things we did when no one was looking

the one where they meet again

"Max!" I laugh, stumbling after my drunk best friend who I just know is about to fall. And per my prediction, he does, falling butt first onto the concrete driveway in front of my house, brown curls falling into his face. "You, my friend are wasted." I help him up and prop his arm around my shoulders. Max was ever the lightweight, which was one of the reasons I always kept sober, because he needed someone to get him home. But tonight, even I had had some, as is customary for anyone turning 21. 

The feathery boa that was thrown around my neck a few hours ago itches at my nose as I open the door, kicking my heels off before helping Max inside. "Will?" I call out to my older brother, heading to the kitchen for a glass of water. Max follows, giggling as he falls into one of the stools at the kitchen counter. "Will!" I shout again. He said he would come over to my place to hang out once I got back from the party. Birthdays are a bit of an ordeal at the Ryder household. 

"In the den, Ronnie!" Ruffling Max's hair, I head down the stairs that lead to the den. 

Will's in the den talking with someone whose back is to me. "Hey Ronnie, how was the party?" He asks, and I'm about to answer when the other guy turns around. 

3 years later, and Noah Thurman still has looks that could kill. His dirty blonde hair is pushed back from his forehead and his pale green eyes widen a bit when he sees me. Why? "Um, it was good, Max is shitfaced though, can he stay the night?" 

"He's always welcome, you know that." My brother Will is the kindest person I've ever met, and the most hardworking. Our parents died in a car crash when I was 15 and he was 19, 6 years ago. He only got to stay with me because he worked 3 jobs though college to pay for living expenses and bills. Somewhere along, I got old enough to work and started working as a barista at a local coffee shop. He graduated college 4 years ago, and works as a software architect. "Oh, I almost forgot. Ronnie, you remember Noah, right?" 

"How could I forget?" I smile, trying to hide my nervousness as I lean against the banister. "How've you been, Thurman?" 

"Good, V. Better now that I'm back." Noah's the only one that ever called me V, a nickname he thought up when I was in 7th grade. Noah and my brother have been friends since middle school. The first time I met him, I got a crush on him, which I know look back on as pretty embarrassing. He left 3 years ago, after high school to do a tour with his band, "Desperado". He plays the bass. "You 21 tonight? Happy birthday." 

I almost blush as I remember the boa around my neck, and slide it off. "Thanks, Noah. Uh, I'm gonna order a pizza for Max and I, do you guys want anything?" 

"Just some wings, Ronnie." 

"Sure." As I head back upstairs, I can't helpbut feel his eyes on me, turning back for a second to see Noah staring at me as I leave. 

"Ronnie!" A slightly sobered up Max shouts, giggling a bit as he sees me walk back. "Noah Thurman's back!" He says it in a whisper, almost like it's a secret. Never mind, he's not sober. 

"How'd you-" He shows me his phone, open to Instagram and Noah's most recent post, a photo of him and Will.

"There's a celebrity in your house!" 

"Yeah, buddy, I know. And before you ask, I don't still have a crush on him." He rolls his eyes, obviously not believing me. 

I order the pizza and change into my pajamas, which actually just consist of an oversized t-shirt. Max and I settle down to watch Pulp Fiction until I hear a voice behind me. "You're still obsessed with this movie?" Noah walks in, a beer bottle in his hand as he falls onto the couch, next to me. I didn't notice earlier, but he's got more tattoos now.  

"Pulp Fiction is a piece of cinematographic art, for your information." He chuckles and shakes his head, taking a swig of his beer. 

"If it comes so highly recommended, then I'll give it a watch one day, ma'am." I don't realize we're staring at each other until Max nudges my elbow, his message clear. Introduce me. 

"Oh, uh Noah, this is Max Johnson, my friend." 

"So you're the famous Max I've heard so much about," Noah reaches over to shake Max's hand, and I think Max is about to faint. 

"Max, as previously stated. I really love your music." 

"Thanks man, means a lot." The doorbell rings and I run to get the pizza. 

"Thanks." The delivery man nods. "Will! Pizza's here!" Everyone crowds around the counter with plates as I put down the boxes and the bowl of wings. 

All my previous nerves disappear as we eat, talking about college and touring and drinking and partying and travelling the world, and looming graduation. 

We all end up back on the couch, Max passed out with his head on my shoulder and Will sleeping stretched out with his legs on Noah's lap. As the movie ends, Noah reaches for the remote to turn the TV off. "Well V, I see why you like Pulp Fiction so much." He whispers as not to wake the other two up. Lifting Will's legs up, he moves to stand. "I almost forgot, I got you something." 

"Noah, you really didn't have to get me anything-" He shuts me up by sitting down and passing me a small box with a red bow stuck on top. "Oh Noah, it's beautiful." I sigh as I open the box. It's a rose gold, with a single rose of the same metal hanging by the stem from the chain. "This must have been expensive, you really didn't have to-" 

"I wanted to." He smiles, and I look away, because my resistance wears away everytime he stares at me. "I'm happy I get to see you again, V. I missed you." 

"I - I'm happy you're back, Noah." I get up and lay Max down, covering him with a sheet. Noah looks away and does the same for Will. "I should get to bed, I have an early class tomorrow and I'm already sure I'll be hungover. You can sleep in the guest room-" 

"No, I'll take the recliner, it's fine." I smile, already knowing that he's too tall for the recliner. Stepping forward, he kisses my forehead. "Happy birthday, Ronnie."