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Chapter 16 - The Boy From Seven Years Ago
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Asher looked up and met Cailen's cerulean eyes.
He smiled shyly at Cailen and he didn't blame him because he knew he was staring but he couldn't pull his eyes from him.
"Hey, Cai," Asher said awkwardly with a small wave.
Cailen really had to pull it together. He knew that but he couldn't believe this was Asher. He couldn't believe this was little scrawny Asher. Asher that begged him to tell on the bullies in school. Asher who cries at Toy Story, every time.
Asher who always made sure to include Cailen at the parties he was invited to. He couldn't believe this was Asher.
"Jesus, what's in the water here?" Cailen joked, trying to cover up his utter shock and possible drool.
All four boys chuckled at Cailen, even Noah who really didn't know him.
"I should have stuck around. I seemed to have missed the puberty bus," Cailen joked, looking down at his s
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When Cailenfirst saw Ashercome out of the bathroom the first day he came back,he was surprised and very pleased with who Asherhad turned into.Now, seeing him nearly naked, jogging into the water,took his breath away.Asherhad a defined chest with a growing sixpackabs, his arms were muscled but nicelytoned and that's all Cailencould see in the faint light the moon offered but that's all he neede-or could handle because he was fairly certain-anymore,and his brain might short-circuit."What are you gonna do about it?" Asherasked, grinning at Cailenas he approached but he wasn't capableof speech right now. "Hmm?" Asherencouraged and frowned when all Cailencould do was stare. "Cai? Are you okay? I didn't hurt you,did I? Cai?""Hm, what? No! No, I'm fine,"Cailensaid quickly but Ashercontinued to frown at him, probabl
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"Cailen," Asher's voice came from behind him, soft and concerned.He turned around and looked up the couple inches to meet Asher's eyes. Asher's hand on his wrist tightened as if to reassure that he was in fact, there."Are you sure you want to go? I can tell them you're not feeling well," Asher offered and Cailen really wished he would stop.Something about the way Asher was looking at him, like Cailen looked about ready to break down, made him feel like he was actually about to break down.But he couldn't. Not yet.He had to stay strong and just get through the mall."I'm good, Ash. Really," Cailen said more cheerfully than he felt.Asher continued to look at him, his eyes searching his face for any doubt. Cailen wanted Asher to understand that he was fine, that he didn't need to pretend to be sick or that he didn't need Asher to coddle him and talk about what was on his mind, because he didn't want to talk about whatever was in the letter or the letter in general.He wished the let
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