We left the library and I heard the creaking sound of the old sturdy door behind us as.

I didn't know why Hayden insisted on talking to Blaze. My thoughts kept circling around possible reasons. Could it be girls? Any trouble with teachers?

Curiosity spread through me and I got all jittery. I noticed my legs moving on their own as I simply followed Blaze. As I looked up at him,his gray eyes darted forwards.

His eyelashes were bright and long, and to be honest, I was always jealous of them. Who wouldn't be? Every boy I knew had flawless lashes that girls took cosmetic measures for. Make-up, extensions and various oils. It was simply unfair.

Before Blaze could meet my gaze, I stared ahead. He nudged me teasingly in the side. I smacked him to make him stop.

His pale eyes twitched with delight. Idiot.

He always wanted to look tough on the outside, but when we were together, he behaved like a pre-schooler.

It always reminded me that we had to maintain a certain image to the public.

But behind closed doors, we were just like everyone else: humans.

After walking down the endless corridor made of beige stones, we stopped in the hallway. One of the doors swung open and a honey-blonde curly-haired boy walked out of the classroom. It was Hayden.

I folded my arms as a cold breeze hit me. From my position, I could see the sky turning gray. Today, of all days, I had left my jacket in my room whilst I was out acting as a courier.

My eyes returned to the scene in front of me. Hayden took off his black blazer and handed it to me without a word. I accepted the jacket purely because I was cold.

That was how it was as to be a girl when you were forced to wear a skirt due to traditional customs at school. At least they made them black and white. You couldn't go wrong with these colors. Especially if you added your individual style.

Hayden's blazer was too big for me, which was obvious as he was a giant at 6,3 feet.

My hands were no longer visible. I felt like a penguin. Not very stylish, but appropriate for the occasion.

A light scent of fall wafted up to my nose. Oranges and cinnamon. Does that smell come from his blazer?

I was just about to sniff the clothing as Blaze took a step towards Hayden.

There was hardly any difference in their height. Blaze was just a little taller. I felt puny next to them, even though I was relatively tall at 5.7 feet. When we were kids, they used to compete with each other in terms of height, but at some point they stopped. Blaze's growth actually had to be stopped.

»So, Hayden, what's so important that you couldn't wait?«, asked Blaze with a piercing look. I took a step back in case the boys went for each other's throat. I didn't sense any aggression, but one could never be sure enough. They were like toddlers and were constantly jabbing each other. I assumed it was their way of expressing fondness for one another.

Hayden tousled his blond curly hair. I noticed that the sides were cut shorter. A few strands shimmered golden in the light.

»You did it... you got someone pregnant, Blaze«, Hayden announced soberly. Blaze's jaw dropped. My gaze flitted to Hayden. He tugged at his shirtsleeve, revealing to me that he was lying.

I suppressed a smile and rolled my lower lip inwards.

What's friendship without a bit of fun?

»You're fucking kidding me«, Blaze stammered and continued, »this isn't funny.« Hayden grinned derisively and I agreed. My wannabe brother's expression changed and you could tell that he was a little pissed off. He started to grind his jaw and then bumped our blonde friend with his shoulder.

»It was just a little joke. If I was being serious, I would have planned a small event to celebrate Father's Day«, Hayden gushed with amusement. »Well, you couldn't kid me, but for our dear Blaze this is a very serious topic«, I added, standing next to the two of them.

»Did you tease him with it too?«, Hayden asked, looking at me with his beady eyes. He had dark brown eyes that sometimes looked black and piercing, even if there were some specks of white light in them.

We looked at each other for longer than necessary and I nodded as an answer.

»You guys are such assholes. This might be funny to you, but not to me. You act like I'd really jump in bed with any girl«, Blaze grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck in a huff. I walked up to him and latched onto him. »If you'd actually become a father, this would have been different. A bit more festive. But you can lighten up. Hayden's lying, so you don't need to worry about it, you giant baby«, I said, teasing him and squeezed his arm.

Blaze smirked and shoved his hands in his pockets. I pulled him by the arm and he leaned down towards me.

»Your dork of a roommate has a pretty bad habit when he's lying, so trust me«, I whispered to him. He eyeballed me with a narrowed look and then flashed his teeth.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Hayden giving us a wry look. »Since you two are here... I need both of you to study«, he interrupted, approaching us making me let go of Blaze to make space.

I knew it. He always does this when it is about a particular school subject.

»Is it history?«, our freckled friend asked with a groan. »Yes, I have to make up for a surprise exam«, he announced, swaying from one foot to the other.

I frowned at him. »If you know the date of the test, it's hardly a surprise«, Blaze said in amusement and stretched. »Exactly«, Hayden sighed.

I looked at Hayden and realized that he was shivering, although he tried not to let it show. No wonder, he was only wearing a white shirt because of me. So I quickly intervened.

»Whatever, let's go inside. It's freezing.«

Blaze took my backpack from me. It looked tiny on him.

»Nice purse«, Hayden teased him immediately, only to get a mid-finger in response of Blaze.

We went to Blaze and Hayden's room because they were sharing it.

The Cardell Academy offered accommodation for the students during school terms. On vacations and vacations, everyone could go home. If you thought about it, you could assume that the private school was a kind of day-care center where parents dropped off their offspring so they didn't have to look after them themselves.

I followed the boys until they stopped to check if there was a supervisor in the hallway to the boys' rooms. I hid my hair under the blazer and tried to look taller. I always did this, even though I knew very well that it didn't help. At best, I could be a boy in growth, apart from the fact that I was wearing a skirt.

Hayden gave a sign and we went on our way.

Even though we lived in a time where society should be advanced, girls are not allowed in boys' bedrooms. And vice versa. But let's be honest, no one abided the rules. Besides, heterosexuality was by no means the only way people could live out their desires. Plus, not everything had to end with the exchange of body fluids.

We finally stopped in front of the largest room. Blaze unlocked the door so that I could slip in quickly.

One of the walls was painted a dark dove blue, while the rest was white. Each of the boys had their own side of the room. On the left was Hayden's area. On his table were various books about physics, space and astronomy. Next to his table was his fencing equipment and more private literature, which faced away like he was trying to hide something.

Blaze, on the other hand, was into martial arts. This was evident from his gear and some of his awards, which were scattered around the room. It may be odd to some, but his Lego collection was there too. That's right, Blaze was a fan of Lego. Shocking, isn't it?

I glanced at the construction manual on his table. Lately he had been working on the Lego Colosseum. I always assumed that he saw the little bricks as a challenge which is why he was so obsessed with them.

In the center of the room there was a seating area with two beanbags, a NintendoSwitch and a TV. It almost resembled a children's room. Who would have assumed that two giant boys would live there?

I took off my blazer and hung it over the back of Hayden's chair. Then I sat down on a beanbag and adjusted my skirt.

»So, what exactly do you need me for? You know very well that Blaze is better when it comes to history«, I admitted honestly. Our honey-blonde friend leaned down towards me. »Yes, Blaze is better at history, we all know that. But I need you. His writing is terrible and all he does is nag when you're not around. Think of it as a state of emergency.« Always that nonchalant undertone.

I nudged Hayden and he swayed to the side while grinning, causing him to prop his hand on my beanbag. He rocked me back and forth.

»Okay, beady eyes«, I agreed, annoyed.

›Button eye‹ - only I called him that. I didn't even remember when I had started doing it. It had just become a habit. The others just made fun of it, but Hayden seemed to ignore it, probably because he was too patient to get upset - unlike me.

»So you want my notes and some help with your matrimonial problems?«, I claimed cheekily, placing my folded hands on my knee. Blaze snorted and flopped down on the beanbag next to me. »He's being fucking ridiculous. He wants you to babysit just because he wants you to protect him«, he snarled, rolling his eyes.

»I don't need protection«, Hayden said calmly as he rolled up his sleeves. His pale forearms appeared, adorned with veins and a few moles.

»I'm just a strict tutor«, mumbled the freckle-faced boy rather disinterestedly. »Go ahead. Show me how rigorous you are«, our blond friend replied with his piercing gaze. I tousled through Hayden's hair, as he was still kneeling next to me. There was something about his hair that was inviting. Sometimes you just felt the need to pull on those short curls.

I punched Blaze on the shoulder.

»You're like children, which is why I'm here. Otherwise you wouldn't learn and would only argue«, I said without concern and stood up. »Ouch, why do you only hit me«, Blaze howled and scrunched up his face in offense. I turned to him and stroked his light brown mop of hair so that he would shut up, and he did.

The two boys looked at each other blankly. It seemed as if a dogfight was about to break out at any moment. They continued to tease each other and exchanged glances.

For some reason, Brea and Treyton came to my mind. I missed them a lot. They were part of our friend group, but for now they were busy with their theater club. I had no idea why they both liked theater so much. All I knew was that Treyton was mainly involved with the clothes, while Brea had a passion for set design. They both had an artistic streak.

Both had been unavailable for so long, as they were keeping a big secret about the school production, until the concept was finalized.

In the morning I had received a message from Brea saying that I wouldn't be able to meet her until the weekend. That meant two more days of not seeing her.

I sighed and walked over to Blaze's chair, as he had placed my bag there. I unzipped it and pulled out my history notes. They were neatly arranged in a thin, light brown folder.

»So, what exactly do you need?«, I asked Hayden, flicking through the pages. He stood up and moved to next to me. Then he leaned towards me and stood close to my face. A curl fell limply into his forehead and I shoved my folder into his hand.

He casually flicked through the pages. Then he headed for the door. »Where are you going?«, I asked him, »I thought you wanted to study?« His brown eyes looked up intently. »Yes... I do... Can I go copy the notes? I can read them later. If I write them down, it would take me way too long.« I nodded to him and he closed the folder. Then I heard the door shutting.

Blaze threw his head back. »It's always the same with him«, he grumbled loudly, narrowing his eyes at me as I sat down at his desk. His Lego Colosseum stood in front of me. He was still at the beginning of his construction and I knew that it would upset him if I touched it.

I moved closer and looked at his current progress. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him sitting up in his beanbag and putting his hands together. My attention immediately wandered back to the Lego bricks and the instructions. He was only on page 27 of the first book. I lifted a few pages and examined the next steps. There were so many pages ahead of him. Just looking at them made me feel dizzy.

»Interested?«, I suddenly heard Blaze whisper in my ear. I cringed. »Stop it.« He burped at me and I gave a sharp snort. »With what?«, he chortled and I grimaced as he fouled the air. »Scaring me when I'm near your Legos. I would not want to break anything like last time.«

During his last project, I knocked over a section of the Tower Bridge. But I can defend myself, he had pinched me in the side and I had knocked it over with my arms. Technically, he was involved in the accident.

»Someone's feeling guilty«, he teased me and poked me in the side. I twisted the corners of my mouth because that was actually true. When he found time, he would sit for many hours focusing on his Legos.

I turned towards him. His face was above mine. »Of course I feel bad. I know you like to keep yourself busy. Not everyone should know what we are interested in. Especially when it comes to your hobby. Your image as a player would no longer be so steadfast. You'd be a joke.«

Blaze gazed down at me, his arms wrapped around my shoulders and he hugged my head. I felt his warm, muscular chest.

»Don't worry, it's all right. This is why I only let you touch my constructions. Hayden is not even allowed near it. Brea and Treyton aren't interested in it really. So I just have to make that my roommate stays the fuck away from them. Well, and that you don't mess anything up. Correction... that you don't mess anything up again«, he yipped merrily.

I nudged his side with my elbow, and Blaze tensed up as if I had hurt him. I knew he was faking it, though. To him, my blows felt like a feather brushing against him. His body was far too athletic for that or as I liked to say - ›marked by martial arts punches‹.

»I was only joking. I know you'll be cautious now«, he chuckled, squeezing my head. I smacked him with my hand to get him off. He straightened up as if I had just stroked him.

We looked at the Lego bricks in front of us. The mood somehow became more serious as Blaze started patting my head and I let him. Physical touch was his way of expressing affection.

»You haven't spoken to Brea for a long time, haven't you?«, he asked me without giving me any warning. There was some concern in his voice. I sighed audibly. »She's busy. We texted this morning and agreed to meet up at the weekend.«

He leaned his chin against my head and squeezed my shoulder. "If there's anything you want to talk about, I'm here to listen. But I think there are some things I shouldn't know about." Of course, my best friend noticed that I missed Brea. She was my only female companion.

»Not really. It's just that I feel like I'm missing things in her life«, I attempted to articulate. I could feel Blaze leaning forward, stretching out his arm and placing a beige brick on top of his Lego building.

»Am I disturbing you?«, Hayden asked coolly. When did he come back?

I pushed my wannabe brother away from me. Blaze rose to his feet while I remained at his desk. "No, we were just bitching behind your back, and I was making sure there wouldn't be another Lego accident. Now show me where you need help," he replied casually, moving over to Hayden's desk in order to lean against it.

I looked at our blonde friend, who came up to me and pressed my folder into my hand. Afterwards, he walked silently to his desk and started studying.

Throughout the whole time, Blaze watched Hayden attentively and didn't allow him to get distracted. Occasionally, I glanced at them to fulfill my duty as a supervisor.

After a while, when there was silence, I got bored and grabbed a paintbrush from the left-hand drawer in which Blaze kept it. I moved the wooden chair closer and carefully dusted the surface of his Lego construction. It may have seemed excessive, but after offending him already once, I didn't want to risk doing it a second time.

I looked at the small beige and brown stones and wondered how big the building would be once it was finished. If there were four manuals available already, it would probably be gigantic.

A little later, I leaned back and put the brush back in its place. Then my eyes wandered to the boys. Blaze was standing right behind Hayden, agitated. He was actually doing it quietly so I wouldn't notice, but I did. Hayden had probably mixed up a decade or some names. Blaze could be really meticulous about that because he memorized everything in history down to the last detail.

I backed up the chair, stood up and walked towards my self-appointed brother. Then I hit him on the back of the neck.

»Don't tease him like that«, I nagged and planted my hand on my hip. »You mean, you aggressive wench«, Blaze hissed, and rubbed the spot. Hayden smirked with satisfaction and turned his attention to his notes.

I stood behind the student. His tutor stood next to me. »And you study properly«, I finally scolded Hayden as I clawed my hand on his neck. He flinched at my touch, which was probably due to my cold fingers. His skin was warm, the exact opposite of mine.

Without being disturbed by me, he devoted himself to his studies. But I could tell that the corners of his mouth were twitching. That little prick.

Blaze snorted with satisfaction as our friend also experienced my grip. My hold loosened and my hand slid to Hayden's shoulder.

Fortunately for my freckle-faced brother, it wasn't long before Hayden made another mistake and the fun started all over again.