Chapter 4

I've decided to dedicate this chapter to when_the_sun_dies because she's an amazing writer who only inspires my stories. And she's way better than I am too. I get a vast majority of my ideas from reading her stories, and then adding my own twists to them in my own story in my own way, hopefully. Here it is: chapter 4! Vote, comment,  and enjoy!

Chapter 4: Kent's POV- Thursday night, after Cole went to the police station-

As I watched Cole be driven away in the police car, I sighed a huge sigh of relief, sadness, and happiness. I was relieved because I had done everything I could, and from what I heard from one of the paramedics, Paul would be alright. I even got a compliment from one of them about my potential in the medical field. I was kind of sad because one, a dog was pointlessly killed, and two, a father had almost killed his children in his drunken state. Maybe Neal S. Dow was right with his Maine Law of 1851 banning liquor.... However, I was really kind of happy because not only did I help my long-time crush, I might be seeing a lot more of him if he chose to work with my dad; although, I was pretty sure he wouldn't deny the help of the most influential lawyer in America, if he did, there were clearly other problems in that guy's head.

I still couldn't get the image of Cole's concern for his brother out of my head when he was bleeding still...he seemed, protective in an evident way. If he would only do that for me....

Dammit! There's no way that someone like Cole would ever go for a guy like me. Hasn't he had like, a few dozen girlfriends? I shook my head in the ridiculousness of it all, and walked back to my house where I proceeded to collapse onto my bed. At least I had finished my homework....

-Kent's [crazy, unrealistic] dream, Thursday night-

I was watching a football game, wait what? I hated football! There was a reason I never went to a sporting event: I had to study! There was no way that I could be the smartest kid in my class and go to sporting events.

Then I saw something only so amazing, I was really happy to actually watch this game in particular. Not only were all of the guys really hunky, but they were all in their underwear! And for some reason, there was a very large rain cloud that was raining heavily, but it was only raining over the football field. Weird huh, but I'm not complaining!

Upon closer inspection of a certain football player that was quarterback, I noticed that it was Cole Bradley. I then proceeded to only watch him for the entire game; especially his muscles. Yeah, it was safe to say I had about the biggest crush anyone had ever seen on a guy.

Anyways, the game kept going, and Cole scored the final touchdown, raising his strong arms in victory. I cheered and hollered for him as well, but then he actually began to walk to the crowd, but more importantly, me!

Before I knew it, not only was the hunk of my dreams was standing in front of me dripping wet, but he was in his underwear too!

“Kent,” Cole said with a light smile, slowly moving closer to me. “Can I kiss you right now?”

I nodded, and Cole leaned forward, and just as he was about to kiss me, my alarm clock went off and woke me up from the best dream I had ever had.

Dammit....

-Reality, Friday morning-

I woke up to my alarm clock blaring in my ears, not only waking me up, but destroying the fantastic dream I was having about Cole.

I sighed, knowing it was way too good to be true, and got ready for school, and got into my Mercedes.

When I got to school, apparently the word about Cole's dad and their quarrel last night had made it around school. I secretly hoped Cole wouldn't be here today so that he wouldn't have to deal with the others' questions. I shook my head and went to my locker, changing my binders and books accordingly.

I was about to go to my first class when a large, looming shadow was cast over me. I turned to my fears of seeing a bunch of the Varsity team's football players forming a loose semi-circle around me.

One of them, I think he was Cole's close friend or something whose name I thought was Caleb, spoke to me in a menacing tone. “Word is that you were the one who helped Cole last night with Paul and set him up with your dad as his lawyer.”

I nodded slowly, trying to mentally prepare myself for any punches that may come my way.

“Well,” Caleb began. “All the guys on the team just wanted to say thank you for helping him in whole lot more ways than we ever could. We all know just how much Cole loves his brother Paul. We've all met Paul too. He's a really awesome kid, just like his older brother.” I heard all of the guys grunt and nod in approval. “And if Cole had lost his brother, we all know that he would've quit the team, and then we never would've won another game again. So we just wanted to say thanks for what you did.” All of the guys said thanks and then gave me a strong handshake.

“Thanks again, Whitman,” Caleb said as he waved a weak goodbye to me.

I sighed a huge sigh of relief; they didn't pulverize me, they actually thanked me! Never in my entire life had anyone said thank you to me; not when I helped them with their homework, helped them if they fell down, gave them my lunch, or even my parents.

I sighed in content, pleased for one about my good deed for once, and headed off to class.

Surprisingly, I saw Cole once today during school. I thought he would've stayed home after what was happening. But then again, today was a game day, so he probably had to go to some of school.

After school was over, I headed over to the pool to warm up for the swim meet today. It wasn't for a few hours, but I liked being here alone sometimes; it was peaceful to me.

I dove into the pool in a pair of board shorts, since I didn't have to wear a Speedo, and who really enjoys wearing them? I started swimming laps across the pool, opening my eyes occasionally to see the blue water, clear as ever, even if the pool was rather dirty.

When I stopped after my fiftieth lap, I noticed someone come out onto the pool deck. I looked up not to see a fellow swim member or coach even, but to see Cole with a faint smile on his face as he looked at me.

“Hey,” Cole looked at his feet in their ratty shoes.

“So,” I wasn't sure what to say next. I didn't really have experience talking to someone popular, much less someone who I had a huge crush on, like Cole, who were both of those things. “Did you need something from me?” Dammit, I hope it didn't come out as mean.... I mentally cursed myself and my awkwardness.

“Uh, no not really, but I just wanted to thank you a whole bunch for saving my brother's life, and making me realize that both of us needed to get away from our dad.” He shoved his hands awkwardly into his jeans' pockets, taking a seat on the metal bleachers about five feet away from the pool.

I pushed myself out of the pool and grabbed my towel as I sat next to Cole.

I looked at Cole; usually, I was really good at reading people, but for some reason, I couldn't get any read on him...strange....

“Kent, I, um, have something I need to tell you.” his voice was usually strong and exuded confidence, but not this time.

I nodded my head as a signal for him to continue.

“The police think that I hurt Paul and wrecked the house to make it look like my dad, so they're charging me with Paul's attack.” Cole sounded, angry? Wait, no, his voice was really sad, but why would it be sad? It was already horrible enough that he was being charged with almost killing his brother, but I still didn't know what would ruin his attitude even more.... “But worst of all, I can't see Paul unless there is legal supervision by adults or the police.” Cole was tearing up now, and I could finally see why he spoke with sadness: he couldn't even be with his brother, the only person he truly cared about, without supervision of others because the police thought he was a danger to Paul. But in reality, keeping Paul with Cole was the best way to keep Paul safe.

Cole leaned into my shoulder and I could feel him crying on my bare skin. It was embarrassing, but I kind of liked the feeling he had on m skin. He had a strong, masculine, fresh scent about him that I liked. I rubbed and patted his back in a measly attempt to console him.

I don't think I had eve seen someone so upset, and this guy crying his heart out about his brother was probably one of the sweetest things I had seen.

After a few minutes of Cole crying, he asked me something, but I couldn't hear it because he was still talking into my shoulder.

“What, Cole? Face me when you speak,” I tried to pull him off of me but to no avail.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “I was asking you if Paul could live at your place until things got sorted out, I know he really likes you since you saved his life, and you're the only person I trust enough to keep him safe. Please, if not for me, than please do it for Paul,” Cole's dark blue eyes pleaded with my light green ones, and, being the weak teenager that I am, I nodded to his plea.

“Thank you so much!” Cole practically jumped out of the stand.

Cole pulled me within mere inches from his face, and then I froze up; I couldn't feel anything because I was so nervous. Was Cole really going to kiss me?

I saw the faint hesitation in his eyes, and knew that Cole kissing me was way too good to be true.

“I'll send Paul over with his stuff at about six o'clock tonight, is that ok with you?” Cole was slowly walking away from me towards the pool deck exit.

“Yeah, that's fine,” I said timidly, twiddling my thumbs.

“Thanks again, Kent, you're an awesome dude,” Cole called out as he left. But, if my eyes weren't mistaken, Cole had a strong blush on his face.

But the thing was, my eyes never lied.

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Ok, so hopefully, you liked this chapter. I also ask politely for you to vote, comment, and give me suggestions on this story, because I'm starting to run out of ideas....bad me....

~Michael