“I LIKE YOU! Okay?”

“What?” Tanner sat up, essentially sitting on Ray’s lap.

“I like you, I think.”

Tanner got off of Ray, “I-I don’t know what to think.”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything, I’ve messed up our friendship. I’m so sorry,” Ray began mumbling.

“No! No, it’s okay. Just- I need to go to class.” Tanner said quickly.

Tanner got off of Ray grabbing his jacket and phone. He also grabbed his glasses not wanting to bother putting in his contacts that he had forgotten.

“But your class doesn’t start for another-” Tanner had closed the door before Ray could finish, “Hour...”

----------

Tanner walked to the cafe in silence. He couldn’t believe it. Ray liked him. Ray. How was this possible? Tanner didn’t have any qualities that made him likable. So why? He sighed walking into the cafe.

He had gone up to the counter getting an Earl Grey black tea. He didn’t want anything fancy while he was thinking. He sat down at a table waiting for his name to be called to get his tea. When he did, he sat back down at the table and started thinking.

Why did Ray like him? He didn’t understand that concept, but the real question was, did he like Ray? He really thought about it for a while. He wasn’t sure. He liked his smile a lot. Every time he saw it it made him smile. His laugh was adorable. The way he can have people get along fast is a miracle, well, other than Charlie and Kenney, that was a lost cause.

His blue hair was so unique. Ray was unique, nothing like anyone else Tanner knew. He could fall for him just like he fell for Mary, but this time harder. But he also left, Tanner just left Ray there by his lonesome right after he confessed. This was Tanners fault for pressuring him into telling. Yet, despite the negatives, the more Tanner thought about Ray the more he smiled.

The door dinged and in walked Riley. She smiled seeing Tanner and walked over.

“Someone looks happy.” She said sitting down at the table with him.

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing really,” Tanner said sadly.

“Oh come on, what are you thinking about.”

“Honestly, it was nothing.” Tanner looked at his watch, “Oh, gotta go. My class starts in about ten minutes.”

Tanner grabbed his tea, gave Riley a hug, and walked out of the cafe. Riley watched him leave and thought, “There is something going on and I am getting to the bottom of it.”

----------

Ray has been either sitting or lying on his bed, or drawing characters that had an uncanny resemblance of Tanner. He didn’t go to any of his classes but rather did work online. He may despise phones but that doesn't mean that he won’t use his computer for class work.

Ray couldn’t stop thinking about what he had done. He shouldn’t have said anything. Yes, it was true what he said but he just ruined a friendship with Tanner. He is so stupid, why didn't he keep his feelings to himself? Why did he have to be so blunt about everything. Nothing he could do was right.

Although, Ray was also glad he had said something. That way everything is out on the table, nothing to hide anymore. The feelings had sprouted out of nowhere and had been bothering Ray for days. It was like one minute he was fine and the next someone released billions of butterflies into his stomach. Every joke Tanner made Ray laughed at, every time Tanner smiled Ray’s heart fluttered. His dimples drove him insane.

Part of Ray wanted to run his hands through Tanner’s hair and kiss him until they were both just a laughing stock. The urge to do it was strong but the fear was stronger. Ray was scared of ruining the friendship, and that’s exactly what he did. He fucked up and spilled his feelings, admitting he likes the blond.

It was a disaster.

----------

“SOMETHING'S UP WITH TANNER!” Riley yelled as she walked into her dorm.

Willow looked up from her book, “What?”

“Something is up with Tanner. I went to the cafe and he was sitting there grinning like a fool. It was disgusting but adorable.”

“Maybe he was thinking about Ray?”

“Fair. He does act all giggly and happy near him, a horrifying sight. They might as well be an old married couple.”

“Well, they did date before right? Maybe those feelings are coming back?” Willow tried to reason, “Or he really does just like Ray as Ray, and not his ex-girlfriend.”

“Maybe, but does he really have to be all googly-eyed about it?”

“Well, no. But think about it. If you ever found someone you might like a lot, wouldn't you be all googly-eyed too?”

“I don't know, I guess they’ll have to be very special for that to happen to me.”

Charlie walked in, “Have either of you seen Ray? He wasn’t in English or Math.”

“OH?” Riley yelled, “Ray is missing and Tanner is smiling for some reason.”

“What do you think happened?” Charlie asked.

“Well we were thinking Tanner was getting a crush on Ray,” Willow said.

“What do you mean getting? Aren’t they dating?”

“Babe, no. They’re just friends but Tanner might like Ray.”

“Why don’t we call them?” Charlie asked.

“Don’t have numbers,” Riley answered.

“I do! I got them at the sleepover,” Willow jumped up to find her phone.

Ray: What’s up?

Charlie: What’s up with you! You missed class.

Ray: Wasn’t feeling well. Why are you all worried now?

Charlie: Bitch! I was left all alone.

Willow: Ignore her. What’s up with Tanner? He was all smiley at the cafe.

Ray: Oh.

There was a long pause.

Willow: Hello? Anybody home?

Ray: I’m here, I’m here.

Riley: So what’s up with Tanner?

Ray: Hell if I know. He stormed out on me after.. Something.

Willow: Oh? Something happened?

Ray: No, it’s not important. Don’t worry about it.

Riley: We can bring Tanner into this if we have to.

Ray: NO DON’T!

Willow: Then tell us what happened.

Ray: Why?

Riley: Because we’re worried.

Ray: You don't have to be worried about me. And why are you two switching off like its a good cop bad cop show?

Riley: I don't know, it’s just fun.

Willow: We’re asking the questions ‘round here!

Ray: Sorry, go ahead.

Willow: What happened between you two?

Ray: That information is classified.

Riley: No it's not. Spill!

Ray: Can you guys just leave me alone?

Riley: Ray!

Ray hung up the phone. No matter how many times the girls tried calling him it just went straight to voicemail. The “Hey this is Ray, sorry I’m not at the phone right now. Try calling again in a bit!” was burned in their minds by the time they stopped calling.

“Lesbians, let’s go.”

“I’m not a lesbian,” Willow said.

“You’re dating a girl, close enough!” Riley giggled.

“That’s fair.”

The trio all but sprinted out of their room and down to the boys dorm, banging on Ray’s door until he answered. He looked horrible. His face was red from crying, he had spilled ramen on his shirt, and his hair was a frizzy mess.

“Oh honey, you need to moisturize your hair!” Willow cried.

“I know, I just- I just haven’t been able to do anything. I almost threw up after eating.”

“Come here, give us a hug.” Ray went to hug them and silently started sobbing.

“I messed up. I messed up bad. I fucked everything up this time.”

“Honey, no you didn’t. Everythings going to be okay, I promise. We may not know what happened exactly but we know it’ll all be okay,” Willow said.

“I told Tanner I liked him and he ran. He just up and left and ran away. Why would he do that? There’s no way he was smiling at the cafe.”

“Ray, I may not be the most romantic person in the world, but he was super happy about something. He had that stupid grin on his face and his cheeks were definetly pink,” Riley said.

At that moment, The elevator opened and there was Tanner, he stepped out and when he finally looked up from his phone, he was almost tackled by Charlie.

“How dare you run away from Ray!”

“Wha-”

“You son of bitch! You can’t just run away when someone confesses feelings now go up there and make up!”

Tanner was beyond shocked. He stared at Charlie for a moment before looking up at Ray, whose face was still red. Ray looked away, and for a moment Tanner’s eyes began to well up.

“I’m not ready,” and with that, Tanner ran down the stairs away from them all.

Ray began crying again, the girls all attempting to calm him. They got him some clothes and his hair products together and walked him to the showers. After an hour long shower, Ray was back in his room and the girls had prepared some semi-proper food for him to eat.

“Let’s go have some fun tonight. Go to a bar or some place. Get a little wasted and do something fun to get your mind off of all of this,” Riley suggested.

“That sounds wonderful, thank you guys so much for all of this. You really didn’t have to do anything. You’re some of the greatest friends someone could ask for.” Ray began tearing up again.

“No more crying! For Christ’s sake you’ve cried enough!” Charlie said.

With that, the four friends walked to the girls dorm and all piled up in Willow’s car. They discussed who would be the designated driver, which was going to be Riley.

As they pulled up to the bar, they heard the music coming from inside. They ordered drinks and shots and the three were almost wasted. Willow and Charlie began dancing once they were drunk enough. Ray joined, having no rhythm at all but enjoying moving around. Soon enough he was completely wasted. Red faced, hiccuping, almost throwing up, and giggling uncontrollably.

Ray walked outside for a minute to get some fresh air, where he saw a man leaning against the bricks of the building. He was smoking something, and as Ray got closer he knew it was weed. He stood next to the person, who then offered Ray the joint. He took it, thinking “Screw it. No one’s here to stop me.”

“The names Samuel. You?”

“Ray. I was a Mary, but now I’m a Ray. No Mary around here anymore!” Ray giggled.

“Cool. How long have you been living here? I’ve never seen you around.”

“Not long. I go to New Yell University.”

"College boy, huh?" Samuel said while actually looking at Ray.

“Guess so.”

The two talked for maybe an hour before Riley came around the side looking for them.

“Hey Ray, lets go. Charlie and Willow are in the car already, and it was hell getting them there.”

“Okay, one sec,” He turned towards Samuel, “Can I have your number?”

“Sure, here.” As Ray pulled out his flip phone Samuel gasped.

“Guessing you don’t like newer phones?”

“Nope. Not really.”

“Me neither,” Samuel said as he pulled out another flip phone.

The boys exchanged numbers and Ray went to the car with Riley. Before he even got in, he got a text saying, “This is Samuel.”

Ray looked up and saw Samuel smiling at him from the corner of the building. He smiled back and for just a minute, his cheeks were a little red, but not from the alcohol.

Ray: Hey! Long time no speak XD

Samuel: heh. hru doing

Ray: Better now. Thanks for letting me rant

Samuel: wanna meet up sometime? got any cool places?

Ray: There's a cafe near my dorm, we could go there? I can text you my schedule and we can find a time.

The two texted until the early morning. When Tanner came home, Ray hide under his blankets and refused to say anything.

“Ray? Come on, please talk to me. I’m sorry I just didn’t know how to react.” Tanner said.

All there was was silence, no response, not even a peep from Ray.

They eventually all fell asleep. The next morning Ray woke up to a good morning text from Samuel. He texted back and was almost instantly rewarded with a response.

Samuel: how are u sunshine

Ray: Doing good, how bout you?

Samuel: im doing good but id be better with you

Ray: You’re such a flirt!

Samuel: only for you sunshine

Ray: -_____-

Samuel: ;)

Ray: Sigh. Like I said, such a flirt.

They continued talking until Ray had to go to school. His face hurt from smiling, and when Tanner saw him in the halls Ray’s smile immediately turned to a frown. Tanner looked down, speed walking past him.

Days went by like this, Ray talking to Samuel and the girls trying to convince Ray and Tanner to talk, and the boys still refusing and ignoring each other. As the days went on, Ray and Samuel went on a date and began to like each other as more than just friends. Tanner tried to talk to Ray but was ignored constantly.