*Sunday, 10:34 A.M*

*Albert to Elmer*

Albert: Hey Elmer! I was wondering if u wanted to see that new pixar movie with me?

Elmer smiled when they got the text from Albert. Albert was their best friend and had been for years. But over the past few months, Elmer had been developing more intense feelings for him.

Elmer: of course!

Albert: Yay! Can I pick u up in a few hours?

Elmer: yup

Elmer knew the only way they could go was if they finished their homework before the movie. That had to be the best motivator ever. Luckily, it didn't take them long, but they still had to ask for permission. They always hated this part.

"Hey mom, can I go to the movies with Albert?"

"Is all of your homework done?" She asked instead of giving an answer.

"Yes, I just finished."

"Any tests this week?"

"I have a Precalc test Tuesday."

"You can go, but I expect an A on that test.

"Of course." Even if Elmer stayed home, A's were expected no matter what. Anything less would result in an hour long lecture about how they weren't working hard enough.

Elmer walked back to their room to put on their light makeup. On the days they felt more feminine, Elmer always put on makeup. Foundation, concealer, bronzer, that kind of thing. No one ever noticed.

*2:46 P.M*

*Albert to Elmer*

Albert: im here!

Elmer hid their makeup bag under their bed, grabbed their phone and wallet and ran out the door, shouting goodbye to their mother. "Hey!" Elmer greeted.

Albert smiled, "Hey, you ready?"

"Yeah, I can't tell you how happy I am to get out of the house."

"Is it bad again?" Albert asked.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Now come on, I don't really want to think about it." Elmer's parents weren't bad, they just cared about school and grades. Everything else was secondary, including friends and family time.

Albert rolled down the windows, and started blasting showtunes. Elmer looked over at him and raised their eyebrow, "Falsettos?"

"Come on! You know it's my favorite show. Rent is on this playlist as well." Albert said knowing that Rent was Elmer's favorite. Elmer smiled and turned to the window. They always loved how the wind felt on their face. Listening to Albert sing, even if he wasn't trying, was always very enjoyable. It was a shame he hasn't gotten a big role in one of the musicals yet at school.

Elmer smiled when 'What You Own' began playing. Albert always sang as Mark, and Elmer sang as Roger. The car ride continued like this, playing their favorite songs and singing together until they arrived at the theater.

While they had a great time together, Elmer couldn't help but feel something different for Albert. When it got to the really sad part (as there always is in Pixar/Disney) Albert reached for Elmer's hand. This wasn't the first time that he had done it, but this time Elmer felt his heart flutter once their fingers were laced together. Why did he feel like this? And why were these feeling starting to surface now? They had known Albert for six years, and only now were they getting feelings for him.

Monday at lunch, Jack had his back turned to Crutchie again. This time, Crutchie tried inserting himself in the conversation, but to no avail. Jack was talking to Davey, and halfway through their conversation, Davey realized what was going on. He knew Crutchie would be uncomfortable if he confronted Jack himself, and just decided to mention it afterwards.

"Crutchie, I really think you should talk to Jack."

"Uh about what?"
"You know what I'm talking about. I saw you today at lunch."

Crutchie sighed, "Right now the only person he wants to talk to is you, and I'm okay with that."

"That is not true!"

"Have you seen the way he looks at you? He is head over heels for you! Jack can't take his eyes off you!"

Davey blushed, "That doesn't mean anything, he'd never fall for someone like me."

"Holy shit!" Crutchie exclaimed, "You like him too don't you?"

"What? Absolutely not. Jack's a great friend but no I don't." Crutchie raised his eyebrow at Davey, "Anyway we're not talking about me, we're talking about you, and you need to talk to Jack!"

"I can't."

"Yes you can because you two need each other!"

"No, I need Jack he doesn't need me!" Crutchie stopped as he realized what he said, "I didn't mean that I-"

"Crutchie it's okay. But it's just Jack. Just tell him what's been going on." Davey said.

"I know that I have to, but I just don't want to completely lose him."

"You won't, but one thing is for certain. You will always have me as your friend- no matter what."

Crutchie smiled, "Thanks Davey." And then pulled out his phone.

*Monday 1:53 P.M*

*Crutchie to Jack*

Crutchie: Hey jack can i talk to you after school?

Jack: Sure, ill meet you at ur locker

"We're gonna talk after school."

"Good," Davey said, "Call me later." And they both went their separate ways.

From that point, the day just seemed to drag on. Classes weren't as important, and while Crutchie knew it was necessary he couldn't help but be terrified of the conversation occurring later. What if Jack knew what he was doing and just outright told Crutchie how he really hated him? Maybe he would just laugh at Crutchie.

2:45 could not have come sooner, but it came, and Jack was waiting for Crutchie at his locker, just like he said he would be. "Hey Crutchie," Jack greeted with his usual pep, "What did you wanna talk about?"

"Do you want to go somewhere a bit more private?" Crutchie offered.

"Sure, I'll drive us to my place. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine, just something I wanna clear up."

"Alright if you say so."

If Crutchie thought the rest of school was agonizing to get through, the car ride was so much worse. Thankfully, Jack always talked a lot, and he kept going on about he was put in the worst group for his english project.

They got there, and Crutchie could actually feel his heartbeat grow quicker and quicker. "So what's up?"

"Well, I'm not really sure how to ask this but I've just been noticing some things lately? And uh- well, do you still want to be friends with me?"

"What? Crutchie of course! Why would you think I didn't? Did I do something wrong?"

"No! I don't know, you just kept turning down plans with me, and when we're in a group you don't talk to me-" Crutchie rambled before Jack stopped him.

Jack put his hands on his shoulders, "Crutchie, listen. I still want to be friends. Hell, you're not even a friend at this point, you're my brother. I have no idea what I'd do without you. And yeah, people say that all the time but I really mean it. I think I would've gone insane if it weren't for you being by my side. And for some bizarre reason when I wanted to be friends you agreed." Jack paused for a moment, "I'm so sorry Crutchie. I never even realized but I should have and for that I'm incredibly sorry."

Crutchie smiled for a second, feeling instantly better, "It's okay."

"No Crutchie, it's not! I can't change what happened, but I will make sure it doesn't happen again. So if you feel like I'm ignoring please tell me. I won't be mad."

"Thanks Jack."

"You don't have to thank me. I really want to make it up to you, even though I know I can't. So do you wanna stay here for a bit? Then maybe this weekend you could just spend it all here. I know home can get annoying. "

"Yeah that'd be great."

I know Crutchie's story line of being neglected had a happy ending, but I know that's not the case for some people. If any of you ever need to talk to someone, I'm always willing to listen :)

Thanks for reading!