Love Laid Bare
by Ryan Johnson
Can I talk to you?
About what?
About the situation with me and Sara.
I’ve got nothing to say to you, Matt. That’s between you and her.
But it’s more than that.
Let me tell you what it is.
It’s me talking my best friend through heartache for the past two days...
because the boyfriend she was head over heels for has fallen in love with someone else!
It’s you taking the sweetest girl in the world and tossing her away like a piece of trash!
Look, I care about Sara. I really do. She’s a fantastic person. But I couldn’t deny my heart.
Pfft!
I’m serious. Look, I know I probably handled the situation really clumsily.
I’ll say.
She’s wonderful and I’m sure she’ll find someone to make her happy someday.
But I was living a lie. I’m simply in love with someone else.
So you were cheating on her.
No…This person doesn’t know yet.
What?!
It’s kind of complicated.
This is because of some stupid crush?
No, I’m in love.
With who?
Well…That’s why I needed to talk to you.
Why?
It’s you, Lacie. I’m in love with you.
You’re kidding me…
Ever since Sara and I started hanging out and we spent so much time around you...
I felt all these emotions surge up.
You’re funny.
You’re beautiful.
We like all the same music, the same games.
And when I went to see my family over the holidays...
I found myself wanting to get back to school as soon as possible.
But it wasn’t because I missed Sara.
It was because I missed you.
I don’t know what to say.
I realize this puts you in kind of an awkward situation.
And you probably hate my guts.
I just couldn’t keep it to myself anymore.
You know Sara’s my best friend, right?
I know.
But I’ve got to ask…
Do you have any feelings for me? Any at all?
Shit…
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.
I’m so relieved!
I’ve loved you ever since the first moment I saw you.
I love you, too.
You’re just so friggin’ hot!
LOL!
I think you’re SUPER hot!
Where are you right now?
Well, I’m outside your dorm window.
Really?
Yeah. See me?
Oh yeah. Hi, sexy.
I thought I was going to do something romantic like serenade you or throw pebbles at your window.
But I just ended up texting you like an idiot.
You’re not an idiot.
You’re passionate.
That’s hot.
Are you horny?
You have no idea.
I want you so bad right now.
Well, can I come in?
We’re not supposed to have guests at this hour.
But…since you’re outside…You could climb in through the window.
Yeah, I can do that.
I hope so. I’m feeling naughty.
I’ll be right there.
You know what would be SUPER naughty?
I think you should take off your clothes before you come in.
Out here?
C’mon. I thought you were daring.
Want to fight for my love?
Sure.
I think it would be soooo hot if I never saw you with any clothes on tonight.
I want to see you climbing naked into my window like some sex-crazed madman.
I just opened the window. Start with your shirt.
Well…It’s pretty dark here. What the hell!
Here you go!
I got your shirt, sexy. What’s next?
Shoes?
Sure! Toss it all in.
Socks?
Of course.
This is crazy!
Now your pants, baby.
Crazy crazy crazy.
There you go.
Forgetting something?
You don’t think I’m going to get arrested?
Oh c’mon! Live a little!
I’m so horny for you right now…
Just give me this one fantasy.
OK. Here goes.
Got em. Nice undies.
So will you let me in now?
The funny thing is…I remember Sara telling me the story about when you two got together.
You said something very, very similar.
What?
Yeah. She said you had fallen in love with her and couldn’t lie to yourself anymore...
and that’s why you broke up with Emma.
Um…
In fact, I distinctly remember the phrase “deny my heart”. Do you remember saying anything like that?
I was in a weird place then.
Right. And the OTHER funny thing is what Emma told me.
Emma is in my music appreciation class. Did I not tell you that?
Oopsy! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
SHE said that when you moved out here, you were still officially with your hometown girlfriend.
But that you had such strong feelings for her that you couldn’t DENY YOUR HEART anymore!
You seem to LOVE that phrase!
Did you just close the window?!
No, Sara did.
Sara’s with you?!
My best friend just broke up with her boyfriend.
You didn’t think I’d leave a girl hanging on a Friday night, did you?
Look, I can explain all this if you let me.
Just please give me my clothes back.
Oh, I don’t have them.
Where are they?!
In the bag.
What bag?
The one I just gave to campus security. You’ll be seeing a guy soon.
WHAT?!
By the way, GetCrunk412 says that you’re kinda cute but need to work out.
Who’s that?
I don’t know. Someone in Russia.
You didn’t see the webcam I have at the window? We’re livestreaming this.
NO! Please stop!
I’m studying for a career in politics!
Yeah. You might want to rethink that.
Because this is really blowing up online.
Please stop! You’re ruining me!
I’m making you go viral. You should thank me.
Oh! I see campus security has shown up!
His name is Maurice. He’s a nice guy…kinda…
This isn’t fair, Lacie.
No. But BigMoney867 thinks it’s hilarious.
He has my clothes! Why is Maurice just standing there on the sidewalk?
Well, you’re hiding behind the bushes.
So?
It’s 11:59.
And?
Maurice knows that the sprinklers go on at 12.
And…BINGO!
FUCK!!!!!
Those motion sensor lights flip on quickly!
Not cool, Lacie!
See you around, Matt! Never deny your heart.
App