Finally, Gabriel finds Oliver alone in the hallway. This was it, what he's been waiting for. Previously, he could raise his voice in a room full of people; surely, he could talk straight with a single person.

Of course, it's easier said than done, and in the meantime, Gabriel chooses to continue to pace back and forth in his section of the hall.

It is quiet in the halls; most students either in clubs or well on their way home. As Gabriel opens the locker door, it whines in protest, impossibly loud. The click of his footsteps sounds like the knocks on a door. His mind rehearses an introduction, and none seemed adequate. The thought is only muddled by the possibility that Oliver will leave before he gets his chance. Then, by true procrastinator fashion, Gabriel decides to check the notification on his phone instead.

On the other end of the hallway, Oliver fiddles with the lock on his shelf.

Not that he was concerned, but he's noticed the skinny fella eye him for the past week. After Gabriel ran away when he approached Oliver and his friends, he didn't quite know how to ask Gabriel either.

Although it is only minor discomfort at worst, Oliver is agitated and, well, curious.

After he had to pull Jonan off of Gabriel in the hospital, the incident continued to ponder in his mind. He had never seen Jonan harm someone, much less pin someone to the ground. What could Gabriel have possibly done? He remembers seeing Gabriel lingering near Jonan's locker before his accident, often taking a breath as if to speak, only to close his mouth and turn away.

Debating whether or not to talk first, he pretends to be organizing his things, putting things into his locker, and then taking them out again.

He waits for Gabriel to speak first. When he does not, Oliver says, "Hey," and throws the rest of his things into the cubicle. He didn't want to be the person to initiate the conversation if it was Gabriel who wanted to tell him something, but he also couldn't reassemble his folders forever.

Gabriel is surprised at Oliver's sudden greeting. "Hi," he manages to respond.

"So...is there something you want to say?" Oliver leans to his side, arms folded.

Gabriel falls into a small panic, trying to process his thoughts, but the words wouldn't come. "I... well, um, er, well, you see..."

"If you have something to say, just say it."

"Do you regret what you said?" Gabriel realizes this was an awfully vague comment, but Oliver stands straight, surprised.

"How did you know?" His voice is low, then he winces at the memory. "Jonan told you?"

"No, but..." Gabriel realizes he can't entirely explain the notebook to him and tries to find an excuse. "Well, I overheard you, and then things happened and then--,"

"Enough, I get it." Oliver hushes him, having an urge to get this over with. "What is it you want?"

"I," Gabriel hesitates, choosing his words carefully, "I just want you to talk to Jonan again. I know he's been ignoring you, but it's not your fault."

"Of course, it's my fault."

"No--"

He shakes his head. "Why do you care anyway? You're not Jonan's friend..."

"I-I made a mistake. I kept something important away from him."

"Was that what he was yelling about? What did you know?"

Gabriel primmed his lips, not sure how to continue.

Oliver slams the locker door shut. "Tell me." Anger fringe his words.

There is a long pause. "I can't," Gabriel says at last.

Then Oliver punches him.

The back of Gabriel's head hits the ground first. A blow lands on his cheek and another on his lips. Gabriel tastes blood. The ceiling lights blur, and his mind seems to boil as he tries to register what just happened.

Oliver looks down at him sick--at Gabriel for his cowardice...and on himself for acting on his anger.

He pivots on his heel to leave.

Hearing Oliver's footsteps, Gabriel forces himself to rise. He can still feel the thump of his pulse through his parted lips.

"Don't go."

Oliver stops, but doesn't turn around. "Why?"

"If let you continue blaming yourself and leave Jonan because of it, everything's going to get worse, and," he inhales sharply. "I don't want this to happen."

"You're not a psychic. How do you know anything will ever get better?"

"I'm don't."

"You think I don't want to? But how could I after I said..."

"You can fix this, we can fix this, but you have to try. I'm going to visit Jonan next week," he raises his phone with a message. "Will you come?" he glances at Oliver's face, trying to find any hope of confirmation.

Oliver doesn't want to believe that Gabriel had known something all along. He is still skeptical. But he also senses that this might be his last chance to talk with Jonan.

"I'll... I'll think about it." He says at last.