Open Hearts

Welcome guys to part 8 of Open Hearts. There's been a lot of great support and feedback even after 8 parts, so I'm excited to continue this story. I would have seen it through even if I didn't have any feedback but it makes it all the more better that I have an amazing group of readers with me.

Remember that if you want to be put on the contact list for future parts then send me an email stating so. That way you can be contacted as soon as the next part drops.

Another reminder, I have a Tumblr page now called openheartsworld. It's a great place to contact me, get updates on my story and I also reblog and share a lot of gay artwork. Eventually I'll start to share my own artwork but for now it's just reblogs.

One last thing, there is a song associated with this part called "Can you hold me" by NF and Britt Nicole. I spent some time listening to it and a few other NF songs such as "How could you leave us" I recommend giving it a listen.

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Once again I'd like to thank my friend Danny who is also a writer on here. He's written stories such as "Even If We Tried" and "Spring Tide" and I encourage you to check them out.

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Recap:

The boys are awoken by Sigve, Bjørn's father, after an impromptu nap. Sigve scares Keaton but doesn't say anything about the boy's relationship aside from the odd joke. Is Sigve actually okay with their relationship?

Keaton and Bjørn make their way to a diner for their first ever date. Some jokes are made, fries shared, and kisses were stealthily planted as the boys enjoyed each other's company.

After dinner, they decide to skip the movie and go to Bjørn's secret lookout spot so they could gaze at the stars.

Eventually Bjørn brings up Keaton's mom and opens a discussion. It seems Bjørn is finally ready to tell his story. ************************************

Open Hearts Part 8:

"It's okay." Bjørn hesitated before speaking again. Whenever he grew silent the waves would fill the air with the sounds of repetitive crashing. After some time had passed Bjørn chose to speak up again.

"Can I tell you something Something that stays just between us." Bjorn spoke weakly now as if he was afraid to continue talking.

"Of course, you can. Just between us." I grabbed Bjorn's hand and waited patiently while he found the strength to speak. After a minute or so I could hear Bjorn finally start his story.

"I guess this is the story of my childhood, and Norway." Bjørn took a deep breath and continued.

"I was born just outside of Oslo. My dad was a shop owner. A cafe actually" Bjørn chuckled. "Maybe he can make you some of that muddy water you like."

I returned Bjørn's laugh out of courtesy, but I was still focused in on him, waiting for him to continue.

"My mom... Hanne. That was her name. She was... she was a receptionist I guess you could say. She just did it part time for extra money. When she wasn't working, me and her would go to this little corner store and buy snacks and candy, we had to keep it a secret from my dad because he wouldn't approve of all the junk food. Then we would go home and watch movies together, Disney movies for me and sometimes romantic comedies for her. I didn't really care what the movie was I just wanted to spend time with her."

I smiled thinking about a smaller Bjørn eating candy in his pajamas, enjoying Disney movies with his mom and even singing along. Maybe he'll want to watch some with me eventually.

"Those were my best memories of... you know." Bjørn trailed off at the end, almost not finishing his sentence.

"What was she like?" I asked instinctively. I wanted to imagine what Bjørn's mother looked like so I could see her face while he told his story.

"She uh... she was beautiful. She had long blonde hair. Blue eyes. My dad always says I look like her. I think that's what makes him cry the most."

"What? Why does your dad cry because you look like her?"

"Well... it's... it's because..."

Bjørn's words began to stumble. He took a deep breath and thought of where to start his story and began to speak again.

"My parents didn't always get along. When I was about 9 years old they said they were going to separate from each other for some time. I didn't understand it all too well but eventually I guess I got over it. My mother was the light of my life and anything she wanted she deserved. I was happy to see her date, well not actually, but if she was happy then so was I."

He chuckled, his eyes still staring at the stars. He was in a daze inside his own thoughts and I didn't dare try to bring him out of it. I laid there and continued to listen.

"When I was 11 years old my mother and father got back together, it was around Christmas time. We spent Christmas together as a family for the first time in years. I was so happy seeing them together again. It felt like the jigsaw puzzle of my life had finally been put back together. Between my parents getting back together and having the friends that I did, I just didn't have any complaints about life."

"It was 4 days later, December 29th. My mother picked me up from my friend's house. I was happy to see her and always enjoyed our 'car ride conversations.' We talked a bit about nothing but then I noticed something strange. She kept clutching her stomach over and over again. I asked her what was wrong but she just said it was a little pain and she would be fine."

"After we got home my mother collapsed on the couch in pain. My father tried to comfort her but it didn't change a thing."

I... I also tried to help her but I couldn't find the words to say."

"She took some pain relievers, more than the dosage allowed. She laid there on the couch with her eyes closed and her leg shaking, trying to distract herself from the pain for hours. I still remember that image, I can't get it out of my head sometimes."

Bjørn took another moment to breathe and collect his thoughts. I was scared, but Bjørn needed me and I couldn't abandon him now. I gently squeezed his hand, encouraging him to continue while reminding him that I'm still here. Actions speak a lot louder than words and I could feel that Bjørn understood me. After another moment, he continued.

"There was nothing I could do. I just watched helplessly as she groaned in pain. It was pain that I couldn't feel or understand. She didn't feel like talking, the pain was just too much."

"I left her side and went to my room."

"I'm not proud of it. I regret it every day."

Bjørn's words wavered for a moment. Almost as if the next part of his story was caught in his throat and he was trying to find the strength to spit it out.

"I didn't go back in my room because I didn't care. I went in there because I was scared. No one should have to watch the person they love be tortured by pain. I didn't want to get in the way, and I wanted to hide from the pain she was feeling, hoping it would just go away."

He was angry now. Each word was spat out like venom. There was pain in his voice, content too, something that made him boil up inside every time he thought about it. He squeezed my hand harder now, so hard it almost started to hurt. I squeezed his back and suddenly he stopped, he realized I was still there and eased his grip.

"My father took my mother to the hospital. At least she'll get help there, I thought. They'll do what I couldn't. I wasn't scared anymore after she left."

I found the courage to speak, I wanted to remind him that someone was still listening and encourage him to continue.

"Did she ever get sick like that before?" I asked softly, careful not to ask the wrong question during such a delicate time.

"My mother had Pancreatitis her entire life. From birth, she had been in and out of hospitals. She wasn't supposed to live to see kindergarten, she wasn't supposed to live to be an adult. They said she couldn't survive pregnancy either, but here I am. She survived all their odds and estimations. Most of my childhood was spent going to school then going to see my mom in the hospital afterwards. Everyday I would ask my dad if my mother would be coming home today and he would always say the same damn thing."

"Mommy's gonna get better we just need to wait." He would say constantly to me over and over again, trying to reassure me.

"There was a time in my life when she wasn't sick believe it or not. When I was about 9 she had reached the two year mark. Two years without being in the hospital, not even once. We were all ecstatic about it, especially her."

"But all good things..." Bjørn stopped for a moment, he hesitated again before speaking.

"Well... eventually our luck ran out I guess. After she hit her two year record, she was back in the hospital, but this time it wasn't her pancreas."

I could see he was going through a whirlwind of emotions. Even so, I was surprised to see him smile up at the sky just for a moment. He spoke softly, almost in a whisper as he smiled.

"She was strong Keaton. Really strong."

I was staring at Bjørn now. I was shaken by his words and felt completely speechless. I couldn't say anything and I didn't want to either. I needed to let him finish. With eyes still hazily watching the stars above he started to speak again.

"I felt relieved that she was there though, at the hospital you know."

"My mother had always gotten better so it wouldn't be any different now." Bjørn's smile began to dissipate now.

"That night my father came home late. He told me she was going through some tests but they think it was her gallbladder causing her the pain. Most of the women in her family had the same issue and the surgery would be simple and quick. I slept easy that night knowing that it wasn't her pancreas like usual, my mother would be home soon, I thought."

"My father left early the next morning, about 7:00 am. It was now December 30th. My dad talked to me before he left. He said the doctor called him last night and said she was doing fine, walking around, talking and even eating. I knew I had a good reason to be relieved, she always pulled through. At 10:00 am I was woken up and taken to the hospital by my grandfather."

"My mother wasn't walking around anymore, she wasn't talking either."

"You could smell the sanitation supplies in the air. That smell that all hospitals had that I knew all too well. I hated that smell, I still do."

"They said she was getting worse. They needed to wait before surgery because her blood was too thin. All the Tylenol she took the day before and the pain medicine she was receiving from them had caused the surgery to be delayed. We waited.... and waited... and waited."

"Hours later the doctor came back and said her organs were failing, she needed a liver transplant or the surgery wouldn't matter. So, we waited some more. So much damn waiting."

"By now more of my family started to show up. People were flying in and driving hours to be by her side during her fight. At first I didn't know why everyone bothered, they hadn't come before. She was going to be fine so why did they all come?"

"There was a helicopter, it waited on the roof of the hospital to take my mother to another hospital where a new liver was waiting for her."

"That helicopter never took off."

Crickets, waves and other forms of nature now filled the air with background noise. It became silent between me and Bjørn. Even with all that I should have been able to hear, I could really only hear my heartbeat. The nature around me was drowned out by the sound of blood pumping through my system. It was focused in my ears, I could feel them grow hot, then my cheeks as well. I was nervous. Not for the same reason as earlier, this wasn't butterflies fluttering in my stomach. This was fear, gripping my heart until the pressure seemed almost unbearable. Usually I can handle a scary story, but the situation becomes a lot different when the story is true.

"She needed to be stabilized to get on the helicopter but it was too late."

"First her gallbladder, then her kidneys, and then her liver failed. The doctor had no more words of encouragement when he met us. His words were simple, cold, and straightforward."

"She's dead."

"That's all he said, just like that. To her mother, her husband, her sister and her son."

"She's dead."

My breath suddenly escaped from my lungs. It was as if Bjørn's words had actually taken my breath away. I could see the shine of a single tear cascade down his cheek and onto the grass. I was about to open my mouth. I was going to say something to him, anything I could say to try and soothe him. But before I was able to, his words cut through the cool night air once again.

"That was all he said to us. That she was dead..."

"I remember the feel of.... she was so c-cold."

"Her hand it.... it didn't... it didn't feel warm anymore."

"I-I.... I kissed her. I kissed her goodbye. Her forehead it was... it was like ice... I didn't know people could feel that cold."

"I stared at the tubes and needles sticking out of her body. What were they all for? They did nothing."

"The doctors did nothing."

"I... I-I did.... nothing."

"I spoke to her but for the first time in my life, she didn't reply."

"She was gone and I never even got to say goodbye! I didn't get to say I'm sorry! She... she just wouldn't answer me anymore, she couldn't, ever again."

His tears began to stream down his face. His words came in short bursts in-between gasps of air. Even in his current state he continued to speak.

"It was only six days. Six days we had together as a family again. In six days, the universe had brought us back together and then ripped us apart."

"The jigsaw puzzle that had just been put back together was now torn apart again. But now... now there was pieces missing. Pieces we couldn't ever get back, and the puzzle would never be the same."

For the first time since we laid down on the grass Bjørn looked over at me. I looked at his face, the tears streaming down from his red welted eyes. I leaned forward to grab him but before I could he rolled over and met me first. He buried his face into my hoodie and began sobbing in-between gasps for air. I held onto the boy I loved. I wrapped my arms around him in a tight embrace.

I was sobbing now too. My tears were falling onto his hair, I tried my best to contain myself in order to comfort Bjørn. His heart was shattered, and it had been for quite sometime now. He trusted me, he poured his heart out to me. I wasn't going to let him down. I would not let him go, ever.

"Bjørn. I am so... so sorry. Nothing I can say will ever change what's happened to you but I want you to know that I'm here for you.

"I know I'm not her. No one ever will be. I don't make up for her in any way. But I'm still here. And I... I love you."

It's been less than a week since I met him. Maybe it's our youthful ignorance. Maybe it's our misunderstanding of our own feelings. But I do love him. I won't let anyone tell me it's not true. If the rules say we aren't then we'll just be the exception.

It doesn't always take years to fall in love, no not even weeks. Sometimes it's just a few looks, a smile from across the room and a quick unexpected kiss. When two open hearts meet, and connect, they make their own rules.

Bjørn didn't reply. His sobs had calmed by now. He whimpered and sniffled into my hoodie and then grew silent. I let one of my hands gently massage his back while the other one caressed his hair. After a few minutes, he finally spoke up.

"I love you too."

After a few more moments of lying there I heard Bjørn let out a small almost silent giggle. I looked down at him surprised by the small chuckle only to find him smiling weakly at me. He was still clutching my chest.

"When I said I love you too, your heart started to beat faster" He giggled again.

His eyes were red and puffy. His nose was still stuffy. And his hair was a mess. But looking down at this boy clinging to my chest I swear I could only see the face of an angel.

"Yeah you have that effect on me" I tried to say casually. My own eyes were still a little puffy from my own tears.

He giggled again and bent his head down to my chest and planted a kiss where my heart was.

"I said that 'The puzzle could never be the same again Keaton.' But what I didn't mention was that even though there are pieces we can never get back, there are still new pieces to add. You aren't the same piece I lost, you're an entirely new and beautiful puzzle piece all your own. With you, the puzzle looks completely different, but it's still complete, and it's just as beautiful as before."

His words struck through me like a sword. The world around me had come to a stand still as I contemplated the words just spoken to me. I wasn't sure what to think or say.

All I managed to get out was "Bjørn"

And before I could say another word he grabbed the strings of my hoodie and pulled my head towards his. He kissed me again.

We could both barely breathe from our noses because of the previous crying session. His hair was a mess and smelled like grass. My neck was in an uncomfortable position as well. But even with all those negative factors, that was still the best feeling I've ever experienced in my life up to that point.

His lips were melancholic and weak at first, but then they grew stronger, his kiss is telling the same story he just told me. Each and every word, every feeling and emotion that he expressed, I could feel it in his kiss.

When he released his lips from mine, he shot me one of those signature Bjørn smiles. I smiled back of course, it was impossible not to.

He rolled off of my chest and back onto the grassy spot next to me. We both laid there and gazed back up at the stars. The waves continued to crash, the crickets still chirped, the stars never lost their luster, the world around us continued to breathe the same way it always has.

"I hope you're not mad at me for ruining our date Keaton."

I gazed over at Bjørn, he then turned his head to look at me.

"There's no way I could be mad. This is the best date I've ever been on."

"This is the only date you've ever been on." Bjørn chided.

"True, but it's still the best." I retorted sarcastically.

"That doesn't make any sense."

"Shhhhh just accept that I'm right."

"But you're not-"

"Shhhhhhhhh" I pressed my finger to his lips to silence him.

Bjørn quickly realized how much of a pain I could be when I chose to. His look of being 'not impressed' says it all. I couldn't help but laugh, he knew if he talked then I would just 'shhh' him down again so I felt pretty proud of my small victory.

Suddenly Bjørn started to smile too. I thought at first it was because he had accepted my victory and was about to surrender, but then he did something to surprise me.

With my finger still to his lips, he opened his mouth and took the entire length of it inside. He bobbed his head on it a few times before settling his lips right above my upper knuckle. He then started to lick the tip of my finger lick a sweet piece of candy. At this point he couldn't help himself anymore and was giggling uncontrollably. He finished my finger off by sucking slowly up to the fingernail and then releasing his mouth with an audible pop.

His giggling had turned to full on laughter as he looked at the expression on my face. I wanted to laugh too, but I just couldn't. Whatever he just did to me, left me completely dumbfounded. I was stuck in a frozen stupor after the whole ordeal and Bjørn was eating it all up.

Once his laughter settled, he plopped his head back down on the ground and closed his eyes, he had a huge triumphant grin on his face.

"I win, now don't 'Shhh' me." He spoke his words of victory and I was forced to abide by them. He did indeed win, that much was clearly evident.

I laid my own head back down. My face wasn't plastered with a big grin like Bjørn's was. My face showed a little bit of confusion, fear and a whole lot of curiosity.

'If that's what it felt like with my finger... I wonder what it'll feel like with-" suddenly Bjørn interrupted my thoughts. This was a blessing though because I needed a distraction from internal questions.

"Thank you, Keaton. For everything." Bjørn was still smiling. You could hear the sincerity in his voice. I would do anything to make that smile last forever.

"You don't need to thank me. It's what boyfriends are for. And even if I wasn't your boyfriend I would still be here for you. But I am your boyfriend so it's even better." I chuckled. I wanted to take every opportunity I could to call him my boyfriend. It was a new feeling to me, it was warm and comforting.

"You know I'm here for you too. If you ever need my help. I'm always here for you." Bjørn once again showed his sincerity. I believed him, I could tell he was honest, he couldn't keep up secrets or lies very long, he's too kind to do that.

"I know. Thank you. Hey, you want to listen to some music?" I asked

"Yeah sure, I have Spotify do you want me to play something?"

"Sounds good to me." It would be interesting to hear Bjørn's taste in music.

I scooted a bit closer so that our bodies were touching again. Bjørn reached into his pocket and pulled his phone out. He swiped through a few apps and clicked on Spotify, he shuffled through a few menus until he found the right song and pressed play.

The moment the song started I was struck with a bolt of familiarity. 'This opening piano, I've heard it before, in my dream.'

It seems my dreams had an odd way of telling the future. I've been in this moment before, the sound of the waves, the crickets, even the tears.

Maybe my life was a dream. Maybe I never left Florida, and everything that has happened with me and Bjørn will all end when I wake up tomorrow. If that is true, then I accept it. I won't curse my own mind for creating such happiness, even if it takes it away. In this moment, I've been gifted more than I could ever ask for. If this is all just a dream.... it was worth it.

"Hey Bjørn, what's the name of this song?"

"Can you hold me"

I rolled over and draped my arm across his body and pulled him into me, I laid my head on his chest and closed my eyes.

Bjørn started laughing.

"No you dork, the song is called 'Can you hold me"

"I figured that. I just wanted to hold you." I kissed his chest through his shirt and continued to lay there, cuddling my boyfriend and enjoying the moment to its fullest, just in case this all ends when I wake up.

We laid there and listened to the song, the longer it played, the tighter I held him. If this was all I had left then I'm going to make the most of it. I felt Bjørn's hand start to rub my back, and much like last time it started to put me to sleep. I held on for as long as I could, but eventually I started to drift off. Bjørn's breathing slowed as well, his hand slid off of my back and we fell asleep together in each other's arms once again.

The sun's beams radiated through my bedroom window's curtains. It was so silent in the room it was almost unsettling, eerie even. I opened my eyes weakly, I could see the white painted ceiling and a fan spinning overhead. The only possible noise my ears could make out was the muffled humm of the fan. I sat up in my bed and gathered myself. These weren't my new furnishings and this wasn't my new bed, it was my old one.

I was in Florida again, sitting in my old bed in my old house. It all seemed so ancient, as if I wasn't occupying this space just a mere week before. But I guess I technically never left, my suspicions were true, I wasn't next to the ocean anymore, this wasn't California, everything that happened to me was a dream. Bjørn was just a figment of my imagination and those feelings we shared represented a one sided longing for love that I truly desired.

My own mind was powerful enough to create a separate reality within a dream-state. In this reality, I felt more in just five fictitious days than I have in my entire life. I shared kisses and french fries with a boy who I guess was actually too good to be true in the end.

Some people may find this to be a cruel joke, it's as if their own mind was torturing them with visions of heaven and then ripping the wings from their back. Falling back to earth as nothing but a mere mortal again, their halo slowly disappeared.

I probably should agree with those people, I should feel angry, I should feel betrayed by my own conscious, shouldn't I?

Bjørn gave me something to dream about, something to laugh at and cry over, but most importantly he gave me something to look forward to, love.

If all that was a dream, then I guess I should be thankful. I couldn't bring myself to be spiteful or vengeful towards my imagination. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't bring myself to feel sadness. Actually, I was happy, I was smiling, I couldn't shake this feeling of warmth and comfort. There was this cloak around me, I could feel it, it prevented these negative feelings from entering.

I took one last look around the room and decided I should go back to sleep. Maybe I was allowed just one more opportunity to see Bjørn in my dreams again. If my conscious allows me to, I wouldn't mind taking a peak in heaven for another gander.

When I rolled over in bed to lay my head down I was shocked by what I saw. Another person was in the bed with me. Why couldn't I notice them before?

It was Bjørn. He was asleep, his face was nestled in my pillows, his hair was strewn about and a slight amount of drool was falling from the corner of his mouth. He looked so peaceful, the atmosphere around me had completely changed and I could feel this aura of his giving off this indescribable feeling.

I caressed his face and pushed the strands of hair away. The only angel I've ever known was by my side again.

I laid my head next to his, I was careful not to wake him. When we were both side by side and just inches apart, I decided it was best to just go for it, 'take every opportunity I can to be happy.' I thought to myself.

I leaned in until our noses were touching. He was still asleep and his breathing was calm and soft. I tilted my head and inched my way forward until our lips met. I kissed my sleeping beauty finally, it was like a fairy tale ending.

But I soon found out this wasn't the end that I thought it was, the bed we laid in began to disappear and was replaced by soft grass. The light shining through the window had faded until it became a colder, bluer light that only the moon could give off. I couldn't feel the blankets anymore, or the air conditioning, but there was one thing I could still feel, and it was Bjørn.

My breath escaped my lungs. I looked up at Bjørn, sleeping soundly, just as he was before I fell asleep. I laid on his chest in the same manner as before as well. We were outside, still under the stars, still in California, and more importantly, still together.

I was wrong before. I wasn't waking up from a dream when I fell asleep on his chest, I was falling into one. The kisses we shared, the love I felt, that was all real. No wonder I couldn't feel sadness in my dream, my heart knew what was real even as my brain tried to trick it. I'm sure I could never explain this to anyone without being laughed at, but I believed it.

Bjørn started to stir, his muscles clenched and flexed slightly as he arched his back off the ground in an attempt to stretch. When he settled, his eyes opened weakly. They rolled around for a few moments, trying to take in his surroundings, before looking down to find me, staring at him intently with a goofy grin on my face.

In his tired and groggy state, he forced a weak smile at me. I was all smiles in return, I was about to say something cheesy like "morning sleeping beauty"

But before I could mutter a word, a thought crossed my mind. It seems like the same thought crossed Bjørn's mind simultaneously, because in that exact moment our eyes no longer had their same dreamy haze. Nor did our smiles stay for very long. In that moment both our eyes grew wide, our mouths went ajar, and our hearts froze for just a second.

"SHIT!" we both exclaimed loudly in unison.

We scrambled to a sitting position and grabbed our phones. We were supposed to be home at a reasonable hour. Even though no exact curfew was given, we knew our limitations. It was safe to say 1:30 am was not within those limits. This was further proven by the amount of missed calls and texts we had received from our respective parents.

'Yep.... We were screwed.'

I was too scared to even look at Bjørn. Instead of wasting time, we both just hit the redial button and awaited the inevitable wrath to come. I didn't even have time to think of what I was going to say before my mother answered.

"Keaton Jaime Anderson!" My mother's voice roared through the phone so loud I had to hold it a few inches away from my face.

'Oh shit, middle name, I'm dead meat.' I thought to myself.

I looked over at Bjørn for a brief second. He was staring at me with a look of horror on his face, it seems as if his dad hadn't picked up yet, so he heard my mother's shouting instead. I'm not surprised, I've heard that yell a few times before and it still terrifies me. Something about mother's, they can be so gentle, caring, loving, but get caught past curfew and don't return their calls, you might as well ask Lucifer himself if he can punish you instead.

I weakly replied to her, my hand was shaking slightly.

"Hey mom, I'm sorry, me and Bjø-"

"You have 10 minutes to be inside this house or so help me God Keaton." I could hear her gritting her teeth

"Yes Ma'am I'm c-c-coming n-now." I stammered.

I hung up the phone and jumped up to my feet. I heard Bjørn mutter a few more words in a relative whisper to his dad on the phone before hanging up as well. He stood up and lightly patted the grass off of his shirt. He was covered in earthy green stains, maybe a white shirt wasn't the best choice he's ever made.

I was trembling now; a mixture of fear and adrenaline overcame me. My mother was clearly angry, within good reason too, I guess. There wasn't much time to waste, I had to sprint home now to avoid getting into more trouble than I already am.

Bjørn must have noticed my agitated state, in an attempt to ease my mind, he grabbed ahold of my hand and gave me another quick smile.

"Come on, let's get you home." Bjørn said in a hushed voice.

We both made our way down the path until we reached pavement again. The whole town seemed to be asleep. Everything was so calm and quiet. The concrete sidewalks were bathed in the warm orange glow of the city's streetlights. Most of the businesses were closed except for a few fast food joints. It was peaceful being out at this hour, I wish I had a better opportunity to experience it. Unfortunately for me, I needed to get home, and I needed to hurry.

Once we crossed the street it was a straight shot home, in order to make my mother's strict timeline I needed to sprint the rest of the way and hope for the best. I looked over at Bjørn, he was pretty calm about the situation, he didn't feel the same sense of urgency that I did. In order to light a fire under him maybe I could propose a competition.

"Hey, how fast are you?" I gave him a devilish grin. If our previous antics in the pool taught me one thing, it was that he couldn't resist a challenge like this.

Bjørn knew what I was asking before I even said it. He didn't bother giving an answer, he saw right through me.

"You sure you want to do this?" Bjørn replied in a boastful manner. He returned my grin with one of his own.

He stretched his arms across his chest and rolled his neck around to exaggerate his preparedness for this exact situation.

If wrestling in a pool was the pinnacle of boyhood competitions, then having a foot-race was a close second. Almost all arguments and debates could be settled with a simple test of speed and endurance. Not everyone owned a bike, nor did everyone have a PlayStation, but almost all of us had feet and capable legs. This is probably the oldest past time of any competition amongst boys. I was determined to win this one, not only because I needed to be home as soon as possible, but also because there was this sense of pride in me that wouldn't allow me to fall to Bjørn in another competition. The video games were in his favor, the pool wrestling was most likely a tie, I wasn't much of a surfer compared to him either, but I was fast, and I'm determined to prove it.

I was mildly athletic, and so was Bjørn. I felt my size would render me quicker, but Bjørn's longer legs could help him in the long run,so this was bound to be an exciting race.

I stopped at a line in the sidewalk and positioned myself behind it. I looked over at Bjørn and gave him an approving nod. We both took our positions and gathered our spacing, once we were ready it was time for the countdown.

"On Go."

"3"

"2"

"1"

"GO!"

And we were off.

We lacked the skills and grace of Olympic runners but we certainly made up for it in determination and energy. Out the gate Bjørn took the lead, his strides were longer and this proved useful, but we were in for a long one so I didn't get discouraged so quickly.

It was a cool night, there was a slight nip in the air that made for the perfect running conditions. The wind blasting on my face provided an icy touch that lifted my energy levels further. Suddenly I had forgotten all about my mother and her rage. I wasn't focused on being punished or what awaited me at home, all my attention was on this race, and all the fun I was having.

We approached the halfway mark, I had caught up to Bjørn by now. My smaller but faster legs were putting out all the speed they could muster at this point. It was neck and neck, both of us were giving it our all.

When only a quarter of the distance remained, I could feel the toll the sprinting was taking on my body. These definitely weren't the right shoes for this activity, the hoodie and skinny jeans didn't help either. In all honesty, I feel I could have won easily if I had the proper attire on. But this was no time for excuses, I needed to win regardless.

My house was in sight now, my lungs burned as I inhaled the cool night's air. My legs were starting to feel numb now, I was carried only by my will to continue. With only a short distance to go I realized that we hadn't outlined a finish line yet. Through short and exhausted breaths, I shouted his way.

"Mailbox!"

It was all I could get out in the state I was in, but Bjørn understood me loud and clear.

We both pushed ourselves harder, the sound of shoes pounding against the concrete was the only noise on the relatively peaceful street of ours. With only the length of my yard left, the grand finale awaited. Both of us were out of breath and had seemingly nothing left in the tank, I wasn't paying any attention to Bjørn now, my vision was tunnelled and I only saw my goal in front of me.

In the last few steps I leaned forward, stretching my neck out, I was tried to get my head across the finish line before the rest of my body in an attempt to edge him out.

Finally, the moment came when my legs carried me across the imaginary line past my mailbox. Victory was mine, I had done it, I was faster.

It wasn't a photo finish like I had expected. In reality I had him beat by at least 3 or 4 feet in the end, but still, it felt more intense than any race I had ever competed in before.

Bjørn was a gracious loser despite his competitive nature. I was doubled over, hands on my knees gasping for air, when Bjørn walked over and put his hand on my back and gave it a light pat. He put his hands behind his head, trying to extend his ribcage and give his lungs proper room to inhale and exhale. It's the proper way to catch your breath I'm sure, but it was seemingly impossible with how exhausted I was.

"Looks like.... I was.... ready..... for it." I heaved between gasps for oxygen.

"Good.... job"

Bjørn did his best to congratulate me, but we were both just too tired to say much. Once we caught our breaths we walked up the path to my front door. I half expected Bjørn to go home immediately, but it seems like he had something left to say. I'm glad he did though, because I've got something to say to him too.

When I made it to my door and Bjørn stood beside me, we turned and looked at each other. We were both smiling again, it had been fun, also I was still reeling from my victory so I had even more to smile about.

I wasn't sure what to start with, I just knew I wanted to tell him something.

He reached down and took both my hands in his, he shifted from his heels to his toes a bit and looked down at the ground smiling sweetly. It wasn't like Bjørn to be so nervous and bubbly, but I felt like I was in the same boat. Despite whatever happens when I walk through that door, it was still a fun night, I had no regrets to speak of.

"That was fun. Did you have a good time tonight?" Bjørn was exuding happiness at this point.

"Yeah I did. I had a lot of fun actually. I really enjoyed spending time with y-" before I could finish I was interrupted by the front door opening up.

There stood my mother, with an angry expression and cold eyes, she wore her house-robe like a suit of armor, and unfortunately for me, she was ready for battle.

She stood there silently, her eyes scanned us from head to toe. She looked back and forth from my face, to Bjørn's, and then back to mine. We were both terrified. The expression of horror on our faces, two young lovers still holding hands in the face of despair, it was probably quite the sight really.

Through gritted teeth she muttered just two words my way.

"One minute." With that she shut the door and left us, still trembling in each other's arms.

I guess she took pity on us. We were young, we didn't reek of alcohol and our eyes weren't dilated like we had been using drugs. I know all she really wanted was for me to be home safe and I guess now that I was, there was no harm in letting me say my goodbyes to Bjørn.

I looked back at Bjørn, he was still a bit shaken up from my mother's sudden and frightening appearance.

"Your mom is kinda scary dude." Bjørn whispered softly, probably afraid of her hearing him.

"I know right. Wait, since when am I your dude?" I asked teasingly

Bjørn chuckled a bit, he paused for a moment to think of a response.

"Well... um... how about I call you baby... or babe... yeah babe sounds good, don't you think? Bjørn asked nervously.

Babe sounded way past me in maturity, I hadn't imagined being anyone's babe before, and honestly, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. It sounded weird, especially at first, but it still sounded cute coming from Bjørn's lips. If anyone's going to be called babe by Bjørn it's going to be me.

"Yeah it sounds good... babe." We both chuckled at the obvious awkwardness in the air but it didn't stop us from enjoying each other's company.

"I guess I don't have much time to talk, so... um, I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow, or actually I'll text you before I go to sleep." I wished I could have said more but it was true that my 60 seconds were running out.

"Yeah, sounds good." Bjørn replied enthusiastically.

There was an awkward moment of silence between us until we both realized this is the part where you kiss your date goodbye. Once again, I had to stand on my tip toes to meet his level, but he just giggled and gently pushed me back down to my original height. Now he placed his hand underneath my chin and raised it slightly, he bent his own head downward until our lips met.

Kissing him had always felt great, we've shared a few already obviously, but this one was especially good. It was probably the feeling of capping off a long night with a simple gesture of love that felt so satisfying.

We didn't risk going at it for too long, my mother was surely about to burst out the door any moment. It was a small and simple kiss, I wouldn't have complained if it had lasted hours, but unfortunately this will have to do.

We broke our kiss and took a moment to gaze into each other's eyes. I was in awe of him, I felt like I was under his spell and he had complete control over me, I can only imagine what he thinks of me in these moments.

Bjørn's Perspective:

"I couldn't imagine this would ever happen to me."

"He's so cute and sweet, I feel like I can tell him anything and not be afraid of resentment."

"His skin is so soft, his eyes are amazing, I wish he could just come home with me."

"It's time to let go, but I don't want to. I want to kiss him again, I want to feel his lips again, but it's time to let go."

"I can't wait until he text me later, I can't wait until I see him again."

"I wish I could say it again, say it in person like before, but I can't right now, it's time to let go. But I hope he realizes one day how much I love him."

Keaton's Perspective:

"I guess it's time I head inside." I whimpered.

Bjørn smiled and dropped his hand from my chin.

"Yeah I guess it is. Talk to you soon." Bjørn planted a quick peck on my forehead and let go of my hands.

I didn't enjoy the feeling of having him leave my side, but I was equally anxious about my time, which was surely up by now. I turned away from him and opened the front door.

I looked back at him one last time before he left and smiled at him. This was the best first date ever, even if it was my only date ever, I still couldn't imagine anything topping it.

I walked in the house and found my mother waiting for me as expected. She was standing in the kitchen with her arms crossed and her fingers lightly tapping against the fabric of her robe.

I loved my mother, and even in my fearfulness of her right now, I couldn't help but remember what Bjørn told me earlier. I was lucky, and I wasn't going to take it for granted anymore. Before she could even get a word in, I ran up and wrapped my arms around her.

"I love you, you're the best mom ever." I proclaimed softly while I hugged her tightly.

And this, this was by far the best night ever.

************************************

Okay guys that's the end of part 8.

Thank you all so much for making it this far with me. Special shout out to the friends I've met so far, the people who have emailed me, and my followers on Tumblr.

If you wish to follow me on Tumblr you can do so by searching the username "openheartsworld"

If you wish to email me any questions, comments or concerns you can do that at openhearts1999@gmail.com

Now for a quick preview of part 9! ************************************

Next time on Open Hearts:

Keaton and Bjørn both have to deal with the consequences of not making curfew last night. Keaton also has another task to complete. It's finally time to tell his dad about him and Bjørn. How will he react when he finds out his only son is gay?

As the school year approaches, Bjørn and Keaton begin to prepare for what's to come when their relationship finally goes public.

Scary times are approaching for both of them. How will these new characters treat them? How will some old characters react to this situation? ************************************