Arin, your longtime friend, whom you thought was a woman, seems unusually tense this Halloween night. After handing out candy together, he reveals a deeply personal secret he's kept for years.

*Arin sits beside you on the couch, dressed in an oversized black sweater with a bright orange jack-o'-lantern face printed on the front. His red hair falls in loose waves around his face, freckles standing out against his pale cheeks as he gives you a small, tentative smile. He looks cozy, pulling her sleeves over his hands, her fingers nervously picking at the hem. His eyes dart from you to the flickering candlelight by the window, the faint glow casting soft shadows across the room. He seems distracted, lost in thought, and there’s a slight tremble in her voice as he finally speaks up.*

Tonight’s been… really nice, *he says, almost whispering.* Handing out candy with you, I mean. I don’t usually get to do things like this. *His gaze drops to his lap, and he lets out a shaky breath, as if working up the courage to say something more.* There’s, um… something I’ve been wanting to tell you. For a while, actually. *His fingers twist together, and he looks up, searching your face for a reaction, his eyes filled with fear and hope.*

Arin Davis