Just Do It (TannerBraungardtxDylanMitchell)

9: Taco Bell & A Date

Tanner dreamt of telling Dylan and the perfect scenario that he knew would follow. He woke up happier and more confident than he had been since California. His gut feeling told him it was going to be a good day.

He showered, dressed in a pair of loose, ripped skinny jeans and a Guns N Roses tank, sprayed on his favorite cologne, and checked his texts before heading out to Dylan's house. He decided to pick up some Taco Bell for himself and Dylan, knowing Dylan was probably still in bed and starving.

"Oh, Mylan Ditchell!" An all too familiar voice sang throughout the Mitchell household.

Groaning, the no-longer-sleeping boy pulled the covers over his face in hopes of avoiding his rambunctious best friend. The oak door swung open with a force and the blonde boy didn't hesitate to jump right up on Dylan, who reluctantly opened his eyes, only to see a paper bag of Taco Bell inches from his nose.

"It is one in the afternoon! Get your ass up, or no Taco Bell." Tanner laughed, rolling to the side.

Dylan grabbed the Dr. Pepper from him and took a long drink, reveling in the taste. Tanner knew him so well. He bought his friend his favorite drink whenever he could. Quentin was never quite so considerate. The cold condensation covering the surface of his cup provided a source of comfort for Dylan.

"You're amazing."

Tanner gave a cheeky smile in response and made himself comfortable on amongst the dull sheets. Dylan ate while half listening to Tanner talk animatedly about an upcoming vacation his mom sprung on them. He was too focused on figuring out exactly what he'd say to him. He woke this morning doubting the decision he'd made in the night, and now couldn't work up the confidence to voice it out loud.

"So, um..." Tanner's tone grew serious, "I have some news."

"Yeah?" Dylan really had no idea.

"I broke up with Paris."

Dylan accidentally let a quiet oh shit slip out of his mouth as he pushed himself into a sitting position. He took a sip of his soda to wet his suddenly dry mouth and nearly choked on the carbonated sugar. Tanner stared at his lap with watery eyes.

"That's not the reaction I was expecting."

The brunette cleared his throat. "Dude, I told you not to..."

"But, I wasn't happy with her! I want to be with you."

The urge to punch something bubbled under Dylan's surface. He wanted to scream. Tanner watched him pace frustratedly, worriedly awaiting a reply.

"Why did we even kiss? We're just friends and that's all because I just want to forget about it and move on."

"Just friends? Are you kidding me! Dude, you can't tell me that after the way you kissed me, you don't feel anything for me."

"I don't know how I feel! Tanner, just because we think we have feelings for each other, it doesn't mean we have to just throw out entire friendship away and say fuck it, let's just get together."

Dylan sat on the end of his bed and buried his face in his hands. The room was eerily quiet after all the yelling. Tanner sat beside the boy he so desperately wanted to be with and tried to think of something, anything, to make this all better. He was beginning to think maybe it was all a mistake. Dylan obviously thought so. Maybe they should forget it all.

"I'm scared, okay?" Dylan mumbled, "You're my best fucking friend. I can't lose you."

The blonde leaned against the brunette in defeat. They both felt defeated, like they were making this much more difficult and dramatic than it needed to be.