Are You For Reel? (A Short Story)

Sarawat

"But you like Earn-"

And I kissed him. I kissed Tine. I kissed the guy I've searched for for more than a year after that Scrubb concert.

"Just so you know, Earn has a boyfriend.
And the only one I've always had feelings for...
is you Tine."

And I was holding his face. God, I've always loved holding that soft cheek. I've always loved the thought of touching your face and hold it near mine.

"I like you. I liked you since the second I saw you."

"But why did you refuse when I first asked you to help me?"

"Well, you said you liked girls.
Eventually, you'd ask me to go back to the way things were.
You'd definitely want to go back to our lives before we met.
Can you ever think of me as more than a friend?"

I was holding back my tears. I don't know what will happen after this. But I want you. I want you to stay in my life.

"I posted that picture on Instagram, to let you know that even before you asked me to pretend to be your boyfriend, you would never be a stranger to me.

I didn't talk to you.
I didn't come to see you.
I did what you asked.
I thought I could handle it.

But when I saw you with someone else, I don't think I can stop my feelings for you-"

"And you think I can?"

My heart stopped.

"From the day you disappeared, my life was never the same.
Whatever I did, or wherever I went, you were always there.
Even in my dreams, you were there teasing me...
Will you take responsibility for this?"

I'm confused. Is he really giving me the go signal? Fuck it. I've said more than enough. I'll risk it.

"I can't play pretend with you anymore. I want to take us seriously."

I walked towards him and gave a sigh that meant relief, fear, and courage.

"Do you want to try...to get to know each other?"

He froze, but I think I saw him nodded. I'm not sure.

"You don't have to like me. Just keep your heart open for me."

I held his hair.

"I really mean it. This is not a script."

And we just looked at each other. Me, feeling the best feeling in the world. And him, frightened of what can happen next. But we know that we both want to risk it.

"...and CUT!" the director said.

Everyone suddenly appeared, and the red light from the camera stopped. We're back in reality.