Sol’s heart instantly lifted the next day when he saw that Carter wasn’t in the class. He had been dreading going to school at the chance of seeing him. 

There was this tension between them since the fight. It disheartened Sol, but he found that it was for the good of his relationship. He wouldn’t allow Carter to split him and Bo apart. That’s why he would avoid Carter from now on.

Carter, unaware of Sol’s decision, walked in late as though he ruled the world. He sat in his seat, not even giving Sol a single glance. 

It became increasingly harder to avoid Carter the more that Carter didn’t respond. Sol was annoyed. Was Carter completely unaffected by what had happened between them?

A mumbling sound went through Sol’s ear and back out the other. He was too distracted by Carter and his nonchalance. 

He was not expecting though to be pushed in the shoulder because he wasn’t listening. Looking up, he found Aaron hovering over his desk. 

“We’re supposed to do the project now”

While Sol tried his best to pay attention, he found himself becoming distracted by Carter getting up and walking toward him. This was the moment. They would soon have a confrontation. 

Anticipating yelling, Sol was surprised to find that Carter was calmly talking to Aaron. Carter looked over at him and asked something but Sol couldn’t quite make it out. He was too distracted by his anger.

Of course Carter would act like everything was fine. Sol would feel better if Carter at least showed some emotion. That would show that Carter actually cared about their fight, or that it wasn’t just another passing thought in Carter’s perfect day. 

Sol watched as the other two sat down, ignoring him after he hadn’t responded. They were working on the project, something Sol wasn’t quite as concerned with at the moment. 

Sol was furious at Carter. How could he just not care? Did their short but sweet friendship not matter to him?

Catching Carter’s gaze, Sol felt like they would finally talk, but all Sol got was “Do you want to go to Aaron’s place to work on the project?”

It wasn’t much later in the day that they were at Aaron’s grandmother’s bookshop, set up in the back and working on the project. Well, Sol wasn’t actively participating, but he was too irritated to, so he figured it didn’t matter.

The bookshop was remarkably different than before. No longer were there books strewn about, but rather the piles of books had miraculously been placed back onto their shelves. 

Sol made a noise of astonishment as he looked around. You honestly wouldn’t know it was the same store with the way it had changed. Even his comfy corner of peace was revamped into a study area. 

A little disappointed at that particular change, a frown made its way onto his face as he turned back to see Carter go to the washroom.

“Can’t you just make up with your boyfriend or whatever cause I would rather not be in the middle of this.” Aaron looked over at Sol and sneered.

“Boyfriend?” Sol figured he was referring to Carter even though Aaron knew about Bo. Giving out a frustrated huff, Sol stood up and said “I already have to deal with Carter, I don’t need you too,” and made to leave.

“Now wait there just a second young man.” A little old lady peeked out from the front of the store. “I won’t have you walking away without being treated properly.”

“I’m sorry but-” He made to say, exasperated.

“No, no. I won’t have it. You boys haven’t had any tea yet!”

“O-kay.” Sol didn’t even know why he said yes. He swore it was just the power little old ladies have over him. His fear of not being nice was too overwhelming. 

Forced to stay there out of politeness, Sol sat back down at the table in the back of the shop.

“You know, you and Aaron are very similar. Overly emotional and unable to clear misunderstandings because of it.”

Aaron huffed, assumedly offended at being placed in the same category as Sol.

“I’d say you two need to sit down and do some talking.” The old lady said as she placed down a cup of tea in front of Sol. “And don’t think I haven’t seen how you act around the other boy. You all are too young to waste your life on meaningless fights.” she added on and then left the room.