"So, things are going pretty well now?" Max asked through the phone. Neil had called to catch up since they didn't get to at Starbucks.

"I guess so," he mumbled, starting to pace. " But... I have been thinking about him a lot."

"Thinking about who?"

"You know... Him."

"Bleh, feelings." he heard the fake disgust in his friend's voice. The brunet sighed. "Sure... Bleh."

"Anyway, why are you so bothered by this crush?"

"Well..." He took a deep breath. "I told myself not to fall for him. I was... Scared he would play me. And it's obvious he likes me, or is at least interested in me. I just don't know if he's being serious or not."

"Trust me. Presty's been telling me about his crush on you. He keeps saying he ships you two."

Neil snickered. "Presty? Really?"

"Yes!" Max growled on the other end. "It's cute and he hates it."

"Whatever. But you think he's being serious?"

"I know he is. Were you not listening to me earlier? He told Preston he has a crush on you. And Preston told me because I'm friends with you. He's right here next to me to make sure I'm getting my facts right."

There was a muffled "Shut up, Max!" in the background followed by laughter. The scientist stifled a sigh. "I just don't want him to play me like he's done in the past with others."

"Neil..." Max sighed loudly. "Sometimes I wonder how you can be so smart, but also such a fucking idiot at the same time."

He let out a tiny gasp. "What? The hell's that supposed to mean?"

"Has Harrison ever tried to break your heart?"

"Well... I don't know," he mumbled. He could practically feel the teen's eye roll through the phone. "Has he ever broken your heart before?"

"...No..."

"And after you stopped seeing each other in high school, did he date anyone else?"

Neil had to think about this one. "N... No..." he answered, surprised. He had been so worried that the strawberry blond would hurt him. He never noticed that the boy didn't flirt with anyone else. He had been selfish back then. "Oh my god, I am a fucking idiot."

"Yeah, you were. But you can make it up to him now, cause he's so head-over-heels for you that he's probably put that behind him."

The brunet blinked. "Wow. Did Preston give you lines to recite or something?"

"Maybe..." Max replied quietly. "But that's not the point. Give him another chance. He cares about you, alright? He wouldn't hurt you on purpose."

He processed the words and sighed. "Fine. I'll give him a shot."

"Yes!" someone, presumably Preston, cheered in the background. Max muttered through clenched teeth. "Shut up, guys!"

"Hm? 'Guys'?" Neil repeated.

"It's nothing important," the teen said quickly. "Gotta go. Bye."

He left his friend on dial tone. He scoffed. "Bye, then..." He pocketed the phone and started off towards his car, ready for work.