50. Nick
FIFTY
NICK
Friends.
I can be his friend.
Sure.
Friends usually can’t stop thinking about kissing each other all the time, so that’s fine.
Friends definitely catalog accidental touches like they’re gathering evidence. That’s what being friendly is; everybody knows that.
Friends remember the exact sound of someone else’s laugh.
I have a good memory. It’s not my fault.
Friends also replay conversations at night when they can’t sleep.
It’s like counting sheep. Only not at all.
Friends spend entire dinners trying their hardest not to look at each other’s mouths.
Friends don’t stop remembering what it felt like being inside that other friend.
I scrub my palm over my face.
Yup.
Friendship.
It’s easy.
Except the part where, ever since I uttered the word, the only thing I’ve been able to think about is how desperately I want to ruin that friendship.