It was a Friday afternoon, and Marley’s last class of the day had been cancelled -- which was a great thing, because this weekend was also Ryder’s birthday. She’d been planning for ages the perfect gift, not bothering to think about why she was trying so hard or why it was so important that she do something special. And after weeks of planning, she’d finally gotten it right.

Jake and Ryder had given her a key to their apartment ages ago to use in emergencies, and while this wasn’t exactly one, they both had class today too. Jake had told her she could sneak in after class and and decorate for the birthday boy since he was terrible at birthdays. And with an extra hour to decorate, that meant Marley could make sure everything was perfect -- Jake’d probably be grateful that Marley had outdone herself to make up for his lack of enthusiasm.

She felt a little weird, but the apartment seemed totally dark and still, and she turned the key slowly, careful not to drop the bag of party supplies or gift-wrapped presents that were in her arms. Nudging the door open, she headed down the hallway quietly, just in case either one of them actually were home sick and napping or something. She didn’t think either of them skipped class a lot, but they weren’t as close as they all once were, and even with permission coming inside alone like this was weird.

As she tread down the hallway, she heard voices to her left, and her head snapped that direction right as she heard Ryder say, “I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now, and live in it forever.” It was morbid curiosity, really, but he’d seemed distant lately, and Marley was worried that he’d gotten back together with Marissa or something after he’d bumped into her last week. The girl had treated Ryder terribly, and she knew he deserved better -- and her cheeks blushed a little at the thought that maybe that somebody better could be her.

But it couldn’t. Marley’s eyes locked on the two figures entwined in the couch, and her jaw dropped when she realized that Ryder had been talking to Jake. She dropped the bags she was holding, staring in surprise and feeling her face grow hot with complete and total embarrassment.

“Oh my God, I’m -- I’m so sorry, Jake said you guys weren’t going to be home, I just... oh my God, I’m just going to go,” Marley squeaked awkwardly, raising her hand up to cover her eyes. “Um, there are -- presents and stuff, happy birthday, bye,” she blurted out all in one go, dashing out of the apartment before either one of them even had time to get up or say a word.

“I can’t prove anything to you, Jake! I’m just as scared about all of this as you are, okay? But... but when Ryder told me he kissed someone else, I was really scared. I thought for sure, okay, this is it. This is the end, and they both know they’re better off without me now. But then he said it was you. And suddenly everything was different. I didn’t know that this was going to happen, and I don’t know if it’ll actually work long term, but -- it its own weird way it makes sense, doesn’t it? You, me, Ryder... I’m really happy, Jake. I don’t want whatever this is to end, no matter how unconventional it might be. But the only way I’m ever going to be able to prove that is by loving you -- loving both of you -- for as long as you’ll let me.”

“Ryder... Why are you fighting me on this? You kissed Jake, and it meant something to you. I get it. I really, really get it. It’s like... suddenly everything that’s happened since I came to visit last fall, it all finally makes sense. So why are you still saying you want to be with me? I don’t want to stand in the way of you guys being happy. Maybe -- maybe I was just in the way this whole time, you know? Holding you both back, keeping you both from finding something better. If that something better’s with each other... All I ever wanted was for you both to be happy. So please -- please let me out-stubborn you? I don’t want you to feel like you have to make things work with me just because you wanted it for so long. Not everything’s worth the wait.”

[text] But I still feel so stupid for not figuring it out.

[text] I mean, when Jake said he actually bothered to make a move on a guy... Of course it was you. Who else would it have been?

[text] I know you said you guys stopped whatever it was that you were doing, but I can't just get back together with Jake now that I know.

[text] I mean, it was a crazy idea anyway, but now...

[text] I can't do that to you, Ryder. You're my friend, and you're obviously not okay with this. I won't just...steal your boyfriend?

[text] God, that sounds so weird. Was he even your boyfriend? I know he said it was just sex, but... I know you, Ry. You wouldn't just do that if it didn't mean something to you.

[text] And even if I could... It was hard enough to trust him to try the long-distance thing before. Now that I know he's living with someone he's slept with, it's just kind of too much to handle.

[text] I appreciate you trying, but... you guys don't need me making things even more complicated. Betty and Veronica grew up and don't need Archie anymore.

[text] Ryder, stop freaking out, okay? Just breathe.

[text] Jake's had sex hundreds of times, I'm sure whatever happened isn't your fault. It's not exactly like there are a lot of new things he could try that would get him injured.

[text] They'll take good care of him, and then you guys can... go back to whatever it is you're doing with each other all the time.

[text] And Ryder? You get a free pass this time because you're worried - I'm totally ignoring the proud comment, that was autocorrect's fault, you did not say that to me - but in the future? Please, please don't tell me this kind of stuff. It's not really something I wanna know about.

Ryder... No. I know breakups are hard, but eating your feelings isn't going to make you feel better. It's just going to make you want to throw up the next time you go to football practice, and besides, if you spend all your money on chocolate, how are you going to be able to afford to come back home for Thanksgiving and see your fav- um, see me, I mean?