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Surprise: (of something unexpected) cause (someone) to feel mild astonishment or shock.
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"So, what should we do?"

"Well, that sounds like a nightmare to me." Mike responded, twirling with the dull silver ring on his pinky absentmindedly.

Beverley had text him about half an hour ago to come and meet them in the cafè, after all, Beverley noted how Mike was great for his wisdom.

"Can you think of anything that could've caused this?" Mike inquired.

Richie shrugged in response to Mike's question, because he didn't know either. They were still sat in the café an hour later, trying to think of ways to find out what's going on with Bill and Stan and how to fix it.

"I don't know. They've always been close, we know that, but this just seems so out of the blue." Ben concluded. Mike furrowed his eyebrows together in worry and confusion.

"Texting him is too...causal. Should we ask them if they wanted to come round yours again tonight and do the project again?  Then we can see what they say? Or should we give them space?" Eddie suggested, quickly taking a small bite from the carrot cake him Mike had bought when he came in.

Mike didn't even bat an eyelid at Eddie's action, being either used to it or uncaring, and Richie decided Mike was a good person too. All of his new friends were. He fit right in.

Ben hummed, "Yeah, that's a good plan. If we try and find out what's going on, we can try and do something. I don't want to sit back and watch them fight."

"Yeah, I agree." Beverley replied.

Richie leaned forward, "So do they fight often? I haven't been here long but they seemed fine with each other, and then suddenly everything just went off like a bomb." He quavered, making a big hand gesture to emphasise his point.

Eddie shook his head, "No. Actually, I don't think they've ever fought in the time I've known them. Not like this, anyways. I'm just as surprised as you. Also, sorry about this. It's your first week and you're already getting drama." He apologised.

"No it's okay, it's not your fault," Richie told him with a smile. "Um, it's totally crazy but I have an idea of why this might be happening."

"Do you?" Mike questioned.

Beverley gasped, "Well then spill!" She turned to face him in anticipation.

"Yeah," Richie gulped. "Like I said before, totally crazy, but do you maybe think Stan likes Bill?"

Beverley only scoffed, leaning back, "Of course, anybody with functioning eyes or ears can see it. I was guessing the same thing."

Richie gasped in surprise, "Really? I was right?"

Mike groaned, "One of the perks about leaving school was definitely that I didn't have to hear them flirt aimlessly all day and then never make any moves. It's so frustrating."

"That explains why he flipped out so much. Maybe he just had enough of his feelings, or something?" Ben added in, his kind eyes drifting to look at Beverley and never seeming to leave.

"I think we should call Stan, and ask him to come round here. We can maybe try and get it out of him." Beverley suggested, and they all nodded in agreement.

Ben took out his smashed iPhone 5, "Fit for a prince, right?" He laughed. Richie just faked a grin while the others giggled at his smashed phone, and subconsciously tried to shove his brand new iPhone back deeper into his pocket.

Stan picked up on the first ring.

"Hello?" Stan answered through the phone, sounding tired and drained. "Ben, what do you want?" Ben passed the phone over to Beverley with a panic stricken look on his face.

Beverley cleared her throat, "I'm here with Eddie, Ben, Richie and Mike and we just want to talk to you. We can help, we think. Would you maybe come and meet us and explain? We're at Jamtate café." She almost begged.

Stan sighed, "Okay," He mumbled. "Only for a bit though."

Richie wasn't surprised Stan agreed. He was pretty sure anybody would do anything for Beverley.

Beverley chirped a happy, "Bye!" Before hanging up.

-

Stan turned up at the café ten minutes later, his clothes clearly been slept in and his hair greasy and not brushed.

"Hey guys," He whispered so quietly, that the others had to be completely still and silent to hear him. "So let's talk. I don't have long though."

Richie looked at the others nervously for reassurance before asking Stan the dreaded question, "AreyouinlovewithBillbecausewethinkyouare." He rambled out all at once without taking a breath.

"I'm sorry, what? I didn't get a word of that."

"Are you in love with Bill because we think you are." Ben repeated, this time at a slower pace so Stan could understand and take it in.

Stan's eyes widened, "W-what?" He stuttered out.

Mike placed his hand on Stan's, "Please tell us the truth. We're gonna love you the same, obviously."

Stan gulped, "Maybe a little," He looked down at his rip-off converse shoes. "Okay, maybe a lot. Maybe that's the reason why I got mad yesterday. Okay? Happy now?" He snapped. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap...again." He sunk back into his chair.

Eddie looked at him tenderly, almost like he was smiling with his eyes, "It's okay. You have nothing to be ashamed of. We all have feelings for somebody."

Richie stiffened but he refused to show it.

"I think it's just the fact that he'll never love me back, and no matter what I do, I never seem to be enough. I make him laugh, I make him happy, at least I think I do. What more does he want?" Stan sniffed, a sarcastic smile on his pale face.

Richie's shoulders slumped, he understood, "You know, people have a funny way of showing they love each other. Some people love that certain person so much, but they can't show it. I'm not gonna give you false hope, all I'm gonna say is he might love you back in that way. But whatever happens, good or bad, he'll always love you as a friend."

"Yeah! You'll never know if you never ask!" Ben told him.

Stan looked up at his friends, now with a large grin painted on his face, "Thank you guys. I'm going to go now, I'll see you tomorrow, thanks for cheering me up a little. Text me if Bill says anything."

Eddie nodded, standing up, "I think I'm going to go too actually, now we've got that cleared up. Why'd we spend an hour debating whether to text him or not?" He joked.

They said their goodbyes, and Richie then proceeded to walk home alone.

The air had now turned cold, and he wrapped his arms around himself in attempt to stay warm. With his headphones in, the world blocked out, he couldn't be more at peace.

"Ugh, I hate this song." He whispered to himself as he turned on his phone to change it. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes widened.

No.
It was a text message.
No.
A text message from the wrong person.
No.

Bill
I think I might just love you.

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