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Sunday, June 27, 12:34 am
Thunder cracked and Lighting cut the sky, casting shadows this way and that. Neils hurried steps splash rain and mud up his pant legs as he runs. The rain cuts along his face, falling harshly from the sky.
“TODD!” Neil screams, his voice barely breaking above the noise of the storm. This was bad- really bad.
Finally, Neil breaks through a clearing, spotting Todd at the other end. Neil was faster and was catching up.
“TODD!” Neil shouted again.
“Stop right there!!” Todd put his hands out as if to stop him, a gust of wind shooting in Neils direction.
“Todd! I just want to talk!” Neil took a step closer, pushing against the wind. Todd took a step back.
“Don't come any closer! I can hear you just fine from there!” he shouted, another gust of wind trying to push Neil back.
“Come back, Todd- it’s not safe out here!” Neil tried to hold out his hands, pleading with Todd.
“I can’t! You’re not safe, if I’m around!” Todd shouted back, his blond hairs stuck to his face from the rain.
“No, I don't care!-”
“I care!” Todd screamed,
“We broke your walls together once- we can do it again-” Neil was trying to reason with Todd- but Todd wouldn’t hear it.
“I had those walls for a reason! Neil!” Todd shouted, thunder cracked again. Lighting flashed above head, casting dark shadows over Todds features, for a moment turning him into a silhouette. Neil couldn’t tell, but Todd was crying, his tears mixing in with the rain water.
“But-”
“No but Neil! I built these walls- for a reason- for you! To keep you safe! To keep the pain from touching you-” Todd took a step towards Neil, then took a step back. “Just because I am drowning doesn’t mean I am gonna drag you down with me!”
“Why can’t you just let me save you!” Neil shouted.
Tuesday, June 1, 9:14 am
Neil looked up as the principal walked in, on his heel was a boy his age, with a mop of blonde hair falling in his eyes, hiding them as he hung his head.
“Sorry to interrupt your class, Mr. Keating.” Principal Nolan said. “But you have a new student joining your class.” he put a hand on the boys shoulder and Neil perked up slightly. Paying full attention. “Class, this is Todd Anderson.”
“Nice to meet you Todd.” Mr. Keating smiled. “Thank you Mr. Nolan, I’ll take it from here.” the principal nodded and left. “Alright, Todd, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself, start with your age and where you’re from, then something interesting about yourself.”
Todd shifted under the attention of the whole class. He shoved his hands into his pockets and kept his gaze down. “I’m Todd Anderson, I’m seventeen and I’m from Pennsylvania.” he said softly.
“Alright, and what about an interesting fact.” Keating prompted. Todd just shrugged and a couple of the boys in the back giggled. “Alright, that’s fine, Todd, go ahead and have a seat, there’s an open spot next to Neil back there.”
Neil waved his hand so Todd could find him. Todd nodded and went to sit down next to Neil.
Todd’s appearance so far was something a little lackluster, he was wearing an oversized hoodie that hid most of his foarm, the sleeves too long and covering half his hands. His pants were too big as well, bagg around his legs and rolled up about three times around his ankles, a huge hole just below the left knee. His shoes looks old, and mostly covered in mud.
Honestly, he looked kind of homeless. Nonetheless, Neil thought he looked cute. Keating got back to teaching the lesson and Todd got out a notebook, and started taking notes. A paper flew across the room and hit Todd in the head. He flinched, but then he picked it up.
Neil glared in the direction it came from, the group of boys were giggling to themselves, lead by their ring leader, Cameron, a stupid looking red head. Neil looked back over to see what the paper read, he leaned over to read over Todd’s shoulder.
‘Is Pennsylvania the name of the dump you crawled out of?’
Todd simply crumpled it back up and stuck it in his bag, a low rumble of Thunder came from outside, dark clouds forming in the distance, Todd just took a deep breath. Neil frowned and gently touched Todd’s arm. Todd flinched and looked over.
“I’m sorry, their idiots, don't listen to them.” He said softly.
Todd’s eyes were blue- as if they held the sky.
His face looked like he didn’t believe Neil. But then he smiled just slightly. The sight gave Neil butterflies. He silently cursed himself, he always fell too quickly for almost any cute boy who smiled at him. Charlie knew it. Knox did too, but it couldn’t be helped. Even so, something about Todd felt… different.
“Thanks.” Todd whispered back.
Neil grinned. “Yeah, no problem.”
The gray clouds were gone
Friday, June 11, 5:36 pm
“Why did your brother call you Hurricane?” Neil asked as they walked along the street. It had been about Two weeks since Todd started going to school with them and it was Neils first time at Todd’s house. His older Brother Jeffery was the worst, and didn’t care if someone was watching when he swung something at Todd or tripped him.
“Cuz’ I’m cursed.” Todd shrugged and kicked a rock along the ground.
“That’s not true.” Neil nudged his arm with his own.
Todd sighed. “He’s just the worst.” Todd said. “He’s an older brother, isn’t that just… how older brothers are?”
Neil frowned. There had been a lot of things that worried him, Jefferies behavior, the fact that all of Todds clothes were hand me downs from Jeffery, his parents never being around, the fact that Todd wouldn’t let Neil see his room, the weird bruises around Todds wrists- but that was really sad.
“No. big brothers are supposed to take care of you.” Neil said. Not that he would know, he was an only child. And sure, he didn’t have it too good, his dad acted a lot like Jeffery, but that just made it easier for Neil to recognize that what was going on was bad.
“Oh…” Todd shrunk a little.
“It’s ok, you don't need him, you have me.” Neil smiled. While it had been a cloudy ish day, when Todd smiled back the clouds seemed to part, shining sun right on top of them. Todd's eyes were a brighter blue than normal. But still, seemed to hold the sky in them.
“Thanks Neil.” Todd said softly.
Sunday, June 13, 12:27 pm
Todd tried to fight the shiver that ran up his spine. The steel chains around his wrists reflected the harsh temperature of the basement. He was lucky his parents and brother let him out for school. But it was noon, Jeffery should be bringing down his lunch at some point… soon he hoped.
Todd drew shapes in the dust on the ground, letting his mind wonder. Suddenly, Neil appeared in his thoughts and he felt his face rush hot with blush. He smudged his drawing and covered his face.
Neil shouldn’t be there. He couldn’t get close to people- not that quickly! His heart ached and hurt, reminding him of what happened last time. It hurt to remember- but it was his fault. It was his fault people got hurt and they had to move.
But- maybe… if he could just forget.. Then he wouldn’t be scared to be free… to love-
Todd shook his head quickly and frowned. No. Love wasn’t an option. Love was dangerous and would only get Neil hurt. And he would never hurt Neil.
Saturday, June 19, 2:04 pm
Jeffery opened the door. Of course it had to be Jeffery. Neil tried not to make a face and smiled instead. “Hey, is Todd home?” he asked.
“Yes.” Jeffery lifted an eyebrow and smirked.
“Can… I talk to him?” Neil asked.
Jeffery stood there for a second, and briefly Neil wondered if he had just… stopped working.
“No.” he finally said.
Neil frowned. “Why not?” he asked.
“Because he told me that if you came to tell you he wasn’t home.” Jeffery smiled.
“Then why did you say yes?” Neil frowned even deeper.
“Forgot.” he shrugged.
Neil huffed. “Fine.” he turned on his heel and started walking. Once he heard the door close, Neil turned around and looked back. Jeffery was gone. Neil quickly hurried to the gate and went into their backyard. He looked in every window, trying to find Todd’s room. The only bedrooms he could find were ones with black curtains, obviously Jeffery’s, and then tan, his parents. Todd wouldn’t have curtains, he knew his parents wouldn’t buy them for him.
But he couldn’t find any- then, he heard the faint sound of rain. Neil frowned. It was coming from inside… the basement.
Neil looked around and found a windowell, he took off the cover and jumped down so he could look in the window. Using his hands to block out the sun, he spotted Todd, in the corner, his knees drawn up to his chest-
But what caught Neil off guard was the small storm cloud above Todd’s head. Todd’s face was hidden and he had chains around his wrists. And he was soaking wet. Neil quickly tried to open the window and it slid open. As he started climbing in- Todd looked up and panicked-
The rain quickly changed to snow and the cloud got bigger. “Neil!- what- you can’t-” he stood and hid his hands behind his back, trying to hide the chains.
“What’s going on?” Neil asked, walking closer and putting his hands out to catch snowflakes.
“Neil-” Todd panicked more, the snow got faster and some wind picked up. “C-close the window!” he said quickly.
Neil stopped where he was and looked back at the window, some snow was flying out. “Oh-” he went back and closed it, then put his arms around himself to keep him warm. “Todd, why are you chained up?” he asked as he stepped closer.
Todd’s eyes were a gray color instead of his normal blue. His breathing started getting faster as he started to freak out.
“Hey- hey, calm down, it’s ok, I just wanna know-” Neil walked faster and got to Todd’s side, putting his hands on his arms. “Deep breaths, it’s gonna be ok.”
Todd nodded and took a few deep breaths, the snow and clouds started to disappear and Todd’s eyes returned to blue as he calmed down. As Neil was closer he saw Todd’s eyes never stopped holding the sky- just a different sky. He smiled softly.
“Did you do that?” he breathed.
Todd hesitated. “No one can know- I- I’m dangerous.” Todd hung his head.
“Is- is that why they have you chained up?” Neil ran his hands down Todds arms till he was holding Todds hands. That’s how he got the bruises. Todd nodded.
“They have to, I could hurt someone- so you have to go- before I go out of control again.” Todd said quickly, trying to push Neil away.
Neil scowled. “No way, I’m not leaving you now. Not ever.” he nodded. “You’re stuck with me. I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”
Todd hesitated. “I don't do it on purpose Neil…” he said softly.
“Well, I calmed you down, didn’t I?” Neil grinned. Todd hesitated again, and then nodded. “Well then there you go, everything will be fine.” Todd smiled softly. “And hey, making weather? That’s so cool- is that why Jeffery calls you a hurricane?” Neil realized.
Todd looked down. “I’m cursed.” he breathed.
“When?” Neil asked. Todd looked up a little confused. “When did a wizard curse you?”
Todd giggled softly and shook his head. “I was eight when it started… I don't know why, how or… who did it… my parents wont tell me… but they say it’s my fault…”
“Well that can’t be true.” Neil rolled his eyes. “But still it’s kinda like a super power.” Neil gave Todd’s hands a squeeze. He was still holding Todd’s hands.
Todd smiled softly. “Kinda…”
Tuesday, June 22, 4:47 pm
Neil and Todd were sitting in a tree. Neil had decided that the sky actually did live in Todd’s eyes, and it just escaped sometimes. Eyes being the window to the soul meant his emotions turning into the weather. Perfect explanation.
“Are you actually from Pennsylvania?” Neil asked.
“No.” Todd shook his head.
“Where are you from?” he asked.
“California… we have to move whenever I mess up, which has been three times now.” Todd explained. “But we can’t let people find me out, cuz… I dunno, my parents said it could get them in trouble or something.”
“Well that’s dumb. We gotta think of a superhero name for you.” Neil nodded.
“I don't want to be a superhero.” Todd shook his head.
“Alright… well… still, just for fun.” Neil smiled.
“Fine.” Todd shook his head with a small smile.
Neil threw out one ridiculous idea after the other, Todd laughed and shook his head and they talked for a while, hours passed, it started getting dark and they watched the sunset. Neil looked into Todd’s eyes, trying to see if they looked like the sunset- but they didn’t. They just slowly turned to a navy blue- like the night sky.
“What?” Todd blushed deeply.
Neil grinned. “I just love looking into your eyes.” Neil admitted softly.
Todd blinked rapidly and looked away, his face turning red. “They- their nothing special…” he said quickly.
“But they are!” Neil grabbed Todd’s hands. “They literally hold the sky!” Todd looked back at him, both blushing in the dim light of the sunset. “They are so beautiful.” Todd felt his stomach erupt with butterflies.
“Stop-” Todd took his hands back.
Neil frowned. “I-” as their hands separated an electric shock zapped them. “Ok…” he nodded, Neil saw gray clouds starting to form above them and Neils eyes had darkened slightly, but as Toss looked down at his hands and took a deep breath they started to disappear. “Did I do something wrong…?”
“No!” Todd said quickly. “No, no, you didn do anything wrong.” Todd said, shaking his head, “It’s me, it’s all me.”
“What- can you tell me… what it was?” Neil asked.
“Electrical storm….” Todd said softly.
“For what emotion…?” Neil asked.
“Excited…?” Todd shrugged. “I remember it because another way to say excited is ecstatic,” Todd explained.
“Ok, I can remember that…” Neil nodded. “So… you… you- uh…”
Todd blushed deeply. “I like you Neil…”
Neil grinned. “I like you too, a lot.” Neil said quickly, he wanted to hold Todd’s hands again- but Todd was clearly scared of the electrical storm that could potentially be caused.
Saturday, June 26, 10:45 pm
Neil climbed into the window of the basement. Todd was asleep. Neil gently woke him up with an excited smile. Todd slowly woke up and blinked up at Neil.
“Neil? What are you doing here?” he whispered as he sat up and rubbed his eyes.
“I just finished learning how to pick locks.” Neil said excitedly as he pulled out a couple of tools and grabbed Todds hand. So he could unchain him.
“Neil- we can’t- what if- what if my parents find out?” he said nervously.
“We’ll get you back before morning, but I wanna take you out.” Neil said. “The stars look really pretty tonight.” Todd blushed slightly and looked away, letting Neil work on the cuffs holding him prisoner in the basement. Once they were off Todd rubbed his wrists, Neil lifted Todds hands to his lips and gently kissed his wrists, Todd blushed and as he felt heat rise in his cheeks he yanked his hands away. Not letting himself get too excited.
“Sorry-” Todd muttered. “Just… being careful…” he looked down in shame.
“It’s ok.” Neil smiled. And nodded to the open window. “Let’s go, hurricane.” he grinned.
When Neil called him that, Todd didn’t actually mind as much. He smiled softly and followed Neil out the window. The two of them walked down the middle of the road together, their hands brushing together as they stepped in time. Neil had to slow his pace, he had longer legs and naturally walked faster than Todd.
They chatted under the stars and laughed, Neil bought them sodas from McDonalds and then they went to the park on the edge of the small woods. They played a little on the playground, then sat at the bottom of the dual slides as they looked up at the stars.
“I really do like you Todd.” Neil said softly. He inched his hand closer to Todd, lifting his pinky over the divider of the two slides.
“I like you too Neil.” Todd whispered back, their pinkies touched and Neil grinned excitedly. He sat up, but kept their fingers touching.
“We should run away. Leave this town.” Neil nodded. “Just us, it would be nice.” he smiled.
Todd sat up and frowned. “Were only seventeen, we wouldn’t be able to live or work anywhere.” Todd pointed out.
“We’re both almost eighteen, it won’t matter for long.” Neil said.
Todd chewed his lip, his cheeks softly tinted pink. Neil could see his eyes hold the sky, stars filling the midnight blue of his irises. Absolutely magical.
“I don't have a car…”
“I do.” Neil said quickly. “Todd, I will take care of you.”
Todd looked up and his eyes sparkled in the light of the stars and moon.
“I promise.”
Todd hesitated a second longer. “Ok.” he nodded.
Neil felt his heart explode with happiness. He couldn’t contain it- he quickly leaned forward and planted a kiss on Todd’s lips. Instantly lightning struck the picnic table only twenty feet away.
Neil screamed and fell backwards. He caught himself on the woodchips, scraping his hands.
“Neil! Are you ok?” Todd rushed to his side, reached out to grab him but then pulled his hands away. His eyes were already dark as the clouds gathered in the sky above them.
“I’m fine, Todd, really.” Neil brushed his hands off and sat up. “I’m sorry- that was my fault- I’m sorry- I shouldn’t have-”
“No-” Todd stood up and backed up, rain started to fall. “No- I should have never-” Todd started breathing heavily as he looked down at his hands, red lighting cracked across the sky.
“Todd hold on- no-” Neil clambered to his feet, “please, it was my fault-” Todd shook his head.
“Stay back, Neil-” Todd quickly stepped back as the rain picked up. “I’m not safe- they’re right- I only hurt people- that could have been you!” Todd pointed to the shattered picnic table, bending and twisted pieces of metal.
Neil looked and for a moment, felt a little scared… could that have really been him? But Todd saw the fear in his eyes.
“I’m sorry-” Todd turned and started running.
Sunday, June 27, 12:40 am
“Why can’t you just let me save you!” Neil shouted.
Todd took in a heavy breath. “I’m not worth saving, Neil! I only hurt people! I don't want to hurt you!”
“You won’t hurt me, I promise- we can get through this together.” Neil took a step closer and Todd didn’t step back this time. “You and me, together! We’ll figure it out!” Neil took another step.
“But what if we can’t?” Todd shouted over the rain. “What if I’m like this forever?” Todd was sobbing and the closer Neil got, the more he could tell, the edges of Todd’s eyes were red, matching the lighting that cut through the sky here and there.
“Then we’ll find a way! But running isn’t the answer!” Neil didn’t have to shout as loudly now that he was only a yard or so away.
“But- but what if you get hurt? What if you- what if you die?” Todd asked as Neil got close enough to hear him when he wasn’t shouting.
“I won’t.” Neil shook his head, he reached out, offering his hands to Todd, but Todd didn’t take them. Scared.
“But you could.” he said.
“But I won’t.” Neil said again. “I love you Todd.”
The rain slowed- there was no more thunder and lighting, or wind. Just rain as a few tears ran down Todds face.
“I love you Todd Anderson, and I won’t stop, I am love struck for this beautiful hurricane in front of me, and I just hope it’s love struck for me too.” Neil took another step, taking Todd’s hands in his own. Only then realizing how heavily Todd was leaning onto the tree he was next to.
“I am…” Todd sniffled as the rain turned into a drizzle.
“Then what’s stopping us from being amazing?” Neil asked.
Todd blinked, rain clung to his eyelashes and dripped down his face, but no more tears. He shrugged.
“Are you ok?” Neil asked softly.
Todd looked down in shame. “I hurt my ankle…” he stepped in a hole just before reaching the tree when he was running.
“Can you walk?” Neil crouched down to look at his ankle. Todd moved his hurt foot closer to Neil and Neil lifted the pant leg.
“I dunno…” Todd whispered as Neil took a look. He was scraped up and bleeding a little, and already bruising.
“C’mer.” Neil stood back up and then gently lifted Todd into his arms.
“W-what are you doing?” Todd squeaked, looping his arms around Neil's neck.
“I’m carrying you home.” Neil said.
“I- I don't want to go home.” he said quickly.
Neil shook his head. “That prison in the basement isn’t your home Todd.”
Todd held onto Neil silently as he carried him through the trees all the way back to the park. Finally, Todd asked. “So- where-?”
“With me, it doesn’t matter where.” Neil answered before Todd had to finish asking.
Todd smiled softly and put his head down on Neil's shoulder as Neil carried him. The clouds cleared and the sky was clear and full of stars once more. But Neil kept talking.
“I love you, and I’m gonna stay with you forever. “When you’re broken, I’ll be there, when it’s raining, snowing, no matter what, I’m always going to be here for you. Cuz you’re my lovestruck hurricane.”