***Evan’s POV***

                “I can’t tell if he’s flirting with me or not!” I said in frustration.

                “Probably not,” Rory said.

                “Rory!” I whined. “I’m not making up what happened in the bathroom or the locker room or outside of Ty’s Grill!”

                “I never said you were. I just know you. You interpret things the wrong way,” he said with a shrug.

                “Rory, HE PINNED ME TO THE FUCKING LOCKERS AND SANG PANIC! AT THE DISCO TO ME WHILE MASSAGING ME WITH MY SHIRT OFF!” I grabbed his shoulders and shook him wildly as I spoke, trying to get my point across.

                Rory smacked my hands off and fixed his shirt. He glared at me. “Don’t shake me. I’ll kick your ass into a different nationality.”

                “He totally wants the D,” I said, nodding. “I know I’m irresistible, but I didn’t think I could turn Sebastian gay this fast. Man, I know how to work my charm. And I’m always so smooth and charming around him. I should’ve known he would be drawn in this quickly!”

                “Evan, you babble like a moron every time you look into Sebastian’s eyes. And you didn’t turn him gay. Come out of your fantasy world,” Rory said, smacking me upside the head.

                “You’re just jealous,” I grumbled, rubbing my head.

                “And again: Come out of your fantasy world,” he said, shaking his head at me in annoyance.

                “Talk to Sebastian for me Rory! Find out how in love with me he is,” I said.

                “Talk to him yourself! You love the sound of your own voice,” Rory said, glaring at me. “I’m not talking to Sebastian for you.”

                “I can’t talk to him!” I said, gasping in horror at the thought. “Then he would know I like him! God Rory; stop being so stupid!”

                “Evan, why don’t you just come out already?” Rory asked. “It would make your life so much easier.”

                “It would make my life so much more complicated!” I cried, staring at him like he was crazy. Which he clearly was. “You know that…they…would come after me!”

                Rory rolled his eyes. “Jason and Kyle won’t touch you Evan.”

                “They’ve threatened to beat me up just because they think I’m gay!” I said, honestly afraid. Jason and Kyle were the most homophobic assholes in our school, and they were always on my case about my sexuality. I had avoided them lately, but it was only a matter of time before they would start harassing me again.

                “They won’t touch you,” Rory repeated firmly.

                “Not until I know if Sebastian likes me or not,” I mumbled, not meeting Rory’s eyes.

                Rory shrugged. “Have it your way. I’m not going to force you to come out about your sexuality. But you need to learn to man up. There are always going to be homophobes.”

                “I have to go. My dad’s here to get me. Are we going to Murphy’s tomorrow?” I asked.

                Rory nodded. “Yea. Just try not to look at Sebastian at all. I’m getting really sick of trying to keep you quiet,” he said, glaring at me.

                “You don’t need to keep me quiet. I know what I’m doing when I talk to him!” I said before jumping up and waving.

                I left Rory’s house and got into my dad’s car. He pulled out of the driveway and headed towards our house.

                “So, what did you guys do?” dad asked, just to make conversation.

                “We watched television. What else do we ever do at Rory’s house? He’s boring,” I said, rolling my eyes.

                “You’re awful mean to him Evan,” dad said with a sigh.

                “I’m not mean to him! I just point out facts. Like…he has horrible hair styles, his face looks weird, and he looks fat and out of shape compared to my incredible body,” I said with a shrug.

                “Oh Evan. You’re a narcissistic idiot,” dad said, sighing again as he pulled into the driveway.

                “Why does everyone say that? I’m not narcissistic! I’m very modest!” I huffed, crossing my arms in annoyance as I got out of the car and followed dad inside the house.

                “Mom, am I narcissistic?” I asked her as she walked by me.

                “Yep. I can’t stand you half the time,” she said before disappearing into the kitchen.

                “Gah! You people are crazy!” I said before going into my bedroom and shutting the door.

                I logged onto my Facebook and began to scroll through my newsfeed. I clenched my fist tightly as another picture of Murphy, Cecilia, and Sebastian popped up.

                “Stupid man-stealing bimbo,” I grumbled, shutting my laptop so that I wouldn’t have to look at anymore pictures of them.

                I went over to my bed and collapsed on it, letting out a groan. Tomorrow, I’d probably have to see Cecilia and Sebastian acting all cute together at Murphy’s house. Why had I agreed to hang out with them afterschool?

                But, of course, the answer was because Sebastian was there.

                I let out a sigh and rolled over, pulling the covers over my still-dressed self. I squeezed my eyes shut, praying that Murphy wouldn’t invite Cecilia tomorrow.

                                                                                                ***

                “They’ve branded us enough, Outlaws of Love.”

                I groaned and turned my alarm off, sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. I stretched and winced as I smacked my knuckles against the wall.

                “Ow! Stupid wall!” I growled, gently rubbing my injured knuckles.

                I crawled out of bed, showering and getting dressed before heading outside. Rory pulled into my driveway a few minutes later and I got in his car.

                “What happened to your hand?” he asked as he started towards school.

                “I got attacked by my wall this morning,” I grumbled, pouting down at the nasty bruise that was starting to form on my knuckles.

                “You’re a moron.”

                “You’re insensitive.”

                “Insensitive is better than being a moron.”

                I pouted again as he parked. We got out of the car and made our way into the school. We went to the senior hallway and I turned to my locker, Rory continuing on to go to his locker.

                I began to put in my combination. Hm, maybe I could scare Cecilia away from Sebastian. Or maybe if she kept calling him Sebby, he would get so annoyed that he would punch her in her stupid fac-

                I yelped as I was slammed against my locker. My heart began to slam as someone held me against it. I didn’t have to turn to know that Jason and Kyle had finally returned to torture me after leaving me alone for several weeks.

                “What’s up faggot?” Jason asked.

                “Jase, do people in Narnia speak English?” Kyle asked curiously.

                “Well, Evan here understands us, so I’d assume so,” Jason said and they snickered.

                Jason pulled me away from my locker and gave me a pleasant smile, a dangerous look lurking in his eyes. “Haven’t seen you in a while faggot,” he said. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d almost say you were avoiding us.”

                “Nope. I would never avoid you. I’m not afraid of you guys. I’m straight. Straightest guy on the planet. Definitely not into Sebastian Amsel. Nope. I like girls,” I said, trying hard not to cry and pee my pants.

                “You might as well just come out and say you’re a fag,” Kyle said, smirking at me.

                He cracked his knuckles and stepped towards me, his smirk getting wider. I tried to struggle away from Jason, but he was holding me too tightly.

                “Excuse me.”

                Relief flooded through me as I turned and saw Sebastian. Sebastian raised an eyebrow at Kyle and Jason.

                “Something going on here?” he asked.

                “Nothing Amsel. Go away,” Jason said in annoyance.

                “I’ll go away. But I’m taking Evan with me,” he said, stepping forward and roughly shoving Jason off of me. He gave Jason a pleasant smile. “Don’t let me see that again.”

                He grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the senior hallway and into the main lobby before releasing me. He glanced at me.

                “Are you alright?” he asked.

                I nodded. “Yea. I’m completely fine. I wasn’t scared and about to cry and pee my pants and scream for help. I had that under control. Could’ve kicked their asses in seconds,” I said casually.

                “Did they hurt your knuckles?” he asked, glancing at my hand.

                “No, I hit them on my w-” Wait, Evan. Don’t want to sound lame in front of Sebastian. “I mean, I punched a moose.”

                “A moose?” Sebastian asked, amusement in his voice.

                “I…yes,” I said miserably, realizing that I had said moose. Oh, why was I so stupid sometimes?

                “Well, that must have been one hell of a moose,” he said.

                “Sometimes I don’t know why I talk,” I groaned.

                “I like when you talk,” Sebastian whispered, winking at me.       

                Okay Evan. Either he was totally flirting with you, or you were dreaming. Oh please let him be flirting with me.

                Sebastian glanced back curiously. “Do they always mess with you?” he asked me.

                “No,” I lied, trying to remain calm outside.

                “You’re a horrible liar Evan,” he said, rolling his eyes.

                The bell exploded and I jumped in surprise. Sebastian hooked his thumbs in his pockets and offered with a smile, looking so sexy that I was surprised that I didn’t fling myself at him and start making out with him right on the spot.

                “I’ll see you at lunch,” he said, offering me another wink before turning and heading off.

                I stared after him, wiping my mouth in case I had drooled. So he had saved me from having my face pounded in, and he was super attractive. I knew how to pick them!

                “Evan.”

                “DON’T KILL ME!” I shrieked, jumping away in terror as a hand landed on my shoulder.

                “You’re an idiot,” Rory mumbled, watching me. “Where were you?”

                “I was right here,” I said, rolling my eyes at his stupidity.

                “Yea, but why?” he asked. “You always come over to my locker. Either that, or I catch you standing and staring at Sebastian’s ass.”

                “Well…” I quickly explained what had just happened, leaving out the part about Kyle and Jason. I didn’t want to tell Rory about that right now. Or ever, really.

                “So you just happened to run into Sebastian?” Rory asked, raising an eyebrow at me suspiciously.

                I nodded. “Yea. He came over to me,” I lied.

                “Really? Because Jason and Kyle walked by me in the hallway talking about how ‘Amsel is such a fag lover’,” he said with a shrug.

                “Well they didn’t do anything to me. My man saved me,” I said defensively.

                “Whatever. Let’s get to class,” he said, grabbing my wrist and dragging me to class.

                Lunch time rolled around, and Rory and I made our way to the cafeteria together. We sat down and a minute later, Sebastian and Murphy sat in their usual seats across from us.

                “So, you two are still coming over after school, right?” Murphy asked us.

                Rory and I nodded, even though I knew it would be a bittersweet experience. On one hand, I’d get to be with Sebastian. On the other hand, I knew Murphy would invite Cecilia too.

                “She doesn’t even go here,” I grumbled, thinking of Mean Girls.

                “Who doesn’t go here?” Sebastian asked me in confusion.

                I blushed, realizing I had spoken allowed. “My…uh…my fish,” I said lamely.

                “You don’t even have a fish,” Rory said.

                I smacked him in the arm and glared at him. “Shut up! You don’t know my life!” I cried, narrowing my eyes at him.

                “Evan, you’re a moron,” he said, smacking his palm against the center of my forehead.

                I let out a whine as I rocked backwards slightly before steadying myself. I pouted and rubbed my forehead.

                “You’re a butt,” I grumbled.

                Rory shrugged, unconcerned. He turned his attention back to his lunch and began eating. I copied him, suddenly feeling hungry.

                The end of the day came quickly, and I went to my locker. Rory leaned against the locker next to me and watch me put my combination in.

                “Don’t you have to go to your locker?” I asked curiously.

                He shrugged. “No. I have my stuff,” he said. “Now hurry up.”

                I pouted and exchanged my books. I zipped up my backpack and shut my locker. “I’m ready to go!” I announced.

                “Let’s go to my locker. I just remembered that I left something in there,” he said.

                “God! You are such a pain in the ass!” I said as I followed him down the hallway to his locker.

                Rory got his stuff before shutting his locker. I followed him outside to his car and got in, turning up the radio as he pulled out and headed towards Murphy’s house.

                “I hope that Cecilia bitch isn’t there today,” I said with an annoyed sigh after we’d been driving for a little while.

                “She’ll be there,” Rory said.

                “How do you know?!” I cried, glaring at him. “You’re not psychic!”

                “I just know these things,” he said, pulling into Murphy’s driveway and shutting the car off.

                We got out and rang the doorbell. Mrs. O’Doherty let us inside and we made our way down to the basement.

                “I hate you Rory,” I grumbled as I saw Cecilia sitting next to Sebastian on the couch.

                Rory snickered and shrugged innocently. Oh, he was the devil. That’s right Satan; I’m onto you. It’s was the damn Irish, I’m telling you. First Murphy and Liam, and now Rory. Potato lovers trying to steal my Sebastian away from me.

                I looked over and nearly screamed as I watched Cecilia reach up and gently brush Sebastian’s hair out of his eyes. He had a charming smile on his face, and didn’t seem at all bothered that someone other than me was touching him.

                OH MY GOD MY BOYFRIEND WAS CHEATING ON ME. SEBASTIAN, HOW COULD YOU? I THOUGHT WHAT WE HAD WAS SPECIAL!

                “You’re not dating,” Rory said, smacking me upside the head.

                “You’re not nice,” I whined, rubbing my head.

                Rory grabbed my wrist and dragged me over to the couches, forcing me to sit down. I crossed my arms and tried not to glare over at Sebastian and Cecilia.

                “Hi Evan.”

                “SHIT!” I jumped back and Rory shoved me before I could fall into his lap. Sebastian smirked at me, having silently moved to sit next to me.

                “Hi Evan,” he repeated, looking smug.

                “I’m not talking to you,” I growled.

                “Why not?” he asked, cocking his head to the side, his smirk growing wider.

                “Because I’m mad at you!”

                “Why are you mad at me?”

                “Oh sure. Act like you don’t know!” I cried angrily.

                “Evan, he doesn’t know,” Rory pointed out with an annoyed sigh.

                “Oh yea,” I said in wonder, frowning. “Well, never mind then. Hi Sebastian!”

                He chuckled and shook his head at me. “You’re hopeless.”

                “Gah! Why is everyone so mean to me?!” I whined. They should be kissing my feet! Stupid jerks…

                “Someone should go get us popcorn,” Murphy said, trying to set up his Nintendo 64 for us to play.

                “You are so fat,” I said, rolling my eyes at him. He always seemed to be eating popcorn.

                “Just for that, you can go get the popcorn. Seb, go show Evan where it is,” Murphy said, grinning at me smugly.

                I pouted and got up. Sebastian copied me and the two of us moved upstairs and into the O’Doherty’s kitchen.

                Sebastian moved over to a cupboard and pulled out a packet of popcorn, tossing it in the microwave and setting the timer. I sat down at the counter and watched him, wondering why I even had to come up here if he was just going to do all the work anyways. Stupid Murphy!

                Sebastian came over and leaned against the counter. His ever-present smirk appeared on his face as he watched me. I was determined not to look at him this time.

                “You’re not going to look at me, are you?”

                I shook my head.

                “Are you still mad at me?”

                I nodded my head.

                “May I ask why?”

                I shook my head.

                “Evan, what did I do to make you mad?” he asked, leaning over the counter. “I don’t want you to be mad at me.” His lip brushed against my ear as he spoke, making me shiver.

                I looked up and my eyes locked on his. “You were flirting with Cecilia,” I said. My brain screamed at me to shut up, but the flirty look in Sebastian’s eyes was overpowering my will.

                “And that makes you mad at me?”

                I nodded at him and his smirk grew. “Oh. Did that make you jealous?” he asked smugly.

                I nodded at him. “Yea,” I said, wishing I could just shut up. “It did make me jealous. Now I’m mad at you.”

                “Why would that make you jealous Evan? I thought you said you didn’t like her,” he said, bringing his hand up and gently stroking my cheek with it.

                “I don’t like her,” I choked out, positive my face was bright red from his touch.

                “Oh? Then why are so jealous?” he asked, brushing his thumb on my bottom lip gently.

                “Because I love you!” I blurted out, my eyes widening at my words.