Lowen (#10InfiniteWeeks)

Owen Spencer was born in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. His parents split when he was very young, but his home life was never affected by it. His mother and father remained friends, which allowed Owen to have an equally close relationship with both of them. He lived with his father and step-mother before attending Foster & Allan Academy in his seventh grade year. This is when Owen was introduced to the Ashby's for the first time.

It's a well known fact amongst Small Circles readers that this was the pivotable moment that forever connected Owen and Larson. Owen stands up for Larson against a group of guys on the lacrosse team. They had been teasing and taunting Larson for a long time, but when they finally get the balls to call him offensive names to his face, Owen steps in. It's this that seals the boys' friendship in Paxton's eyes. Owen is accepted into the group as an equal, and from then on out they are inseparable.

As Owen grows up, he's faced with the idea that he might be different than his friends. He knows that Larson obviously likes boys, and it's just as obvious that Paxton likes girls. But what makes Owen so different is that he doesn't quite know what he likes. He doesn't really like girls, but there aren't any boys he finds attractive either. Except for one. After Larson's birthday party, the two share a moment that forever changes how Owen views his openly gay best friend. One of Audrina's friends dares Owen to kiss Larson during a game of Truth or Dare. He does, but instead of just shrugging it off as mission accomplished, it lingers with him. He feels something. And so does Larson.

Over time, it's the need to explore this new territory that leads Owen to believe that he might possibly be falling for his best friend. But he doesn't publicly acknowledge it. Not by any means. He eventually decided to give in to his need to be with Larson, but only in private. He hides their relationship, which in turn puts a strain on it. Larson's love for the other boy grows so deep and so strong that he suggests coming out as a couple to their friends. Owen refuses. There's a part of him that still can't believe he's gay. To him, there's no proof, other than this one connection with Larson. He's never wanted any other boys. He's never felt "feminine". But over time, he realizes that's not what love is about.

After a long time apart, Larson is the one to convince Owen that love is not about labels. Slapping a definition on who he is isn't going to make either of them feel any better. I was completely moved by Owen and Larson's relationship. It was very important to me to shed light on a character like Owen in my books. Not everyone knows exactly who they are when growing up. Sometimes it's not about gender or sexuality. Sometimes it's just about the connection. And that's what happens with Owen. He falls in love with his best friend, because there's no one else. For Owen, Larson was it. And even though his life was cut short, it was full because he was loved back.


-Megan.