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Harold and George laid down at the floor of their treehouse, with George snuggling up to Harold.
“I love you.”
...
It was so sudden, and quick. Harold wasn't able to process that. He looked over to ask George, but he's already fast asleep. He panics.
“I love you? Really?”
He thought to himself. He looks back to see George huddle up closer to his body, he puts one of his hands in Harold's hair, while the other is on his chest. Harold felt his heart skip a beat. “Is this really happening?” .. No. No it can't be. It's just something casual friends do, right?
Was it casual, when you let his hand run through your hair?
“You okay?” George asks, sitting down next to him. “The usual.” Harold sighed, leaning his head on George's shoulder. “Mm. Wanna talk about it?” he asks again, twirling his fingers in Harold's curly hair. “No.” Harold relaxes on George's body.
“Can i ask you something?” George asks once again, “Sure.” Harold replies. “Why am i the only one you'd let touch your hair?” Harold froze, he didn't know an exact response. At least.. one that doesn't make it look like he has a soft spot for George. “I mean, i guess its because we're friends?” he answers nervously. George thought for a moment, this made Harold slightly anxious.
“Hm. I guess you're right!”
“Pfft. Yeah, of course i was right.” he spoke up, before hearing George mumble in his sleep. Harold flushed, out of embarrassment, of course. He just spoke out loud. “That's just things friends do. I've seen Dressy and Erica do it, and they dont have anything going on!”
His eyes moved down to see George's hand on his chest. He blushed, thinking if he should move his hand closer to Georges.
Was it casual, when he always held your hand?
They skated on the sidewalk, George holding onto Harold's hand as they surfed through the neighborhood on one skateboard. “What happens if we fall?” George asked behind him, “Then we fall. What else would happen?” they both laughed out loud, George held onto Harold more.
Another day, Harold held onto George's hand as they walked through the hallway. Neither of them seem to notice. I mean, technically George did, but he didn't speak up. “Why's everyone looking at us like that?” Harold asks. George coughs in response, leaving harold suspicious. “Duh, you're both holding hands!” Melvin points out. George mutters Melvin's name under his breath, while Harold blushed in realization. He brushed his hand on his shirt before storming into class, George following behind sadly.
Harold thought again, “I mean, friends always hold hands.. Nothing intimate about that.” Harold realizes he held George's hand a few minutes ago, and immediately got his hand off of him. “Ugh, that stupid George always gets in my head.. How does he always do that?”
He moves his body away from George, separating from his touch. It felt so cold, but whatever it takes to make him stop thinking about the things they do together that felt suspiciously romantic.
Harold hated it.
He hated how he always thinks about George. What's so special about him anyway?
Was it casual, when you think about him all the time?
George was absent today. One of his family members passed. Harold understood that since he's had that experience with a close relative he had. But.. the whole day just feels really empty without him. Harold thought about him all day, he thought about how they would be causing havoc at school right now. It was very out of character for Harold to feel like this. Even his classmates were weirded out, too.
Harold walked to his locker, “What's the matter with him?” Dressy's raspy voice could be heard in the distance. “Oohh.. Uhhh.. Maybe he's not with George? I dunno. I haven't seen him aaaall day!” Erica replies, tapping her finger on her chin. “Of course that's the reason. That excuse of a human being can barely live without him, can't you see??” Gooch adds, walking past them. Harold cringed. Sheesh Gooch, you didn't need to be that harsh.
“Well, not like i care.” Dressy shrugged, as she continues chatting with Erica. This was a horrible look for Harold. He could hear everyone bickering and whispering in the hallway. He's never looked so miserable without George. He used to be fine when George was absent, why is he making such a big deal out of it now?
He just couldn't stop worrying about him.
Harold's eyebrows furrowed, he turned around to see George. His expression seemed.. down. It wasn't like that before Harold turned away. “Hm..” Harold hummed, he sat up and moved closer to George. He notices his hand moving around, as if he was trying to find something.
He laid down next to George again, facing him. Harold placed George's hand around his shoulders and vice versa. “I love you too.” He says, before closing his eyes. George smiled, even if neither of them could see it.
Was it really casual, if you said i love you back to him?