(Eddie likely would have just jumped into the fire itself had he done this with a clear mind. Sure, he was very affectionate....With people he knew well. Not complete strangers who had very nice eyes, decidedly. Kind eyes.
But none of that built-in guilt or shame comes crowding up against him. Later, maybe, but for right now, he's feeling extremely lucky, and extremely blessed.
Walking was fine. Eddie liked walking. Plus despite the juice making him shameless enough to just outright hold a stranger's hand, he still didn't like the idea of doing it near adults. For some reason, he couldn't help but feel like he'd get in trouble. His guilt couldn't be completely eradicated, apparently.
He pulls on the other boy's arm, gently, and leads the way out of the weird, questionable circle of potential cultists(?) and out towards the edge, away from the fire, away from the juice. He walks with him out onto the nearest sand trail and gosh. Look at this. How nice was this?)
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But none of that built-in guilt or shame comes crowding up against him. Later, maybe, but for right now, he's feeling extremely lucky, and extremely blessed.
Walking was fine. Eddie liked walking. Plus despite the juice making him shameless enough to just outright hold a stranger's hand, he still didn't like the idea of doing it near adults. For some reason, he couldn't help but feel like he'd get in trouble. His guilt couldn't be completely eradicated, apparently.
He pulls on the other boy's arm, gently, and leads the way out of the weird, questionable circle of potential cultists(?) and out towards the edge, away from the fire, away from the juice. He walks with him out onto the nearest sand trail and gosh. Look at this. How nice was this?)