"So when you went to get your phone yesterday, I was thinking about a load of stuff and I was staring at the grass when Justin came over and asked why I was in his spot, I told him that you had brought me there and he didn't really believe me. We argued a bit and then he threatened me and Lucy heard it, I do not know how she knew but she started insulting him in my defence and that is what you heard. I felt so bad but I didn't think you'd believe what I said so I didn't even try to explain but then today I found the twins and I thought if they believed me then you might at least hear me out."

Jake listened attentively, bit his lip thoughtfully and nodded to show he was listening,

"I am really sorry for what she said and I hope you can forgive me for not explaining straight away." Ethan finished and held his breath as Jake thought about it, Jake looked at the twins who nodded together

"Well, innocent until proven guilty as someone famous famously said. I forgive you Ethan,"

Ethan couldn't help grinning, "Really? You believe me? I am really sorry I didn't just explain yesterday, I just didn't know what to do or say."

Jake put a hand on his shoulder "It's ok Ethan, I'll speak to Justin, he needs to not get so jealous, although it's sweet he worries" Jake said thoughtfully and then he smiled "I'm glad you told me"

A teacher called them over "First class is cancelled due to a staffing issue but don't leave the school grounds" he said gruffly then walked away. Then without any further conversation, the four of them headed to the tree. Nate and Jacie sat along the roots on the left side of the tree and Ethan sat on the right while Jake chose the middle.

"Who is your favourite singer Ethan?" he demanded

"Easily Boy George"

"What do you think of P!nk?" Jacie inquired,

"She's awesome" Jake interrupted before Ethan could share his opinion; he then looked at Ethan and smiled apologetically.

"I think she is awesome too," Ethan agreed.

"Have you seen any new movies recently?" Jake asked,

Ethan shook his head sadly, "I don't like going alone and my family doesn't like cinemas,"

Nate pretended to faint "How dare they not like cinemas!" he said in mock outrage, which made them all laugh. "But seriously," he said, "Why don't they like cinemas?"

Ethan grimaced but he knew that he couldn't avoid answering, "They like bragging about the fact they have money, so instead of going to the cinemas they just buy copies before it's even released and watch it before anyone else has. Everything they do has to be better than everyone else and they wouldn't be caught dead in a line" He waited a moment to let them think about it "I don't approve of it, I hate that they act all entitled" he explained.

"Hey, so what's with the giant house?" Jacie said softly,

"Uh, I don't really know," Ethan said with a shrug "The same kind of thing I guess. My father only told us about it a couple of months ago and he pretended that he told us all together but I know my mum already knew"

"That would have cost heaps though wouldn't it?" Nate added,

Ethan shrugged again, "For sure, but I don't like speaking about it with them or really anyone because of how they act with money so I just don't ask how much things cost"

"I like your necklace," Jacie said, pointing at it

Ethan instinctively touched it. "Thank you, my grandmother got it for me."

"She must be awesome" Jake decided "Do you see her much?"

Ethan looked down so they couldn't see his face, "She died." He slid his thumb around the edge as always "It was actually the day she gave me this"

Jake clapped a hand over his mouth "I'm so sorry, I didn't think"

Ethan silenced him with a wave "It's fine, people never assume the worst with things like that, imagine how depressing it would be if every time we told a story people assumed they were dead" He laughed for a second then changed the subject, "So Jake, does your family know you're gay?"

Jake smiled and nodded "Yeah my dad Derm doesn't care at all, he was just glad I told him but my mum Martha is deep in denial." Ethan nodded trying to take note of their names

"When did you turn sixteen?"

"Only recently"

Ethan nodded and turned "What about your parents Jacie and Nate?" he knew instantly it was the wrong thing to ask from the look on their faces.

Jacie's smile had vanished and her bottom lip trembled, Nate shifted uneasily "We lost them about four years ago"

"I am so sorry Nate, Jacie I didn't mean to upset you" He shook his head "And after what I just said I should have been more thoughtful",

Nate shrugged "You didn't know and that's ok. You aren't the first and you won't be the last to ask about our parents" Ethan nodded hesitantly

"We live with our gran Elsbeth and she is so kind and understanding, although Nate wants to live on his own the first opportunity he gets so he can play video games all day" Nate elbowed her in the ribs and they both laughed

"On a different note," Jake said interrupting the twin's wrestling match "Have you had any relationships Ethan?"

The twins sat up listening intently and Ethan started blushing "I haven't really had any" he mumbled,

Jake grinned and although Jake couldn't see them, the twins were smiling as well

"Neither have I," Nate said quickly to save Ethan from getting embarrassed.

Ethan shook his head awkwardly "What about you Jacie?" forcing the conversation away from him "I am in a relationship with a guy named Matty but he has finished school now," she said sounding happy,

Nate nudged her playfully "And she looooves him"

Ethan laughed as Jacie's face flushed scarlet. Everyone turned to Jake and he looked up at the sudden silence and raised an eyebrow,

"Why are you all looking at me?"

Nate grinned, "Tell Ethan more about you and Justin since you brought up this conversation"

Jake blinked and Jacie poked her tongue out. Sighing dramatically but knowing the battle was already lost, Jake sat up

"Well, you already know I'm with Justin but I guess I should say that he's my first relationship. I am not his first though; Justin is bisexual but he's had a lot more experience in relationships than all of us"

"Have you gone very far with him?" Ethan said mischievously

Jake's jaw dropped and he looked embarrassed, Ethan bit down on his finger to prevent himself from laughing but when Jacie caught his eye he couldn't help it and a fit of giggles tore through his body bringing him to hysterical tears. Once he was sure he was not going to start laughing again he looked back at Jake who showed him a photo of Justin and himself together and kissing. Ethan studied the boy in the photo, he seemed much nicer and subdued when he was with Jake. Interesting that Jake brings the good out in even the worst people Ethan thought.

"So, what is Justin's story?" he asked

"What do you mean?" Jake said defensively

"Well, he obviously didn't like me from the get-go and I just wondered about his history."

"Justin is... complicated." Jake sighed, "He lost his mum years ago and he has no idea who his dad is. He is seventeen but lives alone and he was homeless for a few years because he ran away from foster care and he had a troubled childhood. It takes a long time for him to open up to people and he doesn't like people generally, it's nothing against you."

There was an awkward silence after that and while Ethan sat thoughtfully, Jake and the twins exchanged concerned looks.

"Pass me your phone for a second Ethan" Nate demanded

Ethan stared at him "My phone? Why?"

"Just pass it over" Nate laughed

Ethan bit his lip then nodded and threw it to Nate who typed in it for a moment and gave it back,

"You now have all of our numbers and I sent myself a text so I can add you to our group chat".

Ethan nodded again and smiled in thanks "We have to hang out sometime soon, see a movie or something."

"Jacie, Nate." A stern-looking man came over and stared at them disapprovingly "Your class started ten minutes ago I think Mr Copeland would prefer you were not absent from it."

The twins nodded, grabbed their things and hurried back into the school.

"I assume I won't need to tell you the same in five minutes Jake nor you Ethan, it is Ethan isn't it?" Jake and Ethan nodded simultaneously,

"I am Principal Gerland" He started to walk away "I hope you enjoy your schooling here"

Ethan murmured something but Jake did not hear it and they both packed up their bags and hurried to class.

Ethan struggled to pay attention in his class, it was the study of religion which he disliked given his family's ties so he only jotted the occasional note as the teacher whose name he had forgotten droned on about God, Jesus and the story of Moses. The minutes dragged by and he frequently glared at the clock, this sucks he thought. Ethan started sketching the tree onto the cover page of his notepad, he had never been good at drawing but for some reason, this tree had turned out well.

The bell tolled for the second time and he threw his books into his bag and hurried to the door, Ethan walked around for a few minutes but he could not find the twins or Jake anywhere. Eventually, after ten minutes, he started the walk home. It would have been a short walk so he went down as many streets as he could to make it last a bit longer before he finally arrived at the field behind the house about twenty minutes later. He jumped the back fence and let himself in through the backdoor. The second he got inside the exhaustion hit him, he dropped his bag, collapsed on the lounge and fell asleep.