txt mss from a at 9:14.  hey
txt mss to a at 9:20. hello
txt mss from a at 9:21. i miss u
txt mss from a at 9:30. can you meet me somewhere?
txt mss from a at 9:31. the coffeeshop on 7th and main
txt mss to a at 9:33. when?
txt mss from a at 9:33. around four.
txt mss from a at 3:41. are we still on?
txt mss from a at 3:42. i have a lot to tell you
txt mss to a at 3:47. i’m on my way

“Hey.”
“Hello.”
“Thanks for coming, I know that things have been weird since school started.”
“Yeah. I’m sorry.”
“Wait. I want to get coffee. Do you want something?”
“Hot cocoa? I’ll stand in line with you.”
“No, its okay. My treat.”
“No, Al, I’m-“
“Really, my treat.”
“Okay, I guess. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.”
“Sorry.”
“Why don’t you grab a seat? I’ll be right back.”
“Thanks.”

“Here. Extra whipped cream?”
“You know me too well. And your order today?”
“Just Americano with soy milk and lots of sugar. Did you hear about Cameron? She’s missing, apparently. They have a police search out and everything. She left her mom a note or something. No one’s seen her since Monday.”
“Quiet girl, sort of mousey? Paint splattered hands?”
“That’s the one.”
“Do you think she’s okay?”
“Yeah. My theory is that she ran away to join the circus. Or something.”
“Or something.”

“This silence is killing me.”
“Then talk.”
“I don’t know how to get beyond small talk.”
“Small talk can grow.”
“How profound.”
“Seriously. You said you had a lot to talk about?”
“I got into the art program at Harrisson.”
“What? That’s amazing! When do you transfer?”
“I don’t think I’m going.”
“Why? That art program is amazing! You have to go!”
“I like it at Regional, though. I’m already a junior, there’s not much point transferring now.”
“Yes, there is! Oh my God, you have to go. That would open up so many college opportunities for you. Art school! Plus, you could get one of those famous Harrisson European scholarships you’ve been talking about since we were like, seven!”
“I’d miss Regional.”
“You’d get over it.”
“I’d miss you.”
“What?”
“I’d miss you.”
“We… we already don’t talk that much.”
“I want to change that. I miss talking to you already, I don’t want to miss seeing you.”
“Al…”
“No, really. I don’t know what I’d do without being able to see your face.”
“Al, you know I don’t want to do that. You know…”
“I know! I know, but I wish you’d change your mind!”
“Al, ever since you told me you had feelings for me, all I’ve been able to do is imagine all the ways it could ruin our friendship.”
“We already aren’t talking, how much worse could it get?”

“That was a low blow.”
“Yeah, that was really s***ty of me. I’m sorry.”
“I just needed some time…”
“Have you had enough time yet, Jay? Have you had enough time ignoring me?”
“Al, I’m sorry, I just needed to sort some stuff out… you know we could never work!”
“No, I don’t. Because we’ve never tried!”
“Al…”
“Seriously! What’s the worst that could happen?”
“High school friendships last forever. High school relationships don’t. Do you really think we could get through college? I’m going to a state college, and you’re going to some fancy art school, possibly in Europe. You have a future! I don’t.”
“Yes you do. We could have one together.”
“What? You think we could have a long term relationship? Get married? Get a house and a dog and kids?”
“Yes!”
“I don’t even want kids.”
“We don’t have to have kids. Just the dog.”
“Al.”
“Jay.”
“Al, you’re delusional.”
“Jay, I’ve been in love with you for a long time.”
“Al, please don’t. You know I have…  you’re just making it harder for me to ignore my feelings.”
“So you do like me back!”
“This is so middle school.”
“You were never like this in middle school.”
“I know. I was too weird to have crushes.”
“You had a crush on me.”
“No I didn’t!”
“I had a crush on you.”
“Yes, we’ve established that.”
“So?”
“So what?”
“What do you say?”
“Maybe. No!”
“Maybe? Or no? That’s two very different answers.”
“I just need some time to think.”
“Okay.”
“Alright.”

“Are you done thinking?”
“No.”
“I’ve done some thinking of my own.”
“Oh boy.”
“Can I kiss you?”
“What?”
“Can I kiss you?”
“No!”
“What?”
“That would ruin everything!”
“Or it could fix everything.”

“Okay.”
“Okay what?”
“I have to leave.”
“Okay.”
“I’m… close your eyes.”
“Okay.”
“I think I’m going to kiss you.”
“Really?”
“Really, Al. Close your eyes.”
“What?”
“Don’t talk.”