Throughout class, I stare at Cory's neck for so long it ought to burn him. He expertly avoids all contact with me and my frustration is growing. I feel nervous in that really awful way; you know the situations is bad, but you're essentially helpless. You can do nothing to stop it. How was I gonna do anything for him when he was ignoring me? I really don't get it. In my frustration, I decide the only person more stubborn than myself is Cory. So I have to turn my attention on someone I know I can convince; his best friend. Sadie and Cory has been friends for years and years. I'm sure she's as worried as I am. I send her a text during class and she replies quickly. She never looks at me, but her response is clear; she'll meet me after class to talk. Relieved, I sit back and focus on surviving the last 20 minutes. As they finally pass, I grab my stuff and get to the science class room fast. Sadie is clever enough to take a different route than me, but she arrives only a minute or so later. She locks the door and sits down on a nearby chair. She looks at me worriedly.

"He won't talk about with me either," she tells me. "And believe me, I have tried."

I take the chair next to hers, frowning. "Well, I'm glad he's at least speaking to you. He's ignoring me completely. I don't know if I did something wrong or whatever. I just wish I knew what to do."

"I think he wants to appear strong," she answers. "I think he needs time. Hopefully, he will talk. But he probably feels a need to help his dad too. Mr. McDean is in a bad state currently."

I nod in understanding. "I have a suggestion. I think we should go to their house," I say.

Sadie nods, but not without looking surprised. "Yeah, sure. I was going over there anyways."

"Great," I reply. "Then we can team up on him. And make sure they're getting some proper food."

Sadie looks grateful. "We're taking your car then, sports star."

I get up. "Deal. Meet you in the parking lot after school."

She agrees.

So after school ends, she appears at my car as planned. She looks a little hesitant to get in my car, so I give her a little smile and open the passenger's door for her. Her worried eyes meet mine before she enters and I put my hand on her shoulder.

"It's gonna be okay," I promise her and shut the passenger door. She nods but doesn't say anything. I have to believe that what I'm telling her is true. Otherwise this whole damn planet is becoming too depressing for its own good.

"Wow, are you two official now?"

My stomach sinks as Jason's voice reaches me. He and some of the other guys from the football team are there, looking quite impressed with me. I know Sadie looks good, but it still irritates me. And what's more, I can see that Jason is pleased with himself for figuring out my secret. He looks smug. I glare at them all.

"Guys, not right now," I ask them, focusing all my energy on remaining calm.

Jason laughs. "Come on, Jay. We just wanna congratulate you. It all makes sense now."

I frown. "What do you mean?" I ask.

Jason just smiles. "Look, man. I get why you gotta hold off on fairy boy now. I get it. Your girlfriend is friends with him, but... that doesn't mean you have to be too, does it?"

I clench my fist, about to say something stupid. But Sadie saves me. She jumps out of the car and attempt to unclench my hands. Somehow, she finds a way to do so despite me being a lot stronger than she is. "Look guys," she says. "We really don't have time right now. Can we do this later?" She bats her lashes, cleverly using her beauty to distract the minds of my friends. And boy, does it work; they all seem to slowly forget what they originally wanted and then Sadie does something that takes me aback completely... she kisses me. My eyes go wide and she mumbles that I need to get in. I do so but I am still so surprised. We don't talk the first few minutes. I think we are both too embarrassed until she collects enough courage to break the silence between us.

"How about this; you drive to the grocery store down at Parson Ave and we never talk about this ever again?"

I glance at her. She has more guts than most guys I know. Our truce is based on our relation to Cory, but I have to say I admire her. "It's a deal," I tell her and just as promised, we never mention that little incident again much to my relief. Instead, we focus on the important thing here and that is helping Cory and his dad. We pull up to the McDean house and ring the bell. It's Mr. McDean who answers. It's obvious that he's been crying too. He appears exhausted as he looks us over.

"Sadie," he greets. "And you are?"

"I'm Jay," I tell him and his eyes harden a little.

"What do you want?" he asks, eyes on me.

I hold out the shopping bags and Sadie smiles sympathetically. "We figured you two could use a hand," she replies.

Mr. McDean grunts something but steps aside to let us in. I let Sadie lead the way into the kitchen to unpack. Everything in me is drawn like a magnet to go see Cory. It must have irritated her because she rolls her eyes at me although she doesn't comment. At least not in the first twenty minutes we spend cooking under Mr. McDean's observation. Sadie tries to talk to him, but his answers are very curt. I  find out he knows exactly who I am and that he probably does not like me very much. I can't say I blame him after the things I have done. The very thought makes the guilt bubble up inside me like acid.

After the food is prepared and just needs to simmer a while longer, Sadie asks Mr. McDean if it's okay to go see Cory. He nods and turns his attention to the TV. I walk so fast that Sadie more or less has to run to keep up. We knock on the door and call his name. There is no reply. Sharing a look, we decide to open the door and find Cory sitting on his bed with his legs pulled up and his eyes full of pain. He looks up at us fleetingly but otherwise ignores us. My heart breaks seeing him this way. Sadie approaches him cautiously and talks to him a bit, taking his hand. He puts his head on her shoulder. My legs suddenly feel frozen as my heart bleeds for him. For several moments, I am rooted in this spot. Cory looks at me and a tear begins to fall. I make my way to him then, falling to my knees in front of him. His eyes are following me the entire way. His lip quivers and I dry away the tears, whispering in his ear just as the breakdown comes. He cries in my arms for a while. In the end, he has none left. It's only then I notice that Sadie has left the room.

"You should eat something," I suggest, and Cory shakes his head.

"Yes, you should. Come on," I persist and take his hand to lead him downstairs. He doesn't complain or try to fight me in anyway. He just follows me downstairs to the dining room where Sadie and Mr. McDean are talking. My hand is still in Cory's. This time Mr. McDean looks surprised but not as surprised as I had expected.

In fact, he attempts a smile. "You boys hungry? Sadie's cooking is still on the stove."

Cory attempts to smile back. "Sure," he answers in a whisper.

We all sit down to eat although the meal is consumed mainly in silence. Cory's hand stays in mine almost the entire night. His father tries to make some polite conversation. I sense he has decided to forget whatever anger he might have towards me. I wish I had a father as accepting as him.