JACK

Everything between Dylan and me had been so great since we met that first day. He became the best part of my life. But I knew that I could never be what he needed. He wanted a beautiful woman to spend his life with. And all I was was a broken man. I realized as I got to know him just how broken I was. How many times I’d stopped myself from being who I wanted to be because of my fear of what other people would think. And to be honest, looking back, it was always there. The desire to meet someone like him.

But I knew I couldn’t keep lying to him. I knew he deserved to know the truth. It wouldn’t be right to have him fall in love even further with this woman that didn’t exist. I mean, she was me but that wasn’t enough.

So I set up to meet him.

I was so afraid. I didn’t know how he would react. If he would hate me. I thought he would. It just made sense. I guess in another life if someone did that to me I’d be really upset. I know my friends would’ve been.

But I knew I couldn’t chicken out. I’d started this, I needed to finish it.

So when I walked up to the coffee shop, I took a breath and went inside.

And there he was, sitting at a table.

He didn’t notice me.

Obviously he wouldn’t.

He didn’t know me the way I looked right now.

The way I really was.

How other people saw me.

But yet he knew me better than anyone.

I walked up to him.

He still didn’t notice me.

Until I said,

“Dylan.”

He looked up at me.

Confused.

“Sorry, do I know you?” he asked.

I hesitated.

I was gonna lose him.

“I...”

How could I tell him?

How could I make him stay?

He looked at me expectantly.

“I’m Angelina,” I said looking down.

When I looked up I saw the confusion in his eyes, the disbelief.

“I don’t... understand...”

“I was dared by my friends to pretend to be a woman.”

And then I saw it.

His expression.

Heartbreak.

“Angelina isn’t real?” he asked. “All of that... was just fake?”

“No!” I said quickly. “I mean... She’s not real. But... I am. Everything I said to you. I meant it.”

I took a deep breath.

“I’m in love with you.”

He looked shocked at first.

He wasn’t yelling at me.

Why wasn’t he yelling?

But then suddenly his face...

Softened.

And a smile appeared.

“You mean that?” he asked.

I nodded.

“I do.”

“I have to say,” he said. “I am surprised.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“No, no,” he said. “Don’t apologize.”

“I know you were looking forward to meeting her.”

“I mean, I did meet her,” he said. “I met you.”

“But I’m not a woman...”

“I don’t care,” he said. “It doesn’t change anything between us. In fact, it’s better.”

“Really?” I said surprised.

“Yeah,” he said with a smile. “I mean, granted I’ve never done this before. But I’d like to give it a shot.”

He added cautiously,

“If... you’d be up for it.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

He still wanted to know me?

Despite my lie.

Despite me being a man?

“I... I don’t know what to say,” I said. “I’d like that.”

He grinned.

“Good,” he said. “Well, you can sit down if you’d like.”

“Yeah, sure,” I said and did as he said.

“So,” he said “I guess I should ask you your name.”

“Right!” I said. “I’m... Jack.”

He held out his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Jack” he said. “I’m Dylan.”

I looked at his hand then took it.

“It’s nice to meet you too.”

And just like that the terrifying dread I had in my stomach disappeared. The moment we started talking I was back there again on the phone with him.

Everything was still the same.

The feelings were still the same.

No, they were stronger.

And when Dylan and I left that coffee shop near closing time we headed back to my place. I poured him a glass of wine and we sat in front of the fireplace just talking. I felt so close to him. Everything felt so right. And before I knew it he leaned in and kissed me. At first I jumped at the touch of his lips against mine. Then I relaxed, closed my eyes and opened my mouth for his tongue. We kissed first discovering each other, then passionately. And then we started moving towards the bedroom. We helped each other undress while kissing each other’s skin, gasping at the touch of the other. And then, for the first time in my life I made love to a man. But he wasn’t just any man. He was the man I desired more than anyone or anything. The sex was urgent, rough, and very passionate. We were like too hungry souls not able to get enough of each other. And when we I lay down in his arms breathless I felt something I’d never felt before.

Peace.

JACK

Dylan and I went to a carnival together. It was our first date together. While holding hands, Dylan and I strolled through the carnival games and rides.

We walked up to a booth where you could win a teddy bear by knocking over stacked bottles with a baseball.

I turned to Dylan and said,

“I’ll win you a teddy bear.”

“You don’t have to,” Dylan said blushing.

“No,” I said with a smile. “I want to.”

I handed over the tokens and took the baseball.

I eyeballed the target and with precision threw the baseball and knocked down the bottles, with a cheer from the booth attendant and Dylan.

“You did it!” Dylan said.

I turned to Dylan, holding out the fluffy teddy bear with a grin.

"For you," I said softly giving the bear to him.

To my surprise Dylan pulled me in and hugged me, placing a kiss on my cheek saying,

"Thank you, Jack. I love it."

I immediately blushed.

With the teddy bear in Dylan's arms we continued through the carnival, riding roller coasters and spinning teacups.

Then we spotted the Ferris wheel and we both decided to ride it together.

We climbed into the carriage, sharing a glance with each other with a smile on our faces.

The ride began to go up, lifting us high above the carnival grounds where we saw the city lights.

"Wow," I said.

"That is beautiful," Dylan said also looking at the lights.

I suddenly reached out and touched Dylan's hand.

Dylan looked down at our hands then up at me who looked at him shyly.

With a smile Dylan linked his fingers with mine and Dylan leaned in. My heart was beating fast as we came closer to each other. We were just about to kiss when the Ferris wheel started going down and the gentle jolt of the carriage stopped our kiss.

We pulled back laughing nervously.

"Looks like the universe wants us to wait a little longer," I joked.

Dylan chuckled.

"I guess so," he said. "But it just means there's something to look forward to."

The Ferris wheel came to a stop on the ground and we stepped out of the carriage, still holding hands.

JACK

Dylan and I went dancing together at the club. The lights of the club flickered as loud catchy music played. Dylan and I danced together on the crowded dance floor. In that moment it was like no one else was around us and we were only focused on each other. We swayed and laughed and held each other close.

As the night went on, I scanned the crowd anxiously. I spotted some of my friends at the bar who hadn't noticed me on the dance floor.

Panicking out of fear that they'd see me with Dylan and ask questions I casually suggested to Dylan that we step outside and get some fresh air. Dylan didn't realize what was going on and followed me.

Outside the club the cool night air offered relief from the loud music. Dylan sensing my unease stole a glance at me but I didn't notice. But instead of prying Dylan took my hand and suggested we took a stroll through the city streets.

Under the moonlit sky we walked while holding hands through the peaceful streets and the sounds of the city far away. We shared stories and laughed freely, feeling a deep connection with each other.

Our laughs echoed through the empty streets and for a moment I forgot about the worries of the world. My guard gradually lowered and I felt safe and free with Dylan again.

We walked through a quiet and more secluded spot, the music from the club faintly in the background.

Dylan twirled me suddenly, our laughter mixing with the music.

Dylan looked into my eyes with affection and without hesitation he pulled me in for a tender passionate kiss.

The world around us seemed to fade away in that moment as we held each other close.

When we finally broke apart a smile lingered on our lips as we continued to dance under the stars.

I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to be freely around my friends with Dylan. But as we were dancing I told myself not to think about it right now.

I'd deal with it when the time came.

DYLAN

The air was crisp and refreshing as Jack and I laced up our ice skates, ready for a fun-filled evening on the ice. The ice skating rink was adorned with twinkling lights, creating a magical ambiance around us. Hand in hand, we stepped onto the glistening ice, our laughter echoing through the air.

With a few wobbly starts, we found our rhythm, gliding gracefully together, our hands never parting. We laughed at each other's occasional slips.

As the evening turned to night, we decided to take a break from the ice and head to a cozy nearby restaurant for dinner. Seated across from each other, we engaged in lively conversation, our eyes locked. There was a sense of ease and comfort between us, as if we had known each other for a lifetime.

I couldn't help but notice how Jack's smile illuminated the room, and how his laughter made everything feel brighter.

Throughout the dinner, our hands often found each other's, intertwining fingers in a silent expression of our connection. The simple touch sent tingles through my body, igniting a sense of warmth and longing that I had felt before.

As we finished our meal, we stepped outside.

Feeling the magic of the moment, Jack took a step closer to me, his eyes filled with affection. I mirrored the movement, our faces inches apart, and the world around us seemed to fade away. Our lips met in a slow, tender kiss.

The kiss felt like an unspoken promise of the love we had discovered in each other's hearts. Time seemed to slow down as we savored every moment, every touch, and every shared breath. Finally back at my apartment, it was a night of love and vulnerability, as we allowed ourselves to be seen and cherished by one another.

After we made love, we held each other close, our foreheads resting against each other, our breaths intermingling. There was a serene beauty in the silence that followed, as we basked in the warmth of each other's presence.

Under the night sky, I was filled with hope and excitement for the future. I knew we had something special, something worth cherishing, and I was ready to embrace every moment of it with my heart wide open.