The next day after my class, I walked into my and Honoka's apartment. I took off my shoes at the front, not expecting to see Alissa and Honoka sitting at the island talking. Alissa held a notebook in front of her while Honoka occasionally snuck peeks at it, sipping on her green smoothie.

        "Sup?" I announced my presence as I made my way over to them, pulling a chair out to sit. They greeted me, although Alissa's voice held more enthusiasm. "Someone seems happy."

        "You have no idea," Honoka said before drinking some of her smoothie.

        "I'm having a good day. What can I say?" Alissa defended in her honor, fingering the paper of her notebook.

        "Oh, yeah," I said. "You guys won another game, right?"

        "Sure, did," Alissa said.

        "We really need to go to one of your games." Honoka motioned between me and her, and I nodded in concurrence.

        "You should," Alissa said. "This win also motivated me to get back into designing."

        "Designing?" My head snapped to the notebook, but Alissa's hand covered the opened page.

        "Yeah." Honoka rested her glass of smoothie on a coaster. "Alissa got into fashion designing when she left for Massachusetts."

        "Since when?" I asked.

        "Since I discovered my two loves in life," Alissa said. "I'm a sports girl. Always was, always will be. But I also found out that I love fashion, too. So I figured, why not combine the two? What better way to do just that than to design sportswear?"

        Her arm shifted to the side, allowing me to catch a glimpse of the open page, which was littered with female figures in different sports' attire.

        "Wow." I was impressed. "Good for you, 'Lis." Alissa was always good at art.

        She smiled. "That's not the only reason she's happy," Honoka said. Alissa looked way. "Guess who's dating who?"

        My eyes expanded. "You and Clay are finally dating?!"

        I expected it, but I couldn't grasp the concept, as if Clay's and Alissa's relationship status was some kind of hard science course.

        Alissa nodded. "After you left that day Clay kissed me, he asked me out. I said 'no.'"

        "What?" Honoka and I shouted simultaneously.

        "I didn't want it to be a spur of the moment thing," Alissa elaborated. "Him taking that step is a big deal, so I didn't want it to only be his anger and male ego talking. I wanted him to ask me out because he wanted to. Not just to prove something."

        I respected that.

        "So you gave him a run for his money," Honoka said. She sent Alissa the A-OK sign. "Smart plan."

        Alissa shook her head. "I gave him time. Time to think and reflect and decide if he really wanted to do this."

        "I'm assuming he did?" I grinned, leaning on the island counter.

        Alissa cracked a smile of her own. "Yeah. After a few days, he still wanted to give us a try, so that's what we did. A couple dates later, and things are
going pretty great."

        "Now, you're 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend,'" Honoka reminded, taking another sip from her smooth before setting it down.

        "Now, we're 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend,'" Alissa confirmed. "No more 'used to be best friends' or 'friends who like each other but won't do anything about it.' We're dating, and it feels damn good." Alissa's face lit up.

        "I'm happy for you guys," Honoka said while patting Alissa's arm. "You two are good for each other, and I'm glad you're finally doing this."

        "About time!" I snorted, making Honoka and Alissa laugh. Then it dawned on me.

         Wait a minute.

        Clay and Alissa weren't dating before, and I felt like a third-wheel then.

        Now, they were actually "boyfriend" and "girlfriend."

Oh, fuck. It never ended.

        "Where's Clay, by the way?" I changed the subject.

        "In class," Alissa said. Thank goodness I was done with that for the day. "But he's coming over after."

        "Cool." I rested my feet on another chair.

        "Alissa and I are going to the mall soon, so it'll just be the two of you," Honoka informed me.

        "Yeah," Alissa said, "we need some girl time. Clay and I have been spending a lot of time together lately, and we need some space from each other. You and Honoka are perfect space."

        Such an Alissa thing to say. Alissa wasn't one of those girls who stayed glued to her boyfriends. She enjoyed their company but appreciated some personal time for herself, too.

        I felt the same way with Rosalyn. I didn't have to see her all the time, but we still loved each other.

        "Don't tell Clay that," I said.

        "He can get over it." Alissa waved me off before turning her attention to Honoka.

        They kept chatting, but I zoned out, not wrapping my head around what I had learned.

        Clay and Alissa were dating.

        I knew it was going to happen eventually, but it actually happening felt so strange. They weren't friends anymore. They were "boyfriend" and "girlfriend." After knowing each other since first grade, they were finally together. Their relationship was changed forever.

        It would take some getting used to.

        It wasn't long before Honoka and Alissa left for the mall, and another hour later, Clay came over. We hit the court and for a good hour, we played a friendly game of basketball before making it back to my place.

        We flopped on the couch with our arms spread out, slightly out of breath and staring at the blank TV. "You and Alissa, huh?" I asked after a few minutes, not able to hold it in anymore.

        "Uh-huh." Clay grinned, turning to face me. "Making Alissa my girl was the best decision I ever made." His eyes brightened. "Alissa is amazing, and two years apart didn't change that. Throughout our friendship, I always knew something was missing. Now, I know why. She was never meant to only be my friend. She was so much more than that. "

        He was already whipped.

        I should have known. Alissa and Clay were head over heels for each other way before they finally grew the balls to do something about it.

        "That's great, man."

        "I know," Clay said with a relieved sigh. "I was so afraid, Kenji. I was afraid of losing her. I'm glad I realized not making a move was going to make me lose her either way. I never want to lose her again. Two years is enough time apart."

        "This is so weird." I rubbed my forehead. "You and Alissa are dating." It sounded more like a question than a statement.

        Clay nodded slowly. "I know. I'm getting used to it, too. It's different, but I like it." I had never seen Clay so happy and that made me happy for him.

        I was happy for the both of them.

        "How different is it?" I didn't know where this sudden curiosity came from. "Moving from 'just friends' to more, I mean."

        Clay shrugged. "It's different because now we're a couple, so we can kiss and do...other stuff." We sent each other knowing looks, suppressing our snickers. "But it's a good different. It feels right. It feels like there's an addition to this puzzle. That feeling of something missing in our relationship is not there anymore. The puzzle is now complete."

        That was deep. I stared at the couch—my curiosity and intrigue not dissipating.

        "I thought we will never work out because of our history," Clay said, snapping my attention back to him. "But I was wrong. Our history didn't break us. It made us stronger. It only added to our uniqueness as a couple. Our history makes us us, and I was wrong, Kenji. We will work out."

        "You will," I agreed. "It's obvious you like Alissa, and it's obvious she likes you, too. Yeah, we were all friends, but even in our group, there were little cliques. You and Alissa were one."

        Clay smirked at me. "Like you and Darian were another?"

        I was taken aback, shocked he would bring me and Darian into this. I paused for a second before responding. "I guess you could say that." Clay sent me a sideways glance. "Okay, fine. Yes. Like me and Darian. But unlike me and Darian, you and Alissa like each other, and you two can be together."

        Clay crossed his arms. "What makes you think you and Darian don't 'like each other' and you two can't 'be together?'"

A grin spread on Clay's face, meaning he was joking, but my brows knitted together.

"I'm messing with you!" Clay clasped his hand on my shoulder. That wasn't funny, but I faked a chuckle. "I get what you're saying. I thought there wasn't a chance for me and 'Lis, but there is. I'm just glad I realized I was wrong before it was too late. Before I lost her forever."

        A frown deepened into my forehead when Darian came to mind.

        Darian and I didn't like each other, and we certainly couldn't be together.

        First of all, Darian wasn't gay, and I wasn't either. I still didn't understand why he wanted to be sexual with me in the first place, but it happened, so that was that. It was only a "bros with a little extra love," like what Clay and I had in middle school.

        Now, that was over, just like Clay and I were over. But we were still "bros." I didn't want to lose Darian again—as a friend most importantly.

        And if by some weird scenario, Darian and I were gay for each other, we still wouldn't work out.

        Darian and I were no Clay and Alissa.

        I said this, but that didn't put my mind at ease.

        Clay and I spent the rest of our time listening to G-Eazy's mixtapes, who I was getting Clay into. I loved the guy's songs, but every time I heard one of them, I thought of Darian. It was a good reminder. Annoying, but good.

        We listened to the music and talked about different rappers, critiquing and praising them. When it was five, Clay stood up.

        "Where you headed?" I asked, spreading on the couch now that he was off of it.

        "To help my mom clean up. It's been a busy day at the daycare," he said, peering down at me.

        "That's nice of you to help her," I said. "So you still pick up your brothers' slack at the daycare?"

        Clay tried so hard to be a good son to his parents, but neither one of them appreciated it. Instead, they made him feel like he wasn't good enough.

        I felt for him.

        Clay shrugged. "I don't mind, to be honest. I spent a lot of time helping my mom out at the daycare while Alissa and I were going through all that 'courtship' drama."

        "Courtship?" I teased. "What are you? A gentleman from the eighteenth century?"

        "You know what I mean," he said, red creeping on his cheeks. "It kept my mind off of things. It was a good distraction."

        "You gotta do what you gotta do, dude."

        "Right," Clay agreed. "What about your plans for today?"

        "I'm gonna call, Darian," I said. "Today is his birthday."

        I texted him a "happy birthday" earlier that morning, but it didn't feel right to just leave it at that. Like I said, the benefits were over, but we weren't.

        Clay's mouth dropped and his eyes went round. "Oh, shit! How could I forget?" Clay grasped his head. "Today is Darian's birthday!"

        "Chill." I yanked his arms down. "Darian doesn't send you birthday cards either, so you're good."

        "But this year is supposed to be different," Clay said. "This is our chance to be on good terms again. Us forgetting Darian's birthday isn't going to help. We can't forget the 'oldie' of our group." I laughed.

        Darian was the oldest of our group. Followed by Arya. Then Clay. Then Alissa. Then Camila. Before Honoka and I dropped in, with me dead-last.

        "He'll be fine," I assured him.

        "I hope so," Clay said. "He has you anyway. Darian doesn't need the rest of us when he has Kenji, right?"

        "Shut up." I shoved him, slitting my eyes at him while suppressing a smile.

        "It's too easy to mess with you." I rolled my eyes. "Well, say 'happy birthday' to Darian for me, kid." Clay patted my shoulder before turning to leave. I fake-glared at him while he put his shoes on. "Later, dude."

        "Later," I said as he walked out the door.

        When the door shut behind him, I sat silently on the couch, staring at nothing in particular while my mind strayed to a green-eyed boy who wouldn't leave my thoughts.

        Darian Ansel.

        We didn't see each other nearly as often as before now that I had a girlfriend. I had to divide my time–another reason as to why Darian and I couldn't "be together." But I couldn't stop thinking about him, and the time we spent together.

        I didn't know why I was entertaining the idea. There was nothing to entertain.

        When I couldn't resist anymore, I took out my phone and walked to my bedroom, searching for Darian's number. I had an overwhelming urge to hear his voice and talk to him. Most of all, I wanted to see him. I wanted to be around Darian—for his birthday and many other days.

        I smiled as I got comfortable on my bed, dialing his number. I put it on speaker and set the phone next to me, letting it ring.

        "Hello?" a familiar voice picked up, making my face split into a grin as my body relaxed from the sound of his voice.

        "Happy birthday!" I hollered, making him chuckle.

        "You already wished me 'happy birthday,'" he said. "You were the first one actually. Not Gavin. Not Aaron. Not my family. You. What else do you need?"

        I shook my head. He played too much.

        "Of course, I was the first one." I rested an arm behind my head. "Back in elementary and middle school, who was always the first person to wish you 'happy birthday?'"

        "You," he answered. "Every single time."

        "Exactly," I said. "I slacked off in high school. Gotta step up my game."

        He chuckled again. "Good to know."

        "How does it feel to be nineteen?" I asked.

        He paused. "I don't feel any different. Still the same old Darian."

        "Old indeed," I joked.

        "Watch it, kid," he warned. "You're still a baby. You don't turn nineteen until this summer."

        I groaned. "Don't remind me." He laughed, and I liked the sound of Darian laughing. It was something I didn't hear enough of unless we were alone. "So, got any plans for your special day?"

        "None that I know of."

        "Good," I said, picking at my comforter. "I'm coming over then."

        "Spending my birthday with me?"

        "Why not?" I said. "We've already missed out on multiple birthdays in high school. We can't miss anymore." I twisted my lip to the side, thinking for a second. "How about I come over in a little bit? I can cook some food first. Then bring it over. We can eat like gluttons, and then jam out to some awesome beats."

        "Lyrics," he corrected.

        "Beats and lyrics."

        "Fine," he said. "Beats and lyrics. Compromising, right?"

        "Music Nazi," I muttered under my breath.

        "Always," he said, making us both laugh.

        "But yeah," I continued. "We can just chill. Nothing big or flashy. Just the two of us enjoying each other's company. Making up for lost birthdays. How about that?"

        He didn't respond at first. "I'll like that." His voice came out small, almost vulnerable. "I'll love that, Kenji."

        I smiled, looking down at my hand fumbling with the sheets. "Okay then."

        "Okay," he said, in that same small, vulnerable voice.

        "Happy birthday, Darian," I repeated.

        In high school, I told myself I wish I never knew Darian. I told myself I wish he never existed.

I was wrong.

        I was glad I knew Darian, and I was glad he had a birthday that marked his existence.

        I didn't need a one-year occurrence to acknowledge that now, but that didn't mean we weren't going to enjoy the hell out of it.

Yeah. No more lost birthdays.

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* How cute was that last scene? The more I write about Kenji and Darian, the more I love them together. What about you guys?

* Well, one ship has sailed, how long do you think it'll take the main ship to get a move on it?

* Also, I've entered this book into the 2016 Wattys. I have no expectations whatsoever, but it never hurt to try, right?

* And this chapter is dedicated to @75sandwiches. She's hilarious, and I appreciate her support. :)

* Song is "Opportunity Cost" by G-Eazy