Friends

Darren leaned back in his seat on the couch and took a drink. He and Shannon had been friends for years, always spending time at each other's houses, always talking about everything in their lives. They had been teased their entire lives about how they liked each other or were secretly dating, but they never let it bother them. "Let people think as they will," they would say when asked about it. As they had grown older, the teasing came in waves. At times it weakened. At times it came stronger than ever. But it never really went away. 

Shannon plopped down on her spot next to Darren on the couch and started the movie. It wasn't so much so they could watch as it was to have some noise going. They talked about their days. What they did at work and what kind of people they had had to deal with throughout the day. They talked about the things they wanted to do, places they wanted to go. They talked about everything. 

"Can you believe I'm turning thirty-five soon?" Shannon asked. 

Darren chuckled and took another drink. "Well, I already did last month, so yeah, I can."

"Man, how long have we known each other? We were like six when we met, right?" Darren nodded in agreement. "So we've known each other almost thorty years. Practically our whole lives."

"I think we both know that part. We never hear the end of it."

"You remember when you dated that one girl? With the blonde hair and the green eyes and the nice rack?"

"Karen? Yeah, sure. Why?"

"I still can't believe you dated that stuck up broad. She so wasn't your type."

"Oh yeah, cause you've never dated anyone just because they were hot. What about the jock with the tan, muscular body? Brendan, was it?"

"Brandon. And I will thank you not to mention him."

"Hey, you're the one bringing up exes."

Shannon finished off the last of her drink and set it aside. "There was a while I actually thiught about dating you, you know."

"Yeah, I know."

"You do?"

"Yeah, sure. About six years ago, right? I found the crumpled up note in your trash can. Looked like you trying to figure out how to bring it up."

"How come you never said anything?"

"Didn't seem relevant."

Shannon sat back and watched the movie for a bit. Darren didn't say anything, just waited for her to find her words, like he always did.

"Yeah," she finally said. "I suppose you're right."

"Besides," Darren continued, "you found your guy."

Shannon smiled and nodded. "You still gotta find your girl."

Darren shrugged. "I got time. I'll figure it out."

"I'm your best man, right?"

Darren chuckled and finished his drink. "You know it."