Him *work in progress*

Chapter 1 - Broken
That night, Trey was ponderous of what new events would be fulfilled the next day. How things had changed since freshman year. He knew nothing would ever be the same again. People's whispers in the halls and the looks he received during class or whenever he even made a movement all affected him inside but, he knew in the end he would be grateful. And the image of the person he'd never forget branded forever in his memory.
In the dream world he found himself slipping in to, a giant white fog began to surround him. His bed slowly faded away and he was lying in a football field. A hand was reaching for him through the fog. "Grab on and hold tightly, said a shockingly recognized voice, "Don't let go. A sudden familiar aura entrenched Trey with joy and comfort. He felt at place and didn't want to leave. The fog started whipping around like someone had took a spoon and started whipping cream. Out of the creases came a dark smoke and the hand, which Trey had forgotten he was still holding on to, was pulled away only a few inches before it became limp and disappeared.
Trey woke in an abrupt panic. The room was spinning, his shirt was damp with perspiration, his heart was racing and his breath almost ceased to catch up with itself. Outside, a tree branch gently tapped at the screen on his window. A small, gentle breeze moved through the leaves, carrying many memories that would never be forgotten. A car made its way by Trey's house as he got up to change his clothes.
When he removed his shirt, he noticed it wasn't only sweat covering him; it was also tears. Trying to keep calm he put on another shirt and went into the bathroom across the hall to wash his face. Looking at his reflection, Trey began to tear up almost instantaneously. The brown remains of a bruise lay a few centimeters below his left eye. His fingers delicately found its way to the cut on his shoulder. It was scabbed up now but bled pretty badly when it was first inflicted.
Stumbling out of the bathroom and almost knocking over the entire rack of towels, Trey's mind was elsewhere. Memories took hold of him and he began to weep over his bed. Worried that his parents would hear his cries, he quickly calmed himself enough to lie silently in bed staring at the ceiling.
Another car made its way to his house, but, to his astonishment, it didn't pass, yet, stopped in, what seemed to be, his driveway. Without thinking, Trey leaped out of bed in boxers and a tank top and bolted for the door. The last few moments, before the door was opened, carried such an intense discharge that it almost made him not open it at all. The possibilities ran through his frantic, anxious mind as he scuffled to get the lock undone.
Within moments, Trey was face down on the icy, hard concrete of his driveway with four bodies surrounding him. The breeze was much stronger now, whipping the trees in all directions. The moon was no longer visible for clouds had blanketed the skies. A small owl called out in the distance and one could then hear, if listened carefully, the swoop it made while snatching up its unsuspecting prey. For whatever small being the owl had chosen for its midnight meal, tomorrow would never come.

Chapter 2 ' Back Then
Walking home from school was no great task; he had done it every day since the 4th grade. Now, being the first month of freshman year, he was a pro at it. He'd walk down the street his school was on and made the first left on 23rd Street, the street his house was on a few blocks down. The town was small enough that you could walk anywhere if you needed. There was an elementary school about five blocks down south and, from the High school a Junior High was about three blocks in the other direction. Trey almost wished it went south to north in order: Elementary, Jr. High, then the High school. Yet, wishing did nothing since the High School was in the middle of them both, elementary being south and Jr. High, north.
When he came home his mother asked the usual question, "How was school today?
"Same as every day: tiring, he'd habitually reply. There was no point in her asking but it seemed as though she received a little satisfaction knowing that she supposedly kept up to date with her 16 year old son.
Trey wandered up to his room and plopped himself onto his bed. Staring at the ceiling he thought to himself what would have happened if he had transferred to the other school in the town over and lived with his aunt. His aunt was single but was the old hippy type who was much into her folk dancing and painting. She grew her own vegetable garden which would entertain him for a while for he loved tomatoes with all his heart, even though he is allergic.
Trey's mind drifted to Aiden, his best friend who he'd met the year before. He had moved to California from Nevada. His folks were both in the medical field and spent a tremendous amount of time away from home so Aiden would always be free to spend time with Trey. They'd have weekend sleepovers and, sometimes, Aiden would just stay with Trey's family for an entire week.
Tonight wasn't one of those nights, though. Aiden's parents thought it necessary to have a family dinner out to make up for all the dinners he'd have to sit home alone or eat at Trey's house. He truly hated having to bum off Trey's family for anything, but given the circumstances he didn't really have a choice. He tried cooking once but after the fire alarm went off, he figured he was done in the kitchen.
Trey's tired expression twisted into a grin while remembering just how absurd it was to have tried to get out of a detention by having Aiden call the school pretending to be Trey's his dad verifying his absence. The call was traced to Aiden's cell phone and the two of them were let off with a stern warning because of their entirely clean records. When they left the office, their willpower to keep their composure vanished and they were overcome with laughter. Aiden grinned at Trey and that just made them laugh even harder.
That grin was in the back of Trey's mind throughout the entire weekend. It made him smile every time he thought of it. Something was uplifting about that smile; it made him feel better to think about it. He felt obtuse for thinking so deeply into it but he assumed it was just the simple smile of a friend that could be so gratifying. Many of his other friends came close to giving him the same feeling but, it was probably the best-friend status that gave it that extra verve.

Chapter 3 - Diesel
"Hey what's up? So how was your weekend? Did you die with your parents breathing down your neck all fucking Friday? Trey asked while speed-walking in order to arrive on time to his first period class.
"Yah, it sucked ass. They took me to an Italian food restaurant. I mean what the hell? They know I hate that shit! Aiden answered. "Man, I'm going to be late! Mr. Lucas is going to give me O.C. if I'm late again.
Trey remembered delivering a pass to that classroom a few months ago. Stepping into that room made the hair on the back of his neck stand erect. The "teacher was an old lady with far too much makeup for her own good. She had a smokers cough and roughly asked him what he wanted. After the reply her attention was redirected to her telephone conversation when she went on to say that she would kill her husband if he wasn't back tonight by 8. "That room smells like shit!
"God, I know! And what's with all the stuffed animals? I'm not in a fucking insane asylum!
Trey laughed and they both made it to class on time, barely triumphing over the bell. Lunch came quickly and they were joined by Jessica and Britney in line for the cafeteria. The food was atrocious but at least it was better than anything any of them could make at home.
"Oh my god, Jessica, you won't believe what Mr. Mayfield said today.
"What? Britney responded unenthusiastically.
"You know that Arabian kid, Amjad or whatever? He told him if he didn't turn in his unit essay he'd might as well shove twin towers up his ass because that's as close to an A as he'd be getting in his class.
Britney was dumbfounded, "Oh my god, how rude. Are they even allowed to say that?
"No. interposed Aiden. "You can get fired for something like that. Meanwhile, with tenure involved, Mayfield's not going anywhere.
"Well that's no reason not to try! What a prick. I can't believe he said that!
"Britney, why do you care?
"Well, because¦ I feel bad for the guy. Not his fault he's Arab.
"Weren't the people who bombed the twin towers from Iraq? After a long gap of silence, "Stop looking at me like that, Aiden!
Aiden, while laughing, said, "Looking at you like what? It's not my fault you're a moron.
"You suck.
"Hey, truth hurts.
"Oh my god, you're so mean! She laughed a bit and then added, "Well, I'm going to go wait in line for a salad. Jess, come with?
"Sure. Later boys.
They began walking through the overcrowded school into line. Intertwining between all the bodies at that high school was "hell as everyone loved to call it. There was a population issue in Maryville as it was and the high school wasn't benefiting from it in the least.
Aiden looked at Trey as he took a chip from a Doritos bag. "Hey, I want one.
"Sure.
Class after lunch was dreary. Learning about the Holocaust yet another year in a history class is never quite encouraging. After class Trey waited by his locker for Aiden and they began walking home.
On the way home, Trey grinned which provoked the same expression from Aiden.
"What the fuck, Trey?
"Nothing.
"Dude, why are you laughing?
"I'm not laughing.
"Tell me what's so funny!
"You, alright!
Aiden lightly shoved Trey, accidentally knocking him over in the grass. Trey, finding being on the ground to his advantage, wrapped his leg around Aiden's foot, causing him to land on top of Trey on the ground. Aiden socked Trey playfully in the arm.
"That hurt Trey!
They got up and went on there way to Trey's house. Not much was said the rest of the way back. Trey couldn't help thinking about what he learned in his teen psychology class that day. The section was on effective communication and love styles. Did Aiden and he have an effective type of communication? Did they communicate all they needed and did either of them have any hidden anger towards the other. Trey knew he didn't, but he had no idea about Aiden. Looking at Aiden, he didn't think so. On to love, he did find Britney appealing. She was a little farther up on the scale than Jessica but, somehow, he was disinterested. His mind kept getting sidetracked with Aiden's cheap imitation of Panic! At the Disco.
"Dude, you're lame.
"What? The song kicks ass!
"Yeah, too bad you can't sing worth shit.
"I bet it's better than you.
"Doubt it.
"Really; then show me.
"No.
"Fine. Then I win.
"No you don't.
"Yes I do. You forfeit.
Trey thought for a moment. "Fine, you win¦ on a technicality.
"Technicality my ass.
"Well you can kiss my ass! After a long pause, Trey asked, "So what do you think your love style is?
"Excuse me?
"How do you love?
"Should we be talking about this?
"¦ why not?
"It's retarded. I can't believe you get so into your psychology class like it means anything.
"Why wouldn't it mean anything?
"Can you stop asking questions?
"Fine, I bet your best friend love.
"¦and what the hell is that supposed to mean?
"Jessica. You're much closer with her than you are with Brit. I bet you'll end up more than just friends someday.
Aiden laughed. "Doubt it. So, hey, you're folks are cool with me staying over winter vacation, right? I mean, I know they're really close with my family and they claim it doesn't matter, but I still feel like I'm imposing.
"Imposing? Yeah, right.
They turned off the sidewalk to walk up to the door. Trey struggled with the lock to try and get it open. "Damn lock, my dad needs to get it fixed, he said as the lock finally broke free and the door swung open.
A frantic voice called to him from the back of the house, "Trey is that you?
"Yeah, and Aiden.
"Hey Mrs. Spelling.
Trey's mother walked to them. Her hair was course and appeared to not have been dyed for months. Mascara covered most of her upper cheeks and her lipstick was no longer existent. Her face was wet with tears and she pressed herself up against her son, holding him tightly. She pulled herself back and held his face in her hands. "Honey, she said observing every muscle movement in his face, "you're father has been into an accident. I'm going to have to fly to Stanford for his surgery. I don't want to worry you but the procedure will be extremely tedious.
She whipped some tears form her face and continued, "A large diesel truck ran into a stoplight and it was knocked completely over. A piece of the metal was flying in the air and- With that, she broke off into tears, covering face with her hands.
Trey embraced her while his eyes began to shimmer as well. Aiden just stood, not really knowing what to do. Any person capable of telling time would probably estimate a few hours passing before anyone made a sound, breath, or movement. The sands of time slowed down for any being in that house. An unsettling quiet was present that eventually was interrupted by the ring of a telephone.

Chapter 4 ' Owl's Gaze
"Oh that's the phone! No one knew exactly why Trey's mother, Stacy Spelling, decided to state the obvious fact. She looked at Trey once more, then kissed his forehead gently and walked reluctantly over to the phone. "Hello? Yes, I'm she. Five-thirty? Yes that's fine. I'll be there. Okay.
Trey didn't move a muscle the entire phone conversation. He just sat there, staring straight ahead of him at the mahogany rail lining the stairs. Aiden walked over and put his hand on Trey's shoulder.
"Are you going to be alright? I'm so sorry, man. Trey appeared to be on the verge of saying something, but with a breath he held it in. Aiden noticed a glimmer of a tear float its way down Trey's cheek. "Trey?
Trey began to whimper softly. At his first inhale, Aiden grabbed him and held him tightly. There they sat, almost like mannequins in a clothing outlet; Mrs. Spelling on the phone, Trey still staring at the rail, Aiden holding him close.

* * * * *
The clock chimed, signaling it was four. Trey and Aiden were upstairs in Trey's room.
"He's going to be okay. I can feel it, Trey. He's not the kind of man who'd let this be the end of him. He's going to make it. Trust me on this. He wouldn't want you to worry. He'll be okay.
"He almost died already. What if¦ what if he was supposed to go then and somehow he made it out alive? What if, because now he's overdue, this is his time to go? Trey made it sound like statements instead of questions.
"Trey, there's not such a thing as being overdue to die. He's going to be fine. Aiden shook him a little. "Look at me. He's going to be fine, okay? I know you're scared, I'm here for you okay? I won't leave your side until he comes home. And he will come home. I promise.
Trey looked up at Aiden with puffy eyes from where he sat on the floor. Aiden was perched next to him on his knees with his hands on Trey's shoulders. An owl hooted outside somewhere as sunlight shown through the window, casting the silhouettes of the two boys on the wall. The orange glow filled the room with a tranquil essence. The boys grew silent and just gazed into each other, as if they were communicating through sight.
"You're eyes are really green, were Trey's last, somnolent words before he crawled up into his bed and went to sleep for the evening. Aiden, not knowing what to do, just sat on the sofa up against the wall facing Trey's bed and watched. He watched until the sun was well under the horizon and the moonlight glistened through the window and filled the room with a subtle blue. The fatigue was eventually too demanding and he laid his head gently on his pillow and floated into sleep while an owl hooted, once more, in the distance.

************This is a work in progress so if you'd like to critique it and give suggestions then I'd absolutely love to hear from you! Tell me what you think! Please do! This is my first story ever and I'd love to learn how to make it awesome! Thank you for reading!**********