Array
(
[text] =>

Dask's fifteenth birthday was a few months after mine. His party was on a Saturday night and it was just his and my family, and some of his relatives there.

One of my least favorite of Dask's relatives, Jax, was at the party. Jax was two years older than us and, to put it bluntly, a jackass. We spent most of the party trying to avoid him.

Some time into the night, Jax managed to corner us in the living room. The adults were out on the front porch chatting, drinking and laughing, oblivious.

"Well, well. If it isn't the fairy boyfriends." Jax sniggered.

"Please just ignore him," Dask said quietly.

"Fuck off, Jax." I said. Dask sighed next to me.

"Or what? What big man? What are you going to do about it."

"You're a dickhead," I said flatly.

"Takes one to know one."

"So, you admit you're a dickhead." I laughed.

"Jo..." Dask tried.

"What are you even doing here fairy boy? Dask's my cousin, not yours!"

"I was invited," I persisted. "Unlike you, having to tag along with family members Dask actually does like." Dask stiffened beside me.

I had the satisfaction of seeing Jax's face drop a little. I saw an emotion flicker through his eyes before he turned towards Dask, who turned to leave.  Dask made it a few steps away from us, before I gently grabbed his elbow. "Hey."

"I'm not staying here watching you and Jax trade insults," Dask said quietly.

"He's being a jerk."

"He's always being a jerk." Dask whispered a little too loudly. His eyes widened and he turned towards Jax, who had clearly overheard. "Sorry," Dask said to him.

Jax glared at him, before he looked hatefully from Dask to me and back to Dask again.

I pulled Dask out of the living room, through the back door and down the back steps.

We ran along the pathway leading us away away from the house, until we met with the trail that lead to my place. After following the trail a little, we veered off to the side and made our way down to the small lake near the boundary of my parent's property.

We sat on the thick carpet of soft grass near the edge of the lake. A gentle breeze slightly moved the calm surface of the water in small ripples, spreading out slowly over the entire lake.

During the day, the lake was a deep blue in the centre, clear around the edges, and a liquid mirror elsewhere that would reflect the surrounding lush green scenery. You'd hear the birds singing their songs cheerfully, communicating in their own unique language with each other.

At night, the lake was mesmerising. The water was a dark liquid pool with a silvery surface. The moon cast a glow over the area, and created an intimate scene.

We breathed in the clean air of fresh green grass and sweet scented wildflowers. The slight breeze brought the smells of woody trees and pure untouched water, filtered into the lake from last night's heavy rainfall. The rains perfume permeated the air.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the small gift I'd bought for Dask's birthday. I hadn't given it to him yet, because I wanted to give it to him when we were away from everyone else. "Here."

Dask was surprised when he saw the gift in my hands. "Thanks Jo," he said softly. I placed the wrapped box in his outstretched and Dask slipped off the paper to find the tiny Ipod shuffle inside.

Dask's eyes lit up and he smiled. "Thank you!" he said, excited. He hugged me warmly and I held on tight for a moment. I couldn't help my grin which was widely plastered across my face.

Dask absolutely loves his music. When I saw him happily set up the device, I felt so good inside.

Dask gave me one of his headphones and we laid side by side on our backs, listened to the music I'd downloaded for him and looked up at the starry night sky.

Later on, we made our way back to the house. Everyone was asleep, either passed out in the living room or bedrooms. Thankfully, Jax was asleep on one of the couches in the living room too. We fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows on Dask's bed.

The next day, Dask suggested we go somewhere to spend his birthday money. I had a little money left over from my birthday as well. We decided to head over to Parkstown the following weekend, to catch a movie.

Parkstown was a couple of shires away. It's the biggest city near our small town. We had to leave early in the morning to catch the bus and two trains there. It took nearly two hours of travelling to arrive.

We watched a movie and then bought some items with our birthday money.

"What do you think?" Dask asked after he moved the dressing room curtain across, so I could look see the outfit he'd been thinking about buying.

"Good," I said. Dask grinned and turned to step back inside the dressing room. I sneakily eyed the curve of his butt in his new jeans. He has a great butt, he's lucky.

We got a bite to eat afterwards, before heading back home.

When we arrived back at Dask's house, he got a phone call almost right away. I slipped out to the living room and watched television with his father.

Dask's father and I watched some documentary on megastructures, which I found interesting. Especially, the building in Dubai with what looked like a ship on top. Dask's father didn't bother trying to make small talk with me. Instead, we watched the program in a comfortable silence.

Once the documentary was finished, I stepped back into Dask's bedroom to find him still on the phone. Whoever he was talking with was clearly flirting with him. His face was red and he seemed embarrassed. He awkwardly paced his bedroom floor, his feet tripped over imaginary objects and his hands accidently knocked over anything within reach. It was entertaining to watch.

"Who's that?" I asked loudly. He turned towards me, startled. I grinned.

"Clara," he mouthed, before he turned to continue his nervous wander around the room.

After a while of pointless flirting (I mean, it's not like they're getting back together, right?) He hung up.

"What was that?" I asked.

"Huh?" Dask said.

"That, right then."

Dask looked at me blankly. "Me telling Clara goodbye?"

"Why are you both flirting with each other? Are you getting back together?"

"What?"

I stood up and started walking towards the door.

"Jo?"

"I have to leave anyway."

"Jo. Wait. What's wrong?"

Honestly, I don't even know.

—-

Thank you for reading!

I've dedicated this chapter to @Luna_Thompson for being an amazing reader, follower, voter. Thanks so much for your support.

Please don't forget to vote and comment if you're enjoying the story.

Lots of ♡

- dreamydaze

[text_hash] => 3cb07ed9
)