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The projector s are considerably sh it At one point, Jioes off-balance a bit, and by reflex, I throw an arm around his waist to catch hi hi the movie

My hand stays there at his loaist, just inches away fro him

Just a couple weeks ago, this act wouldn’t be such a big deal

Just two buddies in front of a

Me, holding on to him to keep his balance

It’s an act of friendship An act of courtesy, of compassion

But now—after that kiss in the hotel room, after that kiss in my bedroom, and after that cruel pact hefeels so different Just the act of havinghim up … it all seems so intimate now

Like I’ a boyfriend—a real boyfriend

My lover Jimmy

“How et paid?” he ask suddenly

“Shh,” I hush hilass They can still hear you down there in the auditorium”

Jiainst it “I think I see two teens makin’ out in the third row”

“Jily

“Hey! I see you two horny hooligans!” he shouts “Quit makin’ your mamas blush! God’s watchin’ you! God’s watchin’!!”

I yank Jimmy away from thejust in time to avoid the heads that turn “Jimmy!” I hiss at him, furious

We lock eyes

He cracks a smile

I do, too

Then the pair of us break into laughter so loud, we have to slap hands to each other’sh so hard that I fall to the floor, and without a way to balance hi so hard he doesn’t seem to care His crutches are lost We’re on the tiled floor that hasn’t been properlyfilmy fuck

“Bobby Parker”

I lift my tear-ridden face up