Running

9- Block towers

Writes note: Hey, I'm Sam and this is my first time publishing a LGBTQ+ book, so I figured it was about time. I will try to keep it as updated as possible but it might be a bit hard with my schedule. Be welcome to comment any suggestions or thoughts, as I will make sure to read them.

WARNING: THIS BOOK MAY CONTAIN SLURS, STRONG LANGUAGE AND TRIGGERING MESSAGES

~to my dear olivia rosetta ikonen, thank you for being my redd~

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⋆𝕝𝕦𝕔𝕒𝕤 ⋆
We have arranged to meet at the Shopping Centre in town at 3PM. Father agreed to drop me off but only because I said I was meeting Francesca. We pull up at the front of the block towers and I undo my seat belt. As I get up my father puts his hand on my shoulder and says "Lucas, I just wanted to talk to you before you go out." I gulp loudly. Does he know? How does he know? Who told him? I thought only Marie and Adam knew?? A wave of panic rushes throughout me, like a cold paralysing stream.

He looks me directly in the eyes and I can tell this is serious. He looks like he's away to shout-
"I am proud of you" he says, unexpectedly. "What?" I ask.
"You heard me son, I'm proud of you." He repeats. I feel as if I'm in a parallel universe or another dimension. I blankly stare back at him.
"Why?" I ask after a few seconds of awkward confusion and visible concern.
"Well this sort of thing is not really your usual idea of fun, so I'm proud. Besides, Francesca is a lovely girl who I'm sure will make a great impression on you." He rants at me.
~visible gay confusion~
"Oh, yes. I'm really branching out. Trying loads of new things" I say trying to convince him, with a slight of wordplay to amuse myself.
"I will pick you up as soon as you call son. Remember, I'm proud of you." He repeats again as I get out the car. Funny how the first and only time he's told me he's proud of me is when he thinks I'm going on a date. With a Christian.
With a Girl.

I sit down in the subway food court and await the mysterious Adam Redd. Full name unknown. Maybe he doesn't have a middle name, not many people know I have a middle name. Then again why would they. Only I think such stupid thoughts. But I guess if my thoughts were normal I'd be a bit boring.

In normality we are all our most abnormal.

I nervously sit with a shaky leg as I await sir Redd. After 20 minutes of waiting I decide to get up. He clearly isn't coming. I pick up my satchel and tuck my chair in. As I get up I see a young, yet tall boy come running through the shopping centre towards me. The young boy, now recognisable as Adam Redd is now hurtling towards me. He skids to a stop right in front of me, completely out of breath.
"Jesus. Are you okay?" I ask him.
"Y...yeah... I just..I just.." he stutters. I pull out a chair in front of me and gesture for him to sit. He takes the seat, turns it and sits on it, his hands hanging over the back facing me.
"You sure?" I say lightly laughing before he joins me.
"Sorry I'm late. Got caught up sorting something out." He explains to me, going a little rosy in the cheeks and looking down slightly.
"Oh, it's completely fine. Honestly. I didn't even care. Barely noticed, really. Didn't cross my mind once. Too busy thinking. You know, the usual. Always ticking away." I say pointing towards my temple. I'm convinced 90% of what I say is pure waffle honestly.
"Oh. Okay then." He says with a certain perplexity on his face.
"Anyway. Where would you like to go first" I ask.
"Don't mind. Don't come here often. You'll have to show me all the good places."  He says.
"Okay then. I can do that." I his wrist and pull him towards Next and I feel a flutter in my heart. I immediately let go of his wrist. I cant feel like this. Especially before uni.

Sometimes knowing you shouldn't have someone makes you want them more.

He slowly holds my wrist and glances up to me, giving me a reassuring smile. "It's okay." He says with the same charming smile that made me fall for him in the first place. I lead him into the store and we look around for a bit.
"Any certain event we are buying for?" I ask him when I see he's looking antsy.
"No. Not really." He responds slowly.
"Well I need to buy for my aunts birthday party. I only have a couple suits and they're all boring." I explain and he nods along.
"Sounds great!" He says unexpectedly cheerfully.
"Oh my god! You should totally come as my guest!" I say without thinking. Shit. Scaring him off too quickly as if I haven't already.
"Oh. I would, actually, love to but I don't have a suit." He tells me and I chuckle.
"That's why we're here, silly. We can but you a suit. Or a dress if that's your thing!" I say and we both laugh.
"I think I will stick with a suit for now. But you never know."  He says and I walk over to a row of blazers. I watch him behind me, carefully running his fingertips over the soft fabric of the jackets. His expression is delicately amusing. With a wild mixture of wonder and appreciation.
"What about this?" I ask him, holding up a pale grey coloured coat. He laughs at me  and I ask "What?".
"I mean not to sound like a total poof but maybe something a bit more.. you know?" I hit him on the arm and whisper "You can't say that!" And i start uncontrollably laughing.
"And the word you were looking for is flamboyant." I finish.
"Well if it's true technically I can say it."
He adds.
"Technically it's a derogatory term Adam." I say poking him.
"Shut up." He says.

I take out a light pink jacket and hold it up to him. "This totally is your colour." I say.
"I can't wear that." He says.
"Of course you can. It's my aunts party so no one will know you there and if they say anything they'll have me to deal with." I say flexing my noodle thin arms do him to see.
"It's not that." He says.
"What is it then?" I squint my eyebrows slightly.
"I. I can't afford it." He says quietly.
"Oh my god. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard dear Adam. Anyone who looks that good in pink shouldn't have to pay for anything. I'm slightly offended you even assumed you'd be paying" I laugh and he smiles too and thanks me.
"Why the hell are you so nice to me?" He asks me inquisitively.
"Because. You're Adam Redd." I say. I feel a warm feeling in my heart that I haven't felt in way too long. He feels like home.

He feels more like home than any place I've ever been or I ever want to be.