analogies • tofuudiger short story

Analogies: Two

Tofuu

I stared at my blank screen, open mouthed as I took in what Zack said. "He likes me?" I said under my breath, words scarcely registering in my mind. I never knew my seemingly straight friend would have interest in me.

You see, I'm gay. I thought it was a phase and dismissed it as that for months, but I finally accepted the fact after one late night recording with Zack. I wished I could at least be in love with someone who wasn't my best friend, but fate has that way of dealing you a strange set of cards. I thought of his adorable voice and buried my face in my hands, biting my lip. Why did he hang up? Why didn't I say something. He probably hated me now . . .

I buried my face in my hands, sighing heavily. Then, my phone rung with a messege.

Zack Attack: im sorry bro :(

Joe: no its my fault. im not mad, just confused.

Zack Attack: k :(

Biting my lip, I closed my phone and put it on my nightstand. I opened up Skype and stared longingly at his profile, admiring the adorable curve of his smile and the wave of his hair that I longed to run my fingers through. With a hitch in my breath, I clicked call and fervently adjusted my webcam, hands shaking with nervousness.

After a few awkward moments of the Skype tone ringing in my ears, Zack answered me. He looked like he had been crying, cheeks glistening and eyes red. "I'm sorry man," he whispered, looking at the floor.

I chewed on my lip, wishing he would look up at the screen. "Well, you see . . . I kind of agree with your analogy," I spoke fastly, tripping over my words and stuttering. I winced at the sound of my own words bouncing back through Zack's mic, he wasn't wearing his headphones.

He looked back up at the screen, meeting my eyes through the vast Internet divide. "R-really?" my best friend squeaked, suprised.

I nodded, reaching up and hugging my webcam. I looked down at the screen to see Zack hugging his too. "We are such dorks," I laughed, glad to see the tension dissipate as I sat down in my desk chair.

"Awesome dorks," he agreed. "Awesome dorks in love."