7 Minutes • Jachary

Two • Zach Herron

Of course it has to land on Apple Juice Stealer and my best friend in the world. I can't imagine kissing either - actually, I kinda can - but not like this.

"Should I spin again?" I ask.

"Ugh, yes please," Daniel mutters and I shoot a glare because I can totally hear him!

"Nah, Jack and David can decide," Corbyn says dismissively.

"My name is Daniel," Daniel corrects, and I snort to myself in amusement.

"Okay fine, I'm choosing Jack," I quickly say, ignoring Corbyn's suggestion.

Jack seriously looks like there's no oxygen left, mouth gaping and just staring as if I declared the world was ending.

"Don't worry," I say to him, taking his arm. "It's not like we'll be doing anything."

We head into the closet, and the darkness settles over us. We sit on the ground, and luckily it's carpeted so it's comfy. There's still a bass line in the background, indicating that our classmates are probably partying again.

I lean in. "So what do you wanna do?"

"Um. What are we supposed to do?"

"Well, people make-out, but..." I trail off.

"Oh." Jack's voice sounds raspy, and I feel a flutter in my stomach.

Jack's shoulder is pressed against to mine, and he feels warm. I shake my head in disbelief because Jack is straight, and I know that I shouldn't feel this way for my best friend.

The thing is, I've had a crush on Jack since eighth grade but then he went out with Gabbie and I tried to get rid of my infatuation. Thinking I have a chance with my best friend? Yeah. That's not gonna happen. It'll totally mess our friends up, too.

He has been acting distant compared to these previous years, and I'm worried that he feels uncomfortable that I'll make a move on him or something. He isn't like that, though... he was the first person I admitted my sexuality to, and supported me ever since.

Maybe I'm the one who's changed, and he doesn't like me as a friend anymore. While we both are similar in humour, I guess I sometimes get really annoying.

"We don't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with," I caution, although I really want him to kiss me.

"I'm not uncomfortable with anything," he immediately replies, and I wish I can see his face because it's like an open book.

"Yeah? So you don't think that kissing your best friend is uncomfortable?" I force a laugh. I notice the way that Jack looks at me sometimes, having a strange look either out of pity or like I've done something wrong. I've never really noticed it until around the beginning of high school.

"Hey, Zach?"

"Y-Yeah?"

"You think people can tell if we haven't kissed?"

"Obviously. There's signs."

"Oh. Then I guess, y'know, we better kiss."

My heart soars. "I guess."

"Okay." He leans into me.