We talk. A lot. Sometimes we're alone. Sometimes we're not.
It's amazing. Beautiful. Lovely. Marvellous. Stupendous. Every other synonym for heaven.
It's us.
. . .
"Happy Valentine's Day!" I say, holding out a coffee to Eli.
He grins. "I thought it was traditional to give flowers."
"Flowers are useless. They die. This you will like. Grande vanilla bean latte."
He takes a long sip. He smiles. "Definitely better than stupid roses."
"Who said anything about roses?"
He rolls his eyes and beckons me in. I shake my head.
"I have something planned. Come on."
Eli grabs a coat, and mittens. I snatch his hat from behind him, and pull it over his ears. He laughs and fixes his hair.
We awkwardly walk side by side for a moment, then Eli tucks himself under my arm. My heart skitters.
I slip my hand into Eli's, waiting to see if he'll pull away.
He laces his fingers with mine. A large smile spreads across his lips.
"So, where are we going?"
"To the place where I first realized I liked you." He tilts his head in confusion. "And where I learned the value of winter boots."
He snorts. "Okay."
The streets are abandoned
"Race you to the swings," I dare.
I bolt. Eli races behind me, and is hit in my heels as I sling myself into the better swing. "Take two, I win again."
"You're horrible."
"You're lovely."
He blushes. The red lights up the white scenery like a beacon. I grin.
We pump our legs, trying to see who can get more height.
I unloop one arm around the chain and reach across as we swing. Our fingers brush. Eli lets out a little laugh as we continue to miss, grappling for each other. Finally, I catch his hand, whipping us dangerously back and forth as the swings sync.
His elbow hits my leg, and the swings twist together. Our knees bump together, our ankles a tangled mess. I laugh as we spin.
I drag my feet along the ground, slowing us to a stop. "I got you another gift," I tell him.
Eli shakes his head at me. "No. No. You've given me enough."
I ignore him. I get up and circle behind the rink, ducking behind one of the slides. There's a large yellow toy bin. I flip open the lid.
"Juno, what are you doing?" Eli asks warily.
Bingo. I fish the gift out by the cords. Just where I left it.
I hold the gift behind my back. "You ready?"
Eli shifts nervously. "This isn't a bomb right?"
"I promise, I am not giving you a bomb." I hold out the gift. Dangling from my fingers is a perfect pair of hockey skates. "Tada!"
Eli gasps. "Juno... There lovely. But I didn't get you anything."
"I don't care." I really don't. "Your dad said these should be about your size. They're used, but they should work." I hold out my hand. "Eli Ruewen, are you ready to learn to skate?"
YOU ARE READING
Eli & Juno
Teen FictionEli Ruewen is used to moving around, but being part of the backdrop becomes difficult when he starts catching Juno August's unwanted attention. . . . Eli's life has never quite been normal. Between coming out as a trans male and moving across the...