Connected To Him (ManxMan)

Part 1: Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Montana's

"First off, congratulations to our Grade 12 graduates!" Ethan heard students cheer at the morning announcement. Despite the fact that only a third of those in his class were seniors, others still cheered simply because it was the final day of school. "It's been a long road for you all and we faculty wish you the best in your future endeavours."

Ethan chuckled softly, watching his classmates' response to the announcements. There was an electric energy surging throughout the room that was undoubtedly due to the fact that it was the last day of school. As a current sophomore, Ethan couldn't celebrate being freed from the mandatory school system quite yet, he did have one more year to get through. But he and his classmates were still ecstatic to begin their two month-long break.

Like the others in the room, Ethan made promises to himself to enjoy this break to the fullest. He imagined beaches, parties, and exotic destinations. In the end, his summer often turned into several sleepovers at Aiden's place and semi-fun trips to crowded beaches with his pale parents. Nothing to to write home about, but nothing to complain over either. Ethan's wish this year, though, is for that to change. He wanted to make some epic, life-long memories before his uber serious junior year.

Ethan caught the large group in the front laughing as they threw wads of crumpled paper at one another. The way that Ms. Jade just shook her head silently told Ethan that she had already given up on a fight with the students before it began and had resigned herself to her fate. Chris sat among them, a bright smile on his face as he whipped some paper at one of his fellow 'jocks'.

Ethan didn't know how long he continued to stare, but by the time Chris's eyes met his, the hand holding his jaw upright was beginning to ache. The darker boy's eyes were thin with the intensity of his smile and grew thinner when that smile widened again. Ethan smiled back before looking in the other direction. He and Chris had grown so close that sharing a look like that no longer felt awkward or odd. It still felt like a truck was slamming into his heart, but Ethan just got used to that feeling.

Ethan noted that the two of them also helped each other a lot before their finals that year. They studied together often and Chris became the first person Ethan went to if he wanted advice and vice versa. Now that Aiden had gotten over the craze of finally being in a relationship he and Ethan spoke and messaged one another constantly. But Chris was a close second.

Ethan was very proud of that fact. He was happy with the current state of his friendship. Ethan knew all of Chris's friends and Chris knew all of Ethan's. A month ago, when Ethan showed up for yet another rugby practice, Chris introduced him to the entire team. Ethan was still good acquaintances with many of them.

It felt like their lives were deeply intertwined. Everytime Ethan thought about it, a warm smile graced his features. Knowing that he would never have Chris, this is what Ethan always wanted for them. So Ethan was happy and satisfied.

Chris took their shared smile as an invitation and within the next few minutes was walking over to Ethan's desk. Ethan's brows rose as Chris slumped into the empty seat in front of him. Chris had an extra bounce to his step, possibly due to the silly game he'd played with his friends, and directed that bright smile right at Ethan. Ethan clenched his hands to hold back a swoon.

"Hey."

"Hi."

Ethan bit his lip to hold back the extra words he'd wanted to add.

Hi, you looked really good from over here while you were playing. Is not something bros casually say to one another. Even one bro already knows the other is into bros, the gay bro pobably shouldn't be casually flirting with his bro.