Word count: 4592

I put my bag in my locker and head to class. I pass August in the hall talking to my brother who was only half listening because he was on his phone while August was talking. I sit in the seat that is close to the back so that I'm beside Lara, she holds her hands together fixing her blue latex gloves so they are more comfortable. We smile at each other and I look at the board. We had this big assignment coming up and we picked our partners a few weeks ago and Chris and I pared up but I have no idea how that's going to go. I'm still looking at the board waiting for my teacher to start the lesson, Chris is across the class room slouched in his seat, he hasn't looked over at me once, figures. The teacher makes eye contact with me and look away but in my peripheral vision I can see him still staring at me so I look back, he waves me over and I look at Chris and now he's looking back at me. I stand up and walk over.

The teacher is looking through the attendance sheet when he says "You are going to be in a group with Lara instead of Chris, her partner for this assignment moved away two weeks ago and Chris expressed some concerns for you guys working together" What? What concerns? the teacher knows more than I do?

"May I ask what concerns Chris has?"

he looks up at me and says "he doesn't think you guys will be able to focus, he says he needs to get his grades up and he would prefer someone with more.... experience" I swallow, ouch.

I start walking back to my seat, If Chris didn't switch I have a feeling he would continue not showing up for class and he would eventually fail this class. I don't mean to be such a burden to him, I'm so confused as to what I did. I don't even look at Chris because I know he's looking at me. Lara see's the exhaustion in my face and asks me whats wrong but I shake my head to let her know I don't want to talk about it. The lesson goes on and I sip on my drink. I'm glad I'm with Lara, she's amazing at science and if I was working with Chris not much would be happening so I guess he's right about that. Lara said she was going to be in charge of making the eco system and I was in charge of the worksheets. She said I could call her if I had any questions about the questions. I didn't pay attention to Chris at all this class, Its on him if he wants to act like that, I'm not going to feed to the fire.

Lunch:

To be honest, fuck the 'feeding to the fire' BS, I wanted answers. I place my hand right on his table in the cafeteria and say "You're just as bad at science as I am"

He looks up to me and says "Sorry?"

"The teacher said you wanted to be partners with someone with 'more experience', he basically called me dumb" Chris shakes his head looking at his friend, he thinks I'm going to walk away because he's ignoring me but not this time. "Hello?" I ask and he makes eye contact with him again.

"I didn't say that. I said that I don't think we would be good partners. He probably saw my grades and knew we would both benefit if I had a different partner, he put words in my mouth" I shake my head.

"Why do you think we won't be good partners?..... I've had enough time to think about it and I still have no idea what I did. I mean, I didn't do anything. I would be aware of it. I'm clueless" he doesn't look away from my eyes, he looks like having this conversation is hurting his feelings and I have no idea why. He finally breaks the eye contact and stands up looking down on me while he walks away. If he would just tell me what I did, I wouldn't have to chase him around the school asking. I want to make up but it's near impossible with someone who doesn't want to cooperate. I walk back over to the table where Lara is and lay my head down. My phone buzzes from a text.

Matt

[Matt] You should come over 2night.

I hold the phone in my hand, I don't want to chance Chris being there because I'm really hurt from what just happened, I don't even want to be at school and chance looking over at him one more time.

[Me] We should meet at that one coffee shop, the one in the plaza with the shoppers drug mart.

[Matt] 5pm sound good?

[Me] see you then.

I put my phone down on the desk and Lara takes a bite out of her apple "You look like death" I haven't really been updating her on my life for the past few weeks because it has been pretty hectic. She probably feels forgotten but I'm too emotional right now to explain that I'm sorry or even start to explain what is going on right now with Owen and Chris and Matt.

"I feel like it too"

She tits her head. "whats going on with you? I mean, the picnic we had you didn't even talk about you at all which isn't too odd but I just... I miss sleeping over at your house more than my own. We haven't had a real conversation in weeks"

I lift my head "I'm sorry I've been distant" she lets out a side smile like she appreciates the apology but I know it still hurts.

"just do me a favour?" She asks and I nod "Don't forget about me"

"I would never. You and I are too close, I love you too much" I ask and she smiles taking another bite of her apple and I open my peach cup. I take a few bites, I don't feel like eating but I need to because if I don't my body will start getting shaky and I don't need that on top of everything I am already feeling.

"I think Henry is still fucking his ex. You were right" She has like no emotion, probably because she's used to it.

"It's been only two days" I say.

She shrugs with a smile "I dropped him off after you and later on I called him and he was speaking to me like I was just one of his friends and I heard a girl laugh in the distance. I played dumb and acted like I didn't hear it... but guess who has his 'my eyes only' password now?"

I laugh taking another bite "What is it?"

"5454, same as his phone password" she smiles at me and we just hold it for a few seconds. "he was so easy to pass his phone to me but the one thing he didn't wan't to give was his 'my eyes only' so I waited till he was sleeping one night and I took his phone and guessed it a few times, I started scrolling a little and... things got weird"

"How weird?"

She smiles wide before saying "Like skinny-dipping with only his guy friends weird" I laugh hitting the table once, Henry is the type of person to clarify that he isn't gay if his hands touch another guys hand. I find it ironic that she could even find something like that. When the laughing stops I dread asking the question I am about to "Did you... sleep with him?" I ask and she shakes her head and instant relief comes across me, "oh Thank God" I say and she raises her eyebrows with an exhale. He doesn't deserve it and she knows that as well.

Later:

I'm standing beside the school, I have to get home to do some homework before I head to the cafe to meet Matt but I find myself talking to Owen right now. "You should let me come over" he says with a a smile holding my hands.

"I wish I could, I just have so much homework to do and my mom is off tonight, she wants to have a nice family dinner" I know I am lying to him about going out with Matt but I know he wouldn't feel too good about me going out on a coffee date with a guy even though Owen and I aren't real dating, but I feel like we are getting closer to dating, plus I don't want him thinking Matt is anything more than just a friend. I look to the side of me and Finns group is approaching, they all know how bad Finn and August hate Owen and if they see him talking to me they will tell Finn. Before Owen can say what he wants to I take my hands out of his and whisper "text me" a really confused look grows on his face but I start walking over to my car. When I get in I text him.

[Me] Sorry for cutting our conversation off like that but Finns group was beside us and I don't know where Finn or august are at the moment and I want to spare your nose getting broken.

[Owen] No worries at all, I'll call you later.

[Me] Sure (:

I put my phone in the cup holder and start the car, it takes a few times to start but I eventually get it to start. I drive out of the school parking lot and head back home. I have about two hours to myself until I have to meet up with Matt. We'll probably just stay there for a bit and talk. I drive back over to my house and see Finns car and a sudden wave of anxiety crashes into me. I have no idea why because it's common for him to just pop in. I walk over to his car and knock on his window startling him.

He rolls it down and shouts "Jesus, Dallas!"

I smile and say "What are you doing here?"

"My mail sometimes gets delivered here" he steps out of the car and rushes past me, I'm not surprised he's being a dick, he usually is after school. I start walking inside after him and he starts looking through his mail while I sit on the couch.

I start watchng tv. I have a good hour and a half until I need to be at the coffee shop and I believe Finn will be gone by then. When he's angry like this he likes to be alone, thats why I'm not even bothering to ask him whats wrong. I rub my face and yawn skipping through some channels but nothing peaks my interest, i rest my head on the couch and toss the remote and take my computer out of my bag so I can start working on some assignments that I have to catch up on. Finn is now sipping on some apple juice and bringing it to the couch. I have to hurry with this work because I aim to have a shower before I to the cafe. I hear a car lock outside and I turn my head towards the living room window behind my head and see August's car, I toss my computer aside and walk over to the door, put on my shoes and walk outside. He probably knew Finn was coming so he decided to come too.

He watches me walk over to the car and rolls it down as soon as I get halfway "Hey stranger" I say pushing some hair behind my ear to get it out of my face.

"I Brought some macadamia cookies that I made in cooking class for you" he lifts them over the window and I smile taking them, he knows they're my favourite.

"You are amazing" he smiles like he knows it and he starts getting out of the car. We walk inside together and he sits at the island while I grab a napkin, wrap it around the cookie and run up the stairs to see if my mom is still here.

She would really appreciate Augusts cookies. Which she isn't. Her bed is made and there is no trace of her even being the at all today. I bite the cookie, The cookie is amazing and sweet and chewy and perfect but i'm being bitter because she is probably at Brett's house right now, I need to bite the bullet and just tell her already, he's a fraud, I shouldn't have let this carry out so long. I take a deep breath and walk back downstairs and sit at the island with August and he takes out a cookie and starts eating it. I hope off the chair and open the fridge taking out some milk and pour it in a glass cup. I place the glass in front of both of us so he can have it as well, I dunk the cookie a few times but August doesn't touch it. I look over at Finn who is still on the couch "want a macadamia cookie?" he doesn't respond but he stands up, I expect him to grab one but he walks over to the fridge, grabs a water and walks past August with a vicious look on his face. I don't get why Finn has to be so dramatic, the reason he is mad probably has nothing to do with August.

"what's wrong with him?" August asks.

I lean over the island and say "like today, or in general?" He laughs and Finn slams the front door closed as he leaves and August and I cringe at each other over the noise. Augusts phone chimes and I look over and its Finn telling him to meet him outside. I look up at him and we make eye contact "is he trying to fight you?" I ask chewing the cookie.

August puts his down finishing the remaining in his mouth and begins texting back "I hope not, I almost got a concussion in gym today and my head is still hurting, I don't need a real one. Plus, he has nothing to be angry about" He says but it doesn't look like he really means the last part. I move away from his phone and then he stands up "Wish me luck"

"good luck"

He walks outside and I run to the couch to see outside. Finn is standing on the cement tapping his phone on his pants and when August gets outside they both walk to the car. Finn gets in the driver seat and I expect them to drive away but they don't even start the car. As soon as they get in the car they immediately start the conversation. Finn rests his head on his hand thats resting on the door, he's angry but not at August. He stops leaning his head and his mouth gets wider and I can tell his voice is getting louder, August is agreeing with him because he hasn't started yelling. Finn is now pointing to the house so he's probably talking about me, I'm trying to lip read but he turns away trying to calm himself down. He gets out of the car and starts heading for the house and I almost get up from the couch so he doesn't see me ease dropping but August gets out and walks over to him putting his hand on Finns shoulder to tell him to get back in the car.

Finn turns to him and now I can hear him through the glass "I want to make sure its not true" He says aggravated and August shakes his head, Finn starts pacing but comes back to august a few times to say more but I can't hear.

August calmly says "Do it when you're cooled down, I get that you're angry but if you are this angry I just know things are going to go south" Finn's hands are in fists but he releases them and then walks back to the car, August does as well and they start driving away. I don't look away from the window until my phone goes off.

August:

[August] He thinks you're hanging out with Owen again. His group saw you two talking"

I bite my lip.

[Me] I'm not. He asked me a question and that was it

[August] I know you wouldn't be stupid enough to go back so I told him that I'm sure it wasn't anything but he doesn't believe me, I told him you are hanging out with Chris and he got even angrier, like he would have been happier if I told him you were hanging out with Owen. I have never seen him be this protective.

I feel kind of offended because now this makes me "dumb enough"

[Me] He got what he wanted with Owen, I won't let him ruin my chances with Chris..... Thats if I have any left.

[Me] Thanks anyway August.

[August] No problem.

I lay my head on the couch cushion, its four thirty and I need to be at the coffee shop at five so I should hop in the shower. I get in the washroom and a FaceTime call goes through, I flip it over quickly, its Owen. I should be happy but as I ran over I had this burst of adrenaline thinking it was Chris. While it's still facing the ceiling I answer it.

[Owen] Hey

[Me] Hey

[Owen] I can't see you

[Me] I'm about to hop into the shower. I'm kind of in a rush right now, can I call you back?

[Owen] Yeah for sure.

[Me] Okay awesome, talk to you soon.

Later:

As soon as I walk outside (Its around 4:50, leaving me with ten minutes to get there) Matt pulls up, he's the only triplet that can drive at the moment is what he said the last time we hung out. I begin walking over to his car "I thought we were driving ourselves" I smile putting my hands on the window he just rolled down.

He shrugs "I had some time to spare"

"Perfect because I didn't know if my car was actually going to start" he laughs as I get in the car. He turns on the radio up to a low volume and I see that it's connected to his phone, stir fry is playing and Matts head is bobbing, as soon as I get on my seatbelt I find myself also bobbing my head.

"Chris came home in a bad mood" He says and my smile falls.

"oh"

"he said something about switching partners. I didn't know you guys knew each other" I look out the window and he adds "but it makes sense now" I look over at him in confusion. His hand grips the steering wheel a little harder and he says "I understand why he was being snotty to you when we studied that one time"

"enlighten me" I say with a small guilty smile.

"He explained switching partners but never explained why he did" i nod looking back out my window.

"he didn't to me either"

he glances at me "You don't know why he's acting like that? He never acts like. You must have don't something really messed up for him to not even say hi to you in the kitchen" His remarks make me frown because I still have no idea what I did and I have no idea how to make things better, I don't even want to be talking about him right now because of what he did today.

"Yeah I couldn't tell you, but if you do end up finding out let me know" I smile like it doesn't bother me though its been eating me up inside for the last few weeks. I change the topic "right down here" I point to the road at the café and he turns into the parking lot.

I get out of the car and start walking inside with Matt. It's getting darker outside because it's winter time, thats why I wanted to come here. The cafe is amazing for making memories in the winter, the vibes are amazing, the people are very polite and the entire vibe of the cafe are amazing, very cozy. We stand in line looking around the cafe, there are paper snowflakes hanging from strings on the ceiling, fairy lights that go around the brick walls of the cafe and the entire thing smells like Coffee. I love this place. When its our turn we walk up and I meet eyes with- "August?" I ask and he smiles taking off the ridiculous hat they make them where. "I didn't know you worked here"

"Yeah I have some community hours I had to catch up on"

I smile, I got mine done a while ago and encouraged Finn to get his done as well but he acted like he couldn't hear me, Annoying but classic Finn move. "I'll take an apple cider frap and for you..." I say looking at Matt.

He walks beside me from behind and I can tell August notices him "A coconut cold brew" he says and Augusts eyes are still locked on him so matt awkwardly says "I'll grab a seat" and I smile.

August is raising his eyebrows at me like he wants to hear what I have to say but I want to hear what he has to say "So? You got your boy back?" He asks and I grip the counter more walking out of the way so another person can order.

"Nope, thats his brother"

He chuckles to himself "Damn, Texas. Since when are you a player?" He teases putting in the next persons order.

"It's not like that. We study together, it's so awkward being in the same house as Chris and it sucks that I stay over there invited by someone else. I'm still so interested in Chris and he is still ignoring me" The credit machine accepts the girls card and she stands behind me.

"Screw him. The guy you brought here looks like him and I'm sure he has a good personality" I look around the room thinking about his statement, I can't tell him I'm not interested because then he'll ask why and then I'll have to cover for myself about hanging out with Owen. Matt has an amazing personality and August is right but he's not like Chris, they look alike minus the hair but I just don't want to date Matt and imagine how bad it would look for me to start dating Chris's brother while we are literally in the middle of a huge fight, it would look like this is me trying to get back at him. I look down at my phone while I wait for the drinks and text Owen.

Me: Hey, what are you going to be