**This chapter includes

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EVAN POV

Evan:

I have a problem

Jared:

What kinda problem? Did they cut down the tree behind the science building?

Evan:

No it's about Connor

Jared:

Oh ;) ;) I'll be over in a few minutes

Evan:

Thanks

•

Jared arrived on his bike that he hasn't used since he was a freshman. It's a little small, but it's funny.

"Hey Ev. What's up?"

"Okay so first of all, C, the email friend, is Connor. Second, I kinda, like, like him?? And third, his mom and my mom are besties now so we had dinner there. He didn't talk to me or anything."

"First, oh. Second, ohhh~" he winked. "And third, oH."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Would you let me read some emails? Just a few."

"Sure, I guess." I pulled up the ones that would actually relate to my issue. "Here."

"Huh. Well he totally likes you," he said, scrolling through the paragraphs.

"What?"

"Yeah, all of his flirting seems to go right over your head. You're so, I don't know, pure and sweet. I would say that you should try to talk to him, but we both know how that would end up."

I sighed. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know."

"Well if I talk to him, what if he hates me, or what if he's all intimidating like he is?"

"Evan, he definitely doesn't hate you. Trust me. And because he does, he might try to, like, not scare you off." He checked his phone. "I have to go. Mom needs me."

"Okay."

"Anything else? You okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks. See you tomorrow."

•

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Dear E/Evan,

I'm sorry. Sorry for not talking to you, sorry for even telling you about real life me and scaring you. All of it. I didn't think much. I didn't know you were here when I sent it. Then you ran outside and I felt horrible.

If you want to talk, please come over. Anyway, I want to talk and see you and feel better. If you don't, that's alright too. If so though, I'll be in the treehouse in the back. No one's home, so use the gate on the side.

I'm sorry this email probably doesn't make sense. And it's really sloppy and weird. I'm upset and it's hard to type when you're shaking. And high.

Sincerely,

Me

•

Evan:

JARED HE EMAILED ME AND WANTS ME TO GO OVER THERE AND TALK TO HIM

Jared:

See, he does want to talk. He does like you. Do you need a ride or something?

Evan:

Sure. It's a long way to walk and my mom has the car at work. His address is 239 W 45th St.

Jared:

Ok. I can be at your house in an hour. Is that fine?

Evan:

Sure

•

We finally got there an hour and a half after the email was sent. As I got out of the car, I could practically feel Jared winking. Before I got far, he rolled down the window and said "use protection." So that was fun.

I opened the gate and saw a massive treehouse in the middle of the also huge backyard. I grinned and ran up to the ladder. Then I slowed down to climb up. Safety first, kids.

I knocked softly. No answer. I decided to then slowly open the door. I saw a person in the corner. One sleeve of their black sweatshirt was rolled up. As soon as they saw me, they rolled it back down and threw something behind the little table. Connor.

"Hi," he said hoarsely.

"Hi."

"You can sit."

So I sat. I'm still at least ten feet away from him.

"Didn't think you were coming," he said. I just nodded. "Huh."

After that, it was silent. It was painful. To break it, I mustered the energy to ask, "What's on your arm?"

"What?"

"I came in and you hid it immediately."

"Oh..right." He scooted way closer. I just hugged him. A really big hug too. He smelled kind of smokey, but also like a coconutty shampoo. I like it. We stayed there, hugging like that, for a long time. Silently, but comfortable silence this time.

~•~•~

Hehehhh that's cute

That moment you realize you completely forgot about Evan's cast so you'll just sNeak it into the next chapter somehow..?

See ya in the next chapter ❤️