I grabbed a lunch tray and joined the queue of people waiting for dinner. I was beyond tired. From the backbreaking training to the sly shoves and angry insults, I was shattered. I was definitely going to sleep for a thousand years after this. I finally got to the front of the queue and looked at my options. 

Pork of beef?

Neither, thanks. I got a plate of chips and covered them in mayo, picking up a side salad and a bottle of water. Add shit food to the list of reasons I would rather be in hell than here right now. I dropped down onto a table by myself at the back of the cafeteria, absentmindedly nibbling on my food.

I was nearly finished when I gasped, scrambling away from the table. A whole jug of water was 'spilled' on me by one of the goons, who stood with mock surprise at what he had done. I stepped towards him, seething with anger, but knew better than to attack him in a public forum again. I glared at him and left the dining room, walking to the cabin. I was soaking wet and so was my phone.

 I dried it off with a towel and stripped off my sopping wet shirt. Then, I hopped into the hot shower, allowing it to relax my muscles as I washed away the anger I felt. I scrubbed my hair and body furiously. Just two more days of this; I can do that... right?

I shut off the water and wrapped a towel around my waist, looking at myself in the mirror. Could I do two more days of this? I could ask Daxx to come get me- say my ribs are playing up or something. I shook my head; I needed that scholarship money. I brushed my teeth in the mirror, which I was half way through doing when the door swung open.

"What the fuck?" I squeaked, toothpaste foam dribbling down my chin as I jumped back from the door, clutching my towel to me.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Jimmy yelled, slamming the door shut again.

I could have sworn I locked it. I made sure to lock it now he had left and tested the handle, which opened. Great. That means the lock on our bathroom door doesn't even work. I spat the rest of the toothpaste in the sink and washed it off of my chin before hurriedly putting some boxers and a shirt on- aka pyjamas. I left the bathroom and saw a red faced Jimmy sat on his bed, his knees drawn up into his chest.

"Bathroom lock doesn't work." I shrugged. I don't get why he's so embarrassed- at least I wasn't naked.

I laid down on my bed and groaned; why was it so hot in here? The summer air was humid and despite the windows being open, I felt like I was in a sauna. Jimmy was sweating a lot too and he headed to the bathroom, taking a towel. Obviously he had wanted to shower when he crashed in on my teeth brushing time.

I had settled down with a book and was almost two chapters in when I realised he was still in the bathroom. Quite a long shower. When the water eventually stopped running, he was in there another ten minutes. So he's a bathroom hogger- good to know. I'd have to make sure I get in before him again tomorrow night.

Once he eventually emerged, he was looking anywhere but at me. He walked to the windows and closed them, drawing the curtains. He locked the front door and made his way to his bed, collapsing with a huff.

"It's really fucking hot in here." I laughed, trying to break the awkward silence.

"I shut the windows so we wouldn't get bugs." He shrugged defensively, "Besides it's just as humid out there, as in here."

"I wasn't criticising you. Chill. I was making small talk."

"Oh. Sorry."

Well this was awkward again. I thought everything would be okay after our chat earlier, but I guess I was slightly naive in thinking he'd just forget about things and relax. I raked my mind for something to say. It was too early to sleep yet and I didn't feel like laying in awkward silence all evening.

"So what other bands do you like?" I asked, remembering he'd liked my music earlier.

"So many. Let me play you some." He smiled, pulling out his phone and going to Spotify.

His mood lightened instantly, sitting cross legged on his bed just a metre from mine. We sat for a while, listening to music and talking about our favourite bands. He was quite surprised to find out I loved classical music too. I explained how Daxx had played it for us a lot as kids, since he played the piano.

Jimmy said he played guitar, but wasn't in a band because he thought he'd be teased. Talking to Jimmy about these things seemed to flow just as smoothly as when I was talking to Daxx or Felix. I wondered why it was so awkward at other times. Probably the internalised homophobia. We spent pretty much all evening listening to music before we switched the lights off to go to sleep.

I was staring up at the ceiling, the cobwebs dusting the corners creeping me out slightly. With the summer heat, I couldn't get to sleep. Don't get me wrong, I was exhausted after such a long day, but something just felt... off.

I sat up in the dark, pulling off my shirt. It was too hot. I laid back again, my arms folded behind my head. The chat had been good with Jimmy- we had a lot more in common than I thought. It had also dawned on me that Jimmy was going to Daxx for music therapy, not art therapy like I had presumed.

"Can't sleep either?" Jimmy's deep voice came out of the dark, startling me.

"Too hot." I replied simply, feeling like we had spoken about the weather a million times. It really was that hot.

"Tomorrow's going to be a killer." Jimmy cringed.

"Thanks for pushing me today." I said genuinely, remembering how he'd ran with me.

"Don't mention it. I was impressed you managed to run that many laps. I barely managed five."

"I couldn't have done it if you hadn't helped."

"Don't flatter me." He joked, a low chuckle sounding out that made a grin slip onto my own face.

We slipped into comfortable silence and I rolled over in bed to look at him in the dark. I couldn't make out his expression, but I could see him looking right at me, too.

"I'm going to miss seeing you stalk me from Daxx's balcony." He whispered, his voice barely audible.

I wish I could say I would miss anything about this school. I knew I would miss my family and Felix, but why would I miss Jimmy? I barely knew him. A month or two ago I blamed him for everything wrong in my life. I realise now, however, that I was using Jimmy as scapegoat. A lot of my problems stemmed from my own insecurities- comparing myself to others too often.

"Where are you going to uni?" I asked, changing the direction of the conversation.

"I don't know if I am. I don't know what I'm doing anymore."

His voice wasn't emotional, or hurting, like before. Now, it was void of anything. I could relate to what he was saying- I had only just figured out what I wanted to do. I still don't know where I want to go, but I wasn't afraid of not knowing anymore.

"How come?"

"I don't think I'd fit in; I'm not smart enough. I'd look like an idiot."

I frowned. That wasn't true. Sure, at first I thought he was dim, but after spending some time with him I realised that he was smart, he just didn't try. If he hit the books instead of hitting on girls he could be on his way to uni in no time. I told him as much and he laughed.

"Was it believable?" He asked, referring to his short-lived affairs with women.

"I always had insider knowledge, so I couldn't give you an unbiased critique."

That made him laugh harder and I giggled too. It was nice to finally joke about this whole dilemma.

"You want to review my skills?" He flirted jokingly, making kissing noises.

"Whoah, dude. That was like super gay of you, bro." I did my best impression of one of the goons.

"I mean if we say no homo afterwards, it's all good." He matched my impression.

"It's not gay if we don't make eye contact or keep our socks on." I nodded, agreeing jokingly.

Jimmy barked a laugh and dramatically flung his hands over his eyes, making kissing noises once again. I shook my head at his antics and rubbed my jaw- it hurt from laughing so much. He stopped the theatrics and grinned over at me.

"Who knew Andy Williams had a sense of humour? You're almost tolerable." Jimmy teased.

"Don't pretend like you didn't have a crush on me. Luring me behind the trees for a quick kiss." I teased him back, making him blush and groan.

"What was I even thinking?" He shuddered, "I promise I've improved since then."

"Improved on what? Your boy-luring skills?" I barked a laugh.

"I meant kissing."

Those three words changed the whole atmosphere. It went from light banter to sexual tension very quickly. I could barely see his face in the dark and I was glad he couldn't see mine or he'd see how red I was. In the moonlight I saw his eyes flicker across my bare chest, his mouth stretching into a smug smile as he saw my shocked expression.

"Goodnight, Andy."