encounters ➳ muke

vii

michael came by luke's house every day after that. the two were becoming good friends, but they still ignored each other at school.

well, they didn't talk. the two boys did send each other knowing glances in the hallways and when they thought no one else was looking.

luke still took pictures of michael during football games and practice, but michael always laughed at them when he would come by his house later.

luke never understood why michael didn't see himself as everyone else did. michael was breathtaking.

it was clear to luke that everyone thought so. he could just tell by the way people looked at him when he talked.

one night when michael and luke were reviewing the pictures luke had taken at school that day, michael was being overly critical of himself.

"i just hate it. i want someone to think i'm gorgeous and handsome, and i want them to completely forget what they were thinking about before they saw me," michael complained.

luke shrugged and began putting his camera back in its case. "everyone feels that way about someone."

"no one feels that way about me."

luke stopped what he was doing and looked michael in the eyes.

"i do."