Tuesday

Milan had expected some likes on his picture, but the post had blown up over night, and people he didn’t even know had started tagging Lennox in the comments, showering him with love for supporting Milan in his tough times. None of them had any idea what Milan had actually meant with the post, but it didn’t matter.

People weren’t making jokes about Lennox. They were actually greeting him in the hallway when Milan watched him walk through school, visibly unsure on how to behave.

“You kicked him up the ladder of popularity,” Jacob muttered in his ear, also staring at Lennox as he shuffled towards his locker, not too far away from Milan’s locker.

“He deserves it.”

“I know,” Jacob nodded, agreeing since Milan had explained why he spent time with someone who was practically a stranger instead of calling him for support. Jake too thought Lennox had only been helping him out until Milan explained more about the situation.

Most days—since his accident—he hated being popular and known because he didn’t want any attention. But on days like that, on which he could help someone else by radiating some of his popularity onto them, he really didn’t mind.

Once an influencer, apparently always an influencer.

Milan smiled when Lennox looked over his shoulder and their eyes met, only to get distracted again by people who said hi. Milan couldn’t help but frown. One had to be really lonely to not be used to simple greetings. He couldn’t imagine what it was like.

“Ready for lunch?”

“Yeah, hold on, I’m gonna ask him to sit with us. He’s way too out of place right now.” Milan chuckled, pushing his backpack into Jacob’s hands before crossing the hallway.

“Lennox?” Milan said, causing the guy to jump in his spot and search for him. “Yesterday was fun.”

“Uh, yeah!” Lennox eagerly nodded, smiling brightly at him. “It was. But you didn’t have to post that picture though.”

“I kinda had to,” Milan replied with a shrug. “I’m back in public and people kinda expect me to keep them updated on what I’m doing. Anyway, we’re heading to the lunchroom. Wanna join?”

“You want me to join you for lunch?”

“Why wouldn’t I? We had fun, right?”

Lennox took in a deep breath, shuffling his foot nervously. “I know what you’re doing. But you don’t have to do this. I’m fine by myself and I know I’m not likeable, so it’s fine.”

“Dude, shut up,” Milan grumbled in reply, silently cursing whoever had damaged Lennox’ self-esteem to such a degree he felt like he was unlikable. “If I wouldn’t like hanging out, I wouldn’t invite you to hang out. Are you coming, or not?”

Lennox remained silent a few seconds, before he quickly nodded his head, slammed his locker shut, and followed him back to Jacob for a quick introduction. But Lennox had caused him to overthink his own actions. Why exactly was he trying to help a guy he really didn’t know, and he really hadn’t like all too much at first. It wasn’t like he disliked Lennox, but he hadn’t enjoyed his company either. So, was he simply inviting Lennox to hang out of pity? In other words: would he have done the same if he hadn’t known about Lennox’ private issues?

Or the fact Lennox’ issues were his biggest fear once he would gather the guts to tell people he wasn’t straight.

Was he doing damage control, long before trouble started? Was he trying to set an example on how to treat a guy who just came out and was shunt out by his parents?

Was it because Lennox was cute, and seeing him sad had broken his heart even though he had no idea what was going on?

Or was it simply because he always tried to be as nice and kind to people as possible? It was in his nature to be caring and polite. It was how he was raised; treat people the way you want to be treated.

Milan tried to shake the thoughts off when they had taken a seat with his friends, and Lennox was properly introduced to all of them. Evert was quick to discover Lennox’ love for games, and quickly took up all the guys attention by discussing Minecraft, when Cara moved seats to sit next to him, leaning closer with a small smile on her face.

“New friend?”

“Yeah.”

Cara chuckled, nudging him playfully. “Friend, or?” she whispered.

“Shut up,” Milan seethed, “nobody knows, remember.”

Cara simply nodded, but she was sending him a look to tell him she was onto him. Even though he had no idea what she was on to. Cara knew his type, and Lennox wasn’t it. No matter how handsome the guy was with his light blond hair and his fair skin. No matter how deep his blue eyes were, and how cute the dimple was whenever he was genuinely smiling at someone.

“Anyway, I think it’s cool,” Cara said casually, leaning back in her chair, “As a girl I am aware of all the gossip, and his reputation was nowhere to be found because Ben Welsh ruined it.”

“What do you mean?” Milan frowned, looking at Lennox, who was currently invested in something Evert was showing him on his phone.

“Bro, you do realize he’s Ben’s ex, right?” Jacob said, leaning in closer as well, keeping an eye on Lennox in the meantime.

“He’s what now?” Milan chocked on his breath, suddenly very aware of his own secret sexuality, and the fact they were discussing a gay relationship with Jacob acting all calm and cool about it.

“They broke up months ago. It’s why he transferred schools. Ben gave him a hard time. Really, I didn’t like the guy before because as your girlfriend I simply couldn’t like your biggest rival. No matter how cute he looks. But when I heard the gossip about them? Any respect I had left went down the drain. Ben is toxic.”

Jacob nodded in agreement.

“I didn’t know. I bumped into Lennox after therapy and he looked like he could use some cheering up, so we hung out. We had fun, that’s the story.”

“That’s all cool,” Cara said, still acting as if she didn’t believe him when he said there wasn’t any alternate motive for his actions. But who was he kidding? He himself had no idea why he was so invested in cheering Lennox up; so why would they believe him?

“Anyway, Lan, are we still good for today?” Jacob asked, apparently deciding their conversation was over after Cara’s statement. And Milan didn’t mind. His head was spinning with thoughts, mainly about his own motives, but about Ben as well. Though they had never exchanged words, Milan had been under the impression Ben was similar to him; cheerful, outgoing, nice to others. It was a main part of his crush. He actually realized he was into the guy when he had watched Ben goofing around with two children on the mountain, who had asked him for tips.

Ben seemed kind, but now he found out he was part of the reason Lennox was in a shitty situation at school. And it hadn’t even been solely in his old school. Ben’s influence on others spread wider and had reached their school too, apparently.