^^^^ just a pic of what they SHOULD have texted each other ;)

*

twelve ;
h a l e

HALE WASN'T READY TO speak to Brooks.

Fuck, he wasn't even ready to look at him. He was pussy enough to skip out on facing reality by ditching yesterday, and spent the day ignoring all the texts asking where he was by having a movie marathon day in which he watched every single Disney film his siblings has insisted on buying. Why Disney? Well, he had a secret soft spot for the animation which he would never admit out loud and he wanted to watch something light and fluffy.

Hale was looking at Will, and nodding along to whatever he was saying, but he could see Brooks from the corner of his eye heading towards him. He had no one but himself to blame for that. He was the one who'd gone out of his way to contact him, and they did need to talk, because he'd lose his mind if he just ignored it.

Brooks stopped in front of him, fiddling with the ends of the scarf wound around his neck. "Hey," he said quietly. His eyes were fixed on Hale, not meant for the others, but they immediately pounced on his unexpected arrival.

"Well, hello," Elliot said, draping an arm across his shoulders with a smirk. "It's Beer Pong kid!

"Shut up, idiot, he has a name." Coralie punched Elliot in the arm and smiled at Brooks, an expression which was still pretty intimidating even though she was trying to be friendly. Everything about Cora, from her narrow eyes and thin, sharp eyebrows, was scary. "Which is?"

Brooks looked like he was regretting coming over. "Brooks."

"Well, Brooks," Will said, clapping his hands together with an amused expression. "What can we do for you?"

Brooks, clearly unsure what to do, looked helplessly at Hale. "He's here for me," Hale said smoothly, snagging Brooks by his scarf to tug him away from Elliot. Even if he didn't mean to, Elliot could be unintentionally cruel at times and Brooks seemed a little too much like someone he'd target. "Chemistry project together. Unfortunately, a little too advanced for you, Elliot."

The others chuckled and Elliot flipped him the finger, not truly offended. Hale realised a little too late that the excuse he'd given Calla wouldn't work on Elliot, who was in their chemistry class and would know they had no such project. Brooks must have had the same thought, because his eyes widened and he took a few quick steps away. "Let's go," Brooks said hastily, shooting Hale his typical wide-eyed deer look. "Lot's of...chemistry to do."

"Yeah," Hale agreed, because Brooks was about the most unconvincing liar he'd ever met. Even his two year old sister had a better poker face when she was lying. "You know me, always eager for chemistry."

He pushed his way through the annoying swarm of children and pulling Brooks after him by his scarf, ignoring Will's parting comment that the only thing he was eager for was pussy. Because it wasn't true anymore, was it? Or more like it had never been true and he'd only figured that out now. "Woah, hold on," Brooks said, pulling his scarf free with an indignant yank. "What's with nearly strangling me?"

"We had to get out of there as quickly as possible," Hale said, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Brooks was keeping pace with him. It wasn't difficult considering they were pretty much the same height. "Why? Because you cannot lie for shit, and it was kind of worrying. Your face is scarily easy to read."

Brooks pulled a face at him. "I'll have you know that I can lie perfectly well. Brilliantly well, actually. Just...not in front of your friends."

"Oh yeah?" Hale smirked. "Why?"

"That," Brooks grumbled, attempting to hide his red cheeks by covering his face with his scarf, "is none of your business."

But Hale wasn't going to let him drop it that easily, not when teasing Brooks was the most fun he'd had in a long time. It had nothing to do with the fact that embarrassed and blushing Brooks was totally cute, and not just puppy dog cute. Hale couldn't deny that it was I-kinda-wanna-snog-you cute and this was as disconcerting as it was true. It didn't necessarily mean he was into guys. He was just...appreciating them.

Exactly, it was purely appreciation. Coralie, Kara and Elsie were always commenting on how hot or sexy women looked, and none of them were lesbians. He was simply mentally commenting on the fact that Brooks was attractive. With very nice eyes. And exceptionally soft skin.

"No, go on, why can't you lie in front of my friends?" Hale pressed with a sly look, stepping in front of Brooks so he couldn't keep walking. He could have easily sidestepped and walked away, but he humoured Hale with an unimpressed look.

Brooks mumbled something under his breath, still hiding behind his scarf. "Sorry, didn't hear you," Hale grinned, tipping his head. "A little louder?"

Brooks huffed and folded his arms across his chest "They're intimidating. Okay? Especially Coralie and Elliot," he admitted, giving Hale a surprisingly convincing evil eye when he cracked up laughing. "They are! It's a perfectly legitimate reason. Shut up, dumbass," he said, shoving Hale when the laughter didn't die down. "I hate you."

"Nah, you don't," Hale said, with the same charming smile that got him out of detention. "Didn't you know? Everyone loves me."

"What, and your modesty?"

"Of course, that's my most flattering attribute."

"Screw you."

"You wish," Hale joked automatically, and his smile faded away when the implications of what he just said dawned on him. Brooks was obviously following the same train of thought, his cheeks stained a permanent red as he suddenly grew very fascinated in his shoes.

Hale wanted to kick himself. Why did he have to say that? It wasn't the first time he'd said something stupid before thinking, with his fucking broken filter when it came to separating thoughts and words, and now he was remembering why things were awkward between them in the first place. He cast his gaze around and spotted the cleaners cupboard, the door slightly ajar.

He grabbed Brooks by the scarf again, the safest option that maintained the most distance between them, and hauled him into the spacious cupboard. "Hey," Brooks protested. "What is it with you and my scarf? I'm not a dog and this isn't a leash."

Hale closed the door and leant back against it, flicking the lock shut. The sound was exceptionally loud in the silence and Brooks stared at him with large eyes, flicking his gaze between Hale and the door. "Um," he said slowly, "I don't want to jump to conclusions here, but you know what this looks like, right?"

"We needed to talk, and we needed privacy," he shrugged, playing it off like his heart wasn't suddenly beating too fast at the sudden proximity. "You don't have to look so anxious. I'm not going to beat you up and steal your scarf, as pretty as it is."

"You need to shut up about my scarf," Brooks murmured, tugging on it nervously as he finally looked at Hale properly. They were standing close enough that Hale could pick out every single green fleck in his blue irises. "So...you wanted to talk."

"Yeah." Hale cleared his throat and suddenly felt a whole lot more awkward. He'd never had experience with discussing a kiss in general, forget one with a guy. "Look, Brooks, about what happened on Saturday - "

"It's okay," Brooks interrupted, looking pained. "I get it. You were drunk, it was an accident, it didn't mean anything. You don't have to try and explain it to me. Guys like you aren't...aren't gay."

Hale blinked, stunned into silence, because that was the last thing he'd expected to hear. Guys like you. It didn't take a genius to figure out what that meant; guys like Alec and Elliot, with girls hanging off their arms and happily perching on their laps, kissing different lips everyday as long as they were a woman's. Players. Fuckboys. Manwhores. Different words for the same thing.

"Wait," Hale said, realising that Brooks had excluded himself from that group. "Does that mean you're gay?"

It was a pretty stupid question, in retrospect. Hale may have been the one to kiss him but Brooks had certainly been willing to return it. Brooks chewed his thumbnail absently and finally said, "Yeah, I'm gay." He blew out a low breath and shook his head in disbelief. "Wow. That's the first time I've said it out loud and it feels fucking weird."

Hale idly realised that was the first time he'd heard him swear, and it sounded strange coming from his mouth. "You're gay," Hale repeated, testing the words. It made everything more real and also made him question his own sexuality again. He'd been planning on addressing that confusion, but Brooks had already made the assumption that Hale was straight and it was too easy to go along with that.

"And you're the only person who knows," Brooks added, looking at him anxiously. "I'm not ready to come out, not now, not - for a while," he amended, as if he suddenly changed his mind on what he said at the last minute. "Please don't tell anyone, Hale. You have to keep it a secret. I'll forget anything ever happened between us if you just keep your mouth shut."

Hale didn't like the way his stomach twisted into knots at the look Brooks was giving him, the pleading wide-eyed look that would have been impossible to ignore even if he wanted to. "Your secret is safe with me," Hale said, remembering all too well the mocking taunts Elliot had made at Juniper's. Brooks wouldn't survive a day if any of them learnt the truth. "I'm exceptionally good at keeping my mouth shut when I need to."

Brooks looked so relieved he slumped against the wall. "Thank you," he breathed. "Really. Thanks."

"Yeah, well, that's what I'm here for," Hale said, ignoring that nagging at the back of his mind that he'd lied. Technically, he hadn't spoken a word of a lie; he'd simply omitted a possible truth. He didn't even know if he was gay. Maybe he was just going through a midlife crisis, pushed back a couple of years.

"Maybe Calla was right about you," Brooks said, with a real genuine smile that lit up his face. It was the nicest thing Hale had seen all week. "You're not so bad." The smile slipped off his face when the bell started ringing, signalling first period. "Shit! We're going to be late!"

"What do you mean, not so bad?" Hale stepped back and watched as Brooks fumbled with the lock, struggling for a couple of seconds before it finally popped. "Also, careful who sees you leaving. You are quite literally coming out of the closet and that seems like a lame way to accidentally come out."

Brooks shot him a flat look. "Seriously?" He paused to peer around the door down the hallway anyway, and only left the cupboard when the coast was deemed clear. "What?" he said defensively, at Hale's smirk. "Better safe than sorry. Now come on, we're going to be late to chemistry." 

Hale suppressed a groan and followed at a considerably slower pace, not at all in a rush for more mind-numbing equations and formulas. "You never answered my question," Hale pointed out, strolling alongside him. "Not so bad? What does that even mean? I'm delightful. The life of the party. People clamour for my attention."

"Clamour," Brooks repeated, his lips curling into a smile. "That's a big word for you."

Hale pretended to wipe away a nonexistent tear. "That is very hurtful, Brooklyn Montgomery. Look, I'm crying," he drawled, gesturing to his decidedly dry eyes.

"How very sad," Brooks said, without an ounce of sympathy.

"You know what, I think I liked you better when you were shy and awkward." Hale nodded solemnly at Brooks' bemused glance. "You were easier to bully back then."

"So the jocks really do bully the nerds," Brooks mused, flicking a restless look down the hallway which had emptied out as people went to their classrooms. They were the only people left, and Brooks sped up a little. "We are so late. Mrs Mulligan is going to kill us."

"Chill out," Hale suggested, unable to believe anyone could get worked up over something so unimportant. Then he remembered who he was talking to, someone who willingly took five subjects and actually did the extra reading, forget the actual work. "Mrs Mulligan is piss easy to charm. Leave the talking to me and we won't get a late."

"You sound like you do this often."

"All the time," Hale agreed, with a lazy smile. "The teachers are surprised when I turn up on time."

"You are such a bad influence," Brooks said, shaking his head even as he tried to suppress a smile. That was his favourite smile, Hale decided, after the warm genuine one. The small grudging one that slipped out despite his best attempts. "My parents would skin me alive if they knew you were the company I kept."

It was clearly meant to be a joke, but a shadow passed across Brooks' face after the words left his mouth. Hale couldn't tell whether it was sudden realisation that Hale wasn't the type of person he usually spoke to or something else entirely.

"Wait," Hale said, feigning shock as he touched his chest lightly. "Turns up to classes late, too cool to wear a coat, is a disappointment to parents everywhere...am I a bad boy?" he whispered dramatically.

His attempt at lightening the mood worked. "Don't push your luck, Ryves," Brooks grinned. "You're a jock. Bad boy status can only be achieved with a broody attitude and black leather jacket."

"Dylan probably has a leather jacket I can borrow," Hale said thoughtfully. "And broody attitude, I'm pretty much halfway there. I'll just gaze out of a window for half an hour and scowl at anyone who tries to talk to me."

"You've really thought this through, huh?"

"Of course. I have my priorities in order."

Hale liked this side to Brooks, more confident and outspoken change from his usual reserved self, as if he was willing to shed the shyness a little now that they knew each other. Yeah, you generally get to know someone better after playing tonsil tennis together, he thought dryly. Not that that was really applicable for all the girls he's kissed, who were in fact bigger strangers to him after they'd made out.

Brooks retreated back to his uncertain, self-conscious shell when they reached their chemistry lab. "She's going to be so pissed," he said nervously, tugging the ends of his sleeves over his hands. Hale suspected he didn't even realise what he was doing, a habit he'd acquired unconsciously. "Jeez, I'm never late. I don't get late. What if we get a detention? I've never had a detention before and I'm not starting today. Student council members don't get detention."

Hale watched him flounder and panic in disbelief. "I can't decide if this is amusing or pathetic, and I'm beginning to think it's a little of both," he muttered, more to himself than anything. He tugged on Brooks' scarf to get his attention. "You need to get your shit together. This is literally the last thing from a big deal. Just follow my lead and no one will be getting any detentions, okay?"

Hale didn't wait for a reply. He pushed the door open and strolled inside, hoping Brooks had the sense to follow him. "Ah, Hale, how wonderful of you to join us," Mrs Mulligan said, more resigned than anything. This was a battle she knew she wouldn't win. "What's the excuse today?"

"Huge traffic jam," Hale replied with a sigh, as if his lie truly caused him distress. "Such a shame. My bus was horribly late and I told the driver, you have to hurry up, I'm going to be late to school! But alas, congested traffic won the fight against punctuality."

A few students snickered at his tale of woe, including a couple who actually got the bus with him. None of them ratted him out because as far as they were concerned, this was the only form of entertainment they would be receiving the whole morning. "Of course," Mrs Mulligan said wearily, "the bus excuse. I suppose I can't...Brooks?"

She looked genuinely astonished as her star pupil slunk into the room, alongside one of her worst ones. He looked uncomfortable with all the attention and fixed Mrs Mulligan with an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry I'm late, I was just - "

" - stuck on the bus, too," Hale interjected, with a pointed look in Brooks' direction. "It's just awful, isn't it? Generations of students left at the mercy of public transport, paying ridiculous fees for subpar service!" There was more muted laughter and chuckles at Hale's mock aggrieved expression. "We may as well be living under Donald Trump with the way this country's turning out."

He was probably going a little overboard, but it was too fun not to play this out as long as possible. Might as well give a proper performance if he was going to give one at all, in his opinion. Go hard or go home, as Will said so often. Then again, that was just his argument when he was trying to convince the others to order super-sized Mighty Meaty pizza, rather than medium sized cheese pizza.

"Brooks?" Mrs Mulligan said, ignoring Hale. "Is this true?"

Brooks looked conflicted and glanced at Hale, who grinned conspiratorially back at him. "Yeah," Brooks sighed in defeat. "Maybe not the Donald Trump part, but our bus was stuck in traffic and that's why we're late. Sorry."

"Didn't I tell you, Mrs Mulligan?" Hale said smugly. "God save the Queen, and all that. We need her to stop Trump."

Mrs Mulligan looked like she was contemplating early retirement, or possibly just quitting, as she waved a hand at them. "Fine," she said tiredly. "Go to your seats and Hale, please, shut up. I can't listen to your voice so early in the morning without another three cups of coffee."

Hale tapped two fingers to his temple in salute. "Got it," he said, following Brooks to their seats at the front of the class. He leant closer to Brooks and said under his breath, so Mulligan wouldn't hear, "see? Nothing to worry about. No detention."

"I can charm her, he says. It'll be easy, he says," Brooks whispered back incredulously. "You call that charming? You wore the poor woman down with your ravings until she had no choice."

"But it worked, didn't it?" Hale grinned. "Charming is very subjective, you see. I have different types of charm. That was the fake it 'til you make it."

Brooks snorted. "More like bullshit through your teeth 'til they get sick of it. Did you rehearse that speech about the horrors of public transport or something?"

"I never rehearse anything," Hale said, thinking about the stupidly bold move to kiss Brooks. He'd been drunk but he knew that even if he'd been sober, he wouldn't have rehearsed it. "I just go with the flow. Spontaneity and all that shit. You should try it some time."

Brooks tapped his pen against the table with a thoughtful smile. "Maybe I will."