"Just give Jorge another week, I promise he'll have it down by next week!" Ken said, patting my back. I shrugged, placing my guitar back into its case.

Battle of the bands was a month away, and we had been practicing 4 times a week. Jorge missed two practices, and I told Ken to kick him out, but he desperately vouched for him. So if we lose, it's on Jorge.

"I like the song," Jorge chimed.

Ken nodded. "It's a good song for the ballad portion," Ken agreed.

"I didn't think you'd listen to these types of songs," Shawn said, picking up his backpack. I shrugged, glancing at the clock. First period started in 5 minutes, but we were too focused and spent an hour rehearsing song transitions and pace matching.

"We get one free ticket for Battle of the Bands," Ken said, pulling out the tickets from his wallet. He handed me one and smirked, "Is there anyone you're playing for?"

"Nope."

"No one in particular?" Ken smirked. "Maybe someone who's 5 '7, blond curly–" Shawn punched his shoulder and muttered, "Stop."

"I didn't know Apollo had a girlfriend?" Jorge asked.

"I don't."

"Then who is Ken talking–"

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," I said, carrying my guitar case in hand.

I walked out of the band room, staring down at my phone. Amory wasn't full on ignoring me, but he also wasn't very happy with me. It's been two weeks since New Year's Eve. He thinks he's doing a good job covering it up, but I think he hates me right now.

I stopped outside the gym and pressed my back against the wall. Waiting for the warning bell to ring, Amory usually comes out of the gym racing towards his first period class. I glanced up at the clock hanging outside the double doors, watching the hand tick, as students walked passed.

"Mr. Reyes-Perez," Mr. Rogers said, coming into my view.

"Hi, Mr. Rogers."

"First period starts in three minutes," he said.

"I know. I'm waiting for someone," I said.

He nodded. "How were your holidays?"

"Fine."

"Did you visit family?"

"Yeah."

"Get any good gifts?"

"Yes."

Mr. Rogers laughed, patting my shoulder. "Always a man of few words."

The bell rang, and just on cue, Amory came out of the gym running his hands through his wet hair. Amory spotted Mr. Rogers and his eyes widened as he started bolting out the hallway. Mr. Rogers stopped him and called him over before he could escape.

"Mr. Hartmann," He shouted.

Amory hung his head down low as he approached us. "Mr. Rogers," he mumbled.

"Your final research report was due...let's see–oh yeah–before winter break."

Amory glanced at me, our eyes met briefly before he averted his gaze back down at his feet. He nodded and said, "I know. I had trouble writing it."

"Okay, come see me at the end of the day. I'll give you time before I have to send in grades for the semester report card." Mr. Rogers smiled back at me and waved. "I'll see you later, Apollo."

Amory awkwardly stood in front of me, waiting for one of us to say something.

I cleared my throat and asked, "Why didn't you tell me you needed help with the environmental report?"

Amory shrugged. "I didn't want to bother you."

"Well, I can help you. Just tell—"

Amory shook his head and faintly smiled. "Don't worry about it. Blake said he'd help me with it," he said.

"He's never taken the class," I said.

"Blake's smart."

"I'm smart too."

He nodded. "I know."

"So why didn't you ask me?"

"I don't know," he answered. His eyes flickered up at me, but he quickly averted his attention towards the clock. "I'll see you later," he said. He walked past me, disappearing into the hallway.

Damn. I forgot to give him the ticket.

I mean, I knew why he was upset. I ditched him, and left him alone on New Year's. I apologized the next day, but I could hear it in his voice. I let him down, but he wouldn't say that out loud. Instead he just said, "Okay."

Part of me wishes he would tell me what he's really thinking, but the other half would rather keep it this way.

"Apollo, you're late." My English teacher shook her head as she opened the door to let me into the classroom. "We're in reading groups today," she added.

"Sorry, Ma'am." I glanced at April as she waved at me, gesturing to me to come sit next to her. I pulled out the chair and set my backpack down, faintly smiling at the other two group members.

"Apollo's been late like all semester, why hasn't he gotten detention?" Cassidy muttered, crossing her arms.

"Shut up," I spat. "Why is she in our group?" I asked April.

"Mrs. Taylor moved her," she mumbled.

"I don't want to be in this group either," Cassidy said, glaring at me.

April rolled her eyes and handed me the worksheet. It was busy work, and nothing really helpful or informative. Ms. Taylor wasn't one to leave any type of impression in her teaching, but I think it has a lot to do with the fact that she's near retirement.

"Is Amory still mad at you?" April asked. "Blake said he's acting normal, but you look...well not normal."

I shrugged. "I don't know, I guess. He's not really ignoring me, but he's also not really talking to me."

"What does that mean?"

"Like last weekend," I began. "I asked him if he wanted to listen to our rehearsal, and he blew me off to go axe-throwing with Blake."

"And you didn't say anything?"

I shrugged. "How can I? I did the same thing to him on New Years. It'd be shitty if I got upset for the same thing," I explained.

"Sounds like your boyfriend's silently mad at you," Cassidy teased.

"Fuck off," I said. "Why are you listening to our conversation?"

"You guys aren't exactly quiet," Cassidy said. "Besides, isn't it obvious?"

"What?" I asked.

"He probably feels bad for you. So, he's trying to act normal about everything."

Cassidy leaned in, glancing around the room before whispering to us, "I heard from some people that he's been asking about Jackson."

I turned to April and she looked down at her paper, avoiding my gaze. What did she know about this?

Cassidy laughed. "Who wouldn't feel bad after hearing about your friend group?" Cassidy glanced at Mrs. Taylor, making sure she couldn't hear her. "That's the reason why everyone's so nice to you, they're afraid you're gonna be next."

I clenched my fists as Cassidy leaned back in her chair, smirking.

"Cassidy!" April shouted. April placed her hand on my shoulder and said, "That's not true."

"Don't be too upset. Levi's a nice guy, I'm sure he's not weirded out by the whole Jackson thing. Maybe he just doesn't know how to step around it, everyone knows you guys hate talking about him. So, it makes sense why he got curious." Cassidy continued writing in her worksheet.

"Cassidy, please shut up." April glared at her.

"Fine. I'm done anyway," Cassidy muttered.

Once the bell rang, I slung my backpack over my shoulder, trying to leave the classroom quickly. April followed behind, trying to get my attention by calling my name. I know Cassidy is the worst, but I don't think she'd lie to me. She's not that type of person.

I abruptly stopped and turned back to face April. She jumped in surprise at my sudden response and said, "Don't listen to Cassidy."

"What were you and Amory talking about?" I asked, suddenly remembering the night of New Year's Eve. They were sitting in the driveway talking to each other before I had come out to join them.

April glanced down at her hands and shrugged. "We were just talking about stuff. Nothing really–"

"You guys never talk to each other," I stated.

April sighed, her gaze returning to me. "Apollo, of course we don't really talk. He's your–" she paused. "It's hard to talk to your ex's new partner. Especially when they're really nice."

"So you didn't talk about Jackson?"

April bit her lip, slowly nodding her head. "Only for a bit," she said. "He asked about our relationship, and why it ended–things just led up to Jackson. I didn't know he'd start asking around."

I sighed, glancing around the crowded hallway. I wasn't trying to keep him from Jackson, but I also wasn't trying to tell him about him. April rubbed my shoulder, smiling gently.

"It's not a big deal. Just talk things out," she said. She gripped my shoulder and I glanced down at her, confused by the sudden change. "But you actually have to talk," she added.

"I'm just–" I paused. "I don't know...annoyed?"

"Why?" She asked.

I shrugged. "It's just–it's no one's business but our own."

She nodded, biting her lip in concentration. "Yeah, but it's okay to talk about the people you love." She glanced at the clock hanging across the hall. "Maybe it's time. You know, to let him in."

"I don't know," I murmured.