Chapter 65
1048words
"I'm sorry you own a shelter?" Nico turns to Clay "Yes I-" Clay begins to explain but is stopped by Lulu.
"I'm sorry Clay I seriously need to talk to you" she turns her clipboard to him, "the supplies are
running low and we're starting to run out of beds in the basement." "Running out of supplies? Lu we have a budget how's that possible?"
"Necessities Clay and you are this place's only source of income, so yeah we're running out of money."
"Don't worry I have a plan, I'm currently working on a bid with my father if it goes well it'll mean a big check for us, ok? Just have some faith in me"
She sighs "all right, I have to go keep feeding. Are you hungry? Do you and your friend want some food?"
"We're good" Clay replies and Lulu walks away. Noticing how lost Nico is as he looks around the place, Clay watches him to taking every reaction Nico has to the one thing he's proud of. "Let's find a seat" he directs Nico to one of the tables with 2 empty chairs across each other. "Any questions?"
"I- I don't even know where to start" Nico replies finally meeting Clay's eyes. "Wait yes I do, what the fuck?! How are you able to do this?"
"Um the building belongs to my dad he abandoned it, I used all the money I had to fix it up and hire a staff. Now I take money from him and donations from the kids at school, who thinks they're just donating to my club to keep this place running."
"Why?" Nico asks
"Why what?" He replies with a question "Why do this? What made you want to?"
Thinking about the answer Clay replies "when my mom was alive this was always her goal, I mean not this specifically but she wanted to help others. After she passed I wanted to do something that would remind me of her, then just like that Second Hand was born."
"Clay that's amazing, you're doing something really great here" He grins, "thanks and you haven't even seen the best part."
"There's more?" Clay nods taking his hand, taking Nico to the back of the building they step outside,
"a playground?" Nico asks seeing the playground filled with kids running around and playing.
"Second Hand is partnered with the boys and girls club in this town, and the kids come here with their big brothers and sisters after school to hang out and play. Gives them somewhere to go"
With a smile on his face Nico watches it all still in awe of Clay and the things he's doing, "does your family know about any of this?"
Shaking his head "I mean my dad does but he doesn't really care, I just use him to sign the things I can't because I'm a minor. My stepmom and Christian don't know and I doubt they'd care."
"You seriously downplayed your charity club" Nico chuckles.
After spending the day at the shelter helping Clay it was finally time for them to go home, and even though Nico drove himself home, Clay still followed behind to make sure he was ok. When they get to his house Nico walks to Clay's car as he's getting out. "You really surprised me today" they stand in front of each other, "and not a lot of people can do that."
"Good" Clay smiles, "thank you for being open-minded about Second Hand, I don't share it with a lot of people because I know they wouldn't get it."
Nico nods "I feel honored." Neither of them can help the smiles on their faces, or how good it feels when their eyes lock. Nico looks away trying not to fall deeper into Clay's eyes.
"Nico" Clay reaches out taking his hand, "I know that you had different intentions coming to Darlington, and you've done so good sticking to your guns about not having random hookups," he's not doing as good as Clay thinks. "This isn't me asking to hook up with you, but I'd really like to take you out... on a date maybe." Nico listens to every word trying his best to not feel like a complete ass for what he's been doing behind Clay's back. "I'd completely understand if that's not something you want right now though because-"
"Yes," Nico quickly answers. "Yes?" Clay grins
Nodding "I'll go on a date with you Clay Wallace." Moving closer Nico rests his forehead against Clay's and they slowly move in meeting each other's lips for a kiss. This wasn't like kissing Christian, Clay avoids tongue and his hands stay where they're supposed to, but it was still nice.
The kiss leaves the 2 boys smiling, "ok I'll uh I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes you will" Nico replies and they finally let go of each other's hands. He watches clay climb back in his car and they wave to each other before he pulls away.
—
"Nicolas nice to see you again" Nico walks into the counselor's office shutting the door, she's sat behind her desk. "Did we have a meeting?"
"Nope but I'm dealing with a dilemma" he sits in one of the chairs facing her, "of catastrophic proportions."
"That's a bit dramatic but ok, I'm listening."
Thinking of how to start his explanation, Nico admits "last time I was here when I was talking about a friend who couldn't help being distracted by boys"
"Yes, I remember"
"It was me, I was talking about me." Miss Athie smiles, "I figured"
"Right so I was actually doing a good job, I mean the first few weeks were brutal but I'm resilient" She chuckles "okay."
"Or so I thought. My mom bless her heart thinks that coming here would fix my little problem" he puts problem in air quotes, "but the people here are worst than I am. How am I supposed to get anything done when I'm being tempted left and right?"
Finding the question vague the counselor asks "can you elaborate, Nicolas? I'm not following" "Christian Wallace kissed me" he blurts out.
