Winter Boy
Aaron walked out of the cozy library into the cold winter day. He shivered at the contact of the freezing air. He had finished his shift and wanted despratly to get home to his warm bed. He walked down the sidewalk and decided to take a short cut through the park. He crossed the snow covered street and walked into the park. Walking through the crunchy snow Aaron made his way to the path that wounded through the park. He stepped onto the gray cement and started walking. His house was on the other side of the park. He sighed as he pulled his jacket tighter around his body. He looked around as he walked. The trees were bare of their leaves and only covered by the light blanket of snow. The grass was completely covered by the snow. There were families playing in the snow and a group of kids having a snowball fight. A group of college aged kids were hanging out by the gazebo. Aaron frowned wishing he could've gone to college. Due to his poor state and the fact that his parents used his college funds for their own benefit he was left with nothing. He had enough money for the tiny apartment he called his home. Aaron sighed as he walked through the park. He was almost to the exit when he heard laughter coming from somewhere near him. He looked around for the source of the angelic sound but didn't see anyone.
"You look cold." A voice said from above him.
Aaron looked up and saw a male around his age sitting in the tree.
"What gave it away?" Aaron grumbled.
"I don't know. Probably how you have the coat tightly against you." The man said jumping down landing on the snow.
Aaron raised an eyebrow before shaking his head. Aaron started walking again. He heard footsteps running to catch up with him. Aaron glanced to his side and saw the male. He was slightly shorter than Aaron. His dark hair was covered with snow. His brown eyes were full of joy and wonder. He looked young and lively.
"You are one fast human." The guy laughed trying to catch his breath.
"Go annoy someone else." Aaron growled.
"I would but I can't. What's your name Frosty?" The boy asked clearly not fazed by Aaron's tone.
"It's leave me alone." Aaron groaned sarcastically.
"Okay Mr. Leave Me Alone. My name is Arlo." The boy said as they turned a corner.
"I don't remember asking." Aaron snapped.
The cold weather wasn't helping his mood. Aaron looked forward not wanting to look at the boy who was following him. Arlo took in Aarons features. Aaron's light hair fell in his face slightly covering his dark eyes. He had a sharp jawbone which made Arlo crazier. Arlo noticed that he had a lean but muscular build. Arlo was staring at the taller male not realizing that Aaron glanced at him.
"Staring is rude. Didn't your parents ever tell you that?" Aaron said annoyed.
"Don't remember," Arlo shrugged earning a questioning look from Aaron. "They died before I was five."
Aaron instantly felt bad for the male. He gave him a sympathetic look before stopping in front of his apartment building.
"Why don't you go home?" Aaron asked walking inside and noticed how Arlo followed.
"I don't wanna. I'm bored." Arlo admitted.
"And I'm tired. Go away." Aaron said walking down the hall.
Arlo frowned before shoving his hands in his jeans. Arlo bid Aaron a farewell and turned and left.
It's been a whole week and everyday Arlo would walk with Aaron. However today was different. Aaron walked through the park again secretly hoping to see Arlo. Over the past week Aaron grown quite used to the annoying male's presence on the walk home. As he approached the tree Arlo would always be near he frowned. He didn't see the dark haired boy anywhere. His gut was telling him that something was wrong.
Maybe he's busy,
Aaron thought to himself dismissing his gut's feeling. However his gut protested insiting something was wrong. Aaron ignored the feeling and continued the walk home. It seemed longer without the boy and Aaron noticed it. He felt lonely without the boy's consistent talking. Aaron walked into the apartment building and walked down the normal hallway. From a short distance away from his door he noticed a figure crouched beside it. Aaron thought at first that it was a homeless person getting away from the brutal cold. As he approached closer he instantly recognized the hair.
