Page 46 of Finance Bros

Malcolm

Where’d you learn how to do that?

Me

My friend Calyx did it.

Malcolm

Did he film the video too?

Me

Yeah. Why?

Malcolm

It was good. That’s all. Looked more professional.

Me

Not sure how to take that

Malcolm

It was a compliment.

Me

Oh. Thanks

I want to ask him why he’s still up. Why he’s got so many questions. Why did he hug me like that.

Malcolm

ShouldI wear makeup?

I laugh.

Me

I don’t think so, golden boy. You don’t need it.

Malcolm

Neither do you but it looked good.

There. What the fuck is that? Howthe fuckam I supposed to take that? Nothing he said so far was going to keep me up tonight, but that will. That in the context of the hug I didn’t ask for but took for every ounce of him it was worth.

Me

Don’t do it. You’ll look ridiculous if you don’t know how to put it on.

Malcolm

I can watch a tutorial as well as anyone else on the planet.

I curl onto my side. Holding the screen like it’s something precious, imagining what it would be like if he were here, curled up just like I am, facing me, saying the words instead of typing them. Would he try to hug me again? Would I stop him?

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