Cole's POV

I grew up in this orphanage with my brother. He was seven years older than me and recently left to form his own life. He didn't tell me before he left, but I saw a note on my bed that said he would be coming back for me. I didn't know when, and it was unfair. He contacted me a lot, but the only time he had invited me to be with him was very recently, then he said he couldn't make it.

I took care of the younger kids, though. After my brother left, all the other children my age started ignoring me because I reminded them of him. So I looked after the little kids, from seven to twelve years old. They were all really cool, and very accepting of anyone and everyone. Having lesbian caretakers, Katherine and Serena, probably contributed to that. 

I sat on my bed with my homework in my lap, staring at it blankly. I soon put it aside and instead got my phone. There was a message from an unknown person. I looked at it and was shocked.

Unknown: I know your secret, pretty boy. 

The only secret I had was that I was gay. I had no idea who found out or how. I suspected it had to be someone from school.

C: who are you?

U: You know who.

C: VOLDEMORT IS THAT YOU

U: Haha.

C: But really, tell me who you are

U: Find out on your own. I'll see you tomorrow.

It had to be Sunny. Other than Jonas or Slayer, he was the only person who paid any attention to me. The thought of him watching me was creepy, but also made me feel like he could be interested- NO! HE'S STRAIGHT. COLE!! GET YOURSELF TOGETHER!

Ahem. Yeah. That wasn't an option. I decided to see what Jonas and Slayer thought.

C: Hey guys.

S: Hi

C: I got a weird text from someone at school aand I think it's from Sunny. I think he knows I'm gay

J: Let me hit him please

S: I'll join

C: we don't know it's him yet!

J: can I hit him anyway

C: No!

S:So what'cha gonna do?

C: I have no idea

J: just stick to us and we'll protect you

I sighed in relief. I was glad to have friends like them. I heard Serena call everyone downstairs for dinner and shut down my phone.

After everyone was finished eating, I sat down near Katherine. "Something wrong?" she asked. "I like this boy at my school, but he's a jerk and probably hates me," I started. She nodded understandingly and motioned for me to continue. "I think he knows I like boys. Am I that obvious?" I asked. I looked into her purple eyes and curly dark hair. "Do you want to be obvious?" Katherine asked. I shook my head. "I don't want anyone else to know," I said. "Who's this boy you like, anyway?" she asked. My face grew hot. "He comes from a rich family, and he's horrible, but..." "But you can't stay away?" Katherine finished. "Yeah." I smiled. Serena walked downstairs and sat next to us. "What are you two talking about?" she asked. "Gay problems," Katherine answered. "Oh, of course. Gay problems." I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Thanks for helping out, Kathy," I said and headed upstairs. "No problem!" she called up.

The next day as I was approaching the school building, I knew I'd probably have to confront Sunny about the text. Except I wasn't 100% sure it was him. I walked up to my locker and hit my head against it. "Why does this have to be so difficult?" I asked myself. "What's difficult?" I heard a voice behind me ask. I turned around to face Jonas. "Oh, hey... it's nothing," I lied. He raised his eyebrow at me skeptically. "It's nothing," I repeated. "Fine," he gave in. 

I didn't see Sunny at all. He either wasn't at school, or was avoiding me for some odd reason. I was tempted to look for him, but I decided against it. I stepped outside to get some fresh air. "Hey, you still thinking about Sunny?" Jonas asked, walking up to me. I nodded, not looking at him. "Look, Cole, just forget him. He's a jerk. Even if he did like you back, he'd just move on the next time he saw a cute girl. He's horrible for you," he reassured me. I looked up at him and smiled. His warm, chocolatey eyes glimmered in the sunlight. He smiled back at me. "You're a great friend, Jonas," I said. "I know. But it's nice to receive the compliment." My smiled dropped. "I'll hit you," I responded, half-joking. "I'm so scared," Jonas said sarcastically. 

The rest of the day went pretty slowly. I didn't remember eating dinner, reading stories to some of the younger kids, or getting into bed myself.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt sick. I was nauseous, and every second made me wanna throw up. I was instantly sweating. "S-Serena!" I called out, my voice breaking. I heard her footsteps racing to my room. I saw her open the door and race to me. "What's wrong?" she asked. I told her my symptoms. "Alright. I'll go get you something to help. Just don't try to move around," she instructed. I nodded as she left the room and came back soon with whatever she could use to help.

Jonas's POV

I tried not to panic when Cole texted me he was sick. I didn't know if he had a major illness or a cold and I was worried. "Jonas," Slayer started, watching me try to calm myself down. "What?" I answered, the sharpness clear in my tone. "Why are you so worried about Cole? This has happened before to him, he's always fine," she continued. "But what if he's not okay?" I asked. She studied my face, full of fear and anticipation. "Oh, I get it," she said finally. "What...?" I was clueless. What did she mean? "Someone has a crush on Cole," she teased. "What? No I don't! He may be good-looking, but I don't like him like that!" I assured her.

She raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?" she asked. "Very sure," I answered. "Would you tell me if you liked him?" she questioned. "Sure, totally," I said. Slayer looked at me skeptically but eventually said, "Fine," and left me alone about it. I was certain I wasn't interested in Cole, no matter how cute he was, or how much like lavender he smelled when he was close enough to me, or how his eyes reminded me of emeralds shining brightly as the only light in an abyss of darkness and sorrow, or how his laugh could make anyone laugh with him, or how his voice was so smooth and calming and- sorry, what was I saying?

...

Oh, right.

I didn't like Cole. Only as a friend.