~~~Grant's POV~~~

I walked away from Zoey and had gone inside. Yesterday's close encounter was still consuming my thoughts. I kept thinking about how close he was to me and the serious expression on his face and the fact that he was gonna-

"Grant!" A voice shouted pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked up and turned to Loren.

"What?" I asked slightly embarrassed.

"You okay? Did something happen?" He asked eyeing me suspiciously. I blushed as I thought about his question. Something really did happen, but I didn't want to tell him about it. I just shook my head. He ruffled my hair and gave me a sad smile.

"You can tell me things, you know." He said.

"There's nothing to tell." I said turning away from him as I swatted at his hand. When I glanced at him he was smirking.

"Oh there's definitely something to tell. You just won't. You're so stubborn." He chuckled. I rolled my eyes and sighed. Zoey finally came in the doors and I immediately pulled her over to the side away from our friends.

"What's wrong?" She asked me when we were far enough away from everyone.

"Quit trying to hook me up Cale." I said flatly. She gave me a confused look.

"Why? You like him right?" She questioned. I sighed.

"Yea, but it doesn't matter. He's straight. He's got a date with Audrey tomorrow night." I said.

"But he almost kissed you."

"That just happened. It didn't mean anything to him."

"How do you know that?"

"Because...."

"Because what?"

"Because I just know it didn't!"

I stopped surprised by my anger. Zoey gave a small sigh.

"Don't give up when you haven't even tried." She said looking me in the eye. I ran a hand through my hair frustrated. I had nothing else to say for I really couldn't argue with her anymore.

"Grant...you like him more than you realize. I can tell you don't want to give up so soon." She placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile. Looking over her I saw Cale walk in holding Audrey's hand, a burning sensation building up in my chest. I did like Cale. It upset me to know he was straight and didn't like me back. But feelings can change when the other person finds out someone likes them. I guess I'm afraid that if I told him I'd be easily rejected. I've never been rejected before because I've never liked someone. Cale's my first crush and it would really hurt if I got rejected by him. I'd rather have him just never know.

Zoey removed her hand and followed my gaze over to Cale, letting out another sigh when she saw him. She looked back over at me and gave me her "are you okay" look. I nodded and walked back over to our friends.

"Uh, what was that about?" Evan asked as I approached them.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it." I said as Cale walked over to us. He waved to all of us.

"Hey Cale! I saw you were holding hands with Audrey! You lucky dog!" Evan said with a fake pout. Cale smiled and shrugged.

"We should get going to class." I said and began walking off. Loren and Evan walked behind me.

"Did something happen between you and Cale?" Loren asked. I blushed but continued looking forward.

"No. Nothing happened." I answered him. I so badly wanted to just spill everything out the both of them, but I didn't know what would happen if I did. I just kept walking. I was weak, too afraid to let people see the real me. I hated being like this, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I kept to myself, just like I always have.

++++++++++

At lunch, Cale had decided to sit with us again but instead of sitting by me he sat on the other side of the table near Zoey.

"Hey guys, a friend of mine is having a party tomorrow. We should all go." Maya said excited.

"Sounds cool. Plus I've got nothing better to do." Loren said.

"Me too. I'll go." Evan agreed.

"Yea sure. We could all hang out there." Zoey said.

"What about you, Cale?" Maya asked turning to him.

"I already have plans with Audrey." He smiled. Loren and Evan whistled. I just sank down in my seat, that burning sensation growing again.

"Grant you're coming right?" Maya questioned me. I looked over at Zoey who was string at me with her puppy dog eyes. Dammit!!! I wish she'd stop that!!

"Yea fine I'll go." I mumbled.

"Yay!" Maya cheered.

"Hey look. Your girlfriend's coming over here." Loren said pointing over Cale shoulder. Audrey was walking this way. Ugh.

"Hi there." She said wrapping her arms around Cale.

"Hey." Cale smiled at her. I muttered curse words under my breath as that burning sensation in my chest grew even more.

"Can't wait for tomorrow." She said kissing his cheek. And I snapped. I stood up slamming my hands on the table and stormed out of the cafeteria. Clutching my shirt, tears forming in my eyes, I walked into the bathroom and locked the door behind me. Why did this have to happen to me? Why did I have to fall for the incredibly attractive straight guy? I was a weak and fragile person. But I never had to worry about it because I never liked someone. I was fragile, the smallest things could get to me. I got hurt easily. I knew that. Zoey knew that. I never wanted to like someone, because I knew how badly it could hurt me. I turned on a faucet and splashed my face with cold water. I looked in the mirror and ran a hand through my hair. Why did my life have to be so damn complicated?

I dried my face off with a paper towel and walked out of the bathroom. Waiting for me outside were Vince, Kyal, and Marcus.

"Hey fag." Kyal smirked. I tried to get back in the bathroom but Vince grabbed my arm and pulled to the ground. I winced in pain as my back him the floor.

"Oh you're not going anywhere, you little piece of shit." Marcus laughed. Vince reeled his had back and I closed my eyes, ready for the blow he was about to deliver, but instead I heard a grunt and the sound of something hitting something else. Then I felt Vince release my arm. I open my eyes and saw Cale. I followed his gaze and saw Kyal on the ground, his hands covering his bloody nose. Cale had just....punched him?

"Leave him alone. He didn't do anything to you." Cale growled.

"Shut the fuck up! It's none of your business!" Kyal shouted. Vince and Marcus just stood there stunned by what Cale had done to their leader. Cale grabbed Kyal by his collar and and pulled him in close.

"I said leave him alone. Got it? Or do I need to show what'll happen if you don't?" Cale snarled, pulled his fist back.

"Okay okay! Now let go of me." Kyal said. Cale released him and he got up and walked away, his goonies following behind him. Cale stood back up and walked over to me.

"You okay?" He asked reaching his hand out for me to take, a look of concern showing on his face. I took his hand and he pulled me to my feet.

"Yea. Why did you do that?" I questioned.

"What do you mean?"

"Why did you save me?

"Because they were hurting you. You wanted to get beat up?"

"No, I just don't want anyone involved with me and them. I fight my own battles."

"More like you sit and let them beat you up like that."

I sighed and looked down at our hands. He was still holding mine. I blushed and pulled my hand away and put it in my pocket.

"You really shouldn't let them do that to you." He said. I turned and began walking back to the cafeteria.

"Don't tell anyone about this. Zoey worries about me enough already. I don't need her even more worried about me." I told him. We walked back in the cafeteria and to our table.

"Are you okay? What was that all about?" Zoey asked, even the look on her face told me she already knew.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it." I said.

Audrey was back over at her table. I sat and finished eating in silence ignoring everyone when they tried speaking to me. They knew that when I do that I don't want to talk to anyone at the moment.

I guess I'll try to put myself in a better mood tomorrow at the party. It's too much work to try anyways. I just hoped the party would at least get me happy again.

••••••••••

Don't hate me for writing another short chapter!! Next chapter with probably be short too because I'm going to Cale's POV and then back to Grant's so either I'll make two chapter with the different points of view or just change then I'm the middle. See you later!!!

Updated 8/1/14- I'm going back to school tomorrow so I will not be uploading as often as I was witch was like everyday. But keep reading because I will definitely still be uploading.