“Yo, why’d you miss the football tryouts today, Love?” Everett asked Seymour over video chat.
“Did you forget about my broken arm already, Ryans?” Seymour asked wryly.
“Course not, dude, I just thought you’d have stayed and watched me.”
“Bruh, I totally would have, you know I would have, but my sister’s back in town and it had been a while since we last caught up, so… You understand, right, man?”
“Yeah, I’m not upset or anything, I was just confused,” Everett said. “Sucks that you broke your leg though. I was kinda excited to play football together, as seniors.”
“Me too, bro.”
They chatted about a few of their classes for a bit before ending off the video call.
“Ev, who was that you were talking to?” Everett’s brother asked, grinning as he barged into the room.
“You remember Seymour, right?”
“Oh. Calling him love? What are you, gay? And for a black guy too?”
“What? No, asshole, that’s his name. Seymour Love.”
“Gay name.”
“Don’t be a fucking homophobe, Howard.”
“So he IS a f—”
“No,” Everett interrupted, “dude’s straight as they come. Probably has dozens of ex-girlfriends.”
“Whatever, homo.”
“Get the fuck out of my room, Howard.”
Howard held his hands up. “Jeez, man, you don’t have to come at me like that, Everett. Fucking touchy.”
Howard was a dick and Everett was sick of him. He couldn’t wait till college. He and Seymour were going to share an apartment together, and he wouldn’t have to deal with Howard’s bullshit anymore.
I’m not gay, Everett thought to himself. I totally don’t like men like that. Seymour’s just a good friend.
Everett sighed, picturing Seymour’s face. He daydreamed about sharing an apartment with his best friend who he totally didn’t have other feelings for. He definitely didn’t start picturing Seymour’s abs. He wasn’t lost in thought about how perfect his friend was. He wasn’t gay. He just didn’t have a girlfriend yet.
If Seymour was a girl, he’d be my first choice, Everett found himself thinking.
And then he buried the thought.