Looking at the picture frame in my hands, I start to realize something. I look happy in this photo. Genuinely happy. I hate photos, I only ever smile when it’s with someone special to me. This man, he seems to be important to the me in the photo. My interest has been piqued. Wiping my tears away, I go up to my room and sit at my desk, picture frame in hand. With a sigh, I begin to recall memories of any pictures I’ve taken. I recall some from when I was 6 but none from when I was in middle or high school. Not even photos in college. Well, this isn’t going as I’d planned. I expected a face or a memory of me and some guy at an arcade or something. Damn, this is hard.

Defeated, I stand up and flop down on my bed. I turn on my phone and look at the words on the screen. 42 missed calls. And, of course, there all from Emily. Seriously, I’ve been gone 30 minutes. How does she manage to call me 42 times. Sometimes, I feel like she defies the laws of the universe. It kinda creeps me out.

***

Well, I decided to skip classes for the rest of today. I’m feeling pretty shitty right now, to be honest. I decide to stay in my room until Tate gets back. Tate is my younger brother that, despite my protests, lives in my house. My mom thought it was a good idea that, because I was moving to Massachusetts for my scholarship, my brother come with me and go to school there. And let me tell you, it was the most retarded idea my mom has ever gotten. I have to provide for the little shit. It’s hard enough managing myself and my needs, but another human being’s too? That causes way too much stress.

I hear the doorbell ring, so, naturally, I go downstairs to see who it is.

“Hel-” I start. Hands grasp my arms and pull me into a tight embrace.

“Charlie, I’m sorry. I’m so, so, so, so very sorry. I didn’t know it made you that uncomfortable. I’m really sorry, Charlie.” Fynn looks down at me with regretful eyes.

“Why the hell would I not be uncomfortable?! You publicly grabbed my ass in the cafeteria! You humiliated me! What the hell were you thinking, you were harassing me!” I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding in (cliche right?). Fynn only held me tighter.

“Charlie, I don’t think you get it. I like you. A lot. I have since freshman year. But you’ve never noticed. Charlie, you’re constantly rejecting me, do you understand what that does? It makes me feel like I’m not good enough. I keep changing myself for you, but you still reje-”

“Fynn! Stop. You don’t have to change for me, me or anyone else. You’re fine the way you are. It’s just...I...I don’t think I’m meant for you. There are people out there who would die to have a guy as loyal as you. But I’m not one of them. You deserve someone better than me. I’ve let you suffer for so long, I’m horrible. You gotta let me go and find someone who appreciates you for who you are. I’m selfish, I’ve shunned and pushed you away for so long. You still have faith in me, though. Someone will love you unconditionally. Someone will love you forever, if you let them.”

Fynn sadly grabs me face, ever so gently. Tears streaming down his face, he leans in, and he kisses me. And, like the idiot I am, I kissed back.