Warning: Homosexual content (DUH! Nothing new…) Oh…and the author is an idiot. XD

Look Closer Ch. 1

            Spring break: A time when being reckless and foolish was allowed, a time for booze, drugs, and freedom.  It was a time to get away from nagging parents, project-loving professors, and hyper siblings.  It was a time to get away from it all.

            “This is so awesome! I can’t believe they agreed to it!” A pale-skinned teenager, around the age of 18 or 19, grinned up at the sky.  He stood out in front of his house, surrounded by other equally excited boys. 

            “I know, man. This is going to be the coolest break ever!” This boy, blonde and tanned, was the calmest of them all. 

            “Ethan, your parents are so wicked.” The group nodded.

            “Alaska! For Spring break!”

            Ethan packed as soon as his parents handed him the five airplane tickets.  He could not hide his excitement.  He rarely went on vacation.  Alaska was a big event.  His mind raced at the thought of the piles of snow, the skiing, the beauty of Alaska.  This was a present from his lovely, good-natured parents.  It was an early graduation gift, which went out to his closest friends as well.

            They left to the airport, giving their parents snug embraces and loving goodbyes.  Ethan and his four buddies sat in their chairs in the plane, each with a wide grin plastered on their faces.

            Ethan sat beside his best friend, Cole.  They had known each other for quite some time.  Cole was a bright-eyed boy, smart and calm, the ‘man’ of every place he attended.  Beside Cole sat Bren, a loud-mouthed brunette who was known best for his brashness. Not many got along with Bren, except for Cole and Ethan, who knew exactly how to get the boy on his feet. 

            “I wish we had first class…” A voice from behind them piped. James was another close friend of Ethan.  They were both fans of soccer, so they got along great.

            “Yeah…that’d be so awesome.” Haley, the most ignorant of them, spoke.

            “Be glad with what you have.” Cole said, keeping his eyes directly in front of him.

            The plane took off, the high-pitched noise of the engines causing some to flinch.  All five of the teenagers, soon to be adults, sat quietly, dreaming about their days in Alaska that were soon to come.

            “Holy crap!” Haley gasped.  They had just entered the hotel they were going to be staying in.  It was very luxurious, gold-framed paintings covering the walls, shiny marble tiles, and pure beauty.

            “How could your parents afford this?” James asked, poking lightly at a plastic tree in a corner.

            “I really don’t know.” Ethan was awe-struck.  They must have been saving up for this even before I was born, he thought.

            The room was another thing. Comfort.  They were very spacious. Two twin beds in each, causing one of the boys to have to sleep on a futon.

            “Damn it! It’s always me!” Haley screeched. 

            The others laughed, putting Haley into a more angered mood.  They were tired from the flight, going their separate ways, Ethan and Cole in one room, and Haley, James, and Bren in the other.

            “I’m so out of it, Eth.” Cole yawned loudly.

            “Me too.” Ethan was never much with words.

            “Night.”

            “G’night.”

            The first thing they all wanted to do was go skiing.  That was what they had been planning on the whole time.  They each had their own ski equipment, yet each one was less skillful than the next. 

            “I don’t know how to!” Ethan complained. “How was I supposed to learn while living in Texas?”

            “Well, you better find someone to teach you now.” James said, adjusting the straps on his helmet. 

            Everyone was raring to go, except for Ethan. 

            “Fine, then I’ll stay here.” Ethan pouted, causing the others to moan in aggravation.

            “Come on, Eth. You can just mess around. It’ll be fun.” Cole smiled.

            “No, I’d rather not. I’m going to stay at the resort.” Ethan turned, leaving a disappointed Cole behind.

            “Let’s get going!” Bren yelled.  Everyone followed.  They came here to ski, and that was exactly what they were going to do.

            Ethan sat quietly in a small room where the tourists came to relax.  He sipped gingerly at his cup of hot chocolate, sighing softly to himself.  They’re out there having the time of their life, while I’m here drinking watery cocoa, he thought bitterly.

            “Hey there.” A man of big build stood over him, his white teeth showing as he smiled.

            “Hi.” Ethan responded casually.

            “You look like you’re having fun.” The bigger man sat down next to Ethan.

            Ethan said nothing.  He stared at the wall in front of him.

            “My name’s Lane. I’m on break at the moment. I need some time to catch my breath from all that skiing.”

            Ethan glared at the man next to him, taking in the image.  Lane looked to be in his mid-20s, dark hair, dark eyes, and all muscle.  Ethan couldn’t help but stare.

            “I’m a ski instructor.” Lane said lightly.

            What a coincidence, Ethan thought. “That’s great. I was going to look for someone to help me out.  My friends aren’t in the mood to see me fall face flat in the snow.” Ethan shrugged, feeling a ting of anger towards his so-called ‘friends.’

            Lane chuckled, a hearty laugh. “Great friends.”

            “Really.” Ethan scoffed.

            “My brother and I work here. Though I have to admit, he’s a bit better than I am, even if he’s younger.”

            I don’t care, Ethan thought, scowling a bit.

            “Maybe I could teach you a few things.”

            Is he hitting on me? Ethan was flattered, yet flabbergasted. This man, my sisters dream man, is hitting on me?

            “So…yeah. Here’s my card.” Lane handed Ethan a small slip of paper.

            How professional. “Thanks. I’ll keep you in mind.” Not, or so he thought.

            Lane left, saying a quick goodbye.  Ethan was a bit glad about the departure.  He had begun to feel quite uncomfortable, in more ways than one.

            “You should have been there!” Haley jumped about, elaborating on every slope they had descended on.  “I was so good! You should have seen me!”

            Cole stood beside his bed, ironing his cloths and hanging them neatly in the closet.  James and Bren were busy watching a cartoon on the television, while Ethan stared up at the ceiling, trying to block out Haley’s frantic words.

            “Cole? Will you tell him to shut up?” Ethan growled. 

            “Haley, shut it.” Cole kept his eye on his cloths, not turning to eye the ecstatic Haley.

            “Whatever. You guys are boring. I was just trying-“ Haley began.

            “Shut it.”

            Haley shrugged, making his way to James and Bren.  He sat and watched along with them.  That’s what they liked most about Haley; he did what he was told, without ever causing a commotion. 

            Cole finished quickly, taking a seat beside Ethan on the bed. “You okay?”

            “Fine.”

            Cole sighed, “Sorry you didn’t get to go skiing with us.”

            “I’m not.”

            “What’s that supposed to mean?” Cole kept his cool.

            “I met someone.”

            “Really? Is she hot?” Cole smiled, nudging Ethan with his elbow.

            “Somewhat.”

            “Somewhat?”

            “Yeah.” Ethan closed his eyes, giving Cole the hint to leave him alone.

            Cole stood up, taking this hint into consideration.  He sat beside the other three boys, all entranced by the animation. 

            Ethan was having a problem.  He couldn’t get the image of Lane out of his mind.  He disliked the man, didn’t he? Sure, the man was good-looking, but personality wise? Ethan did not know the man well enough.  What was he like? Was he sweet, caring, and innocent? Or was he tough, rough, and all bad ass? Ethan laughed under his breath, bad ass, I hope.

           

A/N: Another idea that had sprung into my insane mind.  This won’t be so long, chapter wise.  I’d write more…but I’m way too tired. It’s late. I need my sleep. Please review. See that button? Yes…that button. Tell me what you think. You like? Don’t like? Do tell. I’d appreciate it.

See any typos? Really? My grogginess is causing me to type much more horribly than usual. Yay!