"Hey, what's this for?" Chad asked. "I never get late night calls. And dude, if you're looking for phone sex, no can do. I just jerked off while I was thinking about you, and—"
Ryan laughed and cut him off. "No, while that's all very flattering, that's not why I called. Chad, Amy came on to me. Like, really did. Like, hand on thigh, lips on ear came on to me."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. Pretty awkward when I yelled at her about all the reasons she should've noticed I was gay."
"Oh, that's priceless. That's fantastic."
"I'm glad you think so."
"So, you didn't take her up on her offer, then?"
"No, I showed her pictures of you instead."
"Aw, that's cute."
"Oh, yeah, I really laid it on thick. Told her how long I'd knew you, how long I liked you, how I thought you were the one..."
The line went quiet.
"Chad? You still there?"
"Were you B.S.-ing?"
"What?"
"Were you bullshitting her? Or do you really feel that way?"
"Oh, God. Seriously, do we have to talk about this?"
"Yes. I think we do."
Ryan sighed. "Yes. Yes, I do think you're the one. I know we're only 19, but I really feel like you're the only person I'd ever want to spend my life with. And I'm in love with you. But you knew that part already."
Again, Chad didn't say anything.
"Chad, say something. I'm freaking out over here." And he was, sweaty palms and dizziness and all.
When Chad did speak, he sounded a bit choked up, "Couldn't have put it better myself. I feel the same way about you. All of it. Everything you said."
"Oh. Good. Thank God." Both Chad and Ryan laughed.
"So, I really don't want to say good night, but I have class in the morning."
"You go to your classes?"
"Ha, ha. Yes, I do. And I'd kind of like to go this one, on account of there's a test."
"Oh, well, good luck, then. And good night."
"Love you."
"Love you too."
February, Ryan thought, couldn't come fast enough.