Closer than Before (Whispers of the Heart)

Old Friends

Ollie's room was a world all his own, a small, cozy space that seemed to shrink around him in just the right way, wrapping him in familiar comfort. The walls were painted a soft, calming shade of blue, almost entirely covered by posters of his favorite anime characters and action figures neatly displayed on his bookshelves. His desk was his sanctuary-a well-worn, wooden surface scattered with pencils, erasers, and an open sketchbook.

On his shelves, video games were stacked in a careful order, from his most recent obsession to the old favorites he'd replay when he needed an escape. His collection of manga lined one side, carefully organized by series. And above his bed hung a corkboard, crowded with memories he'd carefully selected to display: ticket stubs from concerts he'd gone to with his best friend, Finn, a few doodles Finn had dared him to put up, and countless photos from middle school and high school.

One photo in particular caught his eye every time he glanced over-a picture from the summer they were twelve. Finn, with his mop of sandy blond hair, had one arm slung around Ollie's shoulders, his grin as wide and carefree as ever. Ollie could still remember that day at the community pool, the sun hot on his shoulders, the smell of chlorine in the air, and the way his heart had pounded as Finn had pulled him close, both of them laughing. Back then, the touch had been innocent, natural. But now, looking back, that same photo stirred something strange inside him-a pang he couldn't quite name.

He tore his gaze away from the image, sitting down on the edge of his bed and pulling his sketchbook onto his lap. Without thinking, he opened it to a page he'd been working on for days-a sketch of Finn, brought to life purely from memory. Finn's easy smile was there, his hair falling messily across his forehead, and his eyes, bright and mischievous, seemed to hold a secret. Ollie had tried to capture every detail, from the curve of Finn's jaw to the way his lips pulled slightly to one side when he smiled. But this wasn't just any drawing. It was something more personal, something private, a version of Finn that existed only for him.

The thought of anyone-especially Finn-seeing it made Ollie's stomach twist.

He hesitated, his hand hovering over the page. Did Finn have any idea about his feelings? They were best friends, sure, but Ollie kept this part of himself hidden, locked away behind a carefully constructed mask of casual smiles and easygoing banter. Around here, boys loving boys wasn't exactly something people talked about, not openly anyway. And Ollie wasn't sure he'd ever be brave enough to tell Finn the truth. Could he risk everything they had just to satisfy his own heart?

Ollie's phone buzzed, breaking the silence. He glanced down, his pulse quickening when he saw Finn's name on the screen.

"Yo! Wanna come over later? Got the new expansion pack for Galaxy Raiders!"

Galaxy Raiders. Their favorite game. It was the one thing that bridged the gap between them, the thing that let them spend hours together without worrying about whether they belonged to the same social circles. Finn was the popular one, the outgoing, confident athlete who played on two sports teams and seemed to know everyone at school. Ollie, on the other hand, preferred the quiet comfort of his room, the hum of his computer, and the scratch of his pencil on paper. They were polar opposites, yet somehow, they'd been best friends since they were kids.

Ollie quickly typed back, trying to keep his excitement in check.

"Yeah, sounds good. What time?" Ollie wrote, already looking forward to a night lost in gameplay and Finn's easy laughter.

"Around seven. Bring snacks, and prepare to lose, loser," came Finn's quick reply, the teasing familiar and comforting, making Ollie smile.

He couldn't help but wonder if Finn had any idea what his messages did to him, the way each one seemed to make his heart race, each teasing word feeling like a small piece of hope. It was silly, he knew, to read so much into such a simple exchange. But he couldn't help it. Finn was everything to him, and even if he never said it out loud, Ollie held onto that feeling, hidden and cherished, like a secret treasure he could revisit whenever he was alone.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ollie packed his backpack with a bag of chips and a few cans of soda, pulling on his hoodie before heading out the door. The cool evening air prickled his skin as he walked the short distance to Finn's house, a path he could take in his sleep. Each step felt like it was leading him closer to a dream, a small piece of happiness he could borrow for the night.

Finn lived in a two-story house with a neatly trimmed lawn and a basketball hoop over the garage, evidence of his active lifestyle. Ollie didn't have to knock-Finn was already at the door, grinning as he opened it wide.

"Hey, loser!" Finn greeted him, his voice filled with the usual easy confidence that made Ollie's heart skip a beat. "I've been practicing all day. You're going down."

"Not a chance," Ollie replied, grinning as he followed Finn inside. He tried to keep his voice steady, tried to hide the way his palms felt a little sweaty, the way his heart raced just from being near him.

They settled in the living room, Finn grabbing two controllers and handing one to Ollie. As the game loaded, Ollie glanced over at his friend, noticing the way Finn's brow furrowed in concentration, the way his mouth quirked into a smirk as he selected his character. Ollie couldn't help but study him, memorizing every detail, every small mannerism that made Finn...well, Finn.

The game started, and they dove into it, hours passing as they played. They traded insults and laughs, the room filled with the sound of their banter and the occasional groan of frustration. It was familiar, comfortable, like slipping into a rhythm they both knew by heart.

As the night wore on, Ollie found himself thinking about all the moments they'd shared, all the small pieces of their friendship that had built up over the years. He thought about the time Finn had defended him in middle school when some kids had teased him for being quiet, the time they'd stayed up all night talking about their dreams for the future, Finn's hand resting casually on Ollie's shoulder as he'd leaned in close.

It was moments like those that made Ollie feel like there was something more between them, even if it was just wishful thinking. He glanced over at Finn, wondering if he'd ever see him the way Ollie saw him, if he'd ever understand the depth of the feelings Ollie kept hidden behind a smile.

As the game ended, Finn turned to him, grinning. "Guess I'm still the champ," he said, nudging Ollie playfully.

Ollie rolled his eyes, trying to hide his disappointment as he replied, "Yeah, yeah, rub it in. I'll get you next time."

They fell into silence for a moment, the kind that felt heavy with unsaid words. Ollie felt the urge to say something, to tell Finn just how much he meant to him, but the words stuck in his throat, tangled up with fear and uncertainty. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to smile instead, to let the moment pass.

Finn gave him a curious look, but didn't press, instead tossing him a soda. "You're coming over tomorrow too, right?" he asked casually, as if it were a given.

Ollie nodded, the simple question making him feel like he was exactly where he was meant to be. For now, being close to Finn, even if only as a friend, was enough. At least, that's what he told himself as he gathered his things and headed back home, feeling a strange mix of happiness and longing that he couldn't quite put into words.

As he walked home under the soft glow of the streetlights, Ollie couldn't help but glance up at the stars, wondering if they knew his secret, if they could understand the feelings he kept hidden. And as he thought about Finn's laugh, his smile, the way his hand had brushed Ollie's just a little too casually, he felt a small flicker of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance that things could be different someday. Until then, he'd hold onto the memories, the quiet moments that only he knew the true weight of. And that was enough. For now.