"Please don't close the door," she blurts.

"What do you want?" I sigh.

"I-I have a confession to make," she replies.

"Okay," I fold my arms over my chest.

"I... I like you."

"You're not funny."

"What's going on?" Sal frowns, walking over and putting a hand on my shoulder. "Why are you here?"

"Oh... Hey," Ash chuckles anxiously.

"Hi. Why are you here?" he demands.

"I came to tell them something, but they don't... They don't believe me. I understand why, though."

"What did you tell Y/n?"

"I'm in love with them."

Sal scoffs and I can tell he's about seven seconds away from knocking this girl off the face of the Earth using his knuckles.

"Even if you are telling the truth, they're mine. Fuck off."

"But-"

"Fuck. Off."

"I-I understand," she mumbles. "Thank you for your time."

"Sal, as much as I love you, I also love drama. I kinda wanna hear her side of the story," I interject.

"Are you kidding me?" the blue-haired boy scoffs. "No way."

"Why not? It's not like I'm gonna leave you, I just wanna hear what she has to say," I frown.

"Would you?" Ash turns to me with eyes full of hope.

"Yeah," I shrug.

"Alright, but I'm not leaving you alone," he mumbles into my neck.

"That's fair. Come on in, sorry it's like a million degrees in here. Terrence hasn't fixed the vents yet," I say, stepping aside so she can enter. I lead the two guests into my room, and we all settle in on my bed. Sally Face to my left, Ash to my right.

"I-I realized that I had feelings for you a few days ago. At first I thought you were giving off bad vibes or something, but I realized I just felt nervous around you because I... I'm in love with you," she says, fidgeting with the ear of my stuffed animal.

"I see... Well, I guess that makes sense. I feel better about forgiving you for what you did, but I don't think I do yet. Can we be on good terms, at least?" I offer.

"I would like that," the brunette smiles and pulls me in for a quick hug. I return the momentary embrace and guide her to the door. When I return, Sal is laying on my bed, and he certainly isn't happy.

"Did you really have to do that?" he scowls.

"No, but I'm a nice person," I shrug and lay down beside him. His ring-covered hand grips my thigh and he rubs it gently with his thumb.

"I would prefer if you never talked to her again."

"You can't control that," I remind him patiently.

"Yeah, I can," he insists, looking me in the eyes.

"No, you can't. I'm not gonna suddenly love her, just because she confessed. I know you used to like her, Sal. But that doesn't make it my problem."

He looks like he's been slapped in the face. It sucks if he feels like that, but it's not my fault, nor my problem. He can cope on his own.

"Who told you that?" he demands.

"No one, Sal. It's obvious. I never said a word, though, so I'd appreciate if you could trust me," I reply calmly. "I don't know about you, but I feel like I've earned that trust."

"I... Yeah, you have. I'm sorry, I just... I'm scared you'll leave me for someone else, and I can see why you'd leave me for her," he sighs and averts his gaze to the stuffed animal Ash touched.

"I understand. Can we agree to not be mad at each other over this?" I smile softly.

"Yeah, definitely. I'm sorry."

"Me too."

Sal and I spend the rest of the day just hanging out; nothing exciting or special. Well, besides Larry barging in and nearly making a pop bottle explode on the carpet. No, I'm not elaborating. Anyway, we have school tomorrow, so I kick him out for the night in hopes of getting some good sleep for once. (😏)

I shut off my alarm and trudge out of bed to take a quick shower. Honestly, I don't feel like wearing anything cool right now. It's always so... uncomfortable. I shower and put on some makeup and brush my hair (). Then I put on some Minecraft creeper boxers, baggy black cargo pants, a green Monster Energy crop top, and a pair of black combat boots with green laces. I also add a black choker and whatever accessories I can find.

I then scrounge up the black, oversized jacket I may or may not have stolen from my boyfriend before I leave, as well. Freezing is not hot. Literally, and metaphorically. I shove some strawberries in mouth and sling my backpack over one shoulder as I double check that I have everything before leaving. Yep, let's go!

"You look... different," Larry looks me up and down. He's waiting for me in the hall like usual.

"In a good way, or...?"

"Good."

"Then thank you," I chuckle. "I honestly just didn't feel like wearing anything uncomfortable.

"I never thought the day would come," he gasps dramatically. I laugh and punch his arm playfully. Sal comes trotting up to rake his eyes over my figure.

"Hey. Nice pants, didn't know you owned any," he smirks.

"Haha, you're so funny," I roll my eyes. "Let's go, skittle squad."

"I- did you just call me rainbow and fruity?" Larry gasps.

"Sure did."

"You just got slayed," Sal flips his hair. The three of us are cackling and barely standing by the time we get to school. However, our ecstasy is only temporary. Ash is standing by the front doors, waiting, and her face lights up when she sees me. The girl jogs over with a bright grin.

"Hey, Y/n! You look really awesome today- not that you don't always," she giggles sheepishly.

"Uh, thanks, Ash. You too," I flash her a brief smile and keep walking, mostly because Sal is practically dragging me indoors. Wow, thank you for that. He's really tense today...

"Soo, are we just gonna keep dragging Y/n, or are we gonna tell me what's going on?" Larry asks.

"Ash likes me, and Sal... Well, he's Sal," I chuckle uneasily.

"What does that mean?" the shorter boy scoffs, stopping in his tracks.

"N-nothing, it just means you have an opinion on the circumstance, which isn't a bad thing."

He wordlessly drags me into the nearest unisex bathroom and tugs my backpack off my shoulders. I look up at him, feeling a bit in a dither. He drops his own backpack and looks me in the eye.

"I feel like you're changing your style for her. And you didn't have to compliment her back."

Wow, straight to the point, huh? Well, at least we can get this over with faster. Or so I hope...

"I'm not. I just didn't feel like wearing something uncomfortable for once, and I didn't know what to say. I was just being polite. I wouldn't hurt you, okay?" I tell him earnestly.

He sighs, seemingly relieved, "Okay. I still feel like you don't cling to me like you should, though. I say I leave a few marks on you."

Before I can open my mouth, he's got his lips pressed against my neck. I leave the restroom with a few hickeys and a red face while Sal happily leads me to our lockers. I love him, but it's too early for this. Larry is waiting for us with his hands shoved in his pockets.

"Larry, don't let us make you late," I chuckle. "Go to class."

"Mmm, no. You dudes are coming with me to the roof," he gives me a lazy grin.

"Okay, then."

"Just this once," Sal agrees.

"So, have either of you thought about getting tattoos?" Larry asks.

"Not really," Sally Face admits.

"I have []. A small star and moon semicolon above my ankle. You?"

"I have three. You've seen one of 'em."

"Ohh, yeah. The uh, SF one on your arm, right?" I ask, thinking back to the time Sal made him 'babysit' me.

"Yep. I also have an arrow and a small fu dog," he says. "Anyway, here we are, children."

The tallest opens the door for us and follows closely behind. Sal goes up the ladder first, then me, then Larry. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about being on the roof of a multi-storey building. I'm grateful I didn't wear a skirt, though. That would have been... awkward.

The three of us lay down on the cement and stare up at the sky. I hold Larry's hand and Sal's as we watch the clouds drift by. It's so peaceful up here. Why haven't we done this before?

"Y/n. What is this?" Larry asks, holding up our hands. Is he trying to accuse me of cheating or something? I am constantly confused by this man.

"Um- platonic affection?" I blink.

"Disgusting." I take my hand away from his and he pauses for a moment. "Do it again."

I chuckle and re-intertwine our fingers as Sal pecks my cheek. I smile and peck his back before he can pull his mask down. Aaand then I hear the door slam behind us.

"YOU SHOULD BE IN CLASS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!" I hear Todd yell from behind us. We all jerk upright and turn to make eye contact with the panicked nerd.

"NOBODY DIED!" I shout, also panicking now.

"WHAT KIND OF AN ANSWER IS THAT?!" Larry shrieks.

"AN HONEST ONE!"

"THAT'S NOT HELPING!"

"OH, REALLY? WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO SAY?!"

"DRUGS!!"

"AND THAT'S ANY BETTER?!!" I screech.

"SHUT UP!" Sal hollers. We turn to him. "Thank you. Todd, we are relaxing. There is drama happening, and Y/n and I don't feel like interacting with those involved."

"That's no excuse to encumber your education," he scoffs. "Get to class."

"It totally is," Larry snorts. "I never have an excuse, what's different this time?"

"It's more than just you this time. And these two have been sneaking out halfway through the day more often than I'm willing to tolerate."

"You HAVE? My ways are finally rubbing off on you, I feel like a proud dad," Larry sniffs, wiping an imaginary tear.

"Larry. This isn't the time for humor," Todd sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Go. Before I call teacher."

"Okay," Sal sighs. The three of us shuffle back inside, and Todd follows for a bit, until he heads into a restroom. "Are we actually going back to class?"

"Yeah. Todd's right," Larry scowls at the floor.

"I guess," I give Sal a weak smile. We keep walking towards class, when Larry yanks the two of us into a different hallway without warning. Sal covers my mouth with a hand before I can accidentally let out a yelp of alarm.

"I'm not going back to class. That's fucking disgusting," Larry grumbled as his strong hands led us to the first floor.