Conner watched as Erik put his phone back in his pocket, looking pale. “Everything okay?” Conner asked, wanting to reach for him. He kept his fingers tight on the book.

Erik didn’t look at him as he leaned back into the couch, outstretching his arm nearly around Conner’s shoulders. “Yeah, just spam,” he said. He seemed to snap back to reality as he met Conner's eyes, smiling. “What class do you have next?” he asked.

“Biology,” Conner said, reaching into his bag and brought out his tablet. “It sucks, they’ve moved classes to a completely different campus,” Conner sighed, looking at the time. “I should probably start making my way over, since I’m a snail now.”

Erik laughed as he stood with him, holding out his hand. “Give me your bag, I’ll walk with you.”

Conner beamed, packing up the books before handing Erik his bag. “Thanks. Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m not doing anything.” Erik swung the bag over his strong shoulder. “Think you'll need the crutches for much longer?”

Conner looked up at Erik as they exited the library. “I’m actually feeling like I’m getting some strength back in my muscles. Hopefully I can ditch them soon.”

Erik smiled. “Yeah? That’s great.”

Upon reflection, Conner wasn’t sure if he thought it was great. Even though he’d been the one to say it, he suddenly wondered why. He wished he'd thought of lying and told Erik he’d need his help for longer. 

Once Conner regained use of his leg, would he go back to just seeing Erik after class? Before the fire, Erik had spent almost every evening out with Tim, or on his computer… Now, to Conner, it felt like they were inseparable. Conner didn’t want to give it up. He wanted to tell Erik that he’d miss spending the time together…miss him.

Outside was grey and dull, dead leaves scattering over the pavement walkway. The trees that lined the path were almost bare, a crisp wind chilling Conner, catching him off guard. He hadn’t thought to bring a jacket, it had been so mild that morning.

Erik hadn’t brought a jacket either, the wind fiercely tousling his hair. He tensed, shoving his hands into his pockets as he laughed, “It’s freezing!” He grinned, hunching over against the wind.

Conner shivered, bitterly. “Maybe I should have stayed home, too.” He wished that he had. He imagined a day where he and Erik could sit at home and watch movies.

“You could tomorrow,” Erik said, a cheerful tone in his voice. He shrugged, his brown eyes somehow looking brighter as the reflected the grey clouds. “We could look into the plants you want to get.”

In that moment, Conner had never been more attracted to Erik. “Yeah,” he said, practically breathless, “maybe. If you wouldn’t mind.”

Erik grinned, his smile reaching his eyes. “Of course not. I like hanging out with you.”

‘Then how would you like dating me?’ Conner thought, and quickly pushed it to the back of his mind. “Me too,” he said quietly.

They made it to the building, and then to Conner’s classroom. They were early, the classroom still locked. They stood there, Conner awkwardly wondering what he should say or do.

Conner saw his professor down the hall, walking towards them. As they greeted each other, they unlocked the door, leaving it open. Conner and Erik walked over to a desk near the back, his professor thoroughly disinterested in them.

“I guess I better get going,” Erik said, placing Conner’s bag by his desk.

Conner sighed in disappointment, saying with air of hope, “I’ll, um, see you after school.”

Erik nodded, saying, “Yeah. I'll see you when you get back.” He stood there for a moment, looking at Conner. 

For a split second, Conner thought that Erik might make some kind of romantic gesture. He was disappointed as Erik turned silently, leaving the room with only a small wave.

Conner took his seat; his hands were fists on the desk as felt his heart betray him. Conner had assumed he’d finally discovered the key to being unphased: say nothing. Still, when it came to Erik, the absence of words had only gotten him so far. Every time Erik stepped too close, brushed his hand, smiled…it sent his heart racing. The only thing that was happening by saying nothing was that his feelings were going unchecked. Erik had done nothing to shoot him down, nothing to let him know he wasn’t interested… So, Conner, despite knowing better, kept hoping.

He though about telling Erik, but quickly turned down the idea. How could he say anything when they roomed together? What if things went badly?

Conner pulled at his hair, the heat of his blush emanating off of him. He distracted himself by organizing his tablet and textbooks as he waited for class to begin. He was surprised when he saw unfamiliar faces file into the room, wondering if he was in the right class after all.

He jumped, seeing Jannet walk in.

He waved manically at her to get her attention. Conner could see her eyes reach him, debating on whether or not she’d acknowledge him. She sighed, rolling her eyes as she walked towards Conner, taking the seat beside him.

“What are you doing here?” Conner asked, knowing they’d never had biology together before.

Jannet gave him a dissatisfied look as she said, “They’re combining classes since there aren’t enough rooms to accommodate everyone. Didn’t you get the email?”

Conner couldn’t remember, all he was aware of was the nervous feeling he had as Jannet proceeded to give him the cold shoulder. “You never answered my texts,” Conner said, his face displaying his hurt and upset.

Jannet shrugged, her voice harsh as she said, “I was busy.”

“Then let’s talk now—”

“Maybe I don’t want to talk to you.” She folded her arms across her chest, scowling at him. “And I don’t want to be 'invited' into your little boys club anyway, since you’re all dumb enough to land a week’s worth of probation”

Conner looked at her, solemnly. “Jannet, I’m sorry I lied to you.”

Her face fell from anger to disappointment. She glanced at him sadly, then averted her eyes as she said, “I thought we were friends… I don’t understand why you don’t trust me.”

Conner looked around as the classroom filled, knowing the lesson would start soon. He leaned in, whispering anxiously, “It’s not that I don’t trust you! It all happened really fast, and I wasn’t even entirely on board with it. Then we ended up getting caught and I felt so guilty about the whole thing, I didn’t want to talk about it, let alone involve you…” Conner shrugged sadly, “I’m sorry. I want to tell you everything.”

They both looked up as the professor began informing the students of the changes to their class, “Due to the science building being under reconstruction...”

Both Conner and Jannet ignored them, Jannet whispering inconspicuously. “Let’s talk after class okay? But you better tell me everything.”

Conner smiled as she squeezed his hand. He nodded, saying, “I will.”

~~~

After the class was over, Conner and Jannet sat in an alcove in the hall, pretending to study. Conner didn’t care about missing his final class. It wasn’t like him, but there was too much filling his mind for it to be crammed with useless historical dates as well.

As Jannet asked him what had happened that night, Conner kept his word. He told her everything—Anthony hacking the surveillance, how the footage had been erased, what the school had said about Charlotte, what they found in the shed—all of it.

“That's...insane." Jannet blinked at him, shaking her head slowly. For a moment Conner thought she wouldn't believe him, but she said, “So, you hurt your leg when you had to smash the window?”

Conner nodded, gulping, “Yeah, when I climbed out…”

Jannet didn't look at Conner as she muttered, “Anthony told me that Erik's really had your back...that he got into a fight with Michael Farley?” 

“Yeah...it was so stupid.” Conner held his face in his hands. “He's always helping me. After I hurt my leg he carried me home, he helps me carry my stuff... It's messing with me; how much I like him. I don't know what to do.”

Jannet put a hand on Conner's shoulder. “Do you know if he's gay?” she asked kindly, sensitive to Conner's anguish. "Or bi? Or pan, or demi, or... something? In some way interested in guys?"

“No,” Conner said, frustrated, “and I don't know how to find out without it being obvious. A few days ago I really thought he didn't care, but now...”

Jannet wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tightly. “I'm sorry I didn't answer your messages,” she said, holding him. 

Conner leaned into her, his throat feeling tight. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything sooner. Especially about Charlotte; she's your friend, you deserved to know.”

She sighed, glancing at him. “Do you think the school is telling the truth?”

Conner thought about it before shaking his head. “No. She would have messaged you. The school was going to call the police, wouldn't they have known everything before then? It just doesn't add up.”

Jannet gulped, bringing her knees to her chest. “Why is this happening?” she asked, before saying, “I think maybe we should go to the police.”

Conner agreed with Jannet, but there was something weighing on his mind. “We can’t just go with speculations. They’ll just tell us they can’t do anything about it, or that they’ll look into it. Who knows what kind of excuses the school already has up their sleeves.” Conner gritted his teeth. “What we need is proof. Not just strange symbols on the walls, or masked people, or our word. We need actual, irrefutable proof.”

"Proof?" Jannet straightened, looking at Conner with a kind of fierce determination. “Let me have a look at that surveillance footage. I have an idea...”