Ryan slept on the couch that night. He had fallen asleep during his mother's whispered stories. It was a comfortable sleep that Ryan woke up from feeling refreshed in a way that he hadn't in ages... Even with waking up at six in the morning.

His mother rested in her chair. Her blanket was tucked up to her shoulders and her breaths were soft as a whisper. As gently as he could, Ryan slid his hand out of hers and got up from the couch. He kissed his mother's forehead and made his way to the illumated kitchen.

"Morning, Ryan." Pete smiled, rubbing an eye as Ryan walked into the kitchen.

"Hey, morning." Ryan yawned. He had heard Pete moving around before he fell completely asleep. It seemed that some time during the night, Pete had made breakfast by the smell in the air.

"Pancakes." Pete confirmed, "Hope your a fan."

Ryan grinned. "Hell yea I am." He grabbed a plate from one of the kitchen cabinets, catching his own scent as he reached. He definitely needed to shower before leaving for school. He hadn't even changed out of his clothes from the previous day. Good thing he was awake so early. "Thank you for breakfast."

"No problem." Pete smiled as he slid a spatula under two of the pancakes to lift and place on Ryan's plate. "Figured you'd like something other than school food today."

Ryan nodded. He grabbed syrup from the counter and popped the lid up. He was in the process of drowning his breakfast when Pete spoke again.

"Does Patrick like pancakes? He usually comes over with Mrs. Stump to catch the bus with you, right?"

Ryan nodded again. "Patrick is definitely a fan of pancakes. He'll love this."

Pete raised an eyebrow. "If you leave any syrup."

Ryan laughed, but quickly turned the bottle right side up.

He practically shoveled the breakfast into his mouth. It was so good, especially considering he hadn't eaten last night. "Are you a pancake wizard or something?"

Pete laughed as Ryan rinsed the plate in the sink. "I'll count it as one of my skills."

"You should." Ryan set his plate in the sink and hurried across the kitchen, "Thanks again!" He rushed up the stairs to take a shower and get ready. By the time he was done, he could hear Patrick and his mother downstairs.

Ryan's hair was still damp as he hopped down the stairs. Patrick was in the hallway, poking at mostly finished pancakes while talking to Pete. Ryan could hear Mrs. Stump talking to his mother.

"Morning, sunshine." Ryan grinned. He brought his hand up to shake through his damp hair.

Patrick nearly dropped his plate as he jumped at the sound of Ryan's voice. Pete, however, kept the plate from tipping out of Patrick's hands.

"Th-thanks Pete..." The strawberry blond muttered, looking down at his plate. "Hey, R-Ry."

"I'll take your plate so you're not late for the bus." Pete said. Patrick smiled, passing it to him. "Have a nice day, guys!"

"You too." Ryan waved as he shouldered his backpack. Patrick just waved, muttering something Ryan couldn't hear, before hurrying to the front door. He even slipped outside before Ryan.

"Nervous much?" Ryan asked as he shut the front door.

Patrick didn't say anything. He instead pulled up the pastel purple hood on his sweater. He had paired it with a pair of pink pants and his black shoes.

"Pete's a pancake king, eh?" Ryan nudged his friend with his elbow in an attempt to get some kind of reaction. "You seemed to be enjoying them... Or maybe just him?"

Patrick pulled the strings on the hood to tighten his field of vision.

"Aw, c'mon, Patrick!" Ryan frowned, "Don't shut me out. Talk to me! Promise I won't tease you."

Patrick turned to him and raised an eyebrow.

Ryan rubbed his arm. "Okay... I'll only tease a little bit, swear."

Patrick sighed. "King of the pancakes." He finally said, letting a small smile tug at his lips.

"Got you a man that can cook." Ryan winked before adding a quickened skip in his step.

"Ryan!" Patrick cried out.

Ryan stopped at the bus stop, still laughing as Patrick ran up beside him. Patrick punched Ryan's arm. "I haven't got anyone."

The bus pulled up. The boys climbed up the steps and chose a spot not far from the front. Patrick took the window seat while Ryan sat against the isle.

"You seem to have someone." Patrick noted as the bus began to move again.

"Oh?"

Patrick turned to Ryan with a small smirk. "You came in late again?"

"You were talking to Pete about me?"

"He mentioned it when he talked about making the pancakes." Patrick shrugged, "You're avoiding the question, though."

Ryan crossed his arms and looked at the back of the seat in front of them. Should he tell Patrick what Brendon had taken him to do the previous day? Knowing Patrick, he'd probably have a heart attack. "Brendon snuck me out of detention again."

Patrick bit his lip. That alone clearly made him nervous, Ryan could tell. He made a mental note to definitely not go into detail about what he and Brendon had done.

"I had a good time." Ryan tried instead.

"You're gunna get in trouble." Patrick whispered, slowly, clearly trying to keep his stutter in check.

"I'll handle it." Ryan insisted, "Have some faith in your friend." He wrapped his arm around Patrick and squeezed.

Patrick smiled, though it was a weak one. "I do."

Ryan smiled too. He was glad Patrick cared. It was nice to have that angel on his shoulder. However, his heart was tugging more and more towards the new devil on his shoulder...

---

Brendon wasn't there when Mr. Howell took attendance.

Ryan tried not to notice. He tried not to feel disappointed when the dark haired boy didn't occupy the seat next to him. He tried not to wonder where he was...

"Ryan, my dude."

Ryan was pulled out of his failed thought avoidance. Ashley was sitting backwards in the seat in front of him with a grin on her face. When she saw she had his attention, she grinned wider.

"Hey! Care for a cult classic meal of shakes and fries?" She asked with the slightest tilt of her head.

"Oh... Uhh..." Ryan wasn't exactly feeling up to it. He had been looking forward to another adventure with Brendon. His mood had gone from excitement to bummed with the boy's absence.

"Just say yes." She winked, "You'll like what happens. Plus, Tyler's buying."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. Ashley just continued to smile. Had Brendon planned something? Had he already snuck out for whatever he had in plan for the day?

"C'mon!" Ashley encouraged in a whisper, "Don't wanna just be a detention devotee, do ya?"

Ryan thought for a moment. The angel Patrick on his shoulder was jumping up and down, urging him to stay and wait out his sentence. The devil Brendon, however, flicked his tail and nodded. Uncertainty. Adventure. Excitement. Why not?

"I'm in." Ryan replied, flashing a huge grin.