At the end of the day, Jebediah waited at the entrance of the school gates, leaning back against the walls with his arms folded. Jebediah raised his head then, seeing Tamara walking past him. Their eyes met, and she smiled at him, but did not pause in her steps. She continued on her way.

‘Hey there are you are’ Carl said suddenly appearing from around the corner.

‘Oh hey’ Jebediah straightened up, unfolding his arms. ‘Its really good to see you.’

‘Is it? Do you miss me when I’m gone?’

‘Of course I do’ Jebediah frowned at him. ‘Why would you say that?’

‘No reason’ Carl replied, ‘its just you can be a little cold sometimes.’

‘And you can be a little clingy.’

Carl tilted his head, rolling his eyes.

‘Lets just go’ Jebediah said to him. ‘I want to have you alone.’

Jebediah began to walk then, side by side with Carl as they made their way.

They walked in silence, and after a time when they were seemingly alone, Carl reached out to him.

Jebediah’s eyes widened slightly, feeling Carl take him gently by the hand.

Jebediah did not react, he did not squeeze Carl’s hand back, but he did not pull away either.

They reached the home, and saw that Jebediah’s mother was already outside and waiting for them by the car.

‘I hope your family know you’ll be away’ Jebediah said turning to him.

‘Yes’ Carl replied. ‘I mean…. they’ll be fine. I don’t always tell them when I go out, and they don’t worry.’

‘Well’ Jebediah chuckled, ‘you’re perfectly safe with me.’

Carl smiled back at that.

‘Is there anything else you want to bring?’ Jebediah’s mother asked them both.

‘No’ Jebediah replied. ‘I think we’re both ok’ he said, glancing towards Carl, who nodded in agreement.

‘I have food in the car’ his mother said. ‘Are you ready to go now?’

Jebediah just stared at Carl silently with a smile.

‘Yeah sure’ Carl smiled back. ‘I’m excited now.’

Carl and Jebediah got in the car, sitting side by side at the back, Jebediah’s mother got in the drivers seat, and turned the engine on, pulling away from the drive.

‘It’s going to be a long drive’ Jebediah said to Carl.

‘That’s ok’ Carl smiled. ‘I’m happy as long as I’m with you.’

Jebediah smiled back at that.

Carl shuffled closer to Jebediah, leaning into him and resting his head against Jebediah’s shoulder.

‘I love you’ Carl whispered, speaking quietly so that only he could hear.

Jebediah raised his head, caressing Carl for a moment, before letting his hand fall, and looking back out towards the window. The world beyond was flashing by.