Call of Duty, with a Twist (Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds alternative ending)

Call of Duty, with a Twist

Ty stood in front of the door, hesitating to knock. Maybe this was a bad idea, he thought to himself, Bry got beat up because of me, what if he's mad? He thought of all the possible outcomes, while looking at his hand which had bled thanks to the prickly thorns.

Just then, Bryson opened the door and looked at the boy standing in front of him. From his messy brown locks, to the four roses in his bloody hand, all the way down to his muddy sneakers. Ty was breathing hard from all the running. He was scared Slim would chase after him, but more importantly he didn't want Bry to be mad at him. I should've just texted him. He looks angry.

"Sup," Bry said. He was confused but still smiled. Glad to see his friend was okay for the most part.

". . . Hey," Ty said, tearing up. His legs were shaking and his heart was pounding thanks to all the running. What if it wasn't from the running though? Ty held out the roses after a long moment of silence. "Here, I picked them for you. . . They aren't very good though and I did steal them and -"

"Are you gonna come inside already? I need someone to back me up!" Bry laughed, taking the red bouquet gently.

"Oh. . . Oh yeah of course! Lets destroy some Nazi's!" Ty laughed. He felt stupid for ever doubting his friendship with Bry. Stepping in, he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about yesterday, it's my fault."

"How is it your fault? Slim's an idiot, let's forget it ever happened," Bry said, he didn't care about getting beat up, yeah it hurt but he was just glad his friend was okay. Besides, being called gay is nothing to him. Bry was gay, so it didn't really matter. He wasn't sure about coming out anytime soon but that wasn't important at the moment.

The two boys grabbed their controllers and started playing. After Ty cleaned his hand off, of course. He wasn't about to touch someone else's controller with a bloody hand! Strange enough though, his heart was still beating fast, and his hands were shaking still despite him not being tired anymore.

Do I like Bry? No. I can't like him. I'm straight right? He looked over to his fellow partner, but quickly looked back at the television blushing. I do!

After the game was over, they lost for the first time in a while, Ty put down his controller and considered telling Bry about his realization. There were many thoughts bubbling in his mind like what if he's homophobic, what if it ruins the friendship, what if he doesn't feel the same way. Which, were all stupid questions but he was confused.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Bry asked, gently grabbing his shoulder.

The confused teen looked down at his comrades arm. "Yeah, yeah it's just,"

"You know you can tell me anything, we're buddies! If you don't wanna tell me it's fine, but I'm here for you."

"I - I think I'm gay," Ty said quickly looking away. He let the tears flow out, he was not able to hold them back any longer. His face turned dark red from embarrassment and fear. Ty knew he'd support him, he got proof of that yesterday but it didn't stop his mind from wandering.

Bry looked at his friend, and knew this was no joke. He couldn't help but smile happily. He knew from experience all the thoughts that were in his head. Hugging Ty he uttered "Cool, same," he wanted Ty to feel more comfortable.

Ty pulled away, looking at his friend's muscular chest, he was confused and didn't know if he should believe him. "Re-really?"

"Would I have said it if it wasn't so?" Bry said coolly. "There's one more thing though,"

"Um, what might that be?"

"I like you. More than a friend, that is,"

"Best friend?" Ty said, not fully believing that he could possibly mean crush.

Bry glared as if that was the stupidest question ever.

Ty looked his closest friend in the eyes, knowing that they were becoming something more. Boyfriend and boyfriend, a subject that Ty didn't know very well but would like to know more about. When Bry kissed Ty on the cheek at school yesterday it felt amazing, Ty didn't want it to stop.

"Do you mind if I?" Bry said, not knowing if he should finish his sentence.

"Please do," Ty said, almost begging. He couldn't stop blushing, and although the crying had stopped the tears threatened to come back.

Then, just then, Bry kissed Ty on the cheek, just like he did the day before but instead of proving a point he was doing it out of love.