ALL THROUGH OUT THE REST OF LUNCH Beau mind was preoccupied with the pamphlet hidden all the way at the bottom of his bag. It would be a lie if he wasn't interested but he didn't know if he was worth trying his hand at art again. The thought of his own art being part of such a big competition made him nauseous.

Jaslene had noticed his pensive mood but left him to his thoughts. She knew that when he was ready to talk he would talk to her. It was their way of giving him space and time to process his thoughts and feeling without overwhelming him.

He didn't want to talk about it yet - if not ever. He was done thinking about it and pushed the chaotic thoughts all the way to the back of his mind, he could think about it again when the time comes. So he tried to talk simple and calmer things with his friends and after school made his way home to complete his list long of homework. He was able to get help from his teachers so he doesn't get too behind in his classes. He was grateful for the distraction and grateful to his teacher for the extra work he needed to catch up. He didn't want to fail this school year; it's the last year before he tackles college.

One week passed quickly and with him not having to go to work, he could actually focus on his schoolwork and catch up with his peers. It left quite a few teachers satisfied with his progress. Most understood his circumstances and were very understanding; still they were pleased to see him do well during pop quizzes and tests.

Beau was at home alone with his trusted guard dog, Toto by his side in the kitchen watching him cook. It was lunch time; he made something easy yet nutritious to eat while he studied. The cooking book opened next to him with a recipe he was trying to cook with soft jazz music coming from his phone speakers.

Aunt May was still at work and would probably not be home until the next day. It was a nice change of pace to be home instead of rushing to work and getting home late. He knew it was unhealthy but this job helped him a lot since he didn't want to put pressure on his aunt to pay for his needs more than she already was.

He swayed to the beat of the song, feeling more relaxed than he has been in weeks. Perhaps this is what he needed to be more like himself again. Turning off the stove he plated his share and the rest was put away to cool down. He'll put it in the fridge later. Taking everything he needed to the table, he sat down and ate together with Toto to accompany him.

Later that evening Beau was in his room on his laptop working on the last bit of schoolwork. He sighed relieved once he typed in the last words of the essay. He mailed it to his history teacher and turned off his laptop.

Toto whined, he was lying on his lap sleeping. Beau smiled looking down at the sleeping dog even though his legs grew numb from not moving for a while. Toto's been at his side since he started studying not leaving besides going out to pee or when he was distracted by an animal outside the window.

"I know." He mumbled to the sleeping dog. "I'm hungry too." He yawned stretching his arms out; he glanced at the alarm clock on his bedside table. It was already late and he was hungry. He sighed leaning back into his desk chair.

Looking down to Toto he picked him up putting him in his dog bed and quietly went downstairs. The house was quiet but Beau had gotten used to the silence. He moved to the kitchen turning the lights on and started pulling out some ingredients to cook. He remembered then that he cooked some food and there still some left in the fridge. Putting everything back he grabbed the leftovers from the fridge heating it up in the microwave.

Humming quietly to himself, he played with his phone waiting for the microwave to finish heating up his dinner. he cooked his phone chimed. Absentmindedly he opened the text with some difficulty with the broken screen. Sliding the lock screen the text opened and it was from an unknown number making Beau frown.

Hi! It's Luca. How are you doing?

At first Beau didn't comprehend who it was not until he read the message again. He quickly put down the plates he grabbed and held the phone up properly taking a better look at the text. It was Luca, the puppy-like tall blond from a week ago.

The microwave beeped indicating that his food was done. Plating his share and putting the rest in the fridge for his aunt to find, he then went back to his room. Sitting down on his bed, he then picked his phone again and stared at the message. He took his time answering.

Hi Luca. I'm doing okay over here.
How are you?
Not running people over I presume?

Beau smiled at his joke and put down his phone and started eating. He was hungry and the smell was alluring him. Toto woke up as soon as, he heard Beau return. The dog was sitting up on the bed with his tail wagging excited. It eyed his food but didn't jump on him, he knew better.

Feeding the dog some of the less seasoned meats and vegetables, he finished his meal feeling better and full. Toto went back to sleeping after eating his share. Beau picked up his phone seeing he had a new message.

Thankfully I didn't run anyone else over.
I'm good 2
Glad you're okay.
How's your phone?

Beau glanced at the still cracked screen and scratches on the back. He didn't want to tell Luca he didn't do anything about the phone besides cleaning it and making sure it still worked.

Haha my phone's okay
don’t worry :)

Beau and Luca ended up chatting for a while. They talked about anything that came to mind such as school, hobbies and friends. When Luca texted, he said he goes to the same university as Mylo, Beau mind went wild; he was jealous but also curious. He did think Luca would be a student studying nearby but not at the same university.

Beau had to force himself to not think about his crush and yet that didn't work. It made him think about the Asian beauty even more. He didn't work for almost a week and it made him miss the chance to see the beauty again not that he would've talked to him not after what he did. He got along with Luca; surprisingly they have a lot in common. They chatted for a while more before Luca told him he had to go.

The weekend came and he was relieved to not need to go to school and Jaslene and James invited him out on Saturday. They wanted to hang out since everyone was free. His aunt went to visit her friends so after doing his chores and feeding Toto, he went out meeting his friends at their usual hangout spot. They would meet up at the mall and there was this really nice restaurant they like to eat at. And bonus it was cheap.

Opening the door of the restaurant, Beau immediately spotted his friends sat their usual table. The duo was conversing about something and bursting out laughing, Beau took a moment to watch them fondly. Jaslene was the first to notice him. She waved excitedly at him making him grinning shaking his head.

"B, you’re here!" James pulled him next to him by his shoulders. Their table was already filled with food, mostly James side of the table. "Hey, J. How was your date?"

James had the second date on Friday with Maelle. Although James tried to not show how nervous he was his friends could tell by his babbling and double checking. Jaslene almost hit him a few times to stop him from talking. Beau knew it would be amazing and fun night for the soon-to-be couple but James was still nervous on Friday.

Jaslene rolled her eyes and let out a groan. "Do not get him started. He will not stop." James pulled out his tongue at her and they laughed. James sighed blissfully. "B, it was the best date ever. Maelle wore this really nice jeans and I just couldn't stop staring." Cue to Jaslene rolling her eyes and making barfing faces making Beau grin.

"I took her to this nice place by the beach and we ate at the restaurant that sells really good seafood." James ignored the girl's exaggerated expressions and went on with his story. "She loved it, B. We took a walk on the beach and she kissed me." James face was flushed red. Beau smiled happy for his best friend.

"How are you though, B?" James asked him, after cooling down a bit. James ate his fries. They had ordered their food. Beau got his favorite from the restaurant. Beau and Jaslene ordered from the healthier part of the menu. Beau looked up from his own food mouthful. He looked at James confused.

"What do you mean? I'm fine." Beau responded after gulping down his food. Jaslene pinched his cheek from across the table in annoyance. He hissed but didn't pull away.

"We’re asking about your crush. You panicked last week and then was a mess the whole time about it. Better now?" Jaslene clarified James question. James nodded looking at his friend. The male was briefed about what happened after he hanged up their call last week and they both witnessed the curly haired male's anxiety for the past week. The trio had quality time together the past week and they managed to some extent help him blow away the bad thoughts.

"Oh." Beau put down his veggie burger. "Yes, I am a bit calmer, I guess." He looked from one friend to the other. They were there for him and put up with his panic attacks and he's very grateful for his friends. "Still feel off not working but I needed the rest."

Jaslene sighed in relief and James pulled him in a hug. "Happy to hear, B."  James said. The trio spent the rest of their time talking and joking around together. They ate as much as they could and then had ice cream as dessert.

"Holy shit, look." Jaslene eyes widened at something behind James and Beau. Turning their heads, their eyes caught what Jaslene was looking at. Beau own eyes widened at the man he wasn't expecting to see at his and his friends hang out spot.

Mylo and a group of he presume – friends sitting and talking. Mylo, his crush for almost a year was in his favorite spot to spent time in. The place he never thought he would see Mylo at.  His eyes lingered on Mylo figure, staring at him from head to toe. The Asian beauty was sitting in a very visible spot, the sight of him alone made Beau speechless. The beauty had the most captivating appearance than he ever seen him.

The see through black long sleeve shirt on his body made Beau's mouth dry. Beau eyes lingered more so when the man stretched and he saw some more of his clothes. He averted his eyes feeling like a pervert staring at the man with such thoughts.

From the looks he received from his friends he knew his reaction was caught by the duo. He sank in his seat groaning, his friends looking at him with similar smirks.

Could he really stop himself from crushing on the man? The thought alone made his heart ache and the sight of the man alone made him longing for the man. He never had felt this strongly for someone before. It was all new to him.

Glancing back at the Asian beauty, Beau knew deep down he wouldn't be able to stop - not now.