Like in the cafeteria, Eli experienced the brunt of Cameron’s anger. The hands on his waist tightened like vices, and Eli suppressed a pained breath. What the hell was up with these guys?

David was standing uncomfortably in the doorway. “The bell for class has gone.”

“So fuck off then” Cameron snarled. Even though it wasn’t directed at him, his tone made Eli flinch. David didn’t seem bothered by it in the least. They both looked as though they were preparing for a fight.

“Cameron.” Eli winced, “Your hurting me.”

Cameron’s head snapped back to him, and his gaze fell downwards. His grip relaxed immediately. “Sorry.” Despite his grip relaxing, his demeanour didn’t.

Eli’s thoughts cooled down enough to be rational again. He couldn’t be involved in a fight at school, and he couldn’t blemish his attendance either. David, Eli determined, didn’t want them to be left alone together. Cameron disagreed and was ready to explode. Eli could see the boiling rage from the night of the party rising to the surface.

“Cameron.” Eli said softly, he didn’t want to draw that anger onto himself, “Let’s go” Cameron’s glower turned on him. Eli had to swallow down the fear that spring up, especially given their proximity. He ignored the warning his mind was yelling at him and leaned in, hoping Cameron let him. He did, though remained tensed up. “We’re just going to keep getting interrupted anyway,” Eli spoke quietly into his ear, “the mood‘s gone now too so let’s just get to class.”

It was a couple moments before Cameron let out a sigh. “You go on ahead.”

Eli bit his lip. It was what he wanted, but he didn’t need to guess to know what would happen when he left. “Why don’t you come with me?”

“Relax,” Cameron cupped his cheek, “I’ll leave him mostly intact.”

“Cameron.” Eli groaned, dodging his kiss as he leaned in and giving his chest a shove. Cameron, surprisingly, let him down from the counter. He didn’t seem tense, or like he was about to kill someone, but his mood a moment ago had changed in a split second.

Cameron could clearly see his unrest, but did nothing to dissuade it. “Off you go” he shooed him out of the bathroom. David stepped aside, and Eli caught the look of ice Cameron shot at him. Outside, Cameron slung his arm over his shoulder and pulled him back a step. “Eli,” he said softly against his ear, “Don’t be scared of me.”

With that he turned on his heel and went back inside. Eli hesitated, but turned his back and rushed to class. He straightened his clothes and hair on the way there and arrived only five minutes late. The ‘I got lost’ excuse worked. Sinclair had his bag lying next to his chair, and her gaze burned a hole in him as he passed the class in silence. Not a word the teacher said went in.

“Do you know what he said?” Sinclair spoke the moment the bell went, “Keep David here for me. Keep David here for me.” She scoffed, “The gall of him! We’ve only been broken up a few days, and he’s got the nerve to ask me for favours.”

Eli scooped up his bag and followed her as she stormed out of the classroom. It wasn’t real anger though, he could tell.

“Your welcome, by the way.” Sinclair cast a wry look behind her shoulder. “For helping with that little rendezvous.”

Eli cleared his throat. “Thanks.” He wasn’t sure if he was really thankful or not.

“I don’t know why David would go that far to interfere.” Sinclair stopped walking. “It’s odd, don’t you think?”

“It’s definitely weird.” Eli agreed wholeheartedly. “Really, really weird.” He stopped walking too. “Now that I think about it…”

“Now that you think about what?”

“I kind of think that might be what the fight the night of the party was about.” Eli said aloud, “Is it crazy to think that? I mean, Oliver was the one who came in and threw Cameron on the ground and then he was the one telling Cameron to calm down?”

Sinclair tilted her head and had on a thoughtful expression. “I wouldn’t dismiss the idea. I just can’t fathom why they’d disapprove of you to that degree. Hm…” She looked him up and down as if seeking at a reason. “Maybe Noah said something to them?”

“No way.” Eli dismissed the idea, but there wasn’t anything he could think of that made sense. “I don’t know.”

“So,” Sinclair turned to him as they sat down for class. It was art, so they could talk at the back. “Are you two dating now?”

“No,” Eli said immediately, “that was just…” He didn’t know what that was.

“Physical.” Sinclair finished for him. “I get it, he’s hot. It’s why I dated him. Also, why I wasn’t really upset that it ended. It didn’t mean anything.”

Eli processed her words. If he saw someone with Cameron in a bed… yeah, it wouldn’t really upset him. They weren’t dating; it wasn’t like he was emotionally connected to him. He was just attracted. “I’m not going to over think it.”

“And is it going to happen again?”

Eli didn’t have an answer for her. Sinclair, for once, didn’t push for one. Rather than think about it, he focused on class.

*

Eli’s stomach was growling as he made his way to Noah’s locker. He was leaning against it, speaking with Kaylen. He looked relaxed, his blue eyes crinkled in amusement in the corners and he had a small smile playing on his lips. Eli stopped walking, struck by the thought that he shouldn’t interrupt them. Kaylen turned around, settling her eyes on him. Immediately she beamed.

“Eli!” She greeted happily, “There you are you!”

Eli pretended not to notice the way Noah scowled at him as he walked over. “You were expecting me?”

Kaylen nodded, “Miss Davis gave us the list of people coming to the tutoring after school today, I saw yours on it.”

Noah frowned. “You signed up for tutoring?”

“Yeah,” Eli gripped his bag-strap, and shifted so he was facing Noah. “My grades aren’t the best and I can’t even manage the homework, so I need it.”

“Humph." Kaylen crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at Noah, “The straight-A student can’t spare a few minutes to help his little brother?”

Noah’s back straightened. “If he asked then of course I’d help.”

Kaylen’s disapproving look dissolved into a grin. “of course you’d help.”

Eli felt like he’d be getting help whether he’d wanted it or not. He glanced at the time. “I can come back later if you two are busy flirting?”

Kaylen and Noah flinched, looking at him with wide eyes. Guilty, wide eyes. Kaylen turned crimson. “We’re talking, you brat.”

Noah’s cheeks were a similar colour.

Eli bit his lip to stop a smile. Oh. That’s why Noah had been so mad the other night. It was Kaylen’s flirty comment he didn’t like.

Noah cleared his throat. “I’ll pick you up after.”

“Actually, I was going to hang out with Sinclair for a bit afterword, I’ll be able to find my own way back.”

Noah nodded. “Okay, but give me a call if you get stuck.”

Eli relaxed. Noah apparently didn’t hate him as much as he’d thought. Even if he was only saying it to show off for Kaylen, Eli didn’t want to spoil the mood by pointing out they didn’t have each other’s numbers.

“We’d better get going.” Kaylen looped her arm through Eli’s, and he felt the good mood disappear when Noah’s face fell. “See you later, Noah”