Noah, Jason, and Jayden were walking together after school. Noah dragged them along to keep him company while he was working around the neighborhood. Every week Noah would do good deeds for his neighbors such as, cutting grass, painting houses, and babysitting. He did this even in his old neighborhood, so he thought he might as well continue.

The only reason Jason and Jayden agreed to come was because Noah promised they didn't have to do any work, so they were basically just there for moral support.

"So guys we're going to Miss. Flowers house next. I'm going to cut the grass." Noah said as he read off the list of people to help.

Jason was kinda impressed that Noah, of all people, would want to spend his afternoon, mowing lawns. After all, he's the same guy who threatened to kill someone just the other day.

"I'm surprised he does this in his free time." Jason said to Jayden.

"Yeah, he does this every week. I honestly don't know what drives him to do this, but, as long as he's not doing drugs anymore, I guess it's fine." Jayden half mumbled.

"Anymore?" Jason asked, concerned.

Jayden's eyes widened a bit, he'd obviously said something he didn't mean to.

"Ah sorry, I'm out of it, I meant selling drugs… shit."

"What?" That concerned Jason just as much.

"Come on guys! Hurry up!" Noah seemed like he was excited to help his neighbors. He was already way ahead of them and at the door of Miss. Flowers house.

When they caught up to him he had already rang the doorbell. Miss. Flowers opened the door. I hope you were expecting a nice, old woman, because that's exactly what she was. Just kidding that would be stupid. She was a sunflower. Literally a sunflower. Now that's not stupid.

Jason was disturbed. Jayden just gave him the, hell, this is normal, get used to it, Look. The boys walked in. The house looked vintage and was covered with vines and various flowers. She led them to the back yard.

"So glad you could make it! How's your father?" Miss. Flowers asked.

"He's good. I think so at least." Noah answered.

"So, I'm going to need you to mow the lawn. oh, and can you paint the fence? I'll pay you double."

"Sure thing!"

Miss. Flowers walked back inside. Noah got his lawnmower out- Wait did Noah have a lawnmower earlier? I don't think so. Where did he get that from?

Anyways, Noah grabbed the lawnmower, and started mowing the grass. tiny screams of agony could be heard. The grass was in pain.

"So Jayden," Noah said as blades of grass shot out in every direction. "How's school? Have you made any friends yet?"

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"It's fine I guess. Not really any friends yet, besides Ben since he moved to my home EC class the other day." Jayden replied.

"Oh really? Do you and Benji hang out a lot?"

"Yeah I guess, we hung out yesterday."

"What did you guys do? Each other?" Noah whispered the last part.

"What?! No! That's so gross, Noah!"

"It was a joke!" Noah said in an genuinely offended manner. Noah always liked messing with his brother but it made Jayden retreat and put his hood over his head, he was done talking to Noah.

Jason watched as Noah cut the grass, he kinda admired the fact that Noah was willing to help, no matter what kinda weird stuff his neighbors did, or what they looked like.

"So Jason, has anything interesting happened to you lately?" Noah asked, bringing Jason out of his train of thought.

"Oh me? Nothing really." Jason answered. In all honesty, The only interesting thing that happened to him recently was meeting Noah.

"You seem distracted, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Jason had honestly been feeling a bit weird for the past few days. although, he had no clue why though.

"Maybe you're sick?" Noah said as if he could hear Jason's thoughts.

"No I don't think so."

Noah finished off the grass, and started the fence. He brought out the paint. Okay, where did he get the paint from?

Noah started painting. Jason walked up to him.

"Umm... Do you want any help?" Jason asked.

"You don't need to, but you can if you want." Noah smiled.

Jason kneeled down next to Noah and grabbed a paint brush. He started helping Noah. Noah appreciated the help.

"It's kinda therapeutic." Jason said.

"Yeah. That's why I like it mostly. Almost better than drugs."

"What?"

"I mean selling drugs… shit."

In no time, they finished off the fence.

"So wow, what a wonderful job!" Miss. Flowers said, "how about you boys come in, and have some hot chocolate?"

"That would be nice! Thank you, Miss. Flowers." Noah said.

The boys walked inside, and sat at the dining room table while they waited for the hot chocolate.

Noah sat down next to Jason.

"I'm tired, can I lay my head on your shoulder for a sec?" Noah asked.

"Uh, sure." Jason said.

Noah moved closer to Jason and put his forehead on his shoulder. Jason sat as still as he could so that he would not disrupt him. They sat like that until Miss. Flowers came back.

"So the hot chocolate is ready, boys!" Miss. Flowers said. She placed a cup of warm, hot chocolate, in front of each of the boys.

They all drank, and when they were finished they thanked Miss. Flowers and then left. They walked down the street. It was getting late so they planned to go home for the day.

When they were almost to Jason's house, Noah decided to tell Jason something.

"Jason, do you have a sec?" Noah asked.

"Yeah, what's up?" Jason asked.

"You can go ahead home, Jayden."

"Okay." Jayden said as he walked away.

Noah waited until they could no longer see Jayden, then he looked back at Jason. It was just the two of them now. Noah stared at Jason. Jason waited for him to talk.

"Is everything alright?" Jason asked.

"Jason." Noah started. "I think I like you."

"What?"

"Yeah. Weird right?" Noah chuckled.

"That's flattering, but you know I'm not..."

"Yeah I know you're not gay."

"Plus we haven't known each other for long, so it's surprising that you'd like me. I thought Liam would be more of someone you liked."

"Yeah I know it's a bit strange that I already have a crush on you." He completely ignored the Liam part. "I just wanted to tell you so it is not as awkward for me. Plus, it's not like I was expecting you suddenly to be in love with me. I don't think you'd ever agree to date me anyways anyways."

"Wait, I don't really understand. Is that really why you decided to tell me?" Jason felt confused, it didn't really feel like he was just confessed to. Noah was really calm and nonchalant about the whole thing.

"Just so it'd be easier."

"What would be easier?"

"It'd be easier not to worry about my feelings being wasted or if you'd ever like me back. It'd be super uncomfortable to be so close to you every day and want to do something romantic to you. Now I don't have to think about it."

"That seems... A little sad, and like, counter productive."

"Maybe. But just don't worry about it. I'm sure I'll find someone else. Look at me Jason, I'm fucking hot."

"Well then, I hope you do." This definitely didn't feel like a confession. It felt much more like he was being rejected, even though he hadn't even asked him out.

"Thanks."

******

Noah returned home. Jayden was waiting on the couch for him. Noah was about to go to his room but he stopped him.

"What did you guys talk about?" Jayden asked.

"Do you really want to know? It's kinda stupid." Noah gave him a small chuckle.

Jayden nodded. Noah sat next to him.

"I told him I liked him."

"Really? Wow I didn't expect you to get a crush on someone so fast, that's nothing like you." He paused, "How did that go?"

"Nothing happened, which that's fine though. But it really is weird right? I usually shove people away for months or years before I get attached to them. Jason's… somehow different."

"Is it really fine?"

"Yeah, of course. I'll still be happy, he'll still be happy, just not together, you know? And that's fine." Noah stood up from the couch and smiled at Jayden. "Y'know, adult shit."

Despite the fact that Noah was smiling and Jayden could tell that Noah was being completely genuine, Jayden could still tell that Noah was not happy.