"That's one hell of a friendship you have there."

☆

"I heard a rumour..." One of the girls, called Gina from Mark's large friend group began, as they communed in the canteen before the first lesson.

"What is it, tell us." Another asks, as everyone seems to lean in a bit to hear the news.

"Lena and that Archie guy have broken up...." Mark's attention is drawn to the conversation on hearing this news and it seems everyone's attention is then drawn to him.

"You hear that? Now's your chance." Gus playfully pushes Mark sideways in his seat. "They always seemed a weird match." Mark half smiles. Not wanting to respond either way and is grateful that the breaker of the news continues.

"I haven't finished." Everyone turns their attention back to her. "I also heard that Bayley Brennon is gay."

"Shit!" Wait... is that the little clever kid... Archie's friend Bay?" Gus leans in a little more. "What has that got to do with Lena?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Gina looks at Gus as if he has no clue. "He has to be involved with Archie. That must be why Lena ended it with him. "Mark. What do you think?" They looked at Mark for a response, but all he could do was stay frozen in his seat. Unable to speak. He felt sick. His heart began to pound and he wanted to disappear. "Well... I think it's Archie anyway. Has to be." Gina ends the gossip at that.

"Where did you hear that?" Mark finds the strength to ask.

"Well, according to one of my reliable sources, someone heard moaning coming from the changing room yesterday, and when they looked in, they saw Bay hugging someone, but they didn't see who. It has to be Archie. Who else could it be?" Gina shruggs. The canteen suddenly quietens down as none other than Bay walks in, oblivious to the rumours. He is alone, without his friend by his side and it causes Gina to look back at her friend group. "He is never seen without Archie, but look... He's all by himself. It has to be true. That's why Archie is keeping his distance."

"Hey!" Gus calls to Bay, waving a hand in the air. "I need your help. Can you give me a hand?" Sniggers and smirks of amusement can be heard amongst the group as Bay innocently walks over. He wonders, had Mark been brave and mentioned their friendship? Will he be able to speak with him now out in the open? But as he approaches, he sees Mark not even being able to make eye contact with him and soon realises he may have fallen into a trap of some kind as he sees Gus gesturing the obvious "I hear you're good with your hands. Where's you boyfriend today?"

Bay naturally looks at Mark. His boyfriend, right in front of him , but Mark doesn't budge. He exhales a sigh. "What do you mean? I don't have a boyfriend." Bay looks again at Mark who was still looking down, unable to raise his head.

"Archie boy." Gus raises an eyebrow.

"He's not my boyfriend. He's just a friend."

"So you jack off your friends?'' Gus raises an eyebrow. "That's one hell of a friendship you have there." It was at that moment that the penny dropped. Bay knew exactly what Gus was talking about and he didn't know how to answer. The truth was out of the question but the assumption was just as bad. "Do your get all your 'friends' off in the changing room?"

"Where did you hear that?" Bay utters under his breath.

"So you don't deny it?" Gina looks at Bay.

"Where did you hear that?" Bay dares to step forwards, which only causes Gus the sit up ready for some kind of fun playtime.

Mark finally looks up and pulls on Gus' arm. "Let's go to class. I'm bored already." He stands up, hands in pocket as he walks past Bay. The sleeves of their blazers rub together as he passes. The action seemingly in slow motion as Bay is left in the middle of the canteen as one by one, they all follow Mark's lead, not without a few mumbles of insults on the way. It was in that moment that Bay knew exactly where he stood with Mark. He was his shameful secret. Should Bay have been surprised? Would he have been asking too much for Mark to be on his side?

With all that aside, the truth about him was out. Whoever started the runour would know he was gay and Archie was wrongly being put in the frame, but Archie... where was he?