Teenage Dream

by Lucy Samb

You/ Darren Criss fanfic. The story is about your life with Darren in high school, college and professional life among friendship,love,fights,comings and goings and how you both go through serious stuff such as bullying,suicide,discrimination and life itself. It starts when you meet Darren, a guy of your school in St. Ignatius College Preparatory who never noticed you, a loser.

50. Special to someone

A/N: Hi guys! How are you today? Surprised that I updated earlier? Well, that's because I won't be able to update on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, because this girl over here has a lot of parties to attend. I'm not one of those who like partying a lot, but this is about my friends' birthdays. Anyway, I won't bore you with this stuff. It was super weird for me not to have updated last Saturday! How was it for you? Did you miss me? haha. Okay, now... I was thinking and thinking... I think that I'll start writing longer chapters because this story is already having too many chapters and I still want to write about the professional life and if I keep writing like this, it'll come a point in which all of you will get bored because you'd be wondering... When the hell will this story end? Or... When the hell will I be able to read the happy ending? So yeah, that's it. I decided I will try to write longer chapters so you won't have to wait so much to read the end of this story. That will be from Chapter 56. Let's see if it works! Then... This story already has 50 chapters! Who would think that? 50! It's a big deal, I guess. Well, I never thought, in my entire life, that I'd write such a long story. Now, I will shut up and I'll start replying your reviews!

alicegursk: Oh, oh! The shit is not over and it won't be any soon; yet, you don't have to worry too much because W will appear only occasionally, I think so. Yes! Please become a cop! I want you to go all Frank Serpico and get their asses in the jail! 'Do not move, I'm the sheriff Serpico and you're in troubles!'. Okay, I guess I'm not good at impressions, let Sam do it for me. Why do you say that the thing you think isn't true at all? Come on, what was it about? Listen, the next chapter (not this one) is dedicated to you; I literally wrote it thinking about you, you'll figure out why. So, I was super nice, don't you think? So should you, and tell me what you thought! More now that you think it isn't true at all. Am I bothering you too much? I think you chose me as your wife precisely for that, because I'm cruel, insane and devilish, but I can be cute sometimes; that's the same reason why we get along! Because you can be insane too! Let the insane people be united! That should be our motto. That's right, we're gonna be together at the end! You kick in your sleep? Well, I bite in my sleep! So don't be scared if you suddenly feel someone biting your arm. Okay, no, I don't bite, but I do kick too. It'll be a kick war! While sleeping! Now, how awesome is that? See? We're cool people, Alice! Workaholic! haha, that was so good! I need rehab! It's not that I completely love that, but yeah, I'm kind of obsessive when it comes to college; I'm totally nerd and I want everything to be perfect. Muahaha! Darren and Freckles will get back together? Maybe, or maybe not. I'm just kidding, I can't let that love die, no matter how damn slow they are to get there! I'm definitely adding Alicino to the story sometime, you'll see. No Brian, no Kelly? We'll see what happens with them... What about new people appearing? Uh!

xShatteredCriss: I don't know if you'll be reading this, because you actually commented the first chapter and I don't know if you're still reading the story! Anyway, just in case you read this, first off, I wanted to thank you for reading and reviewing the story! It's always nice to know that people like my story. Then, I sent you a private message answering your question! I was super surprised by that question and I must admit that I felt flattered somehow. So, check your private messages!

Zahra Ayoub: Hidden cameras! Jeez, Zahra! Has anyone ever told you that you're clever? Maybe it is something like that, or maybe it is something different. But it was a good question. How would W know that? Now about what Brian told Freckles. I think Freckles claims to be very self-confident now, but I think she's still very insecure, otherwise she will never think that she needs a boyfriend to feel loved and special and she wouldn't need Brian to remind her that. Exactly! The love of friends and family is very rewarding and most of the time we underrate it, when it actually should be one of the most treasured loves. The prince will come eventually; we shouldn't suffer in the waiting because it just isn't worth it. I like what you said, I'll quote you now: 'We came to the world to suffer and to be strong'. Yes, we'll never know what is it to be strong if we don't struggle with things in life; like we'll never appreciate and love things if we don't do any kind of effort in life, if we don't suffer and overcome things while learning new things. It seems like a paradox, but that's the sense of life, it is part of growing up. Yes, it'd be nice if nobody suffers and it'd be nice if sad things never happen. But, think about this, we go through bad things in our lives and we won't wish that to happen to anybody, therefore when we see someone suffering for something we suffered, then we'll help them; and that's great; there are always good things in bad things, we need to learn to notice them. Yet, I still think that there are a lot of bad things that shouldn't be happening; but I don't wanna keep boring you with my theories and things! haha. So, I agree with that thing of Kelly, but I'll say that she is still learning. Darren and Freckles, they both are gonna screw things up, because they're figuring out new things of life and we always screw things up while learning; actually we need to screw things up, fail and keep trying to learn something for real. However, Darren is gonna be happy, it's a promise. You didn't get a new chapter last Saturday, but you got this new one earlier than usual! So, did you finish your exams? How were them? Hopefully your answer will be positive! I'm pretty sure you did your best! As for me, I got very good results in them! So I'm super glad and practically jumping for joy! Now I have a very hard exam on July 22 and another one in September; after that, I'll have to wait till February to finally get my degree, hopefully! And thank you! I'm not really an A girl; only in the part of design and history, but not in other subjects like structural calculation, I suck at it! haha; but it is because I don't like it. But as you said, I love what I do, so I want to do my best; as I suppose you also do! :) I heard that Egypt's security forces moved to arrest leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood that had supported deposed leader Mohamed Morsy; I've even seen pictures. Is everything okay now? We'll definitely find a place to live in peace! I'm still not sure where, though; it seems that the entire world is a real chaos right now, sadly. Those are the sad things that I was talking about, there's too much unjustified violence and injustices; people don't respect other people, and almost always the rich take advantage of the less advantaged, and argh! Just leave it there, it just frustrates me. Don't worry about talking too much, because I really enjoy talking to you! And yes, you should come and I'll show a lot of beautiful landscapes we have and I'll be like your tour guide! I love travelling, so I should also go to Egypt! Yes, I'd love that! Then, after visiting a lot of great places, we can run away from our countries and find our place in the world! That would be nice!

Vcriss: That's right! W has no life, it must be really sad to be W; always thinking about doing something cruel to hurt other people because they have nothing to do with their own lives; it must be exhausting and too sad to be W. I didn't think about that point of view. Aww! Imagine mini Darren! Or mini Darren-Freckles. Yes, I don't know why he doesn't want to admit the fact that his destiny is to marry Freckles, and something tells me that it'll take him a while, but at the end, perhaps, it's gonna be worth it. So you went to the concert in Philly? How was it? Tell me! I'm sure you had a blast and I'm sure it was awesome! Did you like the new songs? I always thought Darren is straight; he only plays a gay character. And whoa! The story you told me! I don't know why, but I think that in these times all the guys are like that; like they only want to be with women to have sexual intercourse and they seem unable to love them. I don't know why, it's like they have this stupid thing about thinking that the more they get laid with girls, the manlier they are. Of course not all of them are like that, I don't wanna judge them all, but... I say this because I have a lot of male friends and some of them confessed this. I guess that's fine as long as they don't hurt other people's feelings. So, I'd say that Darren is just a guy, one more. What I think is totally wrong, as I see it, is the fact that he cheated on Mia, if the story that your cousin told you it's true. It's awful cheat on someone. But, I don't know what his reasons were, I don't know what his situation was, I don't know how he is in real life and in his private life when the media isn't around, and I don't know anything; so I'm not one to judge. It is his life, after all, and we all are free to do what we want, always respecting the people around us. However, I'm surprised by the story you told me! I think I prefer the 'imaginary' Darren we create and idealize in our minds. That's why sometimes I think I wouldn't like to meet him for real. Am I too weird? haha. Okay, okay, I'll stop boring you! Jeez, I talk too much!

amritsoomal: W will appear occasionally! I think it wouldn't be so cool to get a lot of shit from those assholes! Hasn't W already done enough? Like, it seems it'll never stop and it can be kind of frustrating. I'll steal the Nutella when you're distracted, I'll eat it all, and then I'll fill it with other food so you'll never suspect that someone touched the Nutella. Oh wait! Why am I telling you my plans? Damn! Now I'll have to think about a second plan. Oh, I'm just waiting for the perfect moment when they get together again; something special needs to happen for that and first they have to go through a lot of drama. My granny once told me: Patience is a virtue. I don't wanna sound like my granny (I actually hated whenever she said it, because it meant I had to wait to get my candies), but well, they say old people are the wisest. But, do you believe in happy endings? Because I do, and I think I told you this a time ago. Oh! It's too bad because I'm currently writing chapter 58 and I didn't make Chuck stay! But, when Chuck returns is gonna be good, I think. Brian with Kelly? I didn't think about that option; we'll see. Joey to marry Mandy? Well, he still needs to know her! But it could be a nice option, I like that. Darren to stay with Freckles forever? What if we add some babies? And grandchildren? ;). W to piss off? No way! W will go to hell and burn there, is that a better option? You're very welcome! Now, because you seemed to be very happy because I dedicated that chapter to you, I'll ask you what you'd want to read and I'll add that to one chapter and dedicate it to you. Like, for example, someone asked me to add 'Come what may' song, other person asked me to write about Darren auditioning for Glee, other person asked me to write about Harry Potter references; so, what would you want me to add in one chapter in the future? I don't do it too often, so you should feel lucky! haha. Oh my god! haha were you really singing Days of summer in your head? That's so funny! Once it happened to me something similar! Of course I failed in that exam. I know! I noticed there wasn't enough Darren after I posted the chapter! That's such a shame! I'll definitely get you a Brian, so you'll be able to hug your little fat baby panda every day! That was so cute! I want to have a fat baby panda!

MeMi83: What is going to happen now? That's a good question! I think the answer will be something like: Suspicion, doubts, insecurities. People talk about physical and verbal violence; I think W applies psychological violence. I know, Brian is really sweet; he's actually inspired in someone I know. But yes, maybe he's only sweet with Freckles because he has feelings for her, so everything he does, does it for her. And I like what you said, Freckles deserves to feel loved and special, even if it comes from her best friend, and even if it's for a little amount of time. And yes, so does Brian! The poor guy has suffered a lot, sometimes I feel cruel for writing all of those things that happened (and will happen) to him. Something will happen and Brian will feel truly happy, eventually, at least for a little amount of time, but I won't say what kind of thing will happen, otherwise it wouldn't be a surprise! And yes, Freckles doesn't notice his feelings and she doesn't give him the chance to tell her; but Brian is also wrong, because he isn't brave enough to finally spit it out; ah! If only you knew since when he's hiding his feelings! It's not cool. Darren definitely needs to get his feelings figured out, and someone will help him. Isn't it really awful when we feel everything is a mess? It always makes me feel happy when you say you like reading the story and that you look forward to the next update! Lately not only I've been busy, but I've been feeling like I should rush things in the story because it is getting not interesting and I feel like you might be tired of reading all of these ups and downs and comings and goings between Darren and Freckles. So, I kinda needed to read something as what you said. So thanks for that! Oh! It would be really, but really cool to insert some kind of card to insert more knowledge to our brains! I understand your occasional moods of wanting to devour knowledge, it happens to me too sometimes and I think it's a good thing. In these times, it seems that the most important things are the superficial ones and now it seems that things like knowledge are underrated and not important; which is such a shame; because I've always been one of those people who think that knowledge and things that involve our minds and hearts are what will remain in us forever; our appearance will change throughout years, it's something like fleeting, unlike our knowledge. I never went to an open mic night! Unfortunately, here's not so usual; the usual is to go, get drunk, make out with someone and dance all night long; and I hate that concept of 'fun', reason why I don't like so much to go to night clubs and I prefer to go to someone's place and play board games, watch movies, eat, and sing and play guitar (of course the person who plays the guitar is not me!). Your family goes crazy with your singing? I have a pretty weird family; when I start singing my lungs out (out of tune because I'm a terrible singer), they join me and for some hours we pretend to be some kind of rock stars performing for an audience. It's pretty funny! Stay busy! Being lazy and doing nothing is not pleasant; sometimes it seems it is, but it is not; sometimes doing nothing stresses you out more than if you were really busy; I read it somewhere! As long as you enjoy doing the things that keep you busy it is gonna be good! I'll remember to always smile! Sending you warm fuzzies, energy and positive vibes! I'll probably be around twitter after July 22, when I finish my exams, so I'll tweet you and we can talk more! :)

Adorkable Sherlock: Hello to you, my cheeky friend! You finished school! Oh, hurrah for that! Goodbye homework, goodbye exams, goodbye boring classes! Welcome to vacations! Or to sound more British, holidays! Oh please, if I were you and if I were on vacation, I'll not wake up till 11am because I'd stay up till 5am, just procrastinating, watching movies or TV shows, and trolling the internet! So, you have a good reason not to comment in the mornings; you'd be crazy if you do so. You started watching Game of Thrones! Isn't it amazing? It's really good! Jaime Lannister? Really? Well, he is indeed super-hot, he's handsome as shit... But... really? Okay, I won't say anything. Yes! When I read your review, I started watching Once Upon a Time when I promised not to watch another TV show because I get all addictive (it's worse than drugs!) and obsessive and I do not have so much spare time. But... I did it. And I couldn't stop watching. And I stopped doing obligations for college only to watch it. And I had to lie (a little white lie) to my work group telling them that I wasn't feeling good and I was going to work from home only to watch it. And I finished watching the entire 2 seasons in three days. Go figure. It is totally awesome! You have no idea how much I loved it! Oh, I do have theories, though my theories must be kinda dumb, unsound and inconsistent. But Henry is the grandson of the Prince Charming and Snow, he is son of the savior and Baelfire and not content with this, he is also Rumple's grandson. Doesn't it say something? The kid is Harry Potter! Okay, no, bad joke, totally lame and bad joke. But seriously, the kid must have some kind of power; after all, he was the one who made possible for the curse to end, he found out who was each character in the real life, he made his own mother believe in the fairy tale! And a lot of things. Well, I just read that you also wrote about being the son of, the grandson of, the adoptive child of... I should read everything before writing! I don't think Henry is gonna be evil (please, no!), I think they want him because he has something special that could be very helpful for what they want. Who exactly wants him? Maybe they need someone like him as they needed the real Peter Pan (because I also think that's a shadow who took over his body, Peter Pan is not evil!), they need a body of someone who is important, who has some kind of power, or one powerful virtue. I loved Hook, I totally fell in love with Hook; I actually wanted Emma to get with Hook. Gosh, he's so hot and so fucking sexy! And I couldn't believe that I fell for Hook! Hook! What shit is that? My mind was struggling: I want to be with Hook because he's such a hottie vs. No! He's Hook and Hook is an asshole; but Hook seems to have some kind of nice side and at the same time is so badass vs. Hook is a conceited and selfish guy! Troubles, my mind was like blowing up. Prince Charming is really sexy, but I do prefer guys with dark hair, yet he is a good prince charming. And Pinocchio, mother of god! Who would think that Pinocchio could be that hot? I almost cried when he turned into a little boy again! Why, I wanted to get more August to my delight! Oh yeah, technical drawing, tell me about that. I always have to make technical drawings, always, always, always. I'm an expert when it comes to that. Let's name it: Darren, the king of the pyramid located in Pigfarts. How did the pyramid get to Pigfarts? That motherfucker got a rocketship! It's so sad to know that a damn pyramid got a rocketship and I'm still trying to fit in my rocketship drawing. I still didn't find the magical formula to get into a paper and live in a paper world, but I will, I will! Okay, I think I'm rambling too much. I think I teased too much in the last chapter! Ha! I love teasing, my Sherlock. Of course they weren't going to have sex, nobody would like to read Freckles and Brian having sex and I really don't wanna be killed for doing something like that because I'm still young, though you think I'm an old woman with wrinkles, shaky hands, gray hair and who needs a stick to survive. Fuck buddies, that's one of the worst things you can propose to someone who is in love with you, or even to a friend... I just don't believe in that thing of fuck buddies, just as Brian. Yes, he's sweet and very caring; but he's also kind of a coward! How can he hide his feelings? Well, won't say anything! I can't believe you ship him with Freckles, you may be the only one who does that, so I'm surprised, my Sherlock! And... Everybody dies in Game of Thrones. And... Have I said I like Game of Thrones? Well, to write, I'm always inspired by movies, books and TV shows, draw your own conclusions, my Sherlock, you're good at it, aren't you? How you dare to compare me to Theon! How?! I'm cruel, but I'm not that heartless bitch! Don't worry if your comments are not long! Talk-comment-exchange opinions-be random... All of that work for us; that's great because I can talk about everything and since we both love talking, that's a cool thing, don't you think? I am faithful to Darren, but I really love Hook; so I'll propose Darren a threesome, so your gift is very welcome! I'll send you Pinocchio and Chris; you can have fun with both of them. So, don't waste your time, okay? Okay, my dear Sherlock, I guess we will be talking soon! Lots of love and magic. But remember, all magic comes with a price! (Picture me doing that thing with the fingers!)

Okay lovely people, that was it all. Thank you a lot for the reviews! I hope you can enjoy this new chapter! Someone new will appear in this chapter! Who will be that person? Now, I wish you can have a totally awesome week and I hope you receive tons of hugs and smiles! Warm fuzzies and till two Saturdays!

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Teenage Dream – Chapter 50 – Special to someone.

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That was the first time W has texted me since high school. What was the purpose now? Because, as far as I knew, W returned because Brian was digging in the past. But then, why would W send me a text saying that Brian and Freckles were fuck buddies? What was the point of that? And were Brian and Freckles fuck buddies? I always thought their relationship was weird but I never thought they could be fuck buddies. Brian always acted weird around Freckles, but they were best friends. There was no way they could be fuck buddies. No way. Or yes? What if they were? It wasn't something of my business, but still, I needed to know if it was true. I wouldn't like to know they were. They were free to be that, but I wouldn't like it. Freckles and Brian... No way. I mean, Freckles could be with the guy she wanted; but not with Brian. It just didn't seem right. This wasn't because I couldn't stand Brian; no, he was a cool guy and he was my friend now. But he just couldn't be with Freckles. Was I jealous? No, jealousy wasn't the word. Just... Shit!

"Hey pal, what's up? You seem to be thoughtful." Joey asked when we already returned to our apartment, after accompanying Chuck to the airport.

"Do you think that Freckles and Brian are fuck buddies?" I asked curiously. I needed to get second opinions about this.

"Uh... no?" Joey answered frowning, looking at me as if I were crazy. "Why are you even thinking about it?"

"I don't know, their relationship is weird and I thought that maybe they could be fuck buddies. Really, what do you think?" I asked insistently.

"I think... they're best friends." Joey answered still looking at me as if I were crazy. But then he looked away.

"You're lying. You know something else... Tell me what you know, Richter!" I demanded very loudly in a bossy way.

"I don't know anything! You look like a madman, so chill out! You shouldn't be thinking about it, buddy. It's none of your business now." Joey said lying in bed, ready to sleep.

"Actually, it's something of my business!" I exclaimed annoyed.

"Tell me why." Joey asked raising an eyebrow.

"Because... Just because." I answered chugging and frowning. "Tell me the truth; do you think they're fuck buddies?"

"I've told you already. I think they're best friends. Cannot Freckles have a male best friend that you have to think they're fuck buddies?" Joey asked in disbelief.

"But their relationship is really weird! Haven't you noticed the way Brian acts around Freckles? I think there's something more." I said thoughtful.

"Well, yeah, maybe Brian acts in a weird way around Freckles. Maybe that's the way he is with his best friends. I don't know, dude." Joey said burying his face on the pillow. "Maybe they're fuck buddies. And if they are, there's nothing you can do about. They're free to do whatever they want. After all, Freckles is sexy and so is Brian, they live together and they are single; they could perfectly be fuck buddies and that is not a problem. Or maybe they're just best friends. You shouldn't mess in their relationship, bud; just as Freckles doesn't mess in your relationship with Kelly. By the way, Kelly was a real damn bitch around Freckles, next time don't bring her." Joey said upset.

"I'm not intending to mess in their relationship..." I said looking away and frowning. "And yeah, I won't bring Kelly again when Freckles is around." I said and I remained silent for a while. "Do you think Brian is in love with Freckles?" I asked intrigued.

"I don't know, man! Stop asking that shit and let me sleep." Joey grumbled.

"What if Brian is in love with her?" I asked frowning, feeling disturbed by the thought.

"Again, it's none of your business. Freckles is a cool girl, Brian is a cool guy; they will be fine together, I don't know." Joey answered lazily, still burying his face on the pillow.

"They won't be fine together." I said bitterly, feeling annoyed and upset with no reasons.

"Why are you even saying that? Freckles is not your girlfriend anymore, Darren. And you have the stupid of Kelly and you even brought her when Freckles was around. I thought you and Freckles agreed to be just friends; so let her live her life and date whoever she wants; just as you date whoever you want. If Freckles and Brian start dating, you should feel glad because at least Freckles isn't dating an asshole." Joey said now irritated. "Shut up now and let me sleep."

"Well yeah, Freckles can date whoever she wants. But not Brian. No way. Not Brian." I said again disturbed by the thought.

"Why not?" Joey asked incredulous. Yeah, I knew he and Brian were now like bros and he was very fond to Freckles as a friend, so he maybe didn't like what I was saying.

"Because no... I guess I'd never stand seeing Freckles dating someone I know, even if I know the person isn't an asshole. I just can't..." I whispered frowning, deep in thought. "And this doesn't mean that I'm still in love with her. No."

"You should record your words, so you'll notice you sound as if you were indeed still in love with her and that's not good. Not if what you're trying to do is to be her friend. If you feel something for her, be honest with her or everything will end up like shit, buddy." Joey said quietly. "And if you don't feel anything for her, just stop doing this crap and asking things; and just let her be happy with Brian or any other guy. Now shut up, I don't wanna hear your voice again."

"Okay, I'll just... Go to my bedroom and get some sleep." I said while thinking about what Joey just said.

"Cool." Joey said with a muffled sound.

"So, do you think...?" I started asking again, but Joey interrupted me.

"Go away, Criss, or I'll rip and eat your pillow!" Joey exclaimed.

"You tough son of a bitch!" I exclaimed in a very exaggeratedly way and then I laughed softly.

I left Joey's bedroom and I walked to mine. I took off my clothes and I lay down in bed, tucking myself with the blankets and burying my face in the pillow. I tried to sleep, but Brian and Freckles wouldn't stop popping up in my mind. I really didn't want them together. You could call me selfish, but I didn't care; it wasn't about selfishness. Just... No.

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Next day you woke up feeling very warm and comfortable. You were still drowsy and sleepy and you couldn't really open your eyes. You pulled the blankets to your head and you hugged the pillow and cuddled with it. You smelled a very pleasant perfume in the pillow and the vanilla scent of the ambient; and you could also smell very lightly the typical smell of toasts. You were feeling very warm in this cold autumn day; you were feeling very comfortable cuddling with the pillow and wrapped in blankets while hearing the raindrops hitting the window. There was nothing better than being like this in a cold rainy day. You finally opened your eyes very slowly and you noticed you were in Brian's bed, hugging his pillow, smelling his perfume; but Brian wasn't in bed. Maybe he was already awake and he was studying. You knew you had to get up, but you didn't want; you didn't even want to go to class, this was a perfect day to be lazy and just be like this, in bed, wrapped in blankets. You hugged Brian's pillow again and buried your face in it to smell the delectable perfume; and you smiled pleasantly. With your eyes closed again and hugging tightly Brian's pillow, you started thinking about all the sweet things Brian has done last night, therefore you smiled even more pleasantly. It's been a while since the last time you felt really in peace and very relaxed and just lively; like you thought that nothing could ruin your mood. Brian was such a sweetheart and romantic guy, and there weren't so many guys like him. If he did all of he has done for his best friend, you couldn't imagine all the things he would do for his lover. You just loved him so much and you were sure his lover would be the luckiest girl and would love him just as much. You, without thinking, kissed the pillow while smelling his perfume. Oh damn! What were you doing? This was pathetic, so you laughed softly at yourself for being so pathetic.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." You heard Brian's deep voice.

You opened your eyes slowly with a nice smile and finally saw Brian. He was in the door, holding a tray with coffee for two, orange juice, a bowl with toasts and two plates of pancakes. You smiled brightly when you saw Brian with that tray. He was looking very handsome, despite his disheveled hair and the sweatpants and the loose hoodie he was wearing.

"Breakfast in bed?" You asked joyfully, with an amused and bright smile.

"Breakfast in bed." Brian accentuated with a wide smile, walking to the bed.

Then he left the tray on the nightstand and crouched to grab the lapdawg that was next to the nightstand. Then he looked at you again and his gaze stopped in the pillow, making him smile amused.

"I guess you found a new lover." He said while opening the lapdawg and placing it above you; and you chuckled amused.

"I did! It's the best lover ever!" You said still chuckling and Brian giggled while shaking his head.

"I'm jealous." He said jokingly while he grabbed the tray with breakfast and placed it on the lapdawg. "Would you mind if I replace your beloved lover for a few minutes so I can lie down in bed next to you to have breakfast?"

"Of course not. My lover isn't jealous." You answered laughing while you placed the pillow in your head and you sat in bed. Brian smiled and sat next to you. "Good morning, by the way." You said joyfully and leaned over to kiss his cheek softly.

"I guess someone woke up in a very good mood today." Brian said looking into your eyes with an amused smile.

"After all you've done yesterday? Duh!" You replied in all honesty and Brian smiled even more widely. "And breakfast in bed wins all the awards." You said while grabbing the cup of coffee. You moved it to your nose so you could smell the pleasant smell of coffee, one of your favorite smells. "Hmm, cinnamon."

"You got that right." Brian said smiling while grabbing his cup of coffee. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did. Thanks for letting me sleep with you." You said kindly, looking at him while taking a sip of your coffee. "What about you?"

"Well... apart from the kicks I received, the snores and mumbles; I did sleep very well and warmly." Brian said laughing and you looked at him raising your eyebrows and mouth-opened.

"I do not snore and kick, Clerk!" You exclaimed loudly.

"Oh yeah, you do. But it is fine; actually it was like an adventurous sleep. You don't get it too often." Brian said jokingly while laughing.

"You could have lied! You could have been sweeter, you know?" You exclaimed loudly, but now laughing.

"Do you want me to lie? Well, Sunny, you slept like a mummy." Brian said amused and you nudged him.

"Well, not like a mummy! Brian!" You exclaimed pouting and frowning, amused.

"What is the right thing to say? Gosh, I didn't know it was so hard to please you!" Brian exclaimed giggling.

"Just shut up." You said frowning and smiling amused. "So, why breakfast in bed?" You asked looking at him, but he didn't answer. He took a sip of his coffee and started eating his pancake. Then he looked at you and took another sip of his coffee. "Brian? Are you planning to answer me or not?" You asked looking at him. But he didn't answer and he kept eating his pancake. "Brian..."

Brian looked at you but he didn't answer. You looked at him frowning, suspiciously. Then he held one of your hands and he started writing words in your hand with his finger. You laughed while he was doing this. He wrote in your hand 'You told me to shut up. I can't talk'. You looked at him really amused, you laughed out loud and shook your head.

"You're so silly, Brian!" You said still laughing and he smiled amused. "You can talk again, you have my permission."

"Thanks God! It was really hard to be so silent!" Brian exclaimed in an exaggerated way.

"Oh, come on! They were only a few minutes! You drama king." You said giggling.

Brian and you kept joking and laughing during the breakfast. It seemed that Brian was also in a very good mood today and that was amazing. Since you found out about his problems and his dad's health situation, he hasn't laughed and joked this much; yes, he was always nice and cheery, but not as much as this, like so lively. Suddenly the sadness for being lonely that you were feeling last night, seemed to be a distant feeling that you didn't even think about it. Yes, maybe you didn't have a boyfriend or a guy you could kiss, but you had Brian, your best friend who was far more worth than gold.

"Alright... Listen to me..." Brian said while he took his last sip of coffee. "I have plans for today, but I'll have to take you to the dark side and make you skip your courses today." Brian said looking fixedly at you.

You raised your eyebrows in surprise, amused. Was Brian really telling you that you had to skip your courses? What about him? He never skipped a course; he was very dedicated when it came to college.

"Okay, I don't know if I should be freaking out because you're gonna take me to the dark side, or if I should feel excited because you already have plans for this cold rainy day." You said amused and your comment made Brian smile.

"Maybe you should be freaking out because I'm a terrible and outrageous guy." Brian said with a mischievous smile, looking at you in a wicked way. You couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Please, Brian... You? A terrible and outrageous guy? That's absurd! Even your wicked look looks like a nice and sweet look! Keep on trying, darling." You said mockingly, running your fingers through his hair, still laughing.

"That's a really rude and mean comment, Sunny! Now, instead of telling you my plans, I'll leave you here, locked in the bedroom that you won't even be able to go to the bathroom to pee." Brian said with an amused smile, but looking at you in the same wicked and mischievous way.

"Okay, that's mean, Brian! That's so very cruel! You're a terrible and outrageous guy! Now I'm freaking out!" You exclaimed in a very theatrical way and Brian started laughing.

"Alright, now that you admitted it, I can be nice again... But still, you should be freaking out." Brian said giggling and you looked at him amused. "Point is... Are you willing to skip your courses to have a different kind of day today?"

"Umm... I'm not sure..." You started pretending that you didn't want it.

But truth was you were intrigued to know what Brian had in mind. Besides, you really weren't feeling like going to class with this rainy weather. And also, judging by what Brian has been doing lately, you were really excited to do something with him; you needed to spend more free time with him; because, even though you lived together, both you and Brian were busy all the time studying or spending time with other friends such as Darren, Joey or Meredith; so this was a good excuse to spend time only with your best friend. You looked at Brian and he was frowning, apparently he believed you didn't want to do it.

"Okay, it's up to you. I won't force you; maybe we could leave it for another time." Brian said and you thought this was very sweet from him that you couldn't keep pretending.

"I'm joking, silly!" You said chuckling and nudging him softly. "Of course I'm willing to skip my courses! Now tell me! Tell me your plans!"

"You know what? I'll make up for all the times you didn't want to tell me your secret plans, so I won't tell you anything at all. It'll be just a surprise!" Brian exclaimed mischievously as you looked at him open-mouthed and raising your eyebrows.

"What a vengeful person!" You exclaimed incredulous and Brian chuckled amused.

"Now you'll know the horrible feeling of not knowing what you're gonna do!" Brian said mischievously. "To my plans, you have to wear those clothes that are right there on your bed. I'll give you time to change and, in the meantime, I'll change in the bathroom and clean this thing up." Brian said pointing the tray. "Okay?"

"Okay!" You exclaimed cheerfully. "I'm excited!" You exclaimed while bouncing in the bed.

Brian burst out laughing and he grabbed the tray and walked to the door to leave the bedroom, closing the door behind him. You lay down in bed again, hugging Brian's pillow while smiling joyfully, feeling really happy and amused. This was for sure a good way to wake up. After a while, you finally got up and walked to your bed to see what clothes Brian picked for you to wear. Well, he had a good sense for fashion; of course, after all that Mandy taught you and him. It was simple black jeans, a white t-shirt and a long colorful striped pullover sweater. You started dressing and you also put on a pair of earrings. You looked in the mirror that was still on the nightstand and you put on a little make-up in your eyes and lips. You didn't even know why you were trying to freshen yourself up, but you were feeling like you wanted to look pretty and beautiful. You brushed your hair and then you looked in the mirror again to check if you looked well. After a while, Brian knocked the door and you walked to open it. You saw him and you noticed he looked really well, only with simple dark blue jeans and a striped green and white pullover sweater that matched with his eyes.

"Are you ready?" Brian asked with a bright smile.

"I am." You answered smiling enthusiastically.

"Alright, we're gonna go downtown; but it's raining like crazy, so maybe we should use a sort of a teleporter, that way we won't get wet." Brian said and you looked at him amused, raising an eyebrow. You loved when he was this silly.

"A teleporter, eh? Is that a new way to call a bus or a cab?" You asked amused.

"Of course not. This is a real teleporter in which I've been working on the last few months. Now finally we're gonna use it." Brian said with a saucy smile and you chuckled softly. "I don't know why you're laughing. This is a very important discovery."

"Not laughing! I'm just too excited to see that teleporter!" You said trying to prevent your laughter. "But, haven't you tried it before? What if it doesn't work? What if we end up in a place we didn't want to go? What if we end up stuck inside the teleporter?"

"So many questions! We'll have to take the risk. Don't you like doing new, risky and adventurous things? This is your one chance!" Brian exclaimed ebulliently and you giggled.

"Okay, I'm willing to take the risk!" You exclaimed exalted. "Show me the teleporter!"

"That's the attitude! Now, follow me!" Brian exclaimed.

He started walking to the closet. You looked at him frowning and amused, yet you didn't follow him. What was he doing? This was weird. Brian opened the door of the closet and he looked back to find out that you haven't followed him.

"Come on! The teleporter is right here!" Brian hurried you and you laughed before walking to him.

When you were close enough, Brian took your hand and he pulled you inside the closet with him. He closed the door of the closet and now everything was dark and you were between lots of clothes; and the space was so tiny that you and Brian were very close to each other, your bodies were literally touching, but it didn't feel uncomfortable. Brian held both of your hands and although you couldn't see anything, you knew he was looking at you.

"So? What's next?" You asked with a giggle.

"You have to close your eyes and just think that we want to be at downtown. It works that way." Brian whispered and you were so close that you could sense his breath in front of you. It smelled like peppermint.

"Okay." You whispered amused.

You closed your eyes as Brian requested and you just waited to see what he was going to do now. This was hilarious; this was senseless and so silly. You couldn't believe that you were actually in a closet pretending it was a teleporter. Brian was very creative sometimes. How would he have planned it all in so little? Nothing was happening and you've been like this for a while. And it was such the silence that you could hear Brian's breathing and the sound of his heart beating. In a moment Brian started caressing your hands with his thumbs and you felt how his face was just few inches away from yours and you started feeling weird, like in the same weird way you felt when you kissed him last night; a weird feeling that probably was a wrong feeling. By a millisecond you felt an urge to nuzzle your nose with his, to brush your lips with his, because his perfume and his peppermint breath were driving you crazy. Fortunately that urge dissipated quickly when you realized what you were about to do. What was wrong with you?

"I think we've arrived." Brian whispered very near you and you smelled his peppermint breath again.

"Have we?" You asked in whisper, very near him. Damn, why were you feeling so weak? This feeling was absolutely wrong. He was your best friend and you couldn't screw it again.

"Yeah, let's see..." Brian said letting out your hands. He finally opened the door of the closet.

"I think we're still in the bedroom, maybe we should close the door of the closet and try it again." You said like a fool.

You didn't even know why you said it or why you wanted to be with him like seconds ago. Brian maybe noticed your intentions because he looked at you abruptly, raising his eyebrows and then he smirked mischievously. You were feeling like fool. Would he have noticed you were flirting with him? You didn't even want to flirt with him; those words just came out from your mouth.

"I really think we've arrived." Brian said chuckling softly, and then he took your hand and made you walk out the closet. "Look! Cannot you see all the shops and bars? Look, there's the Biggby Coffee Shop, the Barnes & Noble bookseller, the Kilwins Ice Cream Parlor, the Ann Arbor Art Center, the Michigan Theatre, the Logan restaurant, The Ark club, the Zingerman's Delicatessen, the Kerrytown Market & Shops. Cannot you see it?" Brian asked amused while looking at you and walking you through the bedroom, pointing you random spots.

"Actually, yes! I think I can see it all! Today Ann Arbor's downtown is looking nice." You said smiling cheery. This was almost like what Brian did last night, when he pretended he was taking you to a restaurant. "Are we going to a specific place?" You asked with a smile, intrigued.

"Oh yeah! We're going to the Briarwood Mall. I'll accompany you to go shopping, buy some clothes, shoes, bags. I know you like going shopping and I've got a credit card to buy all the things you want." Brian said smiling joyfully and you looked at him sweetly with a soft grin.

"Are you sure? I must warn you that women are hysterical while shopping. We try on all the clothes of a store and we're never satisfied. It could take like hours until I find something I like!" You exclaimed in an exaggerated way.

"That's not a problem. I'd love to be that guy who gives you an opinion about an outfit. Whatever it makes you happy will make me happy and that's enough for me." Brian said smiling while looking at the door of the bedroom, walking to there.

"You need to stop being so sweet, Brian." You said giggling and Brian turned his face to look at you amused.

"I can start being a nasty person if you want." He said raising an eyebrow, looking at you mischievously.

"No, please, don't!" You exclaimed alarmed in a jokingly way. "Never change, Bri." You said smiling before kissing his cheek. Brian grinned brightly as he looked into your eyes.

"I will try." He said smiling and then he raised his eyebrows as if he was excited. "Now, ready to enter the mall?"

"Yes, ready!" You bounced excited while laughing.

Brian finally opened the door and, still holding one of your hands, he walked you to the corridor. He started walking to the living room and when you saw what he has done, you dropped your jaw and raised your eyebrows in surprise and amazement. You couldn't believe that Brian has done it all; he surely woke up very early in the morning to prepare this all. You squeezed his hand softly because of your astonishment and Brian laughed softly. He took a lot of your clothes, shoes and bags and placed them all in different places; some of them were on hangers hung on the curtain rods, some of them were hung with clothespins in a rope that he tensed; he placed different piles of books in different places to exhibit the shoes; and he placed the desk in the center to exhibit the bags. He also took off the curtains of the windows and placed them on another rope, apparently to generate the fitting room. He also moved the couch and the armchair; the couch was right in front of the apparently fitting room and the armchair was surely inside the fitting room. There was also background music. That was in the living room area; but then you glanced at the dining room and you noticed there was a tablecloth, dishes, glasses and cutlery; yet there was no food and no drinks. Oh jeez! This was too much. This was completely cute, all the time Brian took to prepare everything, to have this idea to make you feel good in some way. The sweetest thing was to think that maybe he always wanted to do something like this with you, buy you things and do all of those things that sometimes boys do for girls; but he couldn't because of the money; so he managed to do it anyway. And this was much more valuable. You were simply thrilled. You looked at Brian with the fondest smile and bright eyes, but he was looking around. When he noticed you were looking at him, he looked down to look into your eyes and he smiled at you.

"I've never been here before. This place is awesome." You said still thinking how cute Brian was.

"Yeah, it's not H&M, Zara, Fred Segal or Urban Outfitters. But... This is a new shop and we're the first customers." Brian said jokingly.

"That sounds pretty exciting." You said with an enthusiastic smile.

"I think it is." Brian said chuckling. "What do you think if we start checking out the clothes over there? I've already seen a great dress that could fit on you."

"Really? Show me!" You exclaimed excited.

So Brian and you started seeing all the clothes, pretending to be really in a shop searching for new clothes to buy. It came a point that you really believed it, Brian made you feel in a way as if you were actually in a shop. You argued a few times about what outfit you should try on. Brian tried to convince you to try on red tight jeans with a white blouse and a black london fog coat, with black pumps. You, instead, were convinced that you should try on a three-quarter-sleeve printed cutout tunic with black leggings pants, with black tall dress boots.

"Alright, alright!" Brian exclaimed frowning after arguing. "Let's do something... First try on the clothes you chose, and then try on the outfit I suggested."

"Okay. You'll see that the outfit I chose is better than yours." You said looking at him.

"We'll see..." Brian said defiant, raising an eyebrow. "Now get in there and show me how the outfit you chose looks on you."

You walked right to where the apparently fitting room was and you closed the curtains. There you could see the armchair and the coffee table to place your clothes, and there was also the mirror of the bathroom, so you'd be able to take a look of yourself. You smiled when you saw all of this. Brian really thought about everything. You took off your clothes and put on the ones that you've chosen. After it, you took a look in the mirror. You didn't look bad, but there was something that didn't convince you. After a while, you walked out the fitting room and Brian was waiting for you, sitting on the couch. Brian looked at you from head to toe while nodding.

"So?" You asked, going round so Brian could see how it looked on you.

"Of course the clothes fit on you and you look beautiful. But the combination is not right. There's something... Something that is not right." Brian commented.

Then Brian stood up and you looked at him frowning when he started walking. He walked right where the tops were and he observed them for a while. Was he really trying to choose another top for you? Well, you almost never went shopping with a guy; but whenever you did it with Ian, he just told you that you looked great and he never gave you another opinion and he never seemed to be concerned to make you look flawless instead great. So you really liked this that Brian was doing. After a while, Brian walked towards you again with a gray dolman-sleeve cowl-neck tunic sweater; and he handed it to you. You looked at him and you grabbed it.

"Try it on." Brian requested and you nodded.

You walked into the fitting room again and you took off the other tunic and put on the one that Brian chose. You looked in the mirror and it actually looked better. But still, there was something you didn't like. It was boring, you were only wearing black and gray clothes and you didn't like it. You walked out the fitting room and Brian was sitting on the couch again. Now he looked at you from head to toe with a smile.

"It looks much better now." Brian commented.

"Yes, but I look like a granny. I mean, this is so boring! I need more colorful clothes!" You complained.

"Well, for that... I have the perfect solution!" Brian exclaimed.

He stood up again and walked right to where the bags were. He looked at them all and then he came back with a floral printed satchel and red boho earrings. You looked at him amused because of the way he seemed to be really interested in making you feel satisfied. Brian handed you those things and you tried them on before looking in the mirror again. You, indeed, smiled satisfied. Actually that was a very good outfit. Of course they were your clothes, but you never thought about this combination and it was good to have a man's point of view.

"I think now you look splendid." Brian commented and you turned to look at him smiling.

"Actually I like this." You said in all honesty and Brian smirked proudly.

"You see... That's a perfect casual outfit. But... If you try on the one I chose..." Brian started saying again and you sighed pretending to be annoyed because of the way he was being so insistent; but actually you were amused.

"I don't like the one you chose!" You exclaimed frowning.

"Wait to see! The one I chose is perfect! It's more formal and elegant. Just try it on!" Brian insisted in a persuasive way. "Instead splendid, you'll look gorgeous. Promise."

"Okay, but if I look like a boring granny trying to look intellectual but only gets to look awkward, I'll punch you." You warned with an amused giggle.

"Oh, so rude!" Brian exclaimed while laughing.

You laughed and then you walked into the fitting room again. You took off all of your clothes and you tried on the outfit that Brian has chosen. You first tried to put on the red tight jeans but you were having difficulty buttoning them. That wasn't possible. Those jeans fitted perfectly on you; then why would you have difficulty? You looked in the mirror again and you noticed that you gained weight. Then you took a closer look; you were indeed fatter. No, this couldn't happen. You knew you should have kept your diet, but no; you broke it all the weekend and this morning with that breakfast, and you didn't even trained on Friday and Saturday. This wasn't good, you couldn't gain more weight, you needed to keep your toned and fit body, and you didn't want to be fat again. You needed to do something about; you needed to keep the diet and you needed to take out all the food you've been eating lately. But for now, you finished buttoning the jeans and you put on the white blouse and the black london fog coat. Yes, the outfit looked really elegant and it was a pretty amazing combination, better than the one you chose; but now you couldn't stop noticing your fat. This was depressing. You walked out the fitting room with a serious face because of your concern and Brian looked up at you and stood up.

"You look flawless! Gorgeous!" Brian exclaimed with a bright smile as he was looking at you from head to toe.

"Yeah, it's better than the one I chose." You replied with a faint smile. Brian noticed that something weird was going with you, because he frowned slightly.

"Are you upset because for the first time in my life I've won you?" He asked suspiciously and you chuckled softly and a bit cheerless.

"No, not at all, silly!" You exclaimed, still with the faint smile.

"Then what is it? You don't seem to be so happy. Is it I said something that annoyed you? Or maybe because you don't like that outfit? I can look for another outfit if you want..." Brian said while walking to where the clothes were.

You looked at him for a while. It wasn't fair to make Brian feel bad after all he was doing. Even if you were down because you noticed you were fatter, you needed to spend a good time with him; after all, Brian made a big effort to prepare all of this only for you, to make you feel cheery.

"No, Brian, stop! I really love this outfit." You said and Brian turned to look at you confused. "You didn't say anything that annoyed me; on the contrary, you've been doing nothing but treat me like the best woman in the world. I really love all you are doing and I'm glad I got to spend more time with you." You said smiling kindly at him and he smiled back. You walked closer to him and held one of his hands as he looked down at your holding hands with a cute grin. "Thank you for that and thank you for doing this for me. I am happy, I really am." You assured looking into his eyes. He finally stopped looking at your hands holding to look into your eyes with his bright green eyes.

"I hope you're telling the truth, because that's what I want, to make you feel happy." He said smiling sweetly and you felt thrilled. Lately you've been very sensitive, as if you were in your period. Brian was just very charming and his words were very sweet, always.

"I am. And I wish I could make you happy as well." You whispered, still feeling thrilled, and then you stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. When you looked at him again, he was looking straight in your eye with that particular twinkle in his eyes. His gaze was really intense.

"Trust me, you are." Brian replied with the sweetest smile.

"Why, though? I think I don't do so much for you. Then, why?" You asked curiously, looking fixedly into his eyes.

"You really think you aren't doing much for me? What are you, insane? Sunny, please! You were my biggest support when that thing of my dad started happening; you were my support in everything, in the economic part and in the emotional part. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here." Brian said almost in a whisper, looking deeply into your eyes while you were still holding hands. Again, you started feeling very thrilled and sensitive. "And you do things for me that you cannot even imagine. You do a lot for me. So don't you dare to wonder such a thing, Sunny."

"I'm so sorry, it's just... Brian, look at all you've done! And all you always do! You do things that nobody else does. And you never expect anything in return and I... I just feel that I should do more." You said still looking fixedly into his eyes. Brian frowned slightly and placed both of his hands on your cheeks to make you look deeply into his eyes.

"Listen, Sunny. You have no idea all you do for me, not even a damn idea. Everything I've done and do, it's nothing compared to all you do for me. You won't understand it, because what you do for me is not something tangible; it's something that involves other things like feelings. You make me happy for the way you make me feel. Believe it, Sunny." Brian whispered in front of you, looking intensely into your eyes, still placing his hands on your cheeks.

His gaze was effectively piercing and you could see honesty in his eyes. For some reason you couldn't stop looking into his enthralling eyes and you couldn't say anything. He just left you speechless. And, over again, you felt that weird feeling in your stomach, that pain in the chest, that sensation as though your legs were like jelly; that eagerness to kiss him. No, you needed to look away; you couldn't feel like this about your best friend. You couldn't screw it again because you were feeling confused and lonely. No. You looked down to break the eye contact and Brian finally let out your cheeks. Yet, you didn't talk.

"I propose you something." Brian said and when you looked up at him, he was grinning. "I'll buy you the two outfits, so you'll wear both of them. What do you say?" He asked and you smiled widely.

"Would you really do that?" You asked, smiling tenderly at him.

"Of course I would. Come on, let's take them." Brian hurried you and you chuckled.

After this, you walked to the fitting room and took off the outfit that Brian chose for you and you put on the clothes you were wearing before. When you walked out, Brian took the outfit he chose for you and also the outfit you chose with the sweater he made you try on. He placed the clothes on two shopping bags and he pretended he was paying for your clothes on a sort of cash register he has made. Then he looked at you with a bright smile, handing you the shopping bags and you smiled at him affectionately.

"Thank you a lot, Bri." You said before kissing his cheek.

"You're very welcome." He answered. "So, what do you think if we go for a walk and find a nice restaurant to have lunch?"

"Oh, no, wait! We first need to get some clothes for you!" You exclaimed joyfully and he looked at you frowning slightly, confused but amused.

"Clothes for me? That wasn't on my plans." Brian commented.

"Oh well, but that is on my plans." You said with a mischievous smile.

"Hey! We're doing my plans, not yours! This is not fair! You always end up having plans!" He said giggling once you held his hand to force him to walk to the bedroom.

"Sit over there! I'll choose the perfect outfit for you!" You exclaimed excited, forcing Brian to sit on his bed.

"Alright, let's see what you can do." He said laughing softly.

You opened his closet and you started seeing all the clothes he had. A feeling of distress took over your body when you noticed that Brian didn't have so many clothes, less after someone broke into this room and ripped most of his clothes. He only had two jeans besides the one he was wearing; he had sweatpants, two shorts, and a dress pants. He had two t-shirts, two polo shirts, only one shirt, and a UM t-shirt. He also had one sweater besides the one he was wearing, two hoodies, only one casual jacket and only one peacoat. That was all he had. You remained looking at his almost empty closet, feeling really bad. This was unfair; it was unfair that you had a closet full of clothes, a lot of clothes and Brian didn't have anything; it was unfair that someone ripped his few clothes; it was unfair that he couldn't find a job and that his dad was really sick; it was unfair that he didn't have money for anything at all, not even for a stupid ice cream. This was very unfair. Apparently Brian noticed you were feeling bad, because he stood up and closed the closet.

"Maybe we could skip this and just go for lunch. What do you think?" Brian asked next to you, looking down.

"No... I think we should go outside, to another shop... And buy you new clothes. Yes, let's go!" You exclaimed trying to feel cheerful again, but Brian kept looking down, serious.

"No, no I really don't want." Brian refused quickly.

"Come on, Brian! Just let's go, it'll be fun!" You exclaimed enthusiastically, but Brian walked away from you and sat on the bed, avoiding your gaze, still serious.

"No, Sunny." He refused strongly.

"Please, Brian, I want to buy you new clothes." You insisted.

"Well, there in that closet you have the options." Brian said still avoiding your gaze.

"No, I mean, other clothes. I want to buy you other clothes that we'll find in another shop. Come on, please, let's go." You insisted again.

"Sunny, I beg you, don't do this to me." Brian whispered softly, frowning and looking down.

"Why not, Brian? You just bought me clothes; I want to do the same." You said sadly.

"It was a stupid fake shop in our living room and those were your clothes! I paid with a fake credit card and everything was fake! Because I don't have the damn chance to do it for real! I can't even buy you a coffee because I can't! And I want, I wish I could do it all for you, but I can't! And it makes me feel bad and embarrassed." Brian said distressed, with choked voice, finally looking at you. You felt even sadder. "This all is stupid. All I've done is stupid and fake. I'm just a damn loser who can't give you anything as I'd wish." He whispered afflicted, looking down again, pursing his lips and still frowning.

You looked at him very sorrowful and you walked slowly to him. You sat next to him on his bed. Brian didn't move and he didn't look at you; he just remained looking down, pursing his lips and frowning. You moved closer to him and you placed a hand on the nape of his neck and you started caressing his hair very smoothly. Then you forced him to rest his head on your lap as you wrapped your arms around him, while still caressing his hair with one hand. Brian remained looking away, with his gaze absent, but he wasn't frowning anymore, his eyebrows were now downward and he had a sad facial expression.

"Brian, even if what you did was fake; I appreciate it more than if you'd have taken me to a real shop to buy real new clothes. Do you know why?" You asked in a whisper, but Brian didn't answer. "Because you took the time to think about this, you took the time to prepare everything and you took the time to make me feel that everything was real. Because you made it real for me. That fake credit card and shop were real for me, that dinner last night in the fake restaurant was real for me; the song we sang and danced was real for me; the spa session was real for me; even the teleporter was real for me." You said chuckling softly and you noticed a smile on his face, even if it was a sad and faint smile. "The nice gesture you had to try to put make-up on me, to paint my nails, to brush my hair, to bring me breakfast in bed, to be interested in giving me your opinion about the outfits; those are things that guys almost never do; but you did it. And I'm not fool not to realize that you've done this to make me feel I'm special to someone. I was and I am special to you. And let me tell you something, Brian..." You said and you placed your hands on his cheeks, to make him raise his head and look into your eyes. "You're not a loser. For all you've ever done, either materially or emotionally, you're special to me. And that is also real." You said looking deeply into his green eyes, now teary eyes.

"Thank you, Sunny." Brian answered with cracked voice, but not shedding tears. You guessed he was thrilled and overjoyed. "I'm really happy to know I'm special to you, just as you are to me."

"Of course you are, Brian. Since the time we became friends I always considered you special to me. Do you forget that you were the one who brought me again to life? Just as you said that if it weren't for me, you wouldn't be here; well, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here." You said smiling fondly before leaning to kiss his forehead.

"I'd like to think we'll always be for each other." Brian whispered looking down.

"I promise you that we will. I'll never walk away from you, Brian." You whispered, caressing his hair.

You remained in silence for a long time, but not in an uncomfortable silence. It was more like enjoying the silence and feeling close to each other. Brian rested his head on your lap again with his gaze lost as you were caressing his soft hair. It was curious the way a huge guy like Brian could feel so vulnerable and little when he was like this. Deep down, he was like you. He was going through shit just as you had to last year. He was strong but sometimes he just broke, just like you. He was a cheerful person but sometimes he felt sad, just like you. And just as you could make it through, you were sure he was going to make it through; just as he helped you, you were going to help him. And of course, you were never going to walk away from him; that would be stupid. After a long time, Brian finally sat and stood up as you looked at him curiously.

"There's something I want to show you." Brian said firmly, looking at you. "I haven't planned doing this before lunch, but I think it'd be nice to do it right now."

"What is it?" You asked intrigued.

"We're gonna watch the stars. I know you love that, so I wanted to do it with you." Brian said with a cute smile.

"But Brian..." You said laughing, looking at him amused. "It's not night yet and it's cloudy. I hardly think we can do it right now."

"Who said that we cannot turn this cloudy day into a starry night, right here, right now?" Brian asked mysteriously and you looked at him amused. "Do you believe in magic?"

"Yes, I do." You answered with a chuckle.

"Alright, then that's all you need. We can make it real." Brian said with a bright smirk. "Now, I want you to lie down right there, on the floor." Brian requested but you remained there, looking at him as though he were insane. "Come on! Just trust me and do it."

"This is super weird..." You said while chuckling. "But alright, I'll do it." You said walking right to where Brian pointed you.

When you lay down on the floor, Brian walked to the door. You looked at him really intrigued. What would be on his mind this time? His plans were lately surprising you, so you didn't know what to expect. When he reached the door he looked at you and smiled widely and you giggled softly. Then he turned off the lights. At first you couldn't understand why he had done it, but then, when you looked round, you noticed why he turned off the lights. The whole room, the ceiling, the floor and the walls, were full of shiny stars. He surely has done it with a glow in the dark paint you bought long time ago, because you haven't noticed it when it was clear and luminous. You stared at it all really amazed, really mesmerized by the beauty of this, very shocked and stunned. This was truly beautiful. You actually thought you were in the space in between the stars. This was extraordinary. Then you noticed how Brian lay down on the floor right next to you. When he did this, you quickly held his hand and he intertwined his fingers with yours.

"Brian this is... This is the most wonderful thing I've ever seen." You whispered with choked voice because of the thrill and joy. "I feel as if I were... As if I was actually surrounded by the stars. This, oh my god, this is marvelous."

"You're in fact surrounded by the stars." Brian whispered warmly. "Look above you, can you see that? The stars spell your name. See? Even the stars draw up your name. This means nothing but how special you are." Brian whispered very sweetly and you started shedding some tears of joy.

"This is perfect, Brian." You said moved.

Brian knew how much you loved the stars and how much you loved staring them. And he turned your bedroom into a really special place to you. He even wrote your name with the stars. How the hell has he had this idea? This was very special to you. This was one of the nicest things that someone has ever done for you. Brian made it real. So yes, this was perfect and this was very important to you because it certainly made you feel special. Then you saw the little bottle of paint that Brian used to paint all of that because it was glowing. You let out Brian's hand and you stood up to grab it.

"Where are you going, Sunny?" Brian asked confused.

"Give me a minute. This isn't perfect yet." You replied.

You grabbed the bottle of paint and, in the dark, you found the chair. You moved it right to where your name was written and you stood up on the chair. Like this, next to your name, you started writing Brian's name. Now instead 'Sunny' it spelled 'Sunny and Brian'. Once you finished, you left the bottle of paint and you lay down on the floor next to Brian again. You held his hand again and you intertwined your fingers with his. He was very silent and you knew he was staring what you've recently done.

"Now it's perfect." You whispered fondly in Brian's ear.

Brian didn't answer anything, for some reason it seemed he couldn't talk. But he turned his face to stay face to face with you. You couldn't really look at him in the dark, but you could sense every feature of his face; you could sense his eyes looking straight in your eye, in that intense and piercing way. He rested his forehead with yours and you closed your eyes. You started to nuzzle his nose very softly. Now that it was dark, your senses were keener. You could smell his perfume, you could touch his skin with your forehead, you could touch his hand while you were caressing his hand with your thumbs, and you could hear and feel his breathing against you. This was something that maybe you never experienced before, just as the feelings you were feeling. These feelings about your best friend that was confusing. It was just that Brian has done so many things for you that nobody has done in a while, if not ever. And Brian truly made you feel special and loved. He showed you that he really cared about you and he only cared about making you feel happy. Was Brian even human? That person you had in front was someone really important to you, he was someone really special, he was someone who always brought you joy. Why were you feeling weird about him? Then Brian tangled his fingers in your hair and started caressing it very smoothly as you kept nuzzling his nose and you kept holding his hand with your eyes closed. Then your lips touched very slightly his lips. Your heart was beating in an indescribable fast way and your body was slightly trembling. You both remained like this, without moving, without doing anything at all; just touching very slightly each other's lips with eyes closed, resting foreheads and nuzzling noses. Then your phone buzzed, saving you from an awkward situation. Oh no, damn. You couldn't believe that you were about to kiss him. You were truly about to kiss him and right when you were going to move closer to do it, your phone buzzed. Why the hell were you about to kiss him? Geez, you needed to stop feeling like this around Brian. He would surely think that you were trying to use him or something and you didn't want him to misinterpret you. When Brian heard your phone buzzing, he turned his face to stare the ceiling. You didn't even look at the text message you received, you just only remained thinking that you were about to kiss your best friend; and not because you were feeling lonely but because you felt like doing it. And that was scary and disturbing. You needed to do something about this weird feeling for Brian.

---

I was already in my Costume Design course. Julia texted me she wasn't going to come, because she was delayed with her assignment of Directing course. So I was sitting alone, waiting for Freckles to arrive. Surely she was going to arrive really late as always. I wanted to see Freckles, I wanted to talk to her and ask her why she left yesterday without even greeting me. I was still a bit upset about it. The professor already arrived and she was being the same pain in the ass as always. Damn, that woman surely wasn't satisfied at nights, why would she be so grumpy and strict? Freckles wasn't going to be allowed to presence the class if she didn't come right now. I looked at the direction where the door was, but there was no indication she was coming soon. I sighed and looked down, trying to pay attention to what the professor was saying.

"So, has everybody understood what you have to do?" The professor asked to the class.

Oh shit, I had no idea what we had to do. And I wouldn't ask it or the professor was going to kick my ass for not paying attention to what she was explaining. No one asked anything at all, of course nobody dared or what the professor explained was pretty clear. I didn't know why but everybody started to stand up to find partners, apparently. I remained sitting there, seeing how everybody was finding someone, I looked at the door again to see if Freckles was about to enter the classroom, but she wasn't.

"Do you already have a partner?" I heard a voice asking.

I stopped looking at the door and I looked at the person who asked me that. It was a girl; a really pretty girl with blue eyes and brown wavy hair that contrasted with her olive skin tone. Then I stared her more intently and I noticed she had long eyelashes, a nice nose and a defined voluptuous lips. Then, surreptitiously, I looked at her body: she had big boobs, she was thin and she had really prominent hips. She had a sexy body. She was wearing blue tight jeans and an orange sweater, simple but cool. I've never seen that girl before. I looked into her eyes again and I smiled faintly.

"Umm..." I babbled looking at the door to see if Freckles was going to arrive. Obviously I had to find a partner and I wanted Freckles to be my partner.

"Oh! Are you waiting for someone?" The girl asked frowning slightly. She had a sweet voice.

"Uh, yeah." I replied looking at the door again and sighing. Then I looked at the girl again. "But I guess the person won't arrive. So, I'm Darren." I said stretching my hand. The girl smiled and stretched her hand with mine. Her smile was nice. She seemed to be nice.

"My name's February. Like the month, but a person." She greeted joyfully and I chuckled.

"Nice to meet you, February. It's good to know you're a person and not a month, otherwise I'd be really confused and I'd be questioning my existence in this world." I joked and she laughed.

"You're funny. You know, when I introduce myself like this, people usually look me as if I were a sort of weirdo." February said shrugging with a cheery smile.

"Oh, don't worry about being a weirdo. I'm a weirdo myself, therefore I like weirdoes cause normal people tend to be boring." I replied shrugging with a smile.

"Well, weirdo guy, do you mind if I sit here and if I'm your partner?" February asked with the same cheery smile. Well, she seemed to be cheery, so maybe I was going to have a good time and not a boring time as I thought it'd be.

"I thought we already agreed to be partners. I guess that most of the time my silly mind makes up things that still didn't happen." I said in a cheerful way.

"That's interesting. I guess that being with you would be like facing the unknown and unexpected. That's fun." She said giggling softly as she sat on a chair next to me. "You seem to be a nice guy."

"Well, February, what can I say? My motto is… be nice to people because nobody likes an asshole." I said shrugging with amused smile as she smiled brightly. "What about you? What's your motto?"

"Umm, well... I'd say that it's you can get all the money in the world, but there's one thing you can't buy, a dinosaur!" February exclaimed loudly and excitedly as I laughed.

"Hey, that's a good one, Homer Simpson." I said still laughing.

"Oh my god! Are you also a Simpsons fan?" She asked amazed, looking at me very excited.

"I am! Oh, look at me! I'm making people happy! I'm the Magical Man from Happy-Land, in a gumdrop house on Lollipop Lane!" I said imitating Homer's voice.

"Save me, Jeebus!" February exclaimed as a Homer and I laughed out loud.

"Here's to alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all life's problems." I said still impersonating Homer Simpson.

"Homer no function beer well without." February said also impersonating Homer Simpson while laughing.

"Oh my wizard god! I like you, girl." I said still giggling.

"Less talk and more work." The professor demanded strictly, looking right at us from her desk.

"Ups! Guess we're gonna be in troubles." February whispered with a giggle.

"Ah! Screw that grumpy professor! She's like a pain in the ass, man." I exclaimed frowning.

"The professor is my aunt." February said looking at me very serious.

I looked at her astonished, raising my eyebrows. She gotta be kidding; but no, she was very serious, looking fixedly at me; so I started feeling really uncomfortable and embarrassed. Me and my big mouth. I started stammering like the biggest idiot.

"I... Well... Not that I really meant that... I... I was just kidding..." I babbled like a jerk. She was still looking at me serious, raising an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, I tend to say more things than I should and... well...I'm a hip-shooter." I babbled again and she was still serious. But after a few seconds she burst out laughing.

"I was kidding!" She exclaimed amused still laughing. I looked at her amazed, raising my eyebrows as I started laughing along with her. "You should've seen your face! You were terrified!"

"Well, yeah, it was awkward! Hey! I can't believe you mocked me! I'm usually the one who mocks and jokes around." I said still laughing amused.

"Well, then I guess we're gonna get along and learn from each other." She said with a bright and jubilant smile.

"I guess you're right about that." I said nodding in agreement. "So... There's this thing... I really didn't listen to a damn shit of what the professor asked so... Would you mind to explain me what the fuck we have to do? Oh yeah, by the way, I curse. I curse like a lot." I said smiling amusingly.

"Oh yeah, don't worry about cursing in front of me. I'm used at it." February said with a nice smile. "So, we have to do this project..."

So February started explaining me what we had to do. She seemed very excited by what we had to do; it seemed she really liked her career. I asked her if she was into the Theatre & Drama program as me or if she was into the Interarts Performance program as Freckles. She was into the Interarts Performance program as Freckles, but she was a Sophomore like me and not a Freshman. So, as me, she didn't take this course last year. She seemed to be a really nice and funny girl and I liked her. It was always really good to know more people and she just loved to talk just as much as me; that was weird. She wouldn't stop joking while explaining me what we had to do and it was really hard to pay attention to all she was saying, because I often got lost into her blue eyes or into her mouth talking non-stop. As she was talking, I started finding out that we had a lot of things in common, which was really good. After all, it wasn't a bad idea to be the partner of a new person, a complete stranger. And we were talking too much and I was so entertained that I actually stopped looking at the door to check if Freckles was coming or not.

"Alright, the class has finished. If you didn't finish your projects yet, you have until next Monday to finish it. Now you can go." The professor said in a very strict way.

"Cool." I said and then I looked at February. "What do you say if we do it now? I invite you for lunch." I asked with a polite smile.

"I'd really love it! But I have to attend another course." She replied apologetically.

"Oh, it's fine, I get it." I said nodding, still grinning. "What course do you have to attend?" I asked curiously.

"Oh, it's called The Art of the Essay." She answered smirking.

"The Art of the Essay? That doesn't sound like a course you take in the Interarts Performance program." I said kind of confused.

"That's because it isn't. It's a course of English Language and Literature." She answered.

"What? I don't get it, you said you were into the Interarts Performance program, then why would you mention this thing of English Language and Literature?" I asked even more confused and she chuckled softly.

"That's because I'm into both programs. I love English Language and Literature as much as I love Interarts Performance. So, I decided to study both of them." She answered politely.

"Whoa! You're super smart and brave to be studying two very different things." I exclaimed really impressed and she chuckled again.

"I guess I'm kind of a nerd." She said frowning with an amused smile.

"Yeah, I like that. Hey, I have a friend who is studying English Language and Literature, maybe you know him..." I said frowning and thoughtful. "His name's Brian."

"Brian Clerk?" February asked amazed and surprised.

"Yeah, that one." I replied frowning, now also surprised because she really seemed to know him.

"Of course I know him! He's the smartest of all the courses we share. He's like the favorite student of all the professors." February replied smiling cheerfully as I was thinking how tiny the world was. "How do you know him? I mean, you guys are studying two very different things."

"Oh, I know him since high school." I answered still looking at her surprised. "This is super weird."

"Yes, it really is." She said smiling and frowning. "Brian and I are like friends, he helped me a lot with the assignments and we used to study together... Well, we were. This year he's like different." She said frowning and thoughtful.

"Yeah, I guess it's because he has been having family troubles." I replied shrugging.

"Is he?" February asked kind of concerned and curious and I felt a bit uncomfortable. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it.

"Yeah, but well, I guess this is something private." I answered, making up for my mistake.

"Yes, poor Brian. I hope he gets well soon." She said still frowning and thoughtful, still looking away. "Maybe sometime we all could hang out together." She proposed cheerfully.

"Yes, that would be cool." I agreed smiling in a cheery way. "So... How are we gonna make this project? Can I get your phone number so we can talk and agree on a meeting day to do this shit?"

"Of course, yes!" She said as I nodded and pulled out my phone. I gave her my phone so she could write her number and then I gave her my phone number. "So, Darren, it was really nice to be your partner."

"Yeah, same. It was really nice to have met a weirdo like me." I said jokingly while giggling. "So, I guess I'll see you around, February. And well, I hope you can enjoy your course of essay and I forgot the name already." I said and she laughed.

"The Art of the Essay. Thank you, Darren, that's really nice from you. And I hope you can have a pretty good day." She said smiling friendly. "See you soon!" She said kissing my cheek and quickly standing up with her stuff to leave the classroom.

I looked at her disappearing from the classroom and I just stayed there for a little more, just thinking about how weird this was and about what the chances of having so many coincidences were. Not only February and me had many things in common, but she was in the Interarts Performance program just as Freckles, even if she was a Sophomore; and she was also kind of friends with Brian; like... I met her, and she also knew Brian and she was in the same program than Freckles; like it seemed to be connected somehow; this was pretty weird, the world was pretty weird. And I liked this girl. She was really pretty and very nice and funny. Maybe I was a little interested in getting to know her more; maybe I could hang out with her; that would be cool. Still, it was going to be awkward and weird if I started something more with her, considering she was like friends with Brian and Brian was friends with Freckles and Freckles and I... Well, we were friends too but we had something in the past. So, maybe the best would be meeting a girl who didn't have anything to do with Brian, Freckles or whatever that involved us or our past; just meeting someone completely new. Anyway, I stood up, grabbed my backpack and walked outside the classroom. While walking through the hallway, I checked if Freckles was around but I couldn't see her. I left the building and it was still raining, and fortunately I had an umbrella. I started walking under my umbrella and I decided to text Freckles.

To Freckles: Hey there, Freckles. I haven't seen you at Costume Design. Is everything okay? I'd like to see you. Text me back when you can.

I took the bus and came back to my apartment. Joey was already there and we decided to take a break of our studying and just play a racing video game of Mario Kart. I was Luigi and Joey was Bowser. Joey was winning me and I hated that, because I was the one who always won; surely he had been practicing with someone, even if he wouldn't admit it.

"Dammit, Joey! Screw you!" I exclaimed annoyed when I lost the race.

"Ha! Take that, Criss! In your face! In your fucking face! Who's the best? Who is it? Joey fucking Richter!" Joey exclaimed victoriously.

"You cheated!" I exclaimed still annoyed.

"I cheated my ass! You're a loser! Help me to spell it out... l... o... s... e... r... Loser!" Joey exclaimed still victoriously.

"Fuck you!" I exclaimed irritated, eating a cookie.

Joey started dancing his typical dance of victory, still mocking me and laughing at my face. I was looking at him thinking what I could throw at him until I got a text message. Maybe it was from Freckles. About time! It's been more than four hours. But no, it wasn't from Freckles.

From February: Hey Darren! Sorry to bother you, but about the talk we had today... Brian didn't come to the course and that's weird; so I'm curious about something you maybe know... The problems Brian currently has, involve that girl he's in love with since years?

What the actual fuck, man? Brian? In love with a girl since years? What? Could that girl be Freckles? Could my theory of Freckles and Brian being fuck buddies be true? What if what W told me was true? Fuck this all, I needed to know.