"I can't believe you would do that!" Roland yelled after Cedric, who was trying to angrily storm away.
"Oh, hush," Cedric glared over his shoulder.
"Stop walking away from me!" Roland put his hand on his longtime friend's shoulder, which forced him to stop walking and turn in his direction.
"Why? So you can yell at me some more? I get enough of that from everyone else. I don't need you joining in." The younger boy pulled his shoulder away.
"Of course not, I just.." The prince sighed, shoulders slumping. "Want to know why you would do something like that. I thought we were… something."
"Seriously?" Cedric laughed bitterly. "You joined in when your entire team was making fun of me in chemistry the other day. If that's your way of saying you're in love with me, you have a funny way of showing it."
"I'm not in love with you," Roland tried to say, so as not to seem too emotionally involved, but realized immediately how it sounded.
"See? Why are we even talking about this right now if you-" Cedric's tone just kept getting colder.
"I miss you!" The prince shouted, unable to control hold back the emotion on his face any longer. "I didn't mean to say it like that. You're my best friend; I care about you, I miss talking to you, and I know I should stick up for you more. I'm sorry." The sorcerer-in-training could feel his resolve falling.
"I would be lying if I said I didn't miss you, too. But not you.. lately."
Roland chuckled, looking down. "I haven't been myself lately. And I apologize for that, too," He looked up. "I guess I need you to keep me grounded."
"I-I don't know about that. But I appreciate the apology," Cedric smiled sheepishly. "And I need to apologize for what I did with June. I was hurt, and I knew you would see us after your practice and I just wanted to make you feel how I felt. It was terribly cruel of me, and I am sorry."
Roland smiled, lighting nudging his best friend with his shoulder, prompting him to start walking with him. "I can't help but feel like I deserved it,"
They walked in silence for awhile before coming to a large tree brilliantly colored with red autumn leaves, where Roland grabbed both of Cedric's hands and swayed nervously on his heels.
"Now, about declaring my love for you," He grinned.
"Oh, you really don't have to do that. I was being ridiculous before. I know you care," The blushing teenager tried to pull his hands away, but his strength was nothing compared to the other flying derby racers.
"You're not getting out of this so easily," Roland took a breath before beginning. "Where would I be without you? You push me to be a better me, you forgive me when I shouldn't be forgiven. Not to mention how stunning you are,"
"You're not too bad yourself," Cedric smirked.
"I know I'm not always the best at expressing feelings but you should know that I'm in love with you. I really am! I adore you in every sense. I hope this is not all for naught..?"
"Of course it isn't, Rolly. I love you, too," Cedric smiled.
"This is wonderful news! Now, if it's alright with you, I would very much like to kiss you right now."
"You don't need to ask," Cedric smiled before leaning up to kiss his best friend.