It was a typical Wednesday afternoon at Central High School, and John was sprawled on the bleachers, scrolling through his phone, a goofy smile plastered on his face. Arthur jogged up, his backpack slung over one shoulder, and plopped down beside him, a brow raised in curiosity.
“What are you smiling about this time? Did you finally find a meme that’s funnier than your last one?” Arthur teased, nudging John playfully.
John didn’t even look up, still entranced by the screen. “Nah, man. Just checking out some pics of Mrs. Thompson. You know… your mom.”
Arthur’s expression shifted from amusement to annoyance in an instant. “Seriously, John? You can’t be serious about this. It’s getting weird.”
John finally glanced at him, realization setting in. “What? Just because I think she’s beautiful doesn’t mean I’m stalking her. I mean, look at those eyes! How could you not appreciate them?”
“Because it’s my mom!” Arthur snapped, crossing his arms defensively. “You’re my best friend. But this? This is crossing a line.”
“Crossing a line?” John shot back, incredulous. “You think I’m the problem here? You’re the one who told me to be honest about my feelings! And it’s not my fault your mom happened to be a total knockout. You’ve got great genes, buddy!”
“Stop hiding behind that excuse. It’s not just a crush; it’s messed up!” Arthur’s frustration spilled over, his voice rising in indignation. “You’ve got girls in our class who would die for a date with you, but you’re fixated on my mom? Do you have any idea how awkward that is?”
John stood up, his hands on his hips. “Awkward? You think I’m trying to make things awkward? I just see beauty where beauty is! And I don’t see what the big deal is.”
“The big deal is that I roll my eyes every time I see you practically drooling over her! We’re friends; it’s supposed to be you and me against the world, not you versus my family!”
“Maybe I wouldn’t feel like it’s me versus your family if you didn’t act like I was some kind of creep! I’m not some wannabe stepdad or something. I just think she’s attractive,” John argued, his voice rising.
Arthur took a deep breath, trying to rein in his temper. “You know what? I think you need to back off. There’s nothing wrong with admiring someone, but you’re making it too personal, John. You shouldn’t lose sight of our friendship over this.”
John folded his arms, half-defiant, half-reflective. “So what, you want me to pretend I don’t notice when I’m practically surrounded by charisma?”
“I want you to focus on being a good friend, not wandering into fantasies where my mom is the leading actress. It’s ruining our vibe!” Arthur’s voice was steady but firm, a plea and a demand wrapped in one.
Silence hung between them, filled with the distant sounds of laughter from the basketball court. John sighed, the fight leaving him. “Alright… maybe I have to chill out a bit. I just thought it was funny at first. I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”
Arthur shrugged. “Just don’t let it get weird, man. I like having you as a best friend, not as a guy who’s got my mom on a pedestal.”
“Fair enough,” John replied, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. “I’ll ease up. Now, let’s grab some fries before math. My treat?”
“Now that’s the best thing I’ve heard all day,” Arthur replied, a reluctant smile breaking through the tension. They stood up together, the tension dissipating as they walked side by side, leaving the verbal battle behind them—at least for now.
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