Page 24 of We May Be Fractured

Lost Boys

[Now playing ? Kids In The Dark—All Time Low]

A aron was still mulling over what Landon said last night: ‘interesting’.

He’d never seen himself that way. His scars had made him stick out, attracting stares everywhere he went. But all he ever wanted was to blend in, to get lost in his music and be left alone.

Sitting behind the counter in the usual quiet at RPM, Aaron idly sketched koalas in the margins of a Nordic folklore book. Fell hadn’t shown up yet , despite it being close to their regular lunchtime.

Aaron’s thoughts drifted to Landon, who had endured years of bullying for just being himself, and to Nyle, who chose to embrace his uniqueness with open arms. Their courage and authenticity made Aaron question his own approach to life.

Maybe there was something to be said for owning who he was now, scars and all.

Taking a break from his drawing, Aaron pressed his phone to his ear, “Something Just Like This” playing in the background.

“Hey, Tori, it’s me,” he said softly. “I want to let you know that I’m doing okay.

RPM’s not bad. I kinda like it here. Fell reminds me of Auntie Olivia, you know?

He’s really cool, and he made me appreciate ’80s and ’90s rock music.

And the group I’ve been assigned to for my community service? They’re all right, especially one guy.”

He paused, his words trailing off. “I’m still waiting to hear back from Tom about the job at the wildlife park, but as soon as I do, I’ll buy a new ticket. I can’t wait to leave everything behind and start fresh.”

Ending the call, Aaron stared at Tori’s name on the screen, as if reading it aloud or echoing the sound of her name in his mind could somehow bridge the distance between them.

Just a few more months , he silently promised himself, then he would spread his wings and fly away.

He would finally touch down in the places he and Tori had fantasised about during their childhood, those sleepless nights they’d spent weaving dreams until their eyes grew heavy with sleep.

“Fell around?” Landon asked as he stepped into the shop.

Aaron looked up, startled, but quickly recovered. “Not yet,” he replied sarcastically.

Landon wandered around the album aisles before coming over to the counter. His eyes landed on the open book. “That’s pretty neat,” he remarked, nodding towards the koala sketch.

A flush of warmth rushed to Aaron’s face. His hand trembled slightly, causing the pencil to jitter across the page. “It’s just a silly doodle. I’m a bit rusty.”

Landon leaned in, his index finger tracing the lines of the koala with gentle precision. “This is good. Ever thought about doing something more with it?”

“With drawing?” Aaron said, taken aback. “Nah, it’s just a hobby. Nothing serious.”

“Blasphemy. I’m trying to make a career out of it.”

“I mean, what could I possibly do with it?”

Landon paused thoughtfully, then spoke again. “Why not start by putting them online? Maybe create a portfolio.”

Aaron scoffed lightly. “Post them? They’re not that good.”

“They are, trust me,” Landon insisted, his tone sincere.

Aaron mulled it over. His sketches had always been for him alone, a private escape. He hadn’t drawn much lately either.

Then, Landon reached over and grabbed the pencil. He added a cactus beside the koala. “There, a touch of a prickly personality,” he said with a chuckle, his dimple making a brief appearance.

Warmth bubbled up in Aaron’s chest. It was a simple addition, but Landon’s touch had turned it into something more, something shared.

“Lunch?” Landon asked, locking eyes with Aaron.

They stood close together, close enough for Aaron to catch the faint scent of smoke and coconut that clung to Landon. Though unexpected, instead of pulling away, Aaron found himself leaning in, almost instinctively, nodding in response to the invitation.

Just as they were about to step out, Fell burst into the shop.

“At last,” Landon quipped, one foot paused mid-step between the shop interior and the pavement.

“Sorry, got caught up,” Fell panted slightly, fiddling with his jacket. “Had a bit of a morning with someone I met last night. You guys off to lunch? Could definitely use a break.”

Aaron laughed, full of amusement and disbelief. “You just got here…”

But Fell was already leading the way to the market. As they walked, he launched into a story about his latest flings. Aaron hung back, half listening. He treated Fell’s tales like background noise, like a TV show playing that he wasn’t really watching.

He was surprised Landon let him talk, even though it was clear from his apathetic grunts that he didn’t appreciate the topic either. Nevertheless, he didn’t interrupt him. Probably, Fell would offer him lunch as he did every time.

As they neared Camden Lock, the delicious smells of street food started wafting over, and suddenly, Landon got yanked aside by a dishevelled guy with dark circles under his eyes.

A beggar maybe? Aaron was about to step in, but it was obvious they knew each other by the way Landon tensed up, facing the guy.

“Ian,” Landon said, his tone dripping with annoyance. “What did I say about showing up here?”

“I know. But please, I’m desperate,” Ian pleaded, reaching out to grab Landon’s arm again, but Landon quickly raised his hand to block him.

“Don’t touch me,” Landon snapped furiously.

“Sorry, I—”

“No. We’re done talking. Don’t bother. I’m not changing my mind.”

“How can you be so heartless? Don’t you care at all?”

“You should know by now that I don’t care about anything or anyone.”

“Landon,” Fell said, looking concerned, “Everything all right? Who’s this?”

“He’s nobody,” Landon answered curtly, not taking his eyes off Ian.

Ian persisted. “Please don’t push me away. You know I need you.”

“You only need yourself,” Landon said, then turned and strode off towards the food stalls, not looking back.

Aaron and Fell shared a confused glance before following him into the crowd.

“Isn’t that the bloke from a few months back?” Fell asked, catching up to Landon. “The one who hung around outside the tattoo shop and tailed you to the station?”

“Clearly, he didn’t take the hint that I want nothing to do with him.”

“He’s after money, isn’t he? It’s always the same with family…”

Aaron’s ears perked up at the mention of family.

“He’s not family,” Landon quickly clarified. “Just because we were fostered by the same people doesn’t make us brothers .”

“People get desperate, don’t they? Maybe in his eyes, you’re close enough to a brother to hit up for some quids.”

Landon grunted, ending the conversation abruptly. He picked up his pace, navigating the busy street with ease. Despite the surrounding chaos, Aaron was able to hear the stomp of his boots on the asphalt.

*

T en minutes later, they sat by the canal digging into lunch.

“I was just thinking. It’s been ages since I’ve been to a gig,” Fell said, munching on his spicy cheeseburger. “What about you lot? What was the last concert you went to?”

Landon finished his bite, took a swig of his soda, and mentioned an obscure band name.

Fell nodded appreciatively, patting his chest. His gaze then shifted to Aaron, who hesitated, unsure of what to say.

He could’ve made up something, but he didn’t want to risk looking foolish in front of two music buffs.

Fell’s eyes widened in mock shock, his hand covered in sauce. “You’re joking, right? No biscuits, no concerts… Where are you even from?”

Before Aaron could respond, Landon cut in, grabbing a handful of halloumi sticks. “I’ll tell you where he’s from,” he said with a playful edge.

Aaron trembled, not sure where Landon was going with this.

Landon pointed to the sky. “He’s from up there. You know, like in Roswell , when Max tells Liz he’s an alien?”

Fell looked confused. “Never heard of it.”

“How do you not know Roswell ? It’s a cult show!”

Aaron joined in the banter. “And for the record, I’m not an alien.”

Landon shot back, “Sure, and now that you’ve said that, I totally believe you.”

“Watch out,” Aaron quipped. “I might shapeshift any second, knock you off, and conquer the world.”

Fell, finishing his meal, tossed the wrapper in the bin. “Let’s hit a live music spot tonight after work.”

“Sounds good,” Landon agreed with enthusiasm.

“Cool,” Aaron said, curious about what the evening would bring.

“Lanny, why don’t you invite Ria along?” Fell suggested casually.

Landon nodded, pulling out his phone.

Aaron couldn’t quite wrap his head around their relationship.

Nyle and Maeve had dropped hints that it might be a ‘friends with benefits’ deal, but that didn’t seem to match up with what he’d observed.

Sure, not everyone was like him, and for many, sex was a big deal, but Landon and Ria?

They didn’t seem the type for that sort of arrangement.

Aaron shook his head, attempting to shut off his thoughts as he and Fell walked back to the shop. Landon had already headed into the tattoo studio next door. Whatever was going on between him and Ria, it really wasn’t Aaron’s business. Then, why was he so caught up in thinking about it?

*

A wave of warm air, heavy with the tang of sweat and beer hit Aaron as they stepped into a small music venue that evening. The crowd’s buzz blended with the vocals of an acoustic guitar–backed singer, making it hard to pick out the song.

Ria, already there, waved them over to a table right at the front. Somehow, she’d managed to snag one of the best spots in the house.

“Check out these front-row seats!” Ria beamed, clearing a pile of bags and coats off the chairs.

“You’re a legend,” Fell replied, sliding into a seat next to her.

Aaron quietly took the seat against the wall, leaving the more accessible one for Landon. He knew Landon preferred the outer seats and wasn’t in the mood to argue, especially after spending all day listening to Fell’s love life dramas.

“I’ll grab the drinks,” Fell announced, heading off towards the bar.