Maybe A Little

Chapter 8

The next day Chad didn't show up to school. Ryan knew he wouldn't because he had spent the night on the phone with Chad, consoling him the best he could without being there in person.

Of course Ryan had tried very hard to be with him in person, but it was a school night and his mom insisted that he didn't leave the house. So Ryan had spent the night on the phone with Chad, listening to him talk out all of his anxiety, shushing the occasional bout of tears, and waiting patiently every time Chad's mom came in to check on him. It wasn't until about 4 in the morning, after a particularly rough crying jag that Ryan had told Chad to get some rest. Chad had been silent for about ten minutes before Ryan had heard snoring on the other end.

So yeah, Ryan couldn't blame Chad for skipping school- he had fallen asleep in class three times in the first two periods alone. But that was okay, because Ryan knew Chad needed him, and that made Ryan way happier than he knew it should.

"I mean I'm not saying he's not cute it's just... Ryan? Helloooo?"

Ryan jumped when he realized he was sitting at the lunch table with his eyes closed, his head inches away from his plate of spaghetti. He gave his head a quick shake. "Sorry, Shar, rough night."

She quirked one eyebrow effortlessly and Ryan braced himself.

"Rough night as in...?"

"As in I stayed up talking to someone way later than I should have," Ryan groaned.

"I knew it! I knew I heard your voice when I got up to get a drink last night. Who was it? A guy? A cute guy? Do you have a boyfriend? Ryan I can't believe you got a boyfriend without telling me!"

Ryan banged his head against the table repeatedly. "Jesus Sharpay, chill. It was a guy, he is rather attractive, and no, he's not my boyfriend. He was having a rough night and I'm a nice person. That's it."

"You stayed up until four in the morning talking to a guy who's just a friend? Yeah, alright," Sharpay teased.

"Oh my gosh, you're impossible. I'm going to the library," Ryan declared, standing and gathering his things.

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Instead of going to the library Ryan found himself on the roof, his phone in his hand. Automatically dialing Chad's number, he hummed while he waited for an answer. Chad picked up after the fifth ring, voice hoarse and filled with exhaustion.

"Hey Ryan..."

"Hi Chad. How are you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a truck... Like I kind of want to get hit by a truck. Doesn't matter though, I'll be fine. How's your day going?"

Ryan was momentarily stunned by his first statement. "Wait, what? Chad what did you just say?"

"I asked how your day was going? Can you hear me okay?"

"Yeah, I can hear you. What was the thing about the truck?"

"Ryan, don't be worried. I'm fine, okay? I'll be alright, can we not talk about it?"

"No, Chad. I'm coming over. What's your favorite movie genre, favorite drink, and your favorite band?"

"Ryan wha-- no don't you dare skip school for me. What are you thinking? Just stay and..."

"Chad."

Ryan heard a heavy sigh. "You're gonna laugh. It's been a bad week okay?"

"I promise I won't laugh."

"Ugh... RomCom, hot chocolate, Kodaline."

"See you in half an hour."

"Ry--"

And then the phone call was over and Ryan was on his way.

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Thirty minutes later Chad opened his front door to find Ryan holding three DVDs, two cups of something Chad assumed to be hot chocolate, and a pair of ear buds.

Chad shook his head at the boy. "What the hell are you thinking Ryan? You're gonna get in trouble."

Ryan shrugged. "Eh. I'll be fine. You're more important anyway."

Chad shook his head vehemently. "I'm not, though."

Ryan frowned at him. "Do I need to dump this hot chocolate on you or would kissing you be an adequate way to shut you up?"

Chad huffed, ducking his head to hide his grin. "I mean, I know you want to see me in a wet T-shirt, but I'm more in the mood for kissing and cuddling right now if you don't mind."

Ryan knew this humor was a good sign. "That's what I'm here for. Living room or your room?"

"My room. Not enough room for cuddling on the couch," Chad smirked, grabbing a cup of hot chocolate. "Thank you, by the way."

"Couldn't just leave you to your sad thoughts alone," Ryan half-joked, following Chad up the stairs.

"You put up with me enough last night. How are you not passing out from exhaustion right now?"

"Like I said, you're important. More important than sleep, apparently."

Chad simply shook his head grabbing his laptop and falling ungracefully onto his bed. "Whatever, Blondie. Come cuddle with me."

Ryan hesitated for only a second before sitting slowly on the edge of the bed. Chad gave him a blank stare for a moment before snorting at him.

"You see, when I'm laying over here, and you're sitting over there, how are you supposed to hold me while we watch this? It's a RomCom, yeah, but I'm feeling extra emotional today. Get over here."

Ryan grinned. This boy had him on Cloud 9. He didn't know when it happened, but he knew he wished he was a bird, so he could stay up there forever.

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Wow wow wow I'm running on three hours of sleep and I think I like sassy Chad and protective Ryan a lot. Thank you so much for all the votes, much love x