you and i

19

"Why don't you write?"

"Write what?"

"I remember you always carrying around a small notebook. And you wrote things in it whenever you felt like the way you do now. So go on, do the thing" Elliot couldn't help, but crack a smile as he said this. "What are you smiling at now?"

"I just enjoy the way you chose to cheer me up."

"Anything for you Ellie."

"Ellie?"

"It kinda just slipped out.... got to a good ring to it don't you think?" They both chuckled and Elliot took out his small notebook to jot some things down.

It was true that writing did seem to fix things when nothing else seemed to help. And even before writing anything, he knew what he wanted it to be about. Isn't it strange how one event can harden my soul while one special person can heal the broken pieces and make me feel whole?

"Isn't it strange how one-"

"Hey! This is private!" He quickly shut his notebook with a blank expression on his face. "Listen without me, you wouldn't have even thought of writing."

"While that may be true, I refuse to have you read it aloud." "Well then can I read it in my head?"

"....."

"Once you're asleep?"

"Fine" Angelo smiled feeling satisfied with the conclusion that they came to. He leaned in and kissed Elliot twice. Once on the forehead and once on the lips. "You're cute Ellie."

"Shut up" Another smart comment was about to escape Angelo's mouth when he heard a knock on his door, which isn't common, especially on a Sunday.

Nonetheless, he got up to open his door just to see who it was and what they wanted. It came as a shock when the person that was on the other side of the door was revealed to him.

"Martin?

*

Elliot was thrilled that the person on the other side of the door wasn't his parents. If they were, he would've exploded with rage. But he had a soft side towards Martin; he was more of a father and a friend than anyone ever was.

"Elliot, I understand your reason for leaving and I also do not agree with your father on this situation. Personally, all I ever wanted was for you to be happy and I can see that Angelo provides that for you. I came here because I wanted you to know that... I miss you and since I've looked after you for so long I-I look at you as if you were my own"

While he choked on his own words, Elliot looked at him with sad eyes. His mind was a complete mess. "You're the only reason why I feel conflicted Martin." When he said this Martin studied him with a confused expression. "Sorry, I do not follow"

"You're not like my parents. You show love, kindness, care, and nurture, while all they ever cared about is how much money they can make with their pathetic jobs. They do not care if I am unhappy. If they did, they wouldn't point a gun towards the one human that could ever make me feel like I can breathe again"

As he said the last sentence, Angelo reached forwards and squeezed Elliot's slim hands. Once Elliot was aware that Angelo was holding his hand, he realized how much he longed to make that physical touch. There was just something about him that made Elliot feel confident about what he was saying.

"So, I'm sorry Martin, but if my father refuses to accept my personal decisions, then I will no longer allow myself to set foot on their grounds. I will not let him take away the one thing that is mine, and the only mine"