As The Voices Faded

The cheers of his friends, egging on Austin to make the usual fool of himself; to put it plain, this wasn't amusing. Sure, sure- chuckles as in for good fun, nothing over stepping bounderies of harshness but the downturn of the smile he had was a dead giveaway that he didn't find this at all funny. Head-strong personalities, people call it, but he called what his friends were... stupid. Pure stupidity. Disregard of others, and childish, outdated but effective taunts of "Gaaaaaayyyyy" or "God, that's so homo"- and they were the creame of the top his school had to offer, futuremakers of their city.

And he was one of them, now. Either he could bitch and whine about it, becoming a new target or he could slip under the radar, take cover in the"All douchebags" group. Though, he's comfy where he is right now, and if he has to take all the shenanigans his so-called friends did with a spoonful of sugar? So be it.

The group of teenage boys, on a patch of grass and pretty much flopped over everywhere- leaning ontop of, against each other, and all feeling disgustingly sluggish as crumpled up bags of fast food littering the ground. They weren't expecting to look good for anyone in particular, laziness being a key thing for this logical thought at the time. Out of the four guys, only one was a forever-aloning the dating scene, making the rest ultimately using as the excuse of "Shit, no need to looking like a prince to pick up some chicks, right?" At least that was the excuse Ze used.

And..... "...oh." It was the only word that slipped out of his mouth, barely above a whisper as sat up and pushing away a friend using his body as support. Taking in the bubbliness of those bottle green eyes, as the blond hair settle in soft curves and curls, and a face that was so....

"A-Alex? Is that you?" The horrified look passed on Austin's face was priceless, dawn on the fact- from the front body view, you tell that he was clearly a guy. But.... heh, for some reason that didn't bother him as much as he felt a little more excitement instead of horror mixed a look with some amusement. An awkward smile wiggled its way out, the rail-road tracks known as braces on his teeth as prominent as ever (though, a week or so, they'll be off- so hurray for that.)

Back to Alex- they passed on the street but never addressing each other nor trying to make some sort acknowledgement. It brought a flush of warmth, his eyes lighting up as he sat up more to get a better look at how the years changed him so much, that this was the first-time he heard the other's in forever?

"You know the walking barbie boy?" Austin's hush-but-not-so-voice said to Ze, turning to him with a puzzle look. Uh-oh. "Um.... W-we... uh, went to same school?" He bit his lips, scartchinf his hair as he hoped the vague excuse would slide. "Yo! Barbieboy, y'know my pal Zephyr here? Because he's acting like he know you." He sense the hesitancy and accusation dipped in his voice, but with lower his eyes, he missed the look sent his way and shared with his friends. Nononono- the happiness that surfaced right then and there started sinking, as something didn't feel right. Something....

Shame. Among many things to feel, as the weak excuse tumbled out of his mouth, shame was the first. It wasn't the lie itself that made him feel so, but how easily it came out. He didn't dare let his gaze catch the other's, in fear of seeing hurt in Alex's typically bright eyes.

Sometimes he wished that this coward-ness about him to go away, let him stand on his own two feet. How hard would've it been to just say "Yeah, I know him."? His heart did a little quiver, looking up when he was addressed- he could feel Austin and others stare on him, as well as Alex's... he wanted to crawl under a rock and hide.

There was a reason why he never worked up the nerve to see the other again, even despite the fact that his father long forgotten Alex; it was the fear of not being forgiven that stopped him. Those afternoons, seeing his ex-best friend sit on the porch, waiting and waiting, sometimes in tears.... after that, Ze was sure Alex hated him and all his worth. Maybe the fear of confirming that was the case was another why he didn't dare try to talk to him.

He held his breath, the fingers fiddled with his zipper of his hoodie and... maybe if he stayed quiet enough, they'll lose interest? But a jab to the side, and a cough- they weren't letting this go. "F-Five years, or something. Um, but yeah... Been a while." There an uncomfortable shifting, before looking up again and giving shy, closed smile , "So, how are you---"

"A fag." Ze blinked, his lips parted in surprised, and his head snapping to Austin. There was a spark in his friend's gray eyes, something that wasn't very pleasing and his cheeks were slightly red. Probably from the Ken comment, which obviously earned a couple of chuckles but just when you thought the dirty blond brushed it off.

"So, you knew a fag, Ze?" He was stunned, shooting him a bewildered but Austin took the silence as a 'yes'. His other friends muttered, in agreement before a brunette, Reiner, with an amused grin, "Always knew you were the type to befriend a gay at one point. And man... Hey, Alex? Would it kill you to get a haircut or something?" This was horrifying. Sitting up with embarrassment flushing to his cheeks, his meek "No." to the brust of mean laughter. Shaking his head, though went unnoticed by others, tittering like hyenas and he felt himself grow smaller and more reluctant to say something.

"So Alex... did you and Ze ever share a smooch? Better yet, did you steal one from him?" His eyes grow wide with panic, looking up at Alex as he selfishly thought to himself Don't say anything.... please.

This situation was nothing but cringe-worthy, though not very surprising to tell the truth. Austin and his... well, 'friends' were a nasty bunch of people. No secret in that. But maybe the discomfort came from the fact- their target was someone his best friend. Or ex-best friend. There wasn't a way to ignore this, to block out of his mind. Why couldn't Alex just storm off? The words might done some affect, he must of hurt- and if not the words, the laughter that followed must of each cruel jab.

It was safe to say, Reiner was a bit taken back by the fact Alex actually responded; they were more use to people falling quiet, walking away or if they stayed long enough, bursting into tears. But this slight pause, only made Austin pick up the slack. "Yup. You ain't a chick- so stop pretending to be." The dirty blond gave a small, nonchalant shrug and a smug grin, "But then again, I bet you love the attention. All the guys be mistaking as a girl- kinda sickening, tricking people like that." There unanimous agreement of that point, barring Ze and him bowing his head. Reiner notice this, and elbowed Ze. "Hey, what about you Ze? Unless you think it looks actually nice on him." Deep down, he knew the answer was Of course it does; you gotta be an idiot not to notice. but he hesitated. The right thing to say was what he felt, seeing the silky and well-taken care of locks of yellow, but would that be the safe answer?

"U-uh, I mean... a h-haircut might do you a little good?" was his uncertain answer. Ze licked his lips, dropping his gaze again, and his shoulder slumped even more, as if the guilt mounting in his heart was visible. "It... must be a hassle, no?" This situation was growing worse and worse, and...

He felt the eyes on him again, but he didn't dare lift his head at all. Not once. His heartbeat rampant, he could hear it in his ears, and his hands started to feel clammy. Chewing on the bottom lip, torturing it as he waited for the eyes to leave him, that uncomfortable, gut-twisting feeling to leave, too. But... it was hurting, his heart- because while that kiss, when they were young, was nothing but innocent, it meant a lot more. Once upon a time ago, he liked the blond more than best friends should; and he knew the feelings were reciprocated. They were old feelings but forever, did he thought they faded. Until at this moment. "...I was only... that's sick. You guys actually kiss?" Austin's voice managed to wheedling through his thoughts, tuning him into the conversation. "But he said might've. Probably just lying, right Ze? You're the last person to..." Reiner offered, the brunette's worrying glance landed on Ze, but still, he didn't mutter a word. "Guys, c'mon- we all know Ze's dad. Ain't hell he's going to allow something like that. Definitely lying."

Austin huffed a "Whatever", and Ze shut his eyes, taking a deep breath in. "Alex..." But it came out barely over a whisper, his words getting caught up in his voice. "Whatever Barbie, you're dismissed. Don't need your kind ruining this park of ours." His mouth fell open, in a shock look and everything became deathly quiet from that comment.

The 'homophobe' jab, of course, earned a couple of laughs all around- beside Austin, obviously and more of a smile on Ze's part. True, though it only reaped up the uncomfortable and uncertain kind of laugh, there was no denying that was the case of their blond, self-proclaimed 'playboy' did mistaken Alex as a girl and more than just innocently admiring his backside. Either way... it was a blow to the guy's ego, but just as he was about to lay a new one on him, Ze chimed in, though hesitantly.

And a pair of angry grey eyes lit with interest, noticing what he and the others missed. While there was a snappish response to almost all of them, when it came to Zephyr... Alex's tongue was stilled. Rosy cheeks and slip of an expression that could be taken as anger or annoyance, but not quite. Like as if his words were more of a packing punch then the rest. Austin's eyes strayed a glance at the messy haired brunette sat with a bowed head. Interesting.

While Austin continued to put together some missing chunks to the puzzle, Ze was figuring out some things of his own. His eyes, studying the calluses on his fingers and hands, never ever daring to look. He was bracing himself for the yell, for some type of verbal hurt directed at him; there was a part of him, sensible side, niggling at him to get up and apologized. He knew his ex best friend's hair wasn't something one can simply just cut off. The effort, the time- it would a shame and waste. All he wanted to know from him: Do you hate me? But.... if the answer to the much feared question was what he dreading, Ze wasn't a hundred percent sure if he wanted know.

He took it too far. Austin definitely did. Never did he wanted more than just to slug the guy in the side than at this moment- insensitive, harsh and... flickering up at Alex, who stride with anger in his steps. Surprised by the retort, but when Austin's jive at the sexuality of Alex, it was much deserve, along with a slap. "A-Alex wait! Fuck, guys- what was that?" He whispered harshly to the two, they both taken by the glare was given- wasn't much, but considering how much of a doormat Ze was.... Reiner gave a small shrug, avoiding eye contact and Austin shrugged nonchalantly. "The cock-sucker deserves it, psh. Pretty lucky I didn't get up to deal with that bit of-- oi, Ze?" He wasn't staying for this. Dusting off his pants, his glare was withered down to annoyed stare and a shake of the head, Ze sighed. "Yknow what? Forget it...." His eyes darted to the general direction where the blond hair teen disappeared to, before licking his lips nervously, "I remember my old man wants home a bit earlier than usual. And stuff. I'm... just, seeya around?"

His two friends looks gave away they didn't believe the excuse, but with a wave of a hand from Austin, as infuriating as the gesture was, he was dismissed. Giving a wave that only Reiner returned, he casually walked off to the direction Alex went- but as soon as the other were out of sight, he sucked in his worry and dashed off to look for him. "Alex, Alex- wait up, please!"