Ready Set Go

Bill's Point of View

"What can they be talking about still?"

"They've only been in there for eight minutes, Bill."

"That's all? It seems like it's been eight hours."

"Calm down."

"I am calm."

"No, I'm calm. You're freaking out."

"That's because you're not the one who has your girlfriend's father pissed at you."

"I doubt he's mad. You have to remember Marie's mom is dead. He's just trying to protect her."

"It still isn't fun. God. How long now?"

"Nine minutes."

"Damn it."

"Bill, it'll be fine. Can...I need to tell you something."

At that moment, Marie's father walked out of her room and, with a wave, left. I didn't even pay attention to my brother as I slowly headed down the hall.

"Come in."

She smiled at me and gave me a quick kiss, which I deepened. Her lips were soft and inviting, and I gladly accepted, pushing her onto her back and straddling her. She grinned into the kiss and pulled me closer.

Tom's Point of View

I sat on the couch, staring blankly at the television; Georg came in a few minutes later and glanced at the screen.

"The shopping channel? I swear, Tom, if I didn't know you better, I'd say you were gay."

"I'm not watching it. Marie left it on here this morning. I'm just too lazy to change it."

"Sure."

"Georg, shut up."

"Where's Bill?"

"Marie's room."

He sauntered out of the room, and I continued to watch the lady on the television attempt to sell a necklace for four hundred dollars. I sighed and rolled my eyes when Georg plopped down next to me. He grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels.

"Bill!"

Marie's Point of View

Bill groaned and pulled away from me. I laughed a bit at his irritation and pressed my lips to his in a swift kiss. He rolled his eyes.

"Was, Tom?"

"Can I come in?"

I pushed Bill off of me. "Enter."

"Bill, I really need to tell you something important in private."

"But, Tom---"

"Go on. I'll still be here when you're done."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

Bill kissed me once, twice, three times, before following Tom out of my room. I stared at my ceiling and wondered why Tom had been so adamant about needing to speak to my boyfriend.

Bill's Point of View

"So what's so urgent?"

Tom bit his lip slightly and fiddled with his hat brim. "I've been thinking about this forever, and I've never really figured it out. But Georg inadvertently helped me to realise it. And I know I should've told you earlier. You're my best friend, my twin, and I don't want you to be mad. I know you should have been told sooner---"

"Tom?"

"Yes?"

"Just tell me."

My brother sighed. "Promise not to get mad."

"I won't get upset."

"Ich ... Ich bin schwul."

"What? Why didn't you tell me before? How could you keep this from me? I deserved to know!"

I continued yelling at him, completely forgetting about the promise I'd made. I didn't stop when he began pacing, nor when he kept his face turned away from me. I didn't stop when he sat on the bed. But I ceased my screaming once I realised he was crying.

"Tom..."

"Get out."

"I am so sorry."

"Get out!"