Autumn's POV

After lunch, Andy dropped us all off at the school parking. The guys exchanged their numbers with mine before leaving. Ray and I made a ran for the car, as it was still pouring. I threw my guitar into the trunk and made a mad dash for the door and hopped in, shivering.

"So... You like Mikey?" Ray asked, starting the car.

"What?! I-er-he-um..... Yes?" I stuttered reluctantly, picking at my finger nails.

"Yes! I knew it! You guys are gonna grow old and raise cats together! You're both so perfect for each other!" Ray cheered, pulling out if the parking lot.

"Wait- How did you know? Since when were you a psychic?! I demanded.

"It's not rocket science, Autumn. I can tell just from the way you look at him that you're in love. Was it love at first sight?" He asked, tapping his calloused fingers against the wheel.

"I don't know... I think so, maybe. Please don't tell him!" I pleaded, clasping my hands together.

"I won't say anything, my lips are sealed." He said, winking at me.

I giggled. "Thanks, bro. You're the best!"

"Yeah, I know..." He said, blushing lightly.

It was an awkward drive home, nobody really said anything after that. As soon as we pulled into the driveway, I awkwardly clambered out of the car and ran to grab my new instrument out of the trunk before heading into our apartment.

I settled into the couch as Ray went to change into some sweatpants. I pulled the guitar carefully out of its case and set it down next to me on the couch. I pulled out my phone and began to set up a facetime thing with Bert. As it began to ring, I propped it up on the stack of magazines so that he would be able to see me clearly. When his face finally appeared, I felt a wave of happiness wash over me.

Same long, greasy black hair. Same old Misfits tee and tattered sweatpants.

Yep. Same old Bert.

"Hi!" I smiled the widest, happiest, most genuine smile ever.

The smile was quickly returned. "Holy crap! I almost forgot what you looked like!" He yelled excitedly.

I rolled my eyes and giggled. "Right back at ya! Guess what I got today!!! Guess!" I squealed girlishly.

"Umm.... I dunno, a life? Just kidding. I have no idea." He shrugged.

I pulled the guitar into view, smiling proudly. "My new friend Mikey helped me pay for it."

"Mikey? Who's he? Did he replace me?" He asked, pretending to be offended.

I smiled and laughed. "No one could ever replace you! You're special!"

We both giggled awkwardly until all that was left was silence. He quickly decided to break it, though.

"How does it sound?" He asked, referring to the guitar.

"Amazing! It's a Gibson, so yeah, it's really good."

"Can I hear something?" He asked.

"Sure. Any requests?"

He thought for a short while. "The Only Exception? I love that song, and you're really good at it."

I blushed, nodding. I put my fingers in their proper places on fretboard and began to strum.

"When I was younger I saw my daddy cry and curse at the wind.
He broke his own heart and I watched as he tried to reassemble it.
And my mama swore that she would never let herself forget.
And that was the day that I promised I'd never sing of love if it does not exist.
Well darling you, are, the Only Exception.
You, are, the Only Exception.
You, are, the Only Exception.
Well you, are, the Only Exception."

I stopped and looked up, only to find my best friend in tears.

"Bert?! What's wrong?!" I demanded, wishing I could pull him into a hug.

He smiled, quickly wiping his tears away.

"Nothing, it's just... I miss you a lot, that's all. You were kinda my only friend." He whispered sadly, with that fake smile still on his face.

"I miss you too! We'll see each other in like, three weeks! That's not long!" I said, trying to comfort him.

He sniffed. "Alright. I love you, ok? I gotta go now, my dad's drunk, and you know how he is."

Wait a minute... He said 'I love you,' didn't he? He probably meant it in a friendly or brotherly way... Right? I love him right back... As a friend. Very strictly as a friend.

"I, uh, I love you too. I'll text you soon, ok?"

"Ok. Bye." He smiled through his tears before hanging up.

Notes

Uh-oh, I smell a love triangle!