#about reece

It started off friendly, at first.

A smile or two there. A laugh next.

But soon enough there were sparkles in his eyes. And that, at least for Reece, was never a good thing.

It meant that he had a chance to get absolutely hurt and wrecked again. He was slowly falling his best friend and this time Reece wasn't sure he would recover.

They had grown close over the past couple of months, more quickly than Reece ever realized and it was during an altercation with their father - between him and this person he was infatuated with - that Reece's heart was wanting to be open once more. After closing it for so long, afraid of new possibilites, afraid of more drama than he could take, he was finally ready to take a leap. He was almost ecstatic about that fact.

It was after that altercation that Reece was all butterflies in the stomach and his heart was doing flip flops anytime the other male would look his way. Or smile. Or nestle their head to his neck.

But it always started out that way.

Being best friends.

Growing into something more.

And that day, Reece thought he had found the person he was going to spend the rest of his life with. He could see them possibly down the road years later with two or three adopted children. A stable relationship. Happy.

But that never lasted.

The person he was so infatuated with was suddenly in love with their other friend. And then engaged. Then married.

Had Reece waited too long? Were his insecurities getting the best of him? Was it all in his head?

But the funny thing was, was that he was happy for him. It was almost a relief because it just meant he could fall in love. He hadn't lost that part of him. After his first love, he thought there could be no other, but he was wrong.

And, he had him to thank for it.

Bang!

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Reece flinched at each sound of the shots. It felt like it was right next to him as they echoed throughout the hallways. He was in a classroom, with Cam, hiding from the assailants. It was supposed to be like any other day, go to class, hang out with friends and have fun. Not this.

"What're we gonna do?"

"I don't-I don't know. But we have to do something!" Reece said back. He tried not to sound too afraid but the matter of fact was, well, he was afraid. He was still a teenager with loads of life left. He had dreams that he wanted to get. He had plans. He maybe even wanted to make up with his ex boyfriend and move in with him if given the chance. Maybe it was time to move on from the past...

If only he could get through this day.

"There's a window."

Reece blinked back tears, nodding. Although he wasn't quite sold on that.

But as the sounds echoed throughout the building, he was getting desperate. They had to do something and not just sit like ducks.

"O-Okay."

This was a bad idea.

But as the sounds of footsteps drew close, panic over ran them and Cam was the first one out. Holding his hand, trying to lessen the fall, Reece watched as he went down. Before he knew it there was a sound of a loud crack and then a beltering scream of pain afterwards.

Cam had just broken his leg.

Shock was the first thing Reece was hit with. His eyes widen and his mouth agaped.

Yeah, this was a bad idea.

But then there was banging on the doors and he was out the window in seconds. Trying to lessen his fall by grabbing the second floor window of the school he had succeeded but still fell from there. Landing with an 'oof' he crawled over to where Cam was, who was still writhing in pain, he said, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Shhhh, they're right above us!"

He didn't realize how fast his heart was beating until it was all over with.

The authorities came and they were driven in an ambulance to the hospital where he stayed with Cam until his loved ones came. Reece was questioned but after that he was let go and he was left alone.

He eventually passed out somewhere, he didn't know where only that it was someplace safe and not at the school. His thought was adrenaline had finally ceased and he was exhausted. He needed the rest.

That was probably one of the most terrifying days in Reece's life. He wouldn't wish that on his enemies.

It also could have been much worse.