Family Friends (Kleinsen One-Shots)

8. Jared's POV

     A million thoughts were zipping through his head, panic spreading through his body. He was tired of this buzzing feeling in his fingertips, the shaking in his hands, the shallow breaths. He just wanted to get this over with. Because if Jared Kleinman was ever good at anything, it was speaking his mind. Before he joined Evan on his bed, he took off his orange button-up and hung it on the chair, pushing it into the little pocket under the desk.

At this point, he didn't care what would happen. He couldn't keep his crush under wraps anymore. Though he wasn't so sure it was just a crush. As he looked back at their childhood memories, they had always been closer than the average pair. Deep down, he had always felt that tug that wanted to take Evan's hand and snuggle under blankets with him. Except, when they were little, he could do that. Now that they're older, it's harder to express their feelings.

Jared quickly got distracted, becoming angry at himself for his past mistakes. More specifically, how he had treated Evan in the past. His negativity spiraled, taking over his mind until he clenched his jaw and his hands had turned to fists.

Evan's gentle touch broke him out of it, his fingers lightly running over his fists until they relaxed. He intertwined their fingers, Jared releasing a sigh that took his negative energy with him. He took Evan's hand, tightening his grip and bringing it up to his chest. He leaned on the blonde boy, smiling softly.

Around two minutes had passed, and Jared had placed Evan's hand by his side. He parted his lips, about to say something, but his words were drowned out by Evan's rushed question.

"Do you- do you think I still have a chance with Zoe?" His voice was meek, yet still hopeful, breaking Jared's heart. 'We were literally holding hands and he's thinking about Zoe?' He blinked multiple times, not trusting his mouth to speak. Anger welled up inside of his chest, and trying to hide it by taking shallow breaths was definitely not helping.

He mustered a small nod, attempting to plaster an encouraging smile on his face. He was sure it looked weird. Evan continued to ramble on about Zoe. 'Oh, Zoe. Zoe, this. Zoe, that! She's so perfect. I'm so straight.' He scowled internally, and Evan noticed how he was twitching his eyebrows.

He reached out for his hand again, but Jared pulled back. He soon realized what he did, wanting to apologize and explain, but tears began to swell in his eyes. His heart skipped a beat as Evan looked at him all sad.

'I have to get out of here.' Jared faked a yawn, making some stupid excuse before rushing out of the house. His arms stung from the cold, but he didn't care. As soon as he had finally built up the courage, Evan goes all goo-goo eyed for her.

She's not even that special! She has zero personality, and she's like, low key basic! Jared exhaled an angry puff of air, pushing his brown hair out of his face and pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. He tried to take deep breaths, but as usual, it did nothing.

Jared sped-walked back to his house, fortunately right next door. He stormed through the house, and thankfully his mom worked late on Fridays. Only when he locked himself in his room did he realize he left his shirt at Evan's.