Jared was leaning against a doorframe, smirking widely. His arms were crossed. F**k. F**k, f**k, f**k, f**k. There was no way to deny it now, as Connor'd admitted it with a shout. He could wonder if any one else had heard the confession. Jared was just merely looking at him. "You finally admit it," he repeated. "You finally admit it to yourself."

"I've actually already admitted it to myself," Connor answered, glaring at him but not bothering to deny it. "So. There you are." Jared merely regarded him cooly.

"Really?" He asked eventually. "So you finally accept it? Good for you. Good for you, Connor." Jared's tone was light. "You are kind of obvious."

"You don't know that-" Connor tried defending himself.

"C'mon Connor," said Jared. "You blush, you're extremely happy. I honestly have no clue why Michael hasn't noticed it yet." Connor felt himself blush at this statement, gaze narrowing further.

"Or maybe he just denies it to himself, to prevent himself from hoping, but I don't know what he does think about you," Jeremy's voice caught them all off guard. Connor turned to face him. Connor did not pick up on what Jeremy was implying by 'prevent himself from hoping' at all.

"Do I have to have a f**king audience now? For this? This isn't some rare f**king concept or anything. It's just unimportant feelings, which could disappear at any time. Crushes are definitely not crowd worthy."

"Well, you did yell loud enough for anyone within a five foot radius to hear," Zoe said, shrugging. Jared suddenly went red and Connor guessed that was a sign for the appearance of Alana. The boy was helpless.

Alana appeared next to Zoe and looked over at Connor. "What was all the yelling about?" She asked.

"Connor got a bit heated over me teasing him about his crush," Zoe answered. "And ended up yelling at me to stop."

"Wait, Connor likes someone?" Alana asked, as she gazed around at the small crowd. Connor was in the middle and was blushing profusely. "I mean, I thought he did but wasn't sure." Connor buried his face in his hands.

"What's going on here?" Connor's heart leapt, recognizing the voice of Michael Mell immediately. "You guys are blocking the hallw-" he cut off when he noticed Connor. Through his fingers, Connor saw Michael blush slightly and grow silent.

"Oh we were just teasing Connor about hi-" Jeremy paused. "-something you don't need to know about." Michael looked up at his friend.

"Oh," he said, sounding almost disappointed.

"We should go," Jeremy said, leading Michael away.

Quickie POV swap (cause why not)~

Michael followed his friend with a frown on his face. His eyes traveled back toward the gathered group, with the hot dark haired boy in the middle. "Jeremy?" The gingery haired boy turned to face him.

"Yeah?"

"I'm not in the mood to play Apocalypse of The Damned today," he said. Jeremy turned to face him.

"I don't think Connor not necessarily returning your feelings should change that," Jeremy said. Michael blushed.

"I-I never said that! I-I don't have fe-" Jeremy cut him off.

"Dude, I've known you for 12 years," he answered. "You'd think I'd notice when you have a crush." Michael merely blushed. "And you've never said that before when you have a crush, why is Connor different?"

"I-I honestly don't know, maybe I'm just not feeling it today," he replied with a shrug. Jeremy laughed. Or maybe because before Connor, you were that crush but I don't know.

"Well, I won't force you if you don't want to." Michael smiled.

"Okay."

Back to Connor

Connor didn't know what to do. How many people knew about his crush now? He merely sighed and then walked off to his next class.