Chapter 3 ✔️

1 month before...

The coffee shop is near bustling by the time Harvey arrives, exhausted from the long walk across campus, and the day full of classes that seemed to drag on and on. He manages to bag a seat close by the windows, but it's near the door, so a harsh breeze sweeps over him whenever a new customer enters.

He sets his things down, a worn hand-me-down coat, a plum-coloured scarf and his laptop bag. Ensuring he's in full view of his belongings, he gets up, walks over to the server, and orders a warm drink.

He's stood at the other end of the counter when he notices Chris walk in, sandy brown hair tucked under a thick woolly hat. The tips of his ears poke out and are flushed a vibrant red after being assaulted by the winter wind.

Harvey grins at him and gestures over to the table where his things had been left, indicating for Chris to go take a seat. Chris nods in turn, wasting no time in sitting down and attempting to warm up.

When Harvey returns to the table, he has two drinks in hand, one for him and one for Chris.

"Aw, man, you know me so well!" Chris greets him with a grateful smile, clasping the hot mug in his hands eagerly, undeterred by the numbness of his fingertips.

"I'd better, after all this time." Harvey scoffs, sitting down.

"You're like my big bro." Chris gushes.

"More like a carer." Harvey mutters before taking a long sip of his coffee.

"Hey!"

Harvey doesn't respond, only winks at the younger man and glances out of the window. He watches the wind gust, and thrash against the trees along the sidewalk. They stand so tall, and mighty, and no matter how hard the wind blows, they show no signs of toppling over. Harvey wonders what it'd be like to have that strength. To know that no matter what is thrown at you, you can withstand it.

Then he thinks of himself. Of the person he's trying to be. Chris may be smart, but he's young. Not so much that he doesn't know his own mind, but enough that the way Harvey presents himself is important, it's influential. Harvey likes being a big brother to Chris. He likes the idea that he's a good enough person that someone looks at him as a role model. And even if he doesn't feel special enough to be of any importance to anyone but Chris, that's okay. Because he has his pseudo-kid brother to look out for and that's enough for him.

"Man, I am exhausted." Chris pulls Harvey out of his thoughts, leaning back on the chair and letting his head flop backwards dramatically, "You know I had to do the most complex proof today? And then it got assigned as an essay topic. Like I didn't already have enough of it for a lifetime."

"Your fault for majoring in mathematics dude."

"You're the one majoring in law!" Chris hits back incredulously.

"Ah, but you see, there's an upside." Harvey smirks.

"No math?"

"No math."

Chris rolls his eyes, letting his gaze rest on the doorway, where a tall man stands. He's big, and handsome, with rich dark brown skin and cheekbones higher than heaven itself. He looks as though he can't be any older than Harvey is. Chris's eyes lock with Harvey's across the table, a knowing expression on his face. Harvey scoffs, lips finding the rim of the coffee mug as he follows where Chris had been looking. He appraises the man at the entrance, and hums appreciatively, smirking at his friend.

"You should talk to him." The younger man suggests with a sly smile.

Harvey splutters, "Absolutely not. Why would a guy who looks like he stepped out of a magazine ever bother with a guy like me?"

"You're hotter than you think, Harv." Chris frowns, "I'd do you."

"That's disgusting."

"Why? It's not like we're related."

"You're still like my kid brother." Harvey grimaces like he's just walked through a fish market in July. "And you're sixteen."

"I'm legal." Chris grumbled, visibly annoyed at the sentiment, "And I'm nearly seventeen! Besides, I'm hot as fuck."

"I never said you weren't, dear." Harvey says, just to placate him, "In fact, why don't you go talk to Mr GQ over there."

Chris blinks, and looks to the counter, where the handsome man is stood waiting for his order. Then he nods, setting his mug back onto the table resolutely.

"Fine. I will." He says, then in one motion, stands up and bounds over toward the stranger.

The conversation lasts all of one minute, with a couple of confused looks, and one lingering glance towards Harvey. By the time Chris returns, he looks dejected, and slumps miserably into his chair.

"Woah, woah, what happened?" Harvey frowns, immediately leaning forward to take his friend's hand.

The hand is yanked back viciously, and Chris shoots Harvey a poisonous look that causes the older man to flinch somewhat.

"Damn... What's that look for?" Harvey asks cautiously. He's afraid of the answer, but he's too worried about his friend for the fear to stop him.

"I told you, you should have gone for him." Is all Chris says, before downing his coffee, and moving to stand up.

Before he can go anywhere, Harvey halts him with a stern look, "Don't you dare. We've talked about this. Use your words."

There's petulant roll of the eyes, which reminds Harvey that despite to big words and mature conversations, this kid is still sixteen years old. Chris huffs and speaks, "He said that he didn't date kids, and that I should get your number for him."

"What?!" Harvey groans frustratedly, "That was so unnecessary. Don't listen to him Chris, he doesn't know what he's talking about."

"He's right though. I'm a kid." Chris murmurs sadly.

"That doesn't make you less worthy of respect. He didn't have to be rude." Harvey says matter-of-factly, "You're not a child, and you've spent the past two years living in an adult environment. You're more mature than the majority of 20-year-olds I know."

"And yet, no one wants anything to do with me." Comes Chris's solemn reply. He sucks in a deep breath, glancing out the window at the trees, before looking back at his friend, "I don't fit in with people my own age, I don't know what it's like to be a normal high school kid. But I'm to young to be respected by people your age."

"I respect you." Harvey supplies hopefully.

"You don't count." Chris grumbles, "You're my brother."

"I absolutely count." Harvey's eyes furrow considerably, "Who cares if some 19-year-old thinks you're too immature. You're sixteen. And I'm not saying you're too young for romance, but you're definitely too young to be acting like you're love life is never gonna improve."

"I know it will, I'm just...."

"Tired." Harvey smiles at him sympathetically, "I know, man. But trust me, things will change for you, sooner than you think. This is an awkward age, no matter how smart and mature you are. Just be patient."

"Easy for you to say, you've got hot guys falling at your feet."  Chris mutters.

"So that's what this is about!" Harvey laughs, "Dude! You're a catch. One day soon you're gonna feel ridiculous for even worrying about me."

"You promise?"

"I promise. I'm sorry that you're feeling like this. I used to feel it too. But I promise it won't last."