"So you really did make it on both teams, huh?" Dillian asked from inside the bathroom stall.

"Yeah, it was weird. The coach said I was skilled enough for Varsity but my techniques were too messy to not be put on JV." Fern slipped his bag off and put it down on the ground. He sat on the bathroom heater and crossed his arms.

"So basically your legs are double fucked?"

"Yeah, pretty much." Fern breathily laughed, he hummed and looked towards the stalls.

"What's taking so long in there? I thought your sister bought you a binder?" He assumed with the tank top looking thing that Dillian had shown him there wouldn't be any need for Ace Bandages. "Sorry, you probably don't want to be reminded of your...chest..." He said slowly, he still wasn't completely clear on what topics to stay away from. He was decently positive that hips and thighs were off limits, but height was okay.

"Nah, it's fine. I actually don't have much dysphoria about my chest. Fat guys and really muscled guys have moobs. Plus puberty treated me well and my chest is pretty much flat."

"You're not wrong." Fern shrugged and began leaning his head back on the walls of the bathroom. He thought better of it and kept his head upright. "So what's taking so long?"

"I can't wear a binder with hardcore exercise, my ribcage won't expand enough and I'll hyperventilate and die."

"Death? Death sounds like an issue."

"I'm embellishing a little but the point still stands. So, my ingenious plan is to take a regular bra. I made sure it was full coverage, concealing as much cleavage as possible. Then, I've taken two nonunderwire sports bras, slapped that shit on top. And currently, I'm trying to adjust masking tape so that the straps of the bras don't shift separately from each other. This plus semi baggy work out shirt means success!" Dillian popped out of the bathroom, the door swung open and hit the tiled walls. He flinched at the sound then recovered, smiling in Fern's direction. "So? How do I look?" He turned to the side giving Fern a sideways profile of his body. He was wearing a grey workout shirt that was a size or two too big, the shorts he wore were plain black and mesh.

"Um your outfit looks fine, I don't know much about fashion but I guess black and grey look good." Dillian rolled his eyes and turned the other way giving Fern his right side profile.

"Not my outfit idiot, how's my chest? Does it look as flat as it does in the binder?" Dillian asked, impatience in his voice. Fern felt awkward but he had spent enough time staring at women's cup sizes to eyeball the slight differences.

"Basically it looks like you went to a size quadruple negative A or 0.00001 chest inclination. To a whopping size triple negative A or 0.0001 chest inclination." Dillian turned back around and smiled.

"Thanks, always know how to make a guy feel less chesty." Dillan bent down and picked up his backpack that was leaned against the wall opposite to Fern. "Let's head out." Fern jumped down from the heater and picked up his bag.

"Can we walk? It's really fucking hot out today and Coach never seems to give a shit about how late we are."

"Gee, I wonder why." Dillian smiled knowingly and opened the door for him. Fern walked out and waited until Dillian had closed the door, to continue walking.

"Do you think it's because I'm his favorite? Or like one of his favorite players? I don't think I've ever been a teacher's favorite before." Dillian looked at him, he looked like he wanted to say something then thought better of it.

"It's definitely a possibility." He said slowly. He watched Fern smile proudly to himself and smiled with him. They walked out of the locker room and towards the back of the school. The halls were quiet enough for their cleats to make echos as they walked. Fern looked thoughtful as he rolled an idea in his mind.

"What?" Dillian asked looking towards him.

"What do you mean?"

"You always look that way when you want to ask me something, but aren't sure if you're socially allowed." Fern was surprised that Dillian categorized his looks. He thought that was something only Ani did.

"Okay, so...you're ingenious plan really does sound ingenious. But for it to work you'd need a minimum of six chest compressing regular bras, and twelve nonunderwired sports bras. And to get the right product the first time, you probably had to go to an actual bra store. And no offense, but you look like a complete dude."

"No offense taken, actually thank you. But I see what you're getting at." Dillian opened the door to the outside, Fern groaned it was cooler inside than out. "Sometimes I have the weirdest interactions with the women that work there. I had to make a couple trips because I tried out my plan a few random days of school, to see if it was comparable to the ace wrap."

"Comparable like how?"

"Like...comfortably, chest inclination, how much it outlined in shirts, how much...jiggle room there was."

"What was the consensus?" Fern figured not bringing up the term jiggle room would save Dillian some of his pride.

"It was much more comfortable, it was still really hot. But I didn't like it because I felt like I moved around more, and it showed up more in my nicer shirts." Dillian adjusted a strap inside his shirt like the thought reminded him that it was there. "Anyway, some of the interactions were so weird. One lady thought I was getting bras for my girlfriend. Some lady thought I was just a pervert creeping on women with bras on. There was this one lady that I thought I was reverse trans."

"Reverse trans? Is that an actual thing?" Fern narrowed his eyes, he had spent a couple hours the previous night reading up on being trans and gender dysphoria. Mostly so that he wouldn't ask stupid questions, but also to avoid not knowing terms like reverse trans.

"I don't know, I just mean she thought I was male transitioning to female. It was during the time when my hair was to my shoulders. I still really didn't know what I found most attractive on myself so I gradually cut it." They had reached the hill that led to the sports fields. They slowly walked down it, not risking a broken ankle for speed. "She was really nice, she said that her son was going through the same thing. She recommended to start off with push up bras in an A cup, and maybe slip inserts in. They conveniently sold them at the store." Fern didn't hold back a chuckle, he could already picture the scene in his head.

"I would have panicked and said something dumb."

"Oh, I almost did. At that point, I felt too guilty to tell her the real reason why I was there so I bought the inserts." Dillian was laughing with Fern at that point in his story.

"Do you still have them?" In all his laughing Fern hadn't seen the small rock stuck in the dirt obscuring his path. His arms flailed as he tried to search for balance. "Shit!" He felt himself falling backward, Dillian's arm reached out and grabbed onto his forearm tightly. He anchored himself back using his left foot and pulled backwards until Fern was safely not flailing.

"You good?" Dillian asked letting go of him. Fern nodded and brushed the back of his shoes.

"Yeah, just slightly clumsy I guess." Dillian rolled his eyes but was still smiling. He gestured for Fern to follow him and continued down the hill.

"To answer your questions, I don't have them anymore. My sister's in the play and offered to give it to one of the actors, or actresses or something."

"Uh, huh well that's pretty convenient. Who's your sister?"

"She's a senior, you probably wouldn't know who she is. But Tasha? She's one of the dancers this year I think?"

"Yeah never heard of her."

"I'm not surprised, from what you've told me all you did at those play meetings was perv on your friend, and make commercial references."

"That's not all I did, I also painted occasionally."

"Are you still even doing it?" Dillian asked they had finally made it to the bottom of the hill.

"I wanted to, but too much soccer. You can blame the lead actor, he pushed me into it."

"I'm glad he did." They had gotten on the field and dropped their bags near their other teammates.

"Me too, the play's close to performance so there isn't much tech crew stuff to do."

"Tech crew? Now you sound like a real theater geek," Dillian teased. Fern rolled his eyes and took out his phone to turn it off. He noticed a text from Ani.

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Hey no tutoring today, my edudu is taking me to go clean graves after school today. He wanted me to invite you too, but just add a bunch more "Spaniard" lines.>

<Me: Yeah I'm pretty sure I can. After going to your house last weekend my punishment just magically disappeared.>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: It's probably because I was being queer and crying.>

<Me: Is queer another umbrella term?>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Yup.>

<Me: Cool I'll put it somewhere in my notes lol>

<Me: Oh I have a question. Do you know Tasha, she's a senior in play?>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Omg yeah I know Tasha, she's literally the best. I was going to ask her out to homecoming if I wasn't already going with you>

<Me: Really? Why>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Ummm because she's pretty and really nice. Did I mention she's gorgeous? And she's an amazing dancer, I've had like a mini crush on her since freshman year.>

Ani sent a picture, it was a selfie of him with a girl who looked nothing like Dillian. Her hair was dyed blue and she had a nose ring in. Her lipstick was the same shade as Ani, and it even looked like she was wearing a band shirt. Basically, she looked like a total badass. Compared to her Ani had his hair much shorter than usual, it was just around his ears. He wasn't wearing any makeup besides that. He looked about a year or two younger. Fern despite himself, saved the picture.

<Me: A crush??? I thought you liked guys.>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Fern I like guys and girls, that's where the whole BI thing comes from dumb dumb. Did you think I was joking or something>

<Me: Kinda? Idk I'm dumb>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Yeah you are, do you need me to remind you every day or something? I'll send you a picture of Emma Watson or something, and talk about how much of a natural beauty she is.>

<Me: Nah I'm good. If u like girls so much why don't u date more of them?>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Well because of two things. I like girls, and I wouldn't mind dating them but I prefer guys...its. I'm trying to think of it in a way that you would understand, without making vivid assumptions about bi people.>

<Me: Uh idk looking it up doesn't always help me>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: I like guys 65% and women 45%>

<Me: I thought it was half>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Thought wrong hoe, but anyway. The second reason is that a lot of the girls that I maybe would have been interested in are assholes. They don't like me because my makeup is better than theirs. At least that's what I infer it as.>

<Me: Are u being bullied? Need me to do something about it? We can go to the principe>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Fern take a breath, it's not bullying. Just general catty-ness and bitchiness. I can deal with that shit, it's just a turn off lol. Now get back to soccer before you get your butt hit with a soccer ball>

<Me: Ok>

<Me: Don't get stressed on stage btw bye>

<Mother of my Unborn Child: Don't forget to text your parents to ask, bye>

<Me: I won't>

"Hey what are you doing over there writing a love letter to your girlfriend? Get your ass on the field Oliverez, before I make you run more laps than you can count up to." The Coach Edwards yelled from across the field. Fern looked around he was the few not running around the soccer field yet.

"Sorry coach!" He yelled and stuffed his phone in his bag. He looked for Dillan and realized he had ditched him. "Jerk," He mumbled under his breath. He ran onto the outside of the soccer field, he was behind a few seniors. He looked behind him and saw Quinn.

Quinn spotted him, he waved and smiled. Fern almost returned the gesture then remembered what he had learned on him. He narrowed his eyes and turned back around. He took deep breaths and picked up his jogging pace, putting more distance between them.

"Fern shoot that last goal then you and Kelly can clean up the field, seeing as you two made the most mess," Coach Edwards yelled, Fern looked over his shoulder and nodded to her. Her face looked red, and she had a good sweat going.

"I'm not Kelly, Carson is Kelly!" Quinn said loudly from his place in the goal post.

"That's Quinn!" Carson yelled to couch as he picked up his heavy looking soccer bag.

"It's close enough, you both act like Kellys." She waved her hand dismissively and turned around. Fern rolled his eyes and turned his attention back towards Quinn. He took a deep breath and shifted the ball to his liking. He could already feel bruises on his foot coming along, but the fire in his chest did well to help him ignore it.

Quinn was leaning forward, his gloved hands were up and his knees slightly bent. He looked more beat up than Fern but managed an encouraging smile.

Fern narrowed his eyes and stared at Quinn's head, he reeled his leg back. He kicked the ball for all it was worth nearly falling with the effort. For a moment he thought the ball had connected with Quinn's head.

Instead, Quinn slowly lowered the ball he was holding inches in front of his face. With the same smile on. It was like Fern's attempts hadn't even phased him. He tucked the ball under his arm and walked towards him. Fern put a hand on his knees and painted his exhaustion catching up with him.

"Not too bad, if I hadn't known better I would have said that you had it out for me." Quinn, stood in front of him his body relaxed. "You don't have it out for me do you?" He raised an eyebrow, Fern just stared open-mouthed panting.

Fern gave up on standing, instead, he opted to sit down on the grass. As soon as his butt hit the ground the rest of his body followed, soon he was laying on his back staring up at the sky.

"You wouldn't be this tired if you didn't spend all practice trying to kill me." Quinn looked at Fern expectantly but still got no answer. He sat beside him and put the ball next to Fern's head. "The guys on the team are going to think I stole your girlfriend or something."

"Why did you go out with Ani?" Fern asked quickly, looking directly at him.

"I didn't know you were gay." Quinn and Fern looked at each other for an eerie minute.

"I'm not." Fern answered slowly, his eyes narrowed.

"You sure?" Quinn asked sincerely. Fern thought for a moment, hesitating before answering.

"Yeah, positive." Fern took a breath and sat back up, he turned so that his body was angled towards Quinn. "Why did you go out with Ani?"

"It was freshman year." Quinn shrugged. "I had just hit puberty, I was horny. Evidently, I guess Anakin never did because he looked like a girl to me."

"That's still not a reason."

"He was hot Fern, and really nice. We liked some of the same bands, and he knew enough about sports to carry on a decent conversation. He was also pretty funny. It's just like Anakin now, but my body thought he was a girl."

"How did you figure it out? Did he tell you?"

"No, I just tried feeling up his thigh and was surprised." Quinn chuckled, Fern could tell it was just to relieve awkwardness. "But I wasn't a douche about it. I was just kind of like, you're a guy. And he shrugged." Fern narrowed his eyes again, trying to see any indications of a lie.

"How did you never figure it out before then?" Quinn raised an eyebrow at him.

"Not that you have much room to talk, but...he just never corrected me or anyone. To be honest I don't think he really understood himself that well either, I mean we were freshmen. What were you doing freshman year?" Fern thought for a moment, Freshman and Sophomore year were a bit hazy for him.

"I think I tried to join a spelling bee,"

"How well did that work for you?"

"It didn't." Fern was starting to see Quinn's point, but he couldn't let go of a small feeling of anger that was still there. "Why didn't you tell me about this before?"

"I knew you'd try to kill me for whatever reason you've justified."

"I didn't try and kill you."

"Aiming a soccer ball at my head is pretty questionable." Fern opened his mouth, but he could hardly dispute that.

"Sorry, I guess," Fern said insincerely. Quinn shrugged and struggled to stand up, he rubbed at his thighs.

"No sweat. But can I ask you a question?" Fern copied his movements and stood back up. He had to kick out his legs to bring feeling back into them.

"What?" He looked up to make eye contact with Quinn.

"Why do you care?" Quinn rolled the soccer ball towards him and picked it back up. He gave Fern an expectant look, but something in his eyes said that he didn't expect an answer.

"I'm...not sure. Friendship I guess." Fern went to the benches to grab the ball bag. He could hear Quinn walking behind him.

"Level with me here, Dillian is one of your friends right?"

"Yeah, I guess so." When they had reached the benches, Fern reached into his backpack and pulled out a flavored water bottle.

"Would you be mad if I went out with him Freshman year when he was still a girl?" Fern finished his drink and put a cap on his water.

"You know that Dillan is trans?" He looked over his shoulder at Quinn. Quinn rubbed the bridge of his nose and shook his head.

"Yes, most of the people on this team know that."

"Does everyone know that?"

"Not everyone, but the people who've seen him freshman year as a girl and now as a guy. Not to mention his name in the yearbook is still Kirsty."

"Oh, I never noticed."

"Fern, you don't notice much." Quinn took a breath but he still looked amused. "So would you be pissed with me?"

"I mean I guess not..." Fern put his drink down and picked up the ball bag. He opened it up and turned to Quinn. "But it's different." Quinn put the soccer ball in the bag and raised his eyebrow.

"How's it different?" He gestured for Fern to follow him, he walked towards the field.

"I can't explain it, it just is." He followed behind Quinn, they began putting the various cones in the ball sack.

"This might sound random, but are you going to Homecoming with anyone?"

"Uh, yeah I'm going with Anakin." He realized what he had said wasn't helping his case. What the case was for exactly, he wasn't sure.

"Oh, too bad I was going to invite you to come with my friends. Do you want to come to our after party? You can bring Ani."

"Will it have alcohol and possibly sex?"

"There's always a possibility, we're having it at Carson's house. Big place, lots of rooms."

"I'll pass." He tied up the bag as Quinn put the last cone in the sack.

"Oh yeah, forgot. You aren't much into parties," Quinn slipped his hands into his soccer short pockets and looked at Fern for a moment. "Can I give you advice right now?"

"Sure, but there's no guarantee I'll use it."

"After Homecoming have sex with Ani." Fern's eyes widened and he nearly choked on air.

"What the fuck?"

"Okay, judging from the way you reacted...I'd say have a really great make-out session. But make it all or nothing," Fern still looked confused, and surprised.

"What's that going to accomplish?"

"Hopefully it'll just cement into your stupid brain the fact that you are not only attracted to Ani, but you're probably in love. And you spent all afternoon trying to kill me because you were jealous."

"I wasn't jealous of you!" Fern protested, Quinn raised both eyebrows and step closer to Fern.

"I've met his parents, they loved me. I've taken him out on dates, he's made me meals before, we've listened to music together on his bed, and made out. We've made out a lot of times, a ton of times." Fern felt his fist clenched, he was willing Quinn to take another step closer to him. "And on top of that, even after we broke up, we still have an amazing friendship. Who knows how often I text him, we're in a couple honors classes together, and who knows maybe we've experimented yo--" Quinn took a few quick steps backwards as Fern began moving towards him. "Woah Woah, cool it."

"If I say that I'm jealous will you shut your fucking mouth!"

"Yeah! Totally, pretend I never even said that. And the part about experimenting, total BS. I promise." Quinn still had his hands up prepared to defend himself if need be. Fern's shoulders sagged and he dropped the sack of balls. He sat down and rubbed his face.

"I have no idea what to do. I'm so freaking confused, I've never had to deal with complicated shit like this. I know I'm not gay because girls are still hot. I don't know what liking Anakin says about myself, but...I do...I guess. But it's dumb because I'm dumb."

"Not much you said made any sense, but I think I get the gist of it."

"I can't even ask him out because I was stupid. He already had a crush on me, and now he probably doesn't. Ugh, I'm so fucking stupid. I told him to start dating girls last weekend!"

"Wow, we have a lot of damage control. Is there anything else I need to know?"

"I was a dick to his parents because they were douchey, I'm pretty sure his mom is afraid of me. And his grandfather, who I guess is actually a native American. Happens to be one Native American group that the Spanish happened to screw over."

"I'm sure there were others...but are you even Spanish?"

"No! I'm Mexican and Puerto Rican!" He pushed back his sweaty hair with his hands.

"So is he racist against Spanish people?"

"I don't know! He's old, aren't old people racist or something?"

"I'm not sure how many elderly people you know, but that's not exactly true. All this can be fixed, I've dealt with harder situations."

"Really?" Fern said hopefully.

"Well kind of, I've never actually dealt with someone as socially inept as you. But we all have our big challenges, and you're mine." Quinn squatted so that he was in front of Fern. "What are you doing after school today? Tutoring with Ani?"

"No, we're going to clean graves with his grandfather."

"Perfect! Okay, this is just what you need, make sure you impress his grandfather. Make yourself seem as sensible, down to Earth, humble, in touch with nature as you possibly can."

"That...sounds difficult." Fern said slowly trying to remember all the characteristics Quinn listed.

"Okay, let's make it simpler. Don't act like an idiot, don't say anything dumb, and don't stare at Ani's ass. Do. Not. Stare, at Ani's ass. Repeat that back to me."

"Don't act like an idiot, don't say anything dumb, don't stare at Ani's ass."

"Good." Quinn rubbed the top of Fern's hair, Fern recoiled and tried to get out of his touch.

"Now, tomorrow is Halloween. That's important, that's a holiday. A day where you get sugar if you catch my drift."

"No, I don't think I do..." Quinn took a deep breath and took his hand away from the top of Fern's head.

"Just tell me what you're doing that day. Please don't say trick or treating."

"I was going to go over Ani's house, he said he'd make us snacks and we could watch horror movies the entire night."

"If you were any other guy I'd say this is perfect. Time alone means potential time to do interesting things with him. But seeing as this is you, and your hormones only take you to dead ends...you're going to invite me over."

"I'm what?"

"Me and Dillian, we'll make it a get together."

"What's that accomplishing?"

"Well for one I won't have to third wheel on Carson's date with some random cheerleader from another school. And secondly, we'll get to gauge how jealous Anakin is willing to get."

"This sounds really manipulative," Fern said unsurely.

"Oh it is, but love is manipulative...well sort of. Fern takes everything I say and do with a grain of salt, and don't tell Ani because you will get punched."

"Um..."

"Fern listen to me, just remember these things and I'll handle the rest. Okay?" Fern nodded and paid close attention to Quinn. "Today, don't act stupid, don't say things stupid and don't look at Ani's ass. Okay?" Fern nodded. "By the end of the night, ask Anakin if Dillan and I can come over. Okay?" Fern nodded again. "And tomorrow, don't say anything stupid, don't act stupid, but you can stare at Anakin's ass."

"I can?"

"Yes, you can. Free liberty to, go ahead. Just make it tasteful. By the end of the night, one two things are going to happen. I won't tell you which two things, but I warn you. Don't. Get. A boner." Fern blushed and sat up straighter.

"Yeah, yeah whatever." He mumbled and began standing up again. Quinn beat him to it and stood up in front of him.

"I'll throw this crap in Ms. Edwards trunk, you run up, get clean and smell good. Remember my advice, and I'll text you tomorrow night about the next step in our plan, okay?"

"Okay. But I have two questions, why are you helping me?"

"Because we're bros, and I would expect that you'll be my wingman if the need arises."

"Oh..." He paused. "How do you know I stare at Anakin's ass?" Quinn snickered and rolled his eyes.

"People see what you're doing Fern, you're not as sneaky as you think. Now get dressed." Fern hesitated but nodded, with that thought in his mind he grabbed his stuff and water.

"Bye Quinn, and...thanks." He waved and quickly began running back up the hill. Quinn waved back and shook his head, he threw the soccer bag over his shoulder and headed for the benches.

Fern yawned as he made his way down the hall. He felt like his shower had taken forever, and had to hurry to get dressed. His hair was still damp and trickles of water dripped down his shirt as he jogged to the front. He began to see Anakin waiting by the door, it dawned on him that he had barely seen him all day.

"Hey, sorry I had to clean up after practice," Fern said catching Anakin's attention. Ani turned and smiled at him. He was dressed more casually today. He was just wearing jeans and a rainbow flowy t-shirt with a smiley face on it. Fern doubted the jeans where entirely male, they rolled up to his ankle and looked like they went up to his belly button. His makeup looked more complex upon closer inspection but from the outside, he looked simple. His lipstick was faded grey, and his eyeshadow was blended into the corner of his lids making them pop. This was on top of Anakin's usual foundation and eyeliner.

."It's okay, my Edudu just got here anyway...Fern you're staring again." Anakin said with a laugh. Fern blushed deeply and looked away from his face.

"Sorry..." He smiled and stood next to him.

"It's whatever, I hoped you'd like this outfit," Anakin said, he picked up his bag from the ground. "You always like when my eyeshadow is ombre."

"That's what it's called?" He stuck his hand out. "I can carry your bag if you want." Anakin looked at Fern's hand for a moment. He took off his backpack and handed it over to him. Fern slung it over one of his shoulders, Ani bent back down and picked up a few of his books.

"Yeah, and these are waist high jeans, which you also seem to like."

"Was this outfit picked with me in mind?" Fern asked, he opened the front door and waited for Ani to step through.

"Maybe a little, you're my biggest fan so I do have to please you from time to time." He stepped through wincing at the sun. Fern closed the door and walked with him to a small dusty looking convertible.

"Aren't I your only fan?" Anakin scoffed and shook his head.

"Nope, I have a list. You're the only one who blatantly stares at me. I have a Quinn, Teresa, Trish, oh! This really pretty girl told me my makeup looked good." Fern bit his lip and tried not to look bothered.

"Oh?"

"Yup, then I told her that I wish I could have a complexion like hers then I wouldn't need makeup."

"Your skin is really great, you don't need that stuff to look hot."

"I already know that don't worry," Ani teased and bumped his hip. "That's just stuff you say to other people, it's called flirting."

"Did it work?"

"Kinda, but I was getting potential gay best friend vibes. Versus I think you're attractive." Fern smiled and moved closer to Anakin.

"Too bad, maybe you can just be happy with being a BI best friend."

"Nah, I barely see her. It was worth a shot, I decided I wanted to try your get a girlfriend idea."

"That was a shitty idea." Fern blurted out, Ani hesitated in his walking and looked up at him.

"What do you mean?"

"It was a dumb idea, I mean girls in this school can be really bitchy like you said. Besides this is high school, and you said you'd have a hard time committing too much physical intimacy with girls. And...that's all high schoolers want. So if you want to date girls, date college girls. More variety, more open minds, and more willing not to have sex." Fern said this all in one breath, he sucked in air and looked hopefully at Ani. Ani looked him over and smiled a bit.

"Maybe you're right, I'll think about it." Fern wasn't sure if he was teasing or not, but he hoped that Ani would listen to him once again.

They got to the grey car, Ani ducked and peeked into the passenger seat window.

"Hey! Thanks for picking us up, Fern said he'd love to come and help." Fern made eye contact with the handsome looking older man that he had seen the previous weekend. He offered an awkward smile, Anakin's grandfather returned the smile but it looked more deceptive.

"He was the young man teaching you to dance on Sunday?" He raised an eyebrow, Anakin nodded. He reached into the window and unlocked one of the backseat locks manually.

"Yes he is, he's one of my closest friends so be nice. Fern you can throw those backpacks in the back." Fern nodded and gave Anakin's grandfather one more fleeting look before going to the trunk of the car. There was a click and the trunk flew open narrowly missing Fern's head.

Fern quickly stepped back holding back a swear. He looked to Anakin, hoping he wasn't the only one who saw that. Anakin still had his head in the passenger window and hadn't seen him. Fern swallowed and slipped both backpacks, and his soccer bag into the trunk. He closed the trunk and wondered if Anakin's grandfather was trying to murder him.

He glanced at Anakin's body, taking even more detailed account of the way his outfit hugged his body. Ani was right, the high waisted pants really where Fern's favorites, he just didn't know it until now. He remembered Quinn's words and tore his eyes away, he cleared his throat hoping to catch Anakin's attention.

"Ready to go?" Ani brought his head out from the window, Fern nodded and gave the trunk of the car one more push. Anakin opened up the backseat door. Fern took his time climbing in, he pushed himself to the seat near the window. He took account of Anakin's grandfather eyes following him in the rearview mirror. Anakin slipped into the backseat and shut the door behind him.

"Not going to sit up here with your old Edudu?" Anakin buckled himself in, he was smiling like he was already having a good time.

"I will on the ride back, but I want to keep Fern company." Ani gave Fern a quick smile and gestured for him to buckle himself in. "Are you sure you don't want me to drive?" Fern buckled himself in, he didn't need to give Anakin's grandfather any reason to dislike him, anymore.

"Don't worry Anakin, I might be getting up there in numbers but I doubt you could drive legally."

"Neither of us are allowed to drive legally." Ani countered, Fern glanced to look at him. There was something sad in his eyes. The car engine hummed to life, and the old convertible rolled back a bit.

"You worry too much, as long as I focus I'll be fine." He shifted the car into a different gear and began driving forward. Anakin still looked skeptical.

"You promise to take as many breaks as necessary?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die." His grandfather teased back, Anakin looked sick but nodded slowly. Fern looked at them not sure what to say, so he remained quiet.

As they began driving the full weight of Fern's exhaustion began hitting him. He leaned his head against the window but every time his eyes closed he'd hit himself. Fern wasn't sure how far away the cemetery they were going to was, and he was too nervous to ask Anakin with his grandfather around.

After about fifteen minutes in the silent car, Anakin's' grandfather pulled over. Fern turned to the rear view mirror to try and get a glimpse at his eyes. The skin around them was red and he looked tired already.

"Are you okay Edudu?" Anakin straightened his hand drifting near his seatbelt.

"I'm fine Anakin, I'm just going to walk around in the woods, get the blood flowing. As well as some fresh air,"

"Aren't the windows open?" Fern asked he felt stupid as soon as he said it. Anakin's grandfather didn't spare him a look.

"Some fresher air then," He opened his car door. They had parked near one of the islands of forest that were frequent in their part of the state. Anakin frowned and watched him enter one of the forest areas.

"Will he be okay?" Fern asked, Anakin bit his lip and looked away from the window to Fern.

"Yeah, he'll probably just sit on a log and relax for a bit. Sorry, it'll take some time to get where we're going. I should have gotten my license sooner." He mumbled to himself.

"It's okay, sorry I'm not talking much. I'm just tried." Fern asked, almost to prove his point. He yawned, he watched Anakin stifle a yawn.

"You must be," Anakin turned more towards Fern. "Soccer looks like it's taking a toll on you, but a good toll."

"So I don't just look like a sweaty mess all the time?"

"Oh you do, don't worry. But in less than month, you've gone from noodle arms to almost complete stud."

"Think so?"

"I only tell the truth, and your upper body is looking good too."

"Are you sure none of these statements are biased?" Fern teased, he unconsciously touched his own arm. Making sure that there was actually muscle there.

"Not at all, my total stud alert is slowly picking you up. Too bad I don't pass as a girl anymore, we could have been an adorable pair." Fern heard Anakin's teasing voice but his heart rate picked up regardless. "I'm sure we still look great together, like just two attractive people hanging out as buddies."

"Yeah, that sounds...good." He hid lack of words with a yawn. Anakin watched him for a moment then patted his thigh.

"We have awhile, you can take a nap on my lap if you want." Fern was immediately elated with the idea. He stopped himself from unbuckling and just lying down on him, he kept in mind not to act like an idiot.

"Isn't it against the law not to wear a seatbelt?" Anakin chuckled and rolled his eyes.

"You'll be fine Fern. Promise, my grandfather drives at the speed of a turtle. Even if we got hit, the car would probably spin around twice in slow motion then stop." Fern felt like that was enough disagreement to the idea to sound believable. He unbuckled himself and laid down on his side. He rested his head on Anakin's thigh. It was as comfortable as he imagined it to be, he felt his eyes close already. He was further comforted by Anakin's hand resting gently on his hand.

"Ani?"

"Yeah?" Fern could feel Anakin's inhale and exhale, his stomach lightly pushed against his head.

"Is your grandfather racist?" He asked Ani took a shorter breath. His laughed was breathy and he lightly traced behind Fern's ear with his finger.

"No, he's just himself. He was kidding about the Spaniard thing."

"You sure?"

"Positive, you know you're not the only Latino boy he's seen me with."

"There's been others?"

"A few, mostly my sister's friends."

"Did you make out with them?"

"Yeah." Ani's reply sounded more solemn than before. Fern let the answer sit heavy in the air between them.

"What grade is your sister in?"

"She's a junior in college," Again Fern let the answer sink in, either way, he sliced it her friends were always going to be a significant amount older than Ani.

"Why did your sister let them around you, did she know?" Fern used the past tense, hoping Ani wouldn't correct him.

"Maybe, I don't know. If she did I don't think she cared, if she cared she never said. She never told on me, for all I know everyone in the house knew about it."

"Why?" Fern couldn't specify the why he didn't want to say it out loud. The thought made a part of his stomach church, and his head go foggy with anger. Anakin's fingers paused on Fern's head, he resumed after a moment.

"They were nice, they treated me like a person, and like I mattered."

"Ani?"

"Yeah Fern?"

"You're a person, and you matter. Okay?" He imagined that Anakin was nodding in agreement, that's what he hoped. He felt Anakin move. Ani's lips pressed against Fern's warm cheek and moved away.

"You're such a good friend Fern," He whispered softly, "I'm not sure which bargain deal I got you from but..."

"I unscrewed your pooch?" Anakin's body vibrated as he laughed.

"Not completely, but it's getting there." A car door opened, Fern cracked his eyes open enough to see Ani's grandfather climb in looking healthier than before. He closed the door behind him and looked into the backseat before buckling up. He said nothing about Fern's new position on Anakin's lap.

"You kids ready to continue on?" He had a few leaves intentionally placed in his hair. Fern and Anakin both nodded, Anakin's fingers continued massaging Fern's head. "Okay, we should be there in good time." He started the car again, there was a click of a buckling sound. With the hum of the engine and Anakin's fingers Fern began to fall asleep.

"Fern wake up we're here." Ani's voice floated into Fern's head, his dream began to dissipate and he groaned. Anakin's hands were still in his hair but they were shaking him now.

"Are we there?" Fern yawned, he wanted to nuzzle his face back into whatever pillow he was on. He stopped when he realized he was trying to rub his face deeper into Anakin's thigh.

"Yeah, we're entering the cemetery now."

"Cemetery?" He rubbed his eyelids as he tried to remember what he was doing. The last thing he remembered was Anakin in his underwear, feeding him grapes on a soccer ball-shaped cloud. He classified that as a memory and thought back. "Oh yeah, grave robbing." He slowly cracked his eyes open, his hand covered most of where the sun was coming from. Ani chuckled.

"We're cleaning the place up, grave robbing is illegal."

"Oh yeah," He licked his lips and used his arm to sit back up, carefully not bumping his head into Ani's. He looked at Anakin's thigh and saw a small circle shaped wet spot right above his knee where Fern's mouth had been. "Damn did I drool on you?"

"Yeah, among some other things." Anakin smiled knowingly, that only concerned Fern. Considering the dreams he had been having, he didn't trust himself not to have said something particularly mortifying.

"Yes, they were quite interesting." Anakin's grandfather chuckled from the front, the car slowed as he parked it on the side of the road near the entrance. Fern blushed and looked at them. The look they had on their face was almost identical.

"What did I say?"

"That's for us to know, and you to find out," Anakin said coyly when the car stopped he unbuckled himself. Fern unconsciously reached to unbuckle his belt then realized he had never worn one.

"Hopefully not in my lifetime," Edudu said sarcastically, Anakin's chuckled and bit his lip.

"Only teasing, I'd never do that." Edudu glanced at him giving Anakin and untrusting look, he rolled up the windows.

"There is something about that face you have that I don't trust." Anakin stuck out his tongue and opened his side of the car. His door was closest to the cemetery and facing away from the road. Fern followed Anakin through his door and outside.

He stretched out his arms and legs. As comfortable as Anakin's thigh was, sleeping on a car seat destroyed his shoulders.

"Where are the supplies?" Anakin asked, "I assumed they weren't in the back, seeing as Fern through our stuff in there." Fern winced and figured he should have checked before placing their stuff down.

"I had the flowers delivered here, I decided to cut the middleman this time."

"You called a delivery service? All by yourself? Edudu I'm so proud."

"Actually, you're Grandmother called in."

"Huh, well I'm still proud of you." Anakin slipped his hands into his pockets and gestured for Fern to begin walking.

As they entered the area Fern was surprised at the beauty. He was used to seeing cemeteries with cobwebs, dead grass, uneven land. The one they were walking around in seemed to be something taking out of a fairytale land. The gates were in good condition, the plot of land it was on was smooth, the grass was growing green. Even the old crumbling gravestones looked artfully damaged like someone arranged the fallen pieces in just the right way.

Their pace was slow, Fern was extra conscious of not walking ahead of Anakin's slow-paced grandfather. The building they were walking towards also looked nice, it was nothing like the dull grey broken sheds Fern had seen in movies.

"So you have a grandmother?" Fern asked he looked at Anakin. Anakin looked back confused, even Edudu spared him a mildly amused look.

"Did you think my dad just came to be?"

"No no, you just never talked about her. I assumed your grandfather wasn't into...chicks or she..."

"Passed away?" Edudu finished for him. Fern nodded wondering if he was treading on acting like an idiot territory. "No no, she is very much alive. Five years younger than me in fact. I have no idea why Anakin would never talk about her." The last sentence held enough sarcasm to rival Ani's, he looked at Anakin expectantly to finish. Anakin rolled his eyes and looked at Fern.

"Granny and I don't see eye to eye, so I don't talk about her. Nothing nice to say, don't say it all thing." Edudu gave Anakin a sad smile and rubbed the top of his head.

"I always found it strange that you two never got along, I always sensed that your spirits were similar,"

"No that's dad, she and him might as well be siblings. At least dads somewhat bearable."

"Spirit is different from personality Anakin. Your spirits are very similar, you looked so much like her when you were younger that I swore she bore another child." Anakin wrinkled his nose but didn't say anything in return. Fern wasn't sure what to say but he was still curious.

"Is she...lighter skinned than you?" Fern asked slowly. Looking at Anakin and his grandfather it was easy to see the facial structure similarities but the difference in skin tone still through him off.

"My wife?" He smiled, "Yes, she's paler then Anakin. She's what I like to call a European mutt, if you looked at her ancestors it feels as if her family bread in every country containing people of lighter skin."

"Then my dad married another whitey, and here I am today." Anakin looked less than pleased.

"Oh, you're only grumpy because you burn in the sun easier." Edudu teased, he nudged Anakin's arm getting a smile out of him.

"Well maybe I am, it's sad that I have to get a pre-tan before I go to the beach." He managed a pout but Fern could already see the smile. Edudu smiled fondly and stopped as they reached the small building. There was a note stuck to it, Edudu ripped it off and read it.

"Well the doors open, and we can help ourselves. Let's get to work boys." He slipped the paper into his pocket.
"I'll grab the supplies," Anakin said quickly, he beat whatever his grandfather was about to say. He opened the door and disappeared inside. He came out with a shopping cart filled to the top with flowers, and a few seeds. He pulled out another one similar to the first but smaller. He went back in and periodically came out with several items. By the time he finished he had brought out gloves, various digging tools, four bottles filled with chemicals inside, a few rags, and more flowers.

"So are we gardeners for a day?" Fern asked he put on the gloves Anakin had given him.

"Something like that. Edudu likes coming here, he takes special care of this specific one."

"It's where my mother chose to spread her ashes, she said she wanted to bring an aura of life here."

"That's why this place is so beautiful." Anakin finished, "Well that and good and some TLC." He put the rest of the items in the two shopping carts and took the bigger one. Edudu took the smaller one. They began walking, Fern followed after not sure what first to do.

"Anakin, why don't you show Fern how it's done?" Edudu stopped at one of the graves that had only a few decorations around it.

"Sure, then we can split up." Anakin turned the shopping card and parked it in front of the grave. He took out a few tools and knelt down in front of the grave. Fern stood a few feet behind him next to Edudu.

"It's quite easy if you're as smart as Anakin seems to think you are then you should be fine." It was said more like a challenge, versus encouragement. Fern swallowed and tried to focus.

"It's easy all you have to do, is put the special spritz on the gravestone. Clean it up, put this sealant on top. Then you put flowers near the head of the gravestone, and plant a few flower seeds around the area you think the body would be."

"Why do we plant flowers if we're leaving some anyway?" Fern asked.

"It's kind of like the saying, where you can give a man some fish, but it's better to teach him to fish."

"So we can give a grave some flowers, but it would be better if they grew their own?"

"Yeah something like that, but watch how I'm doing this." Anakin bent over so that he could properly clean the gravestone. He was on his knees and paying close attention to the words.

Fern had been paying attention for the first few seconds, but as the minute passed his mind began to wander. Again he was reminded of how much he loved those jeans on Anakin. It was astounding to him, the level of engineering it took to make an ass look so perfect.

"A word of caution." Fern froze as Anakin's grandfather whispered quietly to him. He tilted his head slightly so that he could see him out of the corner of his eyes. "Look, don't touch." Fern's blood turned to ice as his mortification reared its ugly head.

"Yes, sir." He stammered out softly. He turned back into Ani's talking just as he finished.

"See, that wasn't too bad. We can do a few together if you want." Ani offered, he sat on his knees and looked up between them.

"Um..."

"I think that's a good idea," Edudu said, he began pushing his cart to the next gravestone over. "I think Fern should do this next one, to make sure he understands." Fern couldn't help but feel thrown into open flames, even if Edudu's request was reasonable.

"Uh, sure..." He slowly made his way over to the gravestone. Anakin gathered his things and set them by the gravestone for Fern to use.

Fern pulled up his sleeves and grabbed the spritz. The instructions were easy enough, but he knew he was clumsy enough to somehow mess something up.

"So Fern how old are you?" It was Ezeudu's voice, Fern stiffened but tried not to show it. He cleared his throat and used the rag to scrub at the dirt on the gravestone.

"I turned 17 at end of September."

"Oh? So a few months older than Anakin." He hummed to himself. He looked over his shoulder, Anakin rolled his eyes and went to the cart. He grabbed some supplies and went to the next gravestone over. "Are you in any of the same classes together?"

"Not really, he's really smart so he's in mostly honors. We have study hall and French together." He added another spray to an area he thought needed some extra care.

"Are you in any clubs, besides drama of course?"

"Not...Oh actually, I joined the soccer team. I'm on Junior and Senior Varsity." He felt a swell of pride, for once he could actually brag about doing something productive.

"Why both?" Fern gave the gravestone one final clean and began putting the sealant.

"For improving my technique, and playing with others who have the same potential as me."

"Huh," The way he said it was neither disappointed or surprised. For a brief moment, Fern thought he was doing well. "You both are junior, I know Anakin has a few goals. Do you have any?" Fern almost audibly groaned, one of the many chinks in his armor had been exposed.

"Not really...I'm very focused on living in the...current. Getting my grades up, you know..." He finished with the sealant. He reached to the side of him picking up the tulips Anakin had left for him.

"Are your grades poor?"

"Sort of...but they're doing a lot better." It was the middle of January and Fern felt like he had mostly caught up with his work. It was just hard staying caught up. "Anakin helps a lot with that."

"I heard he tutors you," Fern nodded, he wasn't sure if that was a positive or negative. "Do you have any idea what college you will be entering in?" Fern mentally winced, another stab to the gut.

"Not really...I always figured I'd do something menial. Work with my hands I guess..."

"Do you have a job currently?"

"Not...exactly. I sometimes help my dad out with landscaping, but that's more move stuff around versus doing the planning. That's what he does."

"So by menial, do you mean something like construction?"

"Uh...no I'm too clumsy for that."

"Do you have any academic skill sets that you think you could rely on? Potentially support yourself, or whoever you end up with some day?"

"Uh..."

"English? Philosophy? Planning on going into the STEM fields?"

"Um..." Fern was faltering, he couldn't think of anything. Anything at all he could come up with.

"Are you social? Could you work with kids or young adolescents?"

"I was hoping that maybe I'd figure out that stuff this year..." He took out a seed packet slowly. "Maybe Anakin could help me out with that stuff." It was sad he knew Anakin's five year plan better than he knew his five-month plan.

"Speaking of Anakin, how much do you like him? Are you planning on staying friends with him lo--"

"Edudu! Hey, why don't you start on the other graves, I'll look on with Fern to make sure he's doing alright." Anakin smiled sweetly at his grandfather. Edudu stopped his assault and nodded.

"Very well, I will be at the other gravesites. When you feel like you have accomplished enough then come and see me and we will return home." Edudu smiled at Fern then at Anakin. He turned around and took his cart, wheeling away.

Fern looked to Anakin like he was his guardian angel. He mouthed thank you. Anakin nodded and offered him a smile.

"You looked like you were taking heavy fire there." Fern nodded and wiped sweat from his brow.

"I was, once he started talking about college it was all over." Fern dug up a section of the dirt to plant the seeds.

"Yeah, sorry about that." Anakin chuckled and continued with his work.

"I thought that only happened on tv."

"Nope, welcome to my life." Fern finished and gathered the items in his arms.

"Does all of your family do that?" He deemed it a stupid question before it finished leaving his mouth. He stood up and walked over to Anakin to help him finish. Anakin raised an eyebrow at him.

"No, he's the only one."

"So I won't be getting the grill session from your mom or grandmother?" Fern teased, he opened up a seed packet and began digging with his hands.

"My mom could honestly care less. And my grandmother would rather see me dead than happy with anyone." Fern frowned and slowed his digging, he looked up at him.

"You're joking right?"

"Sort of, but not really. Old Granny is really bigoted, she hated me since I was 8 and brought a handbag to one of my many cousin's weddings."

"Did she like you before then?"

"I was a mild annoyance before then. But you should have seen my sisters 16 birthday party." He smiled to himself as he worked.

"What happened?"

"Well, you know me, when it comes to a special occasion I go in guns blazing. So I was still experimenting with makeup, but I looked cute as fuck. Little me was living his life with some sparkly blue eyeshadow and killing the game." Fern had to smile at that, he poured the seeds in and patted the dirt down. "Well since it was my sisters 16th some of my extended family came, and my grandparents always come to birthday parties. Well, this happened to be the first time I showed of the full extent of my flamboyance to my nonimmediate family."

"Was it bad?"

"It was really fucking bad. It started with whispers, but I was okay with that because I was doing my thing. But it got to a point where I guess my Granny couldn't take it. She went on a long tirade about boys acting like boys, and it ended with her saying that little brothers should never be prettier than their sisters." Fern's heart clenched he looked to Anakin but his head wasn't picking up. He rubbed on the gravestone harder than before.

"Did she not realize..."

"I guess not, but it was so bad. My mother didn't know who to console first. My sister was in tears, and she was ugly crying too. A ton of her friends where there, a couple people were recording her, she was supposed to be blowing out her candles."

"Who did your mother choose?" Fern sat on his knees waiting for Ani to finish with the sealant.

"Who do you think? I don't blame her, it was Juniors special day. My mom got Dakota, and I got my grandfather. I'm guessing my mom got my sister to calm down enough to continue with the party, but I stayed in my room."

"But...I don't get it. You're grandfather..." He didn't seem like an asshole, Fern admittedly didn't mind the grilling. It at least meant someone was looking out for Anakin. "He doesn't seem like..."

"A complete douche? Yeah he isn't, he's the greatest man alive. He told me that everyone has their character flaws, and since then she's moved on from that."
"Has she really?"

"No, but I won't pop his bubble. She's good to him and kind to the rest of the family. She's serviceable to me now. I just don't wear makeup around her and we're all good. The stupid thing is, I still love her, I think." Anakin placed a few tulips in front of the gravestone and stood up. Fern stood up with him, he wanted to hug Anakin. He wanted to tell him that people were douchebags, but he would never be one.

"I don't think it's dumb. I heard it's hard to hate old people." Anakin looked at him still smiling. He looked like what he said hasn't affected his mood.

"Wait till you take honors anatomy with me next year, you'll eat those words."

"Honors anatomy? Me?"

"Well yeah, you're passing with a B right now. Get it up to an A and you're a shoe in. I want more classes with you next year, which means more honor classes!" Anakin chuckled almost evilly, Fern felt his stomach sink.

"Uh, we'll see about that."

"Yes, we will now split up. We'll cover more ground." Anakin grabbed his supplies and moved on to another grave. Fern did the same, balancing the spritz on his shoulder so it wouldn't fall.

"I'll do that row over there if you finish this one."

"Deal," Anakin said over his shoulder, he had already knelt down and began planting.

A few hours later Fern was covered in dirt and he smelt like plants and sweat. He was sure he looked like a mess, but surprisingly all of them did.

"Are we all set?" Edudu asked them. Fern and Anakin both nodded and put their empty containers and seed packets in the smaller cart.

"I'll go run these back, the recycling bin is up front. Fern why don't you take these and throw them in there with Edudu?" Anakin handed him over the four empty spritz bottles.

"Yes sir, meet you up front. Don't get lost." He teased.

"In case I don't come back tell Dakota not to touch my stuff." He took the two carts and began speed walking them towards the small building. Fern looked at Edudu and back forward, he began walking at a slow pace to the front. He bit his lip as a few thought passed through his mind.

"Sir?" He asked they were still halfway to the front. He knew better than to walk ahead of him.

"Yes?" Edudu raised an eyebrow and looked at Fern.

"I...I really like your grandson. He's attractive, smart, funny, compassionate, and the first friend I've had in awhile. I think we can both agree he deserves to smile more, and he needs someone to keep him happy. I'm not the best candidate by far but I want to stick with him for as long as he wants me to. I'm admittedly pretty lazy, I don't have much of a plan, my grades are crappy, and currently, my only skill is soccer. I have no idea what I'm going to do in the future and that's really scary. But I'll figure it out, I promise. Just...give me like a seal of approval or a firm handshake or something! I just want to know if you approve or not, and if you don't I'll make you improve." He paused and rethought. "Not by force, but by like a demonstration." Edudu looked at him silently, Fern felt his entire body tensing. He began laughing loudly, only in a way a grandfather could manage.

"Ah, you are a keeper huh?" He pat Fern's back with strength Fern didn't suspect an old man like him to have.

"I...um thank you?" He said nervously, a small chuckle escaping him too.

"I like you, I can see why my grandson does too. You'll be a fine pair, I can tell. Don't mind my interview, I had even less of an idea of what to do than you did at your age. And I didn't have any makeup wearing friends to help me." He took his hand off of Fern's back. "Take your time with your youth, life is still unfolding. Let it, you'll find your place." Fern was pretty sure that Hallmark cards came to Anakin's father for inspirational quotes, not the other way around.

"Thanks, that's actually a really big comfort." He smiled for once not feeling tense around him. "And...sorry about the whole...perving on your grandson thing."

"Oh, I'd tread lightly with that territory. I only allow so much leniency, just no...I'll be watching more closely." By Edudu's turn, it was hard for Fern to tell if he was joking or not. He nodded either way and added a yes sir for good measures.

They got to the front and Fern recycled the bottles. By that time Anakin had already made it back to them.

"Ready to go?" Anakin asked, he took his hair out of a ponytail and re-tyed it.

"Yeah." Fern nodded and opened the backseat door for him. Edudu was already in the car the windows rolled down, he looked wiped out.

"Sorry Fern, I'm sitting up front with the cool kids." He stuck out his tongue and climbed into the front seat. Fern breathily laughed he climbed into the backseat and buckled himself in. He rolled his window down the entire way and leaned his elbow out. His eyes closed and he fully relaxed. Anakin said something softly to his Edudu. The car engine came to life and they began their drive home. Something dawned on Fern. His eyes tore open, he had never called his parents.