School is shit. Everyone could agree with that. Connor agreed with that so much that he would skip a few days, sometimes even the whole week. But now he had a reason to go and it wasn't because he suddenly started caring about his grades and classes. It was because he had Evan.

    Evan, the boy who made the building and gross food tolerable. Evan, who made Connor able to get out of bed in the morning with his little "good morning" texts. Evan, who relied on Connor to help him around the school and feel wanted. Evan, who would always ask about Connor's mental health and if he was alright. Evan, who Connor was absolutely in love with.

    Okay. Love was a strong word. But strong feelings for the blind boy were there and as much as Connor didn't want to admit it, he couldn't ignore them. Or, he could. But that wouldn't end well.

    Of course he just had to develop feelings for the first friend he's ever had. It's just like that time in middle school when a girl was nice and let him borrow a pencil. Connor spent the next two months completely infatuated with her. Then he realized it was hopeless and he was probably creeping her out. He didn't like to remember the fact that he cried about it for a month afterwards.

    So there he was, sitting in class and pretending to pay attention. But he was really just staring at Evan in a totally not creepy way. He had his head up and was running his left hand across his math textbook and his right hand was writing down notes. It looked weird to Connor because he was using that Braille pressing thing and was writing right to left.

    Someone nudged his elbow. Connor slid his eyes over to his right and saw Jared Kleinman looking at him. He waggled his eyebrows and subtly cocked his head over to Evan.

    Connor rolled his eyes and flipped him over, trying to act cool but a small blush covered his cheeks.

Lunch rolled around and Connor contemplated on skipping it for multiple reasons. One, Jared would be there and probably tease him about math. Two, Evan would be there and he'd run the risk of spilling everything because let's face it; Connor is an impulsive person. Three, the lunches suck and the meat isn't real meat. And four, he was craving a smoke he hadn't had in a while.

    So he decided to stroll out of the building and over to his car. He unlocked the car and slid into back seats. He dug out his pack of cigarettes and lighter. He would've gotten high, but Evan would probably smell the smoke on him and scold him about how drugs were bad and he would sound like his mother and Connor would probably yell at him by accident.

    He let out a puff of smoke. He coughed, not used to smoking after a month. He waved the smoke out of his face.

    He checked his phone a while later and realized lunch ended. Time sure flies when you're not doing anything. He put out his cigarette and left the car, locking it as he walked back towards the school.

    He saw Evan walking out of the cafeteria and made his way over to him. He tapped his shoulder twice.

    'How was lunch?' Connor asked.

    Evan shrugged. 'The same as always. Where were you?'

    'Not eating that shit, that's for sure,' Connor responded. He scratched the back of his neck. 'I was. . . I was smoking in my car.'

    'Connor, you shouldn't smoke weed during school.'

    Connor rolled his eyes. 'This is exactly why I didn't smoke weed. It was regular cigarettes.'

    'My point still stands.'

    Connor nudged Evan's shoulder with his own. The two walked up the nearby stairs. 'Anyways,' the tall boy continued, 'I asked Larry for speech therapy. You know, so I can talk again.'

    'What did he say?' Evan asked.

    'He hasn't decided yet. Cynthia is trying to convince him and I think it's working.'

    'I hope he says yes.' Evan bent his head. 'I've wondered what your voice sounds like. I bet it's pretty.' Both he and Connor turned red at the statement. Evan froze. 'I mean, I hope that- I bet it's nice. That's what I meant. Yeah.'

    They arrived at their classroom. 'Well, whatever happens I'm there for you,' Evan said before taking his hand away and walking to his seat. It was the seat in the front row near the teacher's desk so it was easy to find. Connor casted one more glance at the boy before making his way towards his seat in the back.

    Thankfully Jared wasn't in that class because Connor definitely spent some time staring at the blond.