Frankly

Frank got the impression that Phil had already made his decision when days passed and he didn’t hear of him; when his seat in the class they shared was moved to the front instead of between Frank and the window in the back; when he didn’t appear at his locker next to Frank’s and he sat at another table w/ other friends during lunch.

Evasion at its best and Frank could ignore it like a plow at his chest with a knife.

He watched Phil with disdain and growing hatred, his mind a constant battle.

If Frank hadn’t told him, he would have suppressed it whenever Phil grinned or ate one of his favorite sweets.

But Phil should have accepted his feelings.

Phil should have understood that it wasn’t easy for him to deal with them either.

Phil should have…

Then Frank’s thinking died into an empty lot. His fingers went numb at the rejection and disgust he felt.

Phil would just be a mistake, and Frank had to move on.

On the tossed covers of his bed, his cell phone lit up and rang, playing an instrumental version of We Will Rock You. He stood at the edge of the bed, glancing at the caller ID with shock.

It played and played but Frank didn’t pick it up, his face etched with pain.

At last the screen’s light turned off and the music stopped.

Frank hesitantly, picked it up and flipped open the cell, the wallpaper had a large icon of a phone blinking.

He inhaled swiftly as the ringtone began again and the phone icon changed to an incoming caller notice.

Phil was calling again.

Halfway through the song, he accepted the call and brought the phone to his ear with a shaking hand. “Hello?”

“Frank?”

“Yeah.” Frank gulped, sitting down at the edge of his bed.

“Oh, yeah, hey it’s Phil.” He sounded distant and hesitant as well.

“Hey, Phil. What’s up?” Frank sighed, half deflated and half anxious.

“Uh, nothing much man, getting on Warcraft.”

“Mmm.” Frank lodged the phone between his shoulder and neck, getting off the bed and opening the shutters of the window.

“What are you doing?” Phil asked suddenly out of the silence.

Frank took a moment to answer. “Nuthin’”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Wanna come over my house?”

Frank frowned looking down at the phone with confusion. “What? Why?”

“Dunno, just to hang out, I guess.” Phil’s voice was closer and cautious.

“Umm, no thanks. I’m not feeling well, man.” Frank lied, leaning unto the window and rubbing his thumb against his eyebrow.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Phil sounded alarmed.

“Not sure, probably the sandwich I made for lunch.” Frank sighed into the receiver.

“Oh…then how about I come see you?”

Frank closed his yes. “Ok.”

“Awesome, I’ll be over there in 10.” Without a goodbye, Phil clicked and Frank only pulled the phone away when the dial tone became too annoying.

He closed it and dumped it back on his bed, heading to the kitchen, boiling water to make coffee.

It was costmary to leave the door open for each other and Phil came in and locked the door behind him, calling out for Frank since the cold was picking up.

Frank peered out from the kitchen’s doorway. “Hang up your coat on the rack, want coffee?”

Phil huffed, rubbing his hands together. “Yeah, sure.”

Filling a second mug, Frank brought them to the living room and settled down next to an already sprawled Phil who took his mug, leaned back and blew at the steam.

“So?” Frank looked at him while slowly sipping.

“So, what?” Phil smiled, blowing again and trying the coffee.

Frank swallowed, looked away then back at Phil. “Dude, how stupid do I look?”

Phil blinked and swallowed. “What?”

Frank turned away again, cradling his chipped mug between his legs. “When was the last time we talked, Phil?”

“Oh.” Sighed Phil, sipping his coffee again.

“So?” Frank insisted stubbornly.

“Frank, I’m sorry, it’s just…I needed to get my head in order…and-”

Frank stood up. “And that’s why you sat as far from me as you could, why I didn’t even see you in the hallways? Do you have any freaking idea how I felt??” Frank gritted angrily.

Phil shifted. “Frank, I honestly needed the time to think, I wasn’t trying to piss you off.”

“But I’m still pissed, Phil.” Frank hissed, setting his mug on the glass coffee table before them.

“Frank, why aren’t you listening? For the past couple of weeks, all I’ve been thinking about is your feelings!” Phil yelled, angrily slamming his empty mug next to Frank’s. “How the fuck do you think I feel?”

Frank seared him with his eyes and crossed his arms. “Then what’s the deal? Why are you here?”

“I’m feeling pretty shitty as it is, alright? I came to see you, I don’t want to worry about dumb things like, maybe you’d hit on me or maybe you won’t…I just decided that…” Phil closed his mouth abruptly and looked away.

“That, what?” Frank encouraged sitting next to him again.

“That it didn’t matter. Above everything, your Frank and any, uh, particular likings you have, has nothing to do with us being best friends.”

“Really?” Frank blinked at Phil, taken back by his words.

“Really.” Phil nodded, pursing his lips and leaning back.

Frank grinned and was overcome by the feelings that enveloped him.

Phil just sighed and smiled back sheepishly. “So, what is it you like about me?”