Page 55 of Praise You

"Noah!" I yell, smiling when his soft chuckle comes on the line. "How are you?"

"I'm good. Really good, actually."

"Hell yeah. I miss you."

"I miss you, too," he says with a sigh. Noah has been with his parents since the start of winter break and I've missed him like crazy. We've still talked here and there, but it hasn't been the same to not have him here. "How have you been?"

"I really have been good." I admit. Even though it sucked not having him here, there are other aspects of my life that have been amazingly good.

"Oh, yeah? Tell me."

"I met someone."

"You did?" he squeals loudly then continues. "Who? Do I know them?"

"Uh, you kinda do." Ripping off the Band-Aid, I say, "It's Oliver. Oliver Carson."

"Oliver? Carson? Why does that name sound so familiar?" He pauses before another screech hits my ears. "Professor Carson? That Oliver Carson?"

"Shhhh," I tell him, as if he was in the room and someone could hear him. "But yes, him."

"Wow. I go away for a few months and I miss all the juicy things. How long has this been going on?"

"A few months?" I tell him, lying back down on my pillow.

"Months? Why didn’t you tell me?" I can hear the pout in his voice and I smile, missing him even more.

"You've had other things to deal with," I say softly, not wanting to draw too much attention to why he went home.

His sigh comes before his words. "Yeah, I guess so. Okay, tell me about him."

"We started talking a few months ago, and we made it official a little while ago. Noah, he's amazing." I gush. "He's perfect for me, the way we click together. He gets me like no one else has ever gotten me." He huffs and I quickly add, "Besides you. But I can't date you," I joke.

"Yeah, that would be too weird. But damn, Ronan, I'm happy for you. I really am. And I can't wait to see you guys together. I haven't seen you with a boyfriend before, so I'm kind of excited about that. I'll have to get used to not calling him ‘Professor,’ though."

"So, uh, speaking of seeing us together. Are you planning to come back anytime soon?" I ask cautiously.

"Actually, yes, if I have some help." His voice perks up, and I can tell he's excited about something.

"What do you mean, have some help?"

"Well, I wanted to surprise everyone and come to graduation. But I was hoping you could come pick me up from the airport."

"Yes, of course," I rush out, a grin overtaking my face. "You know I would do anything for you."

"Thanks. I haven't told anyone yet. I really want to surprise Asher. He has no idea I'm even thinking about doing this or coming back yet."

"He's going to love it," I say, knowing it's the absolute truth. Asher has been missing Noah like crazy, and I know he's going to be so emotional to see Noah is back. "Just let me know what you need from me and I'm there."

"Thanks, Ronan," he says quietly. "Now, tell me more about Oliver and what's going on with you and him."

"Well, we went out of town a few weeks ago and it was a ton of fun. We hiked and even went to a farmers market."

"Ooh, I know how much you love those."

"I know, it was a great time. Apparently, the literature department is having a fundraiser coming up in the next week. Oliver has been invited since he's a professor. And then Dean Grey invited the students who are currently in the literature program. So, I'll be going to that. It's going to be weird as hell, but I'm kind of excited?" I question, not knowing whether I'm excited about the actual event itself or more about being able to see Oliver in a suit.

"I'm sure you'll have a great time. And this will do great things for your future. Are you going with Oliver?" He asks, causing me to sigh.

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