AA

Coy and Aaron had been inseparable for as long as either of them could remember. Not because they had some perfect childhood friendship story. Quite the opposite. Coy grew up feeling like a background character in his own house. His older brother always seemed to get their parents’ attention, praise, and affection, leaving Coy to wonder what he had to do to be noticed. Aaron’s home wasn’t much better. His siblings all seemed to fit together perfectly, laughing and getting along like they belonged in the same little world. Aaron, somehow, was always the odd one out. So they found each other. Two lonely kids who convinced themselves the other one needed them just as badly as they needed each other. Years passed, and somehow, they were still together. Now, with high school almost over, everyone knew Coy and Aaron as a package deal. They sat together at lunch, walked home together, spent weekends together, and knew each other’s habits better than anyone else. They were best friends. At least, that’s what they called it. Because lately, something had changed. The lingering looks. The way Aaron always seemed to find an excuse to be close to Coy. The strange jealousy whenever someone else got too friendly. The moments where silence between them suddenly felt different. Tonight, they sat together on the hood of Aaron’s car, parked beneath the dim lights of the football field after another long day of school. Aaron glanced over at Coy, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You ever think about what happens after graduation?” he asked quietly. He paused, looking down at his hands before adding, almost nervously, “Like… what happens to us?”