EVAN POV

Connor came up to me after school the same day he signed my cast. He looked annoyed as he said, "The principal was watching in the computer lab."

"O-Okay?"

"I did it so he wouldn't get me into trouble. I thought I'd let you know that I'm not, like, your friend. Didn't want you thinking was gay or something." He rolled his eyes.

I looked down at my cast, then way back up to his face. "Right. Um okay."

Then he left abruptly. I'd barely even finished the word "okay" as he turned to go home.

•

I walked home because I don't like the bus, plus my mom is going to be working late all week. I got there and as soon as I saw the little wifi symbol on my phone screen, I opened gmail and talked to C.

To: lifeandotherstuff_gmail.com

From: mostamazingtree_gmail.com

Dear C,

Today was boring because of school. Plus, a kid I kind of know has been talking to me more lately, but I don't think he actually even likes me. All he does is get into trouble, so he uses me to stay out of it.

How was your day? Are you feeling any better?

   Sincerely,

E

•

I sent it, then I got a call.

"Hey, what up, tree fucker?"

"Jared, what the hell?"

Jared Kleinman. He's two months older than me, but to him, that means like six years. His mom and my mom both work at the hospital and they're really good friends. Jared and I are okay friends. He tolerates me usually, but he makes sure I don't get into trouble. I think he only does that so his mom will pay for car insurance.

"Evan, I'm gonna come over."

"Why?"

"Can't a guy just go to his best friend's house to hang out, have fun?"

"Am I really your best friend?"

"Haha, nah, like family friends. I just hang out with you."

"Thanks. That's so sweet."

"Yup. See ya in a few."

When he showed up, he threw his backpack on the floor of my room and sat on my bed. We ended up playing truth or dare, a game that seems to be more like "say something embarrassing or do something embarrassing/sexual." I'm not a fan.

Jared chose truth. I'm not any good at this game. That's probably why Jared wants to play with me. "Okay, um, what's your favorite food?"

"Bathbombs."

"No, I mean actually."

"Bathbombs," he repeated, dead serious.

I shrugged.

"Truth or dare?"

I quietly said, "Truth."

"Hm. I could have some fun with this, huh, Hansen."

"Just ask."

"Let's see...Ooh. Do you have any other friends? I don't even count, really."

This made me panic. It also made me feel bad. I really don't. I don't even have my mom because she's never here. I fidgeted with my hands while I breathed a tad faster. Why am I getting so worked up? He's going to tease me no matter what.

Wait. C.

"I have an i-internet friend. We, uh, email."

"And this friend's name is..?"

"Um C."

"C?"

"Yeah. It's his initial for, um, privacy and stuff, so uh I'm gonna go no-"

"Aw, Ev," he laughed, "that's hilarious."

"Yeah.." I sighed.

He finally left so I could sit and sulk. Am I doing something wrong? Why don't I just speak, do, ask things? Why is it so hard?

My breathing got heavier and I could practically feel my face turning bright red. I didn't realize until now that my eyes were red and puffy. I was -- I am -- crying. Why??

Eventually, the hyperventilating made me pass out. Alone.

When you're falling in a forest and there's nobody around, do you ever really crash or even make a sound?

~•~•~

Heyy if you haven't checked out ...But Not Because We're Gay (my other DEH fic), I definitely recommend it. This one will be less depressing, maybe. What? Who said that?