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New York's phone rang, and when he looked to see who it was, California glanced at it too. "Illinois?" he said, baffled. "Why is Illinois calling you?"
York shrugged and- to California's surprise- answered the call. He was definitely more of a texter than a caller. Sometimes he didn't even answer California's calls, and they'd been dating for almost two years. So why did he answer Illinois? Out of curiosity, California leaned a little closer to eavesdrop.
"Hey, loser!" a cheery voice said from the other line. "How are you enjoying the second best Thanksgiving parade in the nation?"
"Still better than the year you took me to see yours," York said.
"Ope, but you took me to see yours once too, so I know that's a lie."
York checked his watch- 11:18. "You just got out?"
"Yup, on the road now."
"Calling and driving? How very non Midwestern of you."
"Calling? How very non New York of you."
"You're the one who called me."
"No, yeah. I shouldn't've. The background noise from your end is crazy right now. Who's with ya?"
"Just California."
"Say hi to him for me."
York glanced at California. "No need, he's eavesdropping."
"Hi, Cali!"
"Don't call him that."
"Fine."
"Best part of yours?"
"Well, helium balloons are back, so that's something."
"You always loved the helium balloons. How old are you, six? Half of the balloons are of Dr. Suess characters."
"Don't you dare disrespect Dr. Suess!"
York smiled. "Ok, man."
"How about you? What was the best part of yours?"
"Mine's still going on. I'll text you in an hour to let you know."
"Alright. I've gotta go, I'm about to turn onto the highway and Minnie just told me to get off the phone because he doesn't like it when I call and drive."
"Minnesota? Is he with you?"
"No, but he texted me. He always knows when I'm doing it. No idea how. Call me later."
"Yeah, I'll text you."
Illinois laughed. "Sure. Bye!"
York hung up and put his phone back in his pocket.
California blinked a few times, then said, "I didn't know you were friends with Illinois."
York shrugged. "It's more of a seasonal acquaintanceship than anything. He always wants to tell me how the second best Thanksgiving parade, the one in Chicago, went."
"Huh." California turned to watch the parade still going on in front of them. "I think I saw the Chicago parade once."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, it was-!" He stopped, reconsidered, and cleared his throat. "It was… not as good as yours."
York nodded. "Yeah, I know." He reached for California's hand and squeezed it. "You should try telling Illy that, though."
California raised his eyebrows. "Illy?"
"Not my nickname. The Midwest called him that first."
"And you went with it?" He smiled. "And for a seasonal acquaintance?"
York sighed. "Ok, fine." He glanced around, as if making sure no one was listening. "He's a good friend. But don't tell him I said that."
California shrugged. He'd long since given up on trying to understand the various adversarial friendships among the states. It was incredible how blurred the lines were between enemies and friends. York not wanting Illinois to know that he thought of Illinois as a good friend was far from the weirdest relationship in the statehouse.
California squeezed York's hand back, and they both turned their attention back to the parade.