You Don't Have To

You Don't Have To (Chapter Seven)

-Jake Miller-

"Alvin." I managed to say.

"Hi Jake." He says, handing me a bouquet of flowers.

"Oh wow, thank you." I reply.

"Can I come in?" He politely asked.

Oh god Marc's inside.

"Uhm, I'll just step outside with you. My room's messy anyways. I'll just grab a few things." I answer back.

"Okay." He says as he waited for me to get out.

I close the door set the bouquet of flowers to the coffee table and ran back to my room to wear sneakers and I notice I'm wearing Marc's clothes. I didn't care anymore, it's a good thing Marc fell back to sleep. I dash back outside and lock the door on my way out.

"That was fast." Alvin remarked.

"Let's take a walk." I said.

"Sure." He replied back. We started walking through the corridor of rooms.

"So, what did you have in mind?" I asked.

"Well..." he trailed.

"Well what?" I asked in a friendly manner.

"I don't know where to start. I...uhh..." He gently replied.

"Why don't we go to the coffee place nearby." I suggested as we exited the building.

"That sounds better." He said.

Once we arrived at the coffee shop we ordered and found a booth a little far back.

I noticed he likes to drink his coffee black, just like me. After taking his first sip of coffee, he started to relax a bit.

"Remember when I saw you at that party?" He asked.

I vaguely remember the party Alvin was talking about.

"Yes, why?" I asked.

"Well, you and I...you know, kissed and..." He started.

My eyes widen at the words. I remember I had to promise him that I would go to his place so that he could leave.

"I had feelings for you from the first time that we met." He finished.

I realize I was not paying attention to what he was saying. I was quiet for a minute and I didn't know I was staring blankly at him.

"Please say something." He says, putting his hand on my arm.

"What?" I say as I was snapped back to reality.

"Is something bothering you? I want to help any way I can." He said.

"I'm fine. What were you saying?" I asked.

"It shouldn't be difficult to say this, so I'm saying it again. That night, during the party we kissed. I remember it clearly because it was you who I was kissing. Even with the alcohol. When I got home I was so happy, my heart was racing but I knew it was because of that kiss. You promised me that you would see me the next day. I can't wait to see you, I was so nervous but at the same time happy..." He trailed off.

He looked sad but he smiled. I think I have an idea of what he was about to say next.

"I'm so sorry. It's just that I had a lot on my plate and..." I start but he cut me off with his finger in my lips.

"I know, I heard what happened and I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I waited for a while, thinking that you needed space. I even waited for you to come to me, stupid right? I thought that you forgot about me, and that's selfish of me. I finally mustered the courage to go to you and tell you all of this. I think I'm in love with you Jake. I know I said I had feelings for you, but when you opened that door, those feelings became stronger." He said.

"I... don't know what to say. I mean I had no idea that you even liked me but..." I was cut short because of Alvin's phone ringing.

"I'm sorry, I have to take this." He said, standing up and going outside.

I smiled at him and he made his way outside. I was left alone with my thoughts. Oh god. I knew I liked Alvin, knew I had feelings for him. I shouldn't even be confused, but I don't know what to think anymore. I should just tell him about Marc and me. That's the right thing to do.

Alvin was done with his phone call and he came back to the booth. His face was blank and he didn't say anything when he sat down.

"Alvin..." I was about to say.

"My mother and father died." He said as he lost his control. He started sobbing uncontrollably in front of me.

I had no idea what to do, the news was shocking and heartbreaking. I went over to his side of the booth and hugged him tightly. It might not do much, but I know he needs to let this grief out some way.

We sat in silence for half an hour, his cries turned to soft sobs and his tears stopped flowing.

"Thank you." He said looking into my eyes, which were also red from tears. Although I haven't known his parents or even met them, I know that losing someone you love is devastating. Seeing him so depressed made me cry as well.

He let go of me and he wiped his eyes dry. He stared blankly at the table and started speaking.

"I don't know what to do anymore. I don't have any idea of what to do with my life anymore. I don't have anyone in my life." He said.

"Don't say that." I say, trying to console him.

"My parents were my best friends. They knew everything about me. When I told them I was gay, they said they already knew. I thought they were going to get mad, but that just made us closer. I love them very much. Now they're gone, just like everyone I love!"

"Please, don't say that, I'm here for you." I say holding him tightly.

"It hurts so much, I can't take it. I just want to lay down and cry." He said.

After a moment of silence he spoke up, "I want to go."

"Where?" I ask.

"I don't know... Are you going to leave me?" He asked weakly.

"Where ever you want to go, I'll go with you." I said.

We walked out of the café and went back to the dorm. We went straight to the parking lot where he parked his car and he went inside. I followed him and rode in front.

No one was speaking and I can see Alvin wiping tears from his eyes.

He started his car and went out the parking lot. He was driving a little too fast but luckily there are no cars around.

He didn't say where we were going but I notice we were headed towards a secluded part of town. There were a lot of trees and the grass was thick. He parked his car and opened the back compartment. I got out of the car and I see Alvin holding a mat. He closed the back compartment and locked the car. He laid down the mat on top of thick green grass under a heavy branched tree.

"I like to go here when I'm stressed with school. The breeze helps me relax. Sometimes when I just want to appreciate nature and be alone with my thoughts." He said as he laid down on one side.

I laid beside him and stared at the leaves of the trees.

"I haven't brought anyone here before. Don't think anyone was special enough." He said.

"Thank you, for thinking I'm special." I said.

"Thank you for keeping me company." He said.

"Anything for you." I said.

He turned his back to me and I hear him sobbing again. I held his arm and made lay flat on his back, he was covering his eyes, with his arm.

I hug him tighter even with my legs. He faces me and he nested his head on my chest. I put my hand on his back and caress it, trying to calm him down.

We lay like that for an hour and the sun is now shining bright.

Alvin let go of me and sat straight up, I did the same.

"You know what the worst part is? I didn't get to say I love them the last time I saw them. I was too busy with college that I didn't even see them off when they visited me." He said.

"I know that they feel your love for them even without words." I say.

"I'm serious when I said that I have no one in my life." He said.

"You must have siblings, cousins or grandparents." I say.

"I was their only son, and my grandparents are all dead. As for my cousins, I haven't even met them." He said.

"I'm sorry to hear that. But now, you have me. And I will do my best to help you get through this." I said.

He hugged me tight and rested his chin on my shoulder.

"I love you very much Jake, I don't know what to do if you weren't here." He said, and I feel his tears flow again.

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-Marc Adams-

I open my eyes and see that Jake's nowhere to be found.

"Jake!" I shout to the room.

No response.

Where could he be? I tried looking around for my phone and found it under blankets near the foot of the bed. I call his phone and I hear his phone ring outside the room. I end the call and try to stand up. The cold air hits me and my naked body, I walk towards Jake's cabinet and found one of his boxers, I wear it and walk outside his room. The boxers were a little snug but I think it showed off my ass a little better. I went directly to the bathroom to pee. After peeing, I went to the living room where I saw a big bouquet of flowers. I sat down in front of it and I noticed a small card with Jake's name written beautifully. Who could have given him this?

Should I open it? I'm his boyfriend so I think I should, but then it's still Jake's letter. I might be invading his privacy when I open the letter. After battling with my conscience, I decided to open the letter.

It was placed on top of the flowers so I carefully picked the letter up and held it in front of me.

It's not too late to return it back, I thought. But my curiosity got the best of me and I carefully opened the letter. On the letter it said,

"Ever since I laid my eyes on you, I knew you were someone special. -A"

I drop the letter to the floor and my minds takes a second before I could react. What does this mean?

I look back at the letter and see something else written on it. I pick it up and saw,

"With love, you should go ahead and take the risk of getting hurt because love is an amazing feeling."

Could it be? Could he be in love with someone else?

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Hey everyone! I just graduated college! I'm sorry for being absent for a long time. My thesis took most of my time but it's finally done. Though I can't promise anything because I need to start looking for jobs soon.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Don't forget to leave comments and ratings!

~Noob

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