Eighteen year-old Aaron Pickard is dealing with a lot: he’s falling for his straight best friend, his mother has ended up in the hospital after a violent assault by his father, and he’s trying to decide when to come out. Tack on the stress of an upcoming prom and graduation, a part-time job, and the possibility he could lose his best friend, and he’s an emotional wreck.<br><br>Aaron’s best friend Jeff Leaton provides a soft place for him to fall when his life is thrown into chaos, literally holding him each night as they fall asleep. As Jeff helps Aaron navigate through the mess that has become his new normal, Aaron’s feelings for Jeff intensify.<br><br>Aaron’s pretty sure it’s all going to end badly, but he’s holding on to hope.

Holding On

By the time we’d arrived at the large auditorium across town and put on our gowns,it seemed everyone else was ready.The large room looked filled to capacity.


We turned in tandem to see Kevin waving.“Hey!”


Jeff and I wove through the throng of teens in black gowns and joined him.


“You guys going to Russell’s party tonight?”


Jeff nodded.“Wouldn’t miss it.Are you?”


“Yes.”He whispered clandestinely,“Lily’s going to be there.I asked her.”


I slapped his shoulder.“That’s awesome!”


He grinned.“And get this,she’s going to Central,too.I got my acceptance letter yesterday.Finally.”


I was thrilled for him.He seemed pretty excited about it,too.


“Jon got accepted,too.So we’re going to room together.”


“Yeah,”he managed to spit out without sounding too much like an ass.


“Anyway,I need to find Lily.See you guys at the party.”


“Jeff,”I began,but he stopped me with his hand.


Chapter 74