"YOU DIDN'T ANSWER MY question," Chase said.

"No," Mateo said," the real question is, what are you doing here?"

It would have worked on no one else, but Chase always had been distracted just as easily as Mateo, so all his suspicions disappeared immediately. With a shy smile he gestured at Amelia, before looking back at Mateo.

"Being on my date," he said," we were spending some time here before the movie."

"That's such a cute way to spend time," Sahar smiled.

"We were on a double date here as well," Gabriela said, leaning her hand on Mateo's shoulder," I thought it fun to see how good Mateo would be in these motorcycle games, considering he's the only one of us who actually drives one."

"Tell me you won, Gab," Amelia said.

"There's no way," Chase said confidently," Mateo always beats me easily in this game."

Mateo looked away dramatically, before dipping his head. "I'm afraid I have let you down, Chasey. I have committed a grave err -"

"Yeah, he lost," Gabriela replied.

"You know what they say," Mateo grinned," perfection is boring. I had to give myself some flaws to give the rest of the world a chance."

"Thank you for being so gracious, Mateo," Jay said," I finally feel like I can breathe now."

"You should," Mateo said," you spent the whole game spinning around."

Jay scowled at him, but Sahar happily popped another piece of cotton candy in his mouth before he could say anything. With a huff he crossed his arms, though he clearly wasn't really angry. Just when the conversation lapsed in casual chatter did Gabriela's phone ring and she excused herself, pecking Mateo on the cheek as she headed out. The loud sounds of the arcade were somewhat behind her when she took the call, not having checked who it was yet.

"Hello Gabriela?"

She blinked, surprised at the voice.

"Principal?"

"Yes, sorry for calling," Clarkson said," I'm passing by the town square and Mateo texted me that's where you guys where at. I really hate to trouble you in your free time, but it's about your scholarship."

Her blood froze in her veins, but her voice remained steady. "It doesn't matter, where are you?"

"It's fine," he said," I'll come to you."

It took him five minutes to get to where she was standing outside the arcade and she almost parted her lips when she saw him in shock. He was dressed to the nines for once, completely in black and with his dark curls somewhat tamed, a blush from the chill blooming underneath the dark color of his skin, like flowers beneath the earth.

"Sir," she said.

"Gabriela," he beamed, looking happy to see her," I hope I'm not disturbing you too much."

"Not at all," she said," you wanted to tell me something?"

"Yes," he said," I've been calling to get the papers for your promised transfer ready as you know, but I also have asked a few influential friends to make a recommendation letter. Your grades are good, but I know how people react to the name St Joseph. I want you to know I'll help you as much as I can."

The stone that had sunk in her stomach seemed to dissolve then and she breathed out, feeling like a weight she didn't know she was carrying had lifted off her shoulders, even just a little. She had tried to pretend everything was fine today so as to not worry Mateo too much, but the thought of her future being an unstable one was too much for her. Everything she had envisioned would be in shambles if she didn't get a scholarship, because God knew she couldn't afford the education otherwise. Hearing someone say they would actually help her through that meant the world, even if it was difficult to get the words out.

"I know this could have waited until Monday," he continued," but I also know you've been very stressed about it, so I just wanted to tell you you're not alone in this. These past few weeks I've been gathering what's needed and I couldn't tell you until I was sure it would be fixed, but just a week and then I'll be able to give you all the letters."

"Thank you," she breathed," thank you so much, sir."

"Don't thank me, Gabriela," he smiled softly," I just want to help."

"Is that Sebastian Clarkson I see there?" a loud voice yelled happily.

A moment after Mateo practically ran out of the arcade in Clarkson's open arms, Jay following closely behind. Though Gabriela never would have expected to see it, Jay didn't even hesitate to hug the man, his rough lines blending in vulnerable smiles instead. Once they both stepped out of the group hug Clarkson still beamed and despite the fact that all three of them had a wildly different ethnicity, they still looked like a family.

"How have you been?" the principal smiled, ruffling through their hair.

"Good," Mateo grinned," we're hanging out here like I told you. I didn't expect you to come by."

"What are you doing here?" Jay said.

"I actually wanted to talk with Gabriela," Clarkson said," and considering that you two were with her, I thought I'd see you after." His eyes gleamed with warmth. "You both look well."

"As do you," Mateo said," where are you going, all dressed up like that?"

The principal became still for a moment, before offering them a small smile. "I'm visiting my son for the very first time in years."

Gabriela didn't speak, feeling like she was intruding on a very private moment. She hadn't known the principal had a son, but she supposed it was only obvious with how fatherly he was around Mateo and Jay. His reaction was a stiff one though, but perhaps they weren't so close? From Mateo's reaction she could immediately read that the subject was fragile, one which could shatter with the wrong word.

"I haven't been able to," the principal continued, before his gaze wandered across Jay and Mateo," but lately my heart's been healing again, so I want to thank you two for being in my life. You may not have been born as my sons, but you both will live as them, know this. I'll always be here for you."

"Don't be getting all nostalgic on us now," Jay said, though his voice was soft.

"We love you too," Mateo sniffled.

"Jesus, Mateo, don't cry," Jay frowned," we shouldn't be the ones who are crying right now."

"Oh shut up, Jay-Jay," Mateo said, a sob escaping him," I wouldn't know what to do without the three of you."

"You never have to find out," Clarkson reassured him, pulling them both in a hug again.

Once he pulled back, his earlier vulnerability was gone again, blended in the happy mask of a principal Gabriela had always seen him wear. He waved at the three of them, pulling his scarf closer against the chill.

"Bye," he shouted," have fun, you three! Life is short you know."

"See you soon!" Mateo called out.

"See you soon," Clarkson replied with a smile.

They headed inside again, Gabriela's worries floating away with the wind. Everything was going to be alright, that she was getting more and more sure of. Now she only had to ace the rest of her exams and then she would be off studying law and living her dreams. Mateo and Jay both seemed to have their spirits lifted as well, though they still had been happy before. Their plan to follow Chase sneakily obviously had failed, but now they were going to the movies together in a new sort of triple date.

"I was thinking a romantic movie," Chase told Amelia.

"I was thinking horror," she replied with a smile.

"I wish I wasn't thinking if we do so."

"Let's watch this nature documentary," Sahar beamed, tapping on the poster of a beaver swimming in water.

"Yes to whatever Sahar says," Jay agreed.

"That's a bad argument," Mateo said.

"Let's just watch a romantic thriller, alright?" Gabriela said, placating them all as she waved a hand at a poster.

It took them a while to all agree, but then they were walking towards their cinema room, popcorn in their hands and chatter leaving their lips. They all took a place, almost filling a row with all of them, and Gabriela leaned back, ready for the movie. It was one about a married couple, where the man turned into a stalker when they divorced, killing everyone who got closer to his ex-wife. Mateo smiled excitedly at all the suspense, Sahar and Chase gasping at every plot twist as Amelia and Jay just watched the screen intently.

The ex-wife got a new boyfriend and the stalker cut his brakes, even Mateo's lips parting as the poor man tried to stop himself from hitting a street lantern. With a loud crash the car crumpled in, a wreckage of glass and bone, but before Gabriela could even whisper something about it to Mateo, Jay's phone went off. He frowned, ready to turn the sound down, before blinking at the screen.

"It's Clarkson," he murmured.

"What's going on?" Mateo whispered from the seat beside him, immediately having caught on to the name.

Jay picked up the phone, looking confused, before freezing once he heard a stranger's voice.

"Hello, you're speaking with Augustinus Hospital. Are you Sebastian Clarkson's son?"

"What's going on?" Mateo said, not caring for keeping his voice quiet anymore.

"He got in a car crash in front of a graveyard, so we need you to come to the hospital as soon as possible."

"Is he alright?" Jay managed to say, Mateo's face paling beside him.

"He's dead."