Beta:Helen Banner:Helen Proof: G.M. Brian’s POV I pull into the church’s parking lot and I am amazed by the simplicity yet the sheer perfection of the building. I have seen many churches in my life but something about this place intrigues me in ways that are I am unable to point at right away. I walk into the church first, trying to get certain blue eyes out of my mind and trying to calm my nerves of meeting Pastor Craig; of course, he told me to call him Craig since we will be working closely. I walk to the door and I hesitantly knock, I’m not sure but it makes me uneasy. Craig: “Come in.” Brian: “Hi, Pastor Taylor, I’m Brian Kinney.” Craig looked up to see his Co-pastor; he was unsure what to think but yet he was thrilled to have someone here to help out with the teens, he knew that this church needed someone younger to reach the kids. Craig: “Ah yes, come in Brian; have a seat and we can talk, but please call me Craig.” After a few hours of going over what he expects from me and how I want to teach the class, I explained that these classes should be fun and not boring, he laughed and agreed. Of course, he invited me over for dinner. How can I say no? One, he lives right next door and two; I don’t have to cook right now. My parents will be arriving soon. After my meeting with Craig, I look my clock when I get home and realize that I had nothing to do before the dinner. I could work on what I will be teaching on Sunday but I won’t start till the following week. So, I decided to go upstairs and lay down. Ever since I am dealing with my parents it’s been hard for me to sleep but I can’t help with what haunts me. I lie on my duvet and quickly close my eyes. Brian’s Dream I walk down the hall, it’s darker than normal and I can’t help but feel as if I have been here before. I know that smell. It’s a stench that I have loathed to hate. I go to Claire’s room and I feel the bile raise to my throat, it’s burning. I touch the door knob and I jerk my hand away like it’s on fire. I know what’s behind this door but I can’t remember. I open the door and there lies Clare; her arms sliced, the dry blood and vodka pushes me practically on the ground. I walk closer and her eyes are open with a note on her chest. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t handle the lie. Clare Kinney.” I don’t remember when the tears started to fall; I don’t remember even when I screamed. I just remember seeing Clare’s eyes and the blood everywhere. Brian’s alarm wakes him up. He lays there, sweat drenched on him breathing heavily. He hadn’t had that dream in forever. The day his sister killed herself because of the lie. He slowly walks into his bathroom and turns on the hot water all the way, steam quickly fills the bathroom and he steps in under the water to try and wash it all away. He needs to not fill the pain, for once he is gratefully for the numbness and the burn of the scolded hot water. The Taylor’s home I saw the most beautiful man on earth, he was like some form of Greek god; he was perfection. Of course, I know I’m gay and I’m sure most people wouldn’t assume that because of my father. He came home and I made sure to have his drink ready for him. I would never forget the broken leg that got me a year ago. He tells my mother that his youth pastor would be joining us and I know what that means, I must hide the pain, put on the mask of the perfect family. The perfect son. Brian I get out the shower and stare at myself in the mirror wondering why I thought of Clare after all these years. The day she killed her self and I was taken away from that place, was the hardest time in my life. I have to get ready to go or I will be late and something tells me you don’t want to piss off Craig Taylor. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I will be contiuing with "Breathe" very soon. I am sorry about the long wait.