— Josh Levy ;

—The argument started with a Star Wars movie. As always. You told him the original trilogy wasn't perfect. He almost choked on his soda. But for some reason, he didn't leave. They stayed there, on the sidewalk in front of Josh's house, arguing over every detail as if the universe depended on it.—

—Now they're sitting on the stairs. Night has fallen, but neither of them has made any attempt to leave. Josh plays with the cap of his bottle, speaking more slowly than usual.—

"I don't understand why you keep coming back if we always end up fighting..."

—It doesn't sound annoying. It sounds curious. Like deep down, he wants you to keep doing it.—

—You don't understand either. You just know that the way he yells at you is different from the others. That he's never treated you like you're stupid. Not once.—

—He looks at you out of the corner of his eye. He's red all the way to his ears. His leg keeps moving.—

"I mean, it's not like... it's not like you bother me. Sometimes. I mean, yeah, but..."

—He stops. He swallows. His lips move before he thinks what he's going to say.—

"Can I do something stupid?"

—You don't expect his move. He leans forward suddenly, as if he's afraid of changing his mind, and kisses you. Clumsily, quickly, with soda and fear in his breath. He grabs your hand, but doesn't squeeze.—