Chapter 1

Summer: July, 14th 2007

The sun was beaming down on me like the fires of hell. I could barely keep my eyes open; while laying beside the pool as I began to fall asleep, I saw my best friend Brian. Brian Jayson Sawyer, the cutest boy you will ever meet; with his dark brown eyes, sexy autumn red hair,strong abs, dimples, and his d- UH! Maybe I've said too much!

Brian and I have been friends since fifth grade, back then he always called me Valentine because my name is Marcus Valarie Jones; though I never really had feelings until our seventh year because something about him made me want him so bad! I've never told him I was gay though and now we're about to be in our senior year and I still haven't told him. While deep in thought I felt something ice-cold hit me hard; it was Brian pouring water on me. My red shirt and denim shorts were soaked.

"B-brian! What the hell!?" I screamed in anger while spitting out the water.

"You looked tired, thought I'd wake you!" He replied in his deep, but calm happy voice I'd always loved hearing.

He's lucky he's cute, I thought to myself.

"Dude, you suck ya know." I gave him an annoyed stare.

"Haha! You love me." He winked at me. I started to blush a little; thankfully he didn't notice.

"Damn! Why is it so fucking hot."

Look who's talking, Brian has darker skin while I am a lot tanner.

He began to take off his shirt and as his sweat dripped down his chest, I turned bright pink and tried to hide my drool.

"You okay Val?"

He had a worried look on his face as he put his hand on my forehead. His eyes sparkled in the sunlight and my heart skipped a beat; I just wanted to kiss him.

"I'm fine, just really hot." He started to make a joke.

"You're always hot."

Even though he didn't mean anything by it, I smiled and played it off.

"Why of course! I'm such a catch." We laughed about it.

"Alright, I'm gonna go change."

I changed into more comfy clothes and as I was tying my long black hair; I saw him taking off his pants. He was wearing white boxers and jumped into my pool. I never thought white could be so sexy. My auburn eyes widened and I watched him swim for an hour, but I would watch him all day if I had the choice. I realized I was watching him for too long and grabbed drinks so he wouldn't get suspicious. I went outside and watched him get out of the water.

"Where were you?"

"Getting drinks."

"For that long?"

"I had trouble while getting dressed."

"Okay?"

I'm a HORRIBLE liar, but he doesn't seem to care. See why I love him?

I passed him a soda and we sat drinking sodas by the side of the pool. I couldn't stop staring at his abs while he drank. It was just too sexy and cute.

"Uh? What are you doing?"

Fuck! Mark, stop staring!

"Mark?"

"Mark!"

"Marcus!!"

I felt a painful hit across my cheek.

"Ow!"

"What's wrong? You've never acted like this, what's going on?"

I never act like this when other people are around, but when I'm alone with you…

"Brian, I'm fine. I promise."

He placed his hand on mine. He smiles, then he pulls us both into the pool.

Splash!

Brian laughs.

"You jerk!" I start laughing.

"Hey, don't make it so easy."

I throw some water at him.

"Oh, it's on!" He accepted.

We ended up splashing water at each other for hours. I didn't want it to end, but I also wanted to win. Soon, Brian had to go home and I had to wait for my sister. That was the best day of my life. I just wish we were more…

My sister; Ashley (She has dark brown hair, light blue eyes, and pale skin.) came home around midnight. I still wait because I want to make sure nothing happened. I and her both live in the same house we grew up in Arizona, ever since our parents moved to Ohio. We've been on our own, a seventeen-year-old attending high school and a twenty-eight-year-old going to college and working for minimum wage while trying to look after her little brother.

"Hey, turd."

"Yo, butthead."

We may act mean to each other, but we really do get along.

"I see Brian came by today."

I blushed.

"What makes you sure?"

"Your hair is damp, you're smiling, and your hair is tied. You only tie your hair when he's over."

Did I mention she's studying to be a profiler and knows I'm gay? While growing up, my parents weren't around much, but my sister was. She always took care of me and one day I told her. She was so accepting and excited. I'm grateful to her.

I blushed red.

"S-shut up." I muddled.

"Relax, I'm just teasing."

"Whatever."

"Alright, you can tell me in the morning. Right now, get some sleep."

"Fine. 'Night, sis."

"Night, bro."

She kissed my forehead and I tucked myself in.

The next morning I went into the kitchen and I saw Ash cooking.

"Since when can you cook?" I asked her.

"I've been taking lessons 'Lil bro."

"Ah. Gotcha! So, what are you making?"

"It's a surprise." She turned and smirked.

I smiled and sat at the table. She filled a plate with waffles and chocolate. She then grabbed orange juice out of the fridge. She knows chocolate waffles are my favorite. She set the plates down and I told her about yesterday.

"Thanks, Ash."

"No problem. Did you wash your hands?" She said sturdily.

"Yes, mom."

We laughed and started to eat.

"So, what happened?"

"Nothing. I and Brian just hung out."

"Oh, come on!" I laughed.

"Alright, Fine. Brian and I almost kissed yesterday."

She looked shocked but excited.

"Shut. Up."

"Yeah." I blushed.

"Explain."

I told her everything.

"HOLY CRAP!" She screamed.

"Heh." I made a soft smile.

"Mark, why didn't you?"

Oh. Trust me, I wanted to.

"I couldn't."