(i'm really excited for this chapter)

Pete walks in through the door with his chest puffing out in pride and a tiny man wrapped around his arm. The entire staff looks at them curiously.

Ryan is who speaks up first, "Pete, you're late. Hey Patrick!"

Patrick smiles and waves at him while Pete just brushes his employee's comments off.

"Yeah, yeah. No big deal!" Pete says.

Ryan just raises an eyebrow, "it sort of is because you promised to do inventor-!"

"Patrick and I are dating!"

All the employees gasp and head over to the couple. They congratulate the two and begin asking a plethora of questions since they wanted to hear a good live stories.

Everyone but Dallon.

Dallon just stayed behind the counter. No smart comment, no smile, and not even a thumbs up. He just turned back to the register and remained quiet.

Ryan frowns as he watches his coworker.

—

Ryan: Look, I don't like Dallon obviously. I could care less about him... I'm just a bit concerned. He's never this quiet, and he never resists a good, sly comment for any occasion. Especially something like this.

Dallon: Am I okay? [fake smile] I am peachy. Just perfect. Exceptional even. [looks down at ground] I'm okay.

—

Ryan walks over to Dallon and taps his back. The taller man turns to him and raises an eyebrow.

"Hey," Ryan says, "are you okay?"

Dallon shrugs, "of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, you're just being very quiet. That's unlike you. I mean, I'm pretty sure you've waited years for this moment to happen just so you could torture Pete."

Dallon sighs, "listen, why do you care? Last I check, you don't like me."

Ryan crosses his arms, "I-I don't. You're annoying and an a**hole. I'm just concerned."

"Well, stop being concerned. I'm fine, okay? Nothing you need to worry your pretty head over."

Dallon turns away from Ryan and grabs food customers ordered. He walks out onto the floor and serves them their orders. Ryan watches, growing even more concerned.

—

Ryan: Okay, something is seriously wrong. Dallon has not EVER served the food. He hates people, that's why he only works register just so he can only talk to them once. [bites lip] What happened to him? I have never seen Dallon so sad.

—

Ryan spends a majority of his work day trying to get one snide comment out of Dallon.

He starts by wearing one of his favorite scarves, and obnoxiously shows it off for everyone. Even more obnoxious whenever Dallon walks by.

"Oh! Dallon! Look at how amazing my scarf is! The red and blue just go perfect with each other, don't they?" Ryan asks.

He waits for one comment, something hurtful and mean spirited, or at least a chuckle.

Nothing. Dallon just gives Ryan a fake smile and says,

"The scarf looks lovely on you Ryan."

Then he goes back to serving more customers, leaving Ryan standing there with his mouth hung open in surprise.

Ashley walks by and closes Ryan's mouth for him, "you'll catch flies dude."

Ryan's second attempt was a simple prank on Pete. All it required was glue, a towel, and an idiot like their boss.

Even when Ryan's prank was successful and Pete was screaming like a maniac because a towel was stuck to his hand, Dallon made no comment about the hilarious issue that was happening.

"Could you take that somewhere else? You're going to scare off customers."

That sentence had everyone in the store hanging their mouths open in shock. Dallon thinking of customers was unusual of him and too nice of him to do. He has never, truly cared about a customer's feelings before.

Dallon was becoming a good employee.

The staff was not sure if they liked that.

They met in the back while Dallon took care of customers up front. Everyone made sure they were whispering quietly so he couldn't hear any of them.

"I don't know if I like nice Dallon," Josh says, "he is too quiet and barely talks to me."

Ashley nods, "he didn't even laugh at Ryan's scarf. Which, is ridiculous Ryan. I'm sorry."

Ryan shrugs, "no you're right. It is, and he should've said something."

Pete just shrugs, "maybe Dallon finally realizes that he needs to start being a better employee and that's what he's doing."

Ashley frowns, "Pete, I'm not sure if any of us like that. That isn't who Dallon is!"

Ryan nods, "exactly! Dallon is the guy who goofs off, is too lazy, and gives zero f**ks about anything in the store. That's just his character. This sudden 180 is too weird and uncomfortable."

Pete just shakes his head and shrugs. He seemed to be the only one who did not mind the change as much as everyone else. Of course, the change did benefit him more than the others. It makes his shop look better.

Ryan rolls his eyes at his boss, "okay, does anyone else have an idea on how we can get the old Dallon back?"

Before Josh or Ashley could say their plans, the subject of their meeting comes walking to where everyone is. He roughly takes off his apron and throws it to the ground, then grabs his jacket off the coat rack.

"Can someone take care of the front? I need a break."

Dallon does not wait for a response, he just storms outside leaving everyone confused.

"Do you think he heard us?" Ashley asks.

"Oh, I hope he's not mad at us," Josh whimpers.

Ryan ignores them, stands, and walks over to the door to see the front counter. He peeks around the doorframe to see on who was waiting.

Brendon was there, but he wasn't alone like usual. Wrapped around his arm was a girl —a girl that Ryan recognizes from school— kissing Brendon's shoulder. The two were giggling and whispering to each other all while cuddling, just like an everyday, regular couple.

Ryan's eyes widen, "oh."

—

Ryan: Dallon likes Brendon. Wow, did not really see that coming. How did I not notice?

Ashley: Give me the girl's address. I'll steal her dog like she stole Dallon's man. [crosses arms] Nobody messes with the gays.

—

When Ryan walks outside to check on Dallon, the sight he sees shocks him even more than anything else Dallon has done today.

Dallon Weekes is crying.

He's sat on the ground with his knees pulled up to his chest and his face buried in them. The movements of his shoulders give away the fact that he's crying. As the camera zooms in on Dallon's curled up position, he still seemed so small.

Ryan has never seen his coworker so vulnerable.

Taking a deep breath, Ryan walks over to Dallon and sits down next to him. He pulls his own knees up to his chest and watches his coworker. He didn't know if Dallon could tell he was there since the other man continued to sob quietly. Ryan bites his lip, reaches over, and rubs Dallon's back.

The action only made Dallon sob louder.

Ryan sighs and presses his face in Dallon's arm. He gently rocks the man and shushes him. He does not stop rubbing his back, even when Dallon's cries begin to quiet down and turn into tiny sniffles.

"Dallon?" Ryan asks.

Finally, Dallon picks up his head from his arms. The camera easily captures his teary eyes and wet cheeks, there was no point in hiding them.

Dallon takes a deep breath, but his body does not stop shaking. A few tears still slipped from his eyes.

"Please don't tell anyone about this," Dallon whispers, "I don't like crying."

Ryan nods, "I won't tell. I promise."

Dallon gives Ryan a weak smile then looks back at the ground. Ryan keeps rubbing his back, his eyes keep their focus on Dallon's face.

"Brendon, right? Did he make you upset?" Ryan asks.

Dallon does not say anything, yet he silence tells Ryan everything.

"I get it," Ryan continues, "trust me. I get it more than you realize. I used to go to my dorm room crying because I knew Brendon would never like me back. That he would never know I existed."

At that point, Dallon looks over at Ryan. He rests his chin on his folded arms and waits for him to continue.

"He was too wrapped up in you. The same way I was wrapped up in him. So, after the many crying sessions, and the self pity, and the pathetic masturbating..."

That manages to get a chuckle out of Dallon. Ryan smiles at that.

"...I guess I finally stopped thinking about him."

Dallon then sits up and wipes his face, "how? You were obsessed with him."

Ryan shrugs, "I know. Well, I don't know how it happened really. I didn't think it ever would. I mean, this was the same guy I imagined having my first kiss with an-!"

"Wait, wait, wait! You seriously haven't had your first kiss?" Dallon asks.

Ryan nods.

"I thought you were joking."

Ryan shakes his head, "never had a relationship in high school, and when I met Brendon freshman year of college I promised myself he would be my first. That's not going to happen now."

"Sorry, I'm just shocked really. You're cute Ryan!"

Ryan blushes and chuckles, "thanks, but it was my choice more than anything. I hyped up first kisses to be way more than they are. Now I realize that I don't care at this point. First kisses aren't going to be your most memorable like everyone says. Your most memorable will be with someone who you truly love and who truly loves you back."

Dallon smiles at that, "look at you being all cheesy."

His coworker just rolls his eyes and pushes Dallon away playfully. Dallon chuckles and nudges his shoulder with Ryan's. The two sat in a comfortable silence after, only listening to light breeze and the crunching of leaves. Together they stare at the the wood of the building next to their shop and said nothing for the next few minutes.

"Ryan, I kinda have a crazy idea," Dallon says.

Ryan looks over at Dallon, "I'm all ears."

Dallon bites his lip, "okay, hear me out first before you object."

He slowly nods and let's Dallon continue.

"Let me be your first kiss."

Ryan's eyes widen, "wh-what?! Dal-!"

"I know, I know. I'm your coworker who you are not too fond of. Yet, you want to get your first kiss out of the way now, right?"

Ryan nods.

"And I want to try and start getting over Brendon. Maybe, this could benefit the both of us."

"So, you're using me to get over Brendon?"

"And you'll be using me to get your first kiss over with."

Ryan bites his lip and looks back at the wood they were staring at earlier. The camera zooms in as he begins to juggle the proposition in his head. Dallon nervously watches as Ryan continues to think it all over. He bites his nail as the silence between them extends even longer than he likes.

"Okay, fine. Let's do it."

Dallon's eyes widen, "seriously?"

Ryan shrugs, "why not? We're basically using each other, nobody's feelings will get hurt."

Dallon nods, "right!"

"Nobody can know."

"Agree. Would be nonstop torture from everyone."

Ryan smiles, "exactly."

Dallon smiles back at him. He gets up on his knees and crawls in front of Ryan. He gently pushes the other boy's legs apart and crawls in between them. Ryan releases a shaky breath and rests his hands on Dallon's chest. Dallon's own hands gently cups his face.

"Ryan," Dallon whispers, "I'm only going to do this if you are a hundred percent for it."

Ryan nods.

"No, I need a verbal answer."

"Yes! Yes! Christ Dallon, just do it already!"

Dallon chuckles, "of course you're impatient."

Then presses his lips against Ryan's.

The camera zooms in as Ryan's eyes flutter close and he wraps his arms around Dallon's neck. Dallon's hands remain on Ryan's cheeks and the camera captures Dallon's thumb gently caressing his skin. He moves one hand away from Ryan's and rests it on his hip, gently squeezing the boy. Ryan hums at the gestures and moves his own hands to cup Dallon's face. The pair were wrapped up in each other's presence.

Neither of them even notice a dark, floppy hair boy watching them with a pained look on his face.

—

Dallon: [small smile] For someone who's never been kissed, Ryan wasn't too bad. In fact, probably up there in my top five kisses.

Ryan: [shrugs] Sure, it's not exactly the guy I imagined my first kiss being with, but it was pretty nice. [smiles] Also, made me realize that Dallon chews a lot of gum because he tasted very minty.

Dallon: [bites lip, sighs] It was a nice kiss and a good distraction, but he wasn't Brendon. Don't get me wrong! I don't regret it at all. It was really, really good but... [looks down] ...Ryan isn't Brendon.

Ryan: While I am glad I got it out of the way and I don't have to continue putting myself about it, I didn't feel anything. [bites lip] Like I said, it is really good for a first kiss. Really good, but Dallon... Dallon isn't Jon.