As the weeks progressed Samantha watched Austin even closer than he had before. So far, she had managed to block Samuel from being touchy-feely with Austin consistently without him noticing. Although it turned out to be a simple task due to Austin becoming tenser and began ‘accidentally’ dodging Samuel himself. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe Austin just wasn’t used to physical touch due to his status. 

    At the same time though, some days Austin would make extra effort for him and Samuel to have physical contact. He would sometimes move his chair closer to him at lunch. Whenever Austin was able to make Samuel smile, his cheeks would go red, and he’d try to hide it immediately. When he got him to laugh it was his whole face, which was much harder to hide. She would often catch him staring at him in the middle of class with soft eyes. It was so annoying. 

    Several students started to also catch onto the staring, and the whispers in the hallway started all over again. This time the rumors were not full of anger and hatred but of confusion. Eventually Samantha would catch at least half the class at one point or another stealing glances of her friend. Some eyes were full of bewilderment. Others with the familiar anger. But now she knew that some of the eyes on him had finally started to pick up the fact that Samuel was a handsome guy.

    Of course, there was one person who was completely oblivious to the situation. Samuel himself. He was so used to being stared at he had learned to expect it. So, he didn’t pick up on any of the changes, to him they were the same sets of eyes that he had been met with originally.

    The problem was Samuel was slowly becoming, once again, tenser. He walked through the hallway quietly, with his head down and shoulders slumped. He had finally felt more comfortable participating in class, but he was back to just sitting silently through the class, his leg bouncing under his desk.

    Whenever Samantha tried to bring up his behavior, he denied everything and changed the subject. One day, Samuel was much quieter than usual, and he refused to make eye contact when speaking. He even skipped his after-class discussion. 

    Samantha had to try, so at lunch, with a loud Austin and silent Samuel, she interrupted the Mayor’s story, “Samuel. Please tell me what’s going on. I’ll kick Austin out if you just want to talk.” Austin’s eyes widened. This must be serious if she called him his actual name.

    Samuel played with his food, “I’m all good. It’s not polite to interrupt. Austin, finish your story.” Samuel’s voice was low, his head never raised.

    Samantha didn’t know what to do. She was watching her friend do exactly what she sought to protect him from. She hated what she had to do. “Austin, please.” She motioned her head to Samuel. She couldn’t believe she was asking for his help. He was the reason the staring and whispers had restarted, but she knew that if there was a chance he could help, then she had to take it.

    “Samuel. It’s fine, my story wasn’t that interesting to begin with. It’s just… that well you’ve been quiet lately and me and Samantha are worried. Please talk to us. Or at least Samantha.” Austin sighed.

    Samuel slammed his fist on the table. “I want you two out.” Both gave him a weird look. “Leave. I don’t want you here. I said I’m fine, and yet you continue to push. So, get out. I don’t want to hear or see you right now.” Neither moved. Samuel lifted his head, his teeth gritted, and jaw clenched. “I SAID GET OUT! CARL GAVE ME THIS ROOM NOT YOU SO GET OUT!”

    Samantha jumped at the sound of Samuel’s raised voice. He had always been so calm. Austin on the other hand had seen this before. The first day they met. When Samuel had yelled at him for checking up on him. Samantha was frozen in bewilderment, so Austin had to take charge.

    “No.”

    “No?”

    “We’re not leaving. You’re obviously not okay and we are going to stay with you. You don’t have to talk, but we’re not leaving you alone.”

    “Fine,” Samuel slammed his fist on the table again. Austin took a breath thinking he had done it correctly this time. Except Samuel wasn’t done yet, “You stay. I’ll leave.” Samuel stood and marched to the door. Austin reached to grab his arm but held back. Sure, Samuel had become more physical with his friends, but surprise touches were still out of the question. Samuel didn’t even look back as he slammed the boiler room door.

    Samantha pushed Austin against the wall, “This is all your fault!”

    “What? My fault? How,” Austin retaliated.

    “Your stupid little crush. You kept staring which made everyone else stare. And then rumors started. And now look at him. He’s a mess.” Samantha’s eyes filled with tears. She was so pissed at the boy in front of her.

    “My… My crush? On who?”

    “Don’t even try to play dumb. Samuel might be oblivious but I’m not.” Tears now streamed down her face, her jaw clenched.

    Austin avoided her fire-filled eyes, “I didn’t even realize I was staring. And no one spread any rumors to me. I didn’t even know it was happening.”

    Samantha’s face was now hot with rage, “Of course you didn’t because you live in this perfect little bubble. Your actions don’t have consequences and if you lose a friend, oh well there is a line outside your door willing to take their place.” 

    “Is that what you think of me. That I only care about myself. Do you know why I like Samuel? Because I sure as hell don’t. All I know is that when I’m around him I’m much happier than normal. He makes me feel special, but not in the way of being the Mayor. To him, I’m Austin first, not the Mayor’s son, the future Mayor of Lyria. So maybe that’s why I like him. So yeah, maybe you’re right. Maybe I do tune out the hate because I can, but I hate myself for it. I never wanted Samuel to get hurt. Never.” Austin’s eyes were glossy, on the verge of pouring over. He just wanted her to understand that Samuel was not a toss-away friend, he was someone Austin truly cared for. 

    Samantha’s face softened just a tiny bit, “Stop the staring and the rumors, then maybe I’ll believe you. Use your influence and power to actually do good. Because as of right now it’s only harmed Samuel,” She paused, “and his face.”

    Austin nodded, although he knew that was easier said than done. By ordering them to stop the staring and rumors wouldn’t that just cause more. Maybe they’d at least be more discreet. It was worth a try. Samantha and Austin may not see eye to eye on most things, but there was one thing they could agree on, Samuel was their friend, and they would help him any way they could. 

    “And by the way Austin, I suggest you back off.” Samantha flung her hair over her shoulder and slammed the door behind her leaving Austin to relish in what she said.

    “Yeah, I don’t think my heart’s gonna let that happen,” Austin murmured to himself as he too left the boiler room.