Elastic Hearts

Charlie was many things, but straight was not on the list. The thing he was most proud about himself was his gayness. Though he was practically the definition of a closeted gay white boy.

His best friend was Charlotte, and she just so happened to be as straight as can be, in the most cliche way possible. She was Charlie's anchor, and while he would never admit it for fear of being exposed, Charlotte was the reason for his gayness. He'd crushed on her for so long, his heart was broken when he realized she could never like him the way he liked her.

Eventually, he stopped thinking of girls altogether, and began focusing his attention on the backsides of males. And even though he found it hard to come to terms, Charlie finally admitted to himself that he was attracted to guys.

Even when Charlotte had a sudden growth spurt and certain parts of her got bigger, Charlie paid no attention. He often found himself daydreaming of secretive glances which would lead to others things, but always managed to stop himself from thinking any further because no one at his school even swung his way. Except for the girls, of course.

Soon, Charlie couldn't even decide what was worse, crushing on his best friend, or longing for something that would never happen. He could only fantasize of another guy's lips on his own.

And then he'd snap back into reality and mentally kick himself for giving into his thoughts.

"Hey, boyo." A familiar voice said. Charlie looked up from the book he was reading. Well, staring at while he let his thoughts roam freely.

Charlotte sat down next to him, a biology textbook in her hands.

"Did you get to dissect the frog?" Was Charlie's first question.

"Naw." Charlotte scrunched her nose, "Mr. Newman said that the woman who was supposed to come in and do the class with us had gotten into a car accident. So no scalpel for me today."

"Or anyone else." Charlie added, absentmindedly.

"Yeah. You been out here this whole time without getting caught?"

"Halfway through math I asked to be excused to the restroom. Said my stomach was hurting. I'm sure Mr. Adams will understand my absence." Charlotte chuckled at her friend.

"You've always been a good liar." She said, tousling his hair. If it'd been three years ago that she did this, Charlie would've melted on the spot, now he just swatted her hand away with an easy smile.

"And speaking of liars, care to tell me where you've been sneaking off to when you supposedly had soccer practice?" Charlie teased, knowing he finally caught his miss goody two shoe best friend in a lie. Charlotte's face turned a deep shade of embarrassment red.

"I- Uhm- you see.." she scrambled for words.

"Yes? Do tell."

"Ugh. You obviously already know." Charlotte hid her face in her hands. "Spare me the shame of saying it out loud."

"Alright. But I still can't believe you've been hooking up with Simpson this whole time. And skipping practice." Charlie laughed.

"Oh, my god. Don't say it so loud."

Charlie cupped his hands around his mouth to produce a makeshift megaphone, "Hey everyone! Charlo-" he was cut off when Charlotte shoved him off the picnic bench he'd been sitting on.

A few students turned their heads in the two friend's direction, carrying on when nothing interesting happened.

"Ouch! You know, just because my mouth is big doesn't mean my booty is." Charlie complained, dusting himself off as his hands patted his bruised butt.

Charlotte just rolled her eyes. "You and your big mouth asked for it. Besides, it's a secret. No one can know. Simeon has made that very clear."

"Simeon Simpson, every girl's wet dream." Charlie mocked in a high falsetto tone. As an afterthought he added, "And mine too." To which Charlotte just groaned in disgust.

"You're impossible."

"Thanks."

The bell rang like a shrill mother telling her children to come hither. Students that had been on the school lawn headed back inside the air conditioned school, and to their respective classes.

"Wanna ditch with me?" Charlie asked, packing up his things that had been sprawled on the table.

"Coach said if I had anymore tardies, he's going to suspend me from the team. Besides, I actually care about my grades." Charlie loved Charlotte and all, but sometimes she sounded too much like his mother.

"Fine. Tell Simeon I said hi." Charlotte rolled her eyes once more before waving goodbye. Charlie didn't waste any time in heading in the direction of where his car was.

He was so done with this day already. And it wasn't even lunchtime yet.

Charlie's car was parked all the way in the back of the lot, exactly where he wanted it. Unbeknownst to most of the students in the school, there were two entrances to the parking lot, one in the way front, one in the way back. The one in the back was usually for the kids that were always late.

Even though Charlie made it to class on time most days, the back was his spot, and he'd have it no other way. Charlotte always grumbled with him when she hitched a ride, complaining of how far she had to walk which was typical for her because although she played soccer, she was lazy.

Charlie unlocked the door and swung his body into the Honda. He tossed his bag on the passenger seat where it spilled onto the floor. He muttered a small curse before closing the door. He leaned back and exhaled thinking of what his destination would be.

It was then his stomach growled.

"Food sounds good." Charlie said to himself and started the car.