The Backup Boyfriend

The summer sun poured over the sprawling campus of Brookshire University, bathing the red-brick buildings in a golden glow. Students hurried across the pathways with backpacks slung over their shoulders while others lounged on the lush green lawns, enjoying the end of another exhausting semester. Laughter echoed through the air. Among the crowd were two young men who couldn't have been more different. Adrian Carter was the campus heartthrob. Standing at nearly six feet tall with chestnut-brown hair that always looked effortlessly styled, warm amber eyes, and a smile capable of making almost anyone blush, Adrian had unintentionally become the most recognizable face on campus. Girls confessed to him almost weekly. Even boys weren't shy about asking him out. Yet none of it seemed to matter. Because every lunch break, every free period, and almost every weekend, Adrian could only be found with one person. Ethan Brooks. Unlike Adrian, Ethan wasn't flashy. His black hair was always neatly combed, his glasses rested perfectly on the bridge of his nose, and his calm, intelligent demeanor made him approachable without demanding attention. He ranked first in their medical science program, volunteered at children's hospitals during weekends, and possessed the kindest smile Adrian had ever seen. If Adrian was the sunshine... Ethan was the quiet comfort of home. The two walked side by side toward the campus café. "You know," Adrian sighed dramatically, rubbing his stomach, "if I don't get food in the next five minutes, I might actually die." Ethan glanced at him without looking up from the medical journal he was reading. "You said the exact same thing two hours ago." "Because I was starving two hours ago too." "You ate." "A sandwich isn't food." Ethan finally looked up. "It literally is." Adrian threw his hands into the air. "You have no imagination." Ethan chuckled softly. "I have common sense." Adrian grinned victoriously. "I'll take that as a compliment." They reached the café and, as expected, three girls immediately approached Adrian. "Adrian!" "Can we take a picture?" "I baked cookies for you." Adrian smiled politely. "Thank you... but can I eat first?" The girls giggled before noticing Ethan standing quietly beside him. One of them frowned. "You're always with him." Another whispered loud enough for both of them to hear. "I seriously think they're dating." The group burst into laughter before walking away. Adrian rolled his eyes. "They've been saying that since first year." Ethan simply shrugged. "I stopped caring months ago." Adrian leaned closer with a mischievous smile. "So... are we dating?" Ethan looked up blankly. "No." "You answered too fast." "Because the answer is obvious." "Ouch." They both laughed before ordering their usual meals. --- An hour later... The pair sat beneath the giant oak tree overlooking the university lake. This had become their spot. Whenever life became overwhelming... Whenever exams stressed them... Whenever one of them needed to escape... They came here. Adrian stretched across the grass with his hands behind his head. "I don't want graduation." Ethan looked over. "Neither do I." "It means being an adult." "You already are an adult." "A responsible adult." Ethan laughed. "That definitely isn't you." Adrian clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me." "I'm stating facts." Silence settled comfortably between them. Neither found it awkward. That was the beauty of their friendship. They never needed words to fill every moment. After several minutes, Adrian suddenly spoke. "So..." "Hm?" "What if we're both still single at thirty?" Ethan blinked. "That's random." "I'm serious." "You? Serious?" "I have my moments." Ethan closed his notebook. "Fine." "What about it?" Adrian stared at the blue sky. "I don't know..." "What if we just marry each other?" For three long seconds... Ethan simply stared at him. Then... He laughed. Not a polite laugh. Not a quiet chuckle. A full laugh that made him wipe tears from the corners of his eyes. Adrian pouted. "You're laughing at me." "Because that is the dumbest idea you've ever had." "I've had worse." "True." Adrian sat upright. "I'm serious!" "You are absolutely not." "I am." Ethan folded his arms. "So your grand life plan is..." "If we're both lonely old men..." "We get married." Adrian pointed proudly. "Exactly!" Ethan shook his head. "That's ridiculous." "But practical." "It isn't." "It totally is." "You've lost your mind." "I think it's romantic." "It's desperate." "It's efficient." "It's insane." They stared at each other... Then both burst into laughter. Still laughing, Adrian reached into his backpack and pulled out an old notebook. He tore out a blank sheet of paper. "What are you doing?" "Making it official." Ethan sighed. "You are impossible." Adrian scribbled across the page before handing Ethan the pen. Written in messy handwriting were the words: If Adrian Carter and Ethan Brooks are both still single at thirty years old, they agree to marry each other. No backing out. Signed with terrible handwriting, Adrian Carter Adrian pushed the pen toward Ethan. "Your turn." "You actually expect me to sign this?" "Absolutely." "No." "Please?" "No." "I'll buy dinner." "No." "A whole week." Ethan hesitated. Adrian noticed immediately. "Oh... you're considering it." "I'm considering free food." "So that's a yes." Ethan sighed the sigh of someone who had already accepted defeat. "You are unbelievable." He took the pen... Signed his name beneath Adrian's... And slid the paper back. "There." Adrian's face lit up. "We have a contract!" "We have evidence that we're idiots." Adrian carefully folded the paper. "Nope." "We have a backup plan." Ethan smiled despite himself. "A backup boyfriend?" Adrian snapped his fingers. "Exactly!" Ethan shook his head, laughing. "You're impossible." "And yet..." Adrian bumped his shoulder against Ethan's. "You've never gotten rid of me." Ethan smiled softly. "I guess not." Neither of them noticed the gentle breeze carrying fallen oak leaves around them. Neither of them realized that the promise they had made as a joke... Would become the one thing capable of bringing them back to each other ten years later.