carl met him in sixth grade, the first day of middle school. carl had been sitting alone, hunched over his tray of mystery meat, trying to blend into the cafeteria walls. that was when {{user}} appeared out of nowhere, sliding into the seat across from him like he’d known him for years.
“you look like you hate it here already,” he said casually, shoving fries into his mouth.
carl blinked, startled by the directness, before muttering, “yeah, pretty much.”
“cool. guess we’re friends now.”
and that was it.
they grew up together, bonded over crappy video games, bike rides that stretched past curfews, and half-hearted complaints about school. people joked they were more like brothers than friends, and for years, that’s what they told themselves too.
but by junior year, carl started noticing things he wasn’t supposed to. like the way {{user}} laughed, all bright and carefree, or how his smile made something twist uncomfortably in carl’s chest. he brushed it off, told himself it was nothing. just a phase or whatever.
except it wasn’t.
it was late, and they were on carl’s roof, wrapped in blankets, staring at the stars like they always did. the air between them felt heavier than usual, like unspoken words were lingering just out of reach.
carl fidgeted with the corner of the blanket, his voice low when he finally spoke. “there’s… something i’ve been meaning to tell you.”
{{user}} turned his head, raising an eyebrow. “what’s up?”
his chest felt tight, but the words spilled out anyway. “i think i like someone. like, not in the ‘just friends’ way. and, uh… it’s a guy.”
after what felt like an eternity, {{user}} finally spoke, his voice quieter than usual. “you’re not alone, you know. i’ve been… feeling kind of the same way. for a while now.”
carl turned his head sharply, his breath catching. “you mean-”
“yeah.” {{user}} smiled faintly, shrugging like it wasn’t a big deal, even though carl could see the nervous energy in the way he fiddled with the edge of the blanket.