It was the first day of MEA break and Connor had already gotten into two fights with his father. The first one was because Connor got high right when he got home and the second was because of how bad his grades were when it was only the second month of school. So naturally, Connor was in his room extending the length of his high because fuck you, Larry.

It was only the second week of October, but apparently his parents thought it was cold enough to turn on the heat. That made it unbearably hot in his room because hot air rises and his room was upstairs, Connor. Why is that the only thing he remembers from science class?

Connor was lying on his bed in just a pair of boxers with a joint between his lips. His sweatshirt was hanging off the bottom left corner of the bed and his hair was up in a bun. He had his blinds closed so it was dark. Like my soul, he thought bitterly. The only light was the light from the hallway peeking out from under his door. His small bookshelf was pushed against the door so nobody could get in. He could also lock it if, you know, his lock worked.

He threw one arm behind his head as he let out a puff of smoke. He needed to get high fast. His arms and legs were itching and were already red and puffy from constantly scratching at them. He lost his blade a while ago so getting high off his ass was the only way to ignore the urge.

One of the downsides to being high was he would get extremely hungry. He quickly finished the joint and sat up. He tugged on his jeans that were on the floor and stood up. He didn't bother with his sweatshirt. It was too hot to put that back on and he would only be downstairs for a minute.

He pushed his bookshelf out of the way and opened the door. He walked down the short hallway and contemplated sliding down the railing. Realizing he wasn't high enough for that shit, he bounded down the stairs, skipping every other step. He made his way into the kitchen. Larry, who was reading the newspaper, glanced over at him. Connor quickly made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, hoping to leave before Larry decided to yell at him more.

He took one bite and noticed Larry hadn't stopped staring. Connor stared back.

"You should really cover your arms, Connor," Larry said.

Connor rolled his eyes. Maybe if you turn the fucking heat off, I will. He raised his middle finger and walked out of the kitchen. On his way up the stairs, he caught Zoe staring at him from her room. More importantly, at his arms. He glared at her and stormed into his room, slamming the door shut and pushing the bookshelf back over it.

He put his sandwich on the empty plate on the table next to his bed. Cynthia had brought up some fruit and toast for breakfast when she noticed Connor didn't come down that morning. He didn't plan on eating it, but after one bite of the toast made him realize how hungry he was.

Connor laid on the bed, arms behind his head and legs crossed. He glanced at his phone, briefly debating whether or not he should try to start a conversation with Evan. After the project, they decided to keep in touch but so far none of them made a move to contact each other.

He reached for his phone, quickly unlocking it.

Connor: my house is hot as balls and my fathers an ass, wanna go do smth

Evan: What did you have in mind?

Connor: youll see

Evan: Connor. I'm blind.

Connor: figure of speech. Be there soon

He pocketed his phone and grabbed his hoodie. He was zipping it up as he walked down the stairs. Ignoring his father's disapproving stare, he swiped the car keys from the hook on the small bit of wall beneath a cupboard above the island. He made his way to the front door. He decided to put his shoes on in the car, but immediately regretted the choice as the asphalt on the driveway was ice cold and his socks didn't do well to protect him.

He jumped into the driver's seat and started the engine, turning the air conditioning all the way up. He finished tying his shoes when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out and read the message.

Evan: Is it alright if I bring Charles?

Connor: i dont care

Connor pulled out of the driveway. He tried to remember where Evan's apartment was. He only remembered that it was by the school. He almost made a wrong turn but he spotted the familiar building in the corner of his eye. He turned sharply, probably earning some honks from other drivers. He pulled into the parking lot and saw Evan sitting on the stairs. Charles was laying next to him.

Connor turned off the engine and hopped out of the car. He walked up to the blind boy and tapped his shoulder. Evan automatically grabbed his elbow. Charles sniffed Connor's foot. He lead Evan down the stairs and through the parking lot. Evan kept almost hitting cars. Why did the entire lot have to be full?

Evan got himself situated in the passenger's seat with Charles by his feet. The dog curled up and laid down.

'Are you sure you can't tell me where we're going?" Evan asked.

'It's a surprise, Hansen,' Connor answered.

'I don't handle surprises well.'

'Don't worry, it's a good one.'

Evan bit his lip and sat back in his seat, fumbling with the seatbelt. The engine roared to life, briefly startling Evan, and Connor rolled out of the parking lot.

The ride was silent. Well, it was always silent, but not that kind of silent. Connor wanted to talk to Evan, but he would have to take his hands off the wheel. He could try texting, but distracted driving is bad, Connor. So is getting high or "destroying his future" as Cynthia likes to call it, but that's not stopping him. He released his tight grip on the steering wheel. He hadn't even noticed he was strangling the thing until he was actually trying to pull it out.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Calm down, Connor. Don't be a freak.

It was a thirty minute drive. Why did this have to be out of town? Whatever. He pulled into the parking lot of the old abandoned orchard. He turned off the car and told Evan he could get out.

Once they were standing next to each other, Connor started talking. 'It's the old orchard my parents used to take me and Zoe,' he said. 'I know you can't see it, but I feel like you'd appreciate nature even if you can't see. But now that I think about it, this was stupid. I'll take you home if you want.'

'No, no," Evan replied, 'this is perfect. Thank you.'

A small smile spread across Connor's face. He took Evan's hand and pulled him along. His palm was warm compared to his own, but he didn't mind. He lead him to the broken gate that was close to collapsing at any second. The black gate was wide open from his last visit a week ago. He mentally cursed at himself for forgetting to close it.

Charles was sniffing everything as they walked in. Connor let go of Evan's hand despite his internal protests. To hide that feeling, he picked up a small rock and chucked it as far as he could. It hit a tree trunk with a soft thunk.

'I come here to think mostly,' Connor decided to say. 'Surrounded by trees where no one can see you. It's great. You can also get high in peace.' Evan didn't respond, much to Connor's surprise. He was expecting him to tell him off for doing drugs like everyone else does.

The brunet's eyes wandered around the forest. He's only been here in the dead of night, when no one would find him. When no one would miss him, if anyone did at all. His gaze landed on a spot nearby. Sorrow pooled in his stomach, his whole body going rigid. Flashes of an eighth-grader leaning against a rock with an empty pill bottle in his hands flooded through his mind.

Connor forced himself to tear his gaze away. His face was red with anger. He balled his hands into fists. He looked down when he felt something touch his leg. Charles was sitting in front of him and Evan was saying something to the dog. Evan turned to face Connor.

'What's wrong?'

'Nothing,' Connor lied, 'don't worry about it.'

'Are you su-'

Connor yanked his arms away and crossed them. He slowly fell to his knees and sat down. He patted Charles' head, thinking that if this calmed Evan down, it would help him too.

Connor pulled into his driveway after dropping Evan back home. They had spent the last hour just sitting in silence, then it started to pour so they scrambled to the car.

Connor slammed the car door shut. He locked the car as he walked up the porch steps. He let the front door close behind him. He considered leaving his shoes on but they were covered with mud and he didn't want Larry to yell at him for being stupid.

He threw them into the closet and marched into the living room. Zoe was sitting on the couch, legs tucked under her and hands holding a cup of what looked like tea. He sat on the other side of the couch.

She set the cup down on the floor. 'What are you doing?' She asked.

'Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize I wasn't allowed on the couch,' Connor retorted. He moved to stand up but Zoe held onto his hoodie sleeve.

'I meant,' she started, ' what's going on with you? You never come out of your room and when you do, you're hanging out with Evan.'

'I'm able to have friends, Zoe. Not all of my life involves drugs and being depressed.'

'I didn't mean that, Connor.' They didn't say anything for a while. Zoe stood up. 'I saw your scars. I'm worried, Connor.'

Connor scoffed. 'You're not the only one, Zoe. Everyone's seen them and no one cares.'

'I care. You may be the worst brother ever, but I care. More than you know.' She turned and walked out of the room.