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It was raining when we first met.
There was an unfamiliar pickup truck in the cul-de-sac. Someone had finally moved into the house across mine. I wanted to head over and greet the new neighbor, but my mom had said no since it was getting late. I woke up the next day to find out it was pouring. There was a knock on the door and I opened it to see a boy that seemed to be my age; a faun. He was wearing a raincoat with the hood up so I couldn't see his horns or ears, but it was incredibly obvious by seeing his long tail wrap around his legs.
"Uh, hi there," he gives me an awkward wave.
"Do you need something?"
He looks at the ground. "My mom and I moved in across the street and we were wondering if we could get some help?"
"No, it's pouring outside." is what I wished I said at the time, but didn't. "Sure, lemme just get my coat."
Even to this day, I still don't know what made me say yes. I'm really glad I did though.
"I'm Axl by the way." he smiles.
There was something about that smile that had my voice get caught in my throat and I stuttered.
"I'm Tre- I'm Trevor. Call me Trevor."
When we held hands for the first time.
I was nodding off during class. It was the last day of school and I wanted to go out to get ice cream. The bell rings and Axl taps my shoulder.
"School's out!" he exclaims and looks down at me with his signature smile. "Can you believe it, Trevor? We're not high schoolers now!"
I wave him off as I rise from my seat and grab my bag. We head out the building and soon learn that we can't go get ice cream.
It's heavily raining. Axl has a surprised look on his face. It changes immediately back to his smile. That sinister smile of his.
He grabs my hand and starts running.
"What the fuck?!" I yell out. My ears feel warm.
He simply laughs at me. "Better run as quick as me, Trev. We have a long way until we reach home."
We arrived at his house soaking wet. I forgot about the ice cream.
When we hugged for the first time.
Axl was over at my house for a sleepover; it was the same summer we held hands for the first time. We were both lying on the floor with our makeshift futons.
And then we hear thunder.
"Y'know, Trev." I turn to look at him. "Summer is so rainy sometimes."
He faces me and lets out a little giggle. "Kinda funny, no? Should be spring all over again at this point."
Another crack of lightning. There's a look of alarm in his eyes despite his collected demeanor. I automatically reach out for his hand. It feels familiar. Like we've done this forever.
"Is this okay?"
"Can we move to your bed?"
"Of course." My hand burns. I don't know whether it's me or him.
We're in the same position as we were when we were on the ground. It's some godforsaken time at night, but who cares honestly.
"Trevor?"
"Yes?"
He inches closer. His tail settles on my waist. and he hugs me. My cheeks burn.
"Is this okay?" he muffles, head buried in my shirt.
I tangle my free hand into his hair. "Yeah, of course it's okay."
We never stopped holding hands.
When we had our first kiss.
There was just something so enchanting about him that day. When we met up during our passing periods, he let his tail linger around me longer. I used to think it was normal that he'd wrap his tail around me when we were together; I learned years later that it wasn't just a friend thing. He would look at me with that unreadable face of his, but I could just sense he wanted something.
Finally, the last bell rang and school was done and over with for the day. We walked home as per usual; though, his tail was still lingering near me. We walked together that day with our shoulders brushing against each other. It started to drizzle.
Finally arriving at his house, I turned to him. "What's with you today?"
He shrugs his shoulders and flashes his sinister smile. "Nothing's wrong with me. Just thought it'd be fun to mess with you a little. You're quite cute."
My eyes were already open, but they snapped open. There's a warmness engulfing my face and my heartbeat quickens so much that I think the damn organ is gonna explode out of my chest.
"Oh look at the time, I've got an exam to study for."
I reach out for his shoulder before he turns to leave. Everything burns. "Axl."
He has a look of surprise on his face. Probably didn't expect it, I'd be surprised too.
"I... I wanna do this right."
He cocks his head to the side. "What are you talking about?"
I let out the breath I was holding in that I wasn't even aware of. I can hear my heart beating anxiously.
"You know what I'm talking about, Just take me seriously for a sec, okay?"
He nods slowly. "Okay."
I let go of his shoulder and I take his hands. "I am going to kiss you."
His eyes go wide and his tail starts swinging back and forth. I see pink dusting his face. His ears perk up a little.
"And then we'll take the night to think about it. And then tomorrow we'll talk about it. Is that okay?"
He blinks. "Yeah. Okay. I'd like that."
I let go of his hands and cup his face. His tail tickles my back. It starts to drizzle harder.
"I think I really like you, Axl." It comes out without my permission. He laughs softly at that as his hands hold my shaking arms.
"I think I really like you too, Trev." And then I closed the gap between us.
He tasted like summer rain. Maybe because it was raining. Again.
When he came out to me.
We were out on the back porch. He was leaned against my chest with his hair tickling my chin, tail curled around my waist and my arms holding his. All you could hear was the pitter-patter of the current downpour.
He leans his head back to look up at me. "Hey, loverboy."
"That's me." I rest my chin on his shoulder.
"I have a serious question."
"Hit me."
His weight is off my chest as he turns to face me. He takes a deep breath and exhales. There was worry flooded in his eyes only I could read. "Would everything still be okay if I wasn't exactly a guy?"
"Axl," I engulf them in a hug. "Of course it would be okay."
They reciprocate the hug. "I just feel so confused, Trevor."
"It's okay to feel confused."
They choke out a thank you and my shoulder feels wet. The grip on my shirt tightens.
"I'll always be here for you."
When I left for college.
It's the day before I leave town. I had already said my goodbyes to everyone, I just wanted to dedicate a whole day to being with my best friend. My beloved. My everything.
I know they're hurt. We have colleges here in our small town, so why out of state? I understand why they're hurt.
I'm hurting too. I'm going to the university of my dreams and studying what I've always wanted to, yet why am I hurting? I know the answer, I'm just not willing to accept it. It's not like I can't drive back to visit, but it still hurts. Aches. All I can think about is leaving him.
"I'll keep in touch, I promise." I lean my head onto his shoulder. "Communication is easier nowadays, it works out in our favor."
They lock our hands together, I could feel them shaking. "Please do. Even a text'll do."
The day finally arrives. We're out at my driveway in our beloved cul-de-sac, our beloved home sweet home. I don't know how long we've been hugging for, but it feels too short after we pull away.
"I should be heading out now before it gets too late. it's raining a little harder too, you should get inside."
He nods and grabs my hand before I turn. "Trevor."
"Yes?"
He kisses me just like how I initiated our first kiss. Still tastes like summer rain.
"I love you."
I press my lips onto their hand still holding mine. We're both soaking wet. Just like that day years ago. It feels like yesterday.
"I love you too, Axl. I'll be back before you know it. It'll be like I never left."
With that, I drove away from our small town. From our cul-de-sac. From him. I couldn't stop peeking at my rearview mirror. He was standing there watching me leave. Waiting for me to be out of sight. His hair was stuck to his forehead and his hoodie was starting to turn a darker shade of green.
I felt my eyes sting as I saw my beloved faun get smaller and smaller at each glance.
When I came back home.
It was pouring just like how I had left you it. I was able to meet with everyone who was around, but I wasn't able to find you. I asked around, but nobody could give me an answer. Yet again, I knew the answer. I just didn't want to face the truth.
I was at front of your door. It's been less than one year, yet it felt like an eternity. An eternity since I've been home. An eternity since you ceased all contact with everyone. An eternity since I've seen you.
I still haven't stepped up to the door. Fat raindrops soak my shoes. I take a deep breath and finally go up to knock on his door.
"Axl? I'm home."