Chapter Nine: GONE

Stefan's throat was dust dried, he couldn't breathe. Sky looked like he was ready for murder, the sparkles in his once shiny blue eyes gone completely.

What has he done? How would he fix this? Fix them.

Stefan wasn't sure how long Sky stood there just staring at him, the worst part of this situation was that Stefan could not read the younger boy's expressions.

He was straight out blank.

The more he stood there, the scared Stefan got. He needed to say something.

"Sk-" Stefan's words were muffled as he felt a very harsh sting on his right cheek. The onslaught of that slap had his eyes watering in seconds. Sky stood unfazed by his action. If Stefan could hurt him and not blink an eye, why should he? The room quieted down, everyone staring at the angry looking boy. None were able to recognize the boy they saw.

"Sk-" Stefan tried again but another slap graced his left cheek. The tears coming down finally and fast. He had taught the boy well. Sky was strong even for his age. Deep down Stefan knew Sky would always be strong, to defend himself in the harsh realities of life. But something else caught the older boy's attention, with each slap Sky delivered to his face, Stefan felt their bond break, it's like having a strong migraine and someone just took a glass cup and was drawing a line on it with a fork. The pain was excruciating, Stefan's heart was in shreds.

"I don't want to ever see you again. I. Hate. You!" Each word like a sword slicing through Stefan's heart. Hate was evidence in the younger boy's voice, his eyes and his guise. Stefan felt his heart constrict in his chest, he was dying. There is no denying that. His eyes pleading with the other boy to take the mean words back. Stefan knew better, Sky wouldn't take them back. He hasn't taken the words he said to Sky back either. So why should he? Sky doesn't even look like the boy he knew anymore. The sparkles are gone, a fit of anger so profound glued on Sky's face.

At that moment, he wanted his beautiful innocent boy back. He was ready to beg for that boy to come back, but at the same time, he needed to let them both grow up. To fight life, love and heartbreaks, each on his own until they both know it was meant to be. If this doesn't happen, how would they ever know that what they felt wasn't just a game their young minds had played out for them. Stefan couldn't believe he was going to let this happen.

*****

Sky shoved through family members and stormed off to his room. Stefan watched the boy's back retreat until he was out of sight. His hand found the chain around his neck and once again he couldn't breathe.

"Too much!" He whispered into his hands. "Please!" He cried even harder.

He wanted out.

Stefan glanced up to meet his mother's worried eyes, he couldn't help it. He was dead anyway. "Keys, mother." He found his voice and she threw it at him. Stefan caught the keys and walked out. He hoped he never returned here again.

He had ruined it.

For him.

For Sky.

******

Both boys avoided each other in the next two years they shared school together. Stefan had hooked up with a couple of girls, and most times he had caught Sky staring at them like he was going to murder them. But he never really did anything. They never spoke to each other again since that night. Their families had tried to get them back together, to settle their difference, but they never really could be in the same room together for less than five seconds. Both boys felt claustrophobic whenever they are around each other, the need to run overbearing. The air would be too thin they couldn't breathe properly. It was the worst kind of state for the last two years until Stefan left for college.

******

All Sky felt for the older boy was pure hatred. Hatred to the fact that he had left him. Hatred to the fact that Stefan went and dated all those girls during the last years. Hatred to the undying fact that his heart wouldn't stop loving the older boy no matter how hard he tried. Even when Stefan flashed different girls in his face. He still loves him, always had. But one thing that has always surprised him was each time he caught sight of Stefan on the football fields naked from waist up, Sky would always find the gold chain on his neck, the little dotted diamonds glistening in the warm sun bringing a shimmer of hope to the younger boy's heart, Stefan still wore his half of the heart, he hasn't disposed of it, which could only mean one thing.

He still cared.

If not for him, but enough to keep that priceless jewel around his neck. That only made Sky wore his with pride. He had gone and carved the name Fanny on the side. Sky still believes he has the boy's heart, no matter how many girls he flashes around him. The day he sought that heart on Stefan's neck and not find it, would be the day he disposes of his.

*****

Sky had tried to move on just like Stefan had done. Stefan seems to be having fun. What has always bothered Sky to no end was how Stefan had never dated any of those girls for more than three weeks. Sky knew he was gay, although he didn't care to tell anyone.

It was his life.

His choice.

He had actually shut everyone and everything out, nothing ever made him happy anymore. The only time he had been truly happy was on that night of his tenth birthday, when Stefan had given him his gift before it had all gone eccentric and Stefan had lost his mind, then he, Sky followed shortly after. The school was no fun either, combined with the fact that Stefan had a new girl every three weeks. Sky's grades were dropping fast.

Not that he cared.

He had stayed out late and played his music too loud, and he had slammed doors and yelled at his parents. He had skipped school and ignored the rules, and he had been sent to detention more times than he could count, not that he had ever gone to any of them. Sky's life as long as he knew it, had no meaning. He has seized to exist since that night. Sky had also seen the distress in his parent's eyes, but he just couldn't care less.

He was nothing without Stefan.

They ought to have known that by now.