first of all, i hope you love this chapter, because i'm really gonna wreck you all in the next. second of all, i know, i'm super late, but that's what happens when you're an idiot that JUST discovered a very potter musical and is still freaking out over nearly a week of rewatching because good lord that is some very very amazing crap

to make up for my tardiness, there will be a double update next time, so please keep an eye out for that and don't kill me ❤

darren criss is amazing siriusly starkid is the best adfhajskdhf

~ ~ ~  

"So we should Skype soon."

"Okay."

"What do you think about tomorrow? I have Willow over then."

"I'm not so sure about tomorrow, actually."

"But you haven't met her yet!"

"I'm going to be busy."

"Oh man, don't tell me you're actually studying for a change?"

"I do study."

"Stop sulking, you butthurt loser, you never study."

"My professor is going to fail me if I screw up another essay."

"You said that last time!"

"I'm serious this time too!" I think about my essay prompt, wince, and then think about meeting his girlfriend. I wince again.

"Fine." He sounds cross.

"Who's sulking now?"

"I'm not!"

Despite myself, I smile. "Okay."

I don't tell him about Zach or the wonderful feelings I have whenever I'm around him, because how can you, and how can he understand?

It's like a secret that I stall and try to keep in until I can't help it any more because it flows out of me like rushing water, the kind that only streams have, the nice ones further away from the trails in forests. Water gushes out, warm and sunshiney and salty like the sea, Zach's sea, and I have to bring it to Mia, she's the only one that understands my tides.

So I bring Mia Zach before I take him to my roommates or my parents or my best friend. I say it's a nice lunch with my old friend to him and a nice lunch with my new friend to her, and they come curiously and we meet for pizza. The place is a small but homey sort of pizza place, the best kind, and there's barely any room for all the customers that try to squeeze in for lunch.

It's weird seeing them both in one place, but they seem to like each other's company and Mia is doing her detective thing and laughing too loudly. She catches me watching her and turning her head to Zach, she gives me a thumbs-up subtly under the table and winks. I kick her foot lightly and she kicks back. When Zach excuses himself to go to the bathroom, Mia snatches my collar.

"Clever boy, you found yourself a keeper! Very polite, actually plays football, neat clothes, nice laugh, good tasteー"

"I never said that we were dating to you. Or whether he's remotely into me."

"I take that back. Stupid boy, you wouldn't bring him here all secretively for me to check out. Don't worry, Mia approves."

"Okay," I admit, smiling widely, "he asked me out."

Mia squeals for me and I'm happy that all the seawater has somewhere to go.

"Did you go on the date?"

"I went on two."

She kicks me again and I don't mind. "You didn't tell me sooner?"

"Well, I knew you were going to go crazy on me!"

Mia squeals again. "But I'm the first to know, right?"

I shrug, and she does a happy little shimmy. "So I am!"

I throw up my hands, but inside, I'm smiling. "See, this is exactly what I'm talking about."

"Well, he's lovely! He studies sharks!"

"Well, mostly hermit crabs at the moment. He's just boasting."

"And he's actually funny!"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"And he's so sweet to you!"

"I suppose that's what dates do."

"And he'sー"

"He's coming back!" I hiss, "Shut up about it, you're too embarrassingー"

"What's so embarrassing?" Zach says as he walks back to us.

"Nothing much," Mia replies, sounding calmer, "this is good pizza, this is." She takes a big bite to prove her point.

"It really was nothing," I add in quickly, "Mia was just being an idiot, but she'll drop the subject for the rest of the day now, right?"

She shrugs and chews, smiling serenely.

True to her shrug, she doesn't mention anything of the sort for the rest of lunch. When we finish, I take out my wallet, but Zach insists on paying for everything. Behind him, Mia's eyes flash happily and she mouths, that boy fine. I give her a warning glance, but I melt a little too. Zach's hand squeezes mine lightly and I wonder how in the world he manages to to do PDA without anyone seeing. We both thank him for lunch, and then we leave, brushing off Italian music and the hoards of people still at their tables eating pieces of heaven.

"How did you find this place?" Mia takes a business card from the cashier's counter and we head out into the sun.

"Google," I reply simply, and Mia rolls her eyes. She's quiet for a little bit more as we walk along the streets, and I enjoy the silence before she breaks it once more.

"So when are you two going to meet the parents?"

"Mia!"