January, 2018

When the LA trip finally arrived, Jordan was doing a bit better. He had decided to just let it flow. If the right time for conversation came, then they'll talk, but he set his mind in just enjoying the trip with his family and his best friend. They had a great time; Jordan was actually enjoying and having a great time after several months of depression and anxiety.

As promised, Joshua didn't pressure him once, only sharing reassuring glances and small gestures with the younger Dun. Aaron and Jordan shared most of the time together, which made the boy specially happy, but the right time never came during the trip, and he knew that they wouldn't be able to hang out until March after that, which made him a bit anxious on their last day together on LA.

When they were saying their goodbyes at the airport as usual, during their 2 minute tight hug, Jordan decided to break the silence in a sudden burst of confidence. "Next time you'll know" he whispered in the blonde boy's ear. Aaron pulled back, looking at his friend right in the eyes "what was that buddy?" he asked with a faint smile and furrowed eyebrows.

"Next time you'll know" Jordan repeated smiling, staring right back at those grayish blue eyes he loved so much. Aaron slowly mirrored Jordan's smile, tilting his head a tiny bit and squinting his eyes at his friend. "I'll be waiting then" he almost whispered, and Jordan could have swore he saw his friend's eyes switch to his lips for a moment then back at his mocha eyes before hugging him tightly one last time.

Jordan did cry on the way back home, but this time it felt different, even if he hadn't yet confessed his love to his best friend, he felt relieved. Something on the way Aaron reacted at the airport calmed him. He should have known. Aaron was one of the most understanding people he'd ever met, and that was one of the reasons he had fallen for his friend on the first place.

He smiled to himself for being so scared, even if his love wasn't corresponded, even if Aaron didn't love him back the same, he knew that the blonde boy would never leave him alone. He'd always be there for him no matter what. He now had a month and a half to plan it, to make sure it was going to be perfect.

He had decided that he would not say anything to his friend until the last moment when he was about to get on the plane back to Columbus. That way, if he had a struck of luck and Aaron felt the same, he would just miss his flight to stay with him. But if it all went downhill, he could just jump on the plane and cry his hour and a half back to Ohio.