short stories.

campfire.

I sat next to Match. Hands clasped together.

A frown on his face, the smoke from the campfire bellowing into the cold, Dark, starry sky. We planned a camping trip, away from our wives, a boys night out. I just wanted to talk to him.

'Thanks for this.' I mumbled. Squeezing his hand. My wife never let me talk like this. 'I uh. I've just been feeling down lately.' I added slowly, looked over at him.

Match grunted, his face illuminated by the warm fire. ''S fine. You're just soft.' Match was always so monotone, and straightforward. I envied that. I envied him.

'Match?' I ask, as I looked away from the firelight, and met his gaze. A warm, brown stare. He was one of those men that never seemed to flinch, or blink. it was like he was analyzing me. Judging me.

But he always did.
And he usually was, right.

'Yes?' Match replied, looking back at the warm fire. I looked up to the stars, to the black void that swallowed light.

I hated feeling vulnerable.

'Im sorry. For what happened in highschool.' I choke out. I could feel the tears brimming my already slightly red eyes, threatening to spill. We were supposed to be having a hang out, a cool time, but I'm just messing it up.

Highschool was a rollercoaster. It was a low point in my life, and I tried ending it. I regretted it. Match had found me in my most pathetic state of mind, and body. I wish I could have gone back in time and hadn't.

Match hadn't replied yet, just looked ahead at the flames. His face stern. He looked angry. I would have been too, if my soft, crybaby best friend of a man had ruined this beautiful night.

But, he was always better at handling everything, and being there for people. I envied that, so much.

'I'm sorry you had to deal with that.' I added after a moment, staring up at the stars again.

'Don't be.' Match responded harshly, finally looking over at me. I didn't know what to say. I was shocked, but relieved. He didn't sound angry. Just his normal self. Monotone and blunt. My palm was sweaty from this whole situation. I started to pull it away, but he held tighter. 'Match?' I ask, saying his name for the second time tonight.

'you're worth it.' He said aruptly, without hesitation, looking back at the flickering fire. He was a man of few words, always so mysterious too.
Like a puzzle you could never solve.

I looked up at the sky, it seemed calmer. It was a beautiful night, so peaceful. My eyes grew heavy, and I felt the frost biting my nose. I felt comforted, even from just those three words.

'Thank you.'