He pulled out his phone under the table, as if to check the time or for messages, then flashed the screen at me. His phone was totally busted. That explained why he wasn't answering any of my texts or calls. That didn't explain why he didn't just come over or how his phone got destroyed. He put his phone away and was slightly rocking back and forth. 

When it was our turn to present, we got through the presentation pretty well. Jackson was stuttering a lot, but he managed to explain the slides he presented well. We sat back down, and I glanced over at Jackson. He looked worse than before. He looked like he either wanted to cry or throw up. I pulled out a piece of paper, scribbled a quick note, then slid it over to him. 

Jackson's breathing picked up, and he grabbed my hand under the table in a way where nobody else would see. I rubbed gentle circles on his hand. It seemed like he was on the verge of a panic attack. Lara glanced over at us. She slid a chocolate bar down the table to Jackson. He shook his head, still shaking. Lara and her partner got called up to present. They were the last group. 

The professor announced that we could get our grade on our final from him, and that we were dismissed. Jackson took off out of the classroom. I tried to stop him or at least go with him, but he went too quickly. I went to the professor to get our grade. We got a 97. We did so well. 

I took off out of the classroom, trying to find Jackson. I looked everywhere I could, until I gave up. I couldn't call him because his phone was busted. This was our last class. We might not ever have another class together. I ran to my car, then called Lara in tears. 

"Hey, Marco! What did you score?" Lara asked. I let out a sob. "Hey, your score can't be that bad. Y'all did amazing," Lara continued. 

"I think Jackson hates me. He can't even stand to be around me," I sobbed into the phone. 

"Where are you? I can come pick you up, and we can sit in my car or do whatever you want," Lara responded. I heard her car turn on in the call. I sobbed out my location, barely managing to tell her. She was parked next to me within two minutes. I climbed out of my car and into hers. 

"Marco. Jackson does not hate you. I think his panic in class today had nothing to do with you. I- I think he's going through other things right now. He was holding your hand," Lara explained. I gently nodded. "Why don't we go get ice cream? I'll drive you back to your car after," She asked. I nodded, and she started to drive. 

We walked into the ice cream parlor. I got raspberry, and she got chocolate chip cookie dough. The ice cream and Lara's advice did make me feel a little better. I still wanted to know that Jackson was safe. I would give anything for him to be here with us, eating ice cream. 

"We scored a 97," I whispered. It was one of the only things I had said since I cried to Lara over the phone. "We did so well." 

"That's amazing, Marco. I knew you would do well," Lara replied. I nodded. 

"I thought Jackson and I were doing well together. I don't know why he is avoiding me. What if I never see him again? He's the first person I've ever done anything past kissing with," I confessed. 

"Oh, Marco. I'm sure you'll see him again. Give it time. He'll be at your door in no time. That boy cares about you so much. Anyone can see it. Besides, you can always go to the place where you watched the stars. He might go back there sometime," Lara replied. I nodded. He just needed more time.