumpled up the piece of paper again and stuffed it in his pocket after he got a hold of Trent.
“Yo yo yo Trent! It’s me Ezekiel! Remember when you told me that you could help me with music! Please man, you gotta help me eh!” Ezekiel whined over the phone, he tried to practise his musical skills everyday to try and become the best rapper in the world—yet he still thought his skills were subpar. Plus, Trent was a part of that uh, boy band thing. Ezekiel forgot the name but he knew Trent was most likely a reliable teacher from the experience.
“Oh uh, hey man.” Trent said somewhat stiffly over the phone, he sounded a little awkward. “You do know I sent you my number five months ago right…? To be honest, I kinda just figured you forgot or something.” Trent replied. Ezekiel had to interpret some of the words he was saying due to the static but he got the general gist of his sentiment.
“Oooh yeah, I finally got a phone! My parents are away on a road trip so I was able to get myself one eh! I kept the note in my pocket so I could call you as soon as I bought one!” Ezekiel said enthusiastically over the phone, swaying back and forth ever so slightly. He was excited by the prospect of getting to get taught by Trent like he promised, sure his parents homeschooled him—but they were never really musically gifted so he’s never actually played an instrument before; let alone even touched one.
“You kept my note for all that time?” Trent’s voice seemed to soften up over the phone. “That’s kinda touching…” Trent chuckled to himself lightly. “Well I got nothing better to do today, where’d you live again, a farm right?” Trent asked Ezekiel, seemingly more cheerful than his restrained demeanour from when he first picked up the phone.
Ezekiel shared the location of his farm to Trent and they shared pleasantries for the phone before hanging up after Trent explained he was gonna come over and teach Ezekiel. Luckily, they lived surprisingly close to each-other; and close as in a long way away—considering Ezekiel lives very out of the way of ordinary society. Most of the time people live a very long way away. Ezekiel sighed, turned off his clunky phone and put it into his pocket. He was excited for Trent to come, and he couldn’t sit still in wait. Ezekiel has never actually had someone come over before, and he didn’t have much experience with having friends. Well, Trent was his friend right? Ezekiel thought so. Ezekiel got up and started to tend to the animals in his farm, then he decided to walk laps around the farm in an excited trance. After an hour or so, he heard a car drive up to the farm. Well, at least Ezekiel thought it was an hour; it might’ve been longer because of how excited he was—he wasn’t used to checking the time on his phone yet.
When the car parked, Ezekiel hurriedly ran up to it with a smile on his face. After a brief moment, Trent stepped out of the car and took out a guitar case from the backseat. “Damn, you really weren’t kidding when you said you lived out the way.” Trent said in a somewhat exasperated manner.
“Yeah, but that means we got more privacy though eh!” Ezekiel responded in his usual thick Canadian accent, looking like an excited fanboy over Trent. Ezekiel definitely wasn’t the most self aware person but at least even he could tell he was exhibiting a little bit of fanboy-ish behaviour.
“You got that right, there’s barely anything out here.” Trent replied as he shut the car door and sighed, wiping the sweat off his head from the bright sun beating down on them both.
“Yo Trent! I know a place we can go, it’s away from all the animals so we won’t be disturbed.” Ezekiel said, motioning over to the tree he was previously sitting by when he called Trent. Trent silently nodded and they started to walk over to the tree, feeling the slight breeze from the wind on their skin. The view of the farm was really nice at this time of day, Ezekiel never actually stopped to take in the environment much because he was so used to it; but Trent seemed to be immersed within the idyllic rural landscape, it almost looked like he was in a daze. Ezekiel slightly chuckled to himself seeing Trent like that.
“Woahhhhh…this place is beautiful, don’t you ever get lonely though? I mean, with you living in such a remote area and all.” Trent said, taking a long deep breath of the fresh clear air; then looking down to the shorter guy—smiling a little bit when he saw how excited Ezekiel was.
“The animals keep me company. Plus, you’re my friend so I’m really glad you’re gonna teach me!” Ezekiel rejoiced, admittedly he was pretty rushy to call Trent his friend but he wasn’t exactly used to having many people around so being able to accurately identify who was a friend wasn’t Ezekiel’s strong suit.
“Oh wait- I’m your friend?” Trent responded as Ezekiel gazed up at him with a slightly puzzled expression. “Well I mean, sure.” Trent said slightly after, he seemed less dismissive or cold but more stunned at Ezekiel’s straightforwardness; Ezekiel could tell Trent was appreciative of it though. He chuckled at Ezekiel’s childlike naivety and gave a soft smile. After a brief conversation, they eventually moved a little bit away from the farm so the animals couldn’t disturb them and they sat down in the shade of the large tree. Trent laid at the base of the tree and Ezekiel sat down next to him, after Trent took his guitar out of the case—Ezekiel gazed at it with wonder and excitement.
“So how does it work? I’ve never played one of those guitar thingys before.” Ezekiel inquired about the guitar in a childlike wondrous gaze. Trent pulled it out proudly, brandishing it off to show the excited Ezekiel. Trent seemed chuffed with himself that someone actually cared enough to learn from him, most people just seemed mildly impressed by Trent’s skills so for someone to be so excited by his passion made his day.
“Well to start, I’m gonna show you some basic chords and notes. So you gotta watch closely okay?” Trent said while Ezekiel nodded and watched intently, shifting his position on the grass to be cross legged. Trent gave a soft smile to Ezekiel before teaching Ezekiel the basics of guitar, playing the guitar slowly so Ezekiel could get a gist of what he was supposed to do. It was a really relaxing tune, even if it wasn’t intended to be Trent actually playing and more just showing Ezekiel how to use the guitar competently. Ezekiel swayed side to side ever so slightly in response to the notes being played. “Now you try to copy what I just did.” Trent said after he finished playing the notes, carefully handing the guitar over to Ezekiel. If he was being completely honest, Ezekiel was more focused on listening to the notes being played instead of what Trent was actually doing but he was still intent on trying it out.
“Wowwww! You’re really good eh!” Ezekiel proclaimed happily, clapping his hands softly in excitement before taking the guitar from Trent. He was a little forceful with the guitar, but Ezekiel attempted to play the notes without any consideration for the placement of the guitar. Trent’s expression turned a little nervous, probably from his guitar being manhandled in front of him.
“Oh right, I probably should’ve taught you how to position the guitar first. It’s just muscle memory for me at this point so I forget it’s a learned thing. C’mere.” Trent patted the spot in front of him, inviting Ezekiel to come sit down so that he could teach Ezekiel proper positioning from behind. Ezekiel nodded somewhat awkwardly, and reluctantly sat right in front of Trent.
“This is kinda weird eh. I mean… we’re two guys and all.” Ezekiel announced as Trent fixed Ezekiel’s position from behind him, almost as if he was holding his surprisingly dainty waist. Well, it was less almost and more as if that’s literally what he was doing. Ezekiel didn’t exactly have an aversion to it though, Trent was one of his very few friends and he comforted Ezekiel so he didn’t mind being close to him; he was just surprised at Trent’s boldness. Trent probably didn’t mean anything by it, but Ezekiel thought it was supposed to be some intimate gesture.
“Haha, yeah I can see how this looks strange.” Trent said, chuckling—mostly to himself. “If I don’t teach ya then how are you gonna learn Zeke?” Trent said in a low hushed tone, almost whispering. Ezekiel blushed ever so slightly, but he shook his head and tried to ignore it. He felt lucky that he was facing the other way so Trent wouldn’t see him blush, the whole situation felt quite sensual to him. Ezekiel always knew he had a tiny thing for guys—he would be lying if he said he never feels anything when he sees those male underwear ads on TV.
“Er… uh… nobody calls me Zeke. I mean I like it though, you should keep calling me that…” Ezekiel replied stuttering ever so slightly, his response was pretty awkward—partly from him being socially stunted and partly from being in a pretty intimate situation. Trent chuckled lightly in response to Ezekiel and started to tweak the guitar in Ezekiel’s hands to fit the proper positioning. After he got it right he let go from Ezekiel’s waist.
“Try playing the notes now, it should flow a lot better.” Trent said in approval. Ezekiel nodded, even though Trent couldn’t see it—but he started to play the notes that he had observed Trent play earlier. He was consumed in playing the guitar momentarily, as if he was in a sort of trance; trying to focus on getting it right. At the start he was more focused on trying to get good at music so he could be a rapper, but now he was mainly trying to impress Trent; and he didn’t know why.
“Yes! I got it Trent!” Ezekiel said excitedly after he played the notes intently, Ezekiel thought he memorised it fully; however he missed a few notes. Admittedly Ezekiel was a bit tone deaf so he didn’t even realise, and Trent didn’t seem to either. Ezekiel was especially cheerful today after he got to spend time with his new friend, usually he would go around talking to the animals in the farm; so this was a lot more fun for him.
However, before Ezekiel got to relish in the full experience of being proud of himself for playing the guitar competently; Trent placed his hands on Ezekiel's thighs. Ezekiel froze up, not because he was uncomfortable but more because he was a little stunned. He liked it though, the feeling of Trent’s warm hands pressed up against his skin that was slightly cool from the breeze felt nice. “There’s something really endearing about you, in a strange way… you know—this was probably the last thing I thought I would be doing today; but I wouldn’t have it any other way Zeke.”
“E-Endaring? Endeering? What’s that mean eh?” Ezekiel inquired, because of his homeschooling Ezekiel wasn’t exactly the most articulate guy out there; but he always made an effort. He appreciated Trent’s sentiment though, because Ezekiel wouldn’t want it any other way either. This entire moment felt nice, he wasn’t used to this kind of intimacy before; and especially not with another guy. Ezekiel enjoyed the feeling of Trent’s body heat emanating onto his skin.
“It means I think you’re kinda cute. I’ve never met anyone who’s actually been interested in learning from me before.” Trent replied, Ezekiel couldn’t exactly tell since his back was facing Trent but it was pretty obvious that Trent was smiling. Ezekiel’s stiff posture resumed to its natural relaxed state as he got used to Trent touching him in that area. A part of him wanted Trent’s hands to stay on his thighs, but he moved his hands to hold Ezekiel’s hands as he guided Ezekiel to play the guitar.
“Now I’m gonna teach you how to play some basic chords so you can get the gist of it.” Trent said softly, Ezekiel heard a little giggle behind him as Trent held Ezekiel’s hands; guiding him to play the right chords. Ezekiel started to smile in excitement, partly because he was getting the affection and intimacy he craved from being isolated on the farm for so long and partly because he was living up to Trent’s expectations by playing the guitar competently; even if Trent was guiding him. After playing for a while—Ezekiel didn’t know how long and Trent probably didn’t either, the sky went from a vivid blue to a calming and pleasant orange sunset.
“You did really well today Zeke, I’m really impressed considering it’s your first time and all.” Trent said with a cheerful tone, probably chuffed with himself that he was a good teacher to Ezekiel. The breeze started to flow onto their skin while the rays of the setting sun shined on the prairie beautifully. Ezekiel leaned back into Trent and smiled at him, Ezekiel was really proud of himself today. He learned a lot, even if Ezekiel was pretty dumb in a lot of ways he was eager to get better at whatever he set his mind to.
“You don’t mind if I lay here?” Ezekiel queried, looking up at Trent with a slight smile. Trent quietly shook his head and slung his arm around Ezekiel’s waist, pulling him closer to Trent. It wasn’t a slight touch like when he was teaching Ezekiel how to play either, he wrapped his arm fully around Ezekiel and brought him in for an embrace. Ezekiel blushed, he didn’t try and hide it this time though; he felt really comfortable in this moment. He liked being wrapped up next to Trent, Ezekiel figured that Trent liked him too so he didn’t have to worry about hiding his attraction.
“You know I never really knew what to think of you Zeke, but now that we’ve spent some time together I really think you’re cute… nobody has actually listened to me when I talk about the guitar besides you.” Trent said, taking off Ezekiel’s hat and ruffling his soft brown hair. Ezekiel leaned his head on Trent’s chest and smiled. He never thought today would end up like this, but he wasn’t mad at all; if anything he was the happiest he’s ever been in a while. Usually Ezekiel comes to this spot when he’s alone, but being with someone else—especially someone you really like is way better. He really wanted to impress Trent and show him that he could be the best rapper ever, did rappers even play the guitar? Ezekiel didn’t really know, but he was gonna be the best guitar player rapper ever thanks to Trent’s help! They both watched the sunset together, holding each other in an embrace. He never wanted this moment to end, not even until the end of time.