The Double Life

chapter five

photo: Connor Franta as Connor Franta
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"hey con. what's up?" I ask as I pick up the phone at 12:30 am that night. why is he calling me in the middle of the night?

"c-c-can I come over?" Connor says. "I really need to talk.." his voice sounds like he's been crying.

"sure Con." I say into the phone, rubbing my eyes in an attempt to wake myself up. I swear these boys cry more than me Jenn and Andrea combined.

about 10 minutes later I hear a knock on the front door. I get up off the couch and go open it. Connor's standing there, tear stained face and all.

"Con... what happened?" I ask, moving aside to let him in. He follows me upstairs and to my room before he speaks.

"i... I have to tell you something." he says, sitting down on my bed and rubbing his eyes.

"What's up?" I say, taking his hands In mine.

"I... I'm gay. I was dating Troye, but he just broke up w-with me and I just don't know what to do! I loved him!" he says, his attitude transforming from sad to angry. "Why did he break up with me?! I loved him and he loved me and we were happy!" Connor says, standing up and pacing my room.

well that's a lot to take in. But I need to distract him.

"Con, take a deep breath and come sit down." I say, patting the spot on the bed next to me. "is this how you wanted me to find out you were gay?"

he looks at me for a minute before sighing. "No. I was going to come over one day this week and tell you. I wanted you to know first."

"Con, I've known you were gay since 8th grade. You always stared at Troye like a love sick puppy." I say, smiling softly as I remember how simple things were then.

"Are you serious?" Connor says, looking at me.

"yeah. I guess I knew you better than you knew yourself." I reply.

"guess so. Do you wanna know why he broke up with me?" Connor asks.

"yeah." I say.

"he broke up with me because he thinks I like you. isn't that ridiculous? I'm gay and you're my best friend." Connor says. "would you mind talking to him and telling him I feel nothing for you and you feel nothing for me?"

"sure Con. you seem so happy with him that I'd do anything to make sure you guys end up together."

"thanks nat."

"So are you gonna go home? or are you staying over?" I ask, standing up.

"I'm gonna go home. Thanks so much, Natalie. I love you so so much." he says, hugging me. Connor's hugs are the best.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, I decide to call Troye. Connor left me his number yesterday.

"Hey Troye it's Natalie." I say when he picks up.

"oh, hey Natalie. what's up?" Troye asks in his Australian/South African accent.

"So I heard about you and Connor..." I say, trailing off.

"oh yeah. He likes you, right?"

"um.. that's the thing. Connor isn't bi or anything. He's gay. And don't tell him I told you this, but he's been in love with you since 8th grade. I'm his best friend, nothing more." I tell Troye.

he's silent for a few minutes, then speaks.
"I didn't realize. I.. I'll go to his house right now. thanks Natalie." Troye says, hanging up.

guess that settles that. Just as Troye hangs up, my doorbell rings. good thing I'm already dressed for the day. I go over and open the door, revealing a delivery man. He's holding a bouquet of flowers. "Natalie Maddison?" he asks.