Too Young To Live This Way

''Are you okay now?'' Alan asks, as we walk through a unfamiliar estate, towards his home. ''Scratch that, of course you're not. How do you feel?''
''Like crap.'' I say bluntly, ''But I've felt worse.''

We walk in silence for a few more minutes, before we walk up a nice road. The houses on either side are two-storey, with little patches of colourful garden in front of each one.
''This one's mine.'' Alan says, and turns into a small gate on the corner of the street. The front garden is very ordered, flowers growing in neat little rows. ''I should warn you... My Mom's kinda super-religious, so like... don't swear or anything please.'' Alan stops me, before opening the ront door.
''Hello Alan!" A womans voice calls the moment we step inside. ''Who's your friend?'' Asks the lady, who also has ginger hair, and is very skinny, like Alan.
''Hey Mom, this is my friend Austin.'' Alan introduces me, and I shake her hand, ''We're gonna go up to my room.''

The first thing I see when I walk in is guitars. He has an electric and an acoustic on a stand, and empty stand for the one on his back and an electric acoustic on his back. There is a large amp in the corner, and several effects pedals scattered around the floor. His room is untidy, but most people have dirty plates and clothing and stuff. Alan has random sheets of paper with chord structures and possibly lyrics, jack leads, earphones and guitar picks. The walls are postered with bands, some that I know, some that I don't. There is a small black and white cat curled up on his bed, which looks up and mewls when we step in.
''This is really cool!" I mutter, and sit down on his bed, next to the cat.
''Yeah... it's probably a bit much, but who cares? This is Mittens by the way.'' Alan adds, sitting next to me, on the other side of the cat.
''She's adorable!" I say, but my excited voice scares her away. The little cat sprints out of the room, and Alan jumps up, laughing, to shut the door behind her.
''Isn't she just?'' Alan sighs, flopping back next to me. ''Now, Austin... Can you tell me what's wrong?'' After a minute or so, I start to talk. I can't stop. I forget that the boy sat net to me is aggressive, i forget his outward rudeness to everyone, I forget that I've been weirdly attracted to him since I joined. The only thing I can think about, is his hand on my arm, my past, and the fact that I've never told anyone about the bullying before. I spill everything, my Mom dying, my Dads sadness, the bullying; everything.

''Oh, Austin...'' Alan sighs, putting an arm over my shoulder when I finish. ''I'm so sorry...'' He says.
''It's not your fault, why are you sorry?'' I mutter, through a fog of tears.
''I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm sure you don't deserve it.'' Alan reiterates.
''Thank you...'' I mumble, tears sliding down my face. Alan hugs me tightly, and I hug him back. I guess I was right when I thought i'd made a friend.
''No problem.'' Alan whispers, slowly releasing me. I take a couple of deep breaths, and try for a small smile. Alan spots my smile, and grins back. After a few minutes, we're just talking about random stuff, nothing in the slightest bit important. I discover his birthday is May 22, and his favourite colour is bright green. He tells me all about his favourite bands, and I tell him about mine. I find out that we have loads and loads in common, way more than I first thought. He's also really nice, and seems really caring, considering that he acts really aggressive and cold in school.
My phone suddenly starts blasting 'The Negative One' by Slipknot, and I scramble to get it out of my pocket. I see a phone call from my Dad.
''Hey Dad!" I say.
''Hey Aust, are you still at your friends house?'' Dad asks, and Alan smiles.
''Yeah, Alan.'' I reply.
''Okay, are you coming back? Or are you gonna stay over night?'' He asks, and I look curiously at Alan. Alan nods vigorously, so I reply with a yes. Dad says goodbye and hangs up. He's not one to talk pointlessly.
''You want me to stay here over night?'' I ask Alan, after I put my phone in my pocket.
''Well... yeah. I mean, only if your okay with that?'' Alan nods.
''Sure.'' I reply.

After an hour or so of continuing playing guitar, Alans Mom opens the door and gives us pizza.
''Thanks Mrs. Ashby!" I say enthusiastically.
''Thanks Mom!" Alan chimes in.
''No problem boys. One request?''
''Yeah?''
''Please turn your amp down!" Alans Mom laughs, before leaving the room.
Alan smiles sheepishly, before turning the amp off at the wall and unplugging it. ''Wanna watch a movie?'' He asks, glancing curiously at me.
''Sure!" I smile. After a minute or so, Alan comes over with three possible movies.
''So.... Elf, The Cabin in the Woods, or The Hunger Games?'' He asks.
''Dude, Elf? Seriously?'' I laugh, thinking about how different those movies are.
''Shut up, Austin.'' Alan mumbles. ''It's only because Zooey Deschanel! Maaann. She's like, the only attractive female-'' Alan stutters to a halt. ''Wanna watch The Hunger Games?'' He asks abruptly.
''Uh, yeah. Sure. Great movie!'' Alan slots it into the DVD player, and starts sorting the remote out. While he does this, I dig up the courage to ask a question that just popped into my mind.
''Hey Alan? What did you mean... Zooey Deschanel is the only attractive female?'' Alan drops the TV remote, and turns to face me, a blank expression haunting his features.
''Doesn't matter.'' He mutters.
''Don't get mad at me... Are you, like, gay or something?'' I ask carefully, unsure of how to ask but desperate to know.
''Honestly Austin?'' Alan looks right into my eyes. ''Honestly, I don't know. I think so, but i'm not sure. If you don't like it, get out. I haven't got time for homophobic shit.'' Alan sighs dramatically.
''Oh no! I'm not homophobic! I mean, i'm bisexual myself! It would be kinda weird- yeah I was just wondering.'' I explain hurriedly, cutting myself off. I stuff some pizza in my mouth to shut myself up, and Alan sticks the movie on. We watch in comfortable silence, and occasionally I glance at Alan. He is slouched into the side of his bed, cushions stopping both of us sitting on the floor. He rests his head in his had, keeping a ginger lock of hair tucked back. His brow furrows slightly, as he watches the movie, completely absorbed. I catch myself staring, and turn away, blushing slightly. What am I even doing?

Notes

Sooo, I would have updated sooner, but guess who's internet was down?
Hint: It's me.

Can you smell the approaching Cashby? I can.
Comment, rate, subscribe, to smell the Cashby!