casual : stozier

SIXTEEN

hey mom & dad,

college is going well. i'm so lucky to have gotten a room with richie. what are the chances that i would get a room with my best friend, right? insane. i've been taking my meds and keeping healthy mostly, and by that i mean eating instant noodles and takeout with my friends. i can't wait for you guys to meet mike, i think you'll really like him. and it's been so long since you've met richie, that's insane. a lot has changed since grade 11. a lot has repeated, too, but i think i like it. i think i'm beginning to like change.

speaking of change, richie is my boyfriend now. i don't know how you guys will feel about me being gay, but hear me out first: i really love him. and i know you don't want to see my heart broken, but i think it'll be okay. you've known him for a really long time, he's a good kid. he makes me feel safe, i guess. i feel sappy. he feels right. 

for clarification, basically my whole friend group is gay so... sucks if you're homophobic. i'm dating richie, eddie's milling about getting crushes on random guys, mike and bill are together (did i tell you bill and beverly broke up two months ago?), and ben and beverly aren't gay but that's about it... at least i don't think they are. you never know.

i miss you guys! i can't believe you guys got a kitten without me, rude. i hope the house is clean, and that you're both doing it, not just mom. i know i picked that up from mom, that's for sure. have you guys talked to the neighbours recently? i got to know colin a little before we left, and i have to say, for an old man, he really is an expert at puzzles. i guess you get time for that in old age. richie calls me an old man sometimes (lovingly) because of the way i read before bed. that's how it is, i suppose.

in terms of real school, my classes are going so well, i really am interested in psych. so, thanks for letting me take it. i've written 2 essays so far. my professors are nice. there's this one woman, mrs. whittle, and i'm pretty sure she is the nicest professor i've ever had.

anyway, that's about it, i'm going to go out for dinner with richie now, and mail this letter on the way. i guess i thought i'd update you on how everything is going over here. i love you guys!

love, stanley

"how's it going?" richie leaned his head over stanley's shoulder, throwing his arms around stan's neck. stanley hummed.

"i'm just about done,"

stanley licked the envelope to seal it and flattened it until the envelope was fully closed. richie watched closely as stan delicately peeled off a stamp and placed it on the upper-right corner of the envelope's front. richie backed away as stan got up and out of the chair. 

stanley slipped on a sweater over his shirt and placed the envelope in a bag that went over his shoulder. richie watched him for a second, doing nothing but smiling.

"appreciating the view? "

"always, stan. you ready to go? " 

stanley kissed richie briefly, his hand on the side of richie's neck. richie sighed happily.

"yup." stanley took him by the hand, and richie opened the door, still lovestruck. 

"i love you," richie said breathlessly, like he had realized it all over again for the fortieth time. 

stanley blushed red and smiled, "i should hope so," he said, richie laughing softly, "i love you too, rich."

a/n: you thought there would be more angst? jokes on you. i said short story and i meant short story. either way, ENJOY!! this is different from the stories i currently have going but i figured i'd write ONE finished book. thank you for reading!