If Red Means No, Invert The Color

Chapter 5

        James shoved Kieran away, wiping the taste of Kieran off of his mouth rabidly, a look of disgust on his face. After that night, the two boys didn't talk again.

~~~

Kieran was pulled from his daydream by the sound of a car horn honking, he looked up and saw Everest's car. And damn, was it a nice car. Everest popped out of it, walking towards Kieran's porch. He was wearing a blue button down shirt with short sleeves and khakis, why was he dressed so nice? His hair, which was usually in a curly mop of a mess, was slicked back by what looked like a mountain of gel.

"Hey, you ready?" Everest asked, smiling at Kieran. His eyes looked tired, and his smile seemed forced.

"Hey uhm, I guess. You didn't have to drive all the way down here, you know. I would have been fine just staying home. Not that i'm not happy you asked.. I mean. Uh.. Thanks?" Kieran's words came out in nervous rambles, stammering on nearly every syllable. This made Everest let out a small chuckle.

"Come on, I'll get the door for you." Everest replied, walking towards his car, the roof was down and so were the windows.

As Everest walked, Kieran couldn't help but notice the lower half of his body, making Kieran's heart skip a beat and his cheeks go red. He followed Everest to his car, getting in the passenger side as Everest held the door for him, he placed his crutches in the back seat. Soon Everest joined Kieran in the car, starting it and beginning to drive.

"So, uh, where are we headed?" Kieran asked, his eyes fixed on the road.

Everest looked over at Kieran, noticing how the moonlight caught his eyes, making them appear a silver colour. "I was thinking we could head to this old park I used to hang out at. It's where I go to be alone. If that's okay with you. I promise I won't drag you into the woods and kill you."

Kieran looked over at Everest, his eyes wide, Everest simply winked and then averted his eyes to the road.

"Yeah, hah, that's fine. I could use some peace and quiet too." Kieran replied blankly, turning back to the open window. He couldn't stop himself from blushing when Everest had winked. It made his heart feel like it had dropped to his butt.

They drove in a comfortable silence. Occasionally they would make small talk or attempt to turn on the radio, but neither could settle on a song they both liked. They had very diverse tastes. The car ride seemed to take forever, but Kieran didn't mind. He loved late night driving. It calmed him, it relaxed him. And after the events of the day, hell the week, he needed to relax. Even if it was with someone he hardly knew. Even if it was at some place where he had never been. He was grateful for it.

They soon arrived at a little park on the other side of town, it was off of the main road, a gravel path lead to it. It looked like it hadn't been touched in years. From what Kieran could see in the dark, he could make out graffiti on the playhouse, and one of the swings hung broken, the seat hanging by one chain. A tall street lamp stood over the playground, illuminating the swings and picnic tables. It was small, but quiet. It stood in the center of an empty field, surrounded by hundreds of trees. The sky above them was beautiful, thousands of stars and constellations lit up the sky, the moon hidden behind the trees, the sky a deep purple. Kieran couldn't stop staring at his beautiful surroundings, but Everest couldn't stop staring at him. Because to Everest, Kieran was the beautiful landscape here. Not the sky.

Everest helped Kieran out of the car and to the picnic tables, they sat down side by side, looking up at the star filled sky. They seemed to go on for miles.

"This is amazing" Kieran whispered, his eyes reflecting the constellations above him.

"Yeah, I know. I found this place forever ago. It seems to be the only place that's quiet, that's serene. "