Disclaimer: This is a romantic love story about love between young adolescent boys. There will be some explicit sex scenes in the story later (pretty soon, actually!), in subsequent chapters, but they are not the main focus of the story.
So if you are looking for a story with a lot of explicit sex action, you are in the wrong place.
If you like to read a sappy romantic tory with occasional kinky sex scenes, then please sit back and enjoy!

Thanks again to all those who wrote with comments and feedback!

I am probably going to continue in HTML for a while. My knowledge of HTML is quite rudimentary at the moment, but I'll try to learn as I go.  

Of course, as usual, comments and constructive criticism are welcome!
albert.c87@yahoo.com

Oh, yeah, and please, donate to Nifty: donate.nifty.org

I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
Come in, she said
I'll give you shelter from the storm

    Bob Dylan, Shelter from the storm

The following day Luke noticed that Diego seemed tense, edgy, almost brooding. Several times Luke tried to say something but Diego's eyes told him to back off, to wait. So Luke waited. He could see that Diego was working through something, getting ready.

The next morning Diego finished breakfast early and pulled Luke out with him. Diego's normally shy and gentle face had a sharp, determined, focused, serious look.

"Okay, Luke, let's, go," Diego said, pulling Luke by the hand. "We gotta talk."

"Were are we going?" Luke asked, perplexed.

"To the daylillies field," Diego replied laconically. "We'll take the bikes."

The last statement shocked Luke even more. Diego didn't like the bikes. Only used them twice since he got to Green Oaks. Said that they were too fast and didn't leave the time to look around properly. That he preferred to walk or to ride Summer or to take the rowboat.

"Diego, dude, wait, please!" Luke stopped and pleaded. "Diego, please tell me what's going on? Why do you wanna see daylillies now?"

Diego sighed and turned to Luke: "I'm gonna tell you. About me and my mom and that car ... I'm gonna tell you, like I promised, okay?"

"Wait, Diego, buddy," Luke said not moving yet and still holding Diego's hand, "wouldn't you rather do that by the old willow? ... I know you love it there ..."

Diego sighed again: "Yeah, I love the willow. But it's too shady there. For this, I need more sun, more light. Daylillies is the place. Come on, Luke. We'll take the bikes. It'll be faster."

Luke stopped arguing and followed Diego. They got on the dirt bikes by the basketball court, and set out down the hill, Diego leading the way and Luke right behind him. They rode quietly, in silence.

Luke had not seen this side of Diego yet. Focused, determined, almost forceful. Luke felt his heart beat faster.

They reached the daylillies field and dismounted the bikes. Diego's movements slowed.

He sat down on the grass and hugged his knees with his hands. Luke silently sat down next to him in the same position.

Diego picked one of the orange flowers and slowly ate it. Despite himself, Luke chuckled lightly. Diego turned his head and gave Luke a weak grin.

"Yeah, I know," Diego said, still chewing on the flower. "Maybe it'll help my courage."

Diego looked at Luke with a more familiar sweet and gentle expression on his face. He took a deep breath.

"Mmm, Luke, I'm sorry that I've acted like such a psycho since yesterday. I mean even more than usual," Diego began.

"Hey, Diego, buddy, it's totally ..," Luke started replying.

"Wait, Luke, wait," Diego interrupted him. "Let me just say it, okay?"

Luke nodded silently.

"Like I said, sorry for having been such a ... moody dick since yesterday," Diego continued. "See, I've been getting ready. To tell you. About me and my mom and that car ... Like I promised ..."

Diego swallowed hard. Luke extended his arm and silently squeezed Diego's shoulder.

"I've been holdin' it in for so long ...," Diego said, looking at Luke, tears beginning to well behind his large brown yes. "And now I really wanna tell someone, wanna tell you ..."

Luke continued squeezing Diego's shoulder, staring back at him with a friendly encouraging smile.

Diego hugged his knees again and put his chin between them, looking down. He took a deep sigh and started speaking in a slow, quiet voice:

"I'll tell you just a small bit of what happened. 'Cause there's a lot of stuff I still can't talk about, I promised Mr Wade that I won't ... But I'll just tell you about that day."

Diego paused and took another deep breath before continuing:

"It was Saturday morning and we were driving to the movies. Dad was driving, mom was with him in the front. I was in the back seat with Alyssa. Alyssa, she was my little sister. She was four. We were just messing around, not paying attention. I was sorta teasing her ... This song, Bob Marley's song, "One Love", that my dad really liked, was playing on the radio. We used to all sing it together.

Diego paused and clutched the grass with his right hand, almost clawing it. "There's this one line in particular," he carried on, "that's stuck in my mind, as if it kept repeating, endlessly like a crazy loop.
... Lets get together and feel all right ...
And then suddenly everything was flying, spinning, tossing, screaming ...
But slowly, kinda in a slow mo. And the song still playing on the radio. Same line repeating ... Lets get together and ... And then everything ended, went black."

Diego stopped and put his left hand on the gound without opening his eyes. In a moment he felt Luke's fingertip lightly touching his.

"Later, when I woke up in the hospital," Diego continued, "Wade, the FBI guy, told me that mom, dad and Alyssa, they were all dead. I was the only one left. Didn't die with them for some reason.
And now, when I hear a song, most any song, or even just a music with a beat that might lead to a song, somehow it's like I'm in that car again. And that line is drilling through my head, like a drill ... Lets get together and feel all right ...

I die every time that happens. Died so many times I forgot the count. Almost can't stand it anymore. So tired ... But that's why I try to hide from the songs, you see. Hoping that maybe I don't have to go back there again, to that car. Don't have to die again ... That's why I've been acting like such a psycho. Giving you so much worry ... I'm sorry, Luke."

Diego buried his head in his knees and folded his palms above it. "I didn't even cry ...," Diego thought to himself. "Maybe the dead don't cry ..."

There was a silent pause.

Then Diego felt Luke embracing, enveloping, cradling him from behind. Luke's hands holding his. Luke's chin resting on his shoulder. Luke's warm breath on his neck and face. And still, Luke hasn't said anything, contenting to hold Diego, rocking him very gently.

"Diego, I'm so sorry, buddy ...," Luke whispered finally. "Thank you for telling me."

Luke slowly sat down on the grass next to Diego and embraced Diego with his left arm, squeezing Diego's shoulder. With a sigh, Diego rested his head on Luke's left shoulder.

"See, sometimes it's good to have a crazy hugger for a roommate, right?" Luke said with a light chuckle.

"Yeah ..., yeah ...," Diego agreed with a tiny smile.

They sat in silence for a while.

"What you just told me," Luke finally spoke softly, "what happened to you and your family -- it's real awful, read bad ... And I am so sorry, Diego that it happened to you ... still is happening to you ..."

Luke paused, removed his left arm from Diego's shoulder and locked Diego's right palm with his left one.

He then continued: "But ... but I'm real glad you told me, Diego ... I've been so worried about you, buddy ... So worried ... Those bad turns you'd been having when hearing singing ... At least now I know why ... And I wanna help, Diego, I wanna help you get better! I know you will!"

Diego finally lifted his head and looked at Luke. Luke's heart broke when he saw how tired and gaunt Diego's gaze was.

"Thanks, Luke ... Thank you," Diego said softly. "I just don't know how to get through this. I've been trying. But it's like being stuck in a crazy loop ... Can't escape ... Can't get off ..."

Diego paused.

"Then I heard the story you told me about your mom ... About the song she sang to you ... before all that bad stuff happened ... And I thought maybe I can escape ... can get off the loop ... But I still donno how ... Don't know what to do ... What do I do, Luke? What do I do?!"

Diego buried his face in Luke's chest, as Luke hugged him gently.

"Diego, buddy, I figure you did somethin' already," Luke said softly, "by telling me, I mean ... I figure that's how I can help. That's how I'll be helpin' ... by talking with ya about this stuff ... so that you don't have to carry it alone ..."

Luke massaged Diego's neck lightly. Diego sighed barely audibly but with relief.

"Hey, Diego ...," Luke said after a pause, while still gently kneading Diego's neck.

"Yeah, Luke?" Diego answered without lifting his head.

"I got an idea. 'Bout something that you might try to do ...," Luke suggested pensively. "Maybe if you go and do something that takes you to a good place, makes you happy -- like pottering, or sitting under the old willow, or listening to the forest music by the creek."

Luke stopped and looked at Diego again, still caressing his neck lightly. Diego was still looking down, quietly.

"Anyway, maybe if you go to that good place," Luke continued, "and then just hum some tune lightly, maybe of some song that you and your mom and dad liked. But really light like. And try to stay there, in that good place. And just see what happens. 'Cause maybe that way, little by little, you can get used to it, you know. Learn to enjoy it again. Wadaya think?"

Diego lifted his head and looked at Luke with moist eyes: "Wow ... Yeah, yeah, that kinda makes sense ... I'll definitely try that. Thank you, Luke! That's ... Wow ..."

Diego paused and continued in a lighter tone: "Now who's got the brain the size of Jupiter, he-he!"

"Yeah, I'm a deep pool, man, no doubt 'bout that," Luke chuckled with relief in his voice.

Diego slowly lay down on the grass on his back spreading his arms apart and closed his eyes. He exhaled deeply.

Luke lay on the grass next to Diego and turned on his side, propping his head on his elbow, watching Diego.

"Hey, Luke," Diego said, "I donno why but ... I already feel lots better ... Uff! Feels amazing, like a hot and heavy metal plate that has been pressing against my brain has been lifted ... Like I can breathe easier ... Wow ..."

"Good, Diego, that's good, man," Luke said quietly. "That's real good ..."

Luke continued watching Diego. Diego looked much more relaxed, peaceful, content. His face lost the gaunt, determined look from earlier today, and its delicate elfin features looked soft and tender again.

A large motley butterfly flew by and landed on Diego's nose.

"Oh, come on!" Luke groaned inwardly. "Is it torturing me on purpose?"

Diego slowly waved the butterfly off and it flew away flapping its wings.

Luke saw Diego's face change a bit and his nose crinkle slightly, although Diego still kept his eyes shut.

"Hey, Luke," Diego whispered.

"Yeah, Diego?" Luke whispered back.

"I think it's working," Diego replied.

"Whadya mean?"

"Humming. I tried that. Just now," Diego explained in a low whisper. "This is a good place. And I tried. For just a little bit. And it was okay. Didn't hurt. And I didn't ... go back there ... Stayed here ... with you ... Didn't hurt ... Didn't go back there ... Didn't have to die again ..."

"Oh, my god, Diego, that's amazing, that's so ...," Luke started saying.

Diego, still without opening his eyes, with his arm reached for Luke's hand, slowly brought it to his face and pressed his cheek against Luke's palm. Luke fell silent, not daring to speak, move, almost not daring to breathe.

Seconds, minutes ticked by.

Diego sighed and removed Luke's hand. Luke exhaled slowly.

"Luke," Diego said softly, his eyes still closed, "thanks. Thanks for ... Thanks ..."

Diego sat up and looked at Luke. Diego's sweet brown eyes were moist but he looked relieved, happy, unburdened.

"Any time, buddy," Luke grinned back at him, wiping his eyes, "any time."

The boys stared at each other, smiling.

"Hey, Diego," Luke asked, "what did you hum? What song was it?"

"Umm, it wasn't a song exactly ... just a melody ... " Diego replied wistfully. "It was 'Für Elise'".

"For who?? Who's Elise? Some chick you knew?" Luke asked sounding perplexed and a little upset.

"No, no, silly!" Diego chuckled. "'Für Elise'. It's a piece by Beethoven. One of the first piano pieces my dad taught me. I used to play it a lot ... Real pretty melody ... "

"Wow! Diego, dude, you play piano?!" Luke exclaimed in amazement. "Wow ... You are like ... Wow ... But I'm really glad it worked! ... Wait, so who was this chick Elise?"

"Mmm, I'm not sure," Diego answered. "I think Beethoven was in love with her ... Only she didn't love him back ..." Diego gave Luke another long wistful look.

"Bummer ...," Luke said, smiling back warmly. "You should play it to me sometime. I'd really like to hear it! I think they got a piano at school ..."

"Yeah, maybe ...," Diego replied. "Well, I think it's time we head back, right?"

"Sure thing, buddy," Luke agreed with a happy grin.

The boys hopped on their bikes and rode back towards Green Oaks, with Luke in front and Diego following close behind.

Two days later in the evening, after dinner, the boys were in their room. It was raining hard outside, with occasional flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder.

As became customary, Diego was at the computer, looking up some astronomy websites.

Luke was sitting on the couch, fiddling with a book.

"Hey, Luke, what book are you reading?" Diego asked, glancing back at Luke.

"I donno. Haven't opened it yet. Some new book I just got from the clubhouse library," Luke answered.

"Doesn't look new. Looks kind of old," Diego remarked, standing up from the computer desk, walking to the couch and sitting down next to Luke.

"Yeah. I mean we just got it. Most Green Oaks books Mr Frank gets are donated," Luke explained. "I usually pick a new one when I see it on the shelf."

"What's this one?" Diego inquired.

"Donno yet. Says 'Selected poems by William Buter Yaets'," Luke answered.

"I wonder who that is," Diego mused.

"Looks like some sad guy in glasses. Says '1865 - 1939'."

"Wow. Pretty ancient. Read some to me!" Diego requested.

"Oh, I donno ...," Luke hesitated.

"Come on, Luke, read it to me, please!" Diego, pleaded.

"Okay, okay, you win," Luke relented, opening the book in the middle. "Let's try this one. Called 'The Cap and the Bells'." Luke cleared his throat and started reading out loud, somewhat haltingly and uncertainly:

"The jester walked in the garden:
The garden had fallen still;
He bade his soul rise upward
And stand on her window-sill.

It rose in a straight blue garment,
When owls began to call:
It had grown wise-tongued by thinking
Of a quiet and light footfall;

But the young queen would not listen;
She rose in her pale night-gown;
She drew in the heavy casement
And pushed the latches down."

Luke stopped.

"Man, that's a real tong-twister," he complained. "A bit too fancy for my farmboy mouth. Here, Diego, you continue," he handed the book to Diego.

Diego took the book from Luke with a slight giggle: "All right, you big baby, give it to me."

Diego looked at the page and started reading in a clear rhythmic melodic voice:

"He bade his heart go to her,
When the owls called out no more;
In a red and quivering garment
It sang to her through the door.

It had grown sweet-tongued by dreaming
Of a flutter of flower-like hair;
But she took up her fan from the table
And waved it off on the air.

'I have cap and bells,' he pondered,
'I will send them to her and die';
And when the morning whitened
He left them where she went by.

She laid them upon her bosom,
Under a cloud of her hair,
And her red lips sang them a love-song
Till stars grew out of the air.

She opened her door and her window,
And the heart and the soul came through,
To her right hand came the red one,
To her left hand came the blue.

They set up a noise like crickets,
A chattering wise and sweet,
And her hair was a folded flower
And the quiet of love in her feet."

"Wow ...," Luke said wistfully, "don't rightly know what this all meant yet, but you read it real good, Diego! Real good ... Gave me goosebumps ... "

Luke gave Diego a long penetrating look.

"So, what do ya think it was all 'bout?" Luke asked.

"Well," Diego responded, "let's see here ... The jester, he was in love with the young queen, right?"

"Right!" Luke agreed.

"And he tried to woo her," Diego continued.

"He tried what?" Luke queried, confused.

"To woo her. To win her heart!" Diego giggled. "Offered her his soul and his heart. But she kept turning him down."

"Oh, yeah, right!" Luke exclaimed. "She slammed the window on his soul, man. That was real mean of her, man! Real bitchy!"

"Right," Diego continued. "Then he figured he'd leave her his Cap and Bells. He knew he'd die if he did that but he thought it'd be worth it. So he did that." Diego paused.

"Yeah, and it worked! The young queen, she did fall in love with him in the end!" Luke interjected.

"Right," Diego confirmed. "Accepted his heart and soul, his Cap and Bells. Only thing is, the jester, he was already dead by then ..."

"Wow ...," Luke responded, sitting back and putting his hands behind his head, and looking up at the ceiling. "That's fucking intense ..."

"Yeah ....," Diego agreed. "Guess she thought that without his art, without his Cap and Bells, what he was offering her at first wasn't enough ... That it wasn't really him ... 'least not all of him ... "

"Yeah, maybe ...," Luke replied. "Still, that was real cold of her, real bitchy!! The jester, he was offering her his heart and soul, man, his heart and soul!! She should have taken that ... I would have taken that ..."

Luke paused and continued: "I mean most people, most regular folk, like trailer trash fuckers like me, they got no special art to give, they only got their heart and soul to offer."

"Most people got more than they realize," Diego replied quietly.

A long pause followed.

"Still, I kinda understand the jester," Diego said wistfully.

"Whadaya mean?" Luke asked.

"I mean, if I loved someone, like really really loved someone, I'd be willing to give my everything for them," Diego answered with conviction. "My heart and soul, my art, my cap and bells, my eyes, my nose, my farts, my pinky finger, my life. Everything."

"You don't fart, Diego, he-he. Elves don't fart." Luke retorted with a chuckle. "But, yeah, yeah, I see what you mean ... Hey look who is the barnyard philosopher now!.."

Luke continued staring at the ceiling in silent contemplation as Diego was looking at Luke pensively. The rain kept knocking on the window as if asking to get in.

"Give me your hand," a voice rang in the dark.

"I'm afraid. Can't see ahead."

"I'll catch you if you fall."

"Promise?"

"Come on, you gotta jump sometime!"