the night swept
over the world
and all was calm
for a moment,
then one by one
like tiny diamonds
the lights turned on,
sparkling brightly
a young man
dressed in black
turned to his friend,
stared intently at him,
considered,
watched his friend
put on his red hat,
fix his shirt
and instantly become
the only light
in the young man’s life.

he knew he shouldn’t,
knew it would jeopardize
the entire friendship
and for a moment
hesitated,
looked at his friend,
felt his heart skip a beat,
his breath catch in his throat
while his friend looked over
and smiled.
the world skidded to a stop.

his friend was so innocent,
unaware
and he did not want to take
that away from him.
although,
the young man debated,
he had known him for years,
knew him inside and out
and knew
that he mightn’t mind.
“but what if?”
the question rang inside him.

what if, indeed.
he was scared,
afraid to admit
to himself,
to his friends-
who were themselves
past this situation-
but most of all,
to his friend.
he couldn’t admit
how much he cared.

his friend laughed.
the sound sent shivers
down the young man’s spine,
the full lips curved
in a smile,
the eyes twinkling
with hidden mischief
and made what he was trying to do
all the more difficult
and he sighed,
“c’mon let’s go home.