“Wow this is actually good!” Miguel commented on the apples, peanut butter, and cheese.

“Bitch, don’t you trust me?” Eric laughed.

“Hmm… Nope!” Miguel teased, pretending to consider. He continued to give a goofy smile and did a shoulder shimmy, “Okay, let’s study!”

“Oh my nerd!” Eric paused, then gathered his courage to ask, “So Miguel, remember how earlier today Jordan talked to you?” (Ep15 Confession Time) When Miguel nodded he continued, “Well, I know she confessed, how did you reply? If you don’t want to tell me that’s okay...”

“She did confess, but I told her that given my orientation I can not like her, and that she does not deserve a one-sided relationship. In reality, I am still figuring out my romantic orientation but she is pushy and doesn’t really take other’s feelings into the equation… damn! Now I feel like it’s mean to say that!”

Eric didn’t know how to reply so he just shimmied his shoulders, and said “Study time?”

**

“Okay, I am going to boogie, I assume you want me to drive you back to the school so you can get your car?”

“I am okay, I will have one of my parents drive me to school so I can get it then.”

“Alright, good night!” Miguel said, waving to Eric.

Eric just rolled his eyes, wrapping his arms around Miguel’s torso, drawing him in for a hug. After a few milliseconds Miguel brought his arms around Eric’s shoulders, embracing the hug. Eric looked to the side, blushing, “Have a good night, Miguel.”

They both pulled apart, blushes all around. Migue; chuckled, nervous, but at the same time comfortable, “You just had to top my good night and wave, huh?”

“Well duh! I must always be better!”

Miguel rolled his eyes, gave Eric a moment long, second hug. “See you tomorrow, Eric,” as he walked out the door.

“Bye,” Eric said, turning his face away from the door.

For the following week, Miguel and Eric studied after school every night, always at Eric’s house. After the first few days Miguel started dining with Eric’s family. One such evening was the 28th, (3 days until reveil) he got home rather late.

He was not surprised to see his dad wasn’t home. Even though he had eaten with Eric, Miguel prepared dinner. After he made pesto chicken breasts he put them in a warming container. He checked the time, midnight. He rushed into his room and pretended to be asleep.

“Miguel?” He heard a slurred voice shout, “Miguel?”

The voice continued, “Miguel, get your fucking ass out here.”

Miguel thought to himself ‘Shit, it is him.’ Miguel rushed out, “Coming, Alex!”

“Bastard, you better be!”

Miguel ran to the living room and stood at attention. “Alex, can I do anything for you?”

“You bet your ass you can, cause your lazy ass needs to support it’s fucking self. When I was your age Tom and I took care of our fucking self. You dumb ass peice of shit!”

“Sir, I am sorry, I will try and do better, you won’t catch me slacking again!” Miguel had heard this all before, and usually knew how to defuse the situation.

“You piece of shit, we both know you won’t do shit, you are a burden onto us, and you need to be taught a fucking lesson you litttle liar!”

Miguel felt a wave of panic wash over him, Alex had never gone this far before.

“Get your fucking ass over here so I can teach how you should fucking treat your fucking betters, you fucking twat.”

“Alex? Can I speak to Tom?”

“No, you fucker you just want to get away like he always lets you, besides you dumb shit, that is not how we fucking word. You can deal with mother fucking me, you dumb shit, you need to be fucking taught a fucking lesson.”