Brendon pulled away shortly after, eyes as wide as Ryan knew his own were. "Holy shit, I'm sorry." He said, cheeks turning red.

His cheeks actually turned red. Bad boy Brendon Urie? Apologizing for what may have been the most amazing moment of Ryan's life?

"I-it's cool." Ryan squeaked, feeling his own cheeks heat up.

Brendon smiled. "You're cool, Ryan. I really like you." He sat back, easing back into his casual demeanor. He grabbed a French fry and dunked it into his shake. "I'm glad you decided to detention ditch with me."

Ryan nodded. "I'm glad too."

They ate their fries quietly for awhile. It wasn't an uncomfortable quiet, it was just that. Quiet.

Ryan's brain whirled loudly, however. Brendon had kissed him. Brendon liked him. Brendon liked him enough to kiss him? It hadn't been a long kiss, but Ryan could practically feel his lips tingling at the thought of the kiss.

Once they finished their fries, Brendon smiled at Ryan. "Wanna lift home?"

"If you're heading my way." Ryan smiled back.

They shoved their garbage into the food bag and rose to their feet. Brendon slurped his milkshake, nodding his head to the side. "I'm parked over here." He said once his lips were off the straw.

Ryan walked beside Brendon. He drank his own milkshake quietly, fighting off the smile that wanted to consume his face.

Brendon threw the bag into the back of his truck as he walked around to the driver side. Ryan hopped into the passenger seat. Ryan continued to drink from his shake while Brendon started his truck. It was another comfortable quiet for a few minutes of the drive.

"So, why the elaborate trip?" Ryan finally broke the silence, having completely emptied his cup.

Brendon shot him a sideways glance. "Well, it gave me an opportunity to make you jump, for one."

"You ditched detention without me."

"I ditched school entirely." Brendon defended himself, "Gotta shake it up."

"Swear?" Ryan asked, grinning at Brendon.

"We'll see." Brendon said, keeping his eyes on the road but also allowing a grin on his face.

When they pulled up to Ryan's street, Brendon stopped a few houses before his stop. He grabbed hold of Ryan's wrist, making Ryan jump just slightly. "Wait."

"Yea?" Ryan turned to him. Brendon was biting his lip, seeming to be thinking something over.

"Really want me to shake it up?" He asked.

There was a mischievous look in Brendon's eye that made Ryan's heart race. "Yea." He responded without a second thought.

Brendon nodded before pulling Ryan closer and kissing him again. Ryan's heart fluttered in his chest as they kissed. This kiss was longer than the first, prompting lip movement and a closer embrace as Brendon slip his hand up to Ryan's shoulder. Ryan grabbed hold of Brendon's arm to steady himself as the kiss continued.

When they finally broke apart for air, Brendon was grinning. "Catch you later." He spoke lowly, to which Ryan could only nod.

Ryan could barely find it within himself to scoot away from Brendon and open his door. When he finally did, and his feet were planted firmly on the ground, he gave Brendon a small wave. "Bye."

Brendon winked as Ryan shut the door.

Ryan could hardly contain himself as he began walking along the street to get to his house. His heart was beating as if he had just run a marathon. He could hear the hum of Brendon's truck behind him, though it seemed distant because of the buzzing in his head after what had just happened.

Was he supposed to act cool? He felt like he could melt into a puddle. He had never felt like that after a kiss. It felt unreal.

He ducked into his house, shutting the door quickly behind him. He let out a heavy breath, now beginning to feel a bit dizzy in the dark hallway.

"Ryan!"

Ryan didn't have a chance to respond before Patrick was grabbing his wrist and pulling him up the stairs. "Patrick!?"

Patrick didn't respond until he had pulled Ryan into his room and shut the door. Ryan's head was still spinning.

"Where th-the heck were y-y-you?" Patrick asked, looking at Ryan with wide eyes.

Ryan laughed. "Where have I been at?"

Patrick looked irritated. "You didn't answer my texts."

"Texts?" Ryan questioned. It took him a moment to remember the few times his phone vibrated in his pocket. "Oh."

"Yes, Ryan. On th-th-the th-thing th-that got you detention in the f-f-first place!" Patrick said angrily.

Ryan held his hands up. "Woah, Patrick, calm down! I'm sorry, I was preoccupied."

"D-d-doing w-whatever with him?" Patrick asked, still wearing irritation on his face.

Ryan frowned. "What's your problem, dude? Yea, I was doing whatever with him. Better than doing nothing for standing up for you." The drop in Patrick's expression immediately brought regret. "Patrick-"

Patrick cut him off by grabbing something out of his pocket and throwing it on the ground. "Sorry." He spat shortly. He turned, opened the bedroom door and slipped out. The door slammed behind him.

Ryan swore, pushing his hair away from his face with his fingers. He went to follow Patrick, but stopped when he looked down at what Patrick had thrown to the ground. It was an envelope addressed to Ryan's mom with a return address from the school.

Ryan froze. The principal was supposed to send a letter about his detention. He had completely forgotten about the letter that would have completely given his lie away.

Slowly, Ryan bent down. He grabbed the envelope and turned it in his hand. It was still sealed. It didn't even look like anyone had tried to open it. Patrick must have taken the letter before Mrs. Stump or Pete could give it to his mother. Ryan stared down at the envelope.

Did Patrick steal the letter from the mailbox for him?

"Patrick!" Ryan dropped the letter and ran to the door. He pulled it open and rushed down the stairs. "Patrick!"

"He left, dude." Pete said, poking his head into the hall from the kitchen. "He looked upset. Everything alright?"

"Yea..." Ryan lied, for it a smile, "Just school stuff, you know?" That part technically wasn't a lie.

"You sure?"

"Yea, man..."

Pete frowned, but nodded. "Okay. Can you help me with the food real quick? Mrs. Stump left a recipe and I'm struggling."

"Sure." Ryan agreed, though he cast a glance to the front door. After what he said, how was he going to make this up to Patrick? At least helping Pete cook would give him time to think...