“I don’t know!” Sean yells, worry pinching his voice an octave higher. A forceful gust of wind brushes past him, carrying his words away.
“You don’t have to know,” Timothy tries to soothe Sean. “College isn’t a big deal. You’ll figure it out.”
Sean snorts. “Highly unlikely.” He kicks his legs out, swinging them in frustration. Another gust of wind crashes into them, elevating his legs higher and higher until they fall, gravity dragging them down once more.
Shaking his head, Timothy informs Sean, “you think too little of yourself.”
“And you think too highly of me,” Sean sighs.
“Shut up,” Timothy commands Sean. The forceful command, so out of character, draws Sean focus. Surprise raises Sean’s eyebrows at the solemn expression present on his friend’s face. “You can do anything,” Timothy states. He smiles, his irises appearing a lighter shade of brown. Like freshly ground coffee instead of the usual dark beans.
A contagious smile curls Sean’s lips up as he assesses his amazing friend. The confidence his friend has in him is astounding. If only he be as certain as him…
“You can do anything,” he repeats. “And if you can’t, you have me.” Timothy’s lopsided grin pulls a blush to Sean’s cheeks.
Ducking his head, his eyes wander to the stone picnic table they sit atop. He focuses on the cool stone, needed to cool the rising heat warming his center.
“Hey,” Tim knocks his shoulders into Sean’s. “You’ve got this,” he reminds his friend.
Sticking his hands into his pocket, he shrugs his shoulders, trying to ignore the tingling in his hands. His fingers curl as he smothers the itch to take Tim’s hand into his own.
“You know I won’t stop until you say I’m right…” Tim tries to tease a reaction out of Sean.
Nodding his head, his heart throbbing in his chest, he says, “Yeah, you’re right.”
Tim’s whoop! of victory draws a bubbly laugh from Sean.
“Oh shut up,” Sean shoves Tim’s shoulder, his smile lightening the words.
“Never!” Tim proclaims, satisfaction evident in his voice. A cheshire grin splits across his face, hinting at his next actions. “I will always celebrate my victories,” he whispers nefariously.
“Wait–”
Jumping to his feet, he shouts, “Sean Wei has conceded! I am right!” His words draw the attention of some of the parkgoers. Blushing, Sean tugs on Tim’s arms, hysterical laughter making his movements sloppy.
“Shut up,” Sean repeats, emphasizing his words with a forceful tug on Tim’s arm.
Tim redirects his focus to Sean. With an impossibly wide smile-a smile full of joy-he swears, “never.”