Thomas sat back in his chair, continuously throwing a small plastic ball up into air, clutching it into his hands when he caught it. Alexander sat at his desk, repeatedly stroking his pencil on a blank page inside of his notebook filled with art. "Cookies or cupcakes?" Thomas asked over the phone, continuing to throw his green ball up into the air. "Cookies" Alexander responded, without looking up. "Why cookies?" "Because I can eat more of them without having to stop and digest. And I think cupcakes are too sweet and sugary." Thomas gasped. "But that's the best part about it!" 

Alexander just shrugged as the the sky gradually turned gray, dark clouds rolled overhead with the small pitter-patter of rain on the roof, the water spilling onto both of their windows. Thomas stopped what he was doing and threw the ball to the side, putting his focusing on the boy that was on the phone with him.  He watched Alex as he slowly dragged his pencil across his paper, making another curved line along with the many others that made up a full circle for the shape of a head. Such concentration. Though it was obviously upside-down for him, he could still make out the shape.

Alexander flipped his pencil so that the eraser was available for use and violently wiped away half of the circle, blowing away the remnants of the eraser with a frustrated sigh. Since it had became silent on the other end of the line, Alexander looked up to see Thomas just staring at him. Thomas chuckled nervously and quietly asked. "Sorry. How do you that?" "Do what?" Alex questioned. "You know, draw and not make it look like the work of a five year old?" Alexander snickered and put down his pencil, tilting his head to the side and analyzing his work.

"I've been drawing for years. I guess practice makes for better work. Never perfect though." Alexander picked his pencil back up after responding and started working again. "I would ask you to teach me, but I'm lazy." Alex smiled at the comment. {Yes, this is a jest to me and my laziness. Ha ha.} John peeked inside of Thomas' room, only to silently mock how smiley he was in the middle of the doorway. But the southerner could sense his presence and looked over, slightly annoyed to see John standing there. As much as he loved his best friend, he can be a real pain in the ass. 

"Whassup?" John walked over to his friend with a wide smile and wrapped his arms around his neck, resting his chin on Thomas' shoulder, finally being able to put a face to a name, or a face to an adjective. "Ah, so you must be the 'cute guy' that Tommy boy was talkin' about." Alexander looked up and waved politely with a smile, observing the interaction between John and Thomas. "This is my friend, John." "Correction, best friend." Thomas hummed. Alexander—who was a little anxious—began to introduce himself. "Hi, I'm Alexander. But you can just call me Alex."

Thomas smacked his hands together. "Now that we've got that squared away, you can leave." He turned to John with a pain inducing smile. But he just pursed his lips and started to walk backwards, placing himself on Thomas' bed. "Nah, I'm good." Thomas looked towards the ceiling and took a small breather. "It's fine." Alexander reassured him, though he was slightly upset himself. "See, even he wants me here." John shouted. "Hey Thomas, do you mind if I..draw you?" Thomas nodded excitedly, he had never actually been drawn before. "Do I just stand still or something?" "No need." Alexander had a photographic memory, so have seeing Thomas several times, it's easy to remember what he looks like.

"What's your favorite color?" Thomas replied simply. "Emerald green, it reminds me of turtles. Yours?" Alexander, debated on how to respond, as if this answer would change how everybody would view him. "I kind of like lavender the best. I just feel like I look best in that color." Since the two of them were asking questions—and he wanted to feel included—John asked a question. "Hey Alexander, do you work?" Alex shook his head. "No, still looking." "Speaking of work, I got this stupid project about the sea turtles we saw about a month and a half ago and I really need help." Alexander and John both responded at the same exact time, having like minded thoughts. "I could help you."

 Thomas made a noise of indifference. "Hm. John I think you could sit this one out." "Why?" "I nearly failed a class because you couldn't stop foolin' around. I had to do the rest of the work and you know I'm not that smart." But John just began to laugh. "Everybody knows that." Thomas sighed as his shoulders dropped, sitting back in his chair. Both of them noticed this sudden sadness. "Sorry." He just waved it of and took it as if it was a mere joke, smiling. "It's fine." Alexander fortunately studied the situation and tried to change the subject. "Uhm.. maybe we can go back to the beach to actually try to study the turtles this time. I heard something special was happening down there but I don't know exactly what it is yet."

Thomas perked up like a festive child and focused on the potential getaway. "Hopefully you won't get an ass rash again." The both of them started to chuckle, making light of that tragic and itchy situation. John sat back and watched the pair, smiles on their faces, only wishing that he could do the same. To add salt onto the injury, they didn't even notice him slip out of the room. Once he left the place of Asphyxiation, his mental mask fell and the fragile glass shattered. The more they laughed, the further his heart broke into two. It wasn't that he didn't want his best friend to be happy, it's just that he'd rather have Thomas be happy with him. 

As different at John and Alexander may be, they both have the same problem. They can't seem to express their love towards people. And unfortunately, they're trying to confess to the same person. {Alex wants to confess but doesn't know it yet :D} Isn't that a conflict of interest? 

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Thomas walked into the main room, an intense and heavyweight feeling of pain washed over him, and all he could see was John, mindlessly flicking through the channels they had available on the TV. He walked around and sat on the couch with him, taking the remote out of his hand and sitting it next to him. Thomas was the first to apologize. "I'm sorry for trying to kick you out so quickly." John shook his head. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier, it was kinda mean." Thomas emitted a short laugh, looking slightly confused. "This is new. When have you ever apologized on behalf of your words?" 

"I never do, and that's the problem! I don't want you to take me as some bitch of a friend." Thomas placed his hand on his best friend's shoulder and gave him somewhat of a melancholy smile. "I've never taken you that way. I mean, speaking your mind doesn't come easy to everyone. And while maybeee that doesn't work in all situations, I personally think it's pretty cool." John's heart swelled painfully, while it was sweet of Thomas to do this, he couldn't figure out if he was being a good friend, or if there was a deeper meaning. Thomas opened his arms with a grin, embracing him with the intent to make him feel better, getting his wish when John hugged him back. 

{In the middle of a room, on a couch, silently hugging. If only, if only.}

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