Gordie just sat there in silence, too shocked for words. So Chris was gay…wow. How weird! Even though Gordie was eaten up with worry about his friend, he was almost glad Chris had left…he needed time to think about this before he talked to Chris about it. Chris…gay? Gordie felt like his whole world had been turned upside-down. Chris was still his favorite person in the entire world. Nothing could ever change that. But it was weird, Gordie admitted to himself guiltily. It would be different if he was just gay, that would be okay. He would tease Chris for a now and then but make sure he knew it made no difference to him. But he wasn't just gay. Chris had a crush on…him! It still had no effect on his opinion of Chris, but it made it weirder, how would he act around him? He couldn't just act like the problem didn't exist, he knew that much. No, he had to confront Chris in some way. It would be hard and awkward, but he wasn't going to lose Chris' friendship over this…he would just have to nicely explain to Chris that he didn't feel that way about him but that he didn't want it to affect their friendship. Because, despite how weird and confusing this whole situation, that much he knew. Gordie sat for several more minutes, trying to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided that he wasn't going to get any thinking done here, he needed to get some air, clear his head. He decided to go to the tree house.

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When Chris had left, he had been so frantic that he hadn't even thought about the time…there was no way he could have gone home. So he had gone to the only place he felt welcome other than with Gordie…the tree house. He was no longer frantic, now he was simply terrified. He sat in silence, thinking about what had just happened. Okay, Gordie knew he was gay…at least he didn't have to keep a secret from Gordie anymore! Chris thought, trying to convince himself. Who was he kidding? Gordie was gonna freak out! Who wouldn't? He sure had! Chris just hoped this didn't completely ruin their friendship. He didn't even want to think about that! But as Chris sat there, he realized that that wasn't going to happen, it was almost as though now that it had happened, Chris could see the situation clearer. Gordie wouldn't let their friendship die! Not Gordie. Their friendship was to important to both of them for it to ever die. It would just be really awkward for a while. Chris guessed he could handle that, as long as he knew that everything would eventually work itself out. He didn't even consider the possibility that something more than friendship would evolve from this. Chris was gay, not stupid. Suddenly, the trap door flung open. Chris jumped back defensively, wondering if maybe a homeless person had taken to sleeping there or something. He was looking for something to throw at the guy when he realized who it was. Gordie!? No! Not yet! He wasn't ready to face him yet!…maybe he could hide! But Chris didn't have time to do much of anything before Gordie looked up and saw him.

"Chris?" Gordie said in a surprised voice.

"Yeah…it's me" Chris said reluctantly, considering his chances of escape, then realizing that there was no way Gordie would let him get past him again.

"Hey" Gordie said a bit awkwardly. For a split second, he considered going right back down the ladder, but quickly decided against it, he didn't want Chris to get the wrong idea. He decided now was as good a time as any, even if it was a bit soon for his taste.

"Hi Gordo…so, I guess we need to talk, huh?" Chris said sadly.

"Yeah, Chris, I think we do." Gordie said, sitting down near the trap door and signaling for Chris to do similarly.

"So…" Chris said nervously, sitting down as far away from Gordie as possible in the small tree house.

"First off, lets make sure we're talking about the same thing, so neither of us gets embarrassed. Chris…are you gay?" Gordie asked evenly.

"…um…well…I guess…technically…" Chris said, looking at the ground.

"Chris, look at me. You can tell me. You can always tell me. You should have known that from the beginning." Gordie said, looking Chris in the eye.

"Well……yeah, Gordie, I think I am." Chris said.

"Well…first off, I want you to know that the only part of this that upsets me is that I had to find out this way, I would have liked to think that you knew you could come to me. But I guess this was just to big. Or maybe you just weren't comfortable talking to me about it. And that's okay. I just want you to know that in the future, don't hesitate, okay?" Gordie waited for Chris to nod, then continued "Chris, this doesn't change my opinion of you at all, okay. You're my best friend, and nothing could ever change that. I'd be lying if I didn't say that this kind of threw me for a loop. But you're still Chris. And I'm still Gordie" Gordie said the last part looking right at Chris, making sure he understood. "Now…here comes the hard part. Chris?" Gordie said, noticing that he had broken eye contact again. He sat there in silence until Chris looked at him again. Gordie hated seeing the pain and hated even more that he was about to add to it, but eventually continued anyways. "Chris… I have to be honest here, I don't return your feelings, I'm sorry. You don't know how much I wish I did…sincerely. But I don't. Please don't let this affect our friendship. I can't be with you the way you want me to, but I can promise that I'll be considerate of your feelings." Gordie finished lamely.

"What do you mean?" Chris asked, finally speaking.

"I mean that I'll make sure not to make out with girls in front of you. I can't say that I won't have girlfriends, and I'd like for you to meet them, but I won't rub your face in it, ya know?" Gordie said, feeling terrible about this whole thing.

"I appreciate that…and I would wanna meet any girls you met…I'm still your best friend Gordie" Chris said, just wanting this to be over.

"Ditto. First and foremost, I'm still your best friend, Chris Chambers" Gordie said with the best smile he could muster.

"Yup, you'll never get rid of me, Gordie Lachance." Chris said with a half smile.

Gordie got up and grabbed Chris' collar, pulling him into a hug. Chris wrapped his arms around his best friend and closed his eyes, surrounded in sadness.