It’s been two months since we moved. The novelty wears off and slowly turns into everyday life. I got used to the school, the teachers, the work. I am back on track academically. I stopped being amazed whenever I realize that I have friends and just accepted that I got very lucky when the school assigned Lena to be my guide.

Life at home is still not what it used to be, but it’s getting better. Or so I think.

Over all, I’d say that I am getting used to the move. I don’t think about the past that much. When I do, I take the pills. I don’t want to rely on them, but I must admit that they are a nice safety net when I want to stop thinking.

Lena’s art project now proudly hangs on my wall. She also took mine, but I’m not sure what she’s done with it. I have not been to her house yet.

Twice a week or so, I get coffee after school with Lena and Austin. Sometimes, other people join us, but it’s mostly just us three. From time to time, Noah and Emma come too. At first, I thought he came because she was there, but he sometimes accompanied us on his own without her. I guess Lena was right: Emma really did join the group for him.

I know that Noah has the reputation to be a player, and people always enigmatically mention homecoming to support that. Since I still have no idea what happened, I’m really starting to get curious, but I also don’t see the player in him. His relationship with Emma seems established. On both sides. However, I have seen her act a bit insecure once or twice. She might be paying too much attention to reputation and rumors.

Actually, Noah doesn’t just have a reputation as a player. He is also depicted as a bad boy. I really can’t see that either. I know it’s a smaller town compared to where I came from, so the standards might be different, but… Sure, he is a free spirit; he’s not one hundred percent reliable and his school attendance isn't the best. But that doesn’t make anyone anything other than a teenager, does it?

It leads me to wonder if, maybe, there isn’t more about Noah that I don’t know. Things that his friends would know because they grew up together.

Austin, however, completely deserves his baseball reputation. Granted, I’m not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to sports, but I have seen him at practice a couple of times and he is by far the best each time. Lena says that I think that because I’m focusing on him since he’s my friend, and that I should at least wait for an actual game before making up my mind.

Matt and I used to go to basketball games at my old school. We’ve also been to one or two lacrosse games, but I don’t remember ever going to a baseball game. This will be another milestone in my life, I guess. Plus, I know that Austin likes it when we watch him play, and I already promised that I would be there. I'll make up my mind then.

“Hey, Will?”

I freeze on my chair and look up to Noah. My stomach flutters slightly when my eyes meet his. It’s been doing that a while, lately. My crush might be getting a bit out of hand, but it’s not like I’m fooling myself. He has a girlfriend. That means that he is straight, and that he is taken. Two rock-solid reasons why I can’t have him. I know where I stand.

“Yeah?”

“Have you finished your English essay?” Noah asks.

“Nearly. I still have to write the conclusion. You?”

“I haven’t started.”

“Noah, it’s due tomorrow.”

“I know, I… I’m a bit stuck.” He looks very embarrassed. “Do you think you could help me out?”

“Me?”

“Yeah… I haven’t handed out the last two essays on time, so I really need to do this one if I don’t want to have to do it in detention. And usually, I ask Lena for help, but she’s actually a terrible tutor. So… I thought I’d ask someone else.”

“Why me?” I know that I sound like a broken record, but I don’t understand why he’s coming to me for this, especially when he seems uncomfortable with it.

Noah shrugs. “I don’t know. You had a decent grade on your last essay.”

He doesn’t seem to even consider the possibility of his girlfriend for help. While I understand that he might be embarrassed, isn’t his girlfriend supposed to be the one who he can truly be himself around, regardless of the good or bad?

“Yes, we can work after school. They’re renovating the library, but we can go to my place. Or I can come to your house.”

“No, let’s go to yours. But… I’m not really good at English.” It seems very important to him that I keep my expectations down. As if he’s afraid to let me down somehow.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got some good tips that never failed me before.”

He gently smiles, grateful when I haven’t even done anything yet.

When we get to my house after school, it seems my mother has been baking something. The house smells heavenly. I hate it immediately.

We enter the living room as she dusts the pictures. Again.

“How was school?” she asks without even glancing at us.

“Fine. Mom, this is Noah. We have homework to do.”

My mother turns around, and she smiles at him. It pierces my heart straight away. For the first time in forever, her smile looks genuine. It reaches her eyes.

“Are you the baseball player?” she asks.

“No, ma’am. I’m afraid I am not the sporty kind,” Noah responds.

“Oh, don’t worry, it’s not like Will is either.” Thanks, Mom.

Noah gives me an amused smile.

“That means that we have something in common other than eating lunch then,” he replies.