More Than Friends

Sixteen

Another moment of sheer silence grew between us as Connor slowly processed my question in his mind. Then the confused look on his face morphed into one of pure joy, right before my very eyes. Reaching his arms out, he hugged me, this time without fear or hesitation, and even I managed to hug him back like it was normal.

"Are you serious about this Ben?" He asked me in disbelief and delight, more so than I would have imagined him to. "I, I don't even know what to say, except, of course!"

"Wait! Hold on there for a minute, Connor. Let's not rush into this so fast, okay?" As happy, glad, excited as I was of the idea myself, this was happening way too fast, and there were still several reasons to have doubt and worry about this. "I mean seriously... how about we start off small, like with a simple date or something?"

Wow! Was I really the one asking him on a date? When had the world turned upside-down?

"Great! I'll prepare everything," he cried out, suddenly dying down a bit and getting all serious. "Hmm... I guess that also means I have some issues to deal with. I mean, I still have to tell my parents about this, about me. What am I even going to tell them? What are they going to say?"

That reminded me, I wasn't completely in the clear when it came to confronting my parents either. 

"I know what you mean. I still have to deal with my dad. He knows I'm gay, but I don't think he's completely accepted it yet. On the bright side, my mom thinks we make a cute couple."

"Does she?" Connor laughed at the idea of my mom shipping us together.

"Yup."

"Well, I don't think my mom's reaction will be the same. Oh, and I guess I have to tell all my friends about it too. Danny, what will he think of this? Who am I kidding, he'll just make fun of me, but he'll probably also be okay with it. Hmm, and Samantha—"

"Oh please let me be the one to tell her," I whispered to myself.

"What?"

"Nothing." I reassured him, letting him continue.

"Not to mention, Aiden..." His enthusiasm had nearly vanished. "Wow. Is this really happening?"

Connor was overwhelmed by both excitement and fear, and for the first time that I can remember, I held his hand to comfort him. He beat me to the kiss though.

"Yeah, I guess it is."