Dedicated to: AidenTheAuthor
(remember the necklace?) :)

(Jesse x Aiden)

"When I die, I'm willing to join them up there." Aiden was saying as the two boys gazed up at the tiny pinpricks of light up in the dark blue sky.

Jesse looked up as well, fingering the blue flower crown he held in his hands. The same crown Aiden had promised to make for him way back in kindergarten. Now that the two boys were grown up and more mature... they couldn't help but spend more and more time together.

They weren't dating. Not yet. But the prospect of dating scared Jesse. Since he wasn't sure if Aiden really liked him that much. Over and over again, Jesse doubted himself, wondering if Aiden actually liked him as more than a friend.

Aiden did give him some hints though... the way he smiled at Jesse or the jokes they exchanged back and forth in school if they had different classes. Or that infamous accident when Aiden tripped over his own shoelaces, making everyone in the whole cafeteria laugh and jeer at him.

But it was Jesse who helped him up. And it was also Jesse who had passed him a notebook with his email written on it. So it felt as if Jesse had taken the first step, offering Aiden a friendship he couldn't reject.

Maybe Jesse felt that he was rushing this relationship... wanting to become more than friends. He rubbed his eyes, feeling the tension building up in his head. "What's wrong?" he heard Aiden's soothing voice ask as Jesse massaged his temples.

"Headache, but it's okay." he smiled, setting down his hand despite the pain. He didn't want to make Aiden worried after all. And when Aiden was worried or anxious... it took a lot to calm him down.

No, Jesse had to think about the present time, which was now, spending time with a boy he truly loved. "Hey Aiden?" he asked, still looking up at the sky, scattered with stars.

"Hmm?" the other boy asked, his gaze remained fixed on the lights as they lay on the grass. Jesse tried to gather his courage, trying to speak his mind but it was so difficult. He wanted Aiden to love him. He wanted Aiden to finally hold him in his arms or care about him the way a relationship should work.

Not... as just friends.

"Aiden," Jesse took a deep breath, but the nervousness in his voice must've tipped Aiden off, because the other boy glanced over at him.

"What's wrong?" he repeated, his fingers touching Jesse's slightly as he turned to him.

"I... um.. I don't know how to really say this, but.. I-I-"

Jesse's eyes widened when he felt Aiden take his hand and pull him closer, a small smug smile on his face. "Yeah?"

Jesse's face heated up even more, frozen. "Silly Jesse. You don't think I wouldn't have noticed?" Aiden laughed at the expression on his face. "Y-you mean.?" Jesse trailed off as Aiden sat up, pulling Jesse with him.

Aiden bent his head and unlocked a necklace hanging around his neck. It was a simple thin black chain with a golden star glimmering at the end. Jesse knew it was always around Aiden's neck. Every time, every day. Jesse couldn't remember how but as soon as he discovered that he liked Aiden...

He noticed the many ways which made him love him more.

The way Aiden chewed on his pencil when he was trying to think or the way he laughed, which sounded like a breath of calm wind, making everyone smile. The tiny strand of brown hair that fell in his eyes and the way he would always try to tuck it behind his ears.

What did Jesse not love about Aiden?

Aiden took Jesse's hand, draping the necklace around his neck, and pulling the chain, so that the star was resting on Jesse's chest. Jesse looked at Aiden, his heart beating wildly. "I trust you to keep it safe." Aiden whispered, smiling a little.

"But... why don't you want it anymore?" Jesse asked, confused as Aiden smiled. "Because I'll always be with it."

With that, Aiden leaned in and kissed Jesse, placing his hands on his chest.

For a moment, Jesse froze. Unsure of what to do. He'd always dreamt of this moment, but now that Aiden was actually kissing him... he blushed and kissed Aiden right back.

After a second, Aiden suddenly pulled back, a little shocked. "I- I shouldn't have done that.." he stammered, looking upset.

"What? Why?" Jesse asked, a little slow as Aiden pulled on his jacket, covering his bare arms. In the light of the moon overhead, Jesse suddenly noticed the... the many scars he had. Jesse's arm shot out, and grabbed Aiden's arm, pulling him back.

"Jesse! What are you doing-?!" he exclaimed, trying to pull away but Jesse held him fast.

"Don't." he said sternly, anger hardening his heart. "When did you start cutting Aiden?"

Aiden looked upset, completely giving up on running away. "Y-you don't understand. I didn't do those.." His arms hung limply by his sides as Jesse looked up at him, his mouth open slightly.

"Then who else..?" he asked.

Aiden bit his lip, and Jesse noticed a drop of red starting to form around the bitten lip. "My dad."

Jesse immediately knew what he was talking about.

The one time Jesse had stayed over at Aiden's house for an hour or two, his dad kept drinking and drinking, often calling for Aiden to bring him more beer or cigarettes. And each time, Aiden looked terrified to disobey.

"I thought he'd stop by now." Jesse whispered, pulling Aiden to sit on the grass with him.

Aiden shook his head, his arms running over the jagged scars and tiny bits of glass he couldn't remove. "No... it got worse. That's all."

Jesse looked at Aiden, wanting to cup Aiden's cheek with his hand but afraid of hurting him more.

"I-I didn't want to tell you.. I was afraid he'd hurt me more or even worse, he'd go after you."

Jesse held Aiden's hands, placing them close to his chest, "You don't have to worry about me, Aiden, never. You should've told me, and I would've helped you."

Aiden shook his head again. "If he found out we kissed-"

"It'll only be between us, don't worry Aiden, okay?" Jesse smiled encouragingly as Aiden sighed, looking down at their hands. "I'm just... terrified. And worried."

Jesse clenched his jaw, feeling angry with Aiden's father for hurting Aiden like this. For scarring him emotionally and physically.

"I'll take care of you, Aiden, just trust me." Jesse whispered, looking into the other boy's eyes as he tried to hold back his tears, which were threatening to spill. Aiden always hated to show weakness, but now that they were alone, Jesse finally knew the other side of him.

"I-I have to go now, it's past curfew." Aiden sniffled, looking at his watch. Jesse looked up at the sky, which was still spread with lights. "Alright," he looked back at Aiden, "Let me walk you home."

Aiden shook his head, "It's too dangerous. Besides, I have to sneak in through my window."

Jesse felt a little uneasy, leaving Aiden with his father but he nodded hesitantly. "Love you," he whispered in Aiden's ear as the other boy closed his eyes and hugged him, but afraid to say the same.

**************************
[ Five years later ]

Jesse sat on the dock, the tip of his shoes occasionally dipping into the water. For the past five years, Jesse had changed. He refused to join in class activities and programs, and eventually, his parents sent him to summer camp, in hopes to cheer him up or make new friends.

But it was torture.

Painful, brilliant torture.

Jesse looked down at the water, suddenly seeing a shadow of a person reflected against the water.

Only one person could sneak up behind him and carry him, laughing happily as Jesse protested.

He turned, and looked up to see a blonde boy, looking down at him.

"Mind if I sit?" the boy asked, cheerfulness in his voice as Jesse's hopefulness vanished, leaving him numb again. But he nodded anyway, letting the boy sit.

"You're Jesse, aren't you?" he asked as Jesse nodded again, twisting the shiny rainbow ring on his middle finger.

"I'm Lukas... and I was wondering if you... wanted to be friends?"

Jesse was a little impressed by his confidence, so he looked at Lukas, straight in the eyes. The blonde didn't look away, reminding Jesse of Aiden, the only one who could stare at him face to face without breaking a sweat.

If he kept reminding himself of Aiden, he was never going to move on. Lukas turned away, looking down at the water, dipping his bare feet into the coolness. "That's a really pretty necklace you have." he commented as Jesse felt his heart ache.

Jesse looked down at the rusted chain, and chipped star, now not gleaming as brightly as it used to. As soon as Jesse received the news of Aiden's death... the star had died along with him.

"What does it represent?" Lukas asked, looking over at Jesse's bent head.

The brunette paused for awhile, resting the charm on the flat of his palm before smiling, his hair hiding the smile as he thought about Lukas's question and Aiden's final words.

"A lifetime of happy memories."

-End