He's going to follow the girls to California.

My parents were surprised, but not upset. By some measures, Stanford was the superior school, especially for computer engineering, which looked like an up-and-coming field. I didn't mention Talia in my sales pitch.

I decided that I would tell Talia face to face, on the last Saturday before she had to leave for orientation. This was the hardest part of the summer. One by one, my friends started to leave. Stephanie was gone first. Her school in Seattle started early. Corrine and Simon were still in town, but were too busy for any sort of last get together. Amy begged off, and Elizabeth had a family event. It killed me that I wasn't going to get to see all of them, one last time.

Talia and Rachel and I met at Rachel's for a bonfire. We set up a hammock, and the three of us cozied into it. He had some beers, reminisced. For the first time, we were too depressed for any sort of sexual chemistry. Talia held Rachel close, and our talk started wandering.

We talked about that party a year ago, how shy I'd been. How Talia had embarrassed herself, and sworn off weed forever. We cursed the name of Steve, and toasted the health of Corrine, who'd brought us together. We talked about that amazing time at the cabin, about Rachel loaning out Talia the few times she did. We laughed about my catching Talia masturbating that one time, and about prom night. It all seemed so absurd, totally unreal, and impossible with Talia.

"Hey," I interjected, "I just wanted to let you know that...I love you guys."

Talia answered, "Aw! We love you too, buddy."

"No, I mean it. I love you both. Rachel, I love how good you are for Talia. I love how generous you are, how unselfish in love. And Talia, well, I love you. Pure and simple. Since you came into my life, every moment has been exciting. I don't want that to end. I, uh, I transferred schools."

"What?" Genuine shock from both girls, in unison.

"Yeah. I'm gonna go to Stanford and study computer science. I checked. It's like...two hours from Berkeley. I might be able to see you every so often."

There was a moment of silence that nearly cut my heart in two. Had I gone to far? Was this creepy? Intrusive? I stared at the sky and waited for an answer.

"That's awesome!" Rachel exclaimed. "I've gotten used to you, you hairy monster. Besides, who else could I entrust to satisfy my bisexual beauties urges? It'll be great having you in Cali."

Talia spoke next, softer and more tenderly than I had ever known her to. "Ian, I'm touched. We mean that much to you?" We turned toward each other, and kissed. Talia turned away, and kissed Rachel too.

Then we stared up at the stars.

I thought of how brave I'd become, all thanks to Talia, to Amy, to Elizabeth, Stephanie, Corrine...my bosom buddies.