What If It's Us

Ben empathizes with Arthur feeling like a third wheel now that his best friends are dating. Dylan calls, inviting himself and Samantha to Arthur’s. When Dylan steps into the kitchen with a birthday cake that Ben asked him to pick up, Ben asks what happened. Dylan admits that he told Samantha, “I love you,” and was worried Samantha would “freak out,” which caused his heart rate to spike. Namrata and Juliet arrive to check in on Ben, and they stay to sing “Happy Birthday” before going to their party. Ben thinks about how Arthur deserves a birthday party. Eventually, the three couples discuss what it’s like to date friends, and Ben admits that without dating Hudson, he never would’ve met Arthur, so he can’t regret dating Hudson.

When they go to bed, Ben tells Arthur he wrote him into his novel. He explains that even Hudson thought he should send Arthur the story, and Arthur thinks Dylan and Ben should try reconnecting with Hudson and Harriett. Arthur settles in to read the story, and Ben says, “I love you.” Arthur returns it.

Dylan wakes Arthur and Ben to get recommendations for donuts. Ben ends up going with Samantha and Dylan. Arthur goes to sit with Jessie and Ethan, alone with them for the first time this summer. They apologize for not telling Arthur sooner, and Arthur says he was acting weird. Arthur suggests they should have a do-over, and he tells his friends again that he is gay. They’re confused at first but eventually reply that they’re dating. Arthur responds enthusiastically.

Later, after Ethan and Jessie leave, Ben and Arthur are finally alone. They start to talk about what happens next. They aren’t sure. Ben tells Arthur he’ll be right back, and just then, Mara calls. Then, Ben comes out of Arthur’s room in his boxers. Arthur quickly ends the call with his mom. Arthur finds that Ben has decorated his room with heart stickers and tea lights and says that he loves everything in the room.

Ben and Arthur have sex and, afterward, feel like they don’t need a do-over.

On Monday, Ben texts his group chat with Harriett, Hudson, and Dylan, asking to meet after class. He also thinks about his final exam, which is the next day. He and Arthur are going to study the next day and need to talk about what happens next.

Dylan, Harriett, Hudson, and Ben meet at a coffee shop. Harriett admits that she was worried about Dylan and felt like she couldn’t come to the hospital because of what happened. Dylan apologizes. They all agree to a do-over with their friendship. Harriett and Dylan step away. Hudson apologizes for trying to kiss Ben, admitting that he thinks they’re better friends than boyfriends. Ben finally gives Hudson the box of his items. The four have a group hug, and Ben knows it’s a little forced, but it’s good that they’re giving it another chance as friends.

Arthur doesn’t want to go home. Lying in Ben’s bed, he helps Ben study for his exam amid some flirting and kissing. Arthur also says that he’s been thinking about applying to school in New York. Ben says that he shouldn’t plan his life around him. Arthur holds up an index card that says, “What about US” (403). Ben admits that he thinks they should break up. He says he’s scared and doesn’t want to break Arthur’s heart. They have one more day, and Arthur says he’s really happy the universe pushed them together. Then, Ben replies, “We made us happen” (405).

The next day—Arthur’s final morning in New York—Ben wakes him with a FaceTime to say that he is kidnapping Arthur and tells him to text him from the subway. Arthur thinks about how everyone is going about their lives when his is about to change.

Ben texts him more directions, which leads Arthur to work. He is given an envelope and told to find all four. The next one is at Dream & Bean, where he finds Namrata and Juliet, who point at the bulletin board where Arthur hung the poster looking for Ben. Juliet also shows him a picture of a rat. They say goodbye.

He takes a cab to the karaoke bar, where he finds Dylan and Samantha. There are also identical twins who reveal that Ben posted a Missed Connection to find them since they had been there the day Ben and Arthur met. He also discovers they lived with Namrata’s boyfriend.

Having collected all four envelopes, Arthur reads the message from Ben, which tells him he deserves a grand gesture and that he loves them. The twins finally bring Arthur to the post office, where he and Ben met.

Arthur hugs Ben, thanking him for what he’s done. He says that he wishes he could time travel to the beginning of the summer to get his name on the first day they met, but Ben says it means more because of everything they did. Ben gives Arthur a “best friend box” (414). It has memories from that summer. Together, they ship the box to Arthur’s home. They take a selfie and walk to Ben’s school for his exam.

When they arrive, Ben expresses that he isn’t ready and would try to stay together if he thought they could beat the odds in a long-distance relationship. They agree to keep in touch and kiss one last time. Both are crying.

Arthur leaves, sending him the picture they took in the post office as he does. Ben wonders what the universe has planned.