"Mysophobia or germaphobia: a pathological fear of contamination and germs. Related to compulsive hand washing, fear of physical contact especially with strangers, a refusal to share personal belongings, excessive efforts to clean and sanitize one's environment... That must be it."Muttered Trey as he read the webpage on the library computer, the only one the students could use.

He had had a tough time convincing the librarian he needed to do some research for homework but his pleasant smile had finally done the trick.
It usually worked.

He scrolled down and continued to read. This was what Ash had. He was sure of it.
"Mysophobia can be a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It can appear when a person suffers from anxiety due to a traumatic event."
This was it. Ash suffered from OCD since his accident, it made perfect sense. Trey should have been relieved to have found out the truth.
And yet...

He had thought that if he did some research on what affected Ash since the crash he might have been able to help him. But after all that reading he was way less optimistic. Ash was going through so much and he didn't even know about it. How could he have been so inconsiderate?

Ash was so strong. He hid all his feelings behind his scowl and his boredom. When in reality he was hurting.
A lot.

Trey was angry at himself. If only he had payed more attention, he could have understood Ash's sudden mood changes and unexplained outbursts. He also could have helped him.
But now, he knew and he was going to do his best to be the least annoying possible. At least until he asked the headmaster to change dorm rooms.

Because this also explained why Ash had only very few roommates who usually didn't stay long. How could he share his safe personal space with a complete stranger in his condition? How could he do it with him? Trey was also a complete stranger if he thought about it. And he had barged unannounced in Ash's life, just like every other roommate he had before. Ash had only been trying to scare him off like he always did, just so that he could be left alone.

Trey groaned, the first thing he had done was touch one of Ash's things. Of course the boy had reacted so harshly, who wouldn't have? Trey had missed all the obvious signs like always. Ash had probably let him stay out of pity. And here he was playing footsies with him under the table and climbing on him in his own bed.

How stupid and inconsiderate could he be?

Ash was just being nice to an idiot who lacked affection.
That was it.
And it had to stop.

Because if it didn't, he would never get better. And if Ash didn't put an end to it, Trey would because he knew that deep down the other boy was too kind to toss him out.

He was going to leave the dorm room, as he should have on the very first day. Hopefully that would settle things between them. Especially after what had happened a week ago. Trey hadn't even seen Ash for the past days and he felt like if he stayed he would surely-

"What are you reading?"
Trey jumped when he heard a deep and familiar voice so close to him.
"J-just something for psychology class?"
"Is that a question or an affirmation? And do we even have a psychology clas-"

"It's nothing Ry, just some personal research!" Answered Trey as he quickly closed the webpage. He had been so focused on his research that he hadn't heard the boy coming closer.

"But you just told me-"
"A-anyway what are you doing here? I didn't peg you as a library reader." Trey cut him.
"I was looking for you actually..."

Oh gosh was that a blush?

Was Ry, the tallest and most intimidating person Trey knew, blushing?
The boy's cheeks grew red as well, he was uneasy. Ry always seemed to know how to throw him off without even being aware of it.

"Why?"
"I was just bored"
"Don't you have class?"
"I did. And then I got bored. So I went looking for you."
The librarian gave Ry a death stare as he spoke, but when she saw his build, she lowered her eyes to her keyboard and furiously typed away.
Trey focused his attention on Ry again.

"Oh okay. What's the matter?"
"Nothing much, I just wanted to chat."
"Do you want to talk outside?" Asked Trey.
"No that's fine you seemed busy we can just talk here." Replied Ry.
"I'm not sure the librarian would appreciate th-"

"Trey." He interrupted with a charming smile.
"Given how much money my parents give the school, I could turn this library into a strip club if I wanted to."
Trey snorted and his hands flew to his mouth to stop the laugh from getting out. He could absolutely picture Ry turning the old library into a flamboyant club. He had no limits.

"Dial it down, she's going to hear you!" He whispered.
"I said that given how much money my parents give the school, I could turn this library into a strip club if I wanted to!" He shouted.
The librarian's head shot up and she scowled at the two boys.

Well if she hadn't heard before she definitely had now.
Trey laughed through his hands as the librarian continued typing as fast as ever
"Now. Where were we?"
"You wanted to chat."
"Right right, we haven't had many chances to speak before and you intrigue me Trey Johnes."
"How do you know m-"
"I know everything."
Trey had a feeling of déjà vu. Everyone here seemed to know more things than he did apparently.

Ry continued talking: "How about you tell me something interesting about you and I'll tell you something interesting about me? Something no one knows.

Wait.
No. Scratch that.

What is your deepest shame?"

Trey grew silent.
He got unwanted flashbacks of him kissing this boy in his room right before his stepfather walked in. And of how everything had gone wrong from there.
But he couldn't tell Ry that.
He had to lie.

"I got rejected by the girl I liked last year." Not a total lie.
"That's it? I don't believe you. I'm sure girls go crazy over that face of yours. Just look at these freckles, I would die for those!" Laughed Ry.
"Not at all. What would make you think that?" Replied Trey.
"You're very handsome Trey. And you have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen."
Trey stopped laughing, embarrassed. He wasn't used to compliments.

"What's your deepest shame then? I told you mine, it's your turn." He quickly changed the subject.
Ry groaned.
"All I wanted was to know more about you and instead I'm the one revealing my secrets."
Trey chuckled.

"Go on, I'm waiting."
"Fine. I can't say no to you. But promise me you won't laugh"
"I promise."
"My complete name is Riley."
Trey snorted again but this time he let his laugh out and it filled the small room. He hadn't laughed like that in what seemed like ages.

"Your deepest shame is that you're called Riley? That's quite random."
"Let me explain!" Retorted Ry, carefully bumping his shoulder against Trey's.
"Okay, okay please do." He continued laughing.

"It was my mother's idea. She wanted something original. So she decided to name me Riley."
"Um okay, but what's the problem with that? It's a great name! I prefer Ryley to Ry."
"Trey it's a girl's name!"
He whisper-shouted helplessly.

Trey was caught in a wild laugh once again
"S-sorry I d-didn't realize. But it's still a great name?"
"There you go again! Was that a question or an affirmation? And you promised not to laugh you rascal, you're going to pay for that!"

Trey couldn't contain the shriek as Ry attacked his sides. Tickles were still one of his many weaknesses.
"Ry s-stop!" Trey couldn't stop laughing and twisting.
"You're going to kill me!"
He desperately tried to get away but Ry caught his flaying arms and tugged him forwards.
Trey immediately stopped laughing as his nose brushed Ry's.
Trey was getting anxious. He felt like he had already lived this scene but in a very different way.

But back to his present situation... This was very awkward. Ry was definitely freaking out.
And over nothing. He was surely going to take a step back and laugh it off like anyone would. Well, not exactly everyone.

Ash would surely make fun of him and call him a klutz again.
There, he was thinking about him again.
But back to Ry.
If he was freaking out, why was he bringing his face even closer?
They were in public! The librarian was here.
And why would he eve-

Trey's thoughts were interrupted by Ry's cry of pain as a fist collided against his cheek and sent him to the floor.

What the hell had just happened?
Why was Ash in the library? Sitting on top of Ry and slamming his fists in his face?

Once the surprise passed, Ry recovered his senses and blocked Ash's punches before twisting them around so he had the upper hand.
He got a few good hits in before Ash cried in anger and twisted them again, back muscles straining against the material of his shirt.

Trey stood there, helpless. He couldn't step in and the only thing he was thinking about was how long had Ash been listening to them and what exactly had he heard?

"That's enough!"Suddenly shouted the librarian in a surprisingly booming voice for her height. The two fighting boys were so surprised that they stopped and looked up at her, ready to continue once she got back to typing. But the two guards standing right behind her, tasers out, quickly convinced them to comply.

"You three, principals office."
"Bu-" Tried Trey.
"Now!"
Trey sighed and the two other boys groaned as the guards roughly lifted them from the floor. They kept dead silent on the way to the principal's office. Trey tried sneaking a glance at Ash's face as they walked. The cold green eyes never met him. He looked worse than Trey had thought. A gnarly gash ran across his left cheekbone and his upper lip was split.

Why had he stepped in once again? Trey was secretly glad he had, but he had to stop. Each time he did, he ended up getting hurt. And that didn't explain why he had done it again and what he was doing to be able to intervene at the right moment.

They arrived in front of the office and the two boys entered first. Trey waited on a chair wringing his hands in stress. He hoped none of them got a too heavy punishment. He really couldn't afford getting kicked out, he had nowhere to go.
And neither did they.

Finally, the two boys stepped out and it was his turn.
Trey walked in, closed the door and immediately noticed the disapproval on Mr Grant's face. He sat down, keeping his face bare of any emotion.

And then, the principal spoke.

Hoho cliffhanger! What do you think the principal is about to say?
I'm sorry for the long wait and I want to thank you all for your support. Please keep in mind that this book is still under editing so if you don't remember everything I recommend reading it again from the beginning. It should be better written:)
Anyway thank you all for sticking around! I hope I'll be able to publish the next chapter soon!
Xoxo Moonlightshow 💜🌙