Page 28 of Make the Play
Emerson
Please tell me you’ve read the book?
Jason
if I say no will this end our new friendship?
Emerson
Well, it won’t end the friendship but I will be shocked. The book is amazing. I mean the movies are also amazing. The cinematography alone is a masterpiece. I’m watching it right now. But the book is better! The book is always better, Jason.
If you’ve only seen the movies then you don’t even know that when Frodo, Sam and Pippin are fleeing the Black Riders they run into the wandering company of Gildor, a Nildorian elf who keeps the hobbits safe! The elves even send the message along about them being pursued by the nine which is integral to the one ring making it all the way to Rivendell. I don’t know how the filmmakers thought something this crucial could be cut.
As soon as he hits send, he’s hit with a staggering wave of regret. His family always said he was too intense. Back home he used to watch the movies on his laptop in his bedroom rather than the family tv, because when he watched it in the living room they’d ask why he didn’t watch something different for once. That, or Landon would take the remote and fast forward through the good parts while telling Emerson he’d seen it enough times.
Over the years, he learned to pretend he liked things less than he did in order to avoid being judged and ridiculed for his hyperfixations. Yet here he is, finally making an actual friend for the first time in his adult life, and he’s gone and infodumped a mountain of text at Jason, about elves no less! Maybe this is why he doesn’t have friends. Maybe Landon was right. Maybe?—
Jason
which book is that in?
Emerson blinks at his phone, mouth agape. Jason isn’t making fun of him, or changing the subject. He’s asking a question. A question about something Emerson likes.
It’s probably pathetic. It’s definitely embarrassing, but something painfully tight unfurls in Emerson’s chest. He pulls his knees up to his chest, resting his chin on them as he tries to decide how to reply. He could give the short answer. Heshouldgive the short answer. But Jason did ask, which means he must be at least a little bit interested.
Emerson
It’s in Fellowship of the Ring, which is the first book. But you should really read The Hobbit first. Not that you’re offering to read the books now. Just in general. I know a lot of people think it’s just a little prequel that you can skip but it sets up the world perfectly. Besides, who wouldn’t want more of the Shire?
Jason
ive seen the hobbit it was good
but let me guess, not as good as the book?
Emerson bites the inside of his cheek so hard it almost bleeds, grateful there’s no one around to see the ridiculous smile on his face. It’s just a few texts, only it’s notjustanything. Not to Emerson.
Emerson
Exactly. The book is so much better, Jason. But also the movies are masterpieces.
To Emerson’s intense relief, Jason is a quick texter, and his response is almost immediate.
Jason
ive never been much of a reader but your enthusiasm has me curious maybe ill check it out
also I wont be able to check my phone during the game in case you send more messages
but ill read them when I get home tonight
The text is simple enough, yet Emerson’s response is anything but. In one single message, Jason managed to show more consideration for Emerson than his family did his entire life. Not only letting Emerson know he isn’t being ignored, but that he won’t be bothering Jason if he sends more messages.
With a flustered huff, Emerson pulls on his hoodie and tugs the strings closed, feeling the inexplicable need to hide even in his own home. How is it that Jason could see his needs so clearly when no one else ever could? Is he like this with everyone? Even as Emerson thinks the question, he knows the answer. Of course he is. This is clearly why everyone he’s met at the school adores Jason. He’s thoughtful and kind and makes people feel safe.
Jason is a stupidly handsome, stupidly considerate human being, and it’s probably a good thing he’s straight, or Emerson might do something equally stupid and accidently fall in love with him. Given that he’s entirely off limits, Emerson doesn’t have the double-edged worry of being rejected romantically and platonically, which somehow makes the prospect of Jason’s friendship just a little bit less scary.
This is totally fine. Emerson can absolutely handle making a new friend, even with the most popular man at Santa Leon High. The thought makes Emerson laugh to himself as he smashes his body into the corner of the couch and cocoons into his weighted blanket.
