JJ was thrilled to find out that there was another person in Bristol that was interested in the ukulele – or rather one that was actually his own age. He loves the people at the Community Center dearly; after all, it was with their help he won over Lara. But it’s thrilling to share this experience with a cool French boy. Plus he looks really cute. Fucking hell, my burgeoning bisexuality is showing again. JJ grabs his case and puts some beginner’s music books under his arm. He walks out the door and heads for the address Claud texted him. He goes up to the door and knocks.

Claud had been on a family vacation the previous summer to Hawaii, where he’d fallen in love with the simple yet beautiful sound that came from the ukulele. He purchased one as soon as he’d gotten home and had been trying to teach himself to play, but with little success. So he was overjoyed when a boy around his age offered to teach him at least the basics. Claud quickly “cleaned” his room, kicking his dirty clothes and porno magazines under his bed. Then there was a knock on his door. That should be JJ. He walked downstairs, dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a white v-neck t-shirt. When he opened the door, he saw the other boy, standing there with an awkward grin on his face, with a ukulele in his hand. “Hey, JJ, come on in” he said, as he stepped to the side, giving JJ room to enter the house.

“Hi Claud. Ready to jam?” JJ asks with an awkward grin. Claud moves aside so he can enter his house, which was quite lovely. JJ notices Claud’s lack of an obvious French accent, like a strange yet pleasing blend of French and British. “Your accent is interesting, have you lived in Bristol a long time?” JJ makes his way to the living room couch and sits down. He puts the ukulele case and music books by his feet. “So how far have you gotten on your own? Know any chords?”

“7 years” Claud replied, when JJ asked how long he’d lived in Bristol. “I came from Paris but I love it here.” Claud leaned against the wall in the living room opposite JJ. “Chords…umm, truth be told, I just listen to music I like and try to replicate it on this” he said as he lifted his ukulele off the ground. “… like I said, I’m really bad.” JJ knew what he was talking about, and now Claud seemed embarassed at the fact that he’d ever refered to himself as a ukulele player. “What about you? How long have you been playing?” he asked.

7 years? That would make me 12 years old when he came to Bristol. Why does it seem like I’ve met him before? JJ strains his brain, struggling to remember. He can’t recall if they would’ve seen each other before Roundview, but a slightly younger image of Claud flashes through his mind. “We…did we meet before, Roundview perhaps? I usually hung out with James Cook and Freddie McClair. Cook’s a tough fellow, about my height, short brown hair, looks like he could take down a bear? Freddie’s much taller, lanky, that tall dark and fit type. Loves to skate. I had poofier hair and dorkier clothes. The weird kid who likes magic?” JJ stops his rambling, seeing if Claud recognizes him or anything he said.

“Let’s see, I was about 14 when I started. I was going to a modeling workshop, by that I mean airplanes and not anything to do with posing, and I had gotten myself lost. I stumbled upon a ukulele class and got myself hooked.” JJ chuckles at Claud’s method of self-teaching. “Well no wonder, not exactly the right way to go about it unless you’re a prodigy. Ok, we will definitely cover chords. Do you at least know how to tune it and how to properly hold it, those kinds of things?” JJ realizes he’s going to have his work cut out for him with Claud. Though he’s never taught anyone about ukuleles before, so it will be an experience for both of them.

”I don’t know if we ever met but we were in the same year at Roundview” Claud said. “I’d seen you around with Cook and Freddie, but I don’t think we ever talked.” he said. “I had a very close group of friends, and I rarely talked to anyone else.” Claud wasn’t anti-social. He was quite the opposite, in fact, but as he’d told Michelle, most of his friends had gone off to university, while Claud stayed in Bristol.

“I know, I never really thought I’d learn much this way, I guess I was just too lazy to go for lessons or anything.” Claud said. He was pretty sure he was holding it correctly, from what he’d seen in Hawaii and on the internet, but he wasn’t positive. “Like this?” he asked as he demonstrated how he’d usually held it. Then he flicked the string and to JJ’s surprise the instrument was perfectly in tune. “That’s about all I know how to do for sure.” Claud said with a smile.

This is going to take a long time. I’ll probably never learn to play. But at least I’ve got a new friend.

“I know what you mean. I’ve known Freddie and Cook since I was 7. Until Roundview, it was us against the world. But then I met Effy, Pandora, Thomas, Emily, Katie, and Naomi. It’s funny how the student body separates into little factions. I doubt our circles of friends ever crossed.” Another memory flashes to JJ’s mind. He’s talking about planes to Cook and Freddie. His eyes glance over and see a group of kids walk by them. One of them, Claud, catches his gaze and smiles. The two groups then walk away, going on with their business.

“There’s a trick to seeing if you’re holding it properly. Take one of your hands away from it. If the ukulele stays in the position you have it in, you’re doing it right.” While Claud does so, JJ says, “Yeah well private teachers can be expensive. Lessons at the Community Center are free if you have a membership.” JJ doesn’t mention to Claud that the constant doctor visits had the Jones family not as financially stable as they wanted to be. So a luxury like instrument lessons would’ve been hard to finance. Plus, his parents thought JJ would benefit from the social stimuli of being at the Center. JJ is surprised when Claud plucks a string, the note playing perfectly in tune. “Well call me if that ever sounds off, I can easily teach you how to tune it. Or do it myself, if you’re lazy,” he adds with a grin.

Claud tried holding the ukulele like JJ said, and it worked, the instrument did not move. “Thanks” he said, with an innocent looking smile on his face. “Yeah, I looked into getting lessons, it costs way too much.” he said as he looked over at JJ. “I’ll have to stop by the community center with you sometime.” JJ seemed impressed that Claud could actually tune his ukulele. “Can I call you if I just want to hang out? Or does it have to be a strictly ukulele-related emergency?” Claud joked, unable to contain a smile. But he was being serious. He didn’t want this new friendship to be limited to only ukulele lessons. He was also eager to learn more about the boy in his living room. “So, besides model planes and ukuleles… what do you do with your time?” he asked curiously.

“No, we can definitely hang out. May as well make up for lost time. I still can’t believe we went to the same school and barely noticed the other existed,” JJ says, returning Claud’s smile with one of his own. Claud then asked him more about JJ’s hobbies. He must not’ve heard me call myself ‘the weird kid who likes magic.’ Or my rep at Roundview wasn’t as big as I thought it was. “My biggest hobby is magic tricks. Enough so that I’ve been heavily considering making it my career. Other than that, just hanging out with my friends, reading, or playing with my pets. So, what do you do for fun?”

”That’s how school works, I suppose. People seperate into their groups and that’s that.” Claud said as JJ expressed his disbelief that the two had never properly met at school. He was also grinning, glad that JJ would be willing to hang out in the future. Claud wasn’t too interested in magic tricks, thinking they were a bit silly, but he had indeed heard about him at school, supposedly he was very good. “Maybe you can show me some tricks sometime?” he asked. He wouldn’t want to learn the tricks, but seeing them could always be fun.

Then JJ asked Claud what he did for fun. It used to be similar to what JJ did, but now that his friends were gone, Claud was home a lot, and was falling back into the old patterns of his father coming home, getting drunk, and hitting both Claud and his mother. Claud decided to leave this part out of the conversation. “Oh, I like to read too, I also like to eat. I should be much fatter than I am.” he said with a laugh. “I used to do some modeling for a friend. Nothing professional, but it was fun.” Claud looked around at the walls, there were some pictures of him playing football. Not American football, but soccer. “I played football for a few years. I was very good, but I didn’t like it so much. It just stopped being fun for me, you know?” he asked. “I’m allergic to a lot of animals, but what kind of pets do you have?” he asked JJ, who was listening intently.

JJ grins; the idea of people being interested in his magic tricks is still novel to him. “Sure, I always keep a few of my props in my pocket just in case.” JJ snorts, “I know, I eat like a horse sometimes. Granted, Cook is loads worse than me. On his 17th birthday, he ate his whole bloody cake in one sitting.” He laughs at the memory, though watching him eat it was pretty disgusting. JJ isn’t surprised when Claud mentions modeling; he’s definitely got the face and body for it. Good thoughts JJ, you have a sort-of boyfriend now. He follows Claud’s gaze and sees some pictures of Claud in his football playing days. “I’ve got the grace of a baby giraffe. Never been good at sports or dancing. So what, your parents forced you into it or something? I know the feeling. Mother put me in a variety of activities so I’d be more socially well-rounded, or some rubbish like that. She eventually realized I’m better left to my own devices.” JJ feels a bit bad when Claud mentions allergies. “I had some rats, but they died after I graduated from Roundview. So now I have a hamster and a bunny. Er if you start sneezing, I apologize.” JJ brushes some fur off of his shirt, hoping he won’t set Claud’s allergies off.

Claud pictured Cook eating an entire cake by himself. Just the idea of it made Claud’s stomach curl. “That’s bloody disgusting.” he said. He continued to listen to JJ, who was now asking if his parents had forced him into playing football. “They said I had to do something, so I just did what my friends were doing, you know?” It was true, his father was especially strict about Claud getting involved in some kind of sport. “But I quit shortly after. Like I said, I was good…really good…I just didn’t have a good time with it. “Erm… Sorry to hear about your rats.” Claud never saw the appeal with keeping rodents as pets, but so many people did nowadays. “My mom always wanted to get a dog, but we couldn’t, or I’d be sneezing all the time. And that would just piss off my dad.” he said. Claud noticed JJ brush off his shirt. “Don’t worry about it, It’s mostly dogs and cats, and I have to be around the fur for a while for anything to happen.” He smiled at JJ while he wasn’t looking, and continued fidgeting with his ukelele.

“Yeah, his table manners are nonexistent. Wanker could’ve left us some. Looked really good too.” JJ nods when Claud talks about why he was forced into football. He appreciates Claud’s attempts at comforting him about his rats, though he assumed it was just for his sake. JJ knows rats and mice still freak people out, Franky’s reaction proved that. “I’ve never had any big pets. My mom thought they were too destructive. At least smaller pets stay in their cages.” JJ remembers why he was here when he sees Claud fidget with his ukulele. “So er did you want to get back to the lesson? Or we could continue talking, or do both. Either way, I’m having fun,” he says with a smile.

Claud laughed. He loved cake, and would have hated to see one person drunkenly stuf an entire cake into his mouth at once. “I always wanted a dog too, but putting up with the allergies just wasn’t worth it.” Claud said. He ignored JJ’s question as he kept plucking on the strings of the instrument. “You got a girlfriend?” he asked, looking down at his ukelele, then his eyes lifted to meet JJ’s. Part of this question was just small talk…a typical conversation topic, but Claud also genuinely wanted to know. What are you doing, Claud, you just met him!

JJ winces. Why oh why did he have to ask if I had a girlfriend? He sighs, hoping Claud won’t judge him. “My love life is exceedingly complicated right now. I have a girlfriend who I unintentionally cheated on with a few people. I’ve been trying to get ahold of her so I can break it off with her properly but she never answers. She was sick with mono, but she should be over it by now. So I think she knows and is avoiding me. The guy I slept with, I think we’re together but I’m not sure. He says he loves me, but he doesn’t like labels. He’s scared he’ll hurt me, or something. And I also slept with this other girl and I’m scared she has feelings for me.” JJ runs his hand through his hair, feeling like a complete jackass. “That sounded scummy, didn’t it? I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” He avoids looking at Claud. He’s scared of being judged, god knows he hates himself for the fucked up situation he’s in.

Claud listened without interrupting JJ. When JJ finally finished talking about his situation, he asked Claud if he sounded scummy. “Well, you know, you could have just said you had a girlfriend…or boyfriend or whatever…and left it at that…” He took a minute to let it all sink in, for JJ had just unloaded quite a bit of personal information on a near stranger. After a few moments of silence he finally spoke up. “Well, you’re a bit of a slut, aren’t you?” he sat on the couch next to JJ. “But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get a handle on everything soon enough.” he said. “Plus, it’s not like you’re just screwing people for the fun of it, you’re just falling for too many at once, or at least that’s how it sounds…” he laughed again. “Me? I’m just the opposite. I screw people just for the fun of it. Emotions and relationships are too much work, if you ask me.” Claud looked at JJ who was clearly upset by the topic. “So…maybe we could start some basic chords, yes?” he asked, in an attempt to change the subject.

JJ was never one for social graces. “S-shit sorry. I’ve just been so confused lately.” He winces when Claud calls him a slut. He’s convinced he’s become one at this point. “I do have feelings for all three of them. Is it wrong to love more than one person?” He’s already asked Maxxie but he wouldn’t mind an answer from Claud. JJ looks down when Claud mentions emotionless sex. It reminded him of Lucy, who initially wanted a one-off but now sounds like she’s falling for him. Feeling like a twat, JJ takes his uke out of his case so he can teach Claud about chords. He physically demonstrates his steps while he’s talking. “Ok, the C major is always a good one to start with. You put your left ring finger on the A string between the second and third fret. It has to be firm enough to keep the string down but loose enough that the string can vibrate freely. Now drag your right index fingernail across the four strings.” JJ expertly plays the chord. “And that’s what a C sounds like.” He waits for Claud to try his luck with the chord.

Claud watched as JJ taught him the chord, but he wasn’t really paying any attention. He felt badly for calling JJ a slut. He didn’t mean it maliciously but got the feeling that JJ may have taken it that way. “People don’t just have one person they can fall in love with. So no, it’s not wrong to love more than one person at once. And if you do, it just means you have a big heart. And that’s nothing short of beautiful.” he said. looking at JJ. “Anyway, I didn’t mean anything bad when I called you a slut. I was just trying to make light of the situation and I’m sorry.” He held his ukelele and attempted to do what JJ showed him. He was in fact a fast learner and immitated what JJ did almost perfectly. As he played, he continued to speak. “Anyway, I barely know you, and I don’t know any of your friends, so if you ever need an un-biased ear to listen to you, I’ll be right here.” he said, looking at JJ with a sincere look on his face. “You seem like a good guy and you deserve to be happy,” he said, as he stopped playing and rested his ukelele on his lap.

JJ blushes deeply at Claud’s compliment. Beautiful, really? Can it be true, even though I feel like my heart is ugly? “It’s strange because they make me feel different ways. Liv makes me feel like I should be respectful and sweet, to be the perfect boyfriend. Rennie tears down those walls. Everything with is so much deeper, newer, and rawer with him. And Lucy, she’s the best of both worlds. I treat her nicely but I don’t have to worry as much about doing the wrong thing. I didn’t mean to be such a cheating bastard, but Rennie and Lucy made me feel so good when I felt so low. And now I may lose all of them because of my stupidity. Does that make me a bad person or just an idiot?”

JJ stops his tirade to hear Claud play a near-perfect C chord. “Wow, maybe you are a bit of a prodigy. You could probably get the ladies, or gents, with a good ukulele ballad. I played ‘True’ by Spandau Ballet for my ex-girlfriend and she loved it. I could play something for you, if you want. I’ve been working on something, though it’s a bit of an odd song to play on a ukulele.” JJ has desperately wanted to play something for someone. It started with Cassie, then Liv, then Rennie, and even Lucy. Plus, the song he had in mind would be a good venting mechanism.

“Bad person or idiot? It doesn’t make you either. If you were a bad person, you would just do whatever you wanted and not feel bad about it. In just about a half an hour I can tell how much you’re beating yourself up. You shouldn’t. And an idiot?” he paused, laughing as he spoke. “Loving someone…no matter who, never really makes a person an idiot.” If there was one thing Claud had always been good at making people feel better. Anyway, Claud knew a bad person when he saw one, all he really had to do was look in a mirror. “You made a mistake…well, a few, actually, but that doesn’t make you a bad person or an idiot. It makes you human.”

Then J explained about playing a song for his ex. It was a sweet story, and it gave Claud a better picture of who JJ really was. He was a bit taken aback when JJ offered to sing to him. ”You want to play me a song? Claud asked. He’d never been sung to by someone before, even if the song was meant for someone else. “I’d love it” he said, smiling, as the two sat on the couch together.

JJ listens to what Claud says and smiles. He seems keen on hearing JJ sing, so he begins playing the chords to “Otherside.”

“How long, how long will I slide? Separate my side I don’t, I don’t believe it’s bad. Slit my throat, it’s all I ever.

I heard your voice through a photograph. I thought it up, it brought up the past. Once you know, you can never go back. I’ve got to take it on the otherside.

Centuries are what it meant to me, a cemetery where I marry the sea. Stranger things could never change my mind. I’ve got to take it on the otherside, take it on the otherside, take it on, take it on.

[chorus]

Pour my life into a paper cup. The ashtray’s full and I’m spillin’ my guts. She wants to know am I still a slut? I’ve got to take it on the otherside.

Scarlet starlet and she’s in my bed. A candidate for my soul mate bled. Push the trigger and pull the thread. I’ve got to take it on the otherside, take it on the otherside, take it on, take it on.

[chorus]

Turn me on, take me for a hard ride. Burn me out, leave me on the otherside. I yell and tell it that it’s not my friend. I tear it down, I tear it down, and then it’s born again.

[chorus]

How long? I don’t believe it’s bad. Slit my throat, it’s all I ever.”

JJ gets lost in his playing. He looks up at Claud’s face when he finishes, waiting for a reaction. I hope he likes it, I’m not sure there’s anyone else I could play it for. But it really speaks to me and my fucked up life.

Claud listened silently, as JJ began to play his song. He was a surprisingly good singer, to be honest, and he sang with more emotion and passion than Claud had ever heard before. He felt like JJ was pouring out his heart, even more so than he was when he’s told Claud about his situation. When JJ finished singing, and he looked at Claud, and their eyes met, Claud wasn’t sure how to react. “…Wow…JJ, that was…” he paused. He wasn’t sure what word he could use to describe what he was feeling. Beautiful, passionate, deep, emotional…there was so much more to that than just the lyrics. But all he could think to say was, “Incredible.”

JJ blushes deeply, again. True, he won over Lara once with his singing, but he didn’t think it merited such a high compliment. He returns Claud’s gaze, a gaze he now recognizes as the time they passed each other briefly in the halls of Roundview. Why does this feel so familiar? Oh Christ no, not him too. Jonah Jeremiah Jones, don’t fall for every person who shows you kindness. But…something about him feels like Rennie. Or…maybe how I want him to be? He feels flustered by his continuously tangled feelings for people, so he tries to restart the smalltalk. “Er well, since we’re getting personal here, you have anyone special in your life?” JJ has never had the best functioning gaydar, so he can’t figure out if Claud likes guys, girls, or both.

JJ’s question killed the mood, a mood that would inevitably have led to something happening that the two would have regretted later, so it was certainly for the best. JJ’s life didn’t need to be any more complicated and Claud certainly didn’t want to be dragged into any drama that could rise from JJ’s predicament. However, Claud was a bit afraid to answer the question. He found himself really caring about what JJ thought of him. “Well, no…I don’t have anyone special, I guess. Just a lot of…what’s the expression?” he said as he tried to remember what one of his friends had called it. “Booty-calls?” he said, as he suddenly remembered. “Friends with benefits, that sort of thing.” he explained. “I’ve never really had a serious relationship.” Shit, now he thinks I’m a total fucking slut. That’s the kind of shit you keep to yourself, you unbelievable jackass! But the cat was out of the bag, so he continued talking. “The guys I’ve been with know it’s all about feeling good, there’s nothing else to it.”

JJ mentally kicks himself for ruining the mood. Though he isn’t sure if he wanted Claud to kiss him or if he senses Claud wasn’t comfortable with the subject. But since our resident nervous wreck has a problem with knowing when to shut up, he continues talking. “These days, I can’t tell whether I’m in a relationship with someone or if I’m just a friend to have sex with. I dunno, how do feelings make the difference between the two? With Lara, I was dead serious. Liv, I meant to be serious. Rennie, I mean to be serious with. Lucy, I could be serious with. I still feel like a complete flake though.” JJ admires Claud for at least knowing how to keep his feelings out of it but he feels sad about that same trait. “So just boys then?” he asks with a nervous chuckle. Christ, did that sound like flirtation?

“Well, if you start caring about someone, then there’s more to it than just getting each other off, you know?” Claud said. “Me, I just look at it like a game. Or a sport. Something fun to do when I’m bored and feel like having a good time. Works just fine for me.” Claud instantly wished he could take that statement back. Now, not only did he look like a slut, but he just made himself seem like a heartless jerk. The nice moment the two had shared was quickly deteriorating and Claud didn’t want the first time he and JJ spent together to end awkwardly. That’s when JJ asked if he was gay. “Yeah, just the boys” he said followed by a chuckle. He’d never hidden his sexuality, but he didn’t broadcast it either, so only people who knew Claud knew about it. So it made sense JJ didn’t find out until now. “And you, you like the best of both worlds, yes?” he asked, remembering that he’d mentioned two girls and one boy that he’d been with earlier.

JJ chuckles, “It seems to be these days. I thought it was just Rennie, but I guess I really am bi.” JJ blushes, hoping Claud didn’t pick up on what was underneath that statement. Well, Rennie, Maxxie, and Claud are pretty fit. So I guess I’m into pretty boys? He was a bit bothered by Claud’s thoughts on sex, but he doesn’t judge him for it. Cook is a lot like that and I’m friends with him. Plus, I’m not exactly in the moral high ground here. “Think you ever could settle if it was the right guy?” he asks, looking away and biting his lip. Hand him your business card, why don’t you? JJ Jones, professional moron and manslut for love.

Claud was no fool, he knew exactly what JJ meant and he couldn’t contain the grin that formed on his lips. Don’t do anything stupid, Claud, his life’s fucked up enough right now as it is without you’re cock getting involved too…Claud relaxed on the couch. He and JJ had been talking for a while now and he felt comfortable with him. When JJ asked if he’d ever settle with the right person, Claud spoke honestly. “I dunno, maybe. I’ve never actually given it much thought…Maybe, someday…but right now…I just don’t know.” He knew exactly why JJ asked, and grinned again. Does he actually think he’s being subtle? Claud continued plucking the strings of his instrument, playing the chord JJ had taught him. After a long pause he said “But maybe. I wouldn’t throw the idea out all together…”

JJ’s face couldn’t get any more red at this point. Those grins, he knows. Fucking hell, subtle you are not, you complete and utter bonehead. He couldn’t stop his heart from fluttering when Claud said he might be able to settle down someday. Rennie can’t even call you his boyfriend, at least Claud’s honest. Before he could go down that mental path, Claud plays another C chord. JJ clings onto that as a conversation switcher. “Er yes, now that you’re comfortable with the C chord, shall we continue with the next step?” He says that a little higher pitched with a nervous chuckle. Anyone who knows JJ, or pretty much anyone good at reading people, can tell JJ is getting flustered. He’s trying his very best to keep this meeting chaste and not succumb to his desires of (at least) snogging Claud.

As JJ asked about continuing the lesson, he clearly looked distraught, and Claud knew he’d driven him to that point, so he agreed, focusing his attention to learning to play the ukulele. Claud hoped that as they continued playing, JJ would calm down. Claud had some difficulty with the next few chords, but JJ was proving to be a good teacher, and with some practice, Claud caught on quickly.

“Ok, now that we’ve gotten some of the basic chords down, let’s try some strumming. We’ll go slowly so you can get used to it. Let’s start with C.” JJ gets his fingers in the position for the C chord. He strums up, then down, then up, then down at a very slow, steady tempo. JJ has calmed down a little bit, but he tries to keep the focus on his ukulele. But he makes the mistake of staring at Claud while he tries his hand at strumming. His gaze makes a beeline for Claud’s lips. Bad JJ, bad, bad, bad JJ! Stop thinking about kissing him. That’s how you got started with Rennie, dumbass.

Claud had some difficulty learning the strumming techneque that JJ was teaching him, but he quickly realized that that may have been because JJ was having a hard time teaching. When JJ finally stopped to let Claud try, his eyes wandered upward, meeting JJ’s eyes, which were fixed on Claud’s lips. Claud suddenly stopped playing his ukulele. Fuck it, what’s the worst that can happen? Without a word, Claud leaned over, closer to JJ until the two were practically pressed together. Claud leaned closer still, his lips just inches away from JJ’s. JJ hardly pays attention to Claud’s difficulties with strumming.

JJ stops staring at Claud’s lips only to notice Claud looking at him. Claud leans in towards JJ. Their lips are so achingly close to touching. JJ feels like he can’t resist the temptation. He closes his eyes and closes the gap between their lips. JJ kisses Claud gently, inwardly sighing at how good it feels. I’m probably going to hell, I may as well enjoy the ride.

As their lips touch, Claud can’t help but to kiss JJ back. It wasn’t some meaningless kiss on the lips, it was far more passionate than that. Claud’s right hand made it’s way up to JJ’s face, resting on his cheek as the two kissed. You fool. What the fuck are you doing? Are you really so pathetic that you can’t control yourself just ONE time?!

JJ smiles against Claud’s lips. The French boy was a surprisingly gentle and sweet kisser. His heart flutters like crazy when Claud puts his hand on his face. Kissing Rennie feels so similar to this, when it’s about love and not when we’re sex-crazed teenagers. After what feels like eternity, they end the kiss. JJ looks deeply in Claud’s eyes. All he could think to say was, “That was incredible.” He grins widely, realizing he used the same compliment as Claud used for his singing.

The guilt Claud had felt about even kissing JJ was gone. It was worth it. When the kiss ended, a few minutes later, JJ told him the kiss was incredible, Claud smiled and replied “You’re incredible”. The two boys sat there for a few minutes silently, Claud’s head resting on JJ’s chest. It was getting late, the sky was getting dark. That’s when Claud remembered that his father should be home any minute. “Well.” he said, breaking the comfortable silence. “It’s getting late, thanks for the lesson…” He sounded as if he was rushing JJ out of his house, and he hoped JJ didn’t take it the wrong way, but Claud didn’t want JJ to be there when his dad got home. Claud got up off the couch, and gestured for JJ to do the same. “I’ll call you tomorrow, alright?” he asked, as he lifted JJ’s things and and handed them to the confused boy standing there in his living room.

JJ felt like he could melt when Claud laid on him with his head on his chest. But all of a sudden, Claud wanted him out. Claud handed JJ his stuff and nearly rushed him out the door. “Er ok? See you later then.” He walks out of Claud’s house and makes his back to his own house, still confused about what just happened.