"Now, I'm in no ways saying that's exactly how it went. It was 17 years ago. So I forget. Maybe instead of just coming out and saying it, I was like, 'Sully have you ever thought of the possibility you might actually be crushing on Ben Platt?' But again, I don't remember exactly." I nodded, it would make sense if Alder didn't remember it exactly, I hadn't even remembered who initiated the kiss!

"But are you sure it was me who initiated the kiss?" I asked, wanting to be sure. "It was all a rush of emotions back then, I probably did that impulsively."

"I'm sure it was you. And if what you said is true, then that impulsive decision ended up in you getting married and becoming a parent. And it ended up getting me married to my best friend, ended up in us adopting Emmalyn," Alder's gaze softened, "I think it was the best impulsive decision you could've made. If impulsive decisions can be the best."

"Speaking of Emmalyn," I said checking my phone. There was no text from her yet. I suddenly felt anxious. I quickly sent her a message.

Hey. Just checking up on you, are you doing okay?

Father, I'm fine. We just left the ice rink and are going to get some lunch. I'll text you when we're done.

I audibly sighed, causing Alder to give me a look. I didn't know how to answer the look. Luckily, I didn't have to, for my stomach growled. Alder's facial expression changed to one of amusement.

"Looks like your stomach is saying we should get some lunch," he chuckled. I laughed along with him.

"Let's go then," I answered. We walked around in the mall some more while looking for a food place. Alder had a smile on his face. Eventually we came to a place. "Burgers, huh?"

"Looks like it," Alder answered. We got a seat together by the railing separating the place from the rest of the mall, allowing people to walk past.

"Hey, Clive?" Said a voice. Two men were walking past and had stopped when they noticed us. The one who just spoken had an accent and was taller than the other. His skin was on the darker side, a light browny colour, his hair was a darker brown, complementing his complexion. His eyes were grey with some brown in one of them. The other man was extremely pale and lanky. He wore glasses. His hair was a dark brown, almost black. His eyes were a dark grey blue. Rodney's group had disbanded a while ago, but Alder and I still collectively called them The Posse. Noel and Clive were always seemingly the less mean of them. They all collectively bullied Alder and I hated them for it.

"Yes Noel?" Clive answered. He was shifting uncomfortably, almost as if he was nervous. Clive had always seemed nervous around Noel even when we were back in school.

"Isn't that N-" he cleared his throat "-Sullivan and Alder?" He was talking as if we couldn't hear him. Clive glanced over at us. His gaze widened.

"Oh! Hey guys!" Alder flinched away from Clive's outstretched hand over the railing. Clive, looking horrified, quickly removed his hand. "Oh uh..." he trailed off.

"Yes, hello," I said, voice coming out way more protective and irritated than I intended. "What do you want with us?" Clive's eyes caught a glimpse of the wedding rings.

"Oh!" Clive said, sounding genuinely surprised. He glanced at Noel, who had a surprised expression upon his face.

"So you two actually...." Noel tried to say. "You actually..." I didn't know why they were so surprised, we'd seen each other before at class reunions. "I know you guys probably hate us," he said eventually, "but we are actually really happy for you." I saw Clive blush when Noel said 'we'. Clive's expression was unreadable.

"Hm? Wonder why.." The tone in Alder's voice caught me off guard. This caused Noel to blush and Clive to hide his face in his coat. "Tell me, why you are so f**king happy for us?" The teasing tone surprised me because he was talking to his former bullies or maybe he was just giving them a taste of their own medicine.

"Because," Clive's voice was muffled by his coat, "You guys actually had a really cute love story. Alder got to tell you how he felt, you're now married... I wish I could've had that." His voice quietened on the final sentence.

"'Really cute love story', Alder got to tell me how he felt? Were you stalking us?" Clive immediately shook his head.

"Nonononono!" He said. "Alder's crush on you was as obvious as all hell, according to Rodney the b*st*rd, but I could tell that Alder's feelings were true and deep, and I noticed that you had always been so... protective of him, too much to be just a friend. I guess I can say, I secretly shipped you two. I wish I could've had a story like that. With a crush liking me back."

"Wawawait," I said, blinking. "You just called Rodney, your former leader, a 'b' word!?"

"Because he is," Clive answered. "He didn't allow us to date anyone.....well, he did but not who I.... well he didn't know that I... a-anyway! He didn't even know that I'm g-...reat. I'm great!"

"Oookay then," I said. Alder had a smirk on his face. Clive and Noel left after that, Clive's face red.

"Clive's gay for Noel," Alder said suddenly causing me to nearly choke on my drink.

"Why do you say that?" I asked, blinking. Alder sent me a wink.

"Just a feeling I have." He shrugged. I thought about it. Clive was acting strange, he'd blushed when Noel said 'we', he seemed nervous, his obvious hesitation and changing the word at the last minute

"I feel like an idiot now."

"Why?"

"He said that Rodney said you were obvious and I was completely blind to it." Alder glanced away before returning his gaze to me.

"I think Rodney must've caught me staring or blushing or something because I did NOT want you to know, I didn't want to ruin the only friendship I had. I did everything I could to try and not be obvious."

"Oh. Well anyway, let's order our food."