Prisca's_Writing_Area

Title: An Embarrassing Moment
Characters: Casey Connor, mention of Zeke Tyler, Josh Hartnett
Prompt: any, any, mistaking a stranger for a friend
Words: 431

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His backpack over his shoulder, Casey stepped out of the house... and stopped dead. This guy, only some steps away, standing in front of the thrift store, looked just too familiar. The tight jeans, paired with a plain, beige-brown long-sleeved shirt. Sunglasses. Short cut brown hair.

Zeke! Casey's heart beat quicker. It had been a while since he had last seen him. Last autumn, a few days before he was moving to New York to attend Columbia. It had ended with a fight. He had told Zeke to adhere to their plans, although he had his difficulties understanding Zeke's decision to work as a mechanic instead of attending college. Zeke was clever, perhaps even more brilliant than he, Casey. But he could be so stubborn. Had told him that it was better to go their separate ways, better for both of them.

„It was cool to hang around with you after school,“ he had said, “but, c'mon, you and me, we are so different. Sharing an apartment, that would never work. I'm a rebel; you are the one with the brilliant mind and a future.“ And when he noticed tears in Casey's eyes, he winked. „Don't worry, dramaqueen, you will forget me the moment you reach New York.“

And he had been right, New York was great, and Casey enjoyed his new life. But he never gave up the thought that, together with Zeke, it would have been even more fun.

And now, he was here, in New York, near the Bronx. Next to the house where he was living. Casey licked his suddenly dry lips. He had never told Zeke the address of his tiny apartment in the basement, but Zeke had always been good at finding out other people's secrets. Maybe he wanted to apologize for his stupid behavior. Maybe he even missed him. Maybe he had changed his mind about staying in Ohio.

A grin turned up on Casey's face, and he forced it back. No, he wouldn't make it so easy for him; he deserved it if he kept him on tenderhooks for a while. Silently, he stepped closer and put his hand on the young man's arm. „Now, that's a surprise. What are you doing here in New York, dickhead?“

Zeke turned around, a light smile on his lips... and Casey stiffened.

This was … not Zeke! Oh shit! He blushed deeply. How embarrassing was this? Maybe the earth could open up and swallow him? However, this didn't happen, of course.

„Just a little bit of shopping,“ Josh Hartnett answered. „Nice to meet you!“

Title: My Life is over!
Characters: Casey Connor, Zeke Tyler
Prompt: it's over
Words: 865

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„Hey!“ Zeke eyed Casey thoughtfully. „What's wrong with you today?“

The boy didn't bother to look up; he only shrugged.

„C'mon, it can't be that bad. You are a golden boy who never pulls shit!“

Casey huffed. „You don't know anything about me. We share a lab table in chemistry and sometimes the bleachers during lunchbreak. That's fucking all. We are not friends.“

„Okay.“ Zeke smirked, surprised by this sudden outbreak. „Wanna talk about it?“

„About what?“

„Seems as if you are in trouble. Maybe I can help.“

„Geez!“ Casey rolled his eyes. „No one can help me. I'm a freak.“

„You are a bit of a drama queen today, that's all. I would offer you some Scat to wind down, but I know you never touch this stuff.“

„I might change my mind, to forget my fucked-up life at least for some moments.“ Casey blinked some tears away. „I don't even know if I will still have a home when I get back after school."

„Okay, now you are overreacting. Whatever you have done, I am sure, this will never happen. Your parents adore you beyond all reason.“

„That was before they found the photo this morning. I am such an idiot; I knew I should have burned it.“

„A photo?“ Zeke frowned, feeling clueless. „But they know, you are a talented photographer. You even got a partial scholarship for a private art school in Columbus.“

„Not this kind of photo.“ Casey turned away, but Zeke could see him blushing anyway. „A selfie. Me … kissing...“

„Holy shit! That's all?“ Zeke grinned wildly. „You will turn eighteen next month, it's about time that you kiss a girl. As long as it is not Delilah bitch. Tell me, is she pretty? Where do you know her from?“

Casey kept quiet for a long while, but when Zeke no longer expected an answer, he finally looked up and shrugged. „If you want to know. Chess club. His name is Pete. He's a nice guy, and sometimes we hang out a bit afterward. Last weekend it was his birthday, and I'm afraid we both got a bit tipsy. This kiss... it was only a joke, but this doesn't make it better. My parents will hate me from now on.“

„Oh! Understand.“ Zeke looked at him with a mixture of surprise and amusement. So, the golden boy from Herrington High, Casey Connor, who used to wear much too wide jeans and stupid checkered shirts, a photogeek, who loved chess and hated every kind of sport, had some secrets, not even he, Zeke, had known about. And usually, he knew all about everyone at school. You could never know what it was good for.

Casey glared at him. „No, you don't! You are used to live alone; your parents give a shit about you! But my parents care; they love me, my dad is busting his butt at work to send me to the college of my choice. And now I am ruining their life.“

„Because of what? Because of a kiss?“

"I kissed a guy!"

Zeke shrugged. "Well, this can happen."

Casey gasped for air. „But I am not...“ he wanted to protest, but stopped midsentence. Lying to Zeke never seemed to make sense; it was as if he could read him like an open book. „I don't know. Maybe I am gay. Or bi. Or whatever. Kissing Pete was so much different than the fake kisses from Delilah. God, my life is over.“

„Don't be silly. Okay, I will admit, being openly gay in Herrington is not the smartest thing, but I am sure your parents would get over the shock quickly. And when you are moving to Columbus next autumn, the world is open for you. The gay community there is not as big as in New York or San Francisco, but there are some nice places.“

Casey frowned. „What do you know about the gay scene in Columbus? “ he asked.

Zeke grinned. „Let me put it this way: I like variety, and Herrington doesn't have much to offer.“

„This cannot be! You are so not gay!“

„Well, I didn't say that. But I like the gay club scene. You could come with me next time when I am going to Columbus; check out if you feel better there. No one will care about it if you are gay, bi, or whatever. Just be yourself and everything is fine.“

Casey licked his suddenly dry lips. „You and me? Together in a club?“

"Why not? Might be fun!"

"Strange."

„What are you afraid of? “ Zeke teased him. „I promise, I won't tempt you to do things you do not want to do. Though it is said that I am a good lover.“

Silence for a while, then Casey huffed: „God, you are such an asshole. I really don't know why I hang around with you.“

„Because,“ Zeke stepped closer, stretching out his hand, but did not touch the boy who stared at him with his eyes wide open,“ I can show you that your life isn't over yet, but just beginning.“