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Tyler's thoughts: It was just another normal day of a boring summer. It was hot and I had nothing to do except sit on the floor and listen to my bestfriend, Christopher, practice playing piano in the coolness of his living room. I usually just read or doze off or scroll through my friend's feeds to see the awesome vacations or camps they were at.

It was a normal day and I could tell something was off Chris's mind by the way he played, but I always leave it to him to open up to me, because he always does once he's gotten through a whole song.

Christopher: *Distractedly staring into space* Hey Ty… you've… kissed a lot right?

Tyler: *staring blankly* Yeah…

Christopher: *stares at piano keys* How do… get better at it without practicing?

Tyler's thoughts: This musical prodigy really is an idiot about life…

Tyler: You practice on other people. Why? Are you suddenly interesting in kissing some poor girl?

Christopher: *Irritatedly looks over at Ty* Is that really so surprising? I am turning eighteen next week…

Tyler's thoughts: That's right! And then two weeks after that I turn eighteen… I can't believe he still hasn't kissed anyone… I was like seven when I first kissed a girl, and since then I've been kissing girls left and right; searching for that kiss I keep reading about in novels…

Tyler: *Peeks over at Chris* So do I know her?

Chis: *Furrows eyebrows* Who?

Tyler: *sits up, still leaning back on his arms.* The girl you wanna kiss? Who is she?

Chris: *Looks down at his hands that are clasped in his lap* They… are someone I feel comfortable with…

Tyler's thoughts: Oh, must be someone from the school he takes his piano lessons at… maybe one of the ballerina's in the building, or that one violinist with long brown hair… I bet that's his type, all serious and proper, from a wealthy family…

I won't push him to tell me. I have never pushed him to do anything for as long as I have known him, which is our whole lives.

Our parents met at the same OBGYN's office, because both of their pregnancies were considered high risk, and that's where they met and all became sudden best friends. Chris was actually a couple weeks premature… I was supposed to be older… but there were some complications with his heart… While he was in the NICU my mom visited his parents every day, and that's where she was when she went into labor… The only comfort I have regarding my birth the picture taken of my mother holding me just before she started to seize up… Dad says he doesn't blame me… I don't believe him, how could I when I never see him. I live with Chris and his family more than I live in the empty house my dad is never at…

Tyler: *Smiles while staring up at the ceilling* She must be pretty special then.

Chris: *turns to see Tyler staring at ceiling. Blushes.* Mhm. Very special…

Tyler:

*Smile fades*

So, are you going to kiss her?

Chris:

*Blush fades. Brows knit. Hands tighten.*

… I want it to be perfect when I kiss them though…

Tyler's thoughts:

This makes a lot of sense for him actually… He doesn't perform unless he can practice. He practices and practices until it is perfect and when it's perfect he keeps practicing, he says that's when the real work begins because "Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect."

Tyler:

*Smiles mischieviously while still staring at the ceiling*

I guess you need to practice then…

Chris: *Eyes widen and gets off of piano bench and quickly makes his way to Tyler. Sits on his lap and pulls him close by the collar.*

Tyler: *Wide eyes* Chris! What're you—

Chris: *very serious face* Let me practice with you. *Pulls Tyler close while moving closer into the kiss.

Tyler's thoughts:

!!!

BADUMP

!!!

My heart! It hurts!

Both:

* Eyes remain wide open as their lips touch. Tyler looking shocked and Chris looking focused.