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DON'T FORGET TO READ THE CHAPTER I POSTED RIGHT BEFORE THIS ONE "{40} Respect..." If you're confused by anything in this chapter you probably skipped over it<3

One conversation.

It took one conversation to brighten his day, and three more--yes he counted--to make it even better.

After talking to Oliver that morning, they had a few conversations in classes together. There was something about seeing Oliver smile his way that made Addison feel refreshed.

Addison monitored the clock impatiently, waiting for school to be over so he could spend time with him, something he's been itching to do for weeks.

He felt like he was in 4th grade again, watching Oliver from across the room, waiting anxiously for recess so they could play together. Addison's stomach clenched at the memory. Before everything happened, they were happy together. They weren't best friends, but Addison had to admit, Oliver was one of the best ones he had back then.

Before his pride took over, he could admit his feelings no matter how desperate or risky they were.

But he grew up, things changed. Other than a helpless crush or an elementary school romance, Oliver was in a relationship, and Addison was just his friend.

No benefits, no feelings, just friends.

The idea of this faltered his mood, but only for a second. By the time lunch came, everything was perfect.

"I don't know, it's just something about today that feels like how Mcdonald's sprite tastes. You know?" Addison spoke plopping down at Eli and Eve's table. "Am I the only one feeling this way?"

"Yes," Eve muttered.

Eli rolled his eyes at her and slid closer to Addison, "What's going on with you guys?"

"She's being a bitch."

"He's being a bitch, "Eli and Eve spoke at once.

"No, I'm not!" They both exclaimed. "Stop doing that!"

"Both of you, stop talking." Addison snapped. "God, I can barely take it when you two talk one at a time. Eli shut up, and let Eve talk."

"You're taking her side?"

That's a big no-no. One thing Addison knows never to do is take sides, definitely when it comes to them.

"I'm not taking sides because as much as I love drama. I'm in a really good mood and I can't let it get ruined." He pointed at Eve. "Why are so you pissed?"

 Eve replied. "He went through my Instagram following list."

"Is that not a normal thing to do?" Addison frowned. He's been looking through Oliver's list for years.

He used it as his daily reassurance.

Addison would be a hypocrite if he took Eve's side, so yeah, today was different. He was most definitely on Eli's side.

"No! Now he's bitter because of the guys that I follow."

"You like all of their pictures!" Eli argued.

"It's Manu Rios of course I do!"

Manu is hot... He's most definitely on Eve's side. "You're mad because she liked Manu Rios pictures, Eli?"

"And Oliver's." Eli countered. "And Bradley's."

What is she doing liking Oliver's pictures?  He was back on Eli's side.

"Oliver has a boyfriend!" Eve scowled. "And Bradley is Bradley, we've been friends for years. What's so bad about me liking one of his posts?"

"You're my girlfriend, Eve."  Eli gave her his speech/ apology about his insecurities and Addison watched the whole thing. He's pretty sure they forgot he was even there.  "I'm sorry."

He popped an overcooked fry in his mouth and observed their "cute" makeup. "Are you two done?" They ignored Addison and started kissing, this kissing turned into a full-on makeout session that Addison's stomach could not take. "Ok, I guess you are."

...

"Who is this Manu guy anyway?" Eli grumbled, layering a customer's pizza with an overabundant amount of cheese.

"Stop!" Addison grabbed his wrist. "Pete's on a budget, Eli. You can't waste cheese like that. Now put the cheese back in the bag." He instructed.

"I bet he can't make pizzas like me," Eli muttered scooping the mozzarella into the pack. "Guy has a few million followers and thinks he's the shit."

"He could make my pizza any day." Addison grinned.

Their shift seemed to be taking forever, and Eli's jealousy rants about a model that lives in a whole other country made it worse.

He just wanted to be done so he could hang out with Oliver.

"You're being an idiot." Addison popped the pizza in the masonry and sighed, "If you knew you would start worrying, why did you check her Instagram in the first place? You're just making things worse for yourself."

"I was curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat."

"But satisfaction brought it back."

"You're not satisfied, Eli. You're just insecure, and annoying."

After Eli and Eve made up she caught him reading Manu's IMDb and got pissed again.

Hince her absence.

This wasn't Addison's relationship, nor was it his problem. He was there to listen and tell the harsh truth because that was the kind of friend he was, and that was the friend he would always be.

He's not there to spare Eli's feelings, definitely when Eli knew what he was getting himself into when he pressed the 'following' button.

"You're mean." He pouted.

" And you're an idiot," Addison replied.

"Westbrook!" Sharron called from the front. "You're on delivery today."

Addison's eyes widened, he hasn't been on delivery for 6 months. Last time it happened to be Oliver's pizza, and he invited him in for a "slice."

Let's just say Addison didn't return to work until after Pete's closed. Sharron sat in a chair like a mom in the middle of the night, waiting for an explanation. But the forming hickeys on his neck spoke for themselves.

Those were good times...he wished he could go back and savor that time with Oliver.

"Are you listening?" Sharron scowled. "Hurry! Our ratings are getting worse."

"Because this place is a dump," Eli muttered.

Addison internally agreed to Eli's comment and grabbed the pizza from his boss.

Delivering pizza wasn't the best job, definitely when you live in a small town, because there's always a chance you're delivering to someone you know.

But he doesn't recognize the one he pulled up to, so that's a good sign.

After ringing the doorbell, he awkwardly waved at the Ring camera that happened to be right in his face. The sound of a dog barking alerted him, he was ready to make a quick run for it when the door opened.

A shirtless guy smirked down at him like he was the meal, not the pizza that was surely cold by now because Pete's couldn't afford pizza warmers.

Addison smiled awkwardly and handed the pizza out to him.

"Hey." The guy crossed his arms over his bare chest and stared him down, Addison smiled in response, attempting to mask his discomfort.

"Are you mute or something? I said hey." The guy frowned.

"12 dollars."

"What?" He grinned wider. "Speak up, Westbrook."

How does he know my last name? Addison glanced down at his name tag and frowned,

It only had his first name.

"How do you know my name?"

"I'm in your math class." The guy pulled his wallet out of his pocket, handed him 20 dollars, and took the pizza. "Tell Oliver I said hey." He winked. "See you around."

Addison ignored his cringy "flirting" and used his statement as a reminder that he would be seeing Oliver in...He checked his watch...Less than an hour.

...

"I need you to work overtime-"

"-No." Addison eagerly shook his head and hung his apron. "Sorry Sharron, I have more important things to do."

"Than your job?" She scowled

"Than my job."

He walked out of Pete's in a hurry. This was by far the longest day of work he's had, and he didn't even burn pizzas this time.

It's crazy how slow time goes by when you're looking forward to something.

Sharron/Boss: You better have a hot date or something. If not you're fired for walking out like that.

Something like that :) I'll stay late on Friday I promise

When he arrived home he hurriedly got changed into some comfortable clothes and texted Oliver saying he was home.

He wondered what he and Oliver would do. Maybe they could watch the tv show that Oliver's been begging to watch for the past 2 months. Or they could just sit and talk, either way, Addison would be happy.

Addison sat on his bed, the phone close by, awaiting Oliver's response.

That's all he can do.

All he can do is wait, and he knew that he would wait for as long as he had to.

...

One hour turned into two.

Just as fast as two turned into four.

But Oliver still hadn't come.

He sat in his bed next to his phone, waiting. 

Maybe he was on his way, and he just forgot to answer his message.

Or maybe he's running a little late.

Addison had been telling himself the possibilities for hours, he felt like he was going crazy. It was 10 p.m., he had school the next morning.

But he still stayed up, hoping to hear Oliver's footsteps echoing up the stairs, and through the halls as he made his way to Addison.

Where he belonged.

But he had no luck.

Slowly, he picked up his phone and dialed his number, cringing at the immediate response.

"Hey, I can't talk right now. Or I may be ignoring you...sorry. Just text me, or call me back later. I don't know how to work my voice message-"

He slammed his phone down on his mattress, not wanting to hear that irritating voicemail any longer than he had to.

Seconds later, his phone buzzed.

Oliver: busy with Cate

He felt an unfamiliar lump in his throat, one he knew he had to push down. He wouldn't do it, he wouldn't cry.

He couldn't cry, not over Oliver.

But even after several attempts, tears welled up in his eyes. 

He lifted his head at the sound of his door slowly creaking open."Oliver?"

Gabe's face fell, "No, it's just me."

"Oh. What do you want?"

"Are you crying-"

"-No."

"Addison, what's wrong?" Gabe stepped closer.

"Nothing, Gabe. What do you need?"

He shrugged, "You said we could hang out remember?"

Addison looked down at his phone, the message from Oliver still on the screen, "No, I don't. Get out."

"What-"

"Get out! " Addison's voice rose, "I'll hang out with you later. Just get out."

Gabe slightly withered, "Fuck you--I don't want to hang out with you anyway." The boy glanced at him again before leaving his room and closing the door behind him.

After exhaling an exasperated breath, Addison wiped his face. This was just a minor setback, right?

One way or another he and Oliver would be fine, right? Because Addison didn't know what he would do if they weren't. 

IIIIIIIIIIIIIII

So before y'all come at me--Let me explain-

I-

There's really no explanation...Love you guys:)