These Broken Parts

Surprise

The following Tuesday, Evan found himself knocking on Connor's front door, shuffling nervously. With Evan's mom home on Thursday nights now, they'd had to create a Plan B for spending time alone. More often than not, it was still too cold to go to the Orchard, and now there was snow coating the ground.

On Tuesday's, Connor's dad traveled overnight for work, Zoe usually had jazz band rehearsal until late and often went to a friends house after, and Cynthia met with her book club at the country club.

It was riskier, being at Connor's. Anyone could come home at any minute. But they didn't have any other option for now. Connor had skipped his last two periods, too anxious at the idea of Evan coming over to his house for the first time to sit through any more lectures. It also gave him the opportunity to be sure they had the house to themselves. He waited until he knew school was over, then texted Evan to come over.

Evan only had to wait a minute before the door was pulled open and Connor greeted him with a smile and a kiss.

"Hey," he said, pulling Evan inside and locking the door. "Let's go up to my room. Worst case scenario, if someone comes home, you can climb out the window."

"I can what?" Evan asked, his voice rising in panic.

Connor laughed, dragging him upstairs. Evan couldn't believe how big this house was...

And then they were in Connor's room. It was messy, with clothes everywhere, posters covering the walls, and a bookshelf over-flowing with books. The bed sheets were rumpled, and his desk was so covered with books and papers that you almost couldn't see the computer. It was the opposite of Evan's room, and it was perfect.

They ordered pizza, and settled on Connor's bed to watch a movie. It was kind of weird hanging out in broad daylight on Connor's bed – very different from their nightly dates at Evan's house. But it was also really nice. Hanging out in broad daylight made it feel less like they were sneaking around, and more like what they had was real.

When the movie was done, Connor turned the TV off and tossed the half-empty pizza box and plates to the floor. He shifted positions on the bed, so he was sprawled out on his back with his head on the pillow. He patted the space beside him, encouraging Evan to lay with him, which he did immediately. He rested his head on Connor's chest, threw an arm over Connor's stomach and tangled his legs with Connor's. Connor smiled at the ease with which Evan snuggled with him now – something he hadn't been as comfortable doing just a month ago.

It still surprised Connor that this nice, awkward, anxious boy liked him. Wasn't afraid of him. Wanted to spend time with him. And it didn't even bother him that no one else knew yet. It was still new for Evan - Connor had been there, done that, with Miguel (who's name he could now think without flinching, though he still hadn't said it out loud to anyone), but Evan was still adjusting to the idea that he liked boys. Connor didn't mind, life was easier when it was just the two of them, anyway.

"Do you want to watch another movie, or go do something? Or are we just gonna lay here all day? Not that I mind this," Evan said with a grin, closing his eyes and letting out a contented sigh.

"Nah, we have the house to ourselves for another few hours. No one will bother us. It's kinda nice to just..."

Connor felt Evan nod his head. They were quiet for a long time. At some point, Connor could hear Evan snoring lightly. He smiled, letting himself relax, letting his eyes drift closed.

~*~*~

Connor's door banged open, startling Connor and Evan awake.

"CONNOR MURPHY, YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD REASON FOR- Oh..."

Connor and Evan sprang apart, eyes wide at the sight of Cynthia Murphy in the doorway.

No one spoke. No one moved.

Suddenly, Evan started mumbling something that sounded like needing to get home, and he bolted. Cynthia was so shocked, she didn't even try to stop him.

Connor, however, was another story. When he tried to run after Evan, she grabbed for his arm.

"Connor!"

Connor couldn't look his mother in the eye. He obviously wasn't out to his parents or sister, had never brought anyone home. Hell, they didn't even know him and Evan were friends, let alone more than that. He didn't know how his mother would react.

Truthfully, he wanted to believe his mother would understand. Maybe she already knew. All those stories he read online said that mothers always knew - they had "a mother's intuition." But Connor was too scared to look her in the eye, too afraid to see disgust or rejection.

"Connor, you're shaking-"

He pulled free from his mother and ran. He could hear her calling his name, but he didn't stop until he was outside. He looked around frantically for Evan, but didn't see him anywhere. He heard his mom's voice getting closer again, and he bolted. He didn't slow until he was several blocks away, closer to the park than his house.

He pawed his pocket for his phone and texted Evan, his hands trembling.

Evan, I'm sorry.

Are you okay? Did you go home? I'll come to you.

Evan, please answer me

Nothing.

Connor slumped his shoulders and started walking again. He lost himself in the park until he was so exhausted, he couldn't walk any further. He sat heavily under a tree, staring into space for so long that it began to grow dark out.

His phone beeped and he jumped, heart thumping, but it was just his mom, begging him to come home. He ignored her.

He had just ruined the best thing he had going in his life. Evan had expressed so many times his fear of people knowing he was gay - it was still too new for him, he was still getting used to it himself. He wasn't ready to tell other people yet. And now someone knew.