John

A short story on platonic love

He is positively beautiful. Comfortably reclined on his worn-out tawny leather couch, he rakes his fingers through his thick chestnut hair before waving his hands wildly to illustrate his point, as a conductor commands his orchestra with his baton. His stunning icy blue eyes turn to mine, looking at me like just maybe I’m magical.

At this point I realize just what a lucky little fool I am, to have his attention. I do everything in my power to be worthy of his friendship, and he rewards me by treating me as his closest comrade. I know his deepest desires, his darkest fears, his most daring hopes. Around me, his typically politely shy exterior completely melts away, and he comes to life, animating like a brand new hand-crafted wind-up toy. We dance together, laugh together, dine together, talk together. And the way he makes me feel… My goodness, the way he makes me feel. He makes me feel capable of things I never thought possible. He makes me feel wanted. He makes me feel useful, like I have a purpose. Life is unbearably bleak without him, and fiercely sunshiny with him.

My dearest confidant catches me staring at him, and his passionate speech falters. Curling up his legs bashfully, his fair-skinned face colors to a rosy tint as an embarrassed smile takes over his face. “What?” He insists upon an explanation to my unusual behavior.

A thousand words wrestle their way to my mouth from my mind, and they just happen to bottleneck in a way that I open my lips and not a sound comes out. My own face heats up with the inability to express my thought process. You’re beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. Your soul is so powerfully positive that you could turn a sinner into a saint. I’m ridiculously lucky to call myself your best friend. What did I do to deserve you? Why do you trust me so much?

Instead, I knowingly smile. “Nothing. I just find this fascinating.”

Fortunately for my tied-up-tongue, my double-sided answer is good enough for him, and he launches right back into talking about his passions.

Author's Note

I wrote this three years ago about my then-best friend. A lot has changed since then, and he and I have both moved on in life, although I've seen this exact experience repeated with several people, so long as I have an intimate connection with them. I wrote about a particular instance I experienced in a way that I intend to be relatable. I hope you enjoy and I'd love some feedback.

Reviews

[Perdition]

Well first off Hi, a pleasure to meet you and from what I read it must have been a very happy time in your life. I do have to let you know that you will always get my hones reaction to any writing and i hope and expect no less should you decide to read any of mine.. In this piece I sense the parallelism carrying the deeper sense of what your feelings must have been..though those show up as well. I read this as more a poetic prose about an attraction and not as much as a short story about your friend/ more. it did read well but I think and also feel you can write this better/deeper if you back off from the tools of the trade and add more of the subtle and unique experiences about your actual feelings beneath your emotions. It feels as if you have a sense here as if you are not only smitten but worried and that does not show up in words. All this being said I did appreciate the easy and sensual nature of this piece and also outside of this writing I just would quickly add that quite the future you have in store considering your choice of professions. A remarkable and inspiring as well as booming field so I wish you all the hope of a wonderful future . I hope this helped...the tools were there and the emotion was as well so well done although nothing exploded or no one died or nothing about the parting which I understand but being a writer is all about giving the reader something that they find of value....the rest will come with dedication and time. Again a pleasure to meet you and I hope I wasn't too harsh. Thanks for the read.

[Onlyme]

To be smitten by someone. And all the fantasies within one's minds go on full riot. Then you meet by chance. And are gobsmacked and say nothing. Nice story, sweet, thoughtful and interesting.

[{A}shley {B}lack @-;-]

A very emotive piece of writing great visualisations and you truly take the reader on this journey with you well done looking forward to reading more of your work

[angel]

I have to tell you, it reminds me of a friend I once had. My 'Jack' and I were also temporary, and he is now gone from this world, but for a few moments, your words brought him back to me, and for that, I thank you.

[Matt B]

It felt very real when reading this, once realised it was based on a person who was in your life it is understandable how in depth you were, thought it was captivating!!