B. Urie

Ugh. School. I might sound like a stereotypical teenager, but school sucks ass. Ryan and I walk hand in hand to the yard, and some jerk shouts "fags!" at us. How fucking original. Yesterday, Ryan got a call from the hospital saying that his dad has less time than they thought. 

"How was your break?" Dallon asks when he gets there. He looks at Ryan's face and his smile drops. "What's wrong?" 

"Ryan's dad has about three months left," I explain to Dallon. Ryan looks down at his feet. Dallon's eyes widen and he reaches over the table, holding Ryan's other hand. 

"Hey, at least you have time to spend with him," Dallon says comfortingly. "I have good news," he says as he lets go of Ryan's hand. "Breezy and I kissed." 

"Congrats dude!" I grin. Ryan smiles too. I pat his back. "Now remember to use protection. If you get her pregnant, I'll slap you. You're still in high school." 

"Wow, thanks," Dallon says with sarcasm dripping off his words. "But nah, I don't think we'll be doing the do anytime soon," he shrugs. "Have you two?" He asks. 

"No," I answer. "We're waiting for the right time." 

"No time like the present!" Dallon says. "YOLO!" He jumps up. 

"SHUT THE HELL UP WITH YO YOLO!" I shout back and throw an acorn at him. Just then, Alex and Jack walk over. 

"Are you glowing?" I stare at them. Alex goes red. "HOLY SHIT!" I shout. Dallon runs over. He leans over to me. 

"Are they glowing?" He whispers. 

"THEY DID THE DO!" I say and slap my hand over my mouth. "Damn, I always thought I'd lose my virginity before them," I shake my head exasperatedly. 

"Dude, you lost the V card when you were thirteen," Dallon looks at me confused. Alex's eyes widen. 

"You what? When you were how old?" He practically screams. 

"Hey, you have cheeky bum sex before me!" I defend. 

"Who had 'cheeky bum sex' before who?" I spin around and see Kellin and Vic staring oddly at me. 

"Jalex did!" I point accusingly. Alex goes red again. 

"Hey, stop telling the world!" Jack says protectively. He wraps his arms around his boyfriend. Alex smiles at the ground. 

"Congrats," Kellin says. Jack gives him a thumbs up. 

"Hey, people," Tyler says and sits down. Josh follows after him and sits down. 

Soon enough, the whole squad is here. And, like always, Dallon is climbing a tree. Why he always does that, I have no clue. Maybe he was dropped as a tiny child. 

"I'm the king of the yard!" He shouts. Then I walk over and drag him down by his feet. "Nooo!" He shouts desperately. 

"Are we going to the Spring Dance?" Andy asks, picking up a flyer. 

"Sure, why not? We can be that group that sits in the corner, talks about music and drinking spiked punch," Vic shrugs. "Isn't that what happened last year?" 

"Yeah pretty much. And then Dallon got drunk, and he started making out with Tay," Kellin adds.

"God, remember her?" Dallon says. "Too bad she graduated." 

"I'm pretty sure she's glad she finally got to leave this hell hole. Wait- why was she there again?" Sarah asks. 

"No one knows," Jack says. 

"You weren't even there, Jack." I raise an eyebrow. 

"Anyway, are we going? I guess all of us can go since we're friends, and because it's for the entire school." 

"Why is it for the whole school again? Every other year has been separated." Alex purses his lips together. 

"Because our school board is too lazy to come up with four different dance themes," Jenna chimes in.  

"I just can't wait 'till all of this is over," Ryan mutters under his breath. Everyone turns and stares at him. Alex walks over and hugs him. But Ryan doesn't hug back. He just closes his eyes. 

"Ryan?" I start. He shakes his head and pushes Alex off. He starts shaking and leaves the tables. I run after him and find him hiding in a bathroom stall. 

"Ryan, come on, let me in," I knock on the door. 

"G-go away-" his voice cracks, making me wince. 

"I just want to talk," I reply. 

"I want to be alone, Brendon!" He shouts. I sigh and lean against the door. "Just go!" 

"I'm not leaving you," I lower my voice. "Not like this, not ever." 

"Together through the darkness, remember?" I turn and see Alex. "Everyone's outside. We're all here for you, Ryan," he continues. Alex gives me a look before leaving, closing the door behind him. 

"Come on, please, open the door," I plead, worry filling my mind. Silence. Then I hear a soft click. I open the door and see him with his back against the wall. I rush in and hug him. He sobs into my shoulder. 

"I don't want to lose him, Bren-" he manages in between sobs. My heart shatters. He sobs until he can't. He looks up at me and sniffles. 

"Do you feel any better?" 

"No. I just feel like shit. I feel weak. I-"

"Stop, you're none of those things. You're a treasure. And I'm so glad that I get to love you." 

"No. I'm not," he groans. "Any normal person would hold it together until they got home. I barely made ten minutes."

"It doesn't make you weak. It makes you human." I lift his chin. "I'm glad you're not a robot," I say before I kiss his forehead. He hesitates before shakily standing up. He splashes water on his face. He dries off and looks back at me. Alex knocks on the door and walks in. He holds up our bags and binders. 

"The bell's going to ring soon... Ryan, are you okay?" He asks, genuinely meaning it. Ryan nods silently. He shoots us a grin before leaving the bathroom. I turn to Ryan and hold his hand. 

"Are you ready?" I ask softly. He nods, and together, we walk out.