Rodney's gaze was lost somewhere among the overgrown ferns, his thoughts were elsewhere. He mindlessly scrolled through the posts on his phone sitting on his usual bench in the garden. He didn't even notice when Derek sat down next to him, or that he had been trying to get Rodney's attention for a while now.

  "Hey, Earth to Rodney," Derek said, snapping his fingers in front of Rodney's face, which caused him to jump. Tall and casually leaning against the bench, Derek raised an eyebrow at his friend's confused expression. "You've been zoning out more than usual. What gives?"

  Rodney sighed, running his hand through his hair. "It's Hunter," he muttered, not meeting Derek's eyes.

  "Hunter?" Derek was the one looking confused now. "I thought you ended that, is he being a dick about it or something?."

  "No.. well yeah... I mean, I don't know," Rodney tried to explain, finally looking up. "Like he seemed so upset about me skipping his party at the student council meeting and then I literally see him kissing Chelsea right after,"

  "Whoa, hold up." Derek shook his head. "So he's mad at you for not being with him but he's with someone else? Rodney, I think you dodged a bullet."

  Rodney couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. Derek always knew how to make him better about life in general. "The weird part is I care that he got over me so quickly," he admitted, "Like I know I called it off, and I am glad that I did but it still hurts a little."

  "Well of course it does," Derek agreed, clapping a supportive hand on Rodney's shoulder. "You liked him, for one reason or another. But you can do way better than Hunter, the guy is kind of a..."

  "An A-hole?" Rodney finished his thought for him, he knew Hunter definitely had a tendency to come off that way and the word humble wasn't found in his vocabulary.

  "Yeah, that. Why don't we go to Back Ally Buritto?" Derek advised with a knowing look. "You can rant about Hunter sucking and I can agree with it all."

  Rodney nodded and a small laugh escaped his lips. "Solid plan."

  As they gathered their things, the bell's shrill ring announced the day was over. They walked side by side toward Derek's car, but Rodney's thoughts kept drifting back to Chelsea, drawn like a moth to a flame. Her feed was perfect, none of her photos had a single hair out of place. Her life looked flawless and it felt like Hunter had made the ultimate upgrade dating-wise.

  ---

  In the following days, Rodney's spare moments became consumed by Chelsea's online world. He learned all her hobbies as if studying for an exam: clarinet soloist, basketball team point guard, danced in a Disney parade, and ran a study group. With each new discovery, the knot in his stomach tightened, there was no way he could ever compete with this girl; even if he wanted to.

  "Why am I doing this to myself," Rodney questioned, turning off his phone and placing it beside him.

  He watched from across the parking lot as Chelsea climbed into Hunter's family car, enveloped by the warm smiles and welcoming arms of his parents. Rodney's breath hitched, would any parent ever be happy to see him if he was dating another guy? Could someone like him ever actually be happy? It was beginning to feel like it was too much to ask for.

  "Rodney!" Jordan called as they exited the school, they wasted no time crossing the pavement to get to Rodney.

  Before he knew it, Jordan was there, wrapping him in a hug even before the tears started to flow. The concern in those expressive eyes was enough to let Rodney know just how sad he looked.

  "Talk to me," Jordan urged, their voice soft yet insistent.

  "You ever just compare yourself to someone else," Rodney choked out, feeling a weight pressing down on him. "I know that I shouldn't and everyone says that it isn't healthy, but I just can't help it."

  "Of course, I know I'm guilty of it every time someone tells me I'm just nonbinary for attention," Jordan said, their tone full of understanding. "But all that stuff is fake, no one is happy all day every day and everybody wishes they could be someone else every once in a while."

  Rodney hugged Jordan tighter, surprising even himself. Jordan patted him on the back, letting Rodney know it was getting a little too tight.

  "I'm sorry you have to go through that," Rodney said, pulling back with a sniffle. "I had no idea people said that to you."

  "It is what it is," Jordan smiled, "But we have each other now, so how about this? Next time we feel the urge to compare ourselves to someone else, we just talk to each other?"

  "Yeah, I can do that," Rodney agreed and with that, they headed out.

  ---

  Madison hovered over the kitchen counter, her fingers tracing the embossed emblem of the university on the envelope. She only applied to McGill on a whim, but there was the envelope and it was a big one. She couldn't put it off any longer, she had to know what was inside.

  "Mom! Dad!" she called out, as she read over the letter.

  Her parents emerged from the adjoining room, eyebrows raised. Madison thrust the letter toward them, her freckles dancing with each animated expression that crossed her face.

  "Look! I got in!" The words tumbled out in a rush, her eyes alight with possibility.

  "That's fantastic, honey!" Her father enveloped her in a bear hug, lifting her slightly off the ground. "We should celebrate. How about dinner tonight?"

  Madison hesitated for a moment. She had already accepted Lauriers offer and she told Derek and Marcy she would be rooming with them. "Uh yeah," she said, suddenly feeling pulled in two different directions, "Sushi and bubble tea."

  "Deal," her dad agreed with a chuckle, ruffling her hair affectionately. "But I get to order KFC on the way. Eating raw fish just doesn't feel right you know,"

  "Of course, Dad," Madison rolled her eyes playfully as they prepared to leave for their celebratory meal.

  ***

  The chatter of the lunchroom buzzed in Madison's ears the next day as she approached the lunch table, preparing to tell everyone about the letter from McGill. Derek spotted her first, his eyes taking in her unusually slow walk.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  "Hey is everything ok Madison? If you move any slower lunch will be over before you sit down." Derek called to her, drawing the attention of the table.

  "Shut up," Madison retorted with a mock frown. "I was thinking about something,"

  "Oh, what's on your mind?" asked Matt, eyeing her with concern. Madison looked from him over to Derek and then back to Matt.

  "I wanted to tell you all about... a games night at my place this Friday. And before you ask, no, I haven't killed anyone."

  Laughter rippled through the group at her lie. She just couldn't tell them, not yet, not before she knew what she wanted to do.

  "I'll drop the detail in the group chat tonight," she said, finally taking her seat.

  "Uh, Madison, you never invite us over. Is there some kind of special occasion or something?" Rodney asked.

  "Well, I mean I am graduating this year," Madison explained, realizing her mistake. "I just thought it would be like a new experience or something before I go."

  "Okay," Rodney nodded, a small smile on his face. "It sounds like fun. I've always wondered how the Lee fortress looks on the inside."

  "Trust me, it's nice," Luke chimed in, speaking up for the first time. "Really modern..." His voice trailed off as he caught Madison's wide-eyed stare, her cheeks flushed with color.

  "Wait, how would you know?" Jordan said giving him a suspicious look.

  "Um, well..." Luke stuttered, searching for an explanation.

  "Ok fine, Luke and I are dating," Madison confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

  "Whoa," Matt said, acting surprised. "Didn’t see that one coming."

  "Oh come off it," Madison shot. "I know most of you already figured it out months ago, I just don't like labels,"

  "But aren't you the matchmaker" Rodney joked, giving her a look. "I mean shouldn't you be promoting this."

  "Tha was the old me," Madison said softly, meeting Luke's gaze across the table. They exchanged a smile, while their friends cracked more jokes about the news.

  ---

  The flicker of candles and the soft hum of an upbeat playlist set the mood as Madison adjusted the angle of a bowl brimming with vibrant fruit. She stepped back, surveying the living room that had been transformed into a cozy gaming den. Everything was in its place—the plush throw pillows, the string lights draped artfully along the walls—each detail curated for maximum coziness and Instagram appeal.

  "Looks incredible, Maddy," Luke said, as he plugged in the lights. He closed the distance between them, his arms instinctively reaching out for her. But then, Mr. Lee's stern gaze from across the room stopped him in his tracks, and Luke's arms fell to his side, landing instead on a nearby snack table where he busied himself with rearranging the chips.

  "Thanks, Luke." Madison's lips twitched upward, her eyes lingering on him before she turned her attention to the door, just as a rhythmic knock echoed through the space.

  "Delivery for Miss Lee," Jordan announced, stepping in with a flourish, holding up a large Tupperware filled with a creamy dip. The scent of salsa and beans wafted into the room.

  "Jordan, I take it this is that seven-layer dip you talked about?" Madison greeted them, throwing her arms around their shoulders.

  "Every party needs a good dip. It’s practically a law," Jordan grinned, placing their contribution on the table next to Luke's chip arrangement.

  "Whoa, is this your house or did I walk onto the set of a home decor magazine?" Matt quipped, strolling in next, his eyes wide as they roamed over the room. His hand gripped a box of Cards Against Humanity. "Brought the essentials. No game night's complete without it."

  "Perfect! Just put it down over there," Madison pointed, her smile unwavering even as her brows knitted slightly, counting heads and calculating teams.

  "Sorry we're late," Derek called out as he arrived, Marcy's hand clasped in his. "Marcy decided to surprise me with a visit."

  "Well the more the merrier," Madison replied, her tone light but tinged with a hint of frustration at the unexpected addition. "Make yourselves at home. We're just waiting on a few more people."

  Rodney followed in behind his sister, offering Madison an apologetic look. They were all getting settled when the doorbell rang. Madison's heart skipped a beat as she opened the door, revealing Hunter, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans, his expression uncertain.

  "Hey," Hunter said, a little sheepish. "I saw your invite in the group chat, I figured I would check out the games."

  "Oh yeah, come on in," Madison forced a smile, stepping aside to let him in. She dove for her own phone, horrified to discover she posted the details to her party in the group chat from the cottage.

  "I'm not late am I? I thought I was making good time on the way over," Hunter said, stepping gingerly over the threshold.

  "Nope, we were just getting started," Madison tried to seem in control of the situation. "Everyone is in the living room. You can go make yourself at home."

  "Sure, but just to let you know, I am very competitive," Hunter stated, striding down the hall to the living room, the others greeting him with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

  "Alright, everyone," Madison clapped her hands together. "Let's make the best of the night,"

  The first game of the night was charades, which was going about as well as Madison had expected given the change-up in party guests. Rodney fumbled with his slip of paper, glancing up to find Hunter's eyes on him, an unreadable expression etched across his face. Their hands brushed as they took turns reaching into the hat to figure out who their pattern would be, Rodney pulled out quickly with his.

  "Alright," Madison announced, shooting Rodney an apologetic look, "teams are set! It's Luke and Derek, Jordan and Marcy, Hunter and Rodney, and Matt and I."

  The game was a series of missteps for Rodney and Hunter. Rodney's hints were either too obscure or too frantic, while Hunter's attempts at miming never actually matched the word he pulled. They fell behind quickly, their score embarrassingly low compared to the others.

  "Seriously?" Rodney muttered under his breath after their fifth failed round, meeting Hunter's gaze which held a mix of frustration and annoyance. "I'm beginning to think you're guessing wrong on purpose. How could you not get a frog from that."

  Hunter shook his head, "Can I talk to you in the hallway?" Rodney caught a look from Derek that seemed to ask if he wanted Derek to take care of this for him. Rodney shook his head and followed Hunter out into the hallway.

  "Look I get that you don't like me anymore," Rodney said, his voice steady despite the tremor he felt inside, "But we're not just losing the game, we're making it awkward for everyone else. You need to help me out in there,"

  Hunter's eyes searched his, there was something else behind the anger in his eyes. "You think I don't Like you? Why would you think that?"

  Rodney swallowed hard, trying to choose his words carefully. "Because you seem mad at me all the time. And you're constantly avoiding me during every student council meeting."

  Hunter's reaction was a mixture of surprise and something more vulnerable. "And you think I'm doing that because I don't like you?" He shook his head, a laugh without humour escaping him. "Rodney... I love you. It's just hard to be around you when I know I screwed everything up, I'm mad at myself."

  Rodney stood in the hallway stunned, he didn't know how to respond to what he just heard, he wasn't even sure he had heard right. Hunter's face turned red and he moved for the door, but Rodney caught his arm. In one motion Rodney spun Hunter around and kissed him, causing Hunter to melt in his arms.

  They returned to the living room without another word, slipping back into the game. Their coordination improved marginally, enough to scrape a few points but not enough to win. As the night wound down and guests began to leave, Derek sidled up to Rodney, his eyes curious.

  "Everything okay? What did you guys talk about?"

  "We told each other the truth," Rodney said, an unfamiliar weight lifting from his shoulders. "And we came to an understanding."

  "Good for you, man," Derek clapped him on the back, making Rodney feel a little guilty. "Now I have a big favour to ask, mind walking home? Marcy's coming over to my place for a movie."

  "Sure," Rodney agreed, stepping into the cool night once more. "Enjoy the movie,"

  Rodney hadn't gone far when footsteps caught up to him, Hunter, was trailing behind him.

  "Rodney," Hunter panted, grabbing his arm. "Do you want to come over tonight? I know I've been shitty but I want to make it up to you. Movie marathon round two?"

  "I don't know Hunter, it's pretty late and your parents are there," Rodney started, Hunter's words about ending up with a girl in the end playing in his mind.

  "So what? It's about time I start doing what I want to do, don't you think?" Hunter's eyes were pleading.

  "Okay," Rodney relented, after all, Hunter did say he loved him. The smile that lit up Hunter's face made the yes even more worthwhile.

  In the sanctuary of the home theatre, the boy sunk into the large lounge chairs. Hunter leaned over, pulling Rodney into him. When Hunter's lips met his again, there was no room for doubt, Rodney returned the kiss, happy to be in Hunter's embrace. Their hands began to drift and Hunter paused for a moment.

  "Are you sure you want to be with me?" Hunter whispered against Rodney's neck, his breath hot on his skin.

  "Yeah, I am," Rodney admitted, his cheeks turning with the confession.

  With a devilish grin, Hunter's lips returned to Rodney's, and in the quiet intimacy of the home theatre, they vowed to be together from that moment on.