Snowy Road - 2. Chapter 2 - Adam

Chapter 2 - Adam

I woke up the next morning in a room I didn't recognize and with a severe muscle ache in my legs. I've been to Leslie's house before but I never entered this room, there was no reason to because we mostly hung out in the kitchen or in the living room. The room was painted minty green and you could tell that this was someones former bedroom rather than just a guestroom because of the markings on the wall that indicated the usage of duct tape to put up posters and the almost empty bookcase, there were some books left but they looked kind of old and boring. There were cardboard boxes here and there on the floor and I guessed that the room was mostly used for storage nowadays.

Suddenly there was a noise from downstairs, it sounded like someone were bowling down there so I quickly got up and went down the stairs, a little bit worried. When I entered the kitchen the first thing that caught my eyes was Leslie, still in ice cream pajamas, standing in the middle of the room with several cups made out of hard plastic littering the floor around her.

“Uh... Hi” I said, still uncomfortable when I remembered my confession the night before.

“Yo” She said. “I was just gonna grab some juice but when I reached for a cup I got all of 'em over me instead.”

“I can see that” The awkwardness I felt wasn't something I was used to, especially not with Leslie. It felt wrong but I didn't really know what to do about it.

“Oh, don't be a smartass” she said with a deadpan voice. “If you want me to be your faghag you better help me pick these up, sweetie.”

I cringed inwardly at the mention of my secret, well my former secret, but when she smiled at me I knew that nothing had changed between us. With a much less awkward atmosphere we started to pick up the cups that were scattered around the floor.

“So what will you do about school today?” She asked. “As much as I love your current outfit I think you should get yourself a change of clothes and other stuff you might need. Like a toothbrush and some deodorant, you smell.” She wrinkled her nose in a playful manner.

“I won't go today” I said. “And I think I'll sneak back home and gather the stuff I need, my mom won't be home probably 'cause she does charity work on Mondays.”

“Look, I don't know if you can stay here, my parents aren't bigots or anything but I can't promise you that they'll let you stay.” She said with a serious look on her face.

I just nodded. I knew that going back home wasn't an option so I figured I'd just take things one step at a time, starting with sneaking back home and grab everything I need.

We ate breakfast in silence. Leslie was reading the comic and horoscope section of the newspaper, the only thing worth reading in it according to her opinion, and I just ate my cereal while thinking about my future. I didn't really know what I would do from now on, there must be something illegal about making underage homosexuals leave their home but I knew I wouldn't press charges or anything. As much as I still loved my family despite their flaws, Eric not included, I figured I wanted as little as possible to do with them. I can't live in a home were I'm not accepted for being who I am. It hurt.

When we were done eating Leslie went to her room to get ready for school and I took a quick shower in the downstairs bathroom. The hot water that soaked my body gave me new energy and I momentarily forgot about all my problems. I rinsed off the soap and walked out of the shower cabin, when I was drying myself with a towel I looked down at my clothes on the floor. They were all I had at the moment but when I put them back on I felt dirty again. They smelled a little, as Leslie was kind enough to point out, and there was a stain on the front of my sweatshirt.

Walking back to the living room I saw Leslie coming down the stairs. She looked more like the girl I knew by know, long blond hair swirling with every step and just a little too much makeup on her face.

“Hey, Mark. I need to go to school now if I don't want to be late. Mrs. Featherley can be a real bitch if you're late and I seem to be on her blacklist ever since she caught my drawing caricatures of her as a goat.” She frowned. “I don't really understand why she got so mad, I mean she really does look like one...”

I chuckled, she was right, and she pulled me in for a hug.

“Good, I got you to smile” she said. “Good luck with going back home and stuff, I'll call my parents and fill them in on the situation before they get home. By the way, my brother will be coming home for dinner tonight too.”

She broke the hug and started to walk towards the door, still talking.

“May the force be with you. I'll see you as soon as I get home from school, be sure to watch out for your mom!”

“Yeah, see you soon.” I said and she got as far as to the front door, hand on the doorknob, when I added.

“Leslie... Thank you.”

She just threw me a smile, winking, and walked out of the house towards the bus stop.

30 minutes later I was looking up at my house. It seemed unreal to look at something so familiar and know that it wasn't part of your life anymore. I felt like an intruder just by standing there in the vicinity of my old home, it was almost like my house itself discarded me at the same time as my parents did. Taking a deep breath I started walking towards the front door, intently watching the windows on the side of the house for any movement. I was on edge even though I knew that neither my brother or mother would be home today. Unlocking the front door, the familiar smell of home hit me in contrast to the crisp air outside. I shook the snow of my shoes before entering, for some reason trying to be as quiet as possible about it.

Taking off my shoes, but leaving them on the floor in the hallway in case I needed a quick escape, I started to tip-toe trough the living room and then up the stairs. The house was quiet except for the occasional creak of a floorboard. I made it up to the second floor and then to my room, the furthest one from the stairs. Then I realized it wasn't really my room now. Not anymore.

It didn't take very long for me to grab a backpack and pack it full with the things I figured were too important to leave. When I was done the backpack was filled up to the brim with clothes, schoolbooks, my toothbrush, other toiletries and my laptop (the one that caused me so much grief, I couldn't resist giving it a mean look). The last thing I did was changing into clean, and way more fashionable, clothes.

Walking (quietly) down the stairs and into the living room I forced myself to take one last look on my former home. Closing my eyes and inhaling deep I memorized the familiar scent of the house. Sure, like everyone else I dreamed of leaving home, to get away from the parents and start a real life. But this was way too abrupt. Standing there, just breathing, I realized yet again how scared I was of leaving everything safe and familiar. Opening my eyes I noticed a small frame with a family photo on the piano. Not really thinking about the reason behind my actions I grabbed the photo and shoved it into my backpack. Thinking back, I think I wanted to bring some of my old and safe life with me.

I walked back to the hallway and started to put on my shoes. Suddenly eager to get out of the house. I put on my jacket, tied my shoelaces and started to reach for the doorknob when the door opened from the outside, revealing the edgy appearance of my mom. For a short while, it felt like eons, we just stared at each other. Her eyes were wide with shock but I could also see a tinge of sadness in them. Her face was pale and her thin lips seemed even thinner than usual. She just stood there, her hand still holding the door, for a few seconds until she seemed to regain some of her composure. When she actually spoke it sounded more like a croak, as if her throat had tightened a little for some reason.

“You...” She said. “I think you need to go.”

It felt so final. I'm your son! You should accept me no matter what! I barely noticed that she stepped to the side to give me room to walk out the door. Dazed, I just looked at her with disbelief as I walked outside. Unlike the last time I looked back several times, but the only thing I saw was the back of my mother, still holding the door for some reason, just standing there. As I walked towards the bus stop I could feel the cold wind biting my face, aided by the moist that my tears created.

The bus ride to Leslie's was a blur. Ignoring the concern showing on the faces of the bus driver and the other passengers when they saw my tear-streaked cheeks I chose a seat in the back of the bus. I kept my head down, staring at my shoes, for the whole ride. It wasn't until I stepped off the bus near Leslie's house that I started to calm down a little. I hadn't really processed everything that happened both yesterday and today but not feeling ready to mull it over I put it in the back off my mind. I noticed that it had started to snow again when I saw flakes sticking to the front of my jacket, quickly melting and forming droplets.

When I walked up to Leslie's front door I dug out the spare key beneath a planter and unlocked the door. The quiet house seemed foreign but it was all I had for the moment. Shaking the snow of my shoes, I entered the house and took off my jacket. I suddenly felt that I was tired again, weird, so I lay down on the sofa in the living room. After a few minutes, I was fast asleep.

“Wake up, sweetie! My, don't you look fancy, I like your shirt!”

I felt a pressure on my chest, bouncing up and down. Opening my eyes with shock I saw Leslie sitting on my chest, using it as some kind of trampoline. Deeming it impossible to go back to sleep under current conditions I just groaned and started to poke Leslie in the side to get her off me.

“Ouch! Stop it! Is that how you treat people giving you compliments?” She pouted at me but I could see she was trying to stop herself from smirking.

“What time is it?” I asked while trying to stifle a yawn.

“It's time to wake up” she said but when shoot her a glare she continued. “It's almost 4pm, my parents will be home in an hour.”

One hour. I felt that I wanted more time before possibly altering my life yet again.

“Oh right” she said. “My brother will be here soon too.”

“Your brother?” I asked. “How come I've never met him?”

“He's only my step brother, he lived with his mom until a couple of years ago. When he got accepted to the college in this town he moved into his own apartment 20 minutes from here. He comes over to eat dinner now and then” she explained “But stop sidetracking me, the reason I woke you up was because we need to do the dishes before all of them come home.”

“Hey, it's your house, do it yourself” I groaned.

“Yep, it's my house but you're my bitch” she laughed “So do as I say.”

Laughing but not denying her statement, I got up and we walked to the kitchen. Leslie's quite a slob so it took some before we were done cleaning the kitchen, it didn't surprise me when she came downstairs with a shitload of dishes that she for some reason had kept in her room. As I said, she's quite a slob, especially when her parents are away.

When we agreed that everything looked good enough we walked back into the living room and sat down in the sofa. Leslie grabbed the remote to the TV and we just sat there and relaxed, occasionally talking about school, friends and things happening around town. It almost felt normal, as if nothing had happened, but I couldn't help noticing that we avoided the topic of my family and anything to do with them. She did ask me about my sexuality though, curious about how long I've known that I was gay and which guys in school I thought were hot. She said she could understand why I didn't tell her because everyone has something personal they don't want other people to know about. I couldn't help wondering what kind of secret she could be keeping from me, but of course I didn't ask.

Way too soon for my taste, we heard the rattling of keys and then the sound of the front door being unlocked. We both got up from the sofa and walked to the hallway. I had already met Leslie's parents several times but I couldn't help feeling a little nervous anyways. Leslie's and her mom looked very much alike, both had that long blond hair, cute face and a fondness for makeup. Her dad on the other hand were a tall man with light brown hair, a little gray near his temples, and masculine features. When they were done undressing they surprised me by walking straight to me, both giving me a tight hug. I was a little teary eyed when they let go, it reminded me of how my parents should have acted.

When I looked back towards the doorway I saw Leslie's brother for the first time. He shared the same light brown hair color as his dad but his facial features wasn't quite as masculine, or rather they were masculine but more elegant. He had straight hair, a little longer than mine and parted sideways so that his bangs almost reached his right eye. He had those kind of eyelids that always seemed a tad heavy, giving him a little bit of a sleepy look. His eye color was a mix of stormy gray and rainy blue. He was taller than me (not that uncommon) but not wiry, I could tell that he was muscular under his clothes. Not too muscular though. When he got closer I noticed that he had a light stubble. I did my best not to stare at him too obviously but he was hot! It took me a second too long to realize that he had stretched out his hand and I quickly shook it.

“Hi, I'm Adam.” He said with a smile. Nice name.

“Uh... Hello, I'm Mark” I said while looking into his intense eyes, trying not to blush “Nice to meet you.”

We all walked to the kitchen and Leslie's parents announced that they had bought Chinese food. Unpacking several cartons of steaming food, her parents told Leslie and me about their trip to an overnight spa. They were easy to talk to and all trough dinner we held a lighthearted conversation. I found out that Adam was 20 years old, taking classes in journalism and a swimmer. It was hard not to blush when we were talking but I don't think anyone noticed exactly how much he affected me. Like when his deep masculine voice sent shivers down my spine.

Much too soon we breached the topic of the evening, the reason I were having dinner there and not at my own house. I tried to sound casual when I explained the situation and my parents reaction but I think they noticed that my eyes were a little teary. They stayed silent as I told them how I ran away from home and how I ended up at their house. I also told them how my mom told me to stay away when I met her this morning. I realized that this was news for Leslie too and I felt thankful for her not asking anything despite the curiosity she must have had. When I was done they were still silent for a moment until Leslie's dad spoke up.

“Mark, we realize how you must feel and I'm really sorry that you've had to go trough all this. Of course you can stay here as long as you need.” I felt a surge of relief flood over me when he spoke those words, but he wasn't done talking yet.

“However, we have a condition. We feel that you must try to talk to your family about this” What!? No! “to give them a chance to understand. You staying here can't be a permanent solution, every child belongs with their parents.”

I didn't know what to say. My family had made it very clear that I wasn't welcome in their home, Leslie's dad knew how they had reacted.

“I can't.” I finally said to him, frowning.

“Mark...” he sighed. “I'm afraid that's a condition you need to follow, living in this house.”

“No, seriously. I can't. I won't go back there, they don't want me there anymore.”

“Then why don't you come live with me?” The room fell silent. I looked over the table at the origin of the voice.

Adam? Did he really say that?

“I mean” Adam continued “My roommate just moved out so I have a vacant room in my apartment. Actually I was looking for someone to move in there.”

I couldn't believe it. Live with Adam? Hell yes! OK, I didn't really know him but still, eyecandy!

“I'll do it” I said, trying to sound casual “I mean, please let me move in with you.”

“Adam” this time it was Leslie's mother who spoke “what about rent?”

“I work part time at the grocery store, it won't be a problem” I said, eager to make this work. And it wasn't a lie, I did work part time there.

“See?” Adam said looking at his step-mother “Then it's settled, Mark can live with me, the rent isn't that bad.”

“I guess I can't stop you” Leslie's father said “if that's what you want Mark.”

“Yeah, sorry but I can't talk to my parents” I said “I'd like to live with Adam.”

Adam just smiled at me and I could feel my pulse rising, I smiled back and when he held his gaze on me I felt a familiar stirring in my groin.

The evening was enjoyable and I liked Leslie's family, they seemed to have a gift for making the atmosphere lighthearted and they didn't bring up my problems again, something I was thankful for. At 10pm Adam announced that it was time for him to leave and he invited me to come with him, he said I could move in as soon as tonight if I wanted to and I was quick to take him up on the offer. I hugged Leslie's parents goodbye and thanked them for their support and Leslie said that she would see me at school tomorrow, a subtle reminder that she was of the opinion that missing one day of school was enough.

During the drive to Adam's apartment I couldn't help stealing glances of him from my car seat, of course I didn't expect anything to happen between us but I still enjoyed looking at him. He parked outside an apartment complex that I'd seen before as it was in moderate walking distance from my school. I was a little nervous when we reached the third floor and he unlocked the door to his apartment. It was a relatively small apartment but with nice furnishing and decor. Kind of stylish in my opinion. He showed me to my room, it looked kind of empty at the moment but I was content as long as it had a bed and a closet. Standing in my room we fell silent and I noticed him looking at me.

“Well, I think I'm going to sleep, I have an early class tomorrow.” he said looking a little tired.

“Oh, OK. Well... Goodnight then.” I said, a little relieved because I was nervous now that it was just the two of us.

He looked at me for a few seconds and then suddenly stepped forward and hugged me. I went rigid, couldn't help it because I was already nervous since before and I'm not used to gorgeous guys hugging me, strangers too by the way. The embrace only lasted a for a few seconds but I felt a little disappointed when he let go.

“You looked like you needed that” he said, smiling. “Goodnight.”

I was still standing there at the same spot when he left the room, looking at the door he'd closed when he left. Slowly I made my way to the bed, but when I lay down and closed my eyes I knew I wouldn't sleep much that night.