If there's a fire

7.

James taught Thomas quickly, and Thomas learned at the same pace. He rarely got confused, and James was such a good teacher, how could Thomas have ever even get confused at all?

The two decided to see how Mister Stern would feel if Thomas auditioned to be in orchestra.

"No. Absolutely not. You think I need another cello player? Sweet heart, all I have is cello players!" Stern said, his posh voice filling the empty room. Thomas's face had fallen and James watched as Thomas gulped, nodding while his face turned red.

God, Thomas thought, why did I even think that would work? I'm useless- no one needs me. Not my dad, not the school, not James. He yelled at himself. He almost flinched when he felt James's hand on his lower back.

"I-I'm sorry. Maybe we can try Double Bass? That's not a very common instrument. O-or-" James began, but Thomas just shook his head.

"Nothing will work. They don't need me. It's okay. I'm fine." Thomas said, putting the Cello, which was in its case, back in the room where they belonged.

James frowned. Maybe Thomas was good at other things? Thomas really did try, now that James could see that, he saw a whole new side of Thomas. The two silently walked to lunch together, James staring at Thomas's hand, wanting to try that thing he'd done all those- okay, three- weeks ago. He didn't- Thomas was already upset. No need to make him anymore angry.

Just grab my hand, dammit. Thomas thought. He didn't want to grab James's hand- another rejection was the last thing he needed today. But if James grabbed his hand? Maybe he'd feel a little better.

Thomas had come to terms with the fact that he liked James. Like. Like like.

Every time he thought about it he felt like a school girl. He also felt bad for the way he acted- but he couldn't help but want to try and fix that. He'd been crushing on James for nearly an entire month, and they'd finally began steady talking to each other again two weeks ago.

To be honest? Thomas didn't even care about music, other than listening to it, until James came along. Now he heard James playing something new nearly every day and he wanted to be apart of that. Learning to play made him feel like he could do something.

If only Mr. Stern had seen that Thomas could do something.

James and Thomas sat down with their lunch, eating quietly.

"What if we joined debate?" James asked out of nowhere. Thomas thought for a second.

"I mean... I'd get to show Alexander up." He said, seeing that as a pro.

"Exactly. And I'd be there. I'll support you. Help you, and all." James said.

"That's... not a horrible idea. I know that debate starts back up in September every year. So if we sign up now, we can start attending when it begins. Which should be soon." Thomas smiled to himself, before looking up at a smiling James.

James hoped he could make Thomas happy. He knew that Thomas was obviously very smart- he picked up how to play cello in nearly three weeks! It took James months! If Thomas really wanted to do something, there was no doubt that he would do it.

"I think Mrs. Wells is gonna give us even more homework." James said. Thomas groaned. Mrs. Wells was their science teacher- they had her next, for second period. Having first lunch was the worst, Thomas thought. You ate at ten, and then you were starving by three. It was more like breakfast.

Unlike Thomas, James was just glad to eat.

"I was thinking we should partner up for this next project?" James asked nervously. Thomas nodded.

"Definitely. If she makes us create another 3D molecule again I'm going to shoot myself. Last year she made us and she took thirty points off of mine in total because it was slightly disfigured. It had to be precise. She's so annoying." Thomas said. James agreed.

"She tried to be nice, but you can't be nice and then give us work like that." James huffed.

"Glad to see you agree." Thomas chuckled.

The two quickly finished their food before the bell rang and made their way to science with Mrs. Wells. Alex and John were both in this class, and when they called in they saw a new girl talking to Alex. John sat behind the two of them, glaring daggers into both of their heads.

"Let's... sit over here today." James suggested, grabbing Thomas gently by the arm and trying to lead him to the opposite side of the room.

"Nuh uh, Mads. I'm watching this." Thomas said, pulling James to the seats across from the three. If looks could kill, anyone within a ten mile radius of Laurens right now would be six feet under. This Maria girl was giggling at everything Alex said. She would flip he hair back, or twist her curls with her finger. He voice was sultry- she was obviously from somewhere in the south.

John had hoped they could relate because of that, but no. The bitch went straight for Alex.

In all honestly, John had no clue who she was. She was sitting in John's seat when the two arrived from lunch, and before he could tell her to move, Alex sat behind her and began talking to her.

Laurens sat behind the two, just listening as they flirted away. He couldn't tell who he wanted to kill- this Maria Reynolds for stealing Alex from him, or Alex for not even talking to John. James sat across from John, Thomas across from Alex.

"Kick. Him." Laurens mouthed to Thomas. Thomas, already hating Alex, saw no reason as to why that would be bad for him. He kicked Alex in the shin.

"Ouch- What the hell, Jefferson?" Alex cursed. Thomas just turned his attention to Maria.

"So, are you new here?" He asked. She smiled, turning her attention from Alex to him. James thought she just seemed like... a really nice girl. Not a hoe. Just someone who wanted friends.

She reminded James of Thomas.

John mouthed a thank you to Thomas, who just nodded slightly. Alex turned to John to complain.

That left James alone to his thoughts.

Class shortly began. John looked happier and Thomas had a small smile on his face. He sat at an angle the entire class, occasionally leaning over to speak to James.

"Okay- this unit is everyone's favorite. Space. I know, I know, you've done space all your life. But this year I want to see something new. I've been teaching for ten years. I've seen it all. I want original! I don't want a tri-fold, I want something... spectacular!" She said, her voice getting deeper. She in the 'theatrics' of the moment.

Ye assignment was handed out, and James and Thomas looked over it together. Alex and Maria were talking and Thomas paused for a second.

"Just play along." He muttered. He turned to Alex and Maria.

"Hey, Maria! Help me with this!" Thomas said. James watched as the two talked.

"We should be partners!" Thomas said, and James could tell he was faking.

"John, wanna be my partner?" James asked, knowing that this would leave Alex all alone. Alex shook his head, quickly writing their names down on the sheets as partners- and Mrs. Wells never lets a student change partners.

"He's already mine, sorry." Alex said. Thomas groaned.

"Oh, shoot! I forgot- I signed my name on James's already. And Mrs. Wells doesn't allow switches..." Thomas said. Maria's face fell.

"My friend Eliza seems to not have a partner. I think you'd like her, Maria." James smiled gently, pointing to the lonely girl in blue. Maria smiled, thanking James before making her way over to Eliza.

"You're such a nice person." Thomas said. James blushed.

"Well- I care about other people. I don't know." He shrugged, and Thomas just chuckled.

"Okay! So... space."

//// a b r u p t  e n d i n g s. That's what I do, baby.////