When I woke, I found myself in... Sal's room? I don't really know, but it smells like him, I guess. I remember falling asleep at the swings, now. But where's Sal? I glanced around the room for my backpack, which I didn't find. I did find a hand-written note, though.

You fell asleep at those swings earlier. It was getting cold and I didn't want to dig through your bag for a key, so I took you to my room. I'm probably at Larry's place. Feel free to drop by, I accidentally took your backpack with me, but you can always get it tomorrow if you don't feel up to it right now (it's in the basement).

I was having an internal scream-fest just imagining Sal carrying me back all the way here! I don't know what I did to deserve him... Anyway, I should probably get my backpack from him. I folded the note and placed it squarely in my pocket before heading out- it's just too cute not to!

A few minutes later, I knocked on Larry's bedroom door, as his mom Lisa advised. It opened with a click, and I was greeting by both boys and... Ash. I thought they were going to her house?

"Um, hey. I just came to get my backpack... Thank you so much for everything, Sal. And you too, Larry. I gotta g-"

I was interrupted by Sal yanking me into the room and Larry swiftly shutting the door behind me.

"Sit," the masked boy patted a spot next to himself on the bed, and I hesitantly obliged. He intertwined our fingers, which I found some comfort in.

"So, is anyone gonna tell me what's going on?" I asked nervously, feeling as if the situation was growing unsafe.

"Tell them what you told us, Ash," Larry spoke in a low, angry tone, much different than what I had seen before. I honestly wouldn't expect him to be capable of speaking to others like that.

"Why does it matter if I invite Y/n or not? You guys haven't even known them for 10 hours. Who cares if it's their first day? We all had to walk in here alone, so I don't get why you're treating this pussy any different," her words were recited without an ounce of shame, although she refused to make eye contact.

That's it. I'm done. I immediately swept up my backpack and turned to leave, but Larry crossed his arms and stood in front of the door. Let me out!! I seriously don't want to cry in front of you all... I tried my best to communicate to him that I needed to get out of here, but he only looked down at me with a shimmer of pity in his eyes.

"P-please... Why are you doing this?," I whispered, tugging at the bottom of his SF shirt. My eyes were quickly filling up with tears, but the tall teen didn't budge.

I felt Sal lifting the bag from my shoulders and he glared daggers at Ash.

"I'm sorry," she muttered, once again without any shame or remorse.

I took a deep breath. "I think I get what you guys are trying to do, but it's not helping. Please, I want to go!" I couldn't hold in my tears anymore. God, this is humiliating...

Sal nodded at Larry and he stepped aside, letting us exit the room. The soft clack of the door closing behind the two of us was enough privacy for me to fully break down. I immediately looped my arms around the blue haired boy's neck and buried my face in his shoulder, too embarrassed to look him in the eye. We stood there for what felt like forever, my shaking body holding on tight to his.

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to go that way..." he started.

"It's okay, I know you were only trying to help," I sniffed. "Oh, I'm sorry, your hoodie is soaked now..." As I was about to release him from my embrace, he finally returned the hug, now holding onto me tighter than I was holding onto him.

"I don't care," he muttered in my ear, now burying his face in the crook of my neck. I had to admit, the plastic of his mask wasn't the cold surface I initially thought it'd be, though, I suppose it makes sense. The tears started falling from my eyes again and I grabbed a fistful of his shirt as if the boy might dissipate any moment now.

"Your phone is buzzing," Sal said, finally handing over my f/c backpack.

"Oh."

I pulled it out from the side pocket and checked the screen. 24 unread messages from: Mom. "My mom has been spamming me, I gotta go. Again, thank you so much," I offered him a weak smile.

"Of course," he replied, probably smiling back. "I, uh- I wanna walk you back, though, so your mom doesn't think you were out doing drugs or something."

It was an obvious lie, to which I only nodded and chuckled in response. We were at my front door only moments later, but before I could insert my key, the door opened and Sal and I were ushered inside.

"I was worried sick about you! What on earth happened?! And who is this?" my mother cried.

"I walked home from school with Sal and fell asleep on the swings, so Sal stayed with me. He didn't want to wake me up, but also didn't wanna dig through my stuff or take my phone if I didn't give him permission..." It wasn't a total lie, so it was good enough, I guess. I just didn't want her to think anything bad went on.

She sighed, trying to process my words. "Alright. Y/n, please be more careful in the future. And Sal, honey, please don't hesitate to contact me. I don't care whose phone you have to use," my mom gave him a warm smile. I'm so glad she isn't mad...

"Yes ma'am," he replied. He then gave her his contact and hugged me tightly before leaving, shutting the front door behind him softly like the gEntLemAn he is.

"Soo... How was your first day? It seems like it went pretty good, considering you've already got yourself a boyfriend," my mother teased.

"Hahahahaha you're sooo funny," I replied sarcastically. "I'm still pretty tired, though. I think I'm gonna head off to bed," I yawned.

"Okay, goodnight sweetheart," she smiled graciously.