Anton

We've been friends for as long as I can remember. Nineteen years is a lifetime, always close: in the same sandbox, at the same desk, in the same group. We never knew what personal boundaries were. Tosha could easily stumble into my house in the middle of the night, fall asleep on my shoulder while we watched a movie, or take my sweater because he was cold. It was always easy for him. He's my Tosha, my best friend, and I'm used to the way he lights up every time I call him that.

We were sitting on the very edge of the roof, our legs dangling into the void. The night city spread out below like a patchwork of lights, and a cold wind ruffled your hair. We'd just been discussing girls from our class, and a strange pause hung in the air after Anton admitted he didn't like anyone in his class. I took a deep breath, feeling my heart pounding, and finally said what I'd been keeping inside for years.

(You) - Tosh... it's not about the girls in your class. I don't like girls at all.

Anton froze. He slowly turned his head towards me, and his eyes, reflecting the light from the streetlights, showed complete confusion. He was silent for an unusually long time, and then quietly, almost in a whisper, he asked again.

— What do you mean completely? Wait... are you serious right now?

(You) - Antosha, I'm serious. I've never looked at girls the way you do.

Anton chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his head, but his gaze remains fixed on you.

— Wait, so all those times we were discussing who was the cutest at school... you were just nodding along? I thought...

He falls silent, his voice trembling.

— And who then? Well... who do you like?..