Ceyden had offered to drive Atticus and Riya to school, and Atticus couldn’t tell if the deciding factor was that Daniel would be on the bus, or if it was because Riya and Ceyden were officially mates now.

Either way, Atticus happily accepted the lift, and couldn’t stop smiling because Riya couldn’t stop smiling, and every time he caught her and Ceyden grinning at each other, it made his heart ache in a good way.

He wanted nothing more than his two favourite people’s happiness, and if they were able to find that in each other, then Atticus had absolutely no objections.

When they reached the school, Atticus grinned at them, before getting out first. He was pretty certain the other two would have a make-out session before Ceyden left, and he was not going to third-wheel his brother and best friend.

As it was Monday once again, Atticus had maths first. With the boy who didn’t care, and the teacher who cared even less. “Can’t wait,” he grumbled as he sat at the front this time. Only people who really cared about the lesson sat that close to the teacher, so hopefully he’d have someone actually willing to talk to him.

And sure enough, a boy with lovely handwriting and extensive notes sat next to him. Perfect, Atticus thought. He definitely seems like a nerd too, so hopefully we’ll get on.

After introducing himself, the boy did the same - his name was James, and he seemed like a studious and sweet guy. He and Atticus immediately hit it off, and realised they shared a lot of the same classes, deciding to sit together for them as well.

James introduced Atticus to his other friends at break time, and he decided he’d sit with his friends in his own year for break, and then his best friend’s group at lunch.

Eventually the lunch break arrived, and Daniel still had made no move. They shared a few lessons, but Atticus made sure to sit at the very front with James or one of his other new friends, and Daniel took a seat at the very back.

“Good, seems like he’s ignoring me,” he whispered to himself as the lunch bell rang. Atticus waited outside his class; Riya was adamant that she came to find him, for which he was very grateful.

A few minutes later, she jumped into his arms, still on cloud nine after the morning. Atticus grinned back at her, and she grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers together as they always did, and led him towards the canteen.

“Um, don’t you think Ceyden would mind if you hold hands with me?” Riya glanced back at him, smiling. “We talked a long time ago about what he and I are happy with, and neither of us minds, so, you’re stuck holding my hand forever unless your mate hates it.”

Atticus grinned widely, and before he knew it, they’d arrived at a large table in the centre of the canteen. As soon as Atticus laid eyes on the group, he knew he’d been very wrong to call them ‘weird’. Even he could tell that these were the popular kids.

Yet, unexpectedly, they all looked at him with kind eyes and warm smiles. Riya had told him that she’d explained that he was back in school today, and would be joining them for lunch. Apparently she hadn’t even needed to say his leg was alright now, they’d just been happy that he was alright.

Glancing around at all the faces, Atticus’s eyes landed on a pair of deep blue eyes. Shit on my dick, Mr Eye-Candy is friends with Riya?! He quickly rearranged his thoughts, peeling his gaze from the other man’s.

“Ok, so I’ll introduce everyone, and then I have one last teeny bit of news to give everyone,” Riya explained as Atticus let go of her hand, grinning at her. Notably, everyone seemed surprised at how happy Atticus looked - like they’d been expecting some poor dishevelled kid with a broken leg, not the attractive young man with a radiant smile.

Well, Atticus was both, but at this exact moment in time, he was feeling very happy.

Riya introduced everyone, and Atticus was certain he’d forget everyone’s names instantly, but he remembered Amy, as she was the only other girl in the entire group made up of muscular men. He also remembered Freddie, as he was holding Amy’s hand.

And finally, he definitely wasn’t forgetting the hot guy with blue eyes’ name anytime soon. Not when Riya reached him last, and Atticus was forced to catch his gaze again.

“And this, is Blake.”

Atticus smiled awkwardly, and then his smile dropped. “I’m sorry what?” They all looked at him, and Riya nudged his shoulder. “That’s Blake. Why do you look weird?”

Atticus whipped up a fake smile, brushing Riya’s question off. “Nothing. It’s really nice to meet you all,” he said, smiling a little more realistically when he looked at everyone - they were all being so kind and enthusiastic to meet him.

Riya kept shooting him weird looks throughout the break as she explained to her friends that she and Ceyden were an official couple, whilst Atticus avoided her gaze - Blake was sitting right next to her, and he looked almost…sad? He’d been smiling when Riya introduced him, but when Atticus had an internal freak-out session, the other boy had started to look sad and disappointed.

Atticus was sitting next to a boy named Ralf, and the two happily made conversation throughout the break. He also found himself easily able to talk to Amy - she was sweet and a good listener as well as talker, so she made for a very balanced conversation partner.

As soon as the break ended, Riya grabbed his arm, practically dragging him from his seat. “Bye guys! See you later!”

“Riya, we literally have the same class, why are you going in that direction?” Blake asked, pointing to the door they needed to get through for chemistry. Riya shooed him off, saying she had to ask Atticus something.

Once he was out of sight, Riya turned on him. “Spill it.” Atticus wasn’t going to beat around the bush about this, he was as confused as she was. “Blake. That’s the name I heard in my dream.”

Riya looked a little shocked, but not as surprised as she should have been. Oh, she probably had an inkling after all, Atticus contemplated. “Oh shit,” she breathed out.

“Yep.”

“Yeah. Wow. Ok. He’s hot though, right?”

Atticus broke out laughing, nodding furiously. “Oh my God yes he’s really fucking hot, I actually kind of hope it is him, and not some random other Blake.”

Riya smiled enthusiastically. “I hope so too. He’s a really sweet guy. Plus I did always get a gay vibe from him, I guess I was right.” The two laughed again, before they dashed in opposite directions for their next lessons.