Lukas hadn’t seen Tate once all day. Then again, he wasn’t looking for him. He was too preoccupied with the fact that something could be wrong with his mom. He started to fear the worse.

The bell rang, announcing the end of the period. Which meant Lukas had fifteen minutes to change for P.E. Lukas reached for his bag, placing it on his desk. He opened it and thrust his hand inside, going to the bottom. He frowned when he didn’t feel the fabric of his gym clothes. He opened his bag wider, looking in it. It had his books, pencil case, water bottle, and a brown bag with his lunch. But no clothes.

“Why haven’t you changed yet?” Charlie walked back into the classroom after changing in the bathroom.

“I can’t find my gym clothes.”

“What?” Charlie went over to him and helped him look in his bag. “Are you sure you brought them?”

“Yeah.” Lukas nodded as he looked through his bag again. “I remember packing them last night.”

“Do you think someone took them?”

“I’m starting to think so.” Lukas sighed as he closed his bag.

“How many times is that?”

“Three in two months.”

“I think you should tell a teacher.”

“What are they gonna do?”

Lukas sat back down. He knew of only one person who could’ve done that. Josh. He was the only one who continuously bullied Lukas from the moment he entered high school. But the problem with that theory was that Josh was not in their class. And if it were him, Lukas would be able to find them easily. They would be in the usual spots; toilet bowl, garbage. These last few times felt different. He couldn't find his clothes anywhere.

"Hey, Lukas." Alec walked into the room.

"Hey, Alec." Lukas smiled when he saw him. "Are you feeling better?"

"Um..." Alec frowned. "I'll get back to you on that." Lukas nodded. Alec pulled Lukas's key out of his pocket and handed it back to him. "Thanks."

"No problem."

“I’m sorry I didn’t give it back to you yesterday.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I always have an extra set on me.”

"Hi, Charlie." Alec glanced at Charlie, who was staring at them.

"Hi, Alec."

There wasn’t much conversation going on between them. Charlie was thankful that Alec had Lukas’ back, but he couldn't completely trust him for some reason.

“What’s going on?”

“Someone stole Lukas’ gym clothes again.”

“Really?” Alec looked at him.

“Yeah.”

Alec looked worried. He usually was when it came to Lukas.

“I have an extra pair if you need it. It’ll be a little bit big, though.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I don’t have practice today.”

“Thanks.”

Alec left the room to get the clothes. Charlie went ahead to class to tell the teacher Lukas would be late. Lukas leaned his head against his desk. Problem after problem seemed to be showing up. He didn't seem to be catching a break.

“Lukas?” Mr. Keaton was standing in front of his desk. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah.” Lukas nodded.

“I want you to know. If you’re having problems, you can tell me.”

Lukas liked Mr. Keaton. He was a good teacher. Always willing to help, but Lukas was also wary of him. He couldn't pinpoint it, but he always felt a chill whenever they were alone together. It was like there was a shift in his personality. Mr. Keaton took a step towards him. That chilling feeling started to run down Lukas’s back, leaving him cold.

“Thanks. But I’ll be okay.”

“Here, Lukas.” Alec came back into the room. “Oh. Hi Mr. Keaton.”

“I didn’t know you guys were friends.”

Lukas saw it. In that brief moment. The shift. There was a rage in Mr. Keaton’s eyes, which made Lukas even more uncomfortable.

“We are.” Lukas smiled as he took the clothes from Alec. “Thanks for the offer, Mr. Keaton. I have to go. I’m already late.”

Mr. Keaton nodded, and he left the room.

“Are you okay?” Alec asked him.

“Yeah. Um… Thanks for the clothes.”

“No problem.”

Lukas walked out of the classroom with Alec next to him. He headed to the bathroom to change and parted ways there. Before Lukas entered, he looked around. He was anxious all over again.

“Are you going to move, or are you just gonna stand in the way?”

Lukas turned his head. Tate was standing in the bathroom, waiting to leave.

“Sorry.” Lukas pushed himself up against the wall, giving Tate enough space to leave. “You can go.”

Tate pushed past, brushing against Lukas lightly as he walked off. Lukas watched him leave. He remembered Tate's rules. They really wouldn't talk to each other at school. Lukas sighed and went to change.