I'll Be Alright (boyxboy)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Tobias

"Who is the most important person in your life right now? I don't want you to think about family. They are almost always the most important people in your lives. I want you to think of someone you trust, a girlfriend or boyfriend, or someone you love. Who would that person be?"

I sighed and leaned against my locker, dragging a hand over my face. My psychology teacher asked us this question a week ago before the end of class, and it had plagued my mind since then. We'd been discussing the depth of relationships among human beings and the psychology behind it, and for our project, our teacher asked us to answer and analyze the relationship we have with this person. When faced with this kind of question, there's only one person, one name, that comes to mind.

Oliver.

His name came almost immediately. Naturally. And at first, I didn't see anything wrong with it. Oliver is one of my oldest friends and the closest one that I have. I trust him with everything and never worry that he's going to judge me. I can open up about anything and he'll always listen. He's funny and though he's a little quiet, we never struggle to feel comfortable around each other. Well, until lately. Lately he'd been less talkative, less happy, less...Oliver. I remember when he used to lay on my bedroom floor, making up long, elaborate what if stories, or making observations about a certain person, or straightening out everything I owned. Even back then he was neurotic, but it wasn't so bad. Now, he stares off endlessly until I snap him out of it, or falls asleep while he's over my house, or wrings his fingers until they cramp. We used to hang out every day. Now, I'm lucky if I can convince him to come over once a week.

So when I first thought of Oliver, I didn't think anything of it, especially since he'd been acting so weird lately. I just worry about him and he's my best friend. No big deal. But then, on Wednesday, I was reading over the question and wondered why I didn't think of Carla, not even as a second person. I've had feelings for her for months, and sure, I've known Oliver way longer, but the question clearly refers to a girlfriend or boyfriend. Any normal person would've at least considered their crush as an option, even if it wasn't serious.

I eventually brushed it off and pushed my curiosities to the back of my mind. And then continued to spend the rest of the week thinking about him. What was he doing in class today? How did his day go yesterday? Where did he get that scratch on his arm? Why is he talking to Carla's annoying friend again? When is he going to look up and see me waving? Is he coming over today? It wasn't until I was lying in bed on Saturday, seething at the thought of Oliver going to Jamie's house, that I began to question our friendship and truly analyze it. Why do I care? I'm not interested in him.

...am I?

I groaned and banged my head against my locker.

"Woah, easy there. You might dent the poor thing." I perked up at the sound of Carla's voice and butterflies danced in my stomach. I was almost relieved at the feeling and all my previous doubts evaporated. Thank God. I really wasn't interested in riding that train of thought.

"Hey." I said, smiling lightly as she came closer. Every time she came to school, I wondered how long it took her to get ready. I always remember my friend (well, ex friend) Lexi talking about how she never bothers to look amazing in the morning because it takes too long. Yet, every day, Carla arrives looking like a model.

"Hey. So what's up? I don't think that's how you open a locker." She joked. I chuckled.

"Yeah. Can you imagine the lawsuits that would turn up if it was?" Then I sighed. "I'm just...conflicted."