Seemingly Nothing

Chapter 1

   Cole woke up to something wet on his nose. Groaning, he sat up and noticed his dog sitting now at the side of him bed. Running a hand over his face, he glances at his alarm clock. '4:53.' He didn't have to get until six.
   Cole shakes his head and lays back down, looking up at the dark ceiling.
   "How come I always wake up just as my dream is getting good?" He mumbles in his tired voice. For the last few nights, all he's been dreaming of is this guy in his class. "I deserve to sleep too Coco." Cole says, looking at the small brown dog.
   Stretching his hands over his head, Cole finally decides to get the day started already. He pulls the black blanket off of his body, and swings his legs over his twin sized bed. 'Waking up this early should be against the law.' He thinks as he stands up slowly, the brown dog getting up as well.
Cole straightens his pillows out, and makes his bed with very little will power.
   Cole was always the one to do the opposite of what he was told to do. He was the guy who would argue with the teacher, always talk with his classmates, and annoy the hell out of everyone. Underneath all his bad qualities, he had a heart. He cared for one person, and one person only. Nathan Schmidt. When Cole first realized his feelings for the shorter boy, it felt as if it was wrong. He didn't understand what was wrong with himself. Or, if he was sick in the head.
   After he made his bed, Cole walked over to his dresser and pulled out a pair of grey sweats. Pulling them on, his mind starts to race.
   For the past year, Cole has changed. Sure he's still his annoying self, but he's cleaned up his looks. Over the summer he made sure he got a haircut. His old hair was just a curly mess. It almost made his come off as a girl. His choice of clothing has changed too. Everyday he makes sure to wear Kakis and a nice shirt. The last time he wore sweats outside of his house had to be in seventh grade.
   Descending the stairs, his tan hand grabs the wooden rail. No doubt that his mom was already awake. She works down in the city which takes a good forty minute car ride.
   Wearing a wide grin, Cole passes his mom as she makes her coffee.
   "What are you doing up so early? You don't have to catch your bus until 6:50." Mrs. Rhys says, looking up at her son.
   "Coco started licking my face," Cole starts as he blames the small dog, "so I decided that I might as well just stay awake. I can do some homework to pass the time." He says, reaching up for some Cheerios. He goes over to a cabinet and grabs a glass bowl.
   "You can always close your door to keep Coco out, honey."
   "I know, I know. Sometimes she can give off some nice heat to keep me warm." Cole chuckles, pouring the cereal in the bowl.
   "There's spaghetti in the fridge for you for dinner. I'm afraid I won't get off of work till seven, and your father... Well." She says as her face drops.
   Three months ago, Coles dad kind of disappeared. He was lucky if he could see him once a week. No one knows what Mr. Rhys does. When he's home, he doesn't talk. If he does speak, its at dinner when he can't reach the food. Since his dads departure of the family, Mrs. Rhys is always working, trying to pay the bills.
   "Okay," Cole sadly says, "you might want to get going so you're not late."
   Mrs. Rhys nods and pours her coffee into a mug. She grabs her purse and mug, and kisses Cole on the head before leaving him all alone.
   Letting out a sigh, he grabs the milk and pours it into the bowl.
Does he miss his dad? Of course. Does he think his family is better off without him? Probably. His dad was always drinking. He wouldn't get drunk, but most of the familys money went to alcohol.
   After finishing his cereal, Cole washes the dishes and heads back up to his room. He still had an hour to get ready before he had to catch the bus.
   Going into his bathroom, he stares at the reflection in the mirror. He wasn't the most insecure person, but he wasn't exactly confident. He gives off a cocky, confident attitude, but its just the opposite. The real reason he acts that way is to get Nathans attention. Cole wants to see that boy laugh and smile.
   Cole loved to make people miserable, but when he always saw Nathan laugh, Coles mood would ultimately get better.
   There was only one problem.