/Fun fact: this chapter is exactly 669 words ;)/

The kitchen was on fire, and it wasn't Ryan's fault for once in his life.

If we're getting into specifics, it's technically Buddy's fault for tripping Ryan and making him spill grease all over the stove. The grease had gotten everywhere, and now the entire stove was burning.

Ryan was panicking, to say the least. What was he supposed to do in this situation? Does he call the fire department? Does he save his dog? How was he supposed to explain this to his mom? 

And who the fuck is calling at this time?

Ryan hesitated to answer his phone, as he was pretty sure he shouldn't leave the fire burning.

He fanned the fire with a dish towel, frowning as he saw the flames flicker slightly.  Ryan then ran towards his phone on the couch (as quickly as he could) and answered the call.

"Hello? Who's- who's this?" Ryan then made a dash back to the kitchen, pulling the greasy pan off the stove. He felt a sense of dread rise up in him as the flames only grew.

"Ryan? Ryan, this is Bryce. Did you not look at the caller ID?" Bryce's cheery voice came through the phone, followed by a little laugh.

"No, I'm kinda busy at the moment. Hey, any chance you know how to stop fires? Specifically fires that are caused by grease?" Ryan was quickly beginning to prepare for the worst, backing away and preparing to run.

"Is that what that noise is? Ryan, just turn off the stove. Do you have baking soda? Pour some baking soda on the fire." Bryce, though speaking normally, sounded like nothing short of an angel in that moment.

Ryan followed Bryce's instructions, and to his delight, the flames quickly died. He sighed in relief, sitting on the floor. "Fuck, Bryce. You're a lifesaver, holy shit.  I was getting ready to run." Ryan laughed tiredly into the phone, smiling a bit when he heard Bryce laugh too.

"So, Bryce, what did you call for?"

"Well, I was gonna ask if you've seen Jonathan today, but never mind. He just texted me a few seconds ago. Did he text you, too or- oh, wait, I take it back. It says not to tell anyone." Bryce gave a small, breathy laugh, then continued. "It's a secret."

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on, Brycey! We're friends, aren't we? It doesn't count if you tell you friend."

"No, Ryan. Those are best friends that you're thinking of. It doesn't count if you tell your best friend." Bryce giggled giddily, Ryan laughing along with him.

"Then I'm your new best friend, Bryce. Congratulations. Now please tell me what Delirious wanted?" Ryan tapped his fingers on the floor, watching Buddy chase his own tail.

"It's nothing special, I mean. He just asked to meet me downtown tonight, around midnight. At some hotel, actually." Bryce must've had one of his cats near him, because he was barely audible over the sound of purring.

"Oh. Well, I'm going too because I don't trust either of you two downtown alone. Delirious isn't very trustworthy on his own at night, and you're new to town."

Bryce giggles again. "That's okay. Do you need a ride?"

The front door is being unlocked, and Ryan realizes with horror that he still has to explain the fucked up kitchen to his mother. "Nah, I'll show up at your house. I'll be there about eleven, okay? Bye!" Ryan quickly hangs up, feeling his stomach churn as his mother comes into the kitchen, giving a horrified gasp at the sight.

Ryan, believe it or not, did indeed get in trouble for burning the stove and ruining a pan. So he spent the next few hours hiding in his room, mindlessly waiting for the time when he would leave to go to Bryce's place.

Ryan was weirdly excited for tonight. He really, really was. The only thing that made him think, though, was why.

Why was he so excited to see Bryce?