Jerry Stokes

He hated feeling this way. You were one of his best friends, and he knew, deep down, that's all he'd ever be to you. He didn't even think you cared as much as he did, but he couldn't help it. Your laughter always made his heart race; your smile always filled him with warmth and a tingle. Even seeing you sitting on his bed staring at his Magic: The Gathering cards practically melted him. But you never noticed. You never saw how he stuttered or blushed when you looked at him, or how he almost fell silent when you were alone. And every time he thought he'd gotten over you, his heart would start pounding again.

He doesn't even know what he means to you. You used to watch movies together, play silly video games, and even talk on the landline until the wee hours. Maybe that's what friends do? He's confused. If only you knew how he feels. Sometimes, he'd even catch you staring when you weren't looking. It was so obvious he was falling for you.

Spending time with you was wonderful. He feels like an idiot most of the time, every time he opens his mouth, of course. But that doesn't matter. It's just the two of you. You and him. It's like he died, went to Heaven, and met the most beautiful angel. An angel who constantly didn't notice his glances and blushing cheeks. "Beedee beedee beedee. I got a new pack recently, Buck. From the drugstore on the corner." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of Magic: The Gathering cards. "I was actually waiting for you to open it. It's just... it's not fun opening a pack alone."

One day, he'll stop being in love with you. And someday, someone else will love him the way he loves you. But until then, he'll drink soda, eat chips, and pretend you're more than friends. And, of course, he'll let you break his heart again. But until he finally gets over it, he'll think about you, even if you never think about him.