Short Stories Can Be Fun and Depressing

It All Starts With A Piece Of Gum

I'm back and it feels good to be back, but I haven't written in such a long time but I decided to make a comeback with something cringy. Trust me the cringe is real in this story, but also keep in mind I'm writing on my phone. I do apologize for how it is I wrote it on Microsoft on my phone and copied and pasted it, so that's why it's so close together and I apologize. Yes I have a chrome book but it belongs to the school that I'm going to so I only try to do important school work on there, because not that this ain't important I just hate using that thing because they can monitor and watch everything you do on there. But without furthermore enjoy this short story.

My heart speeds up again, my palms are sweaty, my mind is on free fall and love driven. I stop in front of the wooden door, staring through the glass rectangle unable to proceed inside.

There he is, twisting his long dark hair, staring up at the ceiling.

"Mr. Parks, do you wish to join the class." His voice startles me, even though the door is shut, I can still hear the class laugh, and as I enter the chilly room it only grows louder.

The only thing making it worse, is the fact that Jace is laughing along with the rest of them, as I take my seat beside him, he glances in my direction and lets out another laugh.

The teacher walks back in front of the class, turns on the projector and plays a video.

"Pay close attention, this will be on your test." He flicks off the lights, but it doesn't help, since the sun decided to beam down today. I don't care though the natural sunlight only makes Jace's pale skin shine even brighter.

"Do you have a piece of gum?" He's barely inches away from my face, trying to maintain a whisper.

"Yeah." I reach in my bag, with my palms sweating, he smiles and happily takes the piece. "Do you ever brush your teeth?"

"I do, I just gotta stay fresh. You know what I'm talking about."

"Yeah I do." I let out a nervous chuckle, and he goes back to watching the film.

My fingers tap the desk, on a slow rhythm, I'm so ready to get out of this class, but I also want to stay because of Jace. Every time I see him my mind goes into an endless spiral, between wrong and right but all I know for sure is that I want him. I don't care if it's lust or love but it's something driving my emotions insane about him and I love it.

The shallow but lifting tune of the bell sounds, telling us that class is over. Jace is by my side as I walk out, he's my ride home as usual, but he doesn't care.

"Do you have any plans tonight?"

"No," I drag out the words, and he laughs. "I'm free as usual."

"Well do you want to go to a party with me tonight?"

"Yes," I replay too eagerly.

"I'll pick you up later on tonight."

_—_

My reflection stars back at me smiling. Tonight is my night, I've basically known him since birth, and tonight I'm going to make my move. I got this, I got this. It's not going to be hard at all.

But we have been friends since childhood, and he never shown any signs as being anything but straight. What if I mess this up and ruin our friendship? What if I embarrass myself. What if I lose my best friend?

My phone lets out a ding, and a message from Jace pops up on my screen. I practically run outside and hop inside the car.

"Looks like someone is eager to get some tonight. Are you going to make a move on make a move on Cheryl?" My smile is slightly altered. This is the side effect of still being in the closet.

"I'm making my moves on someone tonight." I gave him a quick wink, as my chest tightens, but I love this. I love being near him and flirting with him, even if he thinks I'm joking.

"Yeah that's my boy!" I've been claimed as his boy, I really want to be claimed as his boyfriend.

"Yep, that's me. Your boy."

_—_

When we walk into the party together everyone is staring. Most likely at me, everyone basically knows I'm gay, but Josh seems to be oblivious. Who wouldn't think a guy wearing a red fishnet shirt, and red tight jeans wouldn't be gay.

"Let's go dance." He drags me out to the dance floor, and let's out an innocent smile. Straight guy acts gay, and no one cares. Gay guy acts gay and everyone cares. Some crazy world we live in. I know for a fact if I were to drag him out to the dance floor people would be giving me dirty looks.

We make eye contact for a quick second, I turn my head quickly with my cheeks turning into a shade of red.

"Come on! Move those hips." He places his hands on my hips and moves them for me. It shoots tingles up my spine, but stiffens me.

"I don't have any rhythm what-so-ever." He laughs and pulls me in closer with his hands still on my hips. His hair is partly covering his face, but it doesn't cover those plush lips of his. I bet they're unbelievably soft.

"Hey Jace, do you want to dance?" Cheryl interrupts our dance and takes his hand.

"Are you sure you don't want to dance with Adam?" She laughs it off as if she was offended.

"I'm sure." She takes his hand wraps it around her waist and laughs loudly. But yet he seems to be enjoying her company. I can't believe I was foolish enough to fall for him, to think I could actually get the guy that I wanted. I wish I never caught feelings for him.

I make my way to the door, and I can hear him shouting after me, but I keep walking. By the time he catches up to me, I am halfway down the street.

"Adam wait up!" By the time he caught up to me he's out of breath, but I still continue to walk. "Man you walk fast." He grabs my shoulder and spins me around.

"Don't touch me! Don't touch me ever again." I was holding back my tears, but my voice was still breaking.

"What's wrong with you? I wasn't going to dance with Cheryl, I know the bro code I knew you liked her-"

"I don't like freaking Cheryl! I like you." Everything goes still and quiet. "I like you," I whisper.

"Why? Since when?"

"For as long as I can remember. You make my day just by looking at me, you make me so confused but I love it because I love being around you. You make me drunk on my own feelings."

"That's a lot to take in. How come you waited for so long?"

"I didn't want to lose my best friend."

"Can I have some gum?"

"What?"

"Can I have some gum? I had a drink or two." He drags out each word as if this whole conversation is normal." I take a piece of gum and throw it at him. I turn around and I continue to walk away.

Seconds later I get spun around again and he lands a soft gentle kiss on my lips.