(Brendon)

I was lying down on Ryan's bed when a nurse came in with a tray for his lunch. We'd been just lying down saying the stupidest things back to each other. It became like a game. Who could say the craziest things without repeating them selves. We both sat up as quickly as we could when she entered. I swung one foot over the side of the bed. Ready go get up.

"That's okay, sweetie. You can lay with your boyfriend." She smiled.

I frowned. "That's not my-"

"Thank you." Ryan interrupted me.

"No problem, hun." She sat the tray down on the tall, table with wheels. And walked out. Closing the door behind her.

"I'm not gay." I told Ryan sternly.

He just shrugged. He reached for the table and rolled it so that the tray swung around to the front of us. "I don't care if you're gay. I just said that so you could stay."

I calmed down a bit. "Hey, that rhymed." I joked. "You should write a song."

"I actually do write."

He stuck his finger in the mashed potatoes and swirled it around. Then he dipped it in the corn. His finger came up looking like a snowman who fell in a pile of candy corn. A really thin snow man. He stuck his finger in his mouth.

"Ryan, ew dude." I frowned.

He smiled. "Delicious." He licked his lips.
"Disgusting. Use your fork."

"It taste better on my finger." He said as he did it again.

"The taste won't change just because it's on your finger. You don't have some magical finger. With hidden spices that impro-"

As I was talking, he stuck his food covered finger into my mouth. My first instinct was to wrap my lips around his finger. My second was to spit the food out. But for some reason, I chewed. My eyes widened when I realized that it did taste pretty good. Well at least pretty good for hospital food.

"Good, huh?"

"Its okay."

"Try it with your finger."

"No! That's your food. I'm not going to stick my finger in it."

"I don't mind."

He reached out and grabbed my hand. Slidding it into the warn mashed potatoes. It felt disgusting. I laughed at the way it feel when he slid it back out. Ryan smiled sideways at my laughter. He stuck my finger into the corn and let it go. Waiting for me to put my own finger in my mouth. I noticed his lips were slightly parted as he watched me. So as payback, I stuffed my finger into his mouth. He laughed against my finger. Sucking it clean of the food. I snatched away from his mouth.The tingling sensation from before doubled.
****

(Pete)

"Pete!" I heard my mother call from down the stairs. I was about to just ignore her until I heard my father.

"Pete, get down here. Don't ignore your mother." He knew me too well.

I don't know why they would be calling me. Unless Patrick stopped by. What if he did? What if he'd gotten angry thinking about me blowing our plans? And then he turned around and drove back to tell my parents I was at one of Joe's smoke and drink fest? I'd be grounded for months. Only being allowed to leave for church and school. Which meant I'd have to sneak out for months. It was hard to do on the second floor. Once I broke my leg and my father felt bad so he ended the punishment.

I slid off the bed and took my time going down the stairs. My mother and father were both standing in front of the door. Their backs turned to me. Shit someone was here. And I knew none of my friends were stupid enough to come to my house right now. It had to be Patrick. As I descended the steps they both turned to look at me. I paused. That wasn't Patrick. I didn't know who the hell this guy was. But he dressed like one of Brendon's friends.

"Hey, Pete." He smiled when I approached.

"Hey, you." I racked my brain trying to think of a name. But I really didn't recognize him.

"Pete, you only have a little time to spend with your friend today. Brendon should be back any minute. Then we have to head out to the mall." My mother told me.

"That's okay ma'am. I understand." Yeah, he definitely wasn't someone I hung out with.

"Are you sure you're not one of Brendon's friends?" My mother asked.

"No ma'am."

My mother and father both went into the living room. Leaving me with this stranger. He patted me on my back and walked towards our kitchen area. I followed behind him.

"Dude, who the fuck are you?"

"I'm Nicholas Petricca. I'm in your English class."

"You sit with Brendon."

"I know but I saw the car was gone and he said that you're not allowed to drive."

"So why are you still here?"

"My mom dropped me off. I'm not allowed to drive either."

"So call her back and-"

"No. Look, Brendon is the only person who gave me his address. So this is the only house I can go to. And I am not spending Saturday with my mom. Come on dude. Help me out."

"Fine." I muttered.

"Shit." He exhaled. "I thought you'd kick me out."

"You curse?"

He laughed. "I'm not some goody two shoes. I get good grades and dress appropriately because that's what it takes to graduate and get the hell out of my parent's house."

"Pete." My mom came in the kitchen. Interrupting our chat. "I'm not sure where Brendon is. He isn't picking up his phone. Do you know?"

"Don't know. Wish I cared."

"Well we still have to go shopping. Your father is going to look around for your brother." She smiled over at Nicholas. It's sad that she already liked him more than me. "You may bring your friend."

"Thank you ma'am." He smiled at her.

"Are you sure you aren't one of Brendon's friends?" She asked again.