The family secret

5 - My name is Julian

‘Try it again.’ Julian said to his best friend Brent. They had been trying to start the boot for five minutes now, but without any luck.

‘I don't get it.’ Brent said. ‘Yesterday the motor worked just fine. It doesn't even make a sound when I turn the key now.’

‘I know right!’ Julian walked nervously back and forth across the deck of the boat. They had been looking forward to this day since ever they bought this boat a year ago. They worked so hard to make it perfect. Together with Brent and sometimes with a little help of Jaden, they totally stripped everything and placed new furniture and woodwork. Well almost perfect than. Just as they were about to leave for three weeks, the motor doesn't work and they are still in the harbor of East-Lakers. ‘Damnit, shall I call my father again?’

‘You can try.’ Brent took off his shirt and wiped of the sweat of his forehead. Damn he looked good. Julian had seen him shirtless a million of times, they used to play football or soccer, always shirtless, except while playing competitions. Brent had a sixpack. His golden blonde locks styled with gel. They had been friends for over ten years now. Brent's dad got a job as a manager at one of Jack's hotels. They played together at the hotels opening and had been friends ever since.

Julian tried to call his dad, but he didn't answer. So much for his help. He tried his mother. She only said to call a mechanic. They tried to call three already. All said they were closed for the day, because of the warm weather. They all wanted to enjoy it. Then Julian got a text message.

Aunty Ken: Can you please stop by for a bit and train with Kelsey. She has an audition this weekend and I want her in perfect shape.

Julian: Fine. I will be there in ten to fifteen minutes.

‘I will be back in an hour.’ Julian was shaking his head to Brent, as if he said; don't ask. ‘Stupid family. We could be in Phoenix right now.’

‘I know. Just go. I will try every mechanic I can find. Just go and when you come back, we go on our well-deserved vacation, just like we planned.’ Brent gave him a small hug, before he went below deck. He went back to the control room one more time.

Julian rode his matte green Vespa back home. He walked straight to his room and put on his work-out clothes. His cousin was whiny like always. Kelsey had no perseverance, no athletic body, no strong muscles. Julian was always sweet to her though. He liked helping people. He loved all people in general. He trained an hour with Kelsey. She gave him a small hug and he returned back to the harbor.

When he came back, he was surprised to see someone standing on deck. The boy was around his age, seventeen or eighteen years old. He had black hair and an amazing bronze skin. He smiled to Julian and he felt a blush on his face. He never had blushed for a boy before. What was going on?

‘Juul, this is Sam. He fixed our motor within two seconds.’ Brent held up a bottle of beer with a huge smile. It was only ten past thirty AM.

‘Really?’ Julian asked. His eyes scanning back and forth to Brent and the new guy.

‘It was easy. All you had to do was pushing back a loose piece of wires.’ the boy said.

‘And you are?’ Julian asked the boy.

‘Oh, sorry. My name is Samuel or Sam. I work at my uncle's mechanic shop in West-Lakers.’

‘Hi Sam, I am Julian.’

‘Hi Julian.’ Sam smiled even bigger than the last time and Julian blushed once again.

‘So, ehm, where are you going?’

‘First Phoenix and then going up north. We planned to travel for three weeks. Just us, beers and our barbeque.’ Brent said, raising his bottle of beer again.

‘And you already started with the beer I see.’ Julian laughed out loud and the other two followed.

‘That sounds amazing.’ Sam said. ‘I have to work at my uncle's shop the whole summer holiday. It is either that or being stuck in an empty house.’

‘You can come with us if you like?’ Brent asked him. ‘We have enough beer, right Julian? Oh, and enough bedrooms. What do you say?’

‘Well, I don't know.’ Sam sighed and sat down at one of the big white chairs on desk.

‘How much?’ Julian asked.

‘W-what?’

‘How much do you make in three weeks?’

‘Eh, almost $300. Why?’

‘What if I give you $1000 and three weeks you will never forget in your life?’ Julian smiled at Brent and gave Sam a wink. He really wanted Sam to join them. He made him blush twice now.

‘I can't accept that!’ Sam said in disbelieve.

‘Yeah, you can.’ Brent said back to him. ‘You have no idea who Julian is, do you?’

‘No, why?’

‘Don't tell him.’ Julian said to Brent. ‘He will find out soon enough.’

They had waited for hours to get away, but now they had to wait a little bit longer. Sam decided to come along with them and had to pick up his stuff first. While they waited, Brent took another bottle of beer.

‘Really Brent? Were you planning on drinking all of it before we even left the harbor or what?’ Julian raised his eyebrow.

Just as Brent tried to answer, Sam came back. Julian felt his face turn red again. He didn't know why he did. It was just weird. ‘I will show you to your room.’ Brent said.

Julian sat behind the wheel and stopped them. ‘Can you please untie the knots first? Now Sam is here we can finally get out of here.’

They left the harbor five hours later than expected. Brent was showing Sam around, while Julian steered the boat. It was busy on the water. Small boats sailed next to them everywhere they came. The weather was hot and after a while, Julian needed a break. He dropped anchor and asked Brent and Sam to go for a swim. It was like they were all supposed to meet. Sam fit the group perfectly. It didn't matter he didn't come from East-Lakers, the rich part of the town Lakers, where Julian and Brent lived. Sam hadn't watched an episode of their reality show and for that Julian was really grateful. Julian threw a ring into the water and floated around happily.

‘So, how old are you, Sam? Are you still in school?’ Brent asked Sam. Julian knew Brent was nosy, sometimes too nosy. But he didn't mind it. He would like to know Sam better. Sometimes Julian was just a little bit shy.

‘It's my last year after the summer, but I was held back a few years ago. So, I'm eighteen now. I go to West-Lakers Length School.’ Sam brushed his hands through his black wet hair. ‘What about you guys?’

‘Well, I'm seventeen.’ Brent answered. ‘Juul and I go to East-Lakers High School. It's our last year too.’

‘And I'm seventeen as well.’ Julian said. He couldn't stop thinking about the school Sam had said. Why was the name so familiar? He had heard of WLLS, because it was the only school in West-Lakers. East-Lakers had both a middle school and a high school. ESLH was high tech and modern. He wondered what it must be like to not only have no airco, but also no computers or touch screen school boards in school. After they had lunch, they left to continue their way to Phoenix. Salt river went straight through the city. Every now and then Julian blushed at Sam. He couldn't help it; Sam was really cute. When they arrived in the central city of Phoenix, they took a cap and went to see the city. They had dinner and ice cream. It was like the perfect night. They went back when it was already dark. Brent wanted to shower and for the first time, Julian was alone with Sam.

‘Julian, can I ask you something?’ Sam asked.

‘Yeah, sure.’ Julian had no idea what he was about to ask. Maybe it had something to do with all the people staring at them in the restaurant. He got recognized a lot, even after the reality show had ended.

‘Julian, are you gay?’ Sam asked.