Edited as of 7-24-17

Things were different at school. The more he hung out with Brice and the others, the more people seemed to want to talk to him. People he'd never seen before were waving and smiling at him in the hallways, greeting him as if they were best friends. Some girls would even give him a hug hello, which he'd gradually begun to allow, though the uncomfortableness never faded. It was usually the cheerleaders, and Sub was never too far behind, watching with a big smile on his doll-like face.

Was this what it was like to be popular?

Great. You're supposed to be laying low, and now you're one of the most known people in school.

What did you expect, idiot? That people would brush off the fact that you're always with Brice? Fat chance.

Embarrassingly enough, since the incident, the two had grown almost close. The friendship seemed mostly one sided, with Brice always being the one to initiate conversations and suggest walking to class together, but Seto wasn't pushing him away anymore, so that was something. Brice, whether Seto liked it or not, was becoming familiar. He had started to expect the blonde to smile and say hello every time they saw each other, or pause in his conversations to talk to him like he often did, and found himself becoming disappointed when Brice failed to do such. He was used to the friendly Australian. He liked having him around. It was nice.

"You've grown soft." Seto muttered to himself. He was listening to their teacher drone on and on about the importance of the industrial revolution. He wasn't surprised that half of the class was asleep. He himself was feeling rather drowsy. He glanced absentmindedly at the clock, letting out a soft sigh.

"Hm?" On his left sat Sub. This was the only class he had with the perky cheerleader. The boy leaned in, trying to hear what Seto had said. "Isn't this class the worst? Mr. Hollick is everyone's least favorite teacher. He's so boring." He whispered.

Oh. Oh hell no. You are not about to gossip like a teenage girl.

"Uh... yeah. The worst." Seto agreed, leaning away from the brunette, who was much too close for comfort.

"Hey! You back there! New kid! Since your conversation is obviously so important, why not share it with the rest of us?" Mr. Hollick's previously monotone voice raised into a booming shout.

Seto's head snapped to attention, narrowed eyes darkening dangerously. He didn't say a word, only stared defiantly at the teacher. The air was thick with tension, making their classmates shift uncomfortably. Everyone was certainly awake now.

"Mister. There's no need to shout." Sub spoke up, smiling at the overdramatic teacher. "Seto was curious about why they were so focused on industry, and why agriculture was such a forbidden thing. He didn't want to interrupt you, and make you lose your train of thought, so he instead asked me. And aren't you always telling us how you should always as a friend first, before asking you a question?" He ended it with another sickeningly sweet smile.

"Well! Yes. But... next time, just wait, okay? I was about to ask if anyone had any questions." He replied gruffly. "Understood?"

"Yes sir. It won't happen again." Sub promised in a sugary voice. With another grumble, the teacher went back to reading off about industry. Sub turned to Seto, waggling his eyebrows suggestively, trying to get a smile out of the tense boy. When it didn't work, he frowned and poked him in the ribs.

Seto bit back a yelp, flinching away from Sub's hand. Mr.Hollick shot them a stern glare, and snorted when Sub grinned innocently at him. "What the hell?" He whisper-shouted at the proud teenager beside him.

"You're ticklish." Sub found this terribly amusing. He had a sinister smirk on his face. "Cute." He looked back at the teacher, seemingly listening, ignoring Seto's death glare. However, when Seto finally looked away, paying attention as well, he took the opportunity to poke him in the side again, earning a stifled squeal.

The boy broke out into giggles. Seeing Seto's anger only made him laugh harder. The teacher threw his book down, completely giving up, and stomped over to his desk. Immediately, the class burst into chitchat, talking and laughing among themselves. Yay, freetime!

"I'm going to kill you." Seto seethed. He wasn't kidding. Sub was getting on his nerves.

Sub gasped, widening his eyes in mock surprise. Then he started laughing again. "Aww! You're so cute when you're angry! You're all like, 'Grr'!"

"Am not."

"Are too!" Sub stuck his tongue out childishly. Then he reached out and started tickling the sorcerer mercilessly.

Brice, who was seated at the other side of the classroom, watched the two. Something about Seto... His body language. He wasn't playing with Sub. He was pushing at his hands, an almost desperate attempt to get him to stop. The laughter sounded pained to his ears. He felt someone poke him in the side, and looked over at his table partner in confusion.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, recrossing his arms over his chest. "I really hope you're not staring at my boyfriend. I don't need anymore hot guys crushing on him. Trust me, those spots are all filled."

"What? No, moron." Brice gave his head a light shake, brushing off Seto's strange behavior. "Also, I'm hot? Since when?"

"Since two seconds ago, and it's now expired. Hope you enjoyed it." Ethan rolled his eyes, but grinned when Brice laughed at his statement. "So. New kid, huh?"

"We're friends." Brice answered cautiously.

"Friends. Mm. I'm sure."

"What else would we be?"

Ethan merely shrugged. He smirked at Brice's expression once realization hit, taking in the mortified look and blush that tinted his cheeks. He let his gaze drift over to his boyfriend and the current victim. "He's pretty cute. I'm not surprised you like him."

"It's not like that..." He protested weakly.

"Sure. And I like girls, and wouldn't even look twice at a guy."

"Wh-"

"I'm sorry. I thought we were playing Opposites." A mock pout played on his lips. "Say what you want, Brice. But the truth is pretty obvious. You may not know it yet, but I can promise you others are catching on."