FenceStriking Distance - Sarah Rees Brennan Page 0,63

jaw and the cool raindrops running down Aiden’s throat as heat ran under Harvard’s skin. Aiden made another, different sound, hands falling away from his hair to cup Harvard’s face between his wet palms, and smiled, biting at the corner of Harvard’s mouth. Harvard made a helpless noise. Aiden half murmured and half moaned in return, sounding both pleased and wounded, and arched in even closer.

That is so sexy, Harvard thought, and froze in horror.

At that precise moment, there came the loud sound of many pairs of footsteps clattering up the stairs. Harvard and Aiden broke apart. Harvard realized that they’d been sliding down against the doorframe, pressed together. They’d almost tumbled onto the floor.

And then what? What had he thought he was doing? Harvard was extremely disappointed in himself.

There was always much discussion of Aiden’s… wiles or whatever. Harvard usually tried not to listen, since this was his best friend, thank you very much, but sometimes you couldn’t help overhearing.

So… good wiles, buddy! Everybody who kissed Aiden felt the same way. Harvard already knew that. He’d known that for years, seen a hundred boys cut off at the knees by Aiden. He’d set them on their feet and given them a pat on the back, and always believed he was different. He was Aiden’s best friend. He wasn’t going to be like Jay.

Harvard took a deep breath and reminded himself to be different. He nodded thanks, not quite able to speak just yet, then swung open the door so he had space to take a step back.

“Leave it at the door, right?” murmured Aiden.

“Yeah.” Harvard’s voice scraped in his throat. “Leave it at the door. Right.”

They weren’t standing far apart, but it seemed as if there was too much distance between them. Harvard tried to think of a way to show that he was grateful, and he wasn’t presuming anything like the other guys did. This was practice.

“Thanks,” he said awkwardly. “I’m sure… I think Neil will like that?”

Aiden nodded, still distant. “He’ll like it.”

21: NICHOLAS

Eugene and Nicholas stood on the sidewalk outside Needful Bling and stared at Seiji’s watch for a long time. The cracked glass face had been replaced by a large, faintly pink plastic dome. The hands were moving, but they were in the shape of mouse ears.

“My God, bro,” Eugene said at last.

“Wow,” Nicholas murmured.

“Strongly agreed, wow!”

“Works great,” said Nicholas, much pleased, and pocketed the watch. “And your cousin’s friend did it for free! Now I can buy corn dogs for us at the fair. I feel totally rich.”

“I’ll buy corn dogs, bro,” Eugene said hastily.

“Sweet,” said Nicholas.

Everything was going his way today.

“You’re actually happy?” Eugene asked. “You’re not just being polite?”

When they got back from the fair, he’d give Seiji the watch. He was sure Seiji would be thrilled.

Nicholas grinned. “Yeah. Can’t wait to see Seiji’s face.”

“I am picturing Seiji’s face as well,” Eugene said. “I’m very worried about him in general right now.”

“Why?” asked Nicholas.

“No reason!” said Eugene. “Let’s go to the fair!”

They arrived at Kingstone Fair a little late, when it was already in full swing. The yellow of the stalls matched the yellow leaves fluttering down from the trees. Nicholas wasn’t used to all this nature, but, like most things surrounding Kings Row, he thought it was nice.

When Harvard and Aiden wandered by, still looking happy and hand in hand, it seemed like they were having a nice date.

Aiden’s face was far more pleasant now that he was dating Harvard. Nicholas was coming around to the idea. Eugene started forward to intercept them, but Nicholas grabbed Eugene’s jacket. Harvard and Aiden were clearly in their own little world right now and should not be disturbed. Nicholas really thought Eugene could employ more tact.

Eugene turned to Nicholas in distress. “If I was concerned that one of my teammates might be a master criminal, the captain would want to know, right?”

“Don’t interrupt the captain on his date!” commanded Nicholas, and dragged Eugene away.

Eugene protested faintly, but Nicholas felt Eugene deserved to be dragged. The captain must be left alone to do his romance.

“Eugene, if this is about the shoplifting, I don’t do that anymore!” Nicholas snapped once they were safely behind the popcorn vendor.

“That’s not it, bro…,” Eugene mumbled, but what else could he have meant?

Nicholas shook his head, but he tried to be understanding. Eugene didn’t get how the real world worked, so he thought Nicholas shoplifting a few candy bars when he was a little kid made him a thief. Whatever.