I was told a long ago that my story telling style of close friendships have a slash like quality to them, and some have even been taken as such even when the original plan was to show nothing more than closeness between two male friends. But now at the urging of some close friends in my own life, I have decided to take the plunge and wrote the story that follows. If you are looking for pure smut, then please keep searching. But if you want to read about a strong bond between two teen boys who just happen to discover they are in love, then please read and enjoy. Jacob and Tyler have become a year and a half long journey for me which included having to rewrite over half the story when my computer crashed and all but the first five chapters of twelve that were completed at the time were lost forever. But thankfully I think it helped to create an even better story which I hope you will enjoy reading as much as I have enjoyed writing.
A few notes about my writing style: I know the boys may come off as a bit too cute and polite at times, but these are the boys I wanted to write about and fell in love with myself. If I had a son(s), these are the ones I would like to have. Also, the story has not been beta by anyone but me, so I am sorry for any mistakes. Anyone wishing to seriously proof read for me in a quick and non story changing manner can contact me and I would be happy for the help. I also hope to get many reviews, but please, no flames. If you hate yourself or your life so much and want to spend your days bringing other people down, then you have again come to the wrong place. So with these things in mind, please read and enjoy.
Phaze
Two hurting and lost teenage boys find each other and themselves on a New England beach and start out on a journey of true love and dedication. Romance and drama.
Jacob and Tyler
In The Arms of an Angel
Chapter One:
The air was still a little brisk along the ocean as he pulled his thin spring jacket closer to his slim body's form and sweat shirt with his hands that were deeply entrenched in his pockets. The breeze of the ocean was cool and nipped at his face in the early June air on the New England beach. There had already been a few warm days, but the rain from the last week of soaking downpours had left the area cool, to say the least. His dark sandy brown hair was tossed about on his head. Finely cut and a slight spiked look over thin short sideburns that ran about a third down the length of his ears on either side. Jacob Summers was one of those people who seemed to have a tan complexion no matter what time of year it was. He was blessed with the striking good looks of both his parents, presenting only the best of each of their features and the darker skin of his mother's distant Middle Eastern heritage. Even on the gloomiest of days like those just passed, he seemed to glow with the summer hue yet to come, and living on the beach year round, only enhanced this bronzed color that would be a near mocha brown chocolate by the end of August. His hair would take on yellowish highlights, bleached by the hot summer sun.
His rich deep brown eyes stared out over the crashing choppy waves of the receding tide as his steps made a slow and steady trail along the harden portion of the sand that had been under the water only moments earlier. Each imprint of his shoes was leaving behind a glistening trail in damp grains in his wake.
Stepping in short but deliberate steps in his white sneakers, his thin faded jeans and canvas jacket continued to wave in the wind as he fixed his eyes, trying to catch sight of a small passing freighter a quarter mile or so off shore. This was Jacob's favorite time of the year at the ocean beach where he called home. He loved the hint of warmth in the air that seemed to finally return after the long cold Nor'easter winters. It seemed like now it was just becoming nice enough to leave the shelter of the large house he shared with his parents just a few short hundred yards back along the trail he had left. Never one to stay inside for long, the colder days were spent in the comfort of his home playing video games with friends, writing short stories on his laptop, and his favorite pass time of reading comic books. His great love for the outdoors would often help him to expand his comfort zone and explore his surroundings to their fullest. Although never desiring the attention from the other kids at his school, with particular interest from the girls, he was already one of the most popular kids in his class if not the whole high school even in his sophomore year. He felt comfortable in large crowds and more often than not, used them as a place to hide rather than seek adulation for himself. He was always willing to go along and be one of the guys to please the crowd. Although the best word to describe him would be 'handsome' if not down right gorgeous, despite his popularity, Jacob never felt comfortable with his own appearance, even with his reasonably tall five foot seven and slim athletic body which was already well defined for his young age of fifteen. He just never felt completely right around others and often would rather spend quiet times with his closes friends or his girl, but there was a draw for him to be popular, or so his father always told him. It was almost a sense of responsibility to please those who were not so blessed in the social graces.
Some would say that his feelings of low self esteem Although kept close to his vest were a direct result of his hard working and seldom present parents who always seem too wrapped up in their own professional lives to have much involvement with their son's. Jacob knew his parents, the doctors Jacob the second and Natasha Summers, loved him and would often dolt over him with expensive gifts and personal desires to be fulfilled, but for two very well education, accomplished and publish physicians in the plastic surgery fields, they were not very comfortable with outward shows of affection or admiration. They knew that they loved their son and that he loved them and that was enough for them. It was also a fact that Jacob had learned to live without them a very long time ago and had learned to seek solace within his own self. He seemingly projecting an outward manner for his parents, but Jacob learned early to draw on the comfort from inside, and soon discovering that he could be his own best friend, but still the desire to seek out anyone else was deeply imbedded in his fear of being rejected by them too.
There were these firewalls in his mind against his feelings that made mornings like this more bearable in his young heart. The doctors Summers were both called away, again to be the featured speakers in a series of plastic surgery seminars held all over the country for the next several weeks. Doctor Jacob Summers the second, a noted surgeon in reconstructive surgery after damaging accidents, debilitating illnesses and child birth defects was very sought after for his knowledge in the highly advancing field. And with as many as seven articles printed in the New England Journal of Medicine in the last decade alone, among various other noted contributions in the cosmetology surgery vocation, he was much respected and considered one of the foremost speakers on the subject. While Doctor Natasha Summers was not as celebrated as her husband, her chosen field of elective enhancement surgery for those who wish to perfect those things that God saw to leave faulty, had also placed her high in the area of augmentations and elective plastic surgery. She was what the senior Jacob called, his opening act when they spoke at dual conventions, and the two used the free travel and rooming as small vacations while they simply spoke at length about what they were already well versed in.
Some could say that Jacob junior's reasons for feelings of abandonment and a less than positive self esteem were due to his parents chosen professions and their desire to put the needs of the field as well as their own personal enjoyment above his. But Jacob had long since acclimated himself to the downfalls of his parent's jobs, and had come to convince himself that he was 'okay' with it. He was very comfortable with the house staff and enjoyed the company of those he called his friends. Despite his own inner emptiness, he always made it a point to put his best foot forward and show the world his bright shinny smiling face. Even if it meant he could never be his real self.
Besides, when all else failed him, there was always Kal. Although he was popular with others and had people lining up to be at his side, there was only 'one' deeply felt kinship in his life. On his twelfth birthday, his parents had decided that he was indeed ready for a close friend and companion. So perhaps out of their own sense of self worth to comfort them in one of those rare moments of concern for their son's mental state while leaving him home alone, they decided he needed to have someone to be with. So it was then when a small little strawberry blond boy came into his life and Kal, named after the Kyptonian persona of his favorite comic book superhero, was introduced to his new best friend. There were many hours of enjoyment shared by the two as they grew older together and today, it was Kal who raced pass his good friend and care giver.
"Kal," Jacob yelled ahead as he watched him scamper around in the wet sand. "Don't you go running off again? Remember the run in you had with the Rucker's dog down the beach the last time."
The three year old Labrador stopped for a moment and spun around to look back at his master for a second before racing off to his desired destination again.
The mid to large size dog with the temperament of a puppy was chasing after a crumpled piece of paper that was being scurried across the sand by the soft breeze like a tennis ball that had just been thrown by his care giver.
After a few seconds, the dog finally reached the discarded object by slamming his wet paw down on it to keep it still and then grasped if firmly, yet still gently between his teeth and raced back to Jacob with a pleased half run, half jog, dog waddle.
Jacob sighed with a deep disappointed breath as Kal dropped the piece of paper at his foot. The thought that waste had already started to be dropped along the shore so early in the year, as it always was when the tourist, vacationers and other water seeking inlanders began convening here again like so many times before, gave the young man reason to pause at his own desire to see the warmer weather again.
"We might as well find a place to toss this," he said reaching down to pick up the paper while Kal watched him attentively with a wagging tail that was so strong it that it shook his whole back end, even knocking him from his strong stance from time to time.
"No," Jacob held the sheet up to the dog's nose. "This is not a ball. Its trash and we have to throw it away."
The dog, not understanding, continued to watch and wait for the toss while Jacob took a minute to un-wrap the crumpled poster and read it.
"A carnival?" He exclaimed loudly with a large smile that showed his wide bright white teeth. "The Chamber Of Commerce for the beach are having a carnival right here on the forth of July." He looked down at his dog's tilted head with the wanting eyes. "How cool is that?"
Kal didn't understand the question and even looked back along the beach to see if he had somehow missed the ball toss, as the ball was no longer in Jacob's hand, but just some stupid piece of paper now.
Jacob did the best he could to press out the wrinkle on the page against his leg and carefully folded it up placing it in his back pocket for safe keeping. He loved carnivals, and had nothing but happy childhood memories of his parent's taking him to the annual church's festival when he was younger. Back before the world of famous doctor-hood called them away all the time. He would place the poster on his wall in his room as a reminder and perhaps his parents would be back in time to see the announcement and offer to go with him, like old times. If not, there was always his throng of followers, his face nearly frown at the thought.
"Come on boy," Jacob coaxed the dog as he started a slow jog forward toward the open and deserted mile of beach before them. "Bet I can make it to the rock cliffs before you."
The effort was fruitless, as with one rabbit jump and bound forward, Kal was off and quickly outdistancing the teen boy who gave little effort to a actually catch the k-9. He gave a short stride jog and followed behind the dog as the path of multiple little tracked paw prints were stretched out before him.
The cool air in his lung felt good to Jacob as he slowly picked up his pace to a near run while swinging his long toned limbs in stride with every step keeping pace with his breathing and heart rate like he had been taught in track. Being the son of two surgeons also gave him a fair knowledge of health issues and the proper way to exercise. It was often he, who the other students in his class looked to for proper training and warm up moves in gym classes at his school. He was often put off by being the center of attention, but some part of him down deep was needy for the attention and tried to enjoy it as best as possible, playing up to their desires and forming himself into being whoever they wanted at the moment.
He was well into his run; nearing a sprint when he saw Kal veer off the course they had followed a hundred times before over the last three years and began a much slower jaunt off to the side where a few sand dunes had formed. There was a trail between them with a well worn path used by the visitors who would park along the streets on the other side behind the line of homes. It appeared that the dog had spotted something of interest and was making his way over to the subject matter.
"Kal," Jacob called out with nearly a glance back by his companion.
"You had better not be going after a hurt seagull or anything," Jacob warned as he began to make his way over to the dunes himself. "Those things are nasty and can do some real damage if you mess with 'em."
The dog slowly disappeared between the two sand piles with a wagging tail as Jacob made a quick jogging motion to catch up.
He knew from past experiences with Kal that when he had found what he considered a new play toy, it was up to Jacob to make sure he didn't endanger himself. So with a renewed sense of alarm, he ran a little faster to avert any possible disasters.
When he rounded the corner, Jacob was surprise to find an old beat up mountain bike laying in between the piles of sand that seemed to have been quickly discarded in hast. Upon further inspection, he could see Kal's wagging tail deeper into the grassy covering doing a type of half dance, half jump that he was obviously using to try and get someone's or something's attention.
"Kal," Jacob spoke is a mildly annoyed tone, almost barely above a whisper to get his dog's attention. "What ever you have there, you better just leave it alone."
He was standing directly before the tall ocean crab grass that was growing on the side of the hills and he could see his friendly dog continue his 'let's be friends' dance to a large dark object that was deep enough into the brush to be obstructed from his view.
"Kal," he spoke much louder now as he too stepped into the weeds. "I told you to leave it alone."
When he bent over to pull back the dog's collar, he could see that he had been whimpering over what appeared to be another teenage boy about his own age in a blue checkered shirt, dirty jeans and tattered running sneakers.
The other boy seemed to be trying to hide his face away from both Jacob and Kal in the sleeves of his shirt that were draped across his knees in an almost seated fettle position.
Pulling back on the animal, Jacob took a careful step back and watched for a minute as the other boy gave no indication that he had even noticed they were there until Kal had bounded forward enough to nuzzle his nose in between the boy's forehead and arm and the boy used that arm to push the dog away.
"Go away," the muffled voice said through the cloth.
"It's okay," Jacob said holding his pet back. "He only wants to play."
The mystery boy seemed slightly startled and looked up over his sleeve with one eye to see where the sound was coming from. He seemed stunned for a moment and eyed Jacob from top to bottom with great interest.
"He won't hurt you," Jacob added trying, perhaps, to put the other teen at ease. "He just likes to make new friends."
The boy with the thin pale face raised his head slightly for a better look at this stranger and his even stranger dog. He had the most striking rich blue eyes, despite the fact that they were blood shot and puffy at the moment. He had a strong nose and firm chin with slight indents that surrounded his large mouth with the thin, yet rich red lips. It was clear that these lines on the side of his young face were dimples that would light up any room when he smiled. He was in slight need of a hair cut, or so Jacob thought, and the long black strands were curled at the ends and framed his handsome face with the strong jaw, jetting chin and white complexion.
"His name is Kal, with a K," Jacob spoke trying to make conversation. Something inside him told him that this boy needed to have someone to talk to, that was greater than his desire to just go away. "I named him after Superman from the comics," he added.
"Kal El," the boy said softly. "Like on Smallville."
"Yeah that's right," Jacob found himself smiling for some reason. Perhaps it was just the desire to help, or that this kid seemed to have infectious eyes that just seemed to scream out for attention. "I love that show. Well, that and Heroes."
The stranger looked up at him with a confused look that made it clear that he could not understand why this guy would want to stop and talk to him when he was so clearly looking to be alone. "Yeah, they're both good," the boy sniffed again raising his head still further, perhaps giving into the intrusion.
"Yeah," Jacob smiled again shifting his weight from one leg to the other. "I love that whole 'save the cheerleader, save the world' stuff."
Okay this was strange; Jacob could not help but think to himself. Why was he standing here trying to talk to this stranger? It was not like he didn't have many friends already who were more than eager to converse on any subject he so desired. Besides, judging from this boys gruff appearance, he was not of the same social class as the Summers, but still there was something that made Jacob want to get to know him more.
"Yeah that was cool," a small smile seemed to cross the boy's lips as the corners began to curl upwards and just as he had thought, the dimples were beginning to show already.
Dimples, Jacob thought to himself. Why was he thinking of his this kid's dimples?
"Oh," he stuttered for a moment. "My name is Jacob, Jacob Summers" he said with a second thought for his manner. "Kal and I were just taking a walk when he sorta found you."
The boy seemed to be of fewer words.
"Anyway," Jacob shook his head for a moment wiping his hands on the side of his legs. "That must be your bike over there. Did you fall off?"
The boy swung his head from side to side with a no.
Jacob thought for a moment. It was clear that the boy had been crying, but he seemed unwilling to talk about it, so he thought that it might be best just to ignore it for now.
"Okay," Jacob was finding himself hard pressed to make nice with this boy's limited social skills. "I guess we'll be going now and leave you to yourself."
The boy's only response, as he watched him attentively was another sniffle.
"Yeah," Jacob rubbed the back of his neck, not quite knowing what to say next. "We were gonna go climb the rocks down at the end of the beach and see if we can see any passing boats out on the horizon."
After a few seconds of waiting for a reply, Jacob decided to just turn and leave giving a short wave back over his shoulder. "See yah."
"Are," the boy spoke up hesitantly as he began to leave. "Are they hard to climb?"
The sound almost startled Jacob as he had to look back to make sure he had actually heard something. The boy was looking with even more interest, and it was clear that he was waiting for a response.
"Well, they can be if you slip," Jacob answered the question posed him. "But the sun pretty much has dried them out by this time in low tide. The best part is if you are really skilled, you can climb almost all the way out over the water where the rocks are covered at high tide."
"Really," the boy's interest seemed peaked with just a hint of worry.
"Sure," Jacob shrugged as if it was no big thing, but in truth, he had only ever made the journey out once in all the time he had lived here. It was a perilous course that too few were agile enough to make with the slippery boulders piled up against each other by years of crashing waves.
The boys stood watching each other for a moment. Their minds both seemed somewhere else and thinking of matter much further away than that moment as they just stared into each other's faces, until Jacob finally shrugged with the realization that he was looking a little too intensely. "You want to come?" He said back added a small grin that he used to mask his own surprise at his own intent of staring and for actually asking him along with one of his mini adventures.
The boy wiped his eyes on his sleeve, but hoped that Jacob had not noticed. "I don't know," he started sheepishly. He looked back over his shoulder as if he half expected to see someone there to order him back.
A small part of Jacob's heart actually fell a little bit as he tried to pass it off with another shrug of his shoulders. "Suite yourself," Jacob said and began to walk away.
By this time, Kal was making small circles in front of the stranger as if trying to entice him to come along.
When Jacob had made his way back into the clearing, the boy pushed himself up to his feet, brushed himself off and stepped out of the bushes to find him only a few steps ahead. "Wait," he called out just a hint above his normal voice stopping in his tracks.
Jacob could not help but smile as his heart actually seemed to jump slightly in his chest, but he made it a point to burry the grin before he turned back. "Yeah, what?"
The boy looked up the beach several hundred yards pass Jacob to the series of rocks that tumbled from the footing of the twenty foot cliff that ended this portion of the beach for higher elevation where several expensive houses overlooked the water.
"Are those the rocks?" He pointed as the gentle breeze seemed to make his matted curls dance around his face.
In the clearing, with a better look at the boys face, Jacob could see a large red welt that was quickly turning black and blue. He wanted to say something as it was clear even to him that this boy was in pain both inside and out, but he thought of a better plan.
Jacob spun around from the waist up and then back again. "Do you see any others?" He decided to go with the divide and conquer approach. Divide this boy from his pain for even a short while, and he will conquer his fears.
"Okay," he finally nodded half-hazard.
"Good," Jacob waved him on as began to walk in the direction of the cliffs trying not to show any particular concern for the complete stranger.
The boy picked up his bike and half jogged pulling it along as he caught up to Jacob and walked by his side while all the while Kal kept running laps around them and still leading the way.
After they had walked for a few minutes in silence, the quiet was broken. "So," Jacob spoke as they walked never taking his eyes off the prize ahead. "What am I suppose to call you."
The boy seemed apprehensive at first even slowing down his pace by a few steps, but seemingly worked up nerve to actually speak his name. "Tyler," he said just loud enough to hear. "Tyler Matters."
"Cool," Jacob said with a nod. "So you're Tyler and I'm Jacob, Jacob Summers." He let out a small giggle.
"What?" Tyler asked as they continued to make their trek.
"Just our names," he said with a chuckle. "Summers and Matters."
"Yeah," Tyler seemed lost to the joke and watched him inquisitively for a moment.
"It's just, I don't know," Jacob explained trying again to shrug it off. "They sound kinda funny when you put them together. Like I guess 'summer' really does 'matter'."
Tyler looked over across at this strange new kid with a quirky frown. "You're weird, aren't you?'
"Dude," Jacob stretched his hand across the bike placing it on Tyler's firm shoulder. "You don't know the half of it."
By the time they had reached the rocks, Kal had already been able to jump to about three sets of boulders up and looked down at them with a puzzled look as if to ask why he was up there by himself.
"Kal," Jacob placed his hands on his hips. "You had better be careful up there. I don't want you slipping and hurting yourself."
The dogs just returned a low whimper of prolong excitement waiting for his master to join him.
"Well I guess we had better get started before the tide turns," Jacob said jumping up on the first rock that was about two feet above the ground. Each boulder was about the size of a very small car at their larges while some may have been at about two feet to a yard in any direction or diameter. They seemed to be half hazard piled one upon another as they stretched a few hundred feet into the sea. The largest part of the pile was at the cliff's footing where they appeared to be spilling off the short mountain as the ocean was eroding the hill and slowly pulling each stone out to sea.
He had already made his way out about five feet over a few other rocks before Jacob looked back to see Tyler, with his bike tossed at his feet just standing there watching.
"What?" Jacob asked after a minute of just staring.
"They look a lot bigger and more dangerous up close," his blue eyes were spread wide as he just seemed to be mesmerized. He could see how some of them seemed to have sharply pointed sided that were often facing up and with one slip, could hurt anyone who would land on them.
"Yeah," Jacob shrugged. "But that's what makes for half the excitement," he grinned widely with white teeth and firm jaw. "It really makes you feel like you've accomplish something if you make it all the way out to the last rock."
"I don't know," Tyler shook his head slightly. "I don't want to be ruining my good jeans."
Good jeans? Jacob thought to himself. I've thrown out jeans with less natural wear and tear on them than those. But then again, he would also spend a lot of his parent's money on fashion jeans that were well worn before worn.
"Come on," he tried to coach him along. "We walked all this way up the beach. You might as well try." The smile never left his face as he spoke, and a small part of him knew that if Tyler were to reject the idea, then he wasn't sure he wanted to do it alone anymore.
Tyler studied the rocks closely inspecting every inch as his hands ran across the closes one to him which was about waste high. After a few seconds of careful consideration and much thought behind his sparkling eyes, he leaned forward using the palms of his hands and pushed his body up until he was able to swing one leg up and over and then the other. It took a little effort, as he was clearly not use to this type of climbing, but he eventually made it onto the large bolder with the inner side slanting downwards and a few indents which he placed his feet firmly against to keep from sliding down the slope.
"There you go," Jacob cheered him on. "That's actually the hardest part," he spoke from a few rocks ahead of him. "Once you're up here, the rest is just jumping from rock to rock and not slipping off."
A wry look of disbelief came across Tyler's face as he was sure that there was much more to it than just simple jumps and a balancing act, but he was willing to let this new kid think he had convinced him otherwise, at least for now.
"Now come on," Jacob turned and stepped to the next rock. "We don't have to go all the way out the first time if you aren't ready to, but lets see how far we can go before the tide starts turning."
First time? The words echoed in Tyler's head as he realized that this kid might be planning to make a habit of this. It's not like he even knew him, and what would his parents think if they knew he was out doing such a dangerously stupid thing with a complete stranger? But something about Jacob stuck with him and he could not help wanting to get to know him just a little better.
It's not like he had never seen the blond Adonis before at the new school. Being the last month in a new school had its advantages when you were trying to go about your life undetected. Everyone else was already revving up for finals and making plans for summer vacations and jobs. He was able to just slip into the crowds and make his way from class to class nearly undetected. Even the teachers, weary from nine months of fighting for every bit of interest from the video and internet generation often ignored him for more favorable students who they knew had the right answers all the time and who would just keep the dull hum of the day moving along until the summer bell finally rang.
Books were never difficult for Tyler as he had a natural smart way about him that seemed to catch on quickly to just about anything that was being taught, and those few teachers who did take notice of the new boy were surprise with the ease he not only picked up new things, but also at his complete obedience with great discipline. If he had been around long enough to be noticed before the end of the year blues, he would surely have been the teacher's pet of several of his instructors, but Tyler never sought out the special attention or admiration. He was simply doing what came naturally for him and trying not to stand out in any way by being his best but just fitting in.
"Tyler," Jacob's voice broke him from his intense concentration as he looked down at the large gap between the rocks that stood before him. He had been able to make it out about ten or twelve yards onto the island of stones and even started to see small waves clapping at the bottoms of the rocks he stood on, but the large chasm before him seemed un-surmountable to the youth as he hung in limbo before nearly unable to move.
"Come on, dude," Jacob had even come back a few boulders to stand on the other side of the divide. "You can do it," he encouraged him. "All you need to do his take a few steps back and come running and spread your legs wide as you make the jump, and you'll be just fine."
"Easy for you to say," Tyler said with a slight shake in his voice and rubbing his hand on his side at his rib cage. "Everyone knows you are some kinda super jock with all your natural abilities."
The fact that he spoke so knowingly about him gave Jacob notice to pause. Did he know this kid from somewhere? And if so, why hadn't he ever notice him before. He was sure those dimples would had shot a mile across any room and gotten his attention. Okay, why am I thinking about Tyler's dimples again?
"Come on," Jacob shook off his thoughts for a second. "You can do it. Just have a little faith in your abilities."
Faith Tyler thought. Abilities? Who was this kid and why was he so sure that he had some type of hidden talent that would allow him to be able to accomplish anything much less jump the valley? It was clear that he didn't know him, because if he did, Jacob would have figured out a long time ago that he was pretty much worthless.
"So says the guy who runs track," Tyler decided to go with the abrasive route in hopes of diverting the new kid's attention from the visible fear that was tying knots in his stomach. "Not everyone has those tight muscles in their legs."
It was true that Jacobs legs, much like his whole body was very well toned with the making of some large muscle that with a little more work would be bulging. They could even be seen through his jeans when he was stretched and they were pulled tight to his thighs. The wind blowing at his chest would often plaster his shirt against his slightly protruding pecks and washboard abs. But Tyler turned his head away quickly from noticing.
"You want me to come back for you?" Jacob asked holding out his hand.
Come back for me? Tyler's head had to be shook for a moment. Was this guy for real? He was offering to come and help him. "No," he said with a short quick raise of his hand while studying the rocks. "I just need a minute."
"Take your time," Jacob said with a smile that seemed warm and understanding and not condescending. "I'll wait." Besides, I don't mind watching. Jacob gulped silently at his own thought. Where did that come from?
Taking a few steps back, Tyler looked across at Jacob who was watching him attentively. His eyes were very unsure of whether he could make this jump, but something in the very pit of his soul told him he wanted to be where Jacob was.
"Jump as fast and as hard as you can," Jacob kept coaching him. "I'll catch you if you jump too far." But why did he care so much? "I won't let you fall." Ah, sure.
He had only been at the same school with Jacob a few weeks, but he had watched enough after school meets and gym classes from afar to know that this kid who had the appearance of some Greek god was very capable of catching him if not carrying him across the rock. Jacob Summers may have seemed slim and lanky to some, but every inch of him was filled with tone muscles of steel. What the…
"If I rip my jeans," Tyler tried to sound tough as he gathered up all his inner strength. "You gotta tell my folks that you forced me to do this."
"Sure," Jacob said with a wide grin. If it'll make you smile, then anything is okay with me.
"Okay," he took a deep breath closing his eyes for a second. "Here goes," he said swinging his right arm and left leg back and made a mad dash to the edge of the stone he stood on. When his foot reach the end of the rock, he swung his other leg forward with a long lanky motion and pushed off as hard as he could with the solid leg and became airborne as he sailed across the great divide over to where Jacob stood bracing himself to use his body to stop him and keep them from both falling off the other end.
With a loud clap of one foot, and then the next, Tyler reached the opposite rock and nearly fell forward as he tried to stop his momentum catching Jacob's jacket with both hands as he nearly passed him.
Jacob used his right arm as a stopping brace around Tyler's waste catching him in a near bear hug while his left arm swung around and wrapped around from the back across his shoulder blades and used his right leg to push his own body in the opposite direction while he used his left to keep them both steady and not fall.
The two clung to each other for a moment as Tyler got his footing back and hung onto the collar of Jacob's jacket for support. He was nearly being spun around by Jacob who kept screaming in his ear. "You did it!" He would exclaim about four times before the motion came to a stop and Tyler found himself still in his new friend's embrace.
Subconsciously he pushed himself away but still held firm to the jacket as he looked back over his shoulder at the space he had just jumped over. "I did it," his face lit up with the widest smile of white nearly perfect teeth with the exception on the k-9s. "I actually did it."
The sweat of the pressure seemed to collect on Tyler's forehead and his hair was matted down as his face flushed red in the cool air while still Jacob kept him in a loose grip with one hand around his waste and the other across his back while Tyler's hands were firmly grasping his open jacket.
"Yeah you did," Jacob was as happy as if he himself had made the jump for the first time. He was so happy to see the kid smiling so widely, and he was right, it did light up the whole room. Heck, this grin was lighting up the whole beach front. There are those dimples. He thought to himself again. Wow.
"That was so cool," Tyler said looking back at Jacobs deep brown eyes. It was then he noticed that they were only inches from his own. "Ah," he said nearly breaking himself from the embrace and stepping back releasing the jacket, finally. "That was just cool." His right hand reached under his open over shirt to rub his side tenderly like he was soar in that spot.
"Yeah it was," Jacob gave an awkward smile as he lowered his arms wiping his damp hands on the back of his own jeans with a slight nervous twitch. "I told yah you could do it."
"Well," Tyler shrugged still smiling but consciously trying not to look at Jacob. "Now we both know."
They could see as Kal was jumping around on the beach a few yards away scampering into the cold water every so often and then back out with a quick jump.
"See," Jacob laughed as the spray of the water was beginning to wet his hair and face too. "Even Kal is proud of you." His hand pointed back to the dog while he got Tyler's eyes again. "We both are."
Wow, he really is proud. "Thanks," Tyler nodded his head with a blush that he was hoping would be masked by the cooler air out over the water. Man, I swear even his eyes are smiling.
"Alright," Jacob turned and walked to the new edge on the other side of the rock. "Are you ready to go on?"
Tyler walked up next to him. "Are there more breaks like that one?"
"Don't know," he shrugged with a devil may care smile and a twinkle in his eye. "These rocks are always moving during the winter months." He looked over at him. "There's only one way to find out."
"Okay," Tyler could not help but be infected by the spark in Jacob's eyes. How could he possibly disappoint such simple delight? Those eyes, he smiled again.
"Cool," Jacob nodded as his heart jumped a tiny bit again in his chest. Those dimples are so deep, his head seemed to spin a little at the thought, but shook it off.
For the next several minutes, the boys were able to keep up with each other as they made their way deeper out to sea on the damp rocks from the spray of splashing water. Every now and again, they would have to help each other up and down the slopes of the boulders as each one seemed to be shifted in a different position from the last. Jacob always took the lead and could not help but notice each time Tyler's face seemed to turn a slightly darker shade of red whenever the two had to grab the other's hand for assistant. Then again, he also felt his own face becoming a little flush with each touch as well, but he passed it off as just the excitement of making a new friend and one who was actually willing to take the walk of death out to these rocks as he had been told many times before, that they were.
They had reach the last summit with the large bolder that stood at the end of the run of rocks where the coast guard had placed a large orange flag to warn all boaters of the approaching dangerous obstacle. Up until now Jacob had been having too much fun that he did not take much notice of Tyler's increasing agitated look as they went deeper into the water. The splash from the crashing waves would often spray them with cold salt water to the point where they were both pretty wet now. But as he reached down to grasp his hand to help pull him up the last peak, he could not help but notice the dark haired boy's attention seemed to be riveted on the water all around them that was actually slowly beginning to rise and his eyes seemed wide with concern.
"Put your foot on the little grove right there by you left hip," Jacob said as he held onto Tyler's hand with a firm grip. "Just push yourself up like all the other times and I pull you the rest of the way."
Tyler did as he was told, but never once took his eyes off the water around them. When he was finally yanked up to dryer land, as it were, Jacob pulled him into his arms like the first time to steady his stance as Tyler had seemed to loose all concentration for keeping his balance.
"Whoa," Jacob said grabbing him firmly and holding him still for a moment. He had not noticed until now, but Tyler's whole body was shaking in his arms and his heart was pounding against both their chests.
"Are you okay?" Jacob said taking him by the forearms and stepping back for a better look. "You look almost as white as a ghost."
"Yeah, I'm fine," Tyler lied, closing his eyes for a second and taking a deep breath. "I've just never been this far out before." His hands were shaking as he tried to show that he was okay by reaching up for Jacob's arms. "I just need a minute to breathe."
"Okay," Jacob stooped a little to look up as his tilted downwards face. "Just breathe." He encouraged him. "I'll just stand here as long as you need."
"I'm…" he lowered his arms raising his head to try and prove his point. "I'm okay now."
"Are you sure?" Jacob let him go put still held up his arms out incase a quick save was needed. "Maybe if we sat down?"
"Ah yeah," Tyler looked back at the land with alarm.
"Don't worry," Jacob smiled. "We have plenty of time to get back to the beach before the water covers the rocks." He walked to the far end of the peak pass the pole and waved him forward. "Come on, we can sit at the cliff."
Jacob walked to the farthest point and sat himself down on the edge with his legs dangling off the side to where Tyler could not see them. He turned and looked back over his shoulder at him and gave a short almost polite smile as if to say take your time, no rush.
Taking another deep breath and closing his eyes for a second, it took all Tyler had to finally move his feet, even the smallest of inches, forward in what appeared and sounded like a shuffling noise. Little by little, he was working up all his inner strength to make it to the edge where the world seemed to end and nothing but spanning ocean waters laid before them. He made it all the way and stood motionless just a few inches from the overhang to Jacob's left.
The blond teenager looked up at him, but tried not to embarrass his new friend by showing too much concern and being the mother hen. He just gave him a polite smile again and waited as his hands fiddled with some small stones that had been washed up by the waves at the last high tide.
Being ever so careful, Tyler bent his knees and in a swat reaching down with his left hand and began to lower him self to the rock while slipping each leg over the edge in turn. He used his right hand to balance himself on Jacob's left shoulder, and Jacob had to fight back the urge to reach up and steady him. He knew that this was one small accomplishment that he had to do for him self.
After a few breathless seconds on both their parts, Tyler was finally seated and even maneuvered himself to a more comfortable position just an inch or two to the left.
"So what do you think?" Jacob asked looking out across the sea.
"I think I must have been crazy to follow you all the way out here," Tyler said as he continued to shake.
"I had the same idea," he laughed. "But I was talking about the view." He gestured with out stretched hands.
By this time, Tyler had found himself focusing on Jacob's face to steady his imbedded fear of the environment around him. He kept trying to figure out why someone who looked like that and was so popular was wasting his time with him.
"Its kinda breath taking, don't you think?" Jacob added watching the waves.
"Yeah," Tyler caught himself staring and turned away just before Jacob looked over at him. "It's probably the most breath taking thing I've ever seen."
Jacob had just gotten a glance of Tyler watching him as they each turned. A small part of him made his heart feel light for a moment as he thought of the possibility of his statement. But what did that say about him being so pleased by Tyler's attention? I really need to call my girl when I get home. What was her name again? Darn.
The dark haired boy was doing his best to try and enjoy the view, but his body was still shaking like a leaf. It was then that Jacob noticed that he was only wearing a thin button down blue checkered shirt and white tee-shirt under it with both being un-tucked over his faded jeans. He took a minute to remember that he was wearing a jacket over his favorite hoodie sweatshirt with the large Superman 'S' silk screened on that he had gotten at one of the beachfront stores last summer.
"Here," He said as he pulled off his jacket. "You must be freezing out here."
"No I'm okay," Tyler said watching how the shirt seemed to caress the shape of his body as he pulled his arms back to remove the jacket. "Really."
"Nah, it's okay," Jacob insisted. "I've already got a tee-shirt under this sweatshirt, so I'm okay." He took the jacket and flung it across is friends back.
"Are you sure," Tyler asked as Jacob placed it on his shoulders.
"I'm sure," Jacob smile with those dancing eyes of his again. He didn't know why, but he wanted so much to just be helpful and do things for this kid that looked like a wounded deer to him.
"Thanks," Tyler slipped his arms into the sleeves of the slightly big for him jacket with a polite smile.
Where were the dimples that time? "It's a little wet, but it should be warmer than just a thin shirt," Jacob said leaning forward to rest his bulk on his knees and looking off the edge.
"Don't do that," Tyler reacted quickly and pulled him back from the edge.
"Whoa," Jacob almost fell backwards with a laugh. "Not so rough there buddy."
"Sorry," Tyler hung his head.
"It's okay," Jacob laughed again placing a hand on his shoulder. "I was joking. You just got me off guard is all."
"Yeah, sorry," Tyler had to look away. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"Hey," Jacob shook his shoulder. "Look at me."
Slowly Tyler turned back with large worried eyes. His eyes aren't dancing.
"I said its okay, and I meant it," Jacob said trying to show as much concern as he could without scaring this kid away. "Why did you pull me back like that? I was just getting a better look at the rocks down there."
"I…" he was hesitant but knew he owed him and answer. "I was just afraid you were going to fall over."
"Oh," Jacob sat up straight and crossed his arms. "Well thanks. But as I think I proved walking out here, I have pretty good balance." Darn it, what happen to the dimples?
"I know," Tyler nodded with a glum look. "Just an impulse reaction."
"Well that's okay," Jacob tried to smile and ease the situation again. "Can I ask you a question?" He could see that even with the extra layer of cloths, Tyler was still shaking.
Tyler nodded a few times.
"Why are you still so freaked out to be out here?" Jacob asked looking attentively at his bruised face for a reaction.
The question was met with a slight wrenching of Tyler's facial features, but he felt that this was one of those times when honesty would serve him a lot better than some made up story that he was getting better at creating.
"I have this fear," he paused for a second to reconsider his decision to go with the truth, but then continued. "I'm afraid of water."
"What?" Jacob almost laughed but stopped himself. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah," he was ill at eased again and looked away. "I have been ever since I was a little kid."
"Really," Jacob sighed a bit with disbelief. "I never knew anyone who was afraid of water before."
"Well you do now," Tyler flashed him an almost fake smile as his eyebrows nearly met in the middle. "I guess something must have happen to me when I was a kid and I've been scared ever since." He stopped to look at Jacob's face that seemed to be still a little in disbelief. "It's a real fear you know. Look it up."
"I know," Jacob shook his head to try and remove his confusion. "I just never met anyone who had that fear. Aqua-phobic, is that what they call it?"
"Yeah, I think," Tyler replied feeling a little better that the disbelief was gone. "I never thought about it enough to give it a name or anything."
There was an awkward silence between them for a few minutes until Jacob spoke up again. "So do you remember what it was that gave you this fear?" This time his face was filled with genuine concern.
He really does care. Why? "I rather not think about it," he replied with a shrug, "It's not something I like to talk about. All I know is that I like to come out here and walk by the water and stuff, but I really don't want to be in it."
"Awe man," Jacob slapped himself in the head. "I can't believe I dragged you all the way out here like this. You must be going crazy inside."
"I'm fine," Tyler smiled at his caring.
There are the dimples.
"I wouldn't have come out here if I didn't want to," he added. "I'm a little scared and my breathing is a little erratic, but I'm fine as long as I'm out here with you." Did I just say that out loud?"
"Yeah, you do look a little freaked," Jacob tried to hide his smile with more talk. Did he just say that? "Do you want to go back?"
"No, I'm okay, really," Tyler insisted and even managed to calm his breathing a bit.
Jacob watched as his chest heaved up and down a few more times and then seemed to slow. His thin form seemed to be calming its self from within. It was apparent that Tyler was a master at controlling his emotions and calming his nerves. Still, his body looked a little nervous as his breathing was still slightly heavy and the cute tiny pouch of his belly was moving in time with the chest.
"As long as we keep talking," Tyler took one last deep soothing breath and leaned back. "I think I will be fine. Just don't mention the water anymore."
"Sure," Jacob nodded his head folding his hands on his lap and looked down at his sweatshirt. "But hey," he thought raising his hands to focus on the 'S' emblem. "Have no fear, 'cause Superman is here if you need him."
"Okay," Tyler laughed this time with those endless dimples. "That's a cool shirt by the way."
"Yeah," Jacob agreed wiping some imaginary dirt from it. "I saw this electric blue hoodie at one of the shops on the strip last year and they had the Superman logo on screen print, so I had them put it on for me. And it helps that my last name starts with 's' too."
"Well I like it," Tyler's hand actually reached up to touch the 'S' before he could stop himself. His finger slowly traced the shape before he took notice and pulled his hand away. What was that?
Jacob just watched as Tyler traced the letter on his chest and his eyes were dancing for a moment as he knew it was an uncontrolled impulse that meant nothing. What was that?
"Nice," Tyler pulled his hand away and turned slightly.
"We're going to have to get you one this summer," Jacob said with a lilt in his voice.
Tyler didn't say anything this time; he just looked up from the corner of his eye and saw that Jacob's eyes were dancing again. For some reason, this complete stranger really liked being around him and was already planning some future outing, but there had to be something more. Isn't there?
The cool air whistled pass them as they sat silently, each leaning back on their straight arms firmly placed on the rock behind them. They just watched as the waves kept coming at them and crashing against the rocks beneath their dangling legs. Jacob took a second to look back at the beach where Kal was busying himself by digging holes and occasionally barking at whatever it was he had un-earthed until he just jumped back in and continued to dig, or start another hole near by. Never leaving his spot while he waited for his master to return only looking up from time to time to make sure he could still see the boys.
"Kal looks like he's having fun," Jacob said still watching.
Tyler looked back and they both giggled at the sight of the dog barking at the dirt.
"Whatever he found," Jacob said with a laugh. "It sure is making him mad."
"Should we go back?" Tyler asked.
"Nah," Jacob shook his head. "He's fine. Probably having the time of his life." He then spun his head around to look at his friend. "Unless you want to head back."
"No, I'm good," Tyler added with a nod and a grin. "As long as we're out here together."
"Sure thing," Jacob agreed and leaned all the way back resting on the rock and looking up at the sky. "We have a while before the tide starts coming in, so don't sweat it."
"I'm fine," Tyler decided to do likewise as his friend and laid back on the rock and rest his folded hands on his stomach. "I just need to get home before supper."
"No problem," the blond boy agreed. "So where do you live by the way?" he turned his head slightly to watch him answer. "I mean my folks and I live up in the big oceanfront white house at the other end of the beach."
"You mean the one with the long balcony and those huge windows that look out at the ocean?" Tyler's eyes lit up for second as he turned his head and look at Jacob.
"Yeah that's the one," he replied. "The house is set up so most of the rooms where we spend our time are in the ones with the windows and the view." A smile was smeared across Jacob's face as he thought about it. "Even my room has a large window and a balcony door."
"That must be so cool," Tyler grinned at the thought of living in house like that.
"Yeah," Jacob shrugged. "It is until the sun is in your eyes at six o'clock on a Saturday morning, but hey, it's my own fault for not remembering to pull the blinds."
"Huh," they both giggled as they went back to their sky watching.
"So are you going to tell me?" Jacob asked while still sky watching.
"Tell you?" Tyler had almost forgotten the question.
"Where you live," Jacob reminding him, turning his resting head on the rock to look over at him again. "How come I haven't seen you around here before?"
"Oh," he only glanced over for a second but kept his eyes peering upwards. "I guess that's because I just moved here about a month ago." He paused but then thought better of leaving the question hanging and added. "My mother and step dad and I moved in with his mother in that Mobil home park a few miles inland."
"Oh I know the one," Jacob nodded knowingly. "We drive by it every morning on the way to school. Looks like a nice place."
"I guess," Tyler shrugged.
"So that must be a tight fit," Jacob continued the conversation rolling on his left side and rested his head on his palm as his bent elbow held it up. "I mean all of you living a trailer like that."
"Its okay," Tyler shrugged again. "I still have my own room and everything. I just had to learn not to take up so much space."
They rested silently for a moment again, but Jacob had the urge to keep this boy talking. There was just something about wanting to hear him speak.
"So why did you do that?" He finally spoke up again. "I mean all of you move into a cramped space like that?"
The look on Tyler's face seemed to say that he was willing to talk about anything, but not that, if he could help it, but it was an honest question.
"My step dad lost his job just after Christmas at his factory in town, and things just got real bad, so we had to find a cheaper place to live," Tyler told him honestly. "Mom's restaurant job just wasn't cutting it with the bills."
"Hey sorry," Jacob said not knowing what to say. "I mean that things got so hard and all."
"It's okay," Tyler shrugged.
"Still it must be hard living all cooped up like that," Jacob kept at him, not meaning any harm, but really wanting to help.
"Like I said," Tyler kept trying not to make anything of the matter. "It can get a little intense some times being so close together like that, but then again, Leo has always been a little tightly wound."
The thought of him actually opening up scared Tyler a little as he laid there just watching the seagulls above them, but he was bursting inside and just wanted to release some of the pain, but he knew this was not the time or the place, and this was not the stranger to unload on. After all, Jacob was just a kid like him. A rich probably spoiled amazing looking kid, but still just a kid. Did I just think, amazing looking?
"So what does that mean?" Jacob asked from his close watch over him.
"Nothing," Tyler tried to shake it off and wrapped his left arm around behind his head to rest on as his right hand ran across his stomach as if to sooth a sore spot along his rib cage. "Everything is just great."
With a slow and tender hand, Jacob reached his right free hand over to Tyler's face and touched the fresh bruise that was turning from his its red to a new black and blue. "Does this have anything to do with step dad's 'intenseness'?
The tenderness on the touch made Tyler flinch away more than any pain he might have felt if someone had pushing on the bruise. He turned his head away but tried not to make too much of it. "No," he lied. "I just walked into a wall is all. I'm a klutz like that."
"Oh," Jacob replied softly, not believing for a minute what he was saying but pulling his hand away. "That wall must have had some right hook."
Tyler turned his head and looked deep into his dark brown eyes. It was clear that neither was fooling the other about where his bruises really came from, but he was already in enough trouble as it was, he couldn't risk anyone finding out more.
"Yeah," continued Jacob as his eyes were sparking with inspiration. "The walls in my house pretty much keep to themselves." His smile was wide and bright.
The little not so inside joke cracked in Tyler's throat as he could not stop himself from laughing along.
"So what's your story?" He asked finally of Jacob. "Why is the school's biggest jock and most popular kid, out on the beach alone on such a nice Saturday afternoon?"
"How do you know that about me?" Jacob had to ask with an enquiry smirk.
"Because I've seen you around the school," Tyler said with a knowing stare. "Yeah, I go to the same school as you and even take the same English and Study Hall as you."
"Really?" An eyebrow rose. "How long?"
Tyler took a deep breath as if thinking of his response. "Long enough to know that you are the co-captain of the football team. You would be the captain, but they thought it would be better to have a senior in that slot." He looked up as if reading notes from an invisible piece of paper. "You are also on the basket ball team, boy's Lacrosse team and run track and even broke some type of school record at your last meat."
"Wow," Jacob was blown away with someone he never even knew existed an hour ago knowing so much about him. Wow, he really does have a memory for details. At least the details about my life. He shook his head slightly in astonishment. "That long."
"Yeah," Tyler dropped his eyes from direct contact with Jacob's. "I guess I have a memory for stuff like that."
"Impressive," Jacob smiled with a pleased nod. "But it still doesn't explain why I don't remember seeing you." And those dimples, for crying out loud.
"I'm just good at lying low and keeping out of sight," Tyler said meeting his gaze again. "I also tend to miss a lot of school some times." His hand was still on the sore spot on his side as he spoke.
"Yeah, those walls," Jacob reached over and placed his hand over Tyler's who squirmed a little with the tender spot being touched. "Then can really do a job on a guy some times."
Tyler carefully removed his hand and sat up again and looked back at the beach where Kal was guarding his bike. "It's getting late."
Jacob sat back up next to him and looked back at his dog that seemed to catch his eyes even at such a distance and began jumping around excitingly. "Yeah I guess it is," he agreed reluctantly. "We should be getting back."
It took only a minute for Jacob to jump up to his feet and watched as Tyler slowly spun his legs back up onto the rock and pushed himself back up again. The two boys stood and watched each other's faces again for a second before they started their silent trek back to the beach.
The walk back over the wall of rocks was still a difficult one as they both helped each other up, down and over the slopes of the large boulders piled on top of each other. It was clear that they had already become more comfortable which each other and Tyler was much more willing to take hold of Jacob's strong hands when he need the help to reach the next peak, and Jacob was even more eager to reach out to his new friend and try and be there for him in anyway he could.
When they finally jumped off the last rock onto the dry land, Kal began jumping up and licking them both equally showing them how happy he was that they had both made the perilous journey back to him. After a few minutes, they had gotten the dog quiet enough and settle down so Tyler could pick up his bike and they began their journey back up the beach.
"So," Jacob started as they reach the halfway point where they had met. "Do you want to come over to my place and take a look at the view from my room?" Did I just say that?
"Nah," Tyler disagreed. "Its getting late and I should really be getting back home." Did he jus ask me to his bedroom?
"Are you sure?" Jacob asked. "We could get dried off and watch some DVDs or play some video games."
"No," Tyler shook his head again. "Like I said, I need to get back. I sorta left without telling anyone, and if they notice I've been gone too long…" His words trailed off as he was sure that he didn't want to finish his sentence in front of this kid who had already been too nice to him.
"Here," Tyler pulled the jacket off and handed it back to him.
"You sure you don't need it for the ride home?" Jacob asked holding out the coat for the taking. "I've only got a short way to go."
"I'm fine," Tyler laugh at the thought of how often he had said those words today. "I mean I'm okay. It's not that far to ride."
"Okay," Jacob shrugged. "So will I see you again soon?"
Tyler was already swatted down petting Kal goodbye when he looked up to see the sincerity in Jacob's eyes when he asked the question. Did I just hear him say he wanted to see me again?
"What?" He found the word spill out of his mouth as his hands became still on Kal's head.
"You know?" Jacob smiled, and his eyes were dancing again. "I kinda had a nice time hanging with you today and I thought maybe we could do it again." Real soon.
"I don't know," He pet Kal one last time and rose to his full height, about an inch shorter than Jacob's. "We live in the same town and go to the same school. I guess it's only a matter of time before we run into each other again."
"Not running into each other," Jacob almost looked needy as he spoke. "I mean actually making plans to spend time together and do something." He nervously fumbled with his hands in his jean pockets. "You know go to a movie or just hang out or something."
"I don't know," Tyler started.
"We have a pool at my house for when the weather gets warmer," Jacob started again. "Oh wait," he paused thinking twice. "Well maybe I could teach you how to swim and you wouldn't be so afraid of the water."
"Yeah," Tyler was running his hands around the handles of his bike as he searched his thoughts for the answer. "Let's keep the water thing on the QT if that's alright with you."
"Sure," Jacob nodded with a silly almost pout expression.
What was that? Kinda cute. Wait! "Ah, yeah" he thought quickly trying to take his attention off his own raging imagination. "That's what I don't understand," he decided to go with the honest approach. "You're Jake Summers. Like the most popular kid in school who just about everyone would die to spend time with." Myself included. "Why do you want to spend time with me when you can be hanging out with your football buddies?"
"I don't know," Jacob raised the hand that wasn't holding the jacket and rubbed his hand on the back of his own neck. "I just really like talking to you is all." Dimples! "I just thought I would like to do it again."
"Sure," Tyler finally relented with a shrug. "Okay."
"Good," Jacob reached down deep and his pocket and pulled out his razor cell phone with Superman logo on the protective casing. Of course. "What's your number? Oh do you have blue tooth? You can just send it."
Tyler looked at his phone with a hint of disbelief. Hello, trailer park here.
"I," he was hesitant to admit he was probably the one and only. "I don't have a cell phone, Jacob."
"Oh," the thought was almost baffling to him in this day and age. What kid, heck what human didn't have a cell phone. "So okay, what's your land line?"
"I don't know," Tyler felt so stupid not knowing his own home number. "I mean we just moved in and I never really called my step dad's mom before, so I'm not sure what the number is."
A hurt look came to Jacob's face as if his life boat might be sailing away without him.
"But I can find it out for you," Tyler added quickly. "Just let me get it off the phone or something." Oh man, his eyes almost stopped doing that thing.
"Sure," Jacob relied with a wide smile. "If I don't see you tomorrow, I can get it from you at school on Monday."
Okay. He nodded his head in agreement. "So I should get going."
"Okay," The blond boy agreed. He pulled a pen from his pocket and an old gum wrapper and wrote something quickly. "Here's my number," he handed him the old Hubba Bubba wrapping with the numbers. "That's my cell. Feel free to call when ever you want."
"Sure," Tyler slipped the note into his pocket.
Jacob grabbed his arm for a moment just as he started to push his bike forward through the dunes to the street. "Hey, I really mean it," he said with wide concern eyes. "Don't be afraid to call anytime." His hand let go but they both stood looking for a second. "Please."
"I will," Tyler took a moment to slap him on the shoulder. "And thanks for the adventure, I had fun."
"Me too."
The two boys found themselves grinning at each other for a few seconds until Tyler finally pushed off and began to climb the small hill between the two grassy dunes as Jacob watched him leave.
"See yah," They gave each other one last wave as they disappeared from each other's sight. And with that, Jacob found himself alone with his trusting companion again and they began to run back down the beach towards their house.
"So what did you think of Tyler, Kal?" He asked his playful pooch as they ran.
Kal was of very few words, and only jumped up and did a spin in almost mid air. This was often his way of letting his owner know that he was happy, and they could not agree more.
"Yeah," he smiled again at the thought. "I like him too."
The jog became a sprint as they raced up the cool sand to the large white house with the big French doors and windows that looked out at the ocean and the morning's rising sun. It was unclear to him what it was about Tyler that sparked such an interest for him. After all he could have any friend he ever wanted, and any girl for that matter. But something about this new kid struck an inner core inside of him that could only be explained one way. Something about Tyler made him happy. Not just the momentary type of joy like a birthday cake or new iPod for Christmas, but a real inner burning desire that until now he was not even aware he was seeking. He only knew the kid about an hour now, but Jacob could not shake the feeling that he could not be happy again if he were never to see him again.
Maybe it's the dimples.
To Be Continued