"Tommy, I don't know if I can go in today."

Nikki had called his lover first thing the next morning. He was sitting on his bed, ready to leave, but with no motivation to do so. He was terrified.

"If I'm going in, you're going in. And I am. We have to take this together, no matter what it is."

His boyfriend's deep voice calmed him, and he closed his eyes as he took in a heavy breath.

"Fine. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Nikki hung up, burying his face in his hands. He hadn't told his parents. He couldn't. He had even lied to them about how he and Tommy had met. He was truly alone.

Nikki forced himself up, grabbing his bag and making his way to school. He dragged his feet and still made it on time, sadly.

As soon as he walked in to the building, a tall man in a suit gently grabbed him by the wrist and led him to the office. His heart began to race.

He spotted Tommy already sitting there, face hidden in his palms. Nikki almost let out a sob, but held it back.

Nikki was seated in the office, forced to sit away from Tommy. It scared him. He wanted to be reassured by the other man that it would be okay, but Tommy refused to look up.

Once they were left alone, the hallways began to filter out. Morning announcements started to play over the loudspeaker. Tommy looked up, tears running down his face.

"I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

"How is it your fault? It's just as much mine." Nikki grumbled, moving into the seat next to Tommy. The older man leaned over and sobbed into Nikki's shoulder.

Tommy felt the same way as he did in elementary school, when he was brought to the principle's office for drawing on his desk on purpose too many times. He was afraid. He felt small and cornered. He felt guilty. But this was no referral.

Nikki forced himself to keep his head up and his eyes dry. After a few minutes of nothing but Tommy's sobbing, he couldn't help it anymore. The tears raced freely down his soft cheeks, his eyeliner running with them.

It was just then that the school's principle walked into the room, beckoning for them to come with him.

Nikki gently bumped Tommy, and they followed the principle into his office. His name tag spelled Mr. Wasserman. His eyes, behind his glasses, were soft, almost pitiful. But they hardened once he began to speak.

"You boys are here for a very serious reason. Mr. Lee here has told the truth and said that you, indeed, are having a relationship. Is this true, Mr. Feranna?"

Nikki scowled, trying to keep his attitude out of his voice.

"It is."

"And Mr. Lee?"

"It is." Tommy was trembling under the weight of his gaze.

"Now, I understand that, technically, you're both students. You are not truly his teacher, but - on account on the fact that you're teaching him as his professor, this is how we have had to address the issue. We spoke to your college last night, Tommy.. although now, it is not as much of a problem as it would be if you were a fully graduated teacher, they have said that if you do this once, there is no force stopping you from doing it again. Now-" Mr. Wasserman held up a finger when Tommy tried to protest. He fell back in his seat with a huff.

"Your college has said that they are expelling you, and that you are blacklisted from ever becoming a teacher."

Tommy felt the mood in the room go from bad to worse. He sunk into the chair, closing his eyes as he processed his punishment.

"As for you, Mr. Feranna.. well, let's face it. You're nineteen, you're graduating this year, you're an adult. You can make your own decisions. There isn't any use in punishing you if Mr. Lee is no longer in the building, and we want you to leave this school with your best chances to.. do whatever you plan to do. So, we'll be giving you a free pass on this one. Do not take this for granted."

Nikki shook his head quickly, sitting forward.

"N-no, that isn't fair, he's getting expelled from college, and I'm getting off free? It was just as much me as it was him! That's not-"

"Mr. Feranna, stop talking. This is our final decision. Go to first period. Mr. Lee, go home. You're dismissed from work. Good luck with your life." The words seemed almost sarcastic as the two men stood and pushed their chairs in, exiting the office.

They paused outside the door, the air heavy around them. Tommy huffed, leaning against the peeling wall.

"Are you-"

"I'm not going to first period," Nikki finished before Tommy could start, grabbing him by the hand. "Let's get the fuck outta here. We've got better places to be."

They walked out of the school hand-in-hand.

•

They ended up in Tommy's car, but no further. Tommy broke down sobbing on Nikki's shoulder.

"Baby, I can't believe this.. my parents, they paid for my college.. it was so expensive.. Nikki, we have to tell them the truth. All of them." Tommy cried, feeling his boyfriend stroking his hair.

"I-I know.. I. Fuck. I don't know what to do." Nikki closed his eyes, allowing the tears that had been building up to roll freely down his cheeks.

"I can't believe this." Tommy repeated, grabbing onto Nikki's hands and holding them tightly.

"Neither can I."

"Oh my god, the apartment. I need to get a job, and fast." Tommy realized with a gasp, gazing up worriedly at Nikki.

"I still have a few hundred bucks from the roller rink. I can give you that for now, if it helps."

"That would help loads but I can't take your money, babe." Tommy refused, sitting up and leaning back in his seat.

"It'll help. It's yours, I'll grab it when we go to my place. Anyway.. where could you go to work for now?"

"I don't know." Tommy replied, voice cracking.

"I'll get a job again, too. You said we could move in together after I graduate.. I might as well start helping you pay for the apartment now. I will be later, anyway." Nikki shrugged, resting his head on the seat.

"I can't make you do that, baby. I was supposed to be able to pay for it all on my own, even when you moved in. I was gonna be the best damn boyfriend you'd ever seen. I was gonna take care of you and me and everything. I was gonna be a teacher and have a steady wage. We were gonna have a future together, maybe even get married. Or adopt a kid. Move into some big house and raise a family. It was going to be amazing." Tommy whispered, forcing himself to stop crying as the tears started to build up again. Nikki reached over and grabbed his hand.

"It still can be."