"When I'm alone, I think of so many things to say to you.  But when I have a chance to tell you, I go speechless."

+

"Dude, you're the hardest guy to pin down EVER!!"

Nick laughs as he tosses his soccer bag on the bedroom floor. Dropping his school bag beside it as he flops down onto his bed.

"Well hello to you too, Jeffrey. Yes school has been going smashingly. Soccer had been keeping me swamped. It's all your fault for convincing me to try sports.  So thanks for asking."

He can almost hear Jeff blushing through the phone as he giggles nervously.

"Oops, sorry about that.  Sometimes I forget that you're at a public school and actually have to commute back and forth to things."

Nick rolls his eyes as he scoots back on his bed, curling up on his side with the cell phone pressed to his ear.  He wants to be comfortable because if history serves correct, he could be here a while with this conversation.

"No worries buddy.  What was it you wanted to talk about so urgently??"

+

It becomes a few times a week event, the phone calls and occasional Skype sessions between the two boys.  Fit in between classes and practice.

+

"Okay you'll never guess what I did today...."

Nick looks up from his Geography assignment, the one he was working on while Jeff was rambling on on his other side of the computer screen about some argument between two guys he's never met at lunch today.  Even though they talk and text almost constantly he feels like he is drifting away from his friend.

Jealous that Jeff has other friends.  Because he really doesn't.  Not close ones at least.

So he kinda tunes out when Jeff talks about other guys.

"....Earth to Nicky, come in Nicky."

Nick shakes his head and refocuses on the bubbly blonde on the other end of the call.

"Sorry about that Jeff. I zoned out there a bit."

Jeff gives off a laugh that sounds absolutely musical to his ears.  Smile wide on his face. And for just a moment Nick gets lots in his eyes. Almost losing what Jeff is saying again.

"I was saying that I joined their singing group.  It's acapella but fun like.  And reminds me so much of when we tried to form that band with Blainey at camp."

Nick listens to Jeff raptly carry on about his new group, the Warblers.  And all he can do is fantasize about his best friend singing him love songs.

But he'll never say that to him.