I blacked out, not sure how long that was, and was awakened by a hand shaking my shoulder fiercely. I lifted my head long enough to see Alec's worried gaze before face planting once more.

"Alex, get up or you'll miss the end of dinner." He nearly shouted. I grimaced and got up in a rush that had my head spinning. I yanked off my tie over my head to make it faster to put back on in the morning (hah, yeah right, I just didn't want to lose his knot).

Then I loosened my uniform and followed Alec downstairs at a jog. I made it just in enough time to grab the first three stations before they closed the kitchen. I signed the sheet and ate with five other people staring at me curiously. I was happy no one started with the questions right away.

The just sat watching me like I was a strange specimen, and that made it awkward but not impossible to eat. I put my tray away and everyone was waiting for me at the door. It strangely felt like I was being walked down death row as they led me to Alec's room to chat. He roomed with Roger so we took up both beds as we sat.

"Well?" Alec demanded. I laughed.

"Well what?" I teased. He groaned and buried his face in his pillow. I heard him muttering swear words.

"What was it like?" Mike asked.

"Did you win any hands?" Roger demanded.

"How many guys were there?" Ferret asked.

"You promised you'd tell us all about it, so freaking tell us already!" Alec cried out and I started laughing again. Alec shoved me into Micah and he growled and pushed me back as I cackled.

"Sorry, sorry. I know I promised. I'll talk!" I said as Alec began to shake me. "It was pretty normal actually. There were about eight other guys and they all brought their chairs. They had the desk set up in the middle of the room so everyone could reach, or see, or whatever. It was fun, I mean pretty laid back really. I won a few hands but I left a bit lighter than I came. I didn't lose everything if that counts for something." Oh, and I stared at my host all night and now have a huge crush on him....

There was silence as everyone digested my words. Alec had at least stopped trying to shake the information out of me and was staring with a narrow eyed look I couldn't decipher. Micah was staring intently on the other side and I was starting to get uncomfortable with all their eyes on me when they all sighed.

The moment was broken and Mike and Roger started talking about an assignment they had in a different class. I let out a sigh in relief that I didn't realise I was holding.

"See, that wasn't so hard. So it was just another game huh? I figured, but you know how the freshmen can get. Blowing everything out of proportion and all." Alec was out of his mood and bounced a little as he and Micah began going over the English assignment.

I paid attention this time, since I hadn't really been able to earlier in class. I had to finish a few assignments for classes that were due the next day, so I moved to go to my room.

Micah got up and grabbed my arm, leading me to his room instead. His roommate was out, and he shut the door and locked it before dragging me to sit in his chair. I was surprised, since Micah had never really shown any interest in talking just to me before. He eyed me up carefully, sat on his bed with his hands folded, and shocked the hell out of me.

"You're gay." He said it evenly. It wasn't a question or an accusation so I was a little unsure how to respond to the statement. I felt a little deer-in-the-headlights at the moment, so I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"Yes." I replied honestly. He nodded and sighed a little, sitting back on his bed more comfortably.

"I wasn't sure if you wanted anyone else to know. I don't think they noticed, and I didn't want to put you on the spot." He explained as he gestured about the room with his hands as he talked.

"Uh, thank you? I am out at home, not by choice exactly, and the general knows... I wasn't really hiding it but I didn't really want to announce it to the school body." I fumbled with my words. Micah scratched his head.

"Nor should you have to. It's none of their business unless you want them to know. I am too. I am dating Reggie, next door to you. He isn't that great with English so I suggested he come to you for help with his brother. I hope you didn't mind." He smiled now and it occurred to me that a senior coming to a junior for help with his brother's tutoring was really odd.

"No, I didn't mind at all. His brother is a nice guy. He paid me in caramels once he found out I liked them." I replied. We both laughed.

"Listen, if you ever need to vent about a crush or anything... well, now you know I won't judge or anything." He seemed to be looking at me expectantly. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to talk to him about that, so I avoided eye contact. My hands became the most interesting things I had seen in a while.

"Uhh, well. I don't know if there's..." I couldn't finish the lie. I blushed and cringed when I heard him snort.

"Yeah right. As if I wasn't standing right there when you nearly devoured Vincent Wright with your eyes this morning. I mean dude! THE Vincent Wright? You really know how to pick them." He huffed and I groaned in misery.

"I know! You think I don't know? God if I had any idea my brain was even turning slightly in his general direction I would have pulled back all rudders full stop before it was too late." I moaned. He laughed.

"Was that just a 'Hunt for Red October' reference? You must seriously have it bad. I mean, good choice and all. He is an absolute sex god of manly beauty." Micah teased and I growled at him for even suggesting an attraction to my crush. He laughed at my reaction and I blushed and groaned again, my head dropping between my knees as I realised how screwed I was.

"I can't sleep. I can't stop thinking about him now. I saw him smile for goodness sakes. How can I ever go back?" I muttered. I felt him pat me on the back consolingly and that somehow made it worse.

"Don't worry about it. At least now I know you aren't here for being a delinquent. Most of the boys are here for either military type families, delinquency, or being stuck here cause their families hate them. My dad is a huge military buff, so I had no chance." Micah motioned to a picture of a man in uniform and three boys in uniform standing all straight and proper. The youngest was Micah in his school uniform.

"Oh yuck. He makes you wear it at home?" I said kindly. He nodded with a roll of his eyes. "My whole family doesn't hate me. Just my father. When he found out I was dating a guy he went around to the school to warn them about my 'mental condition,' and then when I kept getting into fights afterwards he sent me here."

"Hmm. Make a hard situation for you and then punish you for fighting back. Nice guy." Micah nodded again.

"My mom sided with me, but you know how it is..." I was losing interest in the conversation. "Anyways, I should be getting to my homework. We can talk again soon." I got up and Micah picked up a book laying next to his pillow and waved as I unlocked the door and left.

Okay, so I had one ally that officially knew about my horrendous crush on a senior. Both encouraging and frightening as hell. If I didn't already know Micah I would be worried about him gossiping; he was quiet and I would be safe.

I finished my assignments when I got back to my room and I stripped out of my uniform after spending that much time in it. I figured a quick shower wouldn't hurt. Most of the guys relied on their shower after Fitness class but today I had to make an exception.

I went in just my undershirt and boxers, carrying my wash tote and towel. There were only a few guys brushing their teeth in the outer room with sinks. Two other guys were in the shower stalls. I didn't look closely, taking the stall to the left of the door and striping off the last of my clothes to hang up nearby.

I scrubbed the stale feeling of being in the same clothes for too long away. The spicy scent of the shower gel my mom had sent me with was nice and I closed my eyes to enjoy the heat of the water pounding down on my head. I got a strange feeling and turned slightly to glance over my shoulder.

"Alex? Hey. I don't usually see you in here on Thursdays." Vincent was standing next to my stall on his way out the door and I was in shock. Vincent. In nothing but a towel. Dripping with water. I blinked.

"Ah, yeah. Hey. I have Fitness today so I don't usually. Shower that is. On... on Thursdays." I blushed and felt like an idiot, so I looked away. I heard a low rumble of a laugh and I felt like whiskey had just been poured down my throat.

I was so instantly hot it burned. Thank god there was a stall. That's all I could think. He tapped the top of the divider and it got my attention back to his face in interest.

"Are you coming to the movie tomorrow night?" He asked with a raised brow. I shrugged and then realised he probably couldn't see it very well.

"Yeah I think so. Alec and the guys haven't mentioned anything but we usually do." I replied. He nodded, looked away then back again licking his lips.

"Why don't you come sit with us? Bring your friends if they are coming." He tilted his head and the other guy in the shower went by him out the door so he was forced up close to the divider.

"Sure. I'd be happy to. I will let my friends know." I smiled and he seemed satisfied with my reply. He walked out and I let out a huge breath. I looked down at my predicament and shook my head at myself. I was such a pervert.

There wasn't anyone there though, so I quickly relieved the issue. A couple guys walked in just as I was grabbing my towel and I blushed to myself even though they didn't seem to even notice I was there.

I rushed back to my room and got ready to sleep. I just lay there trying not to think of anything. It was easier to drift off than I thought it would be, considering the nap I had after classes. I felt the wave of exhaustion creep up on me and floated away on the tide. I didn't even realise I forgot to lock my door.

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