I like you // Ryllon texting au

eleven

"Dallon's totally in love," Jon says as he sits down at the table. Brendon and Spencer look up.

"Really?"

"I have never seen Dallon act that way around someone. He always seems more... soft around Ryan. I mean, yeah, we literally found him outside the other night all hurt and stuff, so obviously Dallon's being careful, but-" A waitress walks by and Jon shuts up, then waits until she is gone.

"Even the way he talks about him is different," Brendon adds quietly.

"Yes, exactly!"

"He's always smiling when he talks about him, and the times where he straight up just leaves the room to text him when something is wrong, it-... I've never seen Dallon like this," Spencer says, and the other two agree by nodding.

"Do you think Ryan loves him back?" Brendon asks.

"Hell yeah," Jon says as if that was the stupidest question to exist.

"No, I mean... obviously there's love because Ryan's a fan, but does he like Dallon more than that?"

"He seems to like Dallon's texting persona," Spencer answers.

"Plus, the way they were talking the other night? The fan-artist barrier has broken. They're closer now," Jon says. "They act like a couple."

"Not the only couple in the band," Brendon says, and Spencer and Jon both tense, looking at each other briefly. "Sarah and I are officially dating," Brendon announces happily. The boys relax.

"Really? You finally asked her out?" Spencer asks with a wide grin.

"According to her, I called her and asked her to be my girlfriend, and she said she wanted me to ask her again in the morning when I'm not high to make sure I want it. I called her a bit ago and she said yes."

They all smile, Spencer and Jon feeling a little relieved.
  
   
   
Dallon nervously stares at his phone. He woke up to a note of Ryan apologizing and saying he had to leave early. Three days ago.

And now he's just ignoring Dallon's messages.

Well, dweek's messages.
  
 
  
dweek: hey ryan?

dweek: I wanted to apologize
 
   
dweek: I didn't mean to say that to you

dweek: I am really sorry and I just wanna stay friends
 
   
dweek: hey I still haven't heard from you are you okay?

dweek: I understand why you'd be ignoring me
 
  
dweek: you're really worrying me no one has heard from you we're all getting scared
   
    
dweek: I'm seriously terrified
 
   
dweek: I haven't heard from you

dweek: please text me
 
   
  
The last text was sent two hours ago and there's still no word. Dallon hasn't been himself because of it, everyone has noticed.

"What if he got hurt?" Dallon asks. Tears are filling his eyes. The boys look at him. Sarah is sitting on Brendon's lap, and even she looks concerned. Brendon explained everything to her on the way to the hotel.

"Dallon, it'll be okay," Spencer says.

"But what if it won't be? What if-... What if he hates me? I probably ruined everything, and—" Sarah stands up and walks over to Dallon while he continues to go on and on, until she leans down and places her hand on his cheek. He stops.

"He will be okay, okay?" she says in a kind, motherly voice that has no choice but to make Dallon relax his thoughts. He nods. Sarah smiles, kisses his forehead, then walks back over and sits back down on Brendon's lap. Brendon holds her close with a smile.

Dallon looks down, hoping the screen will be slightly different, yet knowing it won't.

But then it is different.

Dallon's heart flutters with worry and excitement when the little green dot appears next to Ryan's username. He quickly opens the chat.
   
   
   
ryros: hey

dweek: oh my god I was so worried

dweek: I am so sorry ryan

ryros: no no you're fine

ryros: don't worry I wasn't really bothered by it

dweek: then why haven't you been responding?

ryros: your phone gets taken away for 72 hours after you go to the hospital for a suicide attempt
   
   
  
Dallon's heart shatters and tears fill his wide eyes.
   
   
   
dweek: where are you

ryros: ?

dweek: are you still at the hospital?

ryros: yeah, they're checking me out but it's gonna take a bit

ryros: I've been lonely and miserable I really hate this
  
   
   
Dallon turns his phone off, jumps up, grabs his wallet and grabs his hoodie.

"Where are you—"

"I gotta go," he says quietly, cutting Jon off as he puts on his shoes. The other boys look at him in worry and shock, then each other, but Dallon leaves before any of them can say another word.