"So I met this guy," Christopher said to Ethan as they swayed slowly on their usual swings.
The park was their sanctuary, a getaway from the chaos of the world.
"And?" Ethan leaned in expectantly, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Did you finally open your cold, cold heart?" Ethan teased, but Christopher sensed a weight in the question.
"Shut up, dork!" Christopher laughed, gently nudging him.
As he glanced at a little girl building a sandcastle, she glanced back, her stare lingering a beat longer than acceptable, as if sensing something unordinary about Christopher.
"Must be nothing," he thought, turning back to Ethan.
"No, he's everything. I'm serious." Christopher's dreamy expression caught Ethan's attention.
"Okay, so he's tall, dark, handsome, probably rich, and really—no, really sweet," Christopher said, gravelly.
"So, you really like this guy then?" Ethan smiled knowingly.
"I guess..." Christopher responded, feigning coyness.
"Don't dodge the question. How long have we known each other?" Ethan asked, arms crossed and a teasing smile on his face.
"Eight years," Christopher replied thoughtfully.
"Eight years! That's right. I probably know more about you than you know about yourself, idiot."
"Am not!" Christopher laughed, indignant.
"You so are," Ethan zipped back, and they shared a moment of laughter, the world falling away.
---
*(Talking to the readers)*
"You know when your aunt just got married for the umpteenth time, and you've got to attend the reception with all your drunk relatives dancing on tables?" Christopher shrugged sadly at the audience.
"No? Well, I do, and I sure as hell am not going without a little liquid courage," he quipped, taking a deep breath, straightening up as if refocusing himself.
"I present to you my trusted ally in all things awkward—bar mitzvahs, chaotic bachelorette parties; the list goes on. But right now, I've got a date waiting for me!" Christopher said, mood lifting.
"Hey—uh, oh god," Christopher gasped as he opened the door, revealing a dashing Tyler.
"Umm, hi," Tyler said, blushing.
"Oh my god, sorry! Come in!" Christopher stammered, feeling flustered.
*(Talking to the readers)*
"Did you see him?!" Christopher mouthed to the audience, while his back was turned toward Tyler)*
"Nice place you've got," Tyler said, taking in his surroundings.
"Mmmh... what? Oh, yeah, thanks," Christopher replied, caught off-guard.
"So, we should probably go?" Tyler suggested, shuffling his feet nervously.
"Yeah," Christopher nods, but his eyes seem to drift momentarily, lost in thought
YOU ARE READING
The Echoes Of Ethan | BxB ✓
Teen Fiction(Completed) In a world where dreams clash with harsh realities, Christopher, a law student, grapples with buried secrets while navigating love, friendship, and the ghost of his past. As he reflects on his unwavering support system, he can't help but...
