Shane and Ryan one shots

Chapter 3: two birds

Cheering erupted around the auditorium, graduation hats flying and people shouting. Cameras flashed and clicked and people hugged and kissed all around. It was a great day for most, but Shane and Ryan were different. They turned to each other, diplomas clutched in hand and hats who knows where. Tears started to well in their eyes as they saw each other clearly effected by what was happening. The two boys had no reason to be happy.

Friends for 13 years, Shane and Ryan had been though everything together, and now they had just graduated Highschool. A week ago Shane revealed he was going to a school in Illinois and Ryan told him he was going to a school in California. They cried for hours, not wanting to leave each other. They practically lived together for that week, barely leaving each others side and making as many memories as possible.

But now it was time. Ryan's plane came the next morning and Shane was leaving that night. They didn't speak, they just stared at each other, cheeks wet with tears, unable to understand why everyone else was so happy. Their parents thought they were crazy, 'oh you guys will see each other again' and 'it's not a big deal.' But this was earth shattering for the two boys.

Ryan finally caved and crashed into Shane, hiding his face in the boys shoulder as they both shook with tears. They clutched to each other like it was a lifeline, as if the other would simply melt away. Sobs came from Ryan as he listened to the people around and the cries from his friend above him. They got weird looks but neither cared, this was the end of the world for them. Shane sniffed above him and Ryan looked up to meet his gaze.

"We said we'd be together forever." Shane mumbled sorrowfully. His eyes were full of pain and he looked so fragile, like he would shatter at any moment.

"I'll never forget you Shane, we'll meet again." Ryan vowed, his heart cracking in two at the shaky sound of his best friends voice. They stayed clutched in each other's arms until Shane's parents came to collect him for the plane. As his best friend got further and further from him, they made eye contact one more time.

"I won't forget you Ryan." And that was the last he heard from Shane Madej.

Until one fateful Thursday morning.

                        7 years later

Ryan opened the door to the coffee shop, it was 8 am on a Thursday and he decided to stop for coffee before work. He was filming for Buzzfeed now, a job that he really did enjoy. He had lots of new friends and a stable relationship, everything had changed since graduation.

Ryan had really forgotten about that day, his memories were hazy, all he remembered was crying the entire ceremony and leaving the next morning. Why he was so sad he really had no idea.

He ordered quietly and sat down at on of the tables, pulling out his phone and seeing what had to be done today. It had been about a minute when a name was called.

"Shane!" His heart rate sparked at the name and it confused him, why Shane? That was such a normal name. He looked up and his gaze found a extremely tall man, he was wearing a floral shirt and had this familiar mop of brown hair on his head. Something suddenly came back to him. No, no way. It's not him. Shane turned and then Ryan knew. That face, he could never forget his best friend.

He flew from his chair, the force almost crashing it to the ground as the other patrons, including Shane, looked over at him. He froze slightly and just stared at the man. He had grown so much from the young idiot he remembered, but it was still Shane. His eyes searched the mans, waiting for the spark or recognition. It took a moment, but then Shane's eyes filled with emotion and he set his drink down.

"Ryan?" Shane looked like he was about to scream, Ryan deserved it. He got a new phone number and never talked to Shane again, he was the reason they forgot.

"Shane." His wasn't a question, it was a conformation for both of them at once. They crashed together, the height comparison the exact same as Ryan dug his face into Shane's floral shirt. They stood in the middle of this coffee shop, sobbing and hugging. It had been 7 years, they were reunited once again. Memories stormed into Ryan's mind and overwhelmed him further. Everything he and Shane had built together, everything he had forgotten, it was back and with the force of 20 tons. Emotions hurt, his head hurt, his eyes stung, but he didn't let go of Shane.

"You forgot me." Shane said softly, the pain in his voice shot right into Ryan's heart and he let out another choked sob, feeling like he was a kid again.

"I'm so sorry-" Ryan buried his face again, hardly able to look his old friend in the eye. He felt Shane's arms circle tighter around him and he felt a bit better.

"Ryan- it doesn't matter now, we're back, we're together." Shane pulled away with a wet laugh, wiping his eyes and looking down at Ryan, who still had tears rapidly flowing from his eyes.

"We're gonna stay together forever." He promised, wiping at his face with his arm.

Ryan's name was called and he grabbed his coffee, the two friends walking out together and to Ryan's work, this time making sure they'd be able to keep in contact.

"Together forever." Shane repeated at some point.

Together forever