Next day I nervously walk into school prepared to tell Lane everything, I've always wanted to ask for his blessing first before I could ever even think about telling August I like him, but thanks to my dad that's ruined. I thought about that kiss all night it was so good my knees are still weak, Lane always said he was a good kisser "hey" I walk up to Lane at his locker "I need to talk to you." No response he doesn't even look at me "What's the matter?" He looks upset "is it Will? Did he cancel the date?"

Turning to me "it's you, Kyle" "What'd I do?"


"Oh, I don't know I was on my way over yesterday with like 10 outfits so you could help me pick something when I pull up to see you with-

OH!" He points behind me "speak of the devil" I turn around and August is walking towards us "there you two were making out."

Oh no "I can explain that" August starts


"Wait Lane it's not what you think August came over and we were listening to music"

"Really? Was the music coming out of his mouth and you could only listen to it with your mouth?" "What? That doesn't make sense"


"You two were kissing!" He slams his locker door "that makes perfect sense" then walks away. "I'm a terrible person" I watch him walk away

"No, you're not Kyle I was the one who kissed you if he should be mad at anyone it's me I'll talk to him." The bell rings and we go our separate ways, during the first few period I send Lane about 50 texts with zero replies. "I can't find him anywhere" August walks up to me as I wait by his locker at lunch "I know he didn't leave I checked the parking lot his car's still there."

"He's hiding, I know where he is" "Want me to come with?"

"It's ok I'll text you when I find him."

Walking to Lane's favorite hiding spot I knock on the door "Can I have a couple more minutes Mr.

Caputo?" He likes to hide in the firstfloor janitors closet "Lane it's me" I reply behind the door

"In that case go away!" Walking in anyway I see him sitting in the dark, grabbing the light cord I pull it turning the light on "turn it off I don't want to see your traitor face" he sits on the floor.

Sitting in front of him "Lane I'm so sorry"

"Did you like him the whole time we were dating?" I nod admitting "I knew it!" "No, you didn't"

"No I didn't" he frowns "why didn't you say anything Kyle!"

"What was I suppose to say? I know you guys are dating but I like him and you should give him to me?" Just saying it out loud feels wrong

"No, but you secretly liked my boyfriend the whole time I was with him that's weird Kyle, every time something was wrong in our relationship I came to you. I've told you so much about August- oh my god I'm the reason you like him aren't I?"

"Kinda"

"All those times I whined about him being into those stupid indie movies, and dumb bands just like you I was just laying bait for you, I should've known."

"I was never going to make a move without your permission Lane but he came over yesterday so we could listen to this vinyl he loaned me together, and my dad opened his mouth and blurted out that I had a crush on him then he kissed me."

"Larry knew before me?" He gets hurt "am I even your best friend?" "You are!"

"My best friend would've told me he had a crush on someone"

"This wasn't easy Lane I wanted to wait till you were completely over him, and if you had told me not to date him I wouldn't have. What does it even matter? You said he was history you're going out with Will tonight remember?"

"That's not the point you know I wanted to be dating before him, and he's my ex I don't know how that'll make me fell seeing you with him."

"Fine then I won't hang out or date him, August is off limits I understand. Now can we get out of here these cleaning product smells are killing me." I stand up, I rather choose my best friend over August because I don't want to lose Lane.

"No" he stands too "I'm many things but clueless isn't one of them, I'd be lying if I said I never thought you'd make a better boyfriend to August than I did"

"You've thought about that?"

"Only jokingly but yeah, if you really like him, Kyle, then fine" "No, I can't do that to you"

"Seriously I mean it August means nothing to me, so if he makes you happy I can't stand in the way

of that."

"You mean that?"

He nods "you owe me like a thousand things" "Oh my god thank you!" I hug him.

Texting August to meet me somewhere after school I walk to him as he waits by the field bleachers "hey how'd the talk go?" He asks as I get closer, without replying I kiss him holding his hand running my hand through his soft hair "that good?" He smiles asking

"Yeah" I smile back

"Would you want to go see a movie or something?"

"I'd love to" we start to walk closely together "about this vegetarian thing?" "Yeah?"

"Are you married to that or..."

"I think you should try it"

"No you only kiss me when my mouth tastes like meat so I think I'll keep eating meat" He laughs "then it's a win-win" he grabs my hand holding it as we're walking.