Benjamin was holding his books against his chest, following Noah in the hallway. "Babe? Can we talk, please? You're being...Irrational."
"How am I being irrational!"
Benjamin furrows his brows and reaches out to grab Noah's arm. He drags him into an empty classroom, shutting the door behind himself.
Noah looks down at the boy in front of him. "What?"
Benjamin sets his books down on the desk, grabbing Noah's hands. "I understand you're upset, you have every right to be, but stop being so negative, Noah. Are you kidding me? You don't know what's gonna happen in the future."
"I know I don't, that's the problem, bebesita."
Benjamin frowns at him. "Hey? What's going on? You don't have to think like this."
"I'm just...So used to everyone leaving. My family has been split up so many times. I've lost so much I don't wanna lose you too."
Oh, baby, you're not gonna lose me."
"What if we get separated?"
"Then we'll make it work. Okay? You're the most important thing to me and we're not gonna let distance change that, understand?"
**
Gabi smiles at Benjamin. "Would you do my makeup for prom?"
Benjamin shrugs. "Sure. I can't promise it's gonna be like...that good."
"Shut the fuck up, you know you're good at makeup."
Jazmyne smiles. "Oh my gosh, would you do mine too? All I know how to do is apply lipgloss and false lashes."
"I guess, you guys really want me to?"
Gabi nods her head as she takes a sip from her drink. "I've seen you do your makeup, and even mine sometimes and it's so good. You should do it more!"
Noah and Lucas appear at the lunch table. Noah smiles at Benjamin and sits down next to him, kissing him on the lips. "Hey."
Benjamin smiles back. "Hi."
Jazmyne nods her head. "Also, I've seen your Instagram and, it's so good. So you're definitely doing mine."
Lucas sits down next to Gabi, stealing her bag of chips and eating some. "What are we talking about?"
Benjamin sits up. "Prom."
Noah props his elbows on the table, using his hands to hold his head. "Really? Thought you didn't wanna go?"
Benjamin shrugs. "I'd feel out of place. I hate suits but...Too scared to wear a dress, so what would I wear?"
Noah shakes his head, reaching out to fix Benjamin's septum piercing. "I'm sure there's a workaround."
Jazmyne nods. "True. You could wear...A loose button-up with nice dress pants. There's no specific dress code!"
Gabi's eyes widen and she smiles. "Yeah! Like that...really nice white silk shirt you have? Something like that."
Noah smiles, turning his head to look at Benjamin. "See?"
Benjamin blushes and smiles at Noah. "We'll see."
Tatiyana walks over, smiling. "Hey, guys."
Jazmyne smiles at her. "Hey. Where's Jade?"
Tatiyana shrugs her shoulder, sitting next to Lucas. "Uh, she's with her boyfriend."
Jazmyne sighs and rolls her eyes, sitting back. "Oh."
**
Benjamin and Noah were walking to Noah's car at the end of the day. Benjamin was holding onto Noah's arm, walking closely to him. He looks around, spotting Katen staring at him.
"He's so weird. He needs like a...evaluation."
Noah furrows his brows and looks down at Benjamin. "What?"
Benjamin looks up at Noah for a second before glancing back. "Katen. He just stares at us now...It's weird."
"What's weirder? Him staring at us or being named Katen?"
Benjamin giggles and shrugs his shoulders. "Good point."
Noah smiles at him and opens the passenger door for Benjamin. "Don't start worrying about him again, bebe. He's all talk."
Benjamin hums and gets into the passenger seat. "Thank you."
*
Katen slides his phone out his front pocket, dialing Johnathan's phone number.
It rings a few times before Johnathan actually picked up.
"H-hello?"
"Johnathan, what the fuck are you doing at moms? And why the fuck were you staying at that faggots house? What's wrong with you?"
"I'm not obligated to tell you. Just...Just leave me alone."
"Is it him? You have a crush on him?"
"Why are you so interested? What does it matter to you?"
"Cause it's fucking nasty, Johnathan! It's fucking embarrassing! What, did he rub off on you or something?"
"No! Katen, stop! Leave Benjamin alone...A-and leave me alone! Fuck, all you do is hate on other people. What's wrong with you?"
Katen laughs. "Sorry, I'm not like you and the fairy. It's abnormal, to say the least."
"Whatever. Just, never call here again, got it?"
*
Noah had just gotten back home after hanging out with Benjamin for a few hours.
He closes the front door behind himself, sighing.
His dad looks over, smiling. "Hey, mijo! How was Benjamín's?"
"Uh, good. We just watch a movie and got some food."
Jośe slowly nods his head, his brows furrowed. "Was it good? You seem kinda upset."
Noah shrugs his shoulders and takes a seat next to his dad on the couch. "You met mamá in high school, right?"
"Yup."
"So...How did...How did you feel about the future? I mean, I know you wanted to come to America, but mamá wanted to stay...How did you deal with your differences?"
"We compromised, mijo. You know, your mom and I spent some time apart but...We made it work. Why? What's going on with you and Benjamín?"
"We were just talking about college and stuff. We...Wanna go to two different fields and...I don't know I guess I just can't imagine having being away from him."
"Awe, mijo. It's okay. I understand. The time apart from your mom was hard on me but...We pushed through. It made us grow stronger if anything."
"I just...I don't know. It's silly but...Benjamin's like my safe place. I can let my guard down around him and I know I'm okay."
"That's called love, son. I know you two will be alright. Don't worry too much. You still have a whole year left to figure out what you wanna do."
Noah smiles and sits up. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, dad."
**