WHAT DID YOU DO?

     "As I stated previously, I have done nothing wrong."

     She glares. Sommer is highly aware that I am telling the truth, but will not admit she is wrong, continuing to pretend that she does not believe me.

     "You simply wish to accuse me, to condone remaining angry with me." I cross my arms, turning my back to her.

     I can nearly feel her sulking, eyes burning holes into my back. She stomps away. I glance around the room, smiling to myself.

     With the utmost caution, I make my way to the front door and exit the house. I am optimistic that I will remember the directions to the group home for foster children. I weave between houses and across alleyways.

     "It's you!" I am startled by the young voice behind me. "The man that talks funny."

     The young boy with the long lemon hair that I encountered a few days ago stands before me, giggling.

     "You look different," he says plainly.

     "I have adapted to this environment," I respond.

     He twists his hair, biting the inside of his mouth.

     "Where you going? You look lost."

     "Perhaps you can direct me to the group home--where the orphaned children reside."

     He points directly down the street.

     "Orphans? Right there. By the big tree." His face lights up with recognition. "You know Titus?"

     "Just an acquaintance really. I only met him this morning." I begin to walk down the street. "Thank you kindly for your assistance," I call to him.

     "Yup!" he responds before scampering down the street.

     I recognize the sign in front of the door. Quietly, I creep closer to the building.

     "Can you please talk to me?" I recognize Jagger's voice. I follow it around the back of the building, peeking around the corner with great caution. "Metro doesn't mean any harm."

     I step into their view. They are both seated, their backs against the side of the house.

     "Excuse my interruption."

     Jagger looks at Titus and me hopefully, while Titus appears highly agitated, stiffening with each step I take toward him.

     "I believe it would benefit all parties if I were to speak with you," I say, kneeling beside them. He shakes his head solemnly. "Em...I can assure you that I am absolutely heterosexual and any relationship between Jagger and I is purely--"

     "No! No," Titus interrupts me, rubbing his forehead. "That has nothing to do with anything." He appears highly distressed, his face streaked with tears.

     "I do not understand," I state, looking to Jagger. He shrugs, defeated. "How have I distressed you so?"

     "Go away. Leave me alone." He places his head between his knees.

     Jagger attempts to soothe his emotions.

     "Jagger, I just need to be alone. Please." Titus does not lift his head.

     I rise slowly, looking to Jagger for assistance. He offers me none, appearing forlorn.

     "I apologize--"

     "Just fuck off!" 

     His outburst startles me. He meets my eyes for many seconds, his breath slow and audible. His angry stare is frightening.

     Suddenly I am pulled around the corner from behind. Sommer glares at me.

     What the hell Metro?

     Her grip strong on my wrist, she drags me all the way back to the house. Jagger follows, at a slow pace.

     "I simply wanted to understand what I have done to distress him so," I say to Sommer, answering her angry glares. "Is that a crime?"

     She struggles to write while standing, supporting the notebook with her knee.

     You didn't need to pester him like that. You've upset Jagger too.

     I glance back at him. Jagger keeps his slow pace, his eyes at his feet. I feel apologetic and helpless.

     "Jagger briefly spoke of your attendance at my most recent oral presentation."

     She looks at me curiously.

     Titus came with me.

     "Perhaps that is what upset him?"

     Maybe. It was his idea to go.

     "Interesting." I rub my forefinger against my bottom lip, thinking.

     I just went to see that "superkid" everyone was talking about.

     I lift my chin slightly.

     I almost fell asleep.

     "Hm." I glance across the street.

     No offense. She adds.

     "What was Titus' reaction to my presentation?" I continue my thinking. "Or did he fall asleep as well," I mutter.

     I remember him acting weird. I follow each letter she writes. He was really nervous the whole time. She pauses her writing, thinking. When it was over he was almost angry. He kept saying that you were all talk and nothing would come of it.

     "Peculiar. He seems to be familiar with who I am. What is his full name?" I inquire.

     Titus Rivers.

     I hum thoughtfully. "I do not recognize it."

     Jagger enters the house behind us. He glances at me briefly before returning his gaze to the floor. I apologize.

     "You don't need to be sorry Metro."

     He begins walking upstairs. Sommer runs up to meet him. I consider following them but decide against it, continuing to wonder what it is I have done to cause such a disturbance. I decide my best action for the moment is to rest. I lay on the couch, closing my eyes...

***

I am shaken awake by a shadow with cold hands to a dark sky. I yawn, squinting although there is no light. Jagger leads me upstairs, his grip gentle on my wrist as I follow him blindly, my eyes adjusting to the darkness.

     "Why did you not allow me to remain in slumber on the couch?" I speak, yawning.

     "It's--it gets cold on the first floor at night. You don't want to get sick, do you?" I lay down, already partially in slumber. "Goodnight."

     "Jagger?" I speak, eyes closed.

     "Yeah?"

     "Are you quite alright?"

     "Yes. I'm fine."

     I adjust my position under the blankets.

     "Why does Titus hold such a great amount of hatred toward me?"   

     "I don't know," his voice is soft.

     "I do not believe I would have survived much longer in the school setting regardless," I state.

     He laughs lightly. "Nah you were great. Everyone liked you."

     We remain in silence for many seconds.

     "Jagger?"

     "Yeah?"

     "I am sorry. For this great ruckus I have invigorated."

     "Stop apologizing Metro." He exhales deeply. "You're not a bad guy. You're good...genuinely good. You want to do the right thing."

     "Please inform your sibling of your opinion," I respond.

     "Sommer knows. She's just stubborn."

     I wish to speak with him more but I do not. Further extending Jagger's emotions seems a foolish decision.

     "Goodnight Jagger."

     "'Night Metro."