Can I predict the future?

I presented my motto to the class the next week, and to my surprise, Professor Caldwell seemed to like it. The students were a little bit more lukewarm, but did that matter? The philosophy professors were the ones who would decide my grade, along with whether my motto would be on the ballot when the students made their final decision. It was more important to ensure that they liked my motto.

At lunch that day, Patrick insisted on gathering just about everyone we knew together. We needed the largest table in the dining hall to fit everyone, and it didn't even include everyone that Patrick knew. Joe had a class during that time, and Gerard was giving a tour to a group of prospective students, but all of our other friends were there.

"What's the point of all of this, Patrick?" I asked.

"I have an announcement to make," Patrick said.

"What is it?" Andy asked.

Patrick sighed and said, "I've been reflecting on myself and my life for the last year, and I suppose that's what college is for..."

"Just get to the point," one of Patrick's friends from chemistry said.

"I'm bisexual," Patrick said.

"We know, Patrick," all of us said at once.

Patrick looked around in confusion as Frank asked, "Did you really expect that to be a secret?"

"How did you know already?" Patrick asked.

"I knew when I first took you to the Aubergine," I said.

"I knew it from 'Hi, I'm Patrick,'" Pete said. Patrick was speechless, so Pete made an attempt to console him. "Trick, we all support you, but you didn't have to make this so dramatic. Everyone already knows that you're bi."

"To be honest, I was waiting for you to come out," Andy said.

"Me too," I said. In fact, I was a little bit surprised that he hadn't done it earlier.

"Well, you guys sure made this easy," Patrick said as he adjusted his glasses.

Pete hugged Patrick and said, "It's what I do best."

All of us chatted about our classes for the rest of lunch, and Patrick Stump's sexual orientation was not brought up again. To be honest, I was glad that Patrick had finally come to terms with his bisexuality. I personally found it a bit unfair that straight, cisgender people didn't have to deal with coming out, but it seems that the world is almost never fair. Fairness is still something that we should strive for, even if it is an unreachable goal.

A few days later, Patrick and I went to the Aubergine together once again. Over the last several weeks, Patrick had become a regular at the Aubergine Dream. It was nice to have him there, although he could still be a little uptight at times. Once we got there, Patrick and I went our separate ways. I made my way over to Brendon, who noticed me as soon as I walked through the door.

"Ryan!" Brendon shouted as he waved to me.

"Hey Brendon," I said. "What's up?"

"Not much," Brendon said. "What about you?"

"I had to take a test in Principles of Ecology today," I complained. "I think I did well though."

"I'm glad," Brendon said. "I found a new song for us to play. Do you want to see it?" I nodded, and Brendon grinned and ran off. When he returned, he was holding a piece of sheet music. "It's another love song just for you," he said as he gave me the music.

"You're so sweet, Brendon," I said as I gave him a peck on the cheek.

"It's all for you, Ryan," Brendon said.

"So how's Yale treating you?" I asked.

Brendon gave me a strange look, as if he didn't understand the question. It only lasted for a moment, and then he said, "Everything's fine, I guess. I'd rather not talk about it."

"That's fine," I said. "School's not the world's most interesting subject."

"No kidding," Brendon said. "I don't know about you, Ryan, but I'm in the mood for dancing. Would you like to join me?"

Brendon had already seen my terrible dancing, but clearly, he didn't seem to mind it. I always preferred to watch him, but I didn't want to upset my boyfriend. "Sure, why not?" I said.

The two of us headed onto the dancefloor, and we danced wildly until it was nearly nine in the afternoon. Brendon stopped occasionally to get another drink, but even as the evening went on, he never seemed to lose any energy. I quickly lost myself in both the music and the feeling of Brendon being so close to me. Before long, I could barely think at all.

The clock struck nine, and Brendon ran off to get another drink before the show started. I went over to the piano bench and talked with Spencer for a little while, but both of us began to get worried when five minutes passed and Brendon still hadn't returned. "Should I go find him?" Spencer asked.

"No, I'll do it," I said. I got up from the piano bench and wandered around the bar, searching for Brendon's beautiful face. At first, I couldn't find Brendon, but I did manage to find Pete and Patrick.

"Thanks for helping me study for the stats quiz, Patrick," Pete said. "You're like an angel with no wings."

"So like a person?" Patrick replied.

"You know what I meant," Pete said.

"I don't think I do," Patrick said.

"Whatever," Pete said. "I just think that you're an awesome person, as well as the cutest boy at Kale University by far."

Patrick blushed and said, "Thanks Pete."

"You're welcome," Pete said, grinning. "It looks like I won the 'Make Patrick Blush' game though." Patrick simply shook his head, and Pete said, "Patrick, I've been meaning to ask you something."

"What is it?" Patrick asked.

"Will you go out with me, Trick?" Pete asked.

Patrick froze for a moment before he said, "Yes, of course. I like you a lot, Pete, and I think I was into you for a long time. I just wasn't willing to admit it."

"I like you too," Pete said as he came closer to Patrick. "You're irresistible, Lunchbox. I'm lucky to have someone like you in my life."

The two of them were close enough that they could kiss, and in retrospect, it wasn't the best idea to interrupt them by saying, "Hey, do either of you happen to know where Brendon is?"

Patrick turned around, adjusted his fedora, and said, "I didn't even see you there, Ryan. I'm not sure where Brendon is."

"Me neither," Pete said.

"I'm right here, Ryan!" Brendon said as he snuck up behind me.

"Hi Brendon," I said, smiling.

Brendon took another sip of his peach and lime daiquiri, took my hand, and said, "Come on. It's already nine in the afternoon. We should get started."

The show went well, although my eyes kept darting over to Pete and Patrick, who didn't seem to be paying much attention to Brendon, Spencer, and I. However, I was glad that I had set the two of them up. It was clear that they would make a great couple, and hopefully, they would be able to make each other happy. After all, what was the point of happiness if I couldn't spread it?

After the show, Brendon and I stayed at the Aubergine for a little while before we went our separate ways. On the way home, I got the chance to talk to Patrick. "I can't believe that Pete asked me out," Patrick said as a small smile spread across his face.

"I'm sure that you and Pete will be a cute couple," I said. "Do you two know what you're doing for your first date yet?"

"No," Patrick said. "We were going to talk about it, but then we got sidetracked. He said that he would text me tomorrow. I'm a little bit nervous, to be honest."

"You don't need to be nervous," I said. "I'm sure it will go well."

"I've never been on a date before," Patrick said.

"I hadn't been on a date before when I went out with Brendon for the first time, and it went really well," I said. "Everything will work out."

"How do you know what constitutes a 'good date' if you've only dated one person?" Patrick asked.

It was a fair question. I had only dated Brendon, but that still made me more experienced than my roommate. "I don't, but I do know that Brendon makes me happy," I said. "If your date with Pete makes you happy, then you'll know that he's right for you."

"Being around Pete always makes me happy," Patrick said with a smile.

"That's how I know that your relationship with Pete is going to work," I said. "I may not be the best person to be giving you relationship advice, but I believe that there's no reason for you to be nervous. Pete seems like he really likes you, and if he makes you happy, then that's all that matters."

Patrick and I entered Flack Hall, and we headed up the staircase and into Room 27. I crashed onto my bed and started daydreaming about Brendon, as I often did. I dreamed of my future, after Brendon graduated from Yale and I graduated from Kale. There was no doubt in my mind that the two of us would still be together at that point. We would be together for the rest of our lives, no matter what happened.

Of course, I can't predict the future, if we assume that time is linear. There was no way to know for sure what would happen the next day, and I definitely couldn't tell what would happen years in the future. I couldn't know for sure that Patrick and Pete's date would go well, and I couldn't be certain that something insane wouldn't happen that would separate Brendon and I.

Despite all of that, I felt confident that I was correct. Brendon and I loved each other, and that would overcome any obstacles that fell in our way. I saw myself going through the rest of my freshman year without any major issues, with Brendon by my side. Pete and Patrick would stay together as well, and everyone that I knew would be happy. I would have the perfect year at Kale.

I fell asleep, dreaming of true happiness, or what I thought that looked like at the time. I didn't know much of anything, but it's fun to fantasize, isn't it?