The Emo Trinity/Quartet Book

(Rikey) Unexpected Date

Classic one-shot scenario: Person A forgets their date with Person B, then Person C comes along and dates Person B.

Mikey sighed and checked his watch for the fifth time.  Pete had promised him they would go out to eat tonight, but it seems he had forgotten his promise.  Or had he? A surge of jealousy ran through Mikey as he remembered the way Pete had been staring at Patrick at Fall Out Boy's concert last night.  Has Pete REALLY cheated on me?

(Note: I have nothing against Petekey or Peterick (I love them both) but this is a Rikey one-shot so I put someone likely to date Mikey besides Ray in here.)

Frustrated, Mikey pushed his chair back and stood up.  Just then, a familiar tall, curly-haired man sat down in the seat across from his.  "Ray?" Mikey asked, surprised to see his bandmate here.  "Hey," Ray replied.  "What are you doing alone at a table for two?"

"Pete stood me up," Mikey grumbled.  Seeing Ray's eyes narrow in anger, Mikey added, "He's really nice, but I guess he just forgot our date tonight." "Hmm," Ray didn't seem very convinced, but he quickly brightened up.  "I guess I'll save his seat until he arrives.  So... how have you been...?" "Uh, good, I guess," Mikey replied awkwardly.  The uncomfortable conversation didn't last very long, however, as their waitress came over.  "What would you gentlemen like to drink?" she asked.  Mikey blinked in surprise and quickly scanned the menu.  "I'll have a... um... just a water." The waitress turned to Ray.  "And for you?" "Oh, I'm not eating, I'm just saving a seat for someone," Ray explained.  The waitress nodded.  "I'll get your water then," she told Mikey.

As they waited, Mikey turned to face Ray.  "You're not gonna eat? I mean, I would've paid for it," he said.  "No no, I'm fine," Ray replied.  "I mean, it's your and Pete's date, and besides, I don't need you to pay for my food." "I think Pete's forgotten completely about me," Mikey confessed.  "I mean, he seemed pretty smitten with Patrick when we went to their concert last night." "Hmm," Ray mused.  He added something quietly under his breath.  "What was that? Something about 'I know how he feels'?" Mikey asked.  Ray looked up, startled.  "Oh, um... I know how it feels to be smitten with someone," Ray admitted, blushing a little.  "Really? I don't mean to pry, but... who?" Mikey asked.

Ray was about to answer when the waitress came back, carrying a glass of water.  "Here you go," she set it down in front of Mikey and asked, "Are you ready to order?" "Yes," Mikey replied.  "I'll take the grilled steak, medium rare." "Anything for you, sir?" the waitress asked Ray.  "No thank-- actually, you know what? I'll have the fried shrimp," Ray said.  "Alright then," the waitress headed off to take the boys' orders.  "You're gonna eat here after all?" Mikey asked.  "Yeah," Ray responded with a shrug.  "I guess I changed my mind." A couple minutes later, the waitress returned with their food.  "Thank you," Ray nodded to her, as she set the plates down on the table.  The two boys dug in once she left. 

"Wow! I'm glad I ordered something.   I was hungrier than I thought!" Ray exclaimed.  Mikey chuckled, then his face fell.  "I'm a little disappointed that this date didn't go exactly as planned..." he said quietly.  Ray frowned slightly, then smiled.  "Aw, don't worry! Like you said, maybe Pete just forgot.  Be glad I was there to rescue you from an awkward meal," he chuckled.  "Yeah.  I AM really grateful, because it's made me realize something," Mikey said, looking up at Ray.  "What?" Ray asked, attempting to keep his voice from wobbling.  Does he... really...? "I... I really, um..." Mikey trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.  "I really... have to use the restroom!" he blurted, standing up and rushing off -- leaving behind a very confused and sorely disappointed Raymond.

 By the time Mikey returned, Ray had already finished.  Their waitress was standing by the table -- Waiting for me to return so she can take my plate, -- Mikey realized.  He looked down at his steak, which was 3/4 of the way eaten.  "You can take it, I'm full anyways," he explained to the waitress.  "Alright," the waitress replied, picking up Mikey's plate and placing it on top of Ray's, which she held in her other hand.  Here's my chance.  I can say what Mikey was too scared to.   Or was he? Maybe he did have to use the bathroom, and I'm just imagining things.  Ray hesitated, then finally said, "Mikey, you know how you wanted to tell me something earlier?" "I don't anymore, but.. yes," Mikey replied.  "Well, I have something to say too.  I..." Ray hesitated for a second, then pushed through it.  "I love you, Mikey."

Mikey's eyes widened in shock.  "R... really?" "Yeah," Ray sighed, as though a great weight had been lifted off his chest -- which, quite honestly, it had.  "Well, I guess I'll say what I REALLY was gonna say -- did you really fall for my bathroom trick?" Mikey asked, laughing when Ray nodded.  "Well, I was actually gonna say I love you, too." He leaned across the table, and Ray did as well. 

Their kiss was short and sweet, and after a few seconds, Ray and Mikey pulled away, staring at each other in awe.  "Did we...?" Mikey asked.  "We did," Ray replied, smiling in joy and standing up.  "We should get home before it gets too late," he added.  Mikey nodded and stood as well, and the two boys headed to the checkout desk.  "Your total is $25.82," the cashier told them.  Mikey slipped his credit card out of his wallet, but Ray grabbed his arm.  "No, please, let me pay," he said.  "It's not technically even your date, Ray," Mikey replied.  He reached the card towards the cashier, but Ray smacked his hand.  "Seriously, I insist," he pressed.  Mikey turned to him, sighed, and -- shaking his head and smiling -- he put his credit card back in his wallet.  Ray pulled out his own card and handed the cashier it.  The man swiped the card and handed it back to Ray.  "Have a nice night, gentlemen."

"Ray, you didn't have to do that," Mikey insisted as they walked out the door.  "Nah, it's fine.  I'm gonna have to get used to paying for dinners more often if we're making... this... a thing," Ray said.  He started for his car, but turned as Mikey called, "Wait!" Once he had Ray's attention, Mikey said, "Thank you for saving me from an awkward dinner alone." "And thank you for a lovely night.  What do you say we do it again sometime?" Ray replied.  "Sure thing," Mikey smiled.

And THAT was how Rikey was born.