Nathan's POV

Every freshmen says his first week is the most important in his college life, thinking everything starts then and if they make it, they're safe. Not my case. College life starts now for real. This week is the first game. I try to act cool and don't think about the pressure that has been put in my name. The team had an awful season last year and now they want me to turn their shit into gold. I'm no God, but I'll give my 110% in the court. Everyday all day practicing. Gym, court and sleep. I have no chance to fuck around. Well, literally that was what I was doing with Brenda last night, but who can blame me? She is a cheerleader after all, her point is to cheer up for the team, right? I leave my car at the parking spot and go to find Dylan, a teammate who needs to work on his shoot right fucking now. He said he'd be close to the stands. Since the first week and the bros party at the frat house, he's been obsessed with the girl Robin hangs out, I believe her name is Sam, making his life goal to "bring her back to the right road". He's a damn idiot really, whose mind is stuck centuries ago, but as he is on the team, I'm stuck with him as well. No sign of Dylan yet, but I spot Robin talking to...Vanessa?

Vanessa is actually doing the talking, moving her hands into the air. I'm guessing she's in the middle of one of her speeches. She's wearing overalls with a flowered t-shirt. That would be enough for me to call her a 4 year old once again, but it somehow seems right for her. So right that some chicks behind Robin are checking her out. Of course she keeps talking to Robin with enthusiasm, not having a fucking clue she's between lesbians. That girl is from another world, no doubt. I decide to barge in the conversation.

"Morning, ladies."

"Hey, Nate!" Robin greets me with a little punch on the chest. "When am I going to kick your ass again? I think I can teach you a few moves just to not embarrass yourself." Vanessa seems confused by Robin's words, but keeps her eyes on the ground. This should be fun.

"You know that was pure luck, don't you? I'm ready for a second round anytime but this week. Thing are fucking crazy with the upcoming game."

"Excuses, excuses, excuses... Just be a big boy and admit you suck at PS! It's on Friday, isn't it?"

"Yes, you both coming right?"

"Sure!" Robin remarks with a beam. Vanessa still has said no word. A week ago I would say this is her being angry at me for no reason. "Oh, how rude of me! Let me do the introductions. Nathan, Vanessa."

"We do know each other. What happened to you chatty mouth? I didn't think you could be that quiet." I tease Vanessa. She finally looks up and gives me a death glare. So deathly like I've killed a dozen of puppies or something. What the fuck. That's all I'm getting from her today. She immediately turns her sight to Robin.

"I have to go. Once again, congratulations on the gathering, I think it was a huge success!" she tells her smiling. "Have a nice day, Robin!" And she leaves. Am I fucking invisible? Robin takes a moment to process what just happened.

"What was that about?" She finally says.

"I have no fucking idea." I admit and raise my hands up in defense.

"Well, you should. Vanessa doesn't act like this. Nathan, are you fucking messing with her?" Robin seems kind of pissed. What the hell is going on? Could somebody inform me for what I'm accused for?

"Are you serious?" I laugh because she clearly can't be. Me messing with Vanessa? Like really?

"Dead serious." Robin grabs me from the arm and leads me a few steps further. She is dead serious indeed.

"What the fuck, Ro. I have no idea why your friend acted like she was bitten by a fucking fly. She's crazy, it's pretty obvious."

"What have you done to her?" She insists.

"Not a single fucking thing!" I say louder than I intended to. Robin tries to measure the amount of truthiness in my words. Damn you Vanessa, once again putting me in trouble.

"In this case, keep it that way. You better not lie to me about this, Nathan. Vanessa isn't one to be messing around with."

"I said nothing is going on, Ro. Just chill." I say finding back my temper. She is just about to say something when Sam calls for her.

"I'll be watching you." Robin says pointing her finger at me and walks away. I guess that's my queue to go too. Fucking Dylan, this is your fault, you're fucking screwed.

Alice's POV

I am crossing the campus with a fast pace, as the dialogue I just had with Mr.Emerton, and the infos that I've gathered about his everyday schedule, are spinning in my head.

I had the chance to talk to him after today's class, under the cover that I was interested on focusing on classes like his, as my specialty. I tried to be more Vanessa alike, in order not to blow my cover. It helped that he's familiar with me, since I often answer questions in class. Unfortunately for me now, he doesn't make any discriminations, so the option of talking to him about the paper went immediately to the trash.

Mr.Emerton was really pleased that I am taking my studies seriously, so we went to his office to have a proper conversation. So the first piece of information was, the location of his office and how it looks like. As the conversation was taking place, I fished out thanks to the interrogation skills I must have inherited from my dad, that Mr.Emerton has the same routine every week. He's like a robot and that's really convenient.

It's time to take action! As soon as I left the professor's office, I called Joseph.

"Missed me?" he answers the phone with one of his usual idiotic catchphrases. I try to ignore it, since there is more serious stuff at risk.

"No time to answer to your stupid quips! I need to see you asap." I say in a commanding and straight voice.

"You're not the only one who wants that!" I am sure he has that obnoxious smile again. I can feel it spreading on his face.

"Gross! I need to see you for our thing! And don't even start your idiotic comments and quips." I bid him.

"It's not fun like that! Anyway...Come and meet me at the small park outside of the Tanenbaum Laboratory. It's in the Sciences Campus."

Bloody hell! That's a bit far, but I am not going to complain to move his royal ass, as I am sure he won't even bother.

"I'll be there, but it's going to take some time.Unfortunately I can't teleport." I tell him, implying that maybe we should meet somewhere in the centre of the campus.

"No prob!" he answers really cool. Of course he didn't even care. Why do I have my hopes up with this guy? He did yesterday the good action of the day. He doesn't want to have an overdose of goodness and get sick.

"Just stick your ass there and don't dare to move it." I order him and I hung up.

After quite some time, I arrive at the Tanenbaum Laboratory park. Many students are sitting there, since it's a warm autumn day. Behind the huge Laboratory I can see other campus buildings too. I assume they are labs as well. All the science majors are taught here like Chemistry, Meds, Physics etc.

I move around the park trying to spot Joseph, but the sun is blocking my sight. I keep looking around, having my phone at hand, ready to call him for scolding him, as my first guess is that he got bored and left.

But there he is!

He's standing under a tree, wearing jeans, a casual checkered shirt in red and black and black sneakers. His hair is perfectly messy as always. He is supporting his back on the tree's base and he's talking to a blond girl with long hair.

Where does he find them? Do they fall from the sky? It's impossible and absurding. I observe his predator mode is active and confidence and certitude emanate from him.

I walk towards him with a steady pace and the shorter I approach the more aggressive the pace becomes. In the same time I give him a meaningful look, like 'What the hell are you doing? We need to talk', but he moves his hand in a stop signal, unnoticeable to the girl accompanied by a look 'Wait a second. I'll be right there'.

I give him a deathly glare, but my feet stop moving. Why does his exceptional IT skills have to come with this arrogant personality?

Fine Mr. Casanova! I'll wait 2 minutes tops for you, to get over with this Barbie girl. The girl is wearing jean shorts and a white top, with summer beige short boots. She's leaning really close to him, smiling playfully. She's dribbling for him, showing it so clearly.

Why do I have to encounter this freaking show every time? Ok Mister your time is finishing! Hurry up!

I try to look somewhere else huffing and exhaling and be indifferent, moving my hands nervously and pacing back and forth. Oh God! It's taking too long and I have to talk to him like... NOW, so we can come up with a plan. How much more fire my ass can take? I turn my head to look at him, but he still plays Hugh Hefner with her. He doesn't even do something to get rid of her!

Time's up and I already gave him more than my tolerated time.

I walk at a vicious pace towards them and I start talking looking at the girl.

"Here's how this is going. This guy only wants to screw around with you, with no intention of calling back or having something more than a fling. So if you're looking for something serious, this guy is not recommended.  We have urgent issues we need to discuss now so find your luck elsewhere." I say to her with sassiness and at the same time, I pat her shoulder.

 She eyes me surprised and a bit annoyed and then she glares towards Joseph. Finally, she takes off, making a frowning and furious grimace. Wise choice...

I turn around ready to face a really pissed Joseph, but to my surprise, he's not as pissed as I believed he would be. I think I distinguish a hint of amusement on his expression like he's enjoying it.

"Why did you have to do that? I almost got her," he complains raising his hand to the direction the Barbie girl went, trying to look angrier.

"Because it was taking you forever! I thought you said you were good at this!" I smirk raising an eyebrow.

"Good things take time. Haven't you heard of that expression before?"

"I don't see anything good!" I point out, crossing my hands.

"Be careful Alice, you don't want to be on the bad side of me. There's still the option to change my mind," he warns me and he looks up down to me.

I should have been waiting he would play this card, but I can't help it! I just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, when he's standing in front of me with his stupid arrogant smile.

"Seriously? Blackmail? I thought you said you were decent and... something about morals..." I strike back with a sarcastic voice.

"That's before you send my Gigi Hadid away," he grumbles like a child. "Anyway you are lucky that I have this superhero sense, so despite your bad 10-year-old behavior, I won't change my mind. Also, it took you more than your usual time to come all Fast & Furious at me. I am impressed!" He tells me in a playful voice and I give him a bothered look. "Tell me, why did you want to see me so badly?" he asks with a smirk.

"I found out about my prof's schedule, so it's time to act," I inform him, ignoring my urge to answer him back as always. There is always time for that between me and Joseph.

"Really? That fast? I am doubly impressed." He gives me a glance full of praise.

"Yeah!I am really good at fishing info. Not to mention time is pressuring us."

"So, what did you find out?"

"The perfect time to do it is on Friday, at the lunch break. Mr.Emerton is like a robot and he has a routine he compulsively follows." Joseph pays attention to me really carefully. "Every Friday he has classes only in the afternoon. What he does is coming to his office to work for this scientific paper he has and wants to publish. At exactly 12 o'clock he goes to take his lunch and always stays to drink a cup of coffee after that. He returns after 2 hours, that means at 2 o'clock, to continue working on his paper. He leaves his computer at his office for these two hours. Do you think that's enough time to hack it?" I ask waiting anticipated for his reply.

"Yeah! That's more than enough!" he answers enthusiastically. "Really impressive! How did you learn all this stuff?" he asks really curious, rubbing his chin, where his beard is more than his usual. I think he should shave a bit, just to be perfect, as it was before.

What am I thinking? Alice snap out!

"Well, I have good interrogation skills! I can't tell you all my secrets" I flash a smile and he looks really impressed.

"That makes me wonder what your other secrets are. I knew you were a dangerous woman, but this ability to elicit information that fast and unnoticeable makes you even more life-threatening." He admires, taking a really good look of me with his hazel eyes. He stares at me for several seconds.

"Thanks for the compliment. One of my many charismas." I smirk and he chuckles, as I realize my flirt mode has been activated automatically. What the heck Alice?

"Where is the office?" he asks, passing his hand through his hair. That move makes me want to bite my lip, but I fight this urge.

"It's in the Anthropological Science Campus at Elm Street 14. We will meet outside at 11.30 and I will take you to his office."

"Great! But you didn't think the most basic thing, genius!" He says, like he's speaking to a retarded person. I give him a confused and questioning glance. "How are we going to get in the office? Are you best friends with Harry Potter to 'Alohomora' the door for us?" He moves his hand in the air, like he's holding a wand.

"That's one of my 100 plus 1 special abilities. You'll find out in two days." I wink at him and I turn my back ready to leave.

Before I take my first step he comes behind me and whispers in my ear. "I can't wait to find out." A chill passes through my whole body.

"Patience for two days!" I turn to face him, showing two fingers with a smirk and then I take off.

Sophie's POV

I've been anxious all day waiting for Robin to come pick me up at 5, to go to the center she is volunteering at. After the gathering, I told Robin I was willing to join her to see for myself, but now my social anxiety is killing me. What if I say something stupid? I have to ask Robin a few things before we go. I try to distract myself and I do so successfully until she calls me to tell me she is here. I get out of the apartment quickly, and I reach her car taking breath by breath to calm down, as much as I can. When I open the passenger's seat door and sit, she smiles at me warmly greeting me and I relax a bit. She seems way more excited for this.

"You look excited." I state, as I greet her as well.

"I am, I love going to the center. You will love them. I am sure of it." She says patting my shoulder and I smile back. The ride lasts 15 minutes, but I manage to ask all the necessary questions in order to not humiliate myself, but Robin tried to keep me cool. I learnt that she has been volunteering there since sophomore year of highschool, that Natalie went there a few times, and that she takes up paperwork most of the time, or talks with the younger kids about school and stuff.

We make our way to the facility, while Robin greets people waving at them or speaking to them briefly, and she even introduced me to them as well. I met a few other volunteers around Robin's age, a psychologist that talks with the kids and an employment counsellor. The supervisor, a nice lady around 40 gave Robin a few tasks to do, but she gave her the all clear to sit with me and show me around the place. The tasks took her 30 minutes, some paperwork of some sort, but when she was done, she led me to a room. It was filled with drawings around the walls, and a dozen chairs in a circle.

"What is this room?" I ask looking around, inspecting the room.

"Well, it's a counseling session for lgbt teens under 18. They all sit and share their stories, under a supervisor that guides the discussion."

"Oh they will be ok with me here? I am not intruding or anything?"

"No, it will be fine, don't worry. Talking helps them as well. It brings them together knowing that there are people that have been through the same things as them...Besides...I will share my story too." She says putting her hand behind her neck.

"You will?" I didn't expect that to happen today. I know a few things about her life,just the casual stuff, and that made me curious.

"Yeah...It's been awhile since I've done that.." She is pacing around the room, checking her phone.

Teens start entering the room when the clock shows 18:00. Ten teens are all seated in a circle while a familiar face, the woman that was with Robin at the lgbt gathering, sits in the beginning of it. Robin also joins the circle, while I stand a few metres away. The counselor, Eliza if I remember correctly, welcomed everybody asking general questions about their day and school, and then looking at the girl in her right, she gave her the cue to speak.

One by one told their stories and their personal pain and I am at loss of words.

A girl, Andria, 17, talked about how the kids in middle school used to corner her and hit her in the bathroom, calling her names and spitting on her, while she never even once talked back or raised a hand. She talked about the times she cut herself and how hopeless she felt not being able to tell anyone about it in case it got worse.The things got better for her when one guy a year older, defended her one day and took her under his wing. They are best friends now while the kids that messed with her got expelled from school. She hasn't cut herself in a year and now states proudly that she is a happy gay girl in love.

Mark, 16, talked about the time his dad caught him and his boyfriend kissing two years ago, and ended up beating him to death, sending his own son to the hospital in a critical condition. It took him a year of physiotherapy to fully recover, while his dad was and still is doing time in the state prison. Now his mom is dating a pediatrician that loves and accepts him. Mark and his boyfriend are going to the same college next year and he is ecstatic about it.

Leslie,15, has been living in her best friend's house since her parents kicked her out a few months ago. She came out to them when a rumor started in school from the popular girls about her and an older girl when they saw them having coffee one time. Her parents were highly religious so they didn't accept her and even tried to get her to therapy to 'change' her. Things got out of hand and after a few incidents they kicked her out. But surprisingly, she doesn't hate them. I think I would if I were her. Her best friend took her in and so did her parents that suggested helping Leslie get emancipated and support her until she could make a living for herself.

The circle came to an end leaving Robin last, and I am curious as to what her story is. I feel a clench in my stomach thinking she had a really cruel one and I think I am terrified to listen to it.

"Hello everyone, I am Robin, I will be 19 in a few weeks, and I am a college student. I am here today to tell you my story, which in no way compares to yours. My parents died when I was 2 and my uncle has been my guardian ever since. When I came out to him I was 13 and scared that he wouldn't accept me, but I couldn't lie to him about what I was feeling so I told him the truth. He sat me on the couch and with a sad smile he told me that people would be unkind to me and that it will hurt me, but you see, he also told me this: He said that their opinion shouldn't hurt me because they mean nothing to me. They are strangers that don't know me, therefore they have no power over me. He told me that the only opinion that matters is his and that he is highly proud that I was brave to tell him who I was. I kept his advice in mind the times people were mean to me, especially kids your age back then, but I didn't care. I got to go home and feel loved and accepted and that it was all that mattered. Your stories were tragic, no doubt that, but know this: It gets better. School will end, cliques will break, losers will become successful and sooner or later you will find people in your life that will love you for who you are. Because trust me, there are good people out there..and you deserve them. So hang on, live your life to the fullest and make your dreams come true. If people push you away because of your uniqueness, it's their loss." she lets a long breath and sits down again while I see a few of the kids wipe their tears and I realize I've been tearing up along with them. I wipe off my tears as well and I give her a tentative smile. She hugs the kids one by one as I stay there watching her. She hypnotizes people with the kindness of her soul and I am at awe as well. We bid our goodbyes and we make our way to her car in silence as I replay all the things I heard today.

Robin's POV

It's been awhile since I told anyone about my past and let me tell you, I relived every second of the memories I had kept inside my mind all this time. The pushing and the gossip, the bitter nicknames and the disgust glares, but I had Natalie and my friends, so it was a lot more bearable. Kids had it worse than me, at least no one got physical, they never harmed me.. No, Ro don't go there, it's gone now...

As I drive Sophie home I take small glimpses of her, cuz she has stayed pretty much silent ever since we left the center and I start thinking maybe it was too much lgbt exposure for her for one day.The stories were pretty sad and I feel that it brought her mood down. Great, nice idea you had there dork.

I park my car outside of her apartment and kill the engine waiting for her to get out. She does and I follow shoot walking her to the entrance.

"I am sorry I ruined your afternoon. The stories were sad, it's understandable to feel down." I say nervously as she looks into my eyes.

Seconds later and completely out of nowhere, just like that, I find myself enveloped in a warm hug, arms squeezing me tight, while I awkwardly stay there, arms down. And then she speaks calmly and somehow warmly at the same time.

"I may not have been your friend for long, but...... I wish every happiness for you." She whispers against my ear causing shivers.

I tear up at her words and the sincerity behind them and carefully I bring my arms around her as well. My eyes close as I inhale deeply and my palms start sweating while a weird sensation invades my stomach and its presence makes me lightheaded. She backs away then, making me open my eyes and look into hers, those bright green orbs of hers and I get lost, not paying attention to what she is saying to me right now. I blink slowly getting a glimpse of her smile and her figure opening the door disappearing from my sight while I stay there stiff as a statue drowning in realisation.

I've had this feeling before and can't have it again. Not with her. She is straight and she is my friend.

But what the mind tries to bury, the heart screams too loud and I think I am screwed.     

A/N: Thanks for reading! Any feedback is appreciated!