Beckett heard Moss’ voice carry through the school hallway. At least that’s what everyone said this place was “a school.” Sure. Sure. And Santa ate the vegan cookies and soy milk his mom left all those Christmases ago and yeah, all teachers know what’s best. This place, once upon a time, was a palace for one small wealthy family. An estate that could’ve put a roof over a dozen families’ heads.
The floors were checkered wood and the walls were caved and vastly eclectic with ornate archways and small chandeliers. There were paintings and murals and long oriental rugs. It gave off the impression that they weren’t supposed to be in here without a tour guide and a security team.
Instead, Beckett stood with two café mochas, surrounded by students hurrying to their lockers or to class. The uniforms were all black with crisp white shirts as if they were all invited to the same funeral for their individuality. The only color was the golden Laurette insignia stitched to the breast pocket.
“What have you done?” Valerie asked. She wouldn’t be on his side. Not for a second, even though they were cousins and used to take bathes together. Wilde girls were bred tall and lanky. Her dark hair was pulled back into a long pony tail, spilling with curls down her back. Like Beckett, her skin had a natural dark tan, golden even in the right light. Her catlike eyes tore at the seams down Beckett’s body, spilling out his secrets.
“I am an innocent lamb,” Beckett huffed, turning up his nose at her.
“And I’m little Bow Peep.”
Storming a perfect line down the hall, the crowds made way for Moss as he shot a warning finger. Everyone knew to say away. “Beckett Wilde, I will have answers!” He was quick to shout. Moss didn’t have an inside voice.
“Alright,” Beckett nodded, slightly swaying from side to side. “The answer is usually no. Um, boxers. I don’t like getting caught in the rain, or beaches, but I’m always up for a Pina Colada.”
This was answered with a quick punch to the arm.
“Ow,” Beckett winced, bowing over. “And! And!” He tried to clear the air before Moss could make more bruises, “I did take your textbook- I mean, I borrowed your text book and I bought you this…” He finagled the coffee into Moss’ stubborn hand.
Moss’ skin was a warm dark brown like bread fresh out of the oven. He had a sort royal, bird-like nose and soft round eyes. He presented himself with perfect posture as if a ruler was shoved up his shirt back and his eyes were harsh because man, that ruler had to be uncomfortable.
He styled his thick black hair out of his face and Beckett always resisted the urge to ruffle up his bangs, crumble a piece of that crisp white paper existence. Beckett was an ink pen, busted and ready to bleed into Moss. Ruin him. Just a little.
“I needed that!” Moss insisted, flicking out his hands, nearly popping the top off the coffee. He didn’t do anything gently. “I still had half a worksheet to do and an essay question!”
“Oh,” Beckett winced, already taking cover behind Valerie for any near future abuse.
“I won’t save you,” she warned.
He spoke slowly, “Was that what those papers in the back were? I thought they were trash. Man, I’m so sorry-”
“You- you-” His hands trembled. The anger spiked through his veins quickly and the whiplash stunned him. The clever Moss Kapoor was left blubbering dumb with anger. He couldn’t even hit Beckett.
Panicked, Beckett raised his hands, back-tracking before his best friend exploded. This wasn’t as funny as he thought it was going to be. He exclaimed, “I’m kidding! They’re fine! Your GPA will remain perfect and intact.”
Moss’ narrowed eyes widened, along with his gaping mouth. The shock fizzled back into anger and he could finally give Beckett the shove he admittedly deserved. “You’re the worst,” he spat, pushing Beckett again and out of Valerie’s empty protection. “The utter worst! You really are the worst person I know!”
“Ouch,” Beckett blinked, a little taken back. “Uh, that hurts.”
“You’ll be fine.” He snorted and finally took a sip of his coffee.
“But I’m bleeding.”
“Get a Band-Aid.”
“No. There’s too much blood. Moss, I’m gushing.”
“Really?”
“You’ve ripped a hole out of me.”
“Well that’s too bad. If you were nicer, I might have donated an organ.” His sly smile pulled a matching pair from Beckett.
“Ugh,” Valerie groaned and swiped Beckett’s coffee with ease. “I’m leaving. Off to find a clean toilet to hurl in.”
She started down the hall, hiking her leather purse up her shoulder. Beckett reached for her without daring to touch her. The last guy who did that lost his fingers. “Wait! You promised to help me with my research essay!”
Her ruby lips pulled into a sneer and that’s how Beckett knew he did something bad. She went in for the kill. It was the Wilde way. She eyed Moss happily as if she had been waiting to say it all morning. “Why do you need me? Your husband is here.”
Beckett’s cheeks caught fire, horror shaking his core. Great. Now he won’t be able to look at Moss in the eye for hours. The tension, the thick steel cord that tied the boys together never went unnoticed. They always yanked each other back and forth, fleeing one another as far as the cord would pull. Neither Beckett nor Moss were daring enough to give the cord enough slack.
With a cute little pep in her step, she sauntered off and added, letting her voice echo back at them, “have a nice evening boys!”
“Always a pleasure dear cousin,” Beckett forced a polite grin.
“What makes you guys this way?” Moss asked and from the corner of Beckett’s eye, his arms crossed again. Beckett took it upon himself, now being coffee free to take a drink from Moss’ cup. They had the same order. Moss didn’t stop him, still going on. “How do you breed no shame into one family? I don’t think that’s good from an evolutionary standpoint.”
Beckett handed the coffee back as he whispered, “Oh, there’s nothing money can’t buy. Trust me.” With a chuckle, Beckett peaked over, but his smile dropped. He was overcome by their closeness and a lump formed his throat so big, he couldn’t swallow. It left him unable to breath and anxious.
Moss should be kissed.
He looked like he needed to be kissed and Beckett knew he would fit perfectly on those pair of soft pink lips. Like approaching a nervous animal, he approached with caution to not illicit panic. He came in peace. Yet, Moss blinked awake. He snapped his eyes forward, his whole face exploding in red. He managed to blush all the way down his neck and up to the tips of his ears.
He was right. They shouldn’t.
No matter how perfect they were.
Beckett remained still because he would always be a Wilde.
He didn’t have the leisure of dating someone for love. Not even in high school. Not even when his parents were far away. Everything he did, said something about his family. One move effected a dozen others, so Beckett stood perfectly still.
A wave of sadness took him deep into the belly of the sea. He’d drown in these waters of unrequited love alone. He didn’t expect Moss to come with a life raft.
After clearing his throat, Moss asked, his voice slightly sharp and cracked. “What uh, what are you researching?”
Beckett grinned, a thrill of excitement started his heart again. “I thought you’d never ask.”544Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexZHIC8qrl
